Grady had no idea just how long the students had slaved to build such a cake, but surely, they had all gotten an A for their efforts.
“Well, at least we won’t run out of cake, that’s for sure,” he said as he stared at the giant cake that sat before him.
Robert Kincaid kept to his promise as well. He was there taking picture after picture. He must have had used an entire roll of film on the cake alone. “This is going to be one hell of a story, that’s for sure,” he said to himself as he lined another picture of the cake up in the viewfinder of his camera.
Meanwhile back in the house . . .
One hour away from the start of the ceremony, and everyone was a buzz with activities. Everyone except for Paul. He sat there at the dining room table, sipping another cup of coffee. His work was done. Hell, he had even added a little surprise inside the carriages. It wasn’t that big of a deal to add it, but it would prove to be a very special addition to the ceremony.
Every person in the wedding party was there. Everyone except for the grooms anyways, but they weren’t supposed to be there for another half an hour. And Grady and Paul had made an opening in the back fence that would allow them to get there without having to wade through the steady line of traffic that, as expected, was building up outside the Matterson House property. The governor and Judge Harlow also had access to this secret gate. They hadn’t arrived yet either.
Grady walked in and poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down across from Paul. “Have you seen that cake? It’s the biggest cake that I have ever seen,” he told him.
“Seen it? I brought it over here this morning. Had to borrow a truck, just to transport the darn thing. But I think it will blow the girls away, that’s for sure,” he answered.
“Oh, yeah, that’s for sure. Can you believe everything that the people of this town have done for this wedding?” he asked him.
“After seeing all of this, I don’t ever think I will ever be surprised again. But they’ve certainly surpassed even my wildest expectations, that’s for sure. And remember when all of this came down, and you told the town council that nobody was supposed to bring any wedding gifts?” he asked.
“Yeah, why do you ask that?” Grady asked him.
“Because nobody listened. Everyone is bringing gifts. And I do mean everyone,” he told him.
“You’re kidding! They weren’t supposed to,” Grady answered.
“Yeah, but what are you going to do? Return them? You can’t do that. It would be an insult of the worse kind,” he answered.
“Well, that’s true. So I guess, we’ll deal with it all later. Sounds like the newlyweds will have a lot of thank-you cards to answer. Doesn’t it?” he asked.
“To say the least, yes, they’ll be busy for some time to come,” Paul answered.
Mary and Elizabeth came downstairs followed by Cindy and little Katie. Paul and Grady stood up to meet them.
“Well just look at you ladies. Wow, where did you ever get matching dresses?” Grady asked.
“Hey I have a few connections too,” Mary added.
“Yeah, but they’re very similar to the girls’ wedding gowns. How did you ever do that?” Paul asked.
“Okay, so I have some really good connections, okay?” she added.
“Well, I’m impressed to say the least. And I’m sure that the girls will be too,” Grady told them.
“Just wait until you get a sight of the grooms and the ring bearers. You think we look good?” Elizabeth remarked.
“Please tell me that they’re not wearing dresses too,” Paul said with a laugh.
“Only at your wedding, dear brother,” Mary added.
“Okay, I deserved that one, I suppose,” Paul answered, not laughing nearly as much.
Just then Bobby and Ricky walked into the room. They were dressed in white tuxedoes with purple lapels. To their left chest was affixed a boutonnière that was a mixture of light purple, yellow, and white colors. They were two very handsome guys.
“Wow look at you two, gentlemen. I’m not sure who’s getting married today,” Grady told them.
Bobby wasn’t listening as he walked up to little Katie. “Wow, you look beautiful in that dress, Katie,” he told her.
“Well, thank you, Bobby, you look mighty handsome too,” Katie responded.
“Well, Grady, I think it’s time for us to go get changed too,” Paul told him.
“Yeah I feel really out of place here among all of these well-dressed people here,” he replied. “Mary, would you and Elizabeth please keep a lookout for Judge Harlow and the governor. They should be here shortly along with our two grooms,” he asked them.
“Sure, no problem. You all go get dressed. We’ll be here if anyone needs anything,” Mary responded.
Grady and Paul disappeared into the downstairs bedrooms to get ready.
Vi looked at the two brides that stood before her. She had brought a friend with her to help in getting the two brides ready in time.
“Well, what do you think?” Vi asked her friend Anita.
“Simply breathtaking to say the least,” Anita responded.
Katie looked over at Melissa, and Melissa returned the look.
“You look so beautiful! God, you’re one good-looking bride!” Katie told her.
“Thanks, Katie, I feel beautiful. And if I look just half as beautiful as you do, then I know that I look really good,” Melissa answered.
“All right, you two, you both look as beautiful as the other one does. But I do have to say this. While you both looked good, the other day when you tried these dresses on, having your hair and makeup done now just adds to your beauty. You two are going to be the most glamorous brides ever to walk down the aisle,” Vi told the two brides that stood before her. She turned to look at Annabelle that had been there throughout the entire transformation process.
“So what do you think of your little girl now?” Vi asked her.
