Henry and Millie spent Saturday walking around Oak Forest and surveying their options. Henry was fond of the island in front of the house due to the old and majestic trees that created a cathedral effect above it. He also astutely pointed out that it was conveniently located near the bathroom and the bar, should either need arise. Millie objected on the basis that she hadn’t waited her entire life to get married only to finally do so next to a driveway. Instead, she favored a place alongside the pond at the foot of the hill. It was grassy and sloped and overlooked the glassy water, which reflected the sky and the nearby trees in the afternoon sun. Like any smart groom, Henry capitulated and acquiesced to her wishes. They would be married next to the pond.
Amidst all of their excitement, the couple remembered that they had forgotten a critical detail crucial to any wedding. As of yet, the bride and groom’s attire had not been determined. Millie assured Henry that a yellow dress that she already had would be fine, but Henry put his foot down. He intended to wear one of his many tailored business suits but she would be wearing a brand new dress, and it would be white. He firmly insisted that she deserved at least that much for her first and only marriage. Despite Millie’s protests to the contrary and her objections that there wouldn’t be time to find something so quickly, Henry persisted. He placed an emergency phone call to Anne for support, and she fervently agreed that a used yellow dress was not good enough for the occasion. Anne assured Henry that writing was the only thing on earth superior to what she called her retail proficiency. She asked to speak to Millie and with a bit of coaxing, was able to get the bride to agree to go to St. Louis on Monday for a shopping spree. The plan called for Millie to come to Anne’s house, and from there Anne would drive them to the Gateway City for a day of fun.
On Monday, once Millie had departed, Henry darted into his office and began to work the phone. He had much research to do and many arrangements to make before she returned that afternoon. The previous night, George had called to discuss the wedding plans and was somewhat surprised to find that there weren’t really any plans to discuss. He lobbied Henry to consider that this was perhaps the most important day left in their lives and to make it as special as possible. During the course of the conversation, Henry had seen the light, and he now was determined to surprise Millie with a wedding day that she would never forget. It would certainly take a herculean effort to make it happen with just five days to work with. However, Henry possessed nearly unlimited financial resources, an indomitable spirit, and a best man named George. Between them, the fellows were convinced that they could pull it off and do so in record time.
The only real wild-card was whether or not Anne could come through and help Millie find a well-fitting, spectacular wedding dress on such short notice. Come to think of it, I’ve actually never even read a word she’s written. What if she’s no good at writing or shopping? Henry thought, recalling Anne’s assurances. If Millie failed to find a special dress, Henry’s best efforts to make her feel like the princess he believed her to be might be in vain. Nonetheless, it was beyond his control at that moment and worrying about it was senseless. He resolved to trust in his British accomplice to achieve her mission and focused on the task at hand.
By day’s end, Henry learned that his anxiety had been all for naught. The issue was never in question. Anne took Millie to the premier bridal shop in St. Louis and by the end of the afternoon the ladies had departed with a magnificent dress, already perfectly altered to suit Millie. Being a man with no experience whatsoever in shopping for wedding dresses, Henry could not possibly fathom the miracle that Anne had pulled off. He simply accepted Millie’s word that she was thrilled with the gown and checked it off his list. Truth be known, it had nearly required an act of God. If not for the fact that the owner of the shop had recognized Anne and identified herself as “Anne Francis Wagner’s biggest fan,” it would likely have never come to pass. As it was, Millie had found a lovely, simple dress on the rack that landed just at her knees and almost fit her perfectly from the beginning. A few signed books and a large check sealed the deal. In any event, Millie loved the dress and reluctantly agreed with Anne that it looked fabulous on her. She told Anne that as much as it embarrassed her to admit it, the dress made her feel like a princess. Mission accomplished.
On Wednesday, Henry was walking through the kitchen just as the telephone rang. He stepped to the counter and picked up the handset to accept the call.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Mr. Engel?” came a man’s voice from the other end. “Yes, this is Henry Engel.”
