Eva and the Irishman

by Janne E Toivonen

  Praise Jesus, Liam. I fell to my knees and thanked Him when I received your letter … The O’Briens were so relieved … Annie had written.

  Liam was mildly unnerved that virtually the entire community knew why Eva was marrying Liam so soon. The fact that the church was packed to the gills gave him the impression that they supported Eva and overlooked the out-of-wedlock pregnancy. He was grateful for that, especially for her. To be ostracized would have been devastating for her. He glanced at Ed, who seemed nervous himself.

  “Ed, they may look like fierce Viking marauders, but they are a peaceful people,” he whispered.

  “They look angry,” Ed whispered back.

  “No, it’s how they are. It takes somethin’ really humorous to make ’em smile. They are here because they love Eva.”

  “If ye say so,” Ed said, smiling.

  ~~~

  Eva and Ellen were hidden in the little room at the front of the church. Ellen was dressed in her finest—a light blue starched cotton dress with a freshly starched and ironed white pinafore. Her black, button-up shoes were freshly polished. Her hair hung in a braid three quarters of the way to her waist. Eva had made a giant pale blue bow that was pinned at the back of her head at the top of the braid. Ellen was the flower girl.

  Eva, seeing anxiety in Ellen’s sweet face, smiled and spoke to her in Finnish. “I will allow some rouge on your lips for this special time. Would you like that?”

  “Yes, I would.”

  Her daughter’s face lit up.

  As Eva used the tip of her ring finger to dab and smooth the rouge on Ellen’s small lips, she noticed her frown once again. “Ellen, why do you have the frown again? I thought you were fine about this day. At least, yesterday you were.”

  “Liam is not gonna be the same as my Pappa,” Ellen said.

  “No, he won’t be, but—”

  “Oh, Mamma, why did Pappa have to go away? I want him back, and you can’t marry Liam!” Tears washed down her cheeks. She ran out of the little room toward the front entrance of the church.

  Close to panic, Eva whispered to a church-appointed usher to summon Saimi Laivo as inconspicuously as possible. Saimi came to the little room and accompanied Eva to the front stoop of the church. Luckily, Ellen had stopped her fleeing and was sitting on the step with her head on her knees. Her arms were wrapped around her head to hide herself. Saimi went right up to her as Eva stood by the closed door on the outside.

  “Ellen Mattson,” Saimi addressed her softly in Finnish. “My dear child, it is such a big day for your Mamma and Liam … and you. I want to know out of the three of you, who is not scared?”

  “I’m the only one. Mamma and Liam are not scared. They are grown-ups.”

  “I know for a fact they are scared, too.”

  “Why would they be?”

  “Because both of them lost the person they married. Those who died will never come back. You know how that feels. It’s very scary to marry someone new. What if the same thing happens again?”

  “Then why do they do it, Mamma and Liam?”

  “Because a new baby is coming, and that baby needs a father and mother, and a father’s last name. God wants them to. And the biggest reason they are getting married is because they love each other. But that doesn’t mean they are not scared. The desire for life and happiness is bigger than fear.”

  Eva watched Ellen look up at Saimi through her tears. Eva blinked, and Ellen looked at her. Eva felt her own tears well.

  “Are you scared, Mamma?”

  “Yes, Ellen, I am, but I want to fight to be happy. It would be worse if I let my fear run my life. You are feeling the same. Do you want your fear to keep you from doing all you want to do? Will you sit alone in a house because you have fear?”

  “No, I will fight it.”

  “What do you want to know, before I marry Liam?”

  “Will you still love me as much? There’s a new baby coming.”

  “Of course, I will,” Eva said, choking on emotion. “I love you more with each day that comes, and that will never change no matter how many children I have.”

  “Do I have to call him Pappa?”

  “That is up to you. Maybe you could call him Pappa Liam.” Eva held her arms out to Ellen, who came to her for a reassuring hug.

  “I am trying, Mamma,” Ellen whispered in Eva’s ear.

  “That’s all I ask, my daughter.”

  Eva looked at Saimi over Ellen’s shoulder. She saw Saimi wipe a tear from her cheek.

  “If you are sure, Mamma, let’s go marry Liam. I am still afraid, though.”

  “We will do it together, we three,” Eva said. She held her daughter’s hand as they slipped back into the little room in the front to finish preparing, Saimi heading back to her seat.

  Eva sat back down in the chair in front of the mirror. “Now, let’s finish putting that rouge on you,” she said. “And then we need to get out there.”

