Once Within A Lifetime (28 page)

He
came over to her and took her cup.

“
No, sit still, my love, please let me do that for you. I love to do things for you and want to do them for the rest of my life.”

He
took her cup, refilled it, got one for himself, and joined her. He sat in the chair beside her and saw her look at him and then glance over at the fireplace. He knew exactly what was going on in her mind.

“
Yes, my darling, we will have a fire. Do you want me to light it now?”

“
Oh, yes, please do.” She was full of excitement. “It will be nice, we can get some tables and have our breakfast here. Isn’t that a lovely idea?”

“
Oh, that is a grand idea. We can use the whole day to organize our plans unless you have some place you would like to go.”

“
No, I think most everything has been done. I have bought and wrapped all the gifts which are necessary to this point. It will be good to spend a day inside and do nothing but talk and plan. There are some details we should work on, if you are agreed. You know we have not been up in the studio for some time. I used to spend so much time up there. Isn’t it strange how you can get involved in things and change old habits or neglect them may sound more like it. What do you think about having lunch up there? It is really cozy there when it is raining. I tell let Nancy know when she brings our breakfast.”

Shortly,
Nancy came in and they told her of their plan to eat breakfast here in the living room before a cozy fire and then have lunch up in her studio. It had been a long time.

“
Yes,” Nancy replied, “I had noticed that you have not been spending as much time up there as you used to. I am sure that will work out differently very soon. There are so many details and so much on your mind these days, it is difficult for you until you are caught up on the things that need to be done. It is fine, I will take care of it.”

They
set up the tables and began to eat their breakfast as they watched the fire burn.

“
This is so relaxing and nice. It makes a rainy day less of a problem. We will be more or less forced to relax and enjoy ourselves. We are acting like old married folk.”

They
took their time and fully enjoyed every bite. After breakfast they got up and carried the dishes into the dining room.

“
Let us go up to my office. I have a list of items I need to look at, and I need to spend time checking on what has to be done and how we are progressing. A week and half is all the time we have left to do any last minute things.”

“
Sure, I like that idea. It does not matter where we are as long as we are together. I do need to go back to the cottage for a few minutes to retrieve some things to put together with the other items. I will be right back. Please wait here for me and we will go up together and get started on our lists.”

“
All right I will wait right here for you. I may have another cup of coffee while I am waiting. Maybe later we can talk to my parents or go over to see what arrangements we can make for your family.”

He
went to get his things and soon was back. They went upstairs to her office to get started. He brought a chair up near her, sitting where they could look at the things together.

“
We know we have the guest list done, thanks to our family. That is taken care of so I will cross that off the list. Things are working out well for the garden. How do you think it looks there? You were there with my dad yesterday most of the day.”

“
I think one more day can take care of it. We just have to decide on where we will be standing and set it up. I think you should be involved in that, don't you?”

“
Yes, I would like to check that out. If the rain eases up later, we can go take a look if you wish, to get a head start on it.”

“
Sounds good so let’s put an asterisk beside that item. It can be one of our priorities. What is next?”

“
I can check off gifts for the attendants, that is done. Another item behind us. Oh, there is the phone, just a minute and I will get back to the list.” She picked up the phone and said, “Hello. Oh, Hi Mom, how are things there? You have a day of rest. Yes, we are staying in going over our list of things. We are checking out what is done and what needs to be done. It is a week and a half before the wedding and his folks will be here this weekend, with Dirje and Cord following in a couple more days. Isn’t it hard to believe! We are waiting to hear from Matt and Chantelle. I think it is this evening they plan to call. Maybe later we can come over and talk about the arrangements for part of Todd’s family to stay with you. When would be a good time? I was thinking of around three o‘clock. Yes, we could come for dinner.” She looked at Todd and he nodded his head in agreement. “Great, we will see you then. Can we bring anything? All right, goodbye for now.”

“
What about gifts for the men who will be attending? I had not even given that a thought. What shall we do?”

“
Well, I got some things when you were looking at dresses with Phylicia. Let’s see if anyone is left out. We surely cannot have that.”

They
went over the list and decided they did need to get a few more things.

“
We can leave early and do that on the way to my parent’s home.”

“
We have our clothes ready and waiting,” he said. “I can hardly wait to see you in what I know is a most gorgeous gown. You have made plans to have Leslie come to help you with your grooming needs. Have you asked any of the ladies if they will have any needs to be met?”

“
No, maybe I can do that today. I will have to wait on Dirje and Chantelle. I can call to ask Deanna. I shall ask Mom when we are there. My dad, of course, will give me away. Have we made any specific plans on who will be the best man and bridesmaid? How can we choose among all the family?”

“
Yes, I see what you mean,” he answered. “We certainly do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. And who will be the ring bearer and flower girl? We have several children in the whole family. Oh, dear, we will certainly have to consider this.”

“
I wonder if we should ask someone neutral like Leslie and her friend? It may get them in the mood for a wedding. But, of course, we do not want to push things unless they are meant to work out. We know none of the details and cannot decide what is right. We will have to think about that. Let’s talk with my parents when we go over and see what they have to say. And maybe talk to the rest of the family later. Some may not wish to do it, where others may. Older and wiser, you know. Let’s put a question mark there.”

