Hitched

35

As Jack, Regan, and Kit drove back into Manhattan, the light of the new day was starting to make its appearance. Streaks of red and blue filled the sky.

“I’d love to grab a steak at Elaine’s, but by now even they’ve rolled up the carpet,” Regan said, referring to Elaine Kaufman’s legendary restaurant on the Upper East Side that had been open until four in the morning for the last forty years. “I suppose it will be good to get a couple of hours sleep before going on national television.”

“What are you going to wear?” Kit asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll have to see what I have in the closet at my parents’ apartment,” Regan answered. “It’s hard to believe that when we started this day we thought we’d be asleep in bed in New Jersey right now.”

“You called your mother to tell her about the show, didn’t you?” asked Jack.

“Yes. She’d love for us to drive out there tomorrow for brunch. Obviously she doesn’t know about the missing Joyce yet.”

Jack sighed. “We’ll have to see what develops.”

“If you don’t mind, I think I’ll watch the show from the comfort of bed,” Kit said.

“I don’t blame you,” Regan answered. They were now driving along Central Park South toward the Reillys’ apartment building. “It seems to me that there’s no quieter time in Manhattan than Sunday morning at dawn.”

“The crowds have gone home,” Jack said.

“Except for Joyce,” Regan said quietly.

Jack pulled into the driveway. The second the car stopped Kit jumped out of the back. “See you later, Jack,” she said wearily.

“Good night, Kit.” Jack put his arms around Regan and held her close. “I love you, my crazy April Bride,” he said.

“I love you, too.” They kissed, and after a moment Regan turned to go. Then she turned back and kissed Jack again. “Are we really getting married next Saturday?”

Jack smiled. “That’s the plan.”

“And miles to go before we wed.”

“That’s what it feels like.” Jack looked at her tenderly and smoothed her hair. “I can’t wait for our honeymoon. I can’t wait until we’re on that plane and on our way. Just the two of us…finally.”

“Just the two of us,” Regan said softly. “But first we’re going to have a great time at our wedding with our family and friends. No matter what I end up wearing.”

Jack laughed. “Get some sleep, baby. I’ll pick you up at seven forty-five.”

Upstairs Kit was already out cold in Regan’s room. Regan crashed on her parents’ bed. She set the alarm for seven o’clock, closed her eyes, and immediately lost consciousness.