Once Within A Lifetime (31 page)

“
Can you all stay for dinner?” asked Triessa. “If so, I will tell Nancy so she can make arrangements once she knows how many there will be.”

They
all said they could stay, and she went to let Nancy know the numbers of those who would be eating.

Todd
looked around and said, “I am so grateful for all of you and your help in this matter. It has saved us a lot of unnecessary planning. It has taken a great load off our shoulders. We will always be grateful. Please excuse me while I go up to check on Mother; I hope she can come down and dine with us.”

Triessa
came back and said, “It is all set. We will have dinner in about an hour. I love my cook and could never get along without her. It gives me a lot of free time to have her here.”

Todd
came down and said his mother was doing well and would plan to be down for dinner to be with everyone. His dad would help her.

They
all sat in the living room and talked until dinner was ready. When dinner was served they went into the dining room and got seated. The table had been extended to take care of everybody. Spencer sat at one end and Lincoln at the other. The wives sat at either side of their husbands and the brothers and sisters were seated around the sides near the family members.

“
We will all be happy to have you feeling better, Esther, so you can be with us more,” said Triessa’s mother. “We are so sorry that you have been ill.”

“
Thank you,” replied Esther. “I feel so much better and enjoy being downstairs with all of you. It is much better than being in my room missing everything.”

After an evening of talking and planning, they decided to leave to go
to their homes and said goodnight. Triessa and Todd waved to them as they drove off and then went in and talked a while longer in the living room. His parents decided to go up to bed and get a good night’s rest. Todd went to his mother and hugged her and told her he was so glad to see her back like her old self. He kissed her cheek. They said goodnight and went up the stairs.

“
We do not pick up my family until evening tomorrow. What will we do during the day? Is there anything else we have to cover for our wedding day? Four more days, my love, and the next day is the big day. Isn’t it truly just too unbelievable? Should we wait to see what the weather will be so we can decide better what to do or where to go?”

“
Sounds like a good idea,” replied Triessa. At this time the phone rang and Triessa picked it up and said, “Hello.”

The
voice on the other end was that of her dear friend Phylicia. “I am calling to let you know when I can get to your place for the wedding. It looks like I will get there Wednesday, late afternoon. Is that all right?”

“
Oh, that is fine,” replied Triessa. “You will be here just in time for dinner. Todd’s folks are here, though Ester is not been feeling well. We have been concerned about her and feared things may have to be changed, which could be very difficult at this late stage. But she said she would be there no matter what. Her attitude has been remarkably better. Matt and Dirje and their families are arriving early tomorrow evening. We’ll pick them up at the airport and we will be there to get you on Wednesday also. It will be good to have you here and you can see the wonderful, royal-looking wedding site. You will love it; everyone so far has really approved of the whole plan. So, we will see you the day after tomorrow. I can hardly wait. Goodbye for now.”

“
That is everyone who is coming in, isn’t it?” asked Todd. “At least the ones we need to deal with. Do you know where she will be staying? Have we covered that yet?”

“
Yes, there will be room at my folks’ home for her. They have a pretty large house and will have plenty of room.”

“
Good, then it is all taken care of. I think I shall go on to the cottage to get a good night’s sleep, my love. In the morning we will be able to decide what to do. We may just decide to stay around here. We will see how the day starts.” He held her and kissed her gently. “Goodnight, my love, pleasant dreams of us and I shall dream of you.”

They
parted and he went down the hill while she watched. As he got close to the cottage, he looked back, knowing she was there, and waved before he went in to ready for bed.

It
was showering on Tuesday, and it was difficult to plan on going too far to do anything. Triessa awoke a little later than usual. All the excitement and planning had really tired her. She went down to the dining room to check on coffee, and Todd and his parents were there having some. She apologized for being late, but they told her not to worry. She really needed the rest and they were glad she did get some extra time to do that. She told Esther how glad she was to see her there so early. Todd got up, poured her coffee, and brought it to her. She thanked him and took a long sip, sighing her deep sigh, and he knew she was enjoying it to the fullest.

Todd
went over, stood by her and put his arm around her shoulders.

“
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and that is all the days of waiting. Did you ever think it would come down to counting the days, my love? Isn’t it marvelous? Can we hurry these days somehow?”

“
I surely hope so, my precious,” she answered. “Waiting is so hard, especially for something like this. It seems that the closer we get the slower the days go by. Well, with the rain, we can’t do too much unless it clears. Shall we just hang around the house and spend time together and get to know each other better?”

“
That definitely sounds good to me,” replied Esther. “I have missed you so much and am glad for the time we can have together, though I will miss being on your lovely patio. We can talk and plan for what’s left and be all ready. When the others arrive we can fill them in on everything. I noticed a piano in the living room. Do you play, dear?” Esther asked looking at Triessa.

“
Yes, I do. I learned as a child, which is the best time. Maybe I can play for you a little later on. Do any of you sing?”

“
Well, we all do some,” replied Todd. “I am sure we can manage to get through a few tunes. It will be such fun, my darling. It will be such great tonic for us all. Why haven’t we done this before?”

“
I do not know, everything seemed to be going on and there was always something to do. We will make up for lost time today if you’d like. We cannot really go anywhere as things stand. A little music would be cheerful for us all and very enjoyable.”

