by Mia Moore
Danny walked to Diana’s side and rubbed his hand over her bottom as she bent to slip the new stockings on.
When she finished, she ran her hand along Danny’s leg to his crotch which was beginning to harden. “Have you packed our outfits and the toy bag for the reception?” She smiled seductively at him.
They heard a loud crying and the doorbell ring.
“Yes to the toybag and no to whatever badness Bobby is up to with his sister.” Danny rushed off to see what the kids were doing.
He scooped Becky into his arms soothing her before answering the door. “No Bobby, you can’t have Becky ride you like a pony. She’s too small and doesn’t have the balance yet. See, she bumped her head on the floor. No horsey rides.” Danny scolded and walked to the door to open it.
“Ah, Elizabeth. Our favorite babysitter, otherwise known as the neighborhood masochist. Back for another round with Bobby the Terror and Becky Oops? Come in to our home of mayhem, my sweet unsuspecting teenager.” Danny smiled while raising his eyebrows ominously.
“Danny, they’re great kids. Honest, when you leave, they settle down. I read to them. We have snacks and watch cartoons. They go to bed without a fuss. They’re wonderful.” Elizabeth squatted down and rustled Bobby’s hair.
“I know. Actually, I’m crazy about them and they know it. I can hardly remember what life was like before Bobby and Becky. I’m a lucky guy.” Danny scooped up each child in turn and gave them a big kiss.
“Ready dear? We should be going.”Diana entered the living room wearing a dark red dress, dark stockings and high heels. She had pinned her hair up into a loose chignon which showed off her white pearl earrings and necklace.
“Wow! Hello Gorgeous! Yes I’m ready. Let’s go.” Danny’s eyes appraised her with admiration.
Bobby and Becky ran to Diana and hugged her legs. “Mommy, Mommy” they repeated in unison.
Diana squatted down and hugged and kissed each of them, asking them to promise to be good for Elizabeth and go to bed at 7:30. It was hard for Diana to leave them. They looked so adorable, even though she was looking forward to the wedding and party afterwards.
“You have my cell number if you need anything Elizabeth. Have fun!” Diana opened the door and joined Danny outside.
****
“How are you doing? Are you almost ready to go?” Craig called to Jessica through the closed bathroom door. He held Liam in his arms, tickling the boy and joining in Liam’s peals of laughter.
Jessica straightened up after leaning over the toilet for a few minutes being sick. She rinsed her mouth with mouthwash and rearranged her hair. She was two months pregnant and had been ill almost every day until mid afternoon. And that was the time of day that she could fall asleep at the drop of a hat.
“Yes, just about.” She answered Craig. She put lipstick on and emerged from the bathroom in their home in the Beaches area of Toronto.
“Just give me a minute to eat some soda crackers and have a few sips of ginger ale and I’ll be fine.” She brushed by Craig and Liam, rubbing Liam’s head on the way by.
Liam squirmed and struggled for Craig to set him down and ran after Jessica into the kitchen.
“Can I have a drink too Mommy?” Liam looked up at her with his big brown eyes.
“May I have a drink please Liam. And yes you may.” Jessica corrected him.
She poured a second small glass of ginger ale and handed it to him. Liam gulped the soda, his eyes never leaving Jessica.
Liam and Jessica heard familiar voices in the front hallway and smiled at each other. Liam ran out of the room yelling “Uncle Eddie, Aunt Shell.” He threw himself against Eddie’s legs hugging him while jumping up and down with the excitement of a puppy.
Craig and Jessica greeted Eddie and Shelly and tried to get Liam to calm down. He was now hugging Shelly, bouncing against her.
“He’s Okay. How’s my favorite little Leprechaun? Got a hug for your uncle Eddie?” Eddie swept Liam up into his arms.
Liam hugged Eddie and then leaned sideway, arms extended to hug Shelly.
“Come here Cutie and give me a proper hug” Shelly said reaching up to take Liam from Eddie.
“No fair. I only had him for a minute. Remember. Share Shelly. You two look great! All spiff and polish for the gala wedding? Give my regards to the happy couple please. How are you feeling Jessica?” Eddie asked.
