The Great Big Fairy

by Dani Haviland

  “He and Amy liked each other a lot. She told me she was sad when he had to leave. But, he didn’t stay away. He came back one night after everyone was in bed. He may not have been smart, but he was clever and knew how to sneak Amy away without being seen. He wasn’t mean to her; I think he really loved her, but he shouldn’t have taken her away.

  “Amy had been gone, missing, from the home for four months when I found her. The first time I saw her was at the grocery store, frustrated and crying. Her man friend hadn’t come home for a week and she was hungry. She didn’t know what happened to him, but did know that the store had food. She walked right up to the produce department and started eating the apples in the boxes, putting back a pear after taking a bite because she didn’t like it. I saw she was unintentionally causing a ruckus and attracting a crowd. I didn’t know what was going on, but could see she needed an advocate.”

  Bibb saw ‘the look’ and clarified, “She needed a protector. I told the man at the store that I was sorry about what happened, and that I’d pay for the food. I filled my shopping bag with the kind of apples she liked and sort of lied; I told her she was supposed to come home with me.

  “I brought her back here and let Billy do his job. You see, he’s a policeman, a problem solver, kind of like a magistrate, only better.” Bibb grinned with parental pride. “He found out that she had gone missing from the group home and that the man who had taken her, used to live there, too. No one knew he had moved her into his little apartment with him, that he’d been taking care of her.”

  Bibb winced, recalling that horrid day when she had to tell Amy that Oscar wasn’t coming back. “Billy found out her friend had been killed in an accident the week before I found her. She didn’t know where he went and was afraid when he didn’t return. When she ran out of food, she went to the store to eat.”

  She looked up at Jane, saw her sadness, and was glad that she had left out the rest of the horror. It was an automobile accident, a pedestrian hit and run, that had struck down Oscar. Jane didn’t need to know of the many hazards of modern day life on her first day here.

  “I contacted the group home she had lived in. They said they’d be happy to have her back. They loved her. She was a part of their family, and they all missed her. I kind of hated to hear that because I really had grown fond of her in those three days she was here with us. I didn’t want to see her leave. I made sure I told them that I thought she was pregnant and that she should go see a doctor right away. She didn’t appear to be sick, but definitely had morning sickness. They told me not to worry about it. They’d get her an abortion and then have her sterilized so it wouldn’t happen again.”

  Bibb saw Jane’s blank look and decided to tell her about the dirty little secret that happened behind closed doors. “Amy was pregnant,” Bibb said and saw Jane nod her head that she understood that part of the story. “And they wanted to cut the baby out of her and make it so she could never have a baby again.”

  Jane’s eyes widened and jaw dropped as she gasped with horror. “Yes, it’s a terrible thing to do, and I wouldn’t let them near her after that. I went to court and convinced the judge that Amy was better off living with me than in the home; that I could and would take care of her and the child she carried. He agreed, so now she’ll legally be my daughter next month.” Bibb glowed with pride as she revealed the abbreviated version of having her first daughter.

  “Will she be okay?” Jane asked. “I mean, she’s so small.”

  “Oh, she’s big enough inside. We just have to make sure she doesn’t overexert herself, I mean, that she doesn’t work too hard. She’s a good helper, so I give her small jobs to do. The baby is fine, too. The doctors now have tools so they can look inside the womb without cutting into the mother. That’s why we know she’s having a daughter. The baby won’t be like her: she doesn’t have Down syndrome. And even if she did, the ladies down the way wouldn’t care. They’ve taken Amy under their wing and love her almost as much as we do. They’ve offered to have her stay with them, but I think Janetta and Mary need to have time alone to bond with their adopted daughter first. Amy will be in the baby’s life as much as they like, but only as an aunt. It will be another non-traditional family for sure, but certainly not one lacking in love.”

  44 The Wedding

  “O kay, okay, everyone; can I get your attention here for just a minute? I didn’t realize you’d all get here at exactly the same time.”

  Billy was overwhelmed with floral and catering crews, but grateful that it looked like the wedding event of the mixed centuries was going to come together on time. And that Benji hadn’t discovered the presence of his surprise guests, Wee Michael and family.

