I woke up in the morning Hope had me up at seven, Marco had come from New York with his team, which so happen to have a hair and makeup stylist. I went downstairs Hope had Cook; cook a huge breakfast pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit and toast.
“Hope if I eat that I won’t fit in my dress!” I exclaimed.
“You won’t eat lunch and we can not have you passing out from not eating.” Hope replied.
“Steve is not up this early. Why do I have to be up with the chicken and Steve gets to sleep?” I inquired.
“Steven does not have four hours of prep work. Now eat and get in the shower time is flying by.” Hope demanded.
I ate and went upstairs and had a shower. Hope wanted to start taking pictures by three. Kathryn was just as bad, she told Angela to be over here to see Marco by eleven so she could start have hair and makeup. I doodled a little and came downstairs about ten.
“We have to start right away. We have lost so much time.” Marco was frantic and that Italian accent.
“Calm down we have lots of time.” I replied.
“No I have to get Julio to make your hair like Holly. We have to cut and style. Julio get started we have so little time. Make sure we can maintain all day, it must happen. Plus the bang has to be a little longer, and all around.” Marco commanded.
Julio started work and I was seeing my hair falling to the ground, my hair was to the bottom of my back curly, straighten passed my butt. I was ready to cry, my precious hair. Julio was working away on my hair when Angela came in.
“Angela I will fit you into your dress while Julio is doing Jessica’s hair.” Marco dictated.
Marco was fitting Angela while Julio was finishing my hair. All of a sudden there was more hairspray in the air then air; I was chocking Julio used so much hair spray. After the hair spray dried, Julio place the tiara on then it was Dianna turn. Dianna was the makeup artist; she started with waxing my eye brows, then the concealer, then foundation it was like plaster on my face. She took out the loose powder to give me an air brushed effect. After that she applied a little blush not much just to give the cheeks a little color. Then the eyes, the eyes had to sell it a Marco commanded thought out the whole time. She brushed it over the lid at first with a pale blue. She then took eye liner but a very fine one and did the bottom and top eye lid. After she had a very pointed and a bit wider then the eye liner put black eye shadow along the top eye lid tracing the eye liner. It turned the pale blue and made it look 3 shades darker; it truly was perfect. Finally it was done.
Marco started clapping “Magnifica, Magnifica. It looks perfect. Bella look isn’t it perfecto.”
Hope started crying “It is perfect, she looks like an angel.”
“Go, Go put the dress on. Go, go.” Marco demanded.
Hope and I went upstairs to put on the dress while Angela was getting her hair done, Steve was putting his tux on and Marco was making sure it was okay. It was one o’clock I had the hair, makeup and accessories on. Hope helped me put my dress on, it fit perfect. I was still blushing that a world famous designer made this dress just for me. It was as perfect as the day he made it. The baby blue dress with the baby blue gloves, I felt like a princess. Hope came in and put the necklace, earrings and I put the ring on, then on my left hand I put the ring that Jager gave me on.
“I have one more surprise for you.” Hope stated.
“Jager is downstairs with Eloise.” I replied.
“Yes he is Marco is making sure everything fits right smart ass but no that is not it. But you have to promise me one thing?” Hope demanded.
“What’s that?” I answered.
“You can not cry your make up will run.” Hope responded.
“I will not cry.” I promised.
“Let’s go downstairs.” Hope smiled.
I got to the top of the stairs and there were Jim and Ellie.
“Do not cry.” Hope commanded.
I could not run down the stairs with my heels on so I walked down trying not to trip. As soon as I hit the bottom of the stairs I ran and gave a huge to Ellie and then Jim.
“You are so beautiful.” Ellie started crying.
“You are still my little girl no matter how grown up you look. You truly are my princess.” Jim had tears in his eyes.
“Daddy don’t cry or I will cry and Marco will kill you because I have smeared my makeup.” I giggled.
“So where is the princess too anyway getting his hair done.” Jim laughed.
“Oh Dad.” I replied as Eloise walked over. “Mom Dad this is Jager mother Eloise, Eloise this is Jim and Ellie.”
“Nice to meet you, my son has not stopped talking about you since he came back from Maine.” Eloise said in her sweet French accent.
“You have a great son, I tease him a lot. Eloise you raised a terrific young man.” Jim told Eloise.
“JP was missed when he left Maine too. I am lucky my daughter found him.” Ellie said to Eloise.
“Your daughter is an amazing young lady herself and if you ask my son he will say he is the lucky one.” Eloise replied.
“I think I smell fish.” Jager joked as he walked out of the study where the boys were getting ready.
“Ha ha.” Jim snickered and gave Jager a hug.
