"You guys know about that?"
"Yes, we've gotten all caught up on Sully Point news," Louise said with a smirk. "Good for you for giving it to the old biddy."
"What about the flowers?"
"Being installed at the church as we speak under Holly's supervision," Sophia said. "And the food is all arranged by Frank and Betsy, with some help from Cody. Anna is putting the final touches on the cake this morning. Jason is overseeing the arrangement of the buffet tables and other furniture necessities at his house in that enormous room. Sam and Ed and Grant are making sure all the men are dressed appropriately and on time. Julia is bringing the bridesmaid dresses to the church."
"I haven't even seen them. What color are they?"
"Violet, of course."
"Now you just rest up for a while, have a bit of lunch later on, maybe take a nap. The limo will be here to pick you up at three. Don't forget to let Eric know we've left," Louise said.
In moments the apartment was empty, and the three women were gone.
"Wow," Maggie said aloud to the empty space. "They're like generals commanding an army. A wedding army."
She plucked a chocolate out of a dish on the coffee table, and then called Eric. He arrived home with his tux in a garment bag over his shoulder.
"You survived them, I see," he said.
"Yes. They're terrific. I can't wait for you to see the dress. It's a masterpiece."
"Well, I can't wait for you to see the rings."
"Rings? Oh no, we forgot about wedding rings!"
"Never fear. My father asked me about them and I panicked. Then I calmed down and called Lucretia. She opened up her shop and we found some bands in white gold. See what you think."
He opened the box and she saw two simple yet elegant bands, each with a single diamond embedded in the center. "One for you and one for me. Later we can pick something else or we can get your ring to match this."
"I like them. Thank goodness your father thought of them, and that Lucretia had some in stock."
Eric gave a laugh. "I think Lucretia was still partially drunk from celebrating finishing all her Christmas orders. She was very happy, if you know what I mean."
"That must have been something to see. Now what do we do? We have until three this afternoon to do whatever." She looked at him with a smile.
"Whatever, hmm." He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply and thoroughly. "I think I have a few ways we could kill time."
"I thought you might," she said.
Chapter 9
The limousine dropped Eric and Maggie off at the church exactly on time. He was already dressed in his tuxedo, and wondered just what he was going to do for the next sixty minutes. Maggie opened the door to the changing room, and Eric heard a gaggle of women's voices call out to her.
Since she was now in the hands of the women, he decided to go search out the men. They had to be around somewhere. He found his father with Maggie's father, Ed. They were sitting in a classroom and as he entered, he could have sworn he saw Ed tucking a flask away in his suit. But he had more important concerns.
"Any last advice you two can give me?" he asked.
"Never argue with a pregnant woman," said Ed.
"Never go to bed angry," said Grant.
"That's it? That's all?"
"Yep," his father said to him. "All the rest you'll learn on your own."
"Besides, anything we'd tell you would only be relevant to the women we're married to," said Ed. "And believe me, Sophia is nothing like Maggie."
"Just remember son, lead with your heart, not your head," said his father. "You won't go wrong doing that."
"Good point, Grant," Ed said, and the two fist-bumped.
Eric decided to leave those two to their own devices. He searched out the younger men next.
"There you are, Eric," Sam said, holding out a flower for his jacket. "I was wondering where you were."
"Talking to the parents. The fathers, rather," he said as Sam helped him fasten the flower.
Cody walked up and said, "They helped me with bringing in the booze at Jason's house earlier. They seemed on their way to becoming fast friends."
"That's good, I guess," Eric said. "Listen guys, what advice can you give me? About marriage?"
Cody shook his head. "Aside from things like 'don't leave the toilet seat up' and 'remember her birthday' I have none to offer. Marriage is an adventure, unique to every couple. Be prepared for anything."
"Sam?"
Sam said, "The bottom line is that you love each other. Stick with that, remember it during the hard times and you'll be okay. Mostly you will have lots of good times, but every now and then you'll be ready to walk out the door. That's when you remember today, and how much you love her."
Eric thought about that, and then said, "Thanks, Sam. That does help."
Sam cleared his throat and Cody gave him a nervous look. "There's something we need to tell you, Eric."
Jason walked up and said, "Did you tell him yet?"
"Not yet. Okay, here's the deal. In all the preparations we forgot about music, in the church to walk down the aisle to, the wedding march and all that. And the only person we could find who can play this organ--" Sam said.
"And believe me we did try looking everywhere--" Cody said.
"Yeah, she was the only one," Jason said.
"Is Maelynne," Sam finished.
"What? Maelynne is going to be playing at our wedding?" Eric practically shouted.
"Calm down, lower your voice," Sam said, looking around. "See, we all decided that you're the only one who can tell Maggie."
"Oh no, Maggie. She's going to flip."
"So it's up to you, to make sure she doesn't wig out coming down the aisle and seeing Maelynne at the organ," Jason said.
"What time is it?"
Cody looked at his watch and said, "Twenty after three. Go stand outside the changing room door and tell her. That way there's a door between you."
"Hey, it's not my fault this happened," Eric said.
"Anyway, good luck, man," Cody said, slapping him on the back.
Eric glared at him and then went to the room where Maggie was changing. He knocked and called out, "Maggie?"
"You can't see her yet," yelled his mother.
"I have to tell her something important. Is she in the dress yet?"
"No, not yet."
"Then send her out here."
"She's in her underthings!"
"Then cover her up," Eric demanded. "But I need to see her."
In a few moments, Maggie came out, covered up in a robe two sizes too big for her. She had sparkling eyes and smiled at him. "What is it?"
"Maelynne is going to be the organist for our wedding," he blurted out.
"What?" she asked, in a dangerously quiet voice.
"Nobody thought of the organist until it was too late. She was the only one that could be found to play the wedding march."