  ~~~

  Eva felt beautiful in an off-white muslin dress with a cinched waist slightly loosened for pregnancy. It wasn’t a wedding gown, but a dress that would be worn to a fancy party. This time, since she was older, her hair was completely up, with little strands of hair pulled out and curled at her temples. She wore a pearl necklace and earrings that Saimi had lent her. She felt, for a moment, a little embarrassed at why she couldn’t be married without being pregnant. She looked at herself in the dressing mirror and rolled her eyes, smiling ruefully.

  Both the bride and flower girl had falls of white wild roses as bouquets. There was a patch of them growing on the property behind the barn. Saimi had tucked some of the blossoms into Eva and Ellen’s hair earlier that morning.

  Eva made one last check in the mirror. “Now,” she said to Ellen, “ve ready.”

  Eva looked at Ellen and smiled. Each took a big breath and let it out in nervousness.

  “Will Arvid think I’m beautiful?” Ellen asked her mother.

  “If he don’t, he don’t see very good,” Eva said.

  Ellen laughed.

  Then Eva said in Finnish, “I know we planned you would go down the aisle first, Ellen, but instead, I would like to hold your hand and we go together. Would you like that?”

  She grinned. “I like that.”

  “Will you stand with Liam and me?”

  “Will Liam like it if I do?”

  “Oh, aye.”

  “You sound like Liam.”

  They heard the organ start the processional. Ellen walked out, looking proud and confident next to her mother, and they held hands as the congregation stood for the bride.

  The church shined golden with the bright summer sun. There were audible gasps and sounds of delight as they walked down the aisle. Eva heard someone say how beautiful the bride looked, how you’d never know she was twenty-six years old, but her eyes were on Liam.

  ~~~

  As Eva made her way toward him, Liam had a hard time remembering to breathe. Ed bumped him with his elbow. Liam looked at Ed and saw his enamored expression.

  “She’s stunnin’, Liam,” Ed whispered.

  Liam moved two steps to escort Eva by her elbow the rest of the way to the altar. “Ye’re beautiful,” he whispered to Eva. Her blue eyes shone bright with love.

  “Hello, Ellen,” Liam whispered to the added guest at the altar. “Are you joinin’ us? It’d be a privilege to have ye.”

  “I can stay?”

  “Aye. We’re all in this together.” Liam was so touched he couldn’t help but shed a tear of joy.

  “Are you scared?” Ellen asked him, whispering.

  “Oh, aye, but I decided my joy should be stronger,” he whispered back.

  “That’s what Mamma said.”

  ~~~

  Eva gave her bouquet to Ellen. She looked at Liam and put a thumb of her gloved hand on his cheek to wipe his tears. In the past six months, Eva had done so much crying that she had no sad tears for today. Much of her strength regained through hard grieving and acceptance
, she stepped into this new part of her life with confidence, in spite of Ellen’s difficulties. Eva knew in her heart it would be all right. She didn’t know how long it would take, but she knew for certain things would resolve.

  The pastor started in Finnish, nervously tittered, then restarted in English. “Dearly beluff-edt, ve are gaddered here today in the sight of Got…”

  Liam felt his knees wobble a little. It was momentary. It helped that he gazed at Eva, who had an angelic gaze at him. It calmed him.

  “… Villiam Michael Dady, do you take dis voman to be you lafly vedded vife?”

  “I do,” Liam said. He put the gold ring on Eva’s finger and gazed into her eyes.

  “… Eva Elisabet Maki Mattson, do you take dis man …”

  “I do,” Eva said clearly. She put the gold ring on Liam’s finger. She smiled, looking at him.

  “I now pronounce you man and vife.” The Pastor smiled and gave a signal that Liam could kiss his bride.