Jager never seen me behind the crowed till he hugged my Dad. His eyes lit up “Every time I think you can not get any more beautiful you do something to prove me wrong.” Jager grabbed my hand.
“Is everyone ready” Kathryn spoke, it’s time for pictures.
Morgan came out of the study, I could see Jim wanted to kill him but he controlled his rage because it was a big day. Allan was just behind.
Savannah ran down over the stairs. “Jessica you look like a princess from my books.”
“Thank you, you look pretty too. You are going to get pictures with your brother and I.” I told her. Savannah smiled and went over to her mother.
The next thing I knew the doorbell went off and it was JR and May. JR came and gave me a hug and kissed me on the cheek. “Mikey you look all grown up. I wish your father was here to see you.”
“You look beautiful.” May smiled.
“Time to go to the garden for pictures.” Kathryn noted.
We all went out in the garden there was no fighting, everyone was civil for once. It was a very nice day sun was shinning, not a cloud in the sky and a nice seventy two degrees. God was smiling down on grad day, the last prom it was sad. I still haven’t told Jager I was starting Harvard in June as soon as summer started. I had done the final exams, my marks were back, and truly I don’t need to walk back in to high school again. When I tell him it’s going to break his heart when he finds out we won’t be going to Maine this summer; I just don’t have the heart to tell him. He thinks we will have the summer together but he will be happy JR is going to offer him a job in his wrestling company; I hope that that will soften the blow.
Kathryn had a florist come in and do the archway in the back with roses as the vines were not out in bloom yet as they were just started to creep. The crabapple trees were all in bloom along with the lilac trees. Actually all of the trees in the yard in bloom cherry, apple and plum; it truly was picture perfect. We all had pictures all over the yard, there were two photographers; Hope had hired one and so did Kathryn. Steve, Jager, Angela and I had a bunch together, Jager and Eloise had some together, Ellie, Jim and I had some together, JR, May and I had some together, and the Tracy’s had some together, Steve and I had some, then Angela and Steve, then Jager and I, Savannah had some with Steve and I. Needless to say there were fifty combinations for pictures good thing there were two photographers there.
Jager and I snuck off for a few minutes just to have sometime to ourselves.
“This many pictures for a graduation imagine how many when we get married.” Jager smiled.
“Baby I have to graduate Harvard first and after that I will be happy to be Mrs. Jean Philippe Bourque.” I grinned. “But let’s just get through the day first”
Next thing we knew we could hear people calling for us and we went back to the garden for yes more pictures. I still could not get over what Marco and his team had done. Angela and I looked like we were out of a fairy tale; Steve and Jager were our prince’s. All of a sudden it was six o’clock and there were three limos; one for the Tracy’s and Angela’s parents, one for Ellie, Jim, Eloise, Jager, Hope and I and the biggest shock of them all Morgan was in a limo with JR and May. We got in the cars and headed to the school Washington Hall was one of the most beautiful places in the country. Washington Prep was known for it. It truly was a magical place. We pulled up there was red carpet all the way inside. The school had it decorated perfectly, it wasn’t tacky it was elegant. White lights all around, candles lit all over. Sheer woven through the lights like streamers, it was very classy. Well Boston’s elite children would have no less.
The tables were cabaret style our table was a little bigger as we had fifteen people sitting around it. We had to be together Morgan would not here tell of us being separated and told the school if we were that well the new gym would not be built.
We all chatting with friends hanging out when the call came out to be seated; then the dinners were served immediately. The grad committee had fun roasting the teachers and then the teachers had fun roasting us. Then the two youngest graduating students had to cut the cake, so I got up with Ronald Rollins and we cut the cake. Then the caterers cut the rest and it was brought to the tables. After the cake cutting ceremony we had the march and as funny as it was Jager and I by the rotation of the names had to walk together. We all had to go back stage and the boys were all along the wall and when your names were called the boy would come to the bottom of the stairs and the girl on top. There were only three stairs. The boy would put there hand out and the girl would grab it as they walked down the stairs, when she got to the bottom the girl and boy would link arms and walk down through the hall so everyone could see.
Jager looked me in the eyes and said. “I told you this is fate, were just meant to be together.”
Then the class was to meet in back of the hall after everyone walked up to there table again. Then the announced how the staff was going to move the tables back for the dance to begin.
The first dance was for the graduates and there parents to dance. The song was you are so beautiful to me, after that you danced with your date it’s so hard to say goodbye too yesterday. Then there was a about an hours dance to celebrate the prom. It was the formal part to the graduation. You didn’t need to worry about dressing up for that it was a cap and gown. This was the true time to shine. After the dance was over we went back to the mansion. We all got change out of our clothes in to our normal clothes, as nice as the dress was it was nice to get back into a pair of jeans.