  “Caterers, this way, please. Hey, Carlos, nice to see you again. After the wedding, maybe we’ll get a chance to chat. Right now, the tables are in there and the kitchen is this way. If you need more refrigerator space, there’s a spare one in the garage. You’re Tom, the photographer, right? Of course, you are; not many people carry around a tripod as a keychain!”

  Bibb saw the parade of vans pull up to the house and knew that the proceedings were getting underway. “Janie, why don’t you come inside to Mac’s room? I want you to be surprised with the, um, party that Billy’s putting together. I’m sure Benji’s being isolated, too. I’ll bring Mac to you, and he can show you his toys. And remember: don’t let Benji know that Wee Michael and his family are here.”

  Bibb and Jane walked down the hall, shoulder to elbow. Jane was mute and stunned that someone, anyone, was throwing her a party. She snorted aloud as she realized the ultimate shock: the celebration was because she was getting married. She pinched herself and sucked in a squeal before it escaped. Yes, she was awake, and this miracle really was happening.

  “Look what I found,” Bibb said when she saw that Benji and Mac were already in the room. “Now, Mac, I want you to keep these two, your godparents, inside your room. Your Daddy is putting together a party for them. They’re getting married, and we’ll have lots of food and flowers and people and…”

  Bibb saw Benji’s happiness fade at the word people so clarified, changing to a serious tone as she addressed the big, fearful man. “Billy is having some friends who do this sort of thing—put together parties and such—take care of the arrangements. He asked them to stay for the ceremony. The ‘I do’s’ won’t take too long, so there really wasn’t any reason for them to leave then come right back…”

  Benji held up his hand, letting Bibb know that she didn’t need to explain further. “I’m sorry. I hope I dinna come across as rude. He is jest invitin’ people who are helpin’ with the, the weddin’, though, right?” he asked, his voice ending with a squeak of insecurity.

  “Well, I also invited the girls who live here, but no, there aren’t any, ahem, out of town guests flying in on the Concorde,” Bibb said, then rolled her eyes.

  “A Concorde is a verra big and fast plane,” Benji explained to Jane. “I told ye about airplanes, aye?”

  “Aye, but I thought you flew in them, not on them,” she said.

  “Weel, technically yer in a plane, but I think they say on because yer on board.”

  “Maybe Benji will take you on a trip in an airplane after, after a while,” Bibb said, then blushed as she realized that she was subconsciously trying to get Benji back to Scotland to see his family and show off his new wife. She shook her head minimally, admonishing herself for being such a busybody. He’d get to it in his own time. Hopefully.

  Ж

  Billy popped his head into Mac’s room. “Okay, Janie, you go with Mom, and she’ll help you into your dress. Benji, you can’t see your bride in her dress until you’re in front of the preacher. You did put your suit in my room, right?” Billy asked.

  “Weel, I put the clothes I plan on wearin’ in there. Where do I go once I’m all spruced up?”

  “Peter will come get you. Now, go get ready. And don’t forget to shave…and I don’t care if you already shaved today, I want you to look
your best. I hired a photographer, too.”

  Benji rolled his eyes and sighed in resignation. “Do I get a kiss first?”

  “Well, if you insist,” Billy said jokingly, then tiptoed up and bussed him on the cheek.

  Everybody laughed at Benji’s blush, then he joined them in the guffaws. “Weel, this’ll be the last kiss I get from my fiancée because she’s going to be my wife in just a wee bit.”

  Benji walked up slowly to Jane. “I never thought I’d find anyone to share my life with, but when ye finally let me look into yer eyes, I kent ye were mine. This is yer last chance. Do ye still want to marrit me?”

  “Verra much so,” Jane answered, then gave him a reserved kiss, chagrined that they were kissing in front of others. “And you?”

  “Aye, more than anythin’ I can think of.” He gathered her close, picked her up, and lifted her off the ground, giving her a more adequate kiss, swinging her side to side before he put her feet back on the ground. “Now, jest dinna change yer mind; it’d break my heart and everythin’ else, too, if ye did.”

  Ж

  “Well you sure cleaned up well. What happened to your jacket?” Billy asked.

