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Jefferson Carmichael slowly walked the colicky horse up past Barn A. As he approached Barn C his wife, Mickey, came out to join him. They were both vets and the Los Angeles Equestrian Center was one of their regular clients. They tended to at least 70% of the horses stabled here, enjoying the atmosphere and people. As he walked, Jefferson let his glance stray over towards the hills. It was twilight on a warm Santana day. The Valley was clear as a bell. He enjoyed this kind of weather and this type of day. The dry desert winds reminded him of the family ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He'd spent many glorious summers there with his siblings and cousins. It was there where his love for animals had started and his desire to become a Veterinarian.
He glanced over at his wife as she walked quietly beside him. One of the reasons he loved Mickey so much was she enjoyed quiet times. Mickey smiled happily back at his glance, taking his hand as they continued walking.
Jefferson's thoughts at that moment reflected on his family. He came from a large immediate family and had an even larger extended one, with all his cousins, aunts and uncles. Sometimes his family tended to "tangle skeins" in their marriages and relationships. Everyone seemed to be interwoven with other parts of the family. His cousin Andy had married Caitlin O'Conner, who had turned out to be the long lost sister of detective Remington Steele. Steele's wife, Laura Holt, had been cousin Murphy's partner for many years.
Jefferson realized he himself had muddied the waters by marrying his cousin Jake's wife's sister. Now his cousin Nick was also his nephew by marriage. Of course, the first time he had met Mickey had been at Jake's wedding to Rose and he had loathed Mickey on sight. She had been a smart-alecky brassy and bossy eleven year old. Always telling the boys what to do. She did have one wonderfully endearing quality that eventually made Jefferson and she fast friends, she loved animals; and not just the kind most girls liked - Mickey had a decided partiality toward reptiles which had made her number one in Jefferson's book.
So here they were today, happily together, married and still taking care of the animals. Jefferson realized how very content he was with his life and how much he loved his wife.
"I love you too, Jeff," he heard Mickey say softly beside him.
Jefferson stopped walking and looked at his wife. "How did you know what I was thinking, Sweetheart?"
Mickey laughed devilishly, "You are so easy to read, Carmichael, totally transparent. It's a wonder you ever win any money in the family poker games."
"Oh ho, I like that." Jefferson said feigning a hurt look. "I wasn't just thinking about you, Mick."
"I know. You were mulling over the news I told you about earlier."
"Maybe I am transparent," he muttered. Louder, Jefferson continued. "It's just that we now have cousin Nick dating cousin Scott's half-sister, Yvette."
"It's okay, they're not related, Yvette is McCall's daughter, not Kay's."
"Oh, thanks for the news flash, Slick. As if I didn't know my own family tree."
Mickey giggled at his comment.
Jefferson went on. "It's just lately I get
the feeling this family is becoming a...a damn Soap Opera."
"Mm, well, it could be worse," Mickey said tongue firmly planted in cheek. "I could have married one of your Michaels' cousins then I would have to go through life as Mickey Michaels."
Breaking out into laughter at his wife's joke, Jefferson clasped her hand again. They continued walking, content with each other and what the future might hold.