Gooseberry Island
Page 27
“Just in time,” Eunice repeated, and wiped her eyes over Bill’s sincere proclamation of love.
Before the pastor could even pronounce them man and wife, the older couple’s passionate kiss told the world that they’d finally become one.
For the best man’s toast, Eunice’s son, Jim, recited his heartfelt gift:
“Crossroads of Love
“Two roads began at separate points
in a time called long ago
To wonder then where they would lead
was a fate for God to know.
“Each guided children down their paths
of goodness, hope and love
with nothing but the light that shone
from heaven up above.
“The obstacles, the bumps and turns
which stood in both their ways
were merely just a set of tests
that led to better days.
“The rains would pass, the winds subside
and with their labor done,
two roads would stop and take the time
to watch the setting sun.
“But God had other plans in mind:
their trips had just begun.
Two roads began at separate points,
but now those roads are one.”
After a sweet kiss, Eunice and her new husband shared their first dance as man and wife. A circle formed around them, loved ones swaying back and forth. As the final note faded into the distance, Bill and Eunice continued to dance for a few moments more—lost together in the silence.
Applause rang out, prompting them to kiss again.
During one of the night’s many love ballads, Eunice danced with her grandson, Richard.
“I’m so happy for you and Bill,” he said. “I really am.”
She peered into his sad eyes. “Getting older only means better choices,” she whispered, adding a wink. “…and second chances, Richard.”
He nodded, politely.
“So Rose couldn’t make it to the wedding?” she asked.
Richard shrugged. “She sends her best, Grandma, but she’s finishing up a business deal that’s required her to be there in person.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no need for apologies, sweetheart. It’s just too bad,” Eunice said.
“I suppose,” Richard mumbled—just as the song ended.
Eunice watched him walk away, thinking, There’s nothing worse than a neglected heart.
Bill appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her hand, yanking her back into the magical night that was before them. “We’ve been summoned to take pictures,” he told her.
Hand-in-hand, they headed out on the ship’s deck to take wedding photos, and paused at the hall mirror. “Look at us,” Bill said, “aren’t we the pair to beat a full house?” The wrinkles, crow’s feet and paunch midsections could not distract from their glowing smiles. He squeezed her tight. “Until you,” he told Eunice, “my heart was known to no one.”
Bill and his lovely bride were in the springtime of their love and celebrated the fact with a long, wet kiss.
~~~
“Are you happy?” Bill asked Eunice one morning, as they cuddled in bed.
She looked into his eyes and decided that there was no better time than the present. “I can’t remember ever being happier,” she said.
He sighed, pleased with her reply.
“Though there is one thing that’s eating at me something terrible,” she confessed.
“And what’s that?” he asked, surprised. He sat up straight, preparing to spring into action.
“I can’t tell you how much it bothers me that your daughters didn’t make it to our wedding, Bill,” she said. “And that they’re not a part of your life…of our lives.”
As though someone had just taken the air out of him, Bill collapsed onto his back. After a few moments of thought, he confessed, “As you know, the girls’ mother passed away some years ago and the tragedy of our parting was that we never really knew each other. I’m ashamed to admit it, but she was an incubator and nanny to my children. I didn’t have time for her. I provided for my family, but we lived separate lives. By the time we had children, I learned that I didn’t have much time for them either. We had two daughters, with just as many houses, but we shared nothing.”
“And you don’t think that can change, Bill?” Eunice asked.
A few moments elapsed before he answered. “I make sure my girls are taken care of, but I really can’t imagine that they’d want anything more than money from me.” He shook his head. “And I don’t blame them in the least. It’s my fault completely.”
“Well, we’re just going to have to do something about that now, aren’t we?”
Bill’s brow wrinkled. “Eunice, I’m not sure they’d…”
“Nonsense,” Eunice said, “they’re your family…our family. I’ll invite them to spend Christmas with us. It’ll be wonderful. Just you wait and see.”
He kissed her. “Okay,” he said, tentatively. “We’ll see.”