Once Within A Lifetime

by Rose, Phyllis Georgina

  “Yes,” Nancy replied, “I had noticed that you have not been spending as much time up there as you used to. I am sure that will work out differently very soon. There are so many details and so much on your mind these days, it is difficult for you until you are caught up on the things that need to be done. It is fine, I will take care of it.”

  They set up the tables and began to eat their breakfast as they watched the fire burn.

  “This is so relaxing and nice. It makes a rainy day less of a problem. We will be more or less forced to relax and enjoy ourselves. We are acting like old married folk.”

  They took their time and fully enjoyed every bite. After breakfast they got up and carried the dishes into the dining room.

  “Let us go up to my office. I have a list of items I need to look at, and I need to spend time checking on what has to be done and how we are progressing. A week and half is all the time we have left to do any last minute things.”

  “Sure, I like that idea. It does not matter where we are as long as we are together. I do need to go back to the cottage for a few minutes to retrieve some things to put together with the other items. I will be right back. Please wait here for me and we will go up together and get started on our lists.”

  “All right I will wait right here for you. I may have another cup of coffee while I am waiting. Maybe later we can talk to my parents or go over to see what arrangements we can make for your family.”

  He went to get his things and soon was back. They went upstairs to her office to get started. He brought a chair up near her, sitting where they could look at the things together.

  “We know we have the guest list done, thanks to our family. That is taken care of so I will cross that off the list. Things are working out well for the garden. How do you think it looks there? You were there with my dad yesterday most of the day.”

  “I think one more day can take care of it. We just have to decide on where we will be standing and set it up. I think you should be involved in that, don't you?”

  “Yes, I would like to check that out. If the rain eases up later, we can go take a look if you wish, to get a head start on it.”

  “Sounds good so let’s put an asterisk beside that item. It can be one of our priorities. What is next?”

  “I can check off gifts for the attendants, that is done. Another item behind us. Oh, there is the phone, just a minute and I will get back to the list.” She picked up the phone and said, “Hello. Oh, Hi Mom, how are things there? You have a day of rest. Yes, we are staying in going over our list of things. We are checking out what is done and what needs to be done. It is a week and a half before the wedding and his folks will be here this weekend, with Dirje and Cord following in a couple more days. Isn’t it hard to believe! We are waiting to hear from Matt and Chantelle. I think it is this evening they plan to call. Maybe later we can come over and talk about the arrangements for part of Todd’s family to stay with you. When would be a good time? I was thinking of around three o‘clock. Yes, we could come for dinner.” She looked at Todd and he nodded his head in agreement. “Great, we will see you then. Can we bring anything? All right, goodbye for now.”

  “What about gifts for the men who will be attending? I had not even given that a thought. What shall we do?”

  “Well, I got some things when you were looking at dresses with Phylicia. Let’s see if anyone is left out. We surely cannot have that.”

  They went over the list and decided they did need to get a few more things.

  “We can leave early and do that on the way to my parent’s home.”

  “We have our clothes ready and waiting,” he said. “I can hardly wait to see you in what I know is a most gorgeous gown. You have made plans to have Leslie come to help you with your grooming needs. Have you asked any of the ladies if they will have any needs to be met?”

  “No, maybe I can do that today. I will have to wait on Dirje and Chantelle. I can call to ask Deanna. I shall ask Mom when we are there. My dad, of course, will give me away. Have we made any specific plans on who will be the best man and bridesmaid? How can we choose among all the family?”

  “Yes, I see what you mean,” he answered. “We certainly do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. And who will be the ring bearer and flower girl? We have several children in the whole family. Oh, dear, we will certainly have to consider this.”

  “I wonder if we should ask someone neutral like Leslie and her friend? It may get them in the mood for a wedding. But, of course, we do not want to push things unless they are meant to work out. We know none of the details and cannot decide what is right. We will have to think about that. Let’s talk with my parents when we go over and see what they have to say. And maybe talk to the rest of the family later. Some may not wish to do it, where others may. Older and wiser, you know. Let’s put a question mark there.”

  “Looks like we are doing well with our list. I am sure there are things our folks will want to do and arrange. The reception and the like. What do you say we check the weather and see if we can go out in the garden to find the spot to stand for the ceremony?”

  “Great,” she replied. “It does look like the rain has eased up a lot.”

  They looked outside and a light mist was falling, so they got ready to go look. They put on their raincoats, got an umbrella from the closet, and he opened the door for her. They went toward the garden, both snuggled under the same umbrella.

  He looked up and pointed straight over the Rose Garden and said, “Look at that beautiful double rainbow. What brilliance! I do not know if I have ever seen one so grand.” They stood and looked at it and were both in a state of amazement. “How I wish we had a video camera. It was spectacular. Doesn't that mean it is going to stop raining?”

  “That is what I always heard when I was a little girl, so that sounds good. It did rain a little, which is good for the garden and good for the workers to have a day of rest. But I feel we can’t hang onto the lovely rainbow.”

