Page 61 of Degrees of Control
“It sounds like we’re going to need to expedite expansion plans to the East Coast. I’d like to take a quick trip out there and meet some of the department heads since most of the legalities are almost complete. Chase said we can use the same methodology we used here in Chicago as we expand into New York. They’ll provide us with a floor at the Prestian Corp towers and will wrap it into the overall start up,” she says.
“I think it’s a good idea to go see the space. I didn’t expect everything to take off quite this quickly either, but it’s exciting. I’ve been focused on getting the two facilities in Chicago ready for state approval, but I did manage to screen most of the facilitator applications human resources passed on to me. We have some great candidates. I’ll interview them as quickly as they can be scheduled,” I say.
“He told me a large healthcare organization in Los Angeles contacted him last week,” Jenny says.
“Yep, it sounds like on the business side everything is escalating. Sort of like the personal front,” I say.
“How so?” she says, raising her eyebrows.
“Well, after everything that’s happened lately, Chase and I decided to get married Christmas Eve,” I say.
Jenny’s squeal is ear piercing as she jumps out of her chair to wrap her arms around me.
“Oh, my God! Congratulations,” she says as I laughingly try to catch my breath at her exuberance.
“Jenny I would love it if you could be my maid of honor, but it’s Christmas Eve and it’s going to be in New York at my parents’ house. I know you weren’t quite sure what your holiday plans were,” I say tentatively.
“Kate, I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I can always get a flight afterwards and still spend Christmas night with my mother,” she says.
“That would be perfect! My mom is already talking about dress fittings,” I say, rolling my eyes skyward. “We could probably combine business with dress shopping as I am pretty certain no one would be able to make a dress in a month, much to Mom’s dismay,” I say.
“Absolutely! We’ll go dress shopping and get a little business done, we’ve got this,” Jenny says.
“My parents are ecstatic. Chase and I talked to Don and Emily on Thanksgiving and they were thrilled, too. New York just seemed to be the right place, with all the history and the fact that both our parents live there. Most of Dad’s relatives were planning to return for the holiday and they’ll stay in guest houses that he has on the property. There’s more than enough room if you want to stay for the holidays, too.”
“Let me see what I can work out with my family, but in the meantime it sounds as though we better book a trip to New York so we can go shopping for a dress,” Jenny says.
“I was so hoping you would say that!” I exclaim.
“I’ll text you with details then,” I say, hugging her before I head back upstairs to find Chase.
I wake on Friday morning excited about our impromptu trip to New York City. Chase has early meetings and is already gone, but has arranged for the corporate Jet to take Jenny and me from O’Hare to LaGuardia to meet my mom for shopping.
“About ready?” Sheldon asks, peeking his head into the kitchen as I finish breakfast.
“All set,” I say, following Sheldon and the other security members to the awaiting helicopter. I curl into the soft leather seat by the window and text Jenny.
Message:I should be at the airport in 30 minutes. Let me know when you get picked up!!
Reply:Ride just arrived. See you soon!
Message:Chase gave me an open credit card. More lingerie!
Reply:I hope this time you just said thank you!!
I smile at her message and send Chase a quick note as we lift off over the dense pines.
Message:Thank you for the shopping card!
Reply:You are most welcome. Enjoy yourself, but stay close to Sheldon! We are about to land and I text Jenny.
Message:Doesn’t look like the paparazzi have gotten wind of our departure.
Reply:That’s definitely a good thing. You’ll have more than your share of that soon.
Jenny’s limo pulls up and we board the awaiting Gulfstream and are soon taxiing down the runway in preparation for lift off. The trip between Chicago and New York City is becoming routine. Jenny and I pass the two-hour flight poring through bridal magazines that she has brought along.
It is barely nine in the morning when we land and Mom is waiting for us, along with the security team my father and Chase have assigned to her. The limousine we transfer into is spacious and Jenny and I take our seats in the back across from my mom. Sheldon slides into the passenger seat up front and the two other team members get into the far back section of the stretch limo while the rest of the team disperse into cars in front of and in back of us.
