This story has references to my stories: CONSECRATION, CHESED, CHESED TOO AND A NIGHTMARE ON PROSPECT STREET
The envelope had borne the return address of William Ellison, Cascade, Washington. Inside, tucked neatly with a note that read 'Thought you would want to know what your ex is up to these days' was a worn copy of a newspaper article about a friendship ceremony that had been performed by a visiting rabbi, complete with picture.
Carolyn chuckled to herself, as curiosity took over and unlike most she actually read the accompanying article. William Ellison would never change. The forensic specialist refolded the papers and stowed them away.
14 Months Later...
"You're kidding me, right?" Blair Sandburg could not believe what his sentinel, roommate and best friend had just told him. "Carolyn is coming here? To the loft? For dinner?"
"So?" James Ellison sipped at his coffee.
"So?" Blair's eyes went wide. Sometimes the best detective in Major Crimes could be so clueless. "Does Michelle know about this?"
Jim shrugged. "She's going to be here so, yeah, I guess she knows."
"Man, you are one brave SOB."
Jim emptied the remaining contents of his mug into the sink. "What's the big deal?"
"You're getting your girlfriend together with your ex-wife and you ask what's the big deal?" Blair shook his head. "Big guy, you are asking for trouble."
"She's not my girlfriend," Jim said reflexively.
"Sure, Jim. Whatever."
"Look, it's just dinner. Carolyn's in town for a conference. Is she just suppose to ignore me?"
Blair grabbed his backpack and headed for the door. "Have it your way, man. See ya, later. Way later."
"You're not going to be here?"
Blair snorted and exited the loft.
*************************************************************
"Michelle, dinner was great!" Carolyn complimented, rising from the table. and carrying her plate to the sink.
Jim followed suit. "What makes you think she cooked it?"
"Because lentil stew is not in your repertoire."
"Ha ha ha."
Michelle was already in the kitchen setting up the coffee maker. She began dessert preparations while Jim and Carolyn moved to the sofa.
"I like her," Carolyn commented as they sat.
Jim laughed. "Sandburg thought all hell would break loose tonight."
Carolyn crossed her legs. "Is that why he didn't join us?"
Jim nodded. "I know you've had your jealous tendencies. But he should have known Chelle wouldn't be bothered."
Carolyn gave her ex a cold stare. "Jealous tendencies?"
"Well... yeah."
They stared each other down for a few moments then both laughed at themselves. "Of course," she began mischievously, "I could be jealous of this." She produced the envelope she had received from Jim's dad all those months ago.
Once again Jim was presented with a reminder from the consecration of friendship and he scowled. "Et tu Brute'?"
At that moment Michelle appeared carrying a tray with coffee mugs and plates with peach pie. Setting it on the coffee table she asked, "What's the matter?"
Angrily Jim shoved the newspaper clipping at her. "Oh, she's here to give me grief about this."
Carolyn was shocked. "Give you grief? James Joseph Ellison, I was hoping you knew me slightly better than that."
"You said..."
"I was just teasing you, for goodness sake."
"Yeah, well, it's nothing to tease about," Jim grumbled as he accepted a dessert plate from Michelle.
Carolyn looked to the professor. "I must have missed something."
Handing her a plate she said simply, "You did."
Carolyn raised her eyebrows. "Well, is someone going to fill me in?"
Jim made a wave of the hand, deferring to Michelle, then shoveled a bite of pie into his mouth.
Michelle knelt on the floor beside the table. "We've had a few scenes over that newspaper article."
Jim swallowed. "The picture," he corrected. "Nobody bothered to read the article."
His ex-wife gave him a look. "I did," she informed him. "And even if I hadn't, I know you." She tasted her pie. "Anyone who knows your father would know he would never understand." She smiled to herself. "I'm sure he sent that to me hoping that I would raise all kinds of ruckus. Good thing not everybody thinks the way he does."
"Just Naomi." Jim forked his dessert. "Only she's happy for us."
"Your parents would think the same even if they'd read the article," Michelle put in.
"So, you really aren't here to make some crack about it?" Jim was still unsure.
"If I'd wanted to do that I would have been here a long time ago," Carolyn conveyed. "I just thought that it was amusing..."
Jim glared. "Amusing?"
"That your father thought I would come and make a fuss," she continued.
Jim slid his plate across the coffee table. "Well, I haven't quite reached the point of being able to see the humor."
"Although," she began, directing her comment to Michelle. "I could make a fuss over the fact the the whole time we were married he wouldn't kiss me in front of anyone. Guess some things do change." Her voice trailed off as she noticed Michelle shaking her head slowly. "Oh. Or not."
"Are you two finished?" Jim feigned annoyance.
Michelle gave a devious sideways glance. "So, tell me, Carolyn, did Jim ever try to use strawberries?"
Laughter rang out in the loft as Jim jokingly threw a sofa cushion at the Judaic educator and she threw it back.
Two hours later Carolyn departed. An hour after that came the return of one Blair Sandburg. He entered to find Jim sitting at the end of the couch with Michelle lying down her head resting in his lap.
"Hey!"
"Shh." Jim hushed him and indicated that his not girlfriend was sleeping.
Blair lowered his voice. "Glad to see you're still among the living," he teased as he neared his friend and sat across from him on the coffee table.
"You underestimate the women in my life, Darwin."
"Carolyn's still in your life is she?"
Jim smirked. "Well, if I only see her once a year I won't cry about it.." There was a pause. "Guess what she had with her."
Blair put his hands up.
"Our favorite news clipping," Jim finished.
The younger man reacted. "How'd she get that?"
"Dear old dad decided that she should be informed of my new... um... lifestyle. Or rather what he perceives to be my new lifestyle." Jim shook his head. "I was really hoping to have heard the last of it. I'm just glad that at least Naomi isn't siccing people on you over it. That way you don't get confronted about it."
Blair went sheepish. "Not exactly. I mean everyone at the U saw the paper. I have been turned down a few times over it."
"Sorry about that."
"Not your fault, Jim. Besides, anyone who doesn't understand isn't someone who would understand us in general and that's not someone I would want to be with... Understand?"
Jim's head was swimming from his friend's statement but he nodded. He absently stroked Michelle's long hair. "It's funny, Chief. *Chelle really wasn't bothered by Caro. Some women would have thrown a fit. Some would have pretended to okay with it. She really was okay with it.."
"What about Carolyn?"
"I think she was curious about her. I get the feeling that she has someone. 'Cause ordinarily she wouldn't be as okay." There was a pause. "I'm not going to do that again, though."
Blair stood. "They started talking about you, huh?"
"Goodnight, Chief," Jim said flatly.
"Night, Jim." For some reason Blair leaned over and dropped a kiss on Michelle's temple.
"Don't I get one?"
Blair rolled his eyes. "You always do." He leaned in placing a kiss on Jim's cheek. Simultaneously, Jim pressed his lips to Blair's face.
Jim watched his guide disappear into the small bedroom. Then he glanced to Michelle. Shifting on the couch and maneuvering her he was able to bring his legs up on the cushions and slide down so she was resting on top of him with her head on his chest. Kissing the top of her head he whispered, "Goodnight."
THE END
*This is not an attempt at Mary Sueing myself to death. This is based on actual fact. I was with a man for a while and because of his kids found myself friend's with his ex. Now, even I am very close to his current wife.