“Hello sir, this is Carl Johnston. We spoke the other day about Ms. James’ son.”
“Yes, of course. Do you have something for us?” Henry asked anxiously.
“I sure do. Are you sitting down?” Carl asked as Millie descended the steps.
“No, not at the moment. Do you think I need to?” Henry replied with trepidation while making eye contact with her.
Millie’s heart skipped a beat as she sensed that this call might be related to her son.
“I’ve got him, Mr. Engel. We’ve run a full bio and background check on him. This guy is alive and well and the polar opposite of the other Edward James we found. This man is a solid citizen with a good job and a family. Heck, he was even an Eagle Scout.” Henry had been unconsciously holding his breath and let out a huge sigh of relief at the news. Millie had moved to the corner of the island just steps from him and was hanging on his every word and movement.
“What is it, Henry?” she pleaded.
“Carl found him. He’s alive, and he says he’s a good man.”
“Thank you, Lord!” Millie lifted her voice to the ceiling above her.
“I just thought I would call and let you both know. Unfortunately, I’m traveling this afternoon on another case, but I’ll be back in the office next Tuesday. I’m going to get all of this information compiled into a report like the last one when I return. I’ll get it out to you as soon as I can.”
“Thanks a million, Carl, we really appreciate your prompt help on this. I’ll keep an eye out for the package and fire a check off to you right after I have your bill. We really appreciate it; goodbye now,” he said as he hung up the phone.
“How about that?” Henry shouted as Millie leaped into his arms. It was an enormous load lifted off of her and the best gift she could have imagined. For her entire adult life, she had been burdened by the guilt that the baby she had given up for adoption had somehow been tragically destined for ruin by her decision. To learn that at least her son was alive and well and apparently prospering was a huge relief. There were certainly many difficult hurdles ahead on the road to some sort of reconciliation with him. However, on this day it was more than enough just to know that he was all right.
*
The morning of the wedding, Millie awoke early and lay for a while beneath the sheets gazing out of her bedroom windows. She could see daybreak casting light onto the leaves of the forest, and it was a serene and glorious sight. The forecast called for a perfect spring day, and it looked as though that was exactly what they were going to be blessed with. Her mind drifted through her life and all of the events that had transpired to bring her to this moment in time. She closed her eyes and prayed for a bit, thanking God for all that she had and all that she was receiving. She asked that He would bless their marriage with many years of health and happiness. As she rose, the pleasant thought struck her that she would never spend another night in that bed again. Tonight and forevermore, she would be sleeping with her husband.
The bride and groom met in the kitchen for coffee and relaxed in one another’s company for a time. Henry browsed the newspaper as if it was just any other Saturday while Millie sat at the kitchen table affectionately cuddling with Joe. Abruptly, Henry said something that got Millie’s attention.
“Oh, and by the way, I need for you to close all of the blinds on the front of the house.”
“You what?” Millie asked without understanding why
.
“Yes, close the blinds. You also need to promise me that no matter what happens, no matter how curious you get, you won’t look out front until it’s time for the ceremony,” he said, adding another stipulation.
Millie was beginning to smell a rat. “I thought we decided to keep this thing simple, Henry? What are you up to, you rascal?” she inquired impishly.
“You’ll see!” he responded in his comically high-pitched voice with a devious grin. It was the same tactic he had used the day he had taken her to the spring for their first date.
“Uh-oh,” Millie reacted with a laugh.
“I need you to promise me, Millie. No peeking.”
“I can’t promise that, Henry, you know me,” she said with a giggle.
“No kidding, promise me. I really mean it. I need you to do this,” he said again. This time, he looked more serious. Millie could see that it was important to him.
“Ok honey, I promise,” she agreed reluctantly.
Anne arrived mid-morning to help Millie get ready. The women had made plans for a manicure, pedicure, and hair-styling session.
