"No, I didn't do that. I stayed at Sara's a lot, but we never did that kind of stuff. We were more into playing on the Internet or watching TV. They had cable," she informed her partner, her eyebrows twitching.
"What did they have…porn?" Jamie smiled.
"No. Just regular cable. But we didn't have it, so it seemed really exotic to me."
"You still don't have cable, do you?"
"Huh-uh. My cousins all have it, so we used to go to one of their houses to watch a game that wasn't on broadcast channels. Da didn't want us to watch TV much, and he figured we wouldn't be tempted if there wasn't much to choose from. 'Course, he might have just been being cheap," she added.
"He sure surprised the heck out of your aunt," Jamie laughed. "Springing for a limo was quite out of character!"
"Yeah. I think he's really gotten into the whole thing, to tell you the truth. He really looked happy today, didn't he?"
"Oh, yeah!" Jamie smiled broadly at her partner and said, "I've never seen him smile so much. His cheeks are gonna be sore."
"He deserves it," Ryan decided, enormously gratified that her father had seized this chance at happiness, despite the obstacles.
Maeve let her hand drift down to capture Martin's left hand, looking carefully at his new ring. "Are you sure that you want to wear this, Marty? It's really all right if you…"
"Hush," he whispered, touching her lips with his index finger. "Of course I'm sure." They had discussed the issue of rings on two occasions, with Martin assuring her that he wanted to replace the ring he had worn for over thirty years with one that she would give him. But she had noticed that he still wore the band at dinner the previous evening, and she knew that he was struggling a little.
Unbeknownst to Maeve, Martin had risen early that morning and traveled down to old St. Patrick's Church, where he and Fi had been married. He sat in the sparsely filled church as the 6:30 Mass let out, awash in the memories of his first wedding. He knew that the vow he took that day was no longer in effect-that since death had parted him and his beloved wife, he was free to move on. But he had never taken off the ring that she had given him that day, and it was harder than he could have imagined to even contemplate doing so.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as he reached for the ring and tried to tug it off, suddenly alarmed that he might have to stop by the firehouse and have one of his co-workers cut it off. But determined pressure finally did the trick, and the band came free, resting in the shaking palm of his right hand. He was crying so hard that the band was all but obscured, but he managed to lift it to his lips and kiss it, just as he had done on the day that Fionnuala had given it to him.
He stayed in the church for nearly an hour, memories of the life they had shared settling over him like a warm blanket. It was nearly eight o'clock when he was finally composed enough to leave the church, but he managed to return home before he was missed. The last thing he did before he left the house for St. Phil's was to tuck the ring into the inside pocket of his jacket, unable to part with it.
Maeve watched the panoply of emotions cross her new husband's face and knew that the issue was still not settled for him, no matter his protestations. "I know this isn't the common thing to do, Marty," she said softly. "But I think it's fitting in our case."
"What's that, sweetheart?" he asked, cocking his head in question.
"I'd like it if you wore the ring that Fi gave you on your other hand," she said, lifting the unadorned right hand, and brushing her lips across the knuckles. "One of the things I most love about you is how much you still love her. Having you wear that ring would just remind me of what a loyal, devoted man you are."
His composure failed him for the second time that day, as he buried his face into his wife's neck, shaking as tears once again streaked down his cheeks. "Are you sure?" he rasped.
"Yes," Maeve whispered, rubbing her hand in soothing circles on his back. "I'm very sure."
With a trembling sigh, he sat up and reached into his inner pocket, pulling out the ring that Maeve had been certain was on his person. His watery smile nearly broke her heart, and Maeve's hand covered his as he struggled a bit, but managed to get the ring over his knuckle. "Thank you," he said, gazing into her eyes with all of the love he felt for her. "Thank you for understanding."
"She'll always be a part of both of us, Marty. Let's not try to shut her out of our memories."
"I won't," he whispered, his smile growing brighter. "I promise that I won't."
