Laura's Big Win

by Michelle Tschantre'

  “Good morning Fernando; starting a volcano?”

  “Buenos Dias, Senor Ryan; I told Marie we shouldn’t do this, but she says Grande Senor Dennis says it’s okay for me to dig here. He even brought the rocks and took away the dirt for me.”

  “Rocks?”

  “Si, Senor. I dig a hole, set a big fire, pile in the rocks, and let it burn down until the hog he goes in. I dug the hole yesterday and started the fire early this morning; about an hour ago, in goes the wet straw, and senor hog, yes?”

  “Yes, I guess. You’re telling me there is a whole hog under the tarp, being cooked by hot rocks and wet straw. Have you done this before?”

  “It is a side business for us. I do ten or twelve a year, but could do more if I wanted. The sauce I bring from my home town in Mexico when we visit; the peppers there are better than what I get in the store here. It takes time, but I have done several for the same people each year. Is it okay that I dig this hole, Senor? There is no trouble?”

  “Nope, no trouble. It’s fine that you dug the hole. I look forward to having some of senor hog later today, and if I remember, I’ll tell Dennis to repair the hole so it’s permanent and easy to uncover next time you want to use it. I think Windmere just added a menu item. Have a good day, Fernando. Marie did the right thing.”

  Ryan moved on through the kitchen, after making sure Laura was not there, then headed for his quarters for what would be the last time as a widower, to change clothes and return to the White House to wait for the appointed time.

  Judge Harry Comstock and Father James Jesse were enjoying the day, to say the least. After a leisurely breakfast, by late morning they were on their way to Windmere to get the lay of the land, and do a last minute practice run. Fr. James had officiated at weddings both large and small in his years of office, but this was only his second one with Harry Comstock at his side. It was an unusual experience, that first one, and this time around, while supposedly better organized, apparently had quite a few of the same players. He did recall with fondness the food and drink made available. ‘A few more of these gigs and I could retire’, he caught himself thinking, and indeed at a later time he would recall that thought as a turning point in his retirement plans. Arriving at the gate, they were waved though by the off-duty deputy who saluted as the judge passed by. Franz returned them to the kitchen from the car parking area, and the two took in some lunch, chatted with Doris and Marie, checked out Fernando’s fire pit, and then headed for their duty station. They were having a rather great day.

  Surveying the interior of the tent, both men were well pleased with what they saw. In many respects, it made some church weddings look rather plain, but the real key was that the place looked warm and inviting, more like being in someone’s parlor than in a tent. The plan was pretty straight forward, following the details on the program. The only surprise, and a pleasant one at that, would occur after Ryan and Laura were officially wed. Both men were prepared to handle that turn of events, and looked forward to it. Retiring for the moment to the White house, they took a seat, Les brought them coffee, and the two waited for the appointed time.

  The clock hands, seeming to have dragged along all morning, suddenly were at 1:30, time to finish dressing and take positions. Ryan knotted his tie expertly over the white shirt and Brooks Brothers medium gray pinstripe suit; Roger would be similarly attired. The two met in the White House at 1:45 as agreed, greeting Harry and Fr. Jim as they entered. The pieces were falling into place smoothly.

  Alice found Laura at 1:30 in the Ladies Lounge of the big house. In short order the dress was on, hair finalized, and the ladies sat for a moment. If there was any final discussion to be had, Alice cut to the quick:

  “Laura, you know it isn’t too late. How’re you doing with all this? It’s been pretty quick for you the last few months; I know that.”

  “It is too late Alice. I can’t go another day without being married to this man. I want to be so good to him, if he ever looks at another woman, he won’t be able to remember why. And Alice, I know he’s marrying me, not for what I am, or what I do, or anything like that. He isn’t doing this because married men do better in business than unmarried men.”

  “And he wants kids. You have two, so he knows your fertile. And, I’ll bet he likes to wrestle; you know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean, but the man has a will of iron. Truthfully, I point blank told him I’d go to bed with him anytime, anywhere. He didn’t turn me down; he just said he loved me and that part would happen when it was the right time. To say I was a little surprised would be an understatement. There I was, ready to do anything to keep him, and he said he wanted me for who I am, not for what I could do. I have never felt so loved at any time in my life, and Alice, I’m going to prove that tonight, just for him.”

  “You might be in for some surprises yourself. This is one smart man, and a gentleman. Don’t hold back. No doubts?”

  “Nope, no doubts. I think it’s about time. Ready?”

  “Ready, Mrs. Williams almost.”

  The big tent was SRO, sold out, when Harry and Fr. Jim entered from a side flap. Both had expected a full house, but this was really impressive. Taking their positions on the dais, Fr. Jim leaned toward Harry and in an aside said: “Wish I could pack ‘em in like this on Sundays. Maybe I need to do a little recruiting.”

  Harry responded quietly, but very much on point: “Do a good job here today and you just might get some recruits. Anyway, I think we’re going to get some more jobs if this goes well….Show time.”