“Did you see Henry?” Millie asked as Anne entered the kitchen with both arms full.
“Yes, he’s down by the pond,” Anne answered innocently as she sat her bags on the island.
“What’s he up to?” Millie pried, hoping to find out what was going on.
“Oh no, I’m sworn to secrecy!” Anne said as she snapped a single finger in front of her lips. “And you know I’m good at keeping secrets,” she added slyly with a wink.
“So, you’re in on it too?” Millie knew that it was no use and laughed as she abandoned the attempt to uncover his plan. Nevertheless, the sound of banging and movement outside was gnawing at her. It took all of her strength to keep her promise to Henry, but she kept her word. As much as she was dying to see what was going on, she was determined not to begin their marriage together by betraying his trust.
Around 1:00 p.m., Millie could hear George and Henry talking in the kitchen. She and Anne were flying between the spare bathroom and the bedroom busily getting ready, and she couldn’t hear what they were saying. She noted, though, that the sounds outside had stopped.
“Do you fellas need a sandwich or something? I can fix some lunch,” she called down from the railing on the second floor.
“No!” came a unified and resounding reply from the two men in the kitchen and the maid of honor from the bathroom. They weren’t surprised that on her biggest day, just an hour before the wedding, she was concerned with everyone else. However, there was no way that they were going to let the bride interrupt her all-important preparations to make lunch.
“Well excuse me! I was just asking,” she cackled as they all broke into laughter.
“Hey you!” Henry called upstairs.
“Yes sir,” Millie replied.
“We’ll be down at the pond, but I’ll send for you and Anne when it’s time,” Henry informed her.
“All right sweetie, we’ll be ready.” She wondered what he meant but thought better of questioning him. He obviously had gone to a great deal of trouble to put together whatever was waiting for her. She decided that the best way to thank him was to simply enjoy it and not attempt to spoil the surprise with more questions.
Millie and Anne anxiously stood in the kitchen as the clock edged toward 2:00 p.m.
“Are you nervous?” Anne asked, trying to contain her own excitement.
“Nope,” Millie replied with complete composure. “I’ve been ready for this day my entire life.”
Anne was struck by Millie’s calm countenance and extreme beauty. The snugly fitting knee-length dress that they had selected was satin with a lace overlay delicately accented with tiny rhinestones and pearls. The neckline of the gown scooped toward her bust, and she wore an intricate pearl necklace with a large teardrop rhinestone and matching earrings. Her hair was pulled up and held by a comb, also adorned with the aforementioned embellishments. Finally, she completed the ensemble with a simple pair of pearl white patent leather heels.
“You look simply gorgeous, Millie!” Anne exclaimed, taking her hands into her own. “I’ve never seen a more brilliant-looking bride in my entire life!”
Millie was touched by Anne’s generous compliment. It was high praise coming from perhaps the most beautiful woman Millie had ever seen. The maid of honor had selected a similarly cut dark green dress for the occasion, and it almost made her eyes glow. Before she could tell Anne how lovely she thought she looked, a knock on the door interrupted them.
“Oh my! It’s time!” Anne announced as she hurried Millie to the entrance.
Millie had imagined what she might find on the other side of the door. However, nothing in her wildest dreams could have prepared her for this. Just as Anne began to turn the knob, Millie stopped her suddenly.
“Hold it!” Millie shouted.
“What? What’s wrong?” Anne cried with a look of concern. “You’re not getting cold feet are you?” she asked with genuine anxiety.
“Huh?” Millie replied looking around in a daze before comprehending what Anne was implying. “Oh, goodness sakes no!” she blurted out with a laugh. “I just want to say goodbye to Joe! Next time I see her, I’ll be her real Momma!”
Anne exhaled a large sigh. She was glad to hear it was not something else that was wrong.
“I don’t know, Millie, I haven’t seen her all morning,” Anne declared, frantically walking past her back toward the kitchen.
Just then, there was another knock on the door indicating that it was past time to leave.