After surveying the grand buffet that Marta and her assistants had created, Jamie went inside to express her appreciation to the cook. "Marta, how did you do all of this! Mother told me what your budget was," she said, "and it just seems impossible!"
"I had a challenge," she admitted. "I love a challenge!"
"Come on, Marta, tell me your secret," Jamie urged.
"It's not a secret, Jamie," she insisted. "I go to the Costco to buy things for my church. Since your mother told me about the party, every time I see they have a special on something I buy it, and then figure out how to make it part of the menu. The freezer was bursting!"
"Thanks so much for working so hard, Marta. It means a lot to all of us."
The older woman hugged her and reminded her, "I love to do things like this, Jamie. It makes me feel like I finally earn my salary!"
The guests began arriving relatively close to the announced time, in deference to the party being at Catherine's house. At 1:45 she sought Martin out and said, "I think your family is taking it easy on me, Martin. I said two o'clock, but I assumed they'd come directly after the service."
"Oh, give them a chance," he smiled. "Soon they'll be imposing on you routinely."
It was quite nice to have just the immediate family together for a while, allowing everyone to spend a few minutes congratulating the happy couple before the crush of guests arrived. Catherine had arranged for a valet service so the neighborhood wouldn't be filled with cars, and as the first guests arrived, Jamie asked Martin if the limo was going to wait for them to take them back home. He looked at her with a puzzled smile and said, "They charge by the hour, love," as if that made the question moot.
The guests began to pour into the back yard, and as more and more arrived, Maeve went up to Catherine and asked, "Where should we put our gifts, Catherine?"
"Gifts?" the younger woman asked.
Maeve blinked at her and rephrased. "People have brought gifts for us. Where can we put them?"
"They brought gifts here?" she asked, astounded that someone would actually bring a gift to the reception.
"Well, yes, of course, they did. Don't your people give gifts for a wedding?"
"Yes…of course they do," she nodded. "They send them to the bride's home well before the ceremony."
Maeve blinked again and said, "Oh! Well, we don't do that. We bring them along, and then we open them after the meal."
"You open them?" Catherine said, her mouth opening in surprise.
The older woman tilted her head and said, "They're gifts, dear, of course we open them."
Her eyes still wide, Catherine excused herself, saying, "I'll have Helena set up a table or two, all right?"
"Brilliant!" Maeve agreed, privately thinking, What odd customs these people have.
Jordan and Mia arrived right on time, both women tastefully attired in dresses. Mia's was clingy, black, and strapless with a short, nubby silk jacket in shades of blues and greens. Jordan's was a cool blue sheath that nearly perfectly matched her eyes. Her long, lean frame looked even longer than usual in the striking dress, serving to accentuate the difference in the couple's heights. Mia obviously didn't mind the discrepancy, since she hadn't even chosen to wear heels, telling Jamie, "I wore flats so we could dance. We are gonna dance, aren't we?"
"Count on it," Jamie agreed. "Rory's band is getting set up right now."
"Cool," Mia smiled. "Your mom really outdid herself, babe. The place looks great!"
"Well, my mom had the ideas," Jamie remi
nded her. "The staff did the work. Go tell Marta and Helena that you appreciate them, will you?"
"Sure. Does she have any of those homemade biscotti lying around?"
"Probably," Jamie smiled. "Especially since my mom knows that Caitlin loves them."
"She's not the only one!" Mia exclaimed, setting off in search of the cook.
The O'Flaherty children had sprung for a professional photographer, and he was busily recording the event, rushing to obtain a majority of the pictures "before everyone's shoes and ties come off" according to the groom's predictions. Once the formal photos were completed, Annie took Caitlin inside and removed her silk dress, knowing that it was only a matter of time before it was ruined. She came back out in a pair of pink overalls and a pink, pale yellow, baby blue, and mint green plaid shirt, a recent gift from Jamie. Someone was assigned full time to watch the toddler, due to her propensity to head for water. The pool was a powerful lure, however, and only her beloved biscotti could tear her attention away from it. Mia took over watching the baby for a while, and the pair sat in a chair together, both contentedly chewing on their treats.