  Eva and Liam kissed each other softly. Then they both took a hand of Ellen’s, and walked back down the aisle with her in between.

  ~~~

  There was food and dancing at the Finnish Hall. Ed Murphy, best man and soda fountain proprietor, provided some traditional Irish food for the buffet table upon Eva’s request. She and Liam purchased the ingredients and Ed cooked them up. He made Irish stew, soda bread, colcannon, and raisin cake. Eva was happy the Finns seemed to enjoy the sampling. Ed, also a musician, brought his violin and played Irish tunes interspersed in the Finnish music. Liam and Eva had two songs for their wedding dances, one Irish and one Finnish. Someone had made a white wedding cake for them.

  “Dis is good cake,” Eva said. She took a forkful off the same plate as Liam. “Dey make it no cost.”

  “It’s free?” Liam asked. “Someone must like ye,” he quipped.

  “Dey like you, too.”

  ~~~

  At one point in the afternoon, remembering her early-morning instructions to Ellen about proper behavior at the wedding, Eva spotted Ellen and her friends walk, not run, into the Hall to get drinks and cake. Relieved, she thought their actions were appropriate. But upon further inspection, she found they were dusty, dirty, out of breath, and sweaty. Eva laughed when she realized her mistake. She told Ellen nothing of how she should behave outside, only inside.

  “Villi Ruusu,” Eva said. She was sitting with Liam at a table.

  “What is that about?” Liam asked.

  “Ellen. Dey all dirty from outside. I say behave inside. I forgot ’bout outside.”

  “Villi Ruusu is right,” Liam said with a chuckle. “I have my work ahead of me, don’t I?”

  ~~~

  Liam and Eva danced a waltz for their guests who insisted. While they were performing for a rapt crowd, they chatted in each other’s ears.

  “They want to see if ‘the Irishman’ will stomp on yer feet,” Liam said. I get it that dancing is a Finn requirement—a necessary evil, I should say. I never was much of a dancer.”

  “You do nice dance,” Eva said as he spun her around the open auditorium floor. “My toes feel safe.”

  “What about yer heart?”

  “Dat feel safe, too.”

  “We’ll make sure that stays growin’, mine too.”

  Caught up in his burgeoning desire for her, Liam stopped Eva in the middle of the floor. He forgot people were watching and planted his mouth on hers, his arm wrapped around her waist. He could feel her go limp as he kissed her, her arms hanging at her sides. After many moments, he looked up and saw the circled crowd silent and gaping at them.

  “I guess it’s time for the weddin’ night,” Liam quipped loudly, a corner of his mouth turned up.

  With a collective blush and brief pause, the crowd roared in hilarity.

  At the appropriate time, Eva and Liam said thank you and good night to all their guests who were still at the Hall, having a grand time eating and dancing.

  “Ellen, I see you tomorrow after dinner. I luff you,” Eva said. She kissed Ellen’s cheek.

  “I love you too, Mamma,” Ellen said. Her arms went around Eva’s neck, and she returned the kiss.

  “Goodnight, Ellen,” Liam said, and then added with a bit of friendly teasing, “Don’t chase too many fireflies with Arvid.”

  Ellen gave him a faint smile. Liam knew he just gave her permission to stay up as long as the Huttunens allowed. Fireflies wouldn’t come until late.

  ~~~

  The happy newlyweds went to Virginia's brand-new hotel for their wedding night. Eva had told Liam she had not been inside this one yet. Several years ago, a fire destroyed the downtown, and many businesses had to rebuild. Liam had booked one of two suites offered by the small hotel. He had prearranged to have their clothing sent there. They found a complementary bottle of champagne in the suite when they arrived, but they politely turned it down for some hot coffee and another piece of cake from room service.

  “Are ye hungry? I’m not sure why I’m askin’. I saw ye eat three plates of food and two pieces of cake at the reception. We can order from the restaurant.”

  “Vat dey haff?” Eva spoke as though she were starving. She sat in a plush club chair in their room, gazing at him. “I don’t need food. I vant you.” She pulled her dress up to reveal the sexy silk stockings and garters attached to her corset.

  “What do ye have there?” He started for her. “Ye look like a French dancer.”

  She gasped as he approached, and she threw the dress back down over her legs.

  “What’s this, then?” he asked, feigning protest. “Doesn’t a husband get to ravage his wife on his weddin’ night?”

