Birth and Rebirth

JFK International Airport – Two days later . . .

Jessica checked her watch again then looked back at her husband. He was still scowling darkly. That made it nine hours straight . . . a personal record. “Hey Jake, why so glum?”

He wouldn’t look at her when he answered. “I cannot believe you got my dad to order me to come here.”

She turned away to hide her grin. “Sorry, but you wouldn’t listen.”

He frowned down at her. “I can’t believe he took your side!”

“I just told him I’d go with or without you. He said that he preferred ‘with’. Dnd Mnd Mr. Spenser are even helping Tracey with handling your business until we return. See how your loving wife looks out for you?”

“Loving wife?!?” He gaped at her in disbelief.

“You’re shouting,” she chided calmly.

He lowered his voice. “You told on me!” he accused.

She grinned openly at him. “Yeah, I know.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “I’ll get you for this.”

Eddie returned from the restroom in time to overhear Jake’s last comment. “Aw, relax Jake. She’ll be fine. We’ll take good care of her. Besides, it’ll be good to see Ray and Egon again.”

Jake looked from his best friend to his wife, and sighed in defeat. “Outnumbered again. Fine, let’s just get this over with so we can go home.” Eddie nodded and hurried off toward the baggage claim area. The Kongs followed at a more leisurely pace as Jessica rattled off her ‘to do’ list.

“So after we check in I want to take a cab right over to see the Ghostbusters for a pre-interview. Gosh it’s weird to say that and not mean you. Anyway, you and Eddie don’t have to come with me for that. You may want to get in some sight seeing or something while I’m working. That way, we won’t waste any time after . . . Jake? Are you listening?”

Truth be told, he wasn’t listening at all. Jake brooded silently with his head down, lost in his thoughts. Jessica smiled knowingly at her husband, and intertwined her fingers with his. She used their linked hands to turn his face towards hers. “Hm?” he asked.

“What’s really bothering you, Sweetheart?”

He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t really know.” He shrugged. “I’ve just got a very bad feeling about this whole trip.”

She leaned her head against his chest. “Aww. You’re so sexy when you’re paranoid,” she whispered to him. She felt his deep chuckle resonate against her ear.

“Watch yourself, Mrs. K. That kind of talk is what got you into this condition in the first place.”