  Peter answered for Benji. “He refused to buy one. He said that even if he could find one that fit—which we couldn’t by the way—that it’d be a waste of money since he’d only wear it for the one day.”

  “Nae, I said fer the five minutes or so,” Benji corrected.

  “Five minutes, ten minutes, it doesn’t matter. There was nothing we could find that was worthy of the occasion, and the shirt was so nice that I hated to see it covered up. And well, you said it best, he sure cleaned up well.” Peter tugged the open collar to one side, pulling it into alignment, and smoothed out the slight wrinkles across the shoulders. “You look like you belong in a pirate movie with that shirt. Shoot, you look like you belong in the 18th century, not the 21st. Either way, you’re the sexiest groom I’ve seen today!”

  “Here, here,” Billy said in agreement as he elbowed Benji in the ribs and winked at his mother. “I’ll agree to that on both counts!”

  “Okay, Billy, where’s the groom?” asked the young man in jeans and a sports coat as he walked into the room. “Oh, this must be him. Benji, I’m Jake, the preacher. What’s your full name, and are you sure you want to do this? I mean, this is your last chance to stay single,” he joked, then playfully punched the tall groom-to-be in the arm.

  “Benjamin Ian Pomeroy MacKay, and I’ve never wanted anythin’ more in my life. Is she ready? I mean, where do we go, and are we ready? Oh, did I jest ask that? I’m a little nervous. I’ve never been marrit before.”

  “Well, I do marriages right the first time, so you’ll never have to do this over again. I performed the ceremony for Billy’s brother a little over a year ago. By the way, how are James and Leah doing?” Jake asked Billy.

  “I saw them jest last week,” Benji answered, not giving Billy the chance to find an excuse for or to lie about their whereabouts. “They have a wee daughter, Bibb Elizabeth, named after family.” Benji winked at Bibb. He hadn’t had the chance to tell her that she had another grandchild, her first granddaughter. “Bibby Liz has big, beautiful hazel eyes and jest about the baldest heid ye ever saw on a bairn. She’s the same age as Billy and Peter’s boy, Mac. Sorry, I dinna get a picture of her. Ye’ll jest have to believe me when I tell ye she’s the prettiest, wee lass ye ever did see.”

  Bibb sniffed back the tears that had sprung up when she heard she had a granddaughter. Bibby Liz was back in the 18th century. She’d never see her. But, her heir in the past had good parents, and would be loved and safe, as long as they were alive.

  “Ahem,” announced Bibb to both clear her throat and get the men’s attention. “We have a beautiful bride waiting patiently in my room for the man in charge to tell her it’s time to be wed. Now, if you’ll all take your places, she’s allowed me to have the honor of escorting her down the aisle. A bit untraditional to be sure, but that seems to work for this family!”

  Jake took Benji’s left arm as Billy took his right. Peter looked around, feeling left out of the proceedings. “Come on, son,” Bibb said as she held out her elbow. “You can escort me to the bride and take charge of our little Frodo.”

  “Mac’s going to be the ring bearer?” he asked. “Isn’t he too small?”

  “Well, the ring’s in a case, so he can’t put it in his mouth, or at least swallow it. I have a ring for her that was Marty’s. Dang, he sure chose a bad time to go to Australia for his research! Anyhow, I had Janie close her eyes while I tried it on her. She knows, sort of, that she’s getting a ring, but doesn’t know what it looks like. It fits her like Cinderella’s slipper, just like it was made for her.”

  Ж

  Bibb knocked softly on the bedroom door. “Are you decent?” she asked.

  “Excuse me?” Jane answered as she opened the door to let her in, balancing Mac on her wedding dress-covered hip as Amy stood attentively behind her.

  “My, my; you are more than decent, Janie, you’re stunning. You have the most beautiful hair I have ever seen,” Peter said as his hand air glided above her long, soft curled tresses. Peter turned his attention to the eager young pregnant woman beside her. “I see you already have your roses, Amy. My, my, you look beautiful, too.”

  Amy blushed, then nodded, “Thank you; you’re beautiful, too.”

  “Thank you,” Peter said, then gave her a short, courteous bow. “Oh, and here, Janie; I’ll trade you my son for the bouquet. He’s gorgeous, I know, but the bride is supposed to carry flowers down the aisle, not little boys.”