We all were in the study and we all talked for a while Jim and Ellie were going to stay at the house for the night and Hope was going to fly them back tomorrow.
“I think we should go to bed we have an early flight tomorrow.” Ellie stated. Jim and Ellie hugged me and I kissed them. William showed them too there room. The rest of the adults stayed in the study talking while Jager, Steve, Angela and I snuck to the back I grabbed some wood and started a fire. We just sat there Jager and I and one bench. Steve and Angela on the other, we just sat there and chatted and enjoyed each other company. The real party was tomorrow.
I looked at Angela, Steve and Jager said. “Let’s skip the grad party and go to Maine for the night. The jet is taking Mom and Dad home tomorrow and we can fly back on Sunday or drive it’s only a four hour drive.”
“Are you serious? Will Jim and Ellie go for it?” Steve asked
“Of course but it is more if the Tracy’s will.” I replied.
The four of us ran in to the house to the room where Ellie and Jim were staying and I knocked on the door.
“What’s wrong sweetheart.” Jim responded.
“Can we I mean the four of us come to Maine with you tomorrow and spend the night? We would rather go there then some grad party.” I asked.
“Of course you can darling. But you have to also check with Hope so you can fly back.” Jim replied.
“Thank you Daddy.” I kissed Jim on the cheek. Now to pass it with Hope. So we ran downstairs.
“Mother we were wondering since you have the plane ready for tomorrow we want to go to Maine with Ellie and Jim for a night instead of the grad party. Can the Jet pick us up on Sunday?” I asked.
“It is fine by me.” Hope replied. Marco had to go back on Sunday so she wanted some alone time.
Allan said yes and so did Angela’s parents. Eloise also said it was okay. I was happy we were going to Maine in the morning.
We got up in the morning bags were packed and we were ready for to go to the airport. The only sad thing was we were only going for a day. We had a limo to takes us to the airport. Ellie called Bruce and Jeanne told them to bring two cars because JP and I were coming and we were bringing some friends.
When we landed Jeanne and Bruce were waiting had food and the booze picked up and we drove back to the harbor. Jim started with the steaks, he had to put the rub on them before they did anything. Then he went down the boat to get some lobsters for supper. The boys went out even though Dad and Bruce wasn’t there they took out a couple of teenagers who wanted a days pay.
Dad came back with some lobsters Mom started cooking in the kitchen. Bruce was staying with Lori so Steve took his room. I took Angela to Jeanne room, Jager went to the spare room and I put my bag in my room. I loved being home but I had to find a way to tell Mom, Dad and Jager that I wouldn’t be home for the summer I was going to Harvard in two weeks.
Before supper Steve, Angela, Jager and I walked around town to see where I came from. Then I took them to the old Riley barn, to show them what I had bought and what I was going to do with it.
We went back to the house.We had a huge steak and lobster supper; Dad had the boys come from the boat for supper too. We ate talked, laughed, had fun and cleaned up. As usual the boys went down in the garage and the girls cleaned up. Once everything was cleaned we went downstairs, everyone had a drink well except me. Legal drinking age in Maine at the time was eighteen which was everyone but me. We had fun though Dad and Jager were joking with each other all night. Mikey had brought his guitar with him, there was singing and dancing. It was just a lot of fun, but I still had in the back of my mind was how was I going to tell everyone that I would not be back for the summer? I knew in the long run it was better for me and I knew Ellie and Jim would understand but Jager not so much. I was going to let everyone have fun tonight and I would tell everyone at breakfast. We had fun all night finally at two AM everyone was feeling no pain
“I’m going to bed.” I announced. I kissed Ellie, Jim, Bruce and Jeanne on the cheek and I walked over to Jager gave him a kiss and headed to bed. Not sleeping well thinking of what the morning would be. I could hear the party going on for a while. I heard everyone go to bed except Jager and Dad, I knew they were still going to be up when we got up in the morning and somewhere I fell asleep.
I heard Ellie wake up at nine o’clock and I also heard a few choice words come out of her mouth too. I got up before she started yelling at Dad.
“Mom don’t get mad at them it will be the last time they get to do this for a while.” I begged.
“What do you mean for a while?” Ellie asked.
“I’m starting Harvard in two weeks; I am going to be going to school during the summer, to get my degree as soon as possible.” I replied.
“Oh, that’s great you need to get a good education. You are right you need to go as soon as possible that Law degree is not going to be a piece of cake.” Ellie was very supportive.
“I hope Dad and Jager take it as well.” I stated.
“You haven’t told JP?” Ellie asked.
“No. He loves it here I didn’t want to break his heart.” I answered.