  “Not ’til I say so,” Eva said in her clearest English yet. It made them both laugh.

  Liam started to sense this night was not going to be romantic, it was going to be wild. “All right, then. Ye started it …” he declared.

  Eva sat in the chair, seemingly trying to anticipate his next move. He took off his jacket, vest, and untied his tie, dropping them on the floor. He loosened the top two buttons of his shirt. As he maintained eye contact, he started to unbuckle his belt and unbutton his pants. He watched her watch him. She blushed, her breathing deepening. She seemed to be enjoying the game. He started for her as he was working the buttons. With a squeal, she hiked up her skirt and dashed from the chair to the bed, flying onto it and bouncing, laughing as she did.

  “I didn’t know ye could run in those shoes,” he said.

  She stood up, breathless and laughing. “Get me out dis dress.” She fumbled with the buttons in the front, giggling at him. His trousers fell around his feet. He stepped out of them and went to help. She couldn’t get to all of the buttons fast enough before Liam picked her up and tossed her back on the bed where she bounced again, making her giggle even more. Her hair started to fall. She pulled all the pins out, causing a cascade of reddish-blonde around her face and shoulders. The dress was discarded on the floor along with Liam’s suit.

  “Get dis corset off,” she said. She turned so he could untie the laces in the back.

  “Will ye leave it on?” he asked. “Just take off what needs to be taken off.”

  She turned around to face him. She took his face with her hands and kissed him with a lot of tongue. She promptly bounced back on the bed. “Everytink you need is off,” she announced and lay back spreading her legs.

  “I can see very well.”

  She giggled.

  My God, Liam thought in delight, this is the real Eva! He was thrilled by her joy. She could let go and have fun, still youth-like in her play, but a womanly twenty-eight-year-old in her sexual role. He moved closer to the bed.

  Leaning back on her elbows, Eva used one of her high-heeled feet to lift Liam’s shirt hem. She peeked under it, grinning from ear to ear, her eyes wide.

  “He’s there, surely,” Liam said. “He’s quite ready, too.” He lifted his shirt, so she could see.

  “Vhen you get dat?”

  “About
two hours ago.” He got a laugh from Eva. “He wants to say somethin’ to ye.” He laughed at her scream of hilarity. He moved closer and closer.

  “Stop!” she yelled, but he felt her squirm in anticipation underneath his lowering body. Her knees were bent and spread.

  “Are ye sure ye want me to stop?” Liam kneeled between her legs, lowering his body. “Is that why yer legs are wide open?”

  “You gonna stop?” She pulled her knees up.

  “No.” He leaned closer and closer until he kissed her neck. “Yer legs are still spread.” Pausing, he looked at her for a few moments. She became silent but still joyful. “Eva, I love ye,” he whispered, sliding easily into his playful new wife. Both grinned and giggled until they climaxed.

  Chapter 12

  Eva and Liam adjusted well to their new life together. While there were old remnants that would surface, they got to a point where it was often unnecessary to go to the other for support around the old sadness. Each had grown in their own confidence and strength. Ellen, however, was taking her time accepting the marriage. She still went back and forth with her emotions.

  Eva had started to look back on her tavern “visit” as a humorous thing. At the time, it had made her feel better, but she knew it probably didn’t change anyone else’s behavior. She hadn’t seen the Widow Johnson down the street since that time she’d found Liam there. Eva was moving past her hatred for her, and thought her a sad, lonely woman.

  One hot morning a few weeks after the wedding, Eva was cleaning in the kitchen when a knock came on the front door. Liam had gone to work, Ellen was at the Huttunen’s, and Saimi had gone to the dry goods. Expecting the mailman, Eva, pushing back some lose strands of hair from her sweaty brow, was stunned to find the Widow Johnson standing on the porch. Eva’s impulse was to scream for her to leave, but she regained her inner composure and spoke to her calmly and evenly.

  “Vat you do here?” Eva asked.

  “I … I … wanted to say I’m sorry.”

  It seemed to Eva that it was the hardest thing the disheveled, once-pretty, brown-haired woman ever did. Her make-up was smeared, and Eva could smell the Main Street Bar on her, reminding her of how Victor used to smell. It released a flood of the same dread she had felt during that time.