  Right on schedule the music swelled. In the time honored prescribed order, in they came: groom’s mother and father, bride's mother with Jack and Amanda in tow, Alice from the back meeting Roger entering from the side, Ryan from the side, and finally, Laura on her father’s arm. Aside from her sheer natural beauty, it was clear this was not a dewy eyed young bride with no real clear vision, but an adult woman with the maturity to fully understand what she was doing, and why. As they paused at the forward end of the aisle, Fr. Jim stepped forward and the ritual continued.

  “Who gives this woman in matrimony?”

  Well coached and prepared, Jack and Amanda rose, and in unison said “We do.’”

  And so it continued. It was the ritual familiar to many if not all, although exactly what Judge Harry Comstock was doing there was a little unclear. Those who had attended the abbreviated wedding of Alice and Vinnie knew that Harry had played a more significant part in that event. This time, Fr. Jim handled the majority of the ritual. Ryan and Laura had decided to go with the standard rites, not alter them as is frequently done by younger couples. Fr. Jim understood and addressed that point during his brief homily, noting that it is not what is said that makes a marriage work, but the two persons who want to make it work. It was not a long service, and the traditional ending was soon at hand. Pronouncing them husband and wife, Fr. Jim directed Ryan and Laura to turn and face the assemblage of friends and relatives: “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Sir, you may kiss your bride.”

  It was an order quickly and gladly carried out, to a standing ovation from the crowd. Laura was experiencing an emotional rush at a level she had never before attained. In spite of her plethora of negative experiences, she was feeling an urgent and nearly overpowering urge to become one with this man. The other feeling intermixed in her emotional being was of being safe and secure in this man’s arms. It was almost with reluctance she again turned to face the crowd and the continuing applause. When things had quieted down a bit, Judge Harry stepped toward the front of the dais, and in solemn tones started reading from an official looking bi-fold. It clearly was a legal document, the meaning of which became obvious rather quickly. After intoning the document as legally required, Harry leaned down and addressed Jack and Amanda directly. That part was not actually legally required, since they clearly were minor children, but it allowed Jack and Amanda to vocalize their say in their future; buy-in to the maximum. Judge
Harry was not only a legal scholar, but an excellent read of people as well, and he wanted these two kids to be fully vested in this family.

  “Jack and Amanda, do you understand that Ryan here wants to adopt you as his own children?”

  “Yes, sir, we do.” came the rehearsed response.

  “And do you understand that when I sign this paper, he will officially be your legal male parent?”

  “Yes, sir, we do.” The lines had purposefully been kept simple, but direct. At that point, Fr. Jim produced a sterling silver fountain pen, and with a flourish, Harry signed the document, then announced to the crowd: “And may I present to you the Williams family: Ryan, Laura, Jack and Amanda. Kids, you may join your parents.”

  That was all they needed to bolt from the front row, and leap on the single riser in one bound. Jack proudly stood in front of his mother, with her arms around him from the back, while Amanda jumped into Ryan’s waiting arms to be picked up. The crowd reaction was to again burst into applause, a standing ovation that went on for some time.

  When near normalcy had returned, Ryan invited the crowd to both the reception and the on-going dinner. It was a party that would last for hours, into the late night, not to mention the poker game that had just resumed in the carriage house. Some charities would do well before the weekend was out.

  As the wedding party retired from the tent, they made their way across the short distance to the White House. Laura was already experiencing a near euphoric high, walking arms linked with her husband of a few minutes, toward a place she knew was etched in his heart. Remembering something from a few minutes previous, she turned toward Ryan slightly and asked: “In all the noise in the tent, I couldn’t hear much, but did Amanda say something to you when you picked her up?”

  “She did, and I almost lost it in spite of myself. She whispered in my ear: ‘Now when I call you daddy I won’t have an accident’…..I know, I know, but I knew what she meant anyway. It’s a rather big ‘first’ for me you know.”

  Laura noted the somewhat husky sound now in his voice, and it confirmed for her his deep attachment to these children. The emotional impact was nearly as great on her as it had been on him. But even more experiences were in store, as Ryan reached for the handle on the front door of the White House. Holding it open, he invited her to enter first the house that Mary envisioned. Laura’s reaction was much the same as she had first experienced when they had landed in Suite A for what was to be a few nights of respite. That all seemed so long ago and far away now. The understated elegance of the White House didn’t awe first time visitors; it reached out to them, drew them in, and made them feel welcome at a comfort level of a family home. Laura loved it in an instant, and with her husband at her side, the euphoric feeling grew, if that was indeed possible given the already high level. Kids in tow, they did a quick tour of the ground floor, then let the kids head off hand in hand to be with their own friends. It was less of a formal reception and much more a meet and greet style assembly. Ryan and Laura made their way around the room person to person. Meeting her sister for the first time in several weeks, Laura just opened her arms and hugged her. There was little that was said, or needed saying.

  By early evening, they had met virtually everyone on the grounds, both in the White House and in the great room of the original house. Laura had made a quick side trip to change, the two of them saw Jack and Amanda into the care of Marie and Fernando for the next few days, and Franz came in to announce their ride to the airport was ready. Their departure was not without notice, and they were given a rousing sendoff. It was only when they got outside they realized the big Duesenberg was awaiting them. Franz informed them that the Collin’s family had sent him funds and insisted the car be used for the start of their honeymoon, a sendoff hard to beat.