Ellie and I went downstairs and started cooking breakfast. Dad and Jager were still down in the garage, but of course as soon as they started to smell breakfast cooking they came up to see what we were cooking. Dad and Jager were not too drunk I was expecting them to not be able to walk up the three stair but knowing the two of them passed out in there chairs at about five. Then I looked over at Mom and she was giving me a look. I knew that look it was the look of tell your father what happened, Jim seen the look too.
“What’s going on? I know that look.” Jim said to me.
“Dad, Jager sit down.” I told them.
“What’s going on? Are you pregnant? JP you touched my little girl, I’m going to kill you.” Jim jumped up and went to go after Jager.
“I never touched her. I swear.” Jager shouted at Jim.
“I’m not pregnant.” I yelled. “I’m not coming home this summer.”
“You’re not coming home this summer. Why?” Jim asked as he sat back down.
“I’m starting Harvard in two weeks; I won’t be home this summer I have to get an early start. I want to get through it as soon as possible.” I said as I sat down.
“That’s it. Oh that’s okay. You need an education; I’m not going to fault you for that. You are making the right decision Jessie.” Jim assured me.
I looked over at Jager I could see he was not pleased but he put on a show in front Jim and Ellie. I could see the disappointment in his face and I knew the fight was coming when we were alone.
We finished cooking breakfast I got Steve and Angela out of bed for breakfast; we had to be into Bangor by three for our flight. We all ate got our bags and I said goodbye to Jim, I always hated saying goodbye to Dad it was always hardest person to say goodbye too. Then said goodbye to Ellie and Jeanne, this was the first time Mom never went to the airport with us.
Bruce came and picked us up and we drove to the airport. We got on the plane and Jager never spoke from the time we got into the car on the plane. The only time we spoke was when William dropped him off at his house.
Jager kissed me and said. “We will talk later.” He got out of the car and went in to his house.
“What did you do to piss him off now?” Steve assumed of course in his eyes I was always in the wrong and this time I was.
“I told him I wasn’t going to Maine this summer. I start Harvard in two weeks; I am going to go to school through the summer. I’m not taking the summer off; I want to get a head of everything. Tomorrow I go and do my test to see if I can bypass general studies. After all I have an IQ of 240, if I can pass this I don’t need the four years general I can just do law, It’s three years I can do it in two hopefully one. I have taken some courses this year while I have been in Boston. I want to pass the Bar by the time I’m seventeen. With the courses I have done while I have been in school I have aced all of the general studies courses, what takes people a year; takes me two months. If I can breeze through law the same way I’ll be done four years in eight months, but I’m being realistic two years should be the most.” I explained to Steve. “So while you are doing Business I’ll be doing law.”
“My MBA will take a lot longer then you will to do law. By the time I do general it will be four years, I’ll be twenty two when you are seventeen you will be practicing law.” Steve said.
“Business law not criminal, criminal law does not really interest me. I may minor in criminal law, but business is my passion. If I pass the series of tests tomorrow I go straight to law school.” I smiled.
“And if you do not?” Steve asked.
“That’s not an option.” I answered. “I have to study tonight and I’ll calm Jager down tomorrow.”
“You better hope so.” Steve said as we pulled up to the house.
I went upstairs and started studying as I never studied before I had to pass these tests. I studied until two when I fell asleep, next thing I knew it was six and Hope was waking me up.
“Hurry and get ready you have to be at the school by eight.” Hope exclaimed “ It will be an hour drive in morning traffic.”
I had a quick shower put my hair in a ponytail William had toast ready for me to eat in the car. William, Hope and I dashed to the car. William drove like a he had stolen the car so I would be there on time. We pulled up to the admin building at seven thirty; Hope and I were running to make sure I got in, in time. We got to the sign in desk at seven forty-five. I had eight number two pencils I was ready to go, Hope wished me luck and I went in to the auditorium sat down and started the series of tests. William and Hope stayed outside until I was finished. I told them that I would get the school to call the house when I was finished but they insisted.
The tests were changeling but not necessarily hard, they had allotted me eight hours I had it done in four. I checked everything over twice passed in the papers and walked out to where Hope and William were.
“I’m finished. Let’s go get lunch.” I said.
“You are finished already?” Hope questioned.
“Yes and I must say I was a little challenged but it was okay.” I replied.
“So you did Okay?” Hope asked.
“I did more then okay.” I added.
We went for lunch; we talked for an hour about a little bit of everything and then we went back to the mansion. Where I then had to go to plan two make up with Jager. I know he was not happy but I will make him understand. I went upstairs did my makeup the high pony was cute I figured he would like it. Eloise would be going to bingo so I would go just before she leaves he won’t scream and shout with his mother there. Next thing I knew Morgan was calling to me.