There was complete silence for a few moments; Big Paul noticed Madison and Ashley holding tightly to the arm of their fiancé's with fear in their eyes. Big Paul cleared his throat "Like the man said, it's getting dark, y'all should be getting home and resting up for your big day tomorrow."
"Mr. Sutton" Madison called quietly. "We came to invite you to have supper with us this evening, at our house. Edwin and Ashley's parents will be there, along with Jake's mom and her boyfriend, what do ya say, will ya come?"
"Y-Y-Yeah Big P-Paul, it'll b-be fun!" Edwin added.
Mr. Sutton began to cough. "To tell you the truth gang, I'm gonna turn in a little early tonight, I'm not feeling so well."
"What's the matter?" Jake asked. "You haven't been yourself lately, and you've been coughing an awful lot."
"I'm old Jake, and my body's getting tired. I just need to rest that's all. I'll be as good as new, and ready for the wedding tomorrow, wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Okay, Jake said "Rest up, and take care of yourself, we'll see you tomorrow."
"Oh wait!" Big Paul said, slowly rising from his rocking chair, and walking into his house while coughing. "I almost forgot to give y'all your wedding gift."
When he returned, he was holding a medium sized box which made a clanging sound when he moved. He placed it in front of Jake and Madison, then walked inside and came out with a second box, the same size, and making the same sound, setting it in front of Edwin and Ashley.
"Go ahead." He smiled. "Open it!"
The two women opened their box, and their eyes lit up as they pulled out the most beautiful four piece china set they'd ever seen. Jake and Madison's had a royal blue design, while Edwin and Ashley's had a deep burgundy design.
"Mr. Sutton this is just beautiful." Madison said, thanking him.
Ashley agreed. "It's so gorgeous, where'd you get them?"
"Me and Jenny picked them out in our younger years" Big Paul said as he coughed. "She absolutely loved them, and I wanted to give them to someone who'd appreciate and take care of em'. I'm not sure how much longer I have on this earth, but since I don't have any children or family left, I wanted y'all to have them for your special day."
"Thank you, Big Paul." Jake said. "But why not give it to us tomorrow?"
"Oh, I almost forgot" Mr. Sutton reached in his pocket, avoiding the question. "Here, I only have two left, so I wanted to give one to each couple."
He handed them an old picture of him and Jenny when they were sixteen years old, a picture taken on their wedding day. This was the first time anyone in Blackwater had seen Big Paul and Jenny in their younger years.
Big Paul was a very handsome and stunning young man, and Jenny's beauty had them all but captivated. They all gasped, their jaws dropped to the floor as they gazed at the photo. When they turned the picture over it read 'Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sutton, May 3, 1888.
Mr. Sutton smiled, and coughed, again. "Y'all better get to dinner, I know how Abigail gets when someone's late."
Big Paul watched the four as they walked away with his most meaningful possessions. The only sentimental thing remaining, was a small shoebox filled with letters he and Jenny exchanged in their years together, and her diary from when she was a teenager.
The four were the last to arrive at the Brierly's about a quarter to seven. When they opened the door, they saw their families talking and laughing, listening to 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' by Glenn Miller on the record player.
The dinner table wasn't large enough to seat all eleven people, so instead, they set it buffet style with different kinds of meats, vegetables, fruits, breads and desserts. After each person made their plate, they migrated to the living room where they ate, and talked about the past, present and future. Everyone got up for seconds, and a few even helped themselves to thirds.
The parents of the brides and grooms took time to slightly embarrass their children, sharing secrets, silly stories, and the mischievous things they'd done as children.
Everyone helped Mrs. Brierly clean up, and around nine-thirty, they all made their way to their homes, anticipating the big wedding to take place at one o'clock the following afternoon.
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It was eight o'clock the next morning when Jake heard knocking at his door. "M-M-Morin' Jake!" Edwin called "You still c-c-comin' to m-my house to g-get ready?"
"Sure am old friend." Jake said, sitting on his bed tying his left shoe. "Can you grab my tux? Over there on the hanger. I'll get my dress shoes and bag, then we can go."
As Jake and Edwin headed to his house to get ready, Madison and Ashley were at their own houses, driving their parents crazy, trying to make themselves as perfect as possible. Abigail couldn't understand why her husband had to go check the air pressure on the truck's tires every few minutes dressed in his expensive tuxedo.
Every time Mr. Brierly needed a breather from the chaos, he would tell them he needed to go check the air in the tires. In actuality, he would simply go sit on the porch steps for a few minutes, then return hoping they were ready to leave.
Shortly after twelve o'clock, the church was filled. Jake and Edwin entered, and were immediately congratulated and greeted by everyone in attendance.