As soon as everyone had arrived they began to serve lunch. Catherine had set up for a buffet, deciding that the group was too large for a formal meal. Round tables had been arranged on the lawn, each seating eight. Martin and Maeve ate quickly, then moved from table to table, chatting with each group of guests for a while.
Bryant fit right in with the Driscoll brothers, and he joined them, Annie and Caitlin at a table. Within a short while Caitlin was in Bryant's lap, and they were inextricably bonded for the rest of the afternoon.
Mia and Jordan, Jamie and Ryan, Brendan and Maggie, and Conor and Rory sat together, the group teasing and joking as usual. Maggie was sitting next to Jordan and they were engaged in an intense discussion, neither of them looking up when Brendan stood to return to the buffet. "I'm getting some more of that fabulous soup. Refills, anyone?"
Mia nodded, then Brendan gave Jordan a questioning look, but Mia told him, "She can't eat it, Brendan, she's allergic to peanuts." Conor gave her a funny look at that comment, but she didn't notice his pointed glance.
They all ate more than was prudent, and after the meal everyone was slumped a bit in their chairs. Mia's hand was on the back of Jordan's chair, and she unconsciously began to stroke the soft, bare skin that was so delightfully exposed to her touch. Jordan gave her a warning look, but Mia either didn't understand or didn't care if their relationship was revealed. The band set up, and as soon as they started to play, Mia looked at Ryan and asked, "Do we have to wait for the bride and groom to start the first dance?"
"No way!" Ryan insisted. "My father would kick Rory's butt if he put him on the spot like that. Go right ahead, girls."
The smaller woman stood and announced, "Okay, let's go!" Jordan took her extended hand and followed her to the stone pool surround, where the surface was most conducive to dancing. Jamie and Ryan followed, and soon many of the guests had joined them.
The young women danced as though their bodies were quite used to being in close proximity, and when Brendan spotted the dark scowl on his brother's face he discreetly asked, "Hey, what's bothering you?"
Conor twitched his head in the direction of the dancers, and growled, "Who says they don't recruit?" With that, he pushed his chair back and left the table, headed in the direction of the gardens.
After dancing to a few songs, the young women returned to the table. "Where's Conor?" Ryan asked.
Brendan shrugged and said, "He looked like he wanted a little space." He gave Ryan a meaningful look and she shrugged in response, not really understanding Brendan's comment.
Jordan, however, did, and she leaned over and whispered something in Mia's ear. The smaller woman flinched and nodded a couple of times, finally standing up and asking Brendan, "Which way did he go?"
As Mia got up, Maggie leaned over and smiled at Jordan, continuing their conversation. "So, how long have you and Mia been dating?" she asked.
Jordan's eyes widened and she looked to Ryan for help. "How long have we been dating?" she asked, her face paling a little.
Ryan smiled at Maggie and patted Jordan's back. "They've only been dating a short time," she revealed. "She's still getting used to it."
Maggie smiled in return, looking a little puzzled but hiding it well. "You make a very cute couple," she said.
"Thanks," Jordan said, brightening a little.
"I didn't know Mia was a lesbian," Brendan commented, just trying to stay involved in the conversation.
Three voices joined to say, "She's not!" Jamie, Ryan, and Jordan shared a look and then broke into a laugh, rendering Maggie even more confused.
"Hi," Mia said, finding Conor sitting on a garden bench, his feet stuck straight out in front of him. He looked to be sulking a little, and she felt a flash of irritation at his mood.
"Hi," he replied, not meeting her eyes. "What's up?"
"That's what I wanted to ask you." Sitting down next to him, she fixed him with a pointed look. "Are you as pissed off as you seem?"
He folded his arms and asked the question that had been racing through his mind since he'd realized what was going on between the two women. "Did you stop seeing me because of her?"
"No," Mia said immediately. She paused and looked at Conor for a moment, then added, "Not that it's any of your business, but no, I didn't."
