In Another Time

by Cate Buchanan

  “Thank you, David. You don’t know how much that means to me,” Sam replied. Just then there was another tap on the door.

  In unison Sam and David said, “Come in. It’s open,” as they smoothed and tugged on their tuxedo jackets.

  “Okay, men, they’re ready to start,” Donald said smiling as he entered the room with Aaron on his heels. He asked, “Dad, are you ready?”

  Sam grinned at them both and nodded saying, “I’m ready. But I’d like to offer a quick prayer first.” The four men clasped hands and bowed their heads.

  “Heavenly Father, Thank You for the abundance of blessings You have bestowed upon both of these families. Father, I pray that through this union we will gain Your favor and benefit from the love and support we can give to each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  They squeezed hands then silently filed out of the room and took their places in the parlor in front of the seated guests.

  Aaron and Sam met each other for the first time the Sunday after Lillian’s fainting spell at the café. On Tuesday morning after Sam and Lillian left her apartment, Sadie had gone to her dad’s office and used the radio to call him. He’d been almost to Scotia, California, where he was set to deliver a load of logging equipment. She asked when he’d be home, and told him about Lala coming home early and how eager she was to see him. He responded that he’d be in late Saturday night and agreed he’d come to Lala’s for breakfast on Sunday morning. She didn’t mention Sam.

  Sam was so nervous as he’d sat on the couch in the living room. Those same old unwelcome fears pressed on his brain: What if he doesn’t like me? What if he doesn’t believe that I’m his dad? What if he can’t forgive me for not being there as he grew up? Moving to the rocking chair, because he thought it’d be best if he wasn’t sitting next to Lillian when Aaron arrived, he nearly rocked himself into a frenzy. After three shaky cups of coffee and Lillian’s constant reassurances, he’d finally settled into a lessened state of agitation. Then there was a tap on the door and Aaron pushed it open and entered the living room.

  Lillian jumped up and rushed into his widespread arms. They hugged, pecked each other on the cheek and declared how much they’d missed each other. Before Aaron could ask about Lillian’s vacation, he noticed Sam sitting at the far end of the living room.

  “Come in, come in, darling,” Lillian gushed. “I want you to meet someone.” Sam rose and stood on wobbly legs, and Lillian wrapped her hand in the crook of Aaron’s arm and escorted him to stand just in front of him. “Aaron, this is Sam Evanston. Sam, this is our son, Aaron.” The two men eyed each other cordially and shook hands.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sam. Wait…Mom, did you say our son? You’re the Sam?” Aaron questioned as he looked between Lillian and Sam.

  Sam gulped and said, “Yes, I’m that Sam. I’m your father, Aaron, and I’m beyond thrilled to finally meet you.” Several seconds ticked off as they looked in amazement at each other’s faces so akin to their own. Then their eyes filled with tears. Lillian covered her heart with both hands. Abruptly, Aaron stepped into Sam and wrapped his arms tightly around him. Sam, stunned at first, reciprocated and felt all of his pent-up anxiety melt away. Lillian’s quivering hands fluttered to her mouth as all three of them wept happy tears.

  Pulling away long enough to look between Lillian and Sam again, Aaron sputtered, “Oh my gosh, Mom told me you’d died before I was born. How? Where? Oh my gosh,” and unable to control his sobs, he pulled Sam to him again and held him even tighter.

  When the father and son duo relaxed their hug and swiped at their eyes, Lillian took it as her cue. “It’s a long story, darling. But Sam is prepared to share the whole thing with you over breakfast. Let’s go into the breakfast nook. My casserole is warming in the oven and the juice is already poured.”

  During their meal Sam shared his sensational story with Aaron. Hearing it again, for the third time now, Lillian still found it pained her. So many years apart. But they’d been blessed with a second chance at love.

  Aaron ended up staying the entire day, and the three of them talked clear through dinner. Lillian had produced several photo albums, much to Aaron’s chagrin. Sam couldn’t think of a more fulfilling day in either of his lives than this day. The day he finally got to meet his son. His son, who turned out to be so much like him.