After many hugs and handshakes, they finally took their places at the front right side of the church, with the minister and best men, Smitty and Chad Westfield. They all began rehearsing the ceremony with the minister, who was calm as a cucumber.
By 12:45 p.m. the church was completely packed, and the double wedding ceremony was set to start in fifteen minutes. The girls had arrived and were waiting in the parsonage approximately ten yards from the church. The brides, along with their mothers and bridesmaids, were making last minute adjustments to the dresses and veils. The six bridesmaids and grooms-men, two flower girls and the ring bearer, all stood outside, in order, waiting for the signal to start the ceremony.
Jake and Edwin scanned the crowd, discreetly waving to the many familiar faces they saw. They pointed out Jakes mother and boyfriend James, seated in the front row. Also in front were Madison, Edwin and Ashley's parents, along with their immediate families and closest friends.
They also saw Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins, The Bird Family, Chad Westfield's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cobb, Misty McFarland with her family, Mr. and Mrs. Holliday, and many others. There was one person, however who should have stood out from the rest, but could not be found anywhere.
"Have you see Big Paul?" Jake asked.
"N-No!" Edwin replied "I was j-just lookin' f-f-for him."
"You know, Big Paul's been acting strange lately. He hadn't been feeling well, and always tired."
"Y-Yeah" added Edwin "And his c-cough has been g-g-getting worse. I w-wonder why he g-gave us our w-w-w-wedding gifts last n-night instead of t-today?"
It was three minutes till one; Jake and Edwin didn't speak, but hung their heads fearing the reason for Big Paul's absence. It all added up, the last few weeks he developed a horrible cough that continuously got worse. He didn't go to the shop as often, and even recently turned away people who requested his advice. He even give instructions on what to do when he passed away.
"Are you boys ok?" The minister asked.
"No sir, not really." Jake responded in a somber voice.
"What in the world could be wrong?" He said "This should be the best day of your lives."
Edwin slowly shook his head. "Th-the best, and the w-w-worst day."
"I don't follow boys." The minister said, confused.
Jake slowly picked his head up, "we think Big Paul may have passed away last night. He didn't seem to be doing to good and—well—he would've been here even if he were sick, he would have been here no matter what!"
"What are you talking about?" The minister asked, pointing to the crowd "Paul Sutton's right over there, he just walked in."
Their faces instantly lit up as they ran down the aisle, startling everyone. They went up to Big Paul, gave him a firm handshake and a hug. Jake and Edwin escorted him to the front
pew, and sat him down by Edwin's parents.
As Jake and Edwin went back to their positions, they heard the church bells start to chime, signifying the one o'clock hour had arrived.
The musicians began playing a lovely tune, cueing the grooms, best men and minister, to walk to the front center of the church.
As the double doors opened, the maids of honor, bridesmaids and grooms-men, slowly made their way down the aisle, taking their appropriate positions. The women walked to the left, while the men walked to the right.
Next to walk down the aisle, was the handsome eight year old ring-bearer, named Jonathan. After him were two beautiful little flower girls shyly tossing red and pink rose petals on the aisle floor.
The music paused, and then 'Here comes the bride' began. The double doors opened once more, revealing the two most beautiful young women on earth. Their gowns were identical, both long and beautiful. They wore long lace gloves, and veils covered their beautiful faces.
They walked slowly arm-in-arm with their father's, while grasping a beautiful full bouquet of flowers. Gasps and whispers were heard around the church, which included the grooms, who couldn't believe their eyes.
Nate and Stephen Brierly, led their daughters down the aisle, then gave them a soft kiss on the cheek. They smiled and shook the groom's hands, then sat next to their tearful wives on the front row.
The two young couples joined hands, and turned toward the minister as he began. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, in God's presence to witness the double marriage of Jake Patterson to Madison Brierly, and Edwin Birch to Ashley Brierly. We ask that God be with them, and bless them through their lives together."
The minister spoke on how a man should love a woman, and vice versa. Their minds began to drift off to another place. They could hear the minister speaking, however, his voice sounded far away. The only thing they thought about was the one they stood next to. Then, they snapped back to reality, when they heard the Minister concluding his speech.
"…And in Jesus name, we ask for your blessing, Amen."
When in the congregation repeated "Amen." He turned his attention directly to the couples in front of him.
"Jake Patterson" he said, as he read from his book. "Will you have this woman, Madison Brierly to be your wedded wife, to live together in holy matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, and keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"
"I do!" Jake replied without hesitation.
"Madison Brierly" he turned his attention. "Will you have this man, Jake Patterson to be your wedded husband, to live together in holy matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and keep only to him, so long as you both shall live?"