“
Looks like we are doing well with our list. I am sure there are things our folks will want to do and arrange. The reception and the like. What do you say we check the weather and see if we can go out in the garden to find the spot to stand for the ceremony?”

“
Great,” she replied. “It does look like the rain has eased up a lot.”

They
looked outside and a light mist was falling, so they got ready to go look. They put on their raincoats, got an umbrella from the closet, and he opened the door for her. They went toward the garden, both snuggled under the same umbrella.

He
looked up and pointed straight over the Rose Garden and said, “Look at that beautiful double rainbow. What brilliance! I do not know if I have ever seen one so grand.” They stood and looked at it and were both in a state of amazement. “How I wish we had a video camera. It was spectacular. Doesn't that mean it is going to stop raining?”

“
That is what I always heard when I was a little girl, so that sounds good. It did rain a little, which is good for the garden and good for the workers to have a day of rest. But I feel we can’t hang onto the lovely rainbow.”

They
walked on and looked at the work that had been done in the Rose Garden. The archways were beautiful and roses had been arranged to grow up over them. They looked so elegant. There was an archway and frame for a tent to be put in place at the last possible minute. But, surely, it would be a grand day. They saw a perfect spot to one side for the platform where they could stand for the ceremony. They both agreed that it was the one best spot then decided to go back to the house and finish up what needed to be done there because they would leave soon after lunch so they could do their shopping before going to her mother’s house.

They
went back to spend more time at her office and soon Nancy told them it was time for lunch.

Todd
said to her, “Why don’t I come get the tray to save you a trip. We are going up anyway.”

“
Fine,” she replied. “You are such a thoughtful young man.” He followed her to the kitchen and she’d arranged lunch on a nice tray for them. He took it up where Triessa was waiting for him at the top of the stairs and they continued to the studio. They went in, set it up in the usual place and sat down to eat. The rainbow was very faint now in the distance but still had a magic glow.

“
I think we have just about covered our lists,” she said as they began to eat. “We can relax on that now, and as soon as we eat, we can get ready to go look for some gifts. Do you need to go back to the cottage for anything before we go?”

“
Yes, I do, but it won’t take long. Then we can leave.”

They
ate slowly, it had been some time since they had been here and they wanted to make it last. It may be a few days before they got back with all the things that needed to get done. They got up, put the things on the tray, and went downstairs. He took the tray into the kitchen and went down to the cottage for the things he needed. She put her raincoat on while she was waiting for him.

When
he returned he asked, “Why didn’t you wait for me to help you with your coat? You know I am overjoyed to have a lovely lady to do things for.”

She
smiled and they went out the front door since her car was still parked in front of the house. He helped her in and they started toward town and the gift shop. They looked around a while and found a few items which could make great gifts, purchased them, and went on to her folks house.

When
they arrived Lincoln came out to greet them and helped Triessa out of the car as Todd got out. “Come on in, we have cold lemonade waiting. We will talk a while and then your mother can show you where the guests can stay.”

Sheila
met them at the door, hugged and kissed them both and invited them into the living room and picked up a tray with lemonade and cookies. After they sat down, the tray was passed around and they helped themselves.

“
Well, what have you accomplished this morning?” asked her mother.

“
You said you were going over some things together.”

Yes,
we covered just about everything except the best man and maid of honor. It is difficult with so many family members because we don’t want to seem to be showing partiality and hurt anyone’s feelings. After all we will not be able to use everyone. Do you have any ideas about that?”

“
Well,” answered her dad, “How about using one from each side and then using the rest for some of the other things. There will be plenty of things to do. Say, for instance, Reese and Dirje or something like that. Todd, what do you think? You know your family and their emotional makeup. How can you handle this with discretion?”

“
Well, I don’t think it will be a problem. They’re mature and understanding and are aware of the situation. I can ask Dirje and Matt and see what they think if you would like. Matt is going to call this evening. Why don't we just wait on it and get back to it later?”

“
Sounds all right to me,” agreed Triessa. “When Esther arrives she and Mom can discuss the possibilities of having a reception inside as Esther suggested, or whether it would be easier to have it in the garden where all the tables will be set up anyway. Everyone is there and it would be so much easier. I am sure they will enjoy hanging out there for a while longer. What do you think? There will be just one area to clean up. This will help us with our time to be alone. It can be all set up and arranged beforehand. It is such a lovely area. Do you have any ideas on that, Mom?”

“
Well, I agree with you as far as feasibility and aesthetics. If it is a glorious day, as I am sure it will be, weather wise, as well as emotionally, it will be too bad to not use the garden as long as possible. It will be easy to have everything there and not have to move it around. We should stay to enjoy the beauty as long as we can. This way there will be only one area to clean up. We can set up a cleanup committee and have it go into effect as soon as everything is over. You both plan to stay here that night so it would be nice not to have a crew in the house cleaning up late into the afternoon and possibly early evening. What do you plan to do right after the wedding and reception is over?”

“
We thought we would go over to Pleasant Point where there are some lovely places to walk by the ocean, stay there for dinner and come home. By then everything should be pretty well cleaned up and taken care of and we can be here by ourselves. The next morning we have flights scheduled for ten o’clock. We will arrive at our first destination around dinner time to eat and settle in.”