  They walked on and looked at the work that had been done in the Rose Garden. The archways were beautiful and roses had been arranged to grow up over them. They looked so elegant. There was an archway and frame for a tent to be put in place at the last possible minute. But, surely, it would be a grand day. They saw a perfect spot to one side for the platform where they could stand for the ceremony. They both agreed that it was the one best spot then decided to go back to the house and finish up what needed to be done there because they would leave soon after lunch so they could do their shopping before going to her mother’s house.

  They went back to spend more time at her office and soon Nancy told them it was time for lunch.

  Todd said to her, “Why don’t I come get the tray to save you a trip. We are going up anyway.”

  “Fine,” she replied. “You are such a thoughtful young man.” He followed her to the kitchen and she’d arranged lunch on a nice tray for them. He took it up where Triessa was waiting for him at the top of the stairs and they continued to the studio. They went in, set it up in the usual place and sat down to eat. The rainbow was very faint now in the distance but still had a magic glow.

  “I think we have just about covered our lists,” she said as they began to eat. “We can relax on that now, and as soon as we eat, we can get ready to go look for some gifts. Do you need to go back to the cottage for anything before we go?”

  “Yes, I do, but it won’t take long. Then we can leave.”

  They ate slowly, it had been some time since they had been here and they wanted to make it last. It may be a few days before they got back with all the things that needed to get done. They got up, put the things on the tray, and went downstairs. He took the tray into the kitchen and went down to the cottage for the things he needed. She put her raincoat on while she was waiting for him.

  When he returned he asked, “Why didn’t you wait for me to help you with your coat? You know I am overjoyed to have a lovely lady to do things for.”

  She smiled and the
y went out the front door since her car was still parked in front of the house. He helped her in and they started toward town and the gift shop. They looked around a while and found a few items which could make great gifts, purchased them, and went on to her folks house.

  When they arrived Lincoln came out to greet them and helped Triessa out of the car as Todd got out. “Come on in, we have cold lemonade waiting. We will talk a while and then your mother can show you where the guests can stay.”

  Sheila met them at the door, hugged and kissed them both and invited them into the living room and picked up a tray with lemonade and cookies. After they sat down, the tray was passed around and they helped themselves.

  “Well, what have you accomplished this morning?” asked her mother.

  “You said you were going over some things together.”

  Yes, we covered just about everything except the best man and maid of honor. It is difficult with so many family members because we don’t want to seem to be showing partiality and hurt anyone’s feelings. After all we will not be able to use everyone. Do you have any ideas about that?”

  “Well,” answered her dad, “How about using one from each side and then using the rest for some of the other things. There will be plenty of things to do. Say, for instance, Reese and Dirje or something like that. Todd, what do you think? You know your family and their emotional makeup. How can you handle this with discretion?”

  “Well, I don’t think it will be a problem. They’re mature and understanding and are aware of the situation. I can ask Dirje and Matt and see what they think if you would like. Matt is going to call this evening. Why don't we just wait on it and get back to it later?”

  “Sounds all right to me,” agreed Triessa. “When Esther arrives she and Mom can discuss the possibilities of having a reception inside as Esther suggested, or whether it would be easier to have it in the garden where all the tables will be set up anyway. Everyone is there and it would be so much easier. I am sure they will enjoy hanging out there for a while longer. What do you think? There will be just one area to clean up. This will help us with our time to be alone. It can be all set up and arranged beforehand. It is such a lovely area. Do you have any ideas on that, Mom?”

  “Well, I agree with you as far as feasibility and aesthetics. If it is a glorious day, as I am sure it will be, weather wise, as well as emotionally, it will be too bad to not use the garden as long as possible. It will be easy to have everything there and not have to move it around. We should stay to enjoy the beauty as long as we can. This way there will be only one area to clean up. We can set up a cleanup committee and have it go into effect as soon as everything is over. You both plan to stay here that night so it would be nice not to have a crew in the house cleaning up late into the afternoon and possibly early evening. What do you plan to do right after the wedding and reception is over?”

  “We thought we would go over to Pleasant Point where there are some lovely places to walk by the ocean, stay there for dinner and come home. By then everything should be pretty well cleaned up and taken care of and we can be here by ourselves. The next morning we have flights scheduled for ten o’clock. We will arrive at our first destination around dinner time to eat and settle in.”

  “It sounds like you have everything well in hand, then,” replied her dad. “That is great, we will talk to Esther about the reception. Sheila made a very good point about having to do late cleanup in the house and I agree with that. That is where the reception outside will be a good idea. I am sure Esther will also once you explain it to her. Don’t worry about a thing, we will make all the plans and arrangements and take care of everything. This is your wedding and you do not need to get involved in any more of the details, you have done all you need to do. Your part now is getting married.”

  “Sounds good to us, and we are ready,” replied Todd. “Seems that all is taken care of at this time.”

  “All except looking at the room for the guests. Let’s go do that right now.”