"I do!" Madison said as she looked at Jake and smiled.
"Edwin Birch" he continued. "Will you have this woman, Ashley Brierly to be your wedded wife, to live together in holy matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"
"I d-do!" Edwin stuttered as he gave a nod of approval.
"And Ashley Brierly, will you have this man, Edwin Birch to be your wedded husband, to live together in holy matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and keep only to him, so long as you both shall live?
"I do" She anxiously responded.
The Minister smiled, and asked the couples to face each other and join hands. As they did this, each caught their fiancés eye, and became overwhelmed with emotion. They couldn't help but smile when looking at their one true love.
"Jake and Edwin, please repeat after me." he instructed.
Both men inserted their and their fiancée's names at the appropriate time. "I Jake/Edwin, take you, Madison/Ashley to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith."
It took longer than normal for them to finish with Edwin's stutter, but no one cared, in fact, as Edwin spoke the words, Ashley's eyes began to well up, hearing the sincerity in his voice, she held back, hoping not to ruin her make up. After they finished, the minister addressed the women asking them to repeat after him.
"I Madison/Ashley, Take you, Jake/Edwin, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith."
The minister grinned, and motioned the ring bearer forward. The young boy smiled, blushed, and presented the rings. The minister asked Jake and Edwin to secure the brides ring and repeat after him.
"In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love," they said, slowly sliding the ring on their bride's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Each bride looked at the ring on her finger, and was asked to take their grooms rings and repeat as instructed. "In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love," they repeated, sliding the ring on their groom's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Both grooms and brides were smiling from ear to ear, knowing, in just a few moments, they would officially be married, and spending the rest of their lives together.
"We have come together in this place," The minister continued, "And have heard the willingness of Jake to Madison, and Edwin to Ashley, to be joined in marriage. They have come of their own free will, and made a covenant of faithfulness one to another. They have given and received rings as the seal of their promises."
Then the Minister paused for a moment, and smiled. He closed his book and saw the eagerness on all of their faces. "Therefore" he continued "By the power vested in me, by God and the state of Missouri, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The minister raised his eyebrows, and finished. "Gentlemen, you may now kiss your bride!"
Jake and Edwin gently lifted the veils, leaned in and kissed their new bride. The congregation started to clap and cheer, while the flower girls and ring bearer covered their eyes with embarrassment.
As the newlyweds walked up the aisle and outside, they were greeted with small grains of rice being thrown by family and friends. They shook hands, hugged, posed for pictures and mingled for a few minutes. Each couple got in separate vehicles, waiting to take them to a nearby pond for photographs.
While they took pictures, their guests headed to the reception hall, where they were served drinks and appetizers as the live band played.
Jake looked at his new wife, as they were being chauffeured for pictures. "So how does it feel to be Mrs. Jake Patterson?"
"It feels great!" She said, laughing.
"Why are you laughing?" he playfully asked, tickling her stomach.
"I just,—okay—stop tickling me!" She squealed, trying to get her composure. "I just can't believe it—I mean, my name actually rhymes now. I think it's cute though, I like it—Madison Patterson."
Jake laughed. "I hope you like it, because you're stuck with it now."
"It's the only name I want, honey." She said while giving him a kiss. Their car stopped, and they were escorted to the pond, where they saw Edwin, Ashley, their families, and the bridal party.
The photos began with just the bride and groom, and then included their parents, the maids of honor and best men, and finally, several picture of everyone in the bridal party gathered together. Once all pictures were taken, everyone made their way to the reception. Upon their arrival, the band stopped playing, as everyone prepared for the two couples to make their grand entrance.
They overheard Mr. Dobbins on the microphone, asking everyo
ne to be seated, and they began to introduce the married couples parents as they entered. this continued with the entire bridal party, and after being introduced, they took their seats at the head table.
Mr. Dobbins looked to the band, who began to play 'Moonlight Serenade' by Glenn Miller. He announced the two sets of newlyweds, who made their way to the center of the dance floor to begin the first dance. As they danced, they both stared deeply into each other's eyes, and their family and friends looked on and smiled.
When the dance was over, Jake was given the microphone, where he graciously thanked everyone for attending and hoped they would enjoy themselves. He then passed the microphone to his new father-in-law who gave the blessing that starting the feast. As the first course was served, the band softly played setting the mood for a perfect evening.
Between each course, toasts to the brides and grooms were given by the best men and maids of honor. Everyone finished the last course, and the band began to play more upbeat songs, as the newlyweds took to the floor once again and started swing dancing to 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' by the Andrew Sister.
And Along Came Jake Page 14