He finally made eye contact, and she was shocked to see the obvious pain in his deep blue eyes. "Are you serious about her?" he asked, assuming that she wouldn't answer.
Mia took in a breath and decided to tell the truth-to both herself and to Conor. "Yes, I am," she said softly.
"So, you used that 'I don't wanna be tied down thing' just as an excuse to get rid of me, huh?" He actually looked like he was going to cry, and Mia felt a little sick to her stomach. She knew that Conor had been more serious about her than she had been about him, but she had assumed he'd shrug it off and forget about her in a short time.
"Conor," she said, her voice gentle and soft, "I didn't lie to you. I'm not ready to settle down and get married any time soon. I don't want to have children until I'm at least 30. I was completely honest with you about that-really."
"Then how can you be serious about her so soon?" he asked. "What do you even mean when you say you're serious about someone?"
"That's a good question, Conor," she sighed. "I wish I knew." She got up and paced a little, the stone crunching under her feet. "I think I'm more serious about Jordan than she is about me," she admitted.
"Sucks, doesn't it?" he asked, staring at the ground once again.
"Yeah, it does," she agreed, placing her hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her, his eyes still carrying pain. "I'm sorry that I hurt you, Conor. I meant exactly what I said. If I were a few years older, I would have fallen for you-hard. You're exactly what I'd love in a man…in a husband."
"But, I'm not what you want in a woman," he said, stating the obvious. "Are you a lesbian, Mia? Is that the problem?"
She rolled her eyes, annoyed and surprised at the way he framed his question. "Ah…no, I'm not a lesbian, Conor, but if I were, it wouldn't be a 'problem'."
"I didn't mean it like that…" he started to say, but when she fixed him with a raised eyebrow, he admitted, "All right, I did mean it that way. I guess I'd prefer to think you were a lesbian than that you just like her better than you like me."
"I can understand that," Mia said, patting his shoulder. "But it's not like that, Conor. It's not that I like her better than you. Things just kinda clicked with Jordan. We're the same age, we're both afraid of commitment, we're both a little hazy on our sexual orientations…I don't know…it just felt less serious with her. It felt more like we were just playing around, you know?"
He nodded, understanding that role quite well.
"This was nothing I'd planned, Conor, and I swear I would never have gone out with her if I'd thought she wanted to get serious."
"So my mi
stake was being honest?" he asked, his voice still reflecting his hurt.
"That's never a mistake, Conor," she chided him. "I think you know that. Would it have been better to go out for a few months, or a year, and then find out I didn't want to get married for another eight years? Gimme a break!"
"What if she wanted to be partnered with you, Mia? Would you marry her?"
It was really bugging Mia that Conor refused to say Jordan's name, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that it irked her. "I can't answer that, Conor. It's not gonna happen, and it doesn't do any good to speculate. I do know that even if we got together, and stayed together, I still wouldn't have kids for another eight or nine years. I refuse to give up my youth until I've really lived it, Conor, and I think that was the biggest problem between you and me."
He nodded somberly. "You're right. I'm a lot closer to wanting to settle down than you are. It just caught me by surprise, Mia. I didn't expect to feel like I did about you. You just felt right to me, ya know? I've never really felt like that before…especially so quickly."
"We just had bad timing, Conor. You were born a little early…I was born a little late. It just can't be helped."
"Mia, if you were ready to settle down, would you consider being with me? Please be honest with me," he said, his blue eyes boring into her.
"Yes, I would, Conor. If I wasn't with Jordan, and I was ready to settle down, I would chase you like a little pit bull, grabbing onto your pant leg."
"Okay," he sighed, finally giving her a small smile. "That makes me feel better. When I saw you with her, I just felt like you'd lied to me."
Mia extended a hand, and Conor took it as he got to his feet. "I know this is hard for you, but if you don't start calling Jordan by her name, I'm going to belt you one."
"You're my kinda girl, Mia," he said fondly, slipping his arm around her shoulders. "Jordan," he enunciated carefully, "is one lucky woman."
Journeys - SF10 Page 17