“Well lots of nausea, but that will pass soon. Nothing like when I was pregnant with Liam. Maybe this one’s a girl.” Jessica answered.
“I’m just hoping for ten fingers and toes and healthy. Whether it has a handle or not is okay by me.” Craig said reaching an arm around Jessica and hugging her to him.
“There’s lasagna and salad in the fridge. Help yourself to whatever’s there. We should be home just after midnight. Thanks so much for staying with Liam. He likes you two so much and there’s no one else we’d rather leave him with.” Jessica said.
Jessica and Craig had grown to know Eddie and Shelley over the years since Liam had been born, at first seeing them at Annik’s and later inviting them to dinner parties. Craig and Jessica both enjoyed listening to Eddie’s old police stories and Shelley was so sweet. She had knitted a number of sweaters and hats for Liam.
“Okay. We’ll leave you guys to have fun now. Be a good boy Liam for Aunt Shelley and Uncle Eddie.” Craig said, leaning forward to plant a kiss on the boy’s cheek.
“Yes Da. I will. Bring me back some cake?” Liam asked.“You got it Mister.” Craig said and headed out the door.
“Bye Eddie and Shelley. Thanks again. See you later Liam. Love you!” Jessica joined Craig.
****
“Hello! Anybody home?” Annie called as she and Anthony entered Tom and Annik’s home.
“Aunt Annie! Aunt Annie!” Hope yelled and ran to the door into Annie’s arms.
“Oh my precious little girl! How are you?” Annie scooped Hope into her arms and hugged her.
“Uncle Anthony!” Hope turned to Anthony and hugged him. He held one arm behind his back.
Hope reached for his arm, tugging it and trying to peek behind. “What have you got Uncle Anthony? Is it something for me?” Her eyes were wide above a wide smile as she bounced up and down, her long dark curly hair flying out at the sides.
“Yes, something only a princess can wear.” Anthony returned her wide eyed look as he handed her the pink bag.
Hope sat down on the floor and tore at the ribbon. “Yay! Cinderella slippers! They’re so pretty! Please help me put them on Aunt Annie.”
Annie helped Hope and the little tyke preened and twirled around in her new shoes. The pink gingham dress she wore flared out around her.
“Annie, you spoil her. Every time you visit you bring some gift for Hope. Really I don’t know what else you could give her. Anthony, good to see you! Care to join me for some tea? Hope is having a tea party. Annie, I know you’re dying to see the baby. Go on up. Annik is just putting him to bed.” Tom said.
“Be careful Tom with what you say about gifts. It seems to me that there is a D-O-G that a little girl would love to have. Be nice to me. I’m thinking Bernese Mountain or Jack Russell. Besides, it’s a good idea to keep making Hope feel special, especially with a new baby in the house. Speaking of which!” Annie hurried up the stairs.
Annie eased the door open and peeked in the baby’s room. Annik was leaning over humming softly and stroking the baby’s side. Annie crept softly to the side of the crib and mouthed ‘Hi’ to Annik. The two women stood silently smiling down at Tommy, who was just about asleep.
They tiptoed out together and gently closed the door.
“He’s so precious Annik. Thomas Philip. A big name for such a little baby.”
“Yes, he’s a good baby. He’s almost sleeping through the night. Hope just loves him and Tom is over the moon about him. Well both kids really.” Annik led the way to the stairs.
Annie had warmed to Annik after Hope was born. She saw how devoted Annik was to T
om and Hope and how absolutely happy Tom was. And Annie herself was thrilled to be an aunt, to get to spoil Hope and play with her.
“The monitor is set up in the living room. When he wakes up there’s a bottle of milk in the fridge made up for him. Just take the chill off of it and he should finish all of it. We’ve ordered Chinese food for Hope and you. It’s her favorite.” Annik said.
“Don’t worry about us. I picked up a few Disney movies and we’ll have fun watching them later. Stay out as long as you like. We’ll go to bed if it’s really late. Please wish the happy couple well for me.”