"Maelynne--is going to be playing--at my wedding."
He watched her wondering how big the explosion would be. Then his mouth fell open as she burst into gales of laughter. Heads poked out the door of the changing room. Maggie just kept laughing.
"Um, you okay darling?"
"Oh my, this is just delicious. That woman! Wouldn't you know she'd end up with a front row seat just so she can spread the details all over town? I have to hand it to her. She's something else."
"Well, she was the only one available, Maggie."
"Bull. I know for a fact that there are several people in town who play the organ for this church. She got to them, got to them all. Well, she wins this round. Was that all? No other disasters?"
"No, just that one."
"Don't worry so much. It will all be fine," Maggie said, reaching up to caress his face with her hand. "If you get the chance, could you track down my father? He likes to get drunk at weddings. I'm sure he won't at mine, but just to be safe, maybe you should keep an eye on him."
Eric felt hi
s eyes widen. "Sure, right away. I'll find him. See you later!" He dashed off leaving a startled Maggie behind him.
He jogged down the hall into the classroom. The two men were gone. He began searching everywhere, and then realized he was hearing singing coming from above him. He ran up the stairs and into the cupola where he found his father and Maggie's father singing loudly.
"Get me to the church," sang Ed.
"Get me to the church," sang Grant.
"Get me to the church on time," they sang together.
"Guys, guys," Eric said and waved at them to quiet down.
"Hullo, son, come sing with us. We both know all the words to the songs from My Fair Lady. Great songs."
"Dad--"
"Here, have a wink--have a drink with us," Ed said, holding out a flask.
"Oh man, we need coffee. Come on downstairs with me. Hurry up," Eric started dragging his father by the elbow and Ed followed. He ran into Sam, who took one look at the two men and said, "Ooh boy."
"Coffee?" Eric asked. "They're both smashed."
"Yeah come on, there's a kitchen here somewhere...never mind, let's throw them in the car and go to the Bakery. The machine there will have coffee in no time."
Eric and Sam got Ed and Grant into the Lincoln and Eric drove a few blocks to the Bakery. Sam unlocked the door and went immediately to the machine. He flipped on the Keurig, looked for k-cups with the strongest dark roast, and within minutes had the men sipping coffee.
Sam said, "I can't believe he did this again. Always at weddings for some reason. Did you take the flask from him?"
Eric shook his head. "He's your father, you do it."
Sam chuckled. His phone rang and he tossed it to Eric. "Better answer that. They'll be looking for us. I'll get the liquor."
Eric answered to hear Anna yell, "Where are you guys?"
"It's me, Eric. There was a problem with Ed and my father. We're pouring coffee into them now. We still have a bit of time, don't we?"
"Oh. Yes, you do. Twenty minutes and you have to be here, no later than that."
"Don't worry, we'll be there. But don't tell Maggie about this."
"I'm not an idiot." Then she hung up.
Eric walked over to the table where his father was sitting with Ed. "So, how are you guys feeling? Ready to walk Maggie down the aisle, Ed?"
"Sure. Let's go do it."
"Not quite yet." He turned to Sam, and asked, "Can we do anything else? Walk them around outside in the cold maybe?"
"Hmm. Probably couldn't hurt. I'll make them another cup in to-go mugs. Then we can walk back to the church. It's only a few blocks. I'll bring your car back to the church afterwards. Give me your keys."
Eric handed them over. Shortly, they were outside walking back, encouraging their fathers to drink the coffee down. Eric wondered how it would be one day for him, to see his own child get married. He might want a few drinks then, too.
As they approached the church, they saw cars being parked and people walking up to the entrance. It was time.
* * * *
Maggie stood in the room after everyone had left except her mother. Sophia twitched her veil into a perfect fold and nodded.
"You look spectacular. Be sure to get some photos with the cape, though. It will look great."
"Photos! Did we get a photographer?"
"Yes, some guy from here in Sully Point. He's supposed to be good. He'll take pictures of the wedding party, formal and informal."
A knock on the door meant it was time for Sophia to be taken to her seat and for Maggie to wait in the vestibule.
"I love you, Mom. Thank you so much for everything. Not just for the wedding but for my life."
Sophia smiled at her daughter and then hugged her carefully. "I love you. You're a wonderful daughter and I'm proud of you. Let's get you out there to start your new life."
They left the room and soon Maggie was standing next to her father. He smelled of strong breath mints and she looked at him inquisitively, but he just smiled at her. Then it was their turn to go down the aisle and she felt nervous flutters in her stomach. But no nausea, for which she was very thankful.
As she came into view of Eric, she saw him look stunned. She smiled at him and thought that the dress was a success to get that look from him.
The wedding march was played perfectly, and she gave a slight nod to Maelynne. Within moments her father had placed her hand in Eric's and she had given her bouquet to Anna.
The words of their vows were barely heard by Maggie as she stared into Eric's eyes and saw them so filled with love. As they promised to care for each other through everything in life, she knew he would be there for her, and she for him. They still had much to learn about each other, but their connection was strong. She felt as if she was embarking on the grandest adventure life could give her, and she was no longer nervous, just filled with joy.
They said "I do" and exchanged rings. Maggie knew she'd never want a different wedding band than this one, no matter what other ring she got to go with it. This was her one and only wedding band, and she would cherish it.
Then it was time, and Eric kissed her. She kissed him back, putting all her love into that kiss, feeling all his love toward her. It was a kiss of hope. It was a kiss to start their life together. It was a kiss filled with the promise of love for a lifetime. They finally moved apart and smiled at each other, then turned and faced the audience of friends and family. Their joy was almost palpable, and everyone started applauding and cheering. They clasped hands and walked down the aisle into their future.
# # #
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Love Promises (Sully Point, Book 4) Page 18