  *****

  Josie nodded to the other members of the string quartet, and the enchanting strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D began bathing the room in melody. All eyes looked up as Holly appeared at the top of the staircase. Once she’d taken her place across from the groom and groomsmen, Joy followed and took her place. Each daughter wore a silky, winter peach-colored gown and carried a single champagne rose with pearls and gold ribbon trailing its stem. Next, Sadie stepped into view. Sam gasped. How was it possible that she so resembled a young Lillian? Pausing momentarily, she smiled radiantly at Sam then glanced demurely at David. The look they exchanged didn’t go unnoticed by Sam. He filed it away to use at a later time.

  Looking resplendent in a silky, dark peach gown, s descended the stairs and walked elegantly to her place at the altar. Once they were all in place, the minister instructed the guests to stand and the musicians began playing Wagner’s Bridal Chorus.

  Tears were already swimming in Sam’s eyes, and he blinked frantically to hold them back as he anticipated Lillian’s appearance. But nothing could have prepared him for his first glimpse of her. She stepped into view at the top of the stairs, and he sucked in his breath and bit his lip. Glistening, warm amber eyes locked onto his. She looked exquisite in a timeless, champagne-colored chiffon cocktail-length gown. Her mother’s strand of pearls was the only adornment besides her teardrop bouquet of roses in varying shades of peach. Her thick, lustrous waves of chestnut tresses, naturally frosted with silver, were swept up into an elegant French twist. At sixty-three years old she was still the most spectacular creature he’d ever laid his eyes upon. Breaking into the most adoring smile, he practically walked on air to meet her at the bottom of the staircase. She delicately accepted his outstretched hand as she descended the last two steps. Gently folding her arm possessively into his, they walked arm in arm down the path and stopped directly in front of the minister.

  Throughout the brief ceremony, their eyes never wavered from each other. During the interlude, the string quartet played a hauntingly beautiful version of Bernstein’s “One Hand, One Heart” which had them both taking deep, shaky breaths and blinking back tears of blissful happiness. After they exchanged vows and rings, for the second time in their lives, the minister pronounced them husband and wife, and said, “You may kiss your bride.” Before leaning in and gently pressing his lips upon Lillian’s, Sam smiled at her and said, “Here’s looking at you, kid.”

  The guests and wedding party clapped and cheered as Sam and Lillian faced their guests hand in hand and the minister announced that they were Mr. and Mrs. Sam Evanston. The quartet began playing The Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” as Sam and Lillian started their recession down the aisle. Next, David and Sadie stepped to the center together. As he offered his arm to her, she looked up into his stormy, gray-blue eyes. He winked at her, and she let loose a joyful, bubbly giggle and gleefully wrapped her arm in his.

  Once they reached the reception room, Sam gently tugged at Lillian’s hand and swept her away to the back of the inn. He was desperate to enjoy a few moments of privacy before their guests joined them. He pulled her to him and kissed her longingly and lovingly. Then cupping her face in his hands, he looked deeply into her eyes and said, “Hello, Mrs. Evanston.”

  Lillian, looking positively radiant, laughed and breathlessly said, “Hello, husband.”

  From the other room festive strains of music and merry voices drifted toward them. Not yet ready to leave their intimate milieu, Sam extended his hand palm up, bowed, and said, “Mrs. Evanston, may I have this dance?” Demurely, Lillian nodded and placed her hand in his.

  As they danced cheek to cheek
, Sam began singing the words of “Who Wouldn’t Love You” to her.

  Lillian stopped dancing and looked up at him, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Sam, you remember,” she whispered.

  “Of course, I remember, my darling. ‘Who Wouldn’t Love You’ was the song Ellen played over and over at the lake house the night you finally fell in love with me,” he rasped and softly brushed away the single tear sliding down her cheek.

  She sniffed and said, “Yes, my darling, and I have loved you every day since. I know for most of your life you didn’t remember me. That our love for you had been in another time. But I also know you will spend the rest of this life loving me, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”