  And so it was that Laura and Ryan Williams departed the confines of Windmere for the first step in the rest of their long life together.

  Chapter 22 - Sleepyhead

  Laura had asked about the plans for the honeymoon, but got no farther than: ‘Sorry, but we agreed that was my job; trust me with this, okay?’ and she did trust him, without reservation, in this and everything else that would come along in their lives. She knew in her heart he would always put her and the children above himself; it was a feeling she had not experienced before, but was savoring the meaning of the feeling now in this new life. If she had a doubt at all, it was not about Ryan but about herself and her ability and desire to please this man in every way. She knew that what she had experienced in marriage before wasn’t love; it was a business deal, and while she was so very sure she was deeply in love with this man, there remained doubts in her mind about her own abilities. In her memory she heard the caveat that had served her so well in all of this wild, improbable ride, from her arrival at Windmere to this moment: ‘Give it time.’ ‘Well,’ she thought to herself, ‘I’m in it for the long haul now; we’ll see what happens.’

  The Duesey rolled easily through a side gate held open by a guard at the airport, coming to a stop beside a small twin engine corporate jet. One engine was already idling in readiness. The second pilot ushered them aboard, then retracted the ladder into the fuselage as he welcomed them to the passenger cabin. He informed them they would be off as soon as the ground crew had loaded the minimal luggage, which put them on the runway in less than five minutes, engines blasting and reaching for the sky.

  “Ryan, this is too much, our own private plane? I know, I know; if I trust you, you’ll take care of it, but this, well, I love it and I know the company books hours, and I know we’ve made trips before, but a whole plane for two people? Did Roger approve it?”

  “Yep, he did, but there isn’t a cabin attendant to disturb us, so we’ll have to rather fend for ourselves. Still, I don’t want you to get dishpan hands or anything like that; at least not today. The drudgery of husband and family will be back soon enough, okay? Besides, this is all part of the package I booked for the three days before the kids join us. Come, sit by me, my wife, and we’ll see if there are any libations in the cooler.”

  The two of them had settled into separate seats for the take-off, but now reseated themselves toward the back of the cabin on a plush sofa. Ryan popped open what appeared to be a footstool fastened to the floor for security, but in reality was an ice cooler, from which came a bottle of her favorite wine and two chilled glasses. Pleased as she was, she had come to expect things like this from this man, who seemed to take so much pleasure in surprising and pleasing her. While they sipped, cuddled, and chatted about the events of the day, their future and what it might hold for them, the sleek jet made short work of the run to the Caribbean resort he had selected. It was not the largest resort, and probably not the fanciest, but it was the warmest in personality and rife with amenities large and small that put a polish on the experience many other resorts could only envy. The beauty of the plane was that nowhere was very far away at those speeds, and in not much more than an hour, they were descending out of the night sky, braking hard on the somewhat short runway, then rolling to a stop a brief distance from the terminal itself. The flight time had been well spent as they engaged in some talking, but mostly just enjoying the closeness of the other, kissing, holding, touching, gentle and caring in how each approached the other. Few words were needed to explain what activity lie ahead during the night; both knew, both anticipated, and much for the same reason.

  At the airport, they thanked the aircrew for a great flight, and were ushered into a waiting limousine. Laura thought it quaint, almost condescending, that they were addressed by the driver, as well as the bell crew, as “Boss Man” and “Boss Lady”. She noted in her mind to ask Ryan if that was an island custom or just at this resort. The facility itself was beautiful, small enough for personalized service and large enough to have everything available, and then some. Their minimal luggage was portered to the top floor, the penthouse, converted for the moment into the bridal suite by changing to mostly white décor, with plenty of flowers. Aga
in Laura was both bemused and flattered by the “Boss Lady” title with which she was addressed. Ryan seemed to take it all in stride, paying off the bell crew as they backed out, carefully placed the “DO NOT DISTURB” sign on the doorknob. and closed the entrance door.

  The suite, beautiful in its own right, was made more so by the flowers and other amenities. The luggage had carefully been placed on stands in the master bedroom. Ryan had been adamant about the amount of luggage they brought along. His reasoning was not at all illogical; he said that unless they lived on an island all the time, most of their clothes would not be appropriate for resort wear and therefore she should not pack much. They would acquire what they needed as they went along. Any unpacking could wait until morning since it was getting a little late and there was still one thing Laura wanted to do, in bed, with this man, on their wedding night. Later she would recall thinking to herself what an incongruous situation she had managed to place herself in: here she was with two children, about to go to bed with a man she loved very much, and her actual bedtime experience was so limited she didn’t really know what to do to please him, or really how to start down that road. Maybe a quick shower would help, and on the reasoning she needed to “freshen up” a bit, she retrieved a small package from Wendy’s Works and retreated momentarily to the “her” shower room. Shower over quickly and now clad in what amounted to not much more than a postage stamp sized area of actual material, she looked at herself in the mirror, blushed at what she saw, strengthened her desire to gratify her husband, and donning one of the luxurious robes while waiting for the right moment to show off her wares, she went back to the bedroom.