“I can’t believe what I’m seeing. You’re so beautiful, dear. It’s hard for me to picture you growing up. I could almost cry. And, Katie dear, you’re just as beautiful. Those dresses just bring out every bit of your feminine beauty. Thank you, Vi, your skill at dressmaking is unsurpassed,” she told them.
“Well, your compliments are appreciated. But not to bang on my own drum here, I don’t think that you’ll ever see a more beautiful bride than these two here,” Vi responded.
“Maybe so, but if we are, we owe it all to you. These dresses are just the most. Thank you again,” Katie responded.
“I agree with her. Thank you, Vi. You have exceeded my wildest expectations this time,” Melissa added.
“Well, you’re both very welcome. I really enjoyed being a part of this, the wedding of all weddings,” Vi answered.
Through the back gate, a motorcade slowly made its way into the Matterson House property. It consisted of six black sedans that were led by a sheriff’s car and followed by another sheriff vehicle. The cars slowly pulled up to the back of Matterson House.
Several men stepped from the front vehicles while more of them exited the back cars. They slowly made their way to the three center sedans. As they opened the doors, out stepped Judge Harlow, the governor of the state of Georgia, followed by his wife. From the other two sedans came two senators and three congressmen. As the men stood around their cars, another car came through the gate. It was Rick and Mike, all dressed and ready for what lay ahead. The men that came out of the front cars and the back cars stepped in front of the governor and the other state officials. It wasn’t until Mike and Rick exited their cars that the men realized that the two men in the car posed no threat to anyone.
Mike and Rick both recognized the judge and the governor from pictures that they had seen in the newspapers from time to time.
“Your Honor and Governor Wilson, I’d like to welcome you all to Matterson House and to our wedding as well. It’s a tremendous honor to have all of you here with us here today. We hope that you’ll enjoy the ceremony here t
oday,” Mike said as he shook their hands.
“You’re Michael, is that right, Katie’s soon-to-be husband?” Judge Harlow asked.
“Yes, sir, I am,” Mike responded.
“So that would make you Melissa’s fiancé, Rick?” the judge asked Rick.
“Yes, sir, Your Honor, thank you for coming,” Rick said as he shook the judge’s hand.
“Let me introduce you to some very close friends of ours. You already know our governor, George Wilson, and this beautiful lady here is his lovely wife, Ann,” the judge told him.
Mike and Rick welcomed the lady to their ceremony by shaking her hand.
“Thank you for coming today,” Rick told her.
“The pleasure is all mine,” she responded.
“And these fine gentlemen are Senators Mat McConell and Jason Berks, and these three men are Congressmen Richard Hatch, Steven Long, and Sam Sage,” the judge told them.
Mike and Rick shook each of the men’s hands and welcomed all of them to Matterson House.
“So if you all would please follow us, we’ll get you inside and introduce you to everyone else,” Mike told them.
“Excuse me for a second, son,” the governor asked as he spun around and told his security attachment to stand down and wait by the cars until they were finished.
“Huh? Excuse me, sir, but if your men would like to see everything, we do have far more than enough chairs out front. I mean if that’s okay with you, sir?” Mike suggested to the governor.
“Brilliant idea, son. Well, you heard him. If you would like to see everything, then you may all take seats out front. Just don’t let me beat you back to the cars. Just kidding, you men may enjoy yourself,” the governor told the men of his security attachment. He turned back toward Mike. “Please carry on, son,” he told him.
“Yes, sir. Right this way if you would please,” Mike said as he led the group of men past the two carriages and into the house. Every one of the men stared at the carriages as they walked by them.
“Those are mighty impressive,” the judge told Michael.
“Thank you, Your Honor, but the magic happens when the brides are in them,” Mike responded.
“That goes without saying,” the governor’s wife said as she stared at the carriages.
Paul and Grady were just returning from getting dressed as the men walked into the room.
Mike and Rick introduced everyone to everyone else, but it was little Katie and Cindy that stole the show. When it came time to introduce the two little girls, both of them walked right up to the governor and his wife and pulled off a picture-perfect curtsy. “We’re very pleased to meet you,” They said in unison as they did it.
“Aw, how precious. What charming little angels,” the governor’s wife told her husband.
“Yes, very charming indeed,” her husband responded.
“Well, I hate to rush you off, Governor, but we’re just about to get this ceremony started, so if I could get you to take your seats, sir, I’ll get you an escort to your seats,” Grady told the governor.
“Well, by all means, please don’t let us slow up the show,” he responded.
Grady walked out onto the porch where he saw Delroy and Billy Ray standing next to each other. “Hey, guys, I need your help for a minute,” Grady told them.
“Sure, Mr. Windslow, what do you need us to do?” Billy Ray asked.
“Would you please escort the governor and his wife to their reserved seats along with the senators and congressmen. Those are the seats with the red ribbon across them. Can you do that for me please?” Grady asked the two men.
“The governor . . . governor and his wife?” Billy Ray asked in shock.
“Yes, the governor and his wife. Can you please do this for me?” Grady asked again.