  They went upstairs to the guest room. Her mother opened the door into a large room and she felt certain it would be plenty of room for a couple, and if there were children, they could make provisions for them as well.

  “Looks great,” exclaimed Todd. “Now all we have to do is decide on who will be here. But it will work out just fine. We appreciate all your help.”

  They went back downstairs and Sheila checked on dinner. Clarissa, the cook, told her it would be done in about a half hour, and if she would like, she could bring drinks into the living room for them while they were waiting.

  “Oh, no, Clarissa, please do not bother. I will have Lincoln do it. He will enjoy it. You can notify us when it is time to come into the dining room.”

  She went back to tell the others and her husband got up to mix the drinks. He asked what they wanted and went into the dining room and fixed them.

  “It is a hot day; how about an ice cold gin and tonic? That would be truly refreshing. Is that agreeable to everyone?”

  As he returned with the tray, Todd rose and took it from him to pass around providing each with a drink.

  “You have a lovely home here,” Todd remarked as he sat beside Triessa with his drink in hand. “Homes here are very different from ours in Europe. Over there they seem to be more on a formal style. I am looking forward to spending more time with you all here after the honeymoon when we can do things on a more relaxed basis.”

  “So are we,” replied Sheila. “We can plan some good times and get much better acquainted. We are really happy about the whole idea, aren’t we, Lincoln?”

  “We certainly are, let’s drink to that.”

  They raised their glasses in the air and then each took a sip.

  Clarissa brought the first course to the dining room table, so they all got up and went in to get seated. The men assisted the ladies, then seated themselves. They talked as they ate and soon dinner was over.

  “Let’s go into the living room to have our dessert and coffee there.” suggested Sheila.

  They nodded in agreement and moved into the living room.

  After dessert was finished, they sat and talked a while longer, then Triessa told Todd she thought they should go back to the house and get some rest. Tomorrow they’d do other things, maybe take a tour of the countryside.

  When they got home they sat in the living room a while because they were expecting a call from Matt and Chantelle regarding their arrival. Shortly they called and discussed the situation about the best man, and he suggested that they use Reese and Dirje. It would be fine with him. He could be nearby just the same. He told them he and Chantelle would arrive on Tuesday just before noon. Dirje and Cord would be coming with them on the same flight.

  “That will be great,” replied Todd. “You can all be here at the same time and we can meet you at the airport. We can work out housing arrangements when you get here.”

  They got a call on Friday and his folks still planned to come on schedule. It is a long flight and she would need to get a lot of rest once she arrived. After they hung up, they decided they would like to have some tea before going to bed. Triessa went into the kitchen to make tea, and after she left, the phone rang. Todd answered. It was Spencer. They talked a few minutes. Then Spencer told him they may have to change their plans for arrival. Esther was not feeling well and did not know yet what was going on, but he told him they would call back tomorrow and let him know.

  He went into the kitchen where Triessa had gone to make some tea to tell the news to her.

  “Oh, no,” she cried, “I hope she will be all right. This could change our plans, depending on the situation, and it is getting so close. What is wrong with her? Will she be all right? What will we do?” She began to cry. Her nerves were so on edge these days.

  They went back to the living room to have their tea. Soon they decided to call it a night and Todd kissed her goodnight and went to the cottage. Triessa was a little upset about the situation and decided to wait a few minutes b
efore going to bed. She went to her office to sit and look at the plans they would gone over during the morning to see what would happen if plans needed to be changed. But soon she went to her room and got ready for bed.

  CHAPTER 15

  When she awoke the next morning, she lay there a while wondering how things were going. She was very concerned about what would happen now. When she got down stairs, Todd was already having coffee on the patio. She went out and joined him.

  “How are you, dear? Did you have trouble sleeping? I know you are very concerned but let’s not get too upset until we get a call from them.”

  “I will try to relax. Tomorrow is Friday and we will soon be going to pick them up, if they can keep their schedule at the same time.”

  They had breakfast and were sitting on the patio to be near when the phone rang. It was difficult to relax so he looked at her and suggested, “Why don’t I call them? Then we can plan to do something.”

  “That is an excellent idea.”

  “Good, I will call them and be right back.”

  He soon returned and said she still was not feeling too well but if things did not get worse they could still leave on schedule.

  “We will check again tonight or tomorrow.”

  “Fine, that sounds good. What can we do today?”

  “Well, let’s go out to the garden and look around. Would that relax you?”

  “I believe it would, let’s go.”

  The weekend quickly arrived and it was time to go pick up Todd’s parents.

  “They will be having dinner here this evening,” said Triessa. “Let’s ask my folks to come over tomorrow if they have not already made plans to do so. Maybe we could have Reese and Deanna over together. He had been working with Dad on the garden but she has not been over that often.”

  They got ready to leave for the airport and knew that her car would not be large enough. They went by her dad’s place to use his. It would give them plenty room for all of them to sit and room for the luggage in the trunk.