  Jane handed Mac to Peter, then stepped back. “Is it time yet?” she asked, her left hand nervously twisting one of her newly formed ringlets around her index finger.

  Peter and Bibb looked up at her head at the same time. “Just one more thing, dear; here, sit down.” Bibb patted the end of the bed, then went to her dresser. She pulled open the top drawer and took out the tissue wrapped package. “This is the same veil Leah wore when she married James. I’m sure she’d want you to wear it, too.” She sighed deeply. “Too bad her daughter, Bibby Liz,” she sighed the name and paused in reflection, “too bad she won’t be able to wear it when she gets married. We’ll keep it in the family, though, so your daughters, or son’s fiancées, can wear it, too.”

  Bibb arranged the simple yet delicate veil on Jane’s head, gently guiding the lacy edges so they framed her face, flowed over her shoulders, and then down her back.

  The bride blushed with pride at the thought of being a wife and mother, of having children who she and Benji would be able to rear as married parents. It was more than she had ever hoped for.

  “Okay; now it’s showtime, Janie.” Bibb patted her on the back in reassurance. “Peter, will you escort the ring bearer and flower girl ahead of us?”

  Peter carried Mac in his left arm, and Amy held onto his right elbow as they walked down the hall. “Come on, little Frodo. This may not be a ring of power, but it’s still special.” He added softly, “I do believe this is the one that Grandpa Marty said had something to do with Australian fairies. Can you believe that, fairies down under? Yeah, well, neither can I.”

  Ж

  “Billy,” Jake whispered from the doorway, “what’s the bride’s name?”

  “Janie, no, it’s actually Jane,” he said, then sucked in a huge lungful of air as he pronounced a possible fib—maybe an out and out lie. “She only uses the first name of Jane. It’s traditional where she’s from, only one name. Janie is what family calls her.” He winched then added, “But, she’ll take Benji’s last name when they’re married, so don’t worry about it.”

  “Sounds good to me; Benji has enough names for the both of them.”

  Benji looked at Billy then Jake. “Is it time yet?” he asked anxiously, trying to keep his voice even.

  Billy turned around and looked down the hall. His mother was standing beside a very nervous bride, patting her hand and whisp
ering assurances up to her. It must have worked because a wave of calm washed over Jane, a smile of confidence taking the place of the nervous facial twitches. Peter was two feet away, trying to wrest the ring box away from Mac who had decided that the carved hardwood box was a better teething ring than his plastic keys. Peter looked up and saw Billy smile at him. “We’re ready,” he mouthed, as he nodded to Mac and the ladies.

  “Let the wedding begin,” Billy announced to Jake, then smiled at Benji. “It’s been a long time coming, aye?”

  “Aye,” Benji squeaked, then swallowed hard and said in a lower tone, “Verra much aye.”

  Jake pointed to Tom, the photographer, who took the cue, and flipped the switch on the oversized boom box. Bagpipes and the tune of The Highland Wedding filled the air.

  “Come on,” Billy said to Benji, tugging gently at the suddenly terrorized man’s elbow. “This is the first step to your glorious future as a husband and then, in about a year or less, a father. Don’t be scarrit; jest put one foot in front of the other,” he added in a lighthearted, Scot’s accent.

  Benji looked down at his big feet in the brand new Wellington work boots and said, “Ye heard what the man said, one foot in front of the other.” He put one foot out, took a deep breath, and moved forward. “First step: husband. Second step: make the bairns. I think I can handle that.”

  “I ken ye can handle that,” Billy said. He held onto Benji’s elbow, and they made their way to Jake in their step pause, step pause, ritualistic walk down the aisle. They arrived at Jake and stopped. Billy patted Benji’s arm, then walked around him, turning Benji around to face his bride who was now making her way up the same rose petal strewn pathway.

  Bibb looked very small and pale next to the tall, dark bride, but her pride was obvious. She couldn’t have been more radiant if this was her own biological daughter she was escorting to the groom and the preacher. The tears of joy were streaming down her face, unrestrained by hankies or the back of a hand. The glistening only made her simple aqua suit more elegant.