Annik stopped halfway down the stairs and watched as Hope served Tom and Anthony their tea in the tiny plastic cups. Hope moved gracefully, being very much the lady hostess. Annik pictured herself and her mother having afternoon tea in the Black Swan, her father’s hotel. And the times she’d spent with Poppa at the Pelican, always dressed in her finest. A tear came to her eye as she thought of her parents. How they would have loved to see Hope and Tommy.
Tom startled and looked around quickly at the same moment that Hope halted mid sip to peer quickly at her father.
“Who is that man Daddy?” Hope got up out of her chair at her little table and walked to Tom, snuggling shyly into his arms.
“Hope, it’s okay. It’s only Daddy and me having tea with you. Look there’s Momma and Aunt Annie.” Anthony said as he glanced at Tom, noting the odd look on Tom’s face.
Hope, easily distracted, ran to the stairs to show Momma her new Cinderella shoes that Aunt Annie had given her.
“Very pretty Hope. You look like a princess. You thanked Aunt Annie, didn’t you?”
“Yes, thanks Aunt Annie! I love them!” Hope reached out for Annie’s hands.
Tom stood up. “Well Sis, we have to get going. You have our number if you need anything. And my beautiful wife. Are you ready?”
“Absolutely. Hope, give Daddy and me a kiss goodbye.” Annik leaned over to kiss Hope.
Tom walked over to Annik and bent down to kiss Hope.
They said goodbye and left.
As they were driving along, Tom said. “This may sound weird. But I had the strangest sensation when Hope was serving tea and you were on the stairs. I could feel a hand on my shoulder and a faint voice saying ‘she’s beautiful.’ I thought of your father, immediately. And Hope saw him. She asked who that man was and clung to me, a bit shy.”
“That’s funny because just at that moment, I was thinking of Momma and Poppa, how much they would have enjoyed seeing Hope and Tommy. Maybe they do. I like to think that they’re nearby.” Annik said.
****
At Pandora’s, the great ballroom had been set up with cloth covered chairs, audience style. The small stage was decorated with an array of colorful ribbons, balloons and white rose petals. On one side of the room, near the French doors to the solarium, a trio of musicians played chamber music softly.
Tom and Annik greeted the guests and took turns showing the people to their seats. When the sixty guests were seated, a minister wearing a white robe entered the ballroom and walked to the stage. When she had settled herself in front of the microphone, she asked everyone to stand and welcome the two people being joined in marriage that day.
The audience rose and looked expectantly at the doorway. In a few seconds the Major wearing a dark green blazer over a white shirt and the tartan kilt of his family clan appeared. At his side was Roy, the Major’s partner of many years. Roy wore a navy blue sports jacket with taupe colored trousers. Both men wore matching red roses in their lapels. They smiled at each other and proceeded to slowly walk to the stage, without touching.
The Major and Roy stood on the floor while the Minister stood higher on the stage.
“We are gathered today to unite Donald James McQuaid and Robert Roy Jones in holy matrimony. If anyone has cause to dispute this marriage, please rise now and say your piece.” The Minister scanned the faces in the audience.
“Do you both agree to love each other, care for each other in sickness and in health till death do you part?”
“I do.” The Major and Roy said in unison.
“Donald, you may now place the ring of your love upon Roy. Please tell him what this means to you.” The Minister said.
“I Donald, place this ring upon your finger Roy, as a symbol of my love and devotion to you. You are my life partner, to walk at my side, supporting and cherishing each other.” The Major gazed intently into Roy’s brown eyes.
Roy then placed a ring upon the Major’s finger and recited the same words to the Major.
“I now pronounce you to be married in the sight of God and society. Go forth. Live and let Love guide you.” The Minister pronounced.
Roy and the Major kissed each other and then arm in arm, walked down the aisle between the rows of chairs. People in the audience yelled congratulations and best wishes as they threw rose petals.
“What the Minister said was beautiful. Live and Let Love guide you. We should have that inscribed over the doorway into Pandora’s.” Annik looked at Tom as they left their seats and stood in line to offer best wishes to the happy couple.
“How about just Live and Let Love.”
THE END
Mia’s Readers Club!
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