“Yes, sir. It would be an honor, sir,” Billy Ray answered.
“Fine, thank you. Governor, if I could please get you to follow these two gentlemen, they’ll take you to your seats,” Grady told the governor.
“No problem,” the governor said as he stepped outside onto the front porch for the first time. All of the men were shocked when they saw just how many people were there. They knew that the entire town was supposed to be here, but there’s a really big difference between knowing and actually seeing that many people all gathered in one place.
“Wow, I don’t think I had this many people at my party after I won my last election,” the governor said with a chuckle.
“Wow, look at all of this stuff! This is very, very impressive. No wonder why everyone is calling this the wedding of all weddings,” his wife proclaimed.
Mike and Rick were in a state of shock too when they first saw Mary and Elizabeth all dressed up. Then they were shocked again when they saw Cindy and Katie along with Bobby and Ricky.
“Oh my god! Just look at all of you all dressed up. You’re all so, so stunning. You all look simply grand,” Mike told them.
“Oh yeah! I have to agree with Michael. You all look great,” Rick added.
“Now, guys, just relax. Don’t stop complimenting us, just relax, okay?” Elizabeth told them.
“Well, you two guys, look pretty handsome too,” Mary added.
“Really? You don’t think our tuxedos are too much? I mean, I would hate to outshine the girls,” Rick said jokingly.
“Forget it, guys. I’ve seen the girls in the wedding dresses, and believe me, there’s no way you could ever hope to outshine them. Not today anyways,” Paul told them.
“Really, they look that good, do they? I can’t wait to see the girls all dressed up,” Mike told him.
“Well, whenever you guys are ready to take your places, we can get this show on the road,” Grady told them.
“Gee, Rick, are you ready to do this?” Mike asked.
“Well, if you can ask me again in about a week or so, I’ll let you know,” he said as he started laughing.
“Really, are you guys all ready?” Paul asked them.
“About as ready as we’re going to be, I guess,” Mike answered.
The Wedding of All Weddings
“Okay then, get the other people in here and let’s do this,” Paul told them.
Once they had all of the kids there, they made a quick check to make sure everyone knew where to stand and a double-check to make sure that the ring bearers had the right rings in their possession. Once everything was set, Paul would go out and give the musicians the signal to start the music. Grady would go upstairs and tell the girls that it was time to start.
Everything was set as Paul signaled for the music to start. Judge Harlow took his place behind the podium. Mike and Rick took their position next to each other with Katie and Bobby directly behind them, and Ricky and Cindy taking up the rear.
As the music started playing, the men started the rather slow walk up the ramp to their positions off to the side of the altar, with Mike on the left and Rick on the right of the altar. Bobby and Katie stepped in behind Mike while Cindy and Rick took their position behind Rick.
At the back of the house, Katie and Melissa were getting into the carriages. Paul was there to show them his little surprise. “Okay, ladies, when you get behind the altar, right when you pass each other, I want you to pull these strings. A fast thug is all you’ll need. When you pull the strings, it will pull the pins on these two boxes, one in each carriage. These boxes have spring-loaded lids. As they pop open, there’s twenty-five white doves in each box. Trust me, they’ll fly upward as soon as you pop the lid.
“Nobody will know where they came from, but everyone will see fifty white doves flying up into the air,” he explained to the ladies.
“Where did you ever find fifty white doves?” Katie asked him.
“I didn’t. They’re pigeons, but nobody will ever know the difference. Okay?” he confessed to them.
“Doves, pigeons who cares? I like it. Thanks, Paul,” Melissa answered.
“Good luck, ladies, do not get out of the carriages until your fathers help yo
u out, okay? Remember everything that you do until after the ceremony you do together, okay? Each step that you take, every turn you make, you’ll want to do them together. Okay?” he asked them.
“Together, got it,” Melissa answered.
“I’ll see you after you’re married,” he told them.
Paul left the ladies alone with their drivers. Each girl sat there spinning their white-laced umbrellas behind their heads, waiting for the signal to start the rides of their lives.
Mary and Elizabeth took their places at the bottom of the ramp. The musicians were playing a preselected arrangements of easy and soft melodies. But when the signal was given, the horn section sounded loud and clear. It was a signal to everyone that the ceremony was about to start and a signal to the drivers to start their carriages on the path of a lifetime. The musicians then started playing the wedding march. Nobody knew about the horses and the carriages. And when they came into view, there were many ooohhhs and awwws. There may have been a thousand cameras clicking pictures that day, but only one paper was there to cover the event. And Robert Kincaid had his hands full. He had positioned several preloaded cameras all over the place. When he got to the next camera, he would change cameras even if he still had pictures left.
The carriages’ march was slow at best, a lot slower than anyone might have wanted. Everyone except for the girls, they were on cloud nine, and they weren’t in any hurry to get off. As the carriages passed each other behind the podium, the girls tugged on the strings. And just like Paul had told them, fifty white birds flew up into the air. And nearly everyone in the audience saw the flying birds, and many of them were pointing up into the sky at the flying birds.
Hearts of Grey Page 51
