Chloe Sparrow
Page 30
Harriet is cornered by Aunt Ollie and Agatha after she makes the mistake of asking about their upcoming trip. Gramps sidles up to Sydney and has a hard time keeping his eyes on her face. Brian is the bartender and then takes over the barbeque, telling Austin he’s doing a lousy job. And Julia shows Tinker how to play her guitar.
At the height of the hilarity the doorbell rings. “Okay!” Austin shouts. “Everyone in the living room for the big surprise.”
The gang hustles into the best room in the house, all of them puzzled. Austin walks in with a very dignified gentleman. Harriet gives a little shout and the tears start.
“Everyone, this is Reverend Knox. He’s here to perform our wedding ceremony.”
Now everyone shouts, and Amanda grabs me. “I thought your dress was a little too nice for this party! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
It takes a good ten minutes for things to calm down. The animals are excited, especially Jethro, who doesn’t want to be left out, so Austin puts his perch in the living room.
We’re almost ready to get underway when Austin says, “I forgot. Someone else wanted to be here.” He goes out of the room and brings back a big box.
“This is for you, my love.”
I open the box and there’s Norton. She jumps into my arms and rubs my face, purring. The dogs start to run in circles, but Norton ignores them. “How did this happen? The little girl?”
“She and her parents have moved overseas for the next six months to try some experimental treatment and they couldn’t take Norton. I proposed a time-share option and they were thrilled.”
“Oh, Austin. You are the world’s nicest guy.”
“Norton introduced us, so she needed to be here.”
Eventually we recover our senses, and Austin and I stand facing each other and hold hands while Reverend Knox performs the ceremony. We didn’t write our own vows. We knew neither of us would be able to speak, so it’s a very traditional service. We exchange thin gold bands and it’s over.
I’m Mrs. Sparrow-Hawke. Hawke-Sparrow? I think I’ll keep the Sparrow and he can have the Hawke.
Everyone is very happy for us, beaming faces all around. Trey holds up a glass.
“To the best Girl Guide I ever knew! Thank you for saving us from a dreary reception and rubber chicken!”
Everyone cheers.
But I have one more surprise. I ask everyone to be quiet and take Austin’s hands again.
“I have a wedding gift for you. The newest member of the family.” I reach over and put his hands on my tummy. His mouth drops open. “Are you serious? How did that happen?”
“The usual way, I imagine…wine, a nice dinner.”
He softly rubs our little bump. “I can’t believe it.”
“Neither can I!” His mother bursts into happy tears.
“She’s a little girl, and her name is Phoebe.”
“How do you know?”
“I made a wish.”
Author Bio
Lesley Crewe is the author of several works of fiction, including Relative Happiness, which was shortlisted for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award and is currently being made into a feature film. Born in Montreal, Lesley lives in Homeville, Nova Scotia.
www.lesleycrewe.com