They
finished breakfast and gathered in the living room for a last cup of coffee. In a short time they were finished and Triessa walked over to the piano, sat down, and began to play. She started with
Clair De Lune
. It was a pretty piece and she liked it very much. They all liked it and when it was finished, she went on to other tunes she knew well.
Music
Box Dancer
was one of her favorites, Others were requested and she played them.
Oh Promise Me, I Love You Truly, and The Entertainer
were favorites. Then she looked up at Todd, started to play and smiled. It was the tune that was played the night they were engaged. He remembered it well, smiled, went over and put his arm around her shoulders. They continued to play and sing tunes for another hour. Then she got up and asked if anyone else could play.

Todd
said he could. He went over and sat down to play some of his favorites. “I also have a clarinet which I play a lot more than the piano.”

He
played many of the European styles which she had not learned to play yet. It was a delightful change. She recognized them and was very happy that he could play as well.

“
We will have to learn some lovely duets,” she said.

Then
Esther took her turn introducing some songs from a previous era and they were lovely. Spencer took his turn, playing other beautiful tunes.

“
I have a violin at home, a remarkable one, and I am sorry I did not think to bring it with me.”

They
all sang along. It was ever so delightful and they did not want it to end.

“
Well, how wonderful that we are a musical family,” Triessa remarked.

“
I am very happy about that. We are sure to have very talented children.”

“
Yes, I do hope so,” replied Todd.

The
sun was starting to come out and they looked out the window to watch for it. Her mind went in a whirl. What could they do that would be a little different? She was mentally retracing her steps to try to see if there were some place she should take them that they had not yet seen.

“
Why don’t you two leave us here to go do something by yourselves? We will be just fine; there is plenty to do,” replied Esther. “You two go and spend some time together somewhere and be alone. You have not had much of that for a while. Maybe I will feel like walking out to see the garden and Spencer can fill me in on all the goings on. Oh, how I have missed it all these long days.”

“
Of course, my darling, you will love it, and it will help strengthen you to walk a little. We will go slowly. Put on a sweater; it may be a little cool after the shower. We must be so careful of you. Sit still; I will get a sweater for you.”

“
I know,” said Triessa to Todd, “Why don’t we go down to the ocean and walk in the sand, relax, and make some private plans? How does that sound to you, my darling?”

“
That would be fine with me. Are you sure you won’t mind staying here by yourselves?” asked Todd as he looked at his parents. “We feel like we will be neglecting you.”

“
Nonsense, dear, take time to be together, just the two of you. That will make us happy. I need to sit around and recuperate. After we look at the garden, we can sit on the patio. I have not been down to the pond in front of your cottage. I may be able to do that after seeing the garden and resting a bit. It will be quite a day for me.”

“
Yes, we will be just fine,” replied Spencer. “You two go ahead. Esther really needs to be careful yet”

“
If that is what you want.” said Todd, “Let’s go and get lunch somewhere. Nancy will take care of my folks. Do you need to change, my love?” he asked as he looked at her.

“
Yes, I would like to change if you don’t mind waiting, my precious,” she replied, as she began trotting up the stairs to her bedroom where she changed into some more casual clothes. She packed her bathing suit and cap in a bag, plus a towel or two to take along with her.

As
she came down the stairs Todd whistled and said, “Awesome, it surely takes me back.”

She
had on some pedal pushers, which were her favorites during her early childhood. She also wore a blouse with both front corners caught up in a small knot, a style from back when they were younger. He was very pleased and whistled again at her as she came down the stairs.

“
These will be great for wading,” she remarked. “I won’t get the legs wet, at least I don’t expect to,” she said as she held up one leg to look at the length of the pant leg. “I have a bathing suit here. I can use it if we decide to swim.”

“
Oh, let me run down to the cottage and get mine. I will be right back,” Todd said, and struck off on a run to get his trunks and a towel.

He soon returned and they ran to get in the car. He went to her side, held and kissed her, helped her in, then went around to the other side and got in.

“
This really will be fun to be alone for a change and leave all the business behind us for now,” he said gently to her. “Let’s just take time to play.”

They
started out toward the beach and soon got there, for it was not far away. It was clearing up; the sun was really beautiful now and the surf was just right.

“
There is a little restaurant not far from here and we can go over there after a while. I really am not hungry now, are you?”

She
took his hand and they walked down by the edge of the water, took off their shoes and waded in the water. It felt so good on their bare feet. The water was warm and the gentle breezes were caressing instead of pushing at them. It was really nice to have some time by themselves. They add been so preoccupied with all the plans and guests that they really had not been able to talk much about their private lives. And the extra problem with Esther had weighed heavily on them.

“
We can come down here right after the wedding and spend some time while everyone is cleaning up around the garden and the house. That way we will be able to spend the first part of our marriage alone until we can be in our home together as man and wife. Just think of it. Though it is difficult to think about it too much. The tension is getting too great. We will want to wait until we are back home to consummate our marriage. We want to be sure to start everything off right. I will tell Nancy she will be free until we come back, unless she wants to come and go while we are away. She has a key and can do as she likes. She knows she is welcome anytime; this is her home, too. I really appreciate her so much, especially now.”