“Oh, that’s all right. I’ll find her later. She’s probably sleeping somewhere. We better get going. I don’t want to make Henry wait; he might change his mind,” Millie said jokingly as she opened the door. On the other side, the new world was waiting for her. She stepped through the doorway as Millie James but would soon return home as Millie Engel.
Chapter 23
The Biggest Day of All
Millie’s eyes widened as a dashing young man in his late twenties held the storm door open for her. He was sharply dressed in a black tuxedo complete with white gloves, top hat, and tails.
“Ms. James?” he greeted her.
“Yes?” she replied in shock.
“Ma’am, Mr. Engel has directed me to escort you to your wedding. If you’ll just come with me.” He reached and took her hand and led her across the porch. Waiting for her at the end of the sidewalk was a spotless white carriage pulled by two magnificent white horses. She froze and stood for a moment as her eyes scanned the scene.
“Oh my God!” Millie cried with delight. She had never seen such a sight before. Along the route to the pond, two continuous hedges of white carnations had been erected. Above each of the flower pots, a single white balloon had been tethered with a satin ribbon. There were hundreds of them, and it created two white walls to outline the driveway. Also, the asphalt had been literally blurred out by a blizzard of white rose petals. It was the most spectacular thing Millie had ever seen.
“Oh my God!” Anne cried reiterating Millie’s exact words as she pulled the front door closed behind her.
“It’s unbelievable, Anne!”
“It most certainly is!” the author agreed as she stepped next to Millie. Just then, the horse nearest them whinnied, anxious to get to work.
“You can say that again, big fella!” Millie chuckled.
“Ladies, if you please, the gentlemen are waiting,” said the young man as he led Millie by the hand to the open door of the carriage. Once they were both inside, he climbed aboard and signaled for the team to begin the journey.
In her entire life, Millie had never ridden in as much as a horse-drawn wagon. Sitting on luxurious leather seats in the open air as the hooves of the horses clippety-clopped along was truly a surreal experience. She was astounded as they slowly rolled past the seemingly endless display of flowers and balloons. For a moment, she became lost in the magic of it all and forg
ot that she was a bride on her way to be married. Instead, Millie felt like a princess on her way to a ball. She craned her head forward to see what was coming as the forest gave way to the edge of the pond and the meadow below. The driver slowed the horses and the carriage eased to a gentle halt at the bottom of the hill. The best man and a lovely young woman with two bouquets of flowers in her hands were waiting there to receive them.
“Thank you kind sir,” Millie said as the driver helped her down from the carriage.
“You’re very welcome ma’am,” he responded as he reached for Anne’s hand to assist her as well.
“Hey there, George!” Millie called to the best man.
“My Lord, Millie, you are a vision!” he proclaimed as he embraced her.
“You look awfully handsome yourself in that fine tuxedo! Thought you and Henry were going to wear your suits?”
“To your wedding? Not a chance my dear.”
Millie smiled and winked at George as she straightened his boutonniere, which had been jostled by their hug.
“Here you are ma’am, these are for you,” greeted the young woman as she handed Millie her wedding bouquet. It was a gorgeous assortment of miniature white roses accented with baby’s breath.
“On my, isn’t that lovely!” Millie accepted the bouquet and brought it to her nose to indulge in the fragrance. “They smell so wonderful too!”
The florist complimented Millie on her dress and wished her all the best on her special day before moving on to Anne. The author accepted a smaller bouquet of roses from the woman, which had been accented with daisies and greens. It complemented her dress and eyes perfectly.
“Ladies, shall we?” George asked as he held out his right arm for Millie to take. A long, pale and narrow runner with white rose petals scattered atop it had been laid across the meadow grass. It led off into the distance up the gentle slope just above the pond. From where they were standing, they could see that a small archway and canopy had been erected. There was no sign of Henry or the reverend, but Millie felt confident that they were close by.
Celebrations With Jake and Joe Page 24