by Joachim Jean
“This is your bed, Uncle Danny.”Jason placed the monster spray on the spare bed in his room.
“Thanks, Jace.”
“There’s your Army uniform,” Jason remarked, pointing to the open closet.
“I’m wearing my uniform tomorrow at my wedding. Can you help me get my medals on straight tomorrow morning?
The little boy’s eyes lit up.
Jason put his hand up for Danny’s high five.
After the dinner, Eliza and Danny kissed their last kiss as single people at the door and her girls took her home.
“Boy, you kiss Aunt Eliza a lot, Uncle Danny. Yuck!” Jason said making a face.
“When you get older, you’ll understand.”
At ten, Callie, Mac and Danny sat down with a glass of wine and put their feet up. They had been on the go with the dinner, the cleanup and the kids since three o’clock.
“It’s finally here,” Mac said. “There were times when I wasn’t sure you two were going to survive.”
“You and me both,” Danny said.
“Ah…wonderful,” Callie said, smiling.
“To Danny and Eliza, may they be happy now and forever,” Mac said, raising his glass for the toast.
Danny and Callie joined in.
“Thanks for standing up for me tomorrow, Mac.”
“We’ve been through some crazy stuff this year,” Mac said, blinking heavily, determined not to get mushy.
“You’re like my brother, Mac. You’re standing in for Kyle.”
“It must be hard…” Callie said, unable to hold back her tears.
Danny got quiet; Callie went to him and rubbed his back.
“He’d be proud of you,” she whispered, squeezing his shoulder.
Danny nodded, unable to speak.
“This time tomorrow, you’ll be an old married man, Danny.”
Callie gave Danny a goodnight hug while Mac stretched, yawned then draped his arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“Goodnight,” Danny said, with a slight nod before he turned toward Jason’s room to retire for the night.
Danny lay in the single bed in Jason’s room thinking about Kyle. Kyle would never get married, have kids or live in peace, without danger in his life. But Kyle liked danger so maybe he needed to live the way he lived. He needed to get out there and face life and he did. His name would be inscribed somewhere forever and he would live on, frozen in time as a hero. He felt the warmth of Kyle’s smile, his shining eyes and his approval, then fell asleep at peace, without nightmares.
* * * *
Down the hall in the big bedroom, Mac and Callie lay in bed, not ready for sleep.
“This is so romantic, Mac.”
“What, the wedding?”
“Yes, the wedding! Reminds me of our wedding.”
“You floated like a beautiful angel all in white, down the aisle to me.”
“Oh, Mac…that’s so sweet.” She kissed him.
“There are lots of things I think about you, nice things, I don’t tell you.”
“Why?”
“Too mushy.”
“Changing the subject…I forgive you for Danny’s party. I know something happened you need to tell me. I figure you will when you’re ready.”
Mac became silent, his eyes couldn’t meet hers.
“As for Eliza’s party, the stripper kissed me and felt me up a little, that’s all.”
“You kissed him? You let him touch you?” Mac sat up and pulled her around to face him.
“I was drunk. He was cute…young and hunky, almost naked and I was curious. But he didn’t mean anything to me.” She looked at him, her eyes begging for forgiveness.
“Meant he got a free feel. Was your curiosity satisfied?”
“Yup. But he wasn’t what I thought he would be.”
“Why is that?” His hand lifted her chin, making her face him, his eyes studying hers.
“I guess because he wasn’t you,” she whispered, her eyes staring into his, her hand stroking his rough cheek, her lips smiling.
“I love you,” he said, kissing her before he pulled her nightgown over her head and off.
Chapter Thirty
Danny and Eliza’s wedding day took place on a perfect day in May without a cloud in the sky. The sunshine beamed warm approval on the bride and groom as they arrived at the Kiwanis Hall. Eliza came early so she could dress there with Callie to help.
As he promised, Danny let Jason help him pin on one or two medals.
“Do you have the ring, Mac?” Danny asked a touch of nervousness in his voice.
“Right here in my vest pocket.”
Mac and Danny got there early. They had a drink and mingled with their friends. Danny and his Kiwanis buddies were cracking jokes and making comments about the wedding night in a corner of the hall when Danny saw Jonathan Weeks come through the door with Edna, and Laurel Weeks. Danny walked over to greet them.
“Wow! Look at you,” Weeks said, his gaze settling on the medals on Danny’s chest.
“Danny, what are all those medals for?” Edna asked.
He explained each one. “I’m happy you came,” Danny said.
“Look, Danny,” his mother said, waving her left hand in his face. “Jonathan and I got married three weeks ago.”
His eyes stared at the gold band on his mother’s finger. Now Weeks could take his rightful place as Danny’s father, at least his step-father, as well as his biological father. And Edna would be taken care of. Joy mixed with relief in his heart.
“We didn’t want to bother you because you were in the middle of final exams and planning your own wedding. I took them to the town hall,” Laurel explained.
“Congratulations, you two,” Danny said, giving his mother a hug then a kiss on the cheek and shaking Jonathan’s hand.
“Can I speak to you in private, Danny?” Jonathan asked. Not waiting for an answer, he took Danny by the arm and guided him out into the sunlight.
“I don’t have much money, a small pension and social security, but I wanted to give you something for your wedding…after all, you’re my son,” he said.
“You don’t need to.” Danny raised his hand in protest.
“Nonsense!” His father exclaimed as he took a small box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a gold pocket watch.
“This watch belonged to my father and my grandfather, Danny. The watch still works, if you remember to wind the old thing. I want you to have it, son,” Weeks said, blinking back tears.
Danny, too choked up to speak, hugged his father. “I’m honored,” he said when he found his voice.
Weeks wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. Danny took out his handkerchief and dried his eyes, too, before they went back inside.
“Did he like your gift?” Edna asked in a whisper, her hand on Jonathan’s arm.
“Fine. He liked it fine.”
Jack Henderson came over to Danny. They shook hands. “You remember Rosemary, don’t you?” Jack said, “We finally got married.”
Rosemary came forward and shook hands with Danny.
“May I kiss the bride?” Danny asked as he leaned over. “Congratulations!”
Danny punched Jack in the arm and introduced his parents.
“I’m sorry Jenny couldn’t be here,” Jack said.
“That’s okay.” Danny shifted uneasily.
“She’s in California, getting her Master’s. She wants to work with Iraq vets,” Jack explained.
Danny smiled his approval, happy to know she would not be there.
* * * *
In the backroom, Eliza put on her gown and Callie zipped it up. Kaitlyn and Sally were crying.
“Lize, you look gorgeous,” Callie said.
Eliza’s dress was white chiffon over a white taffeta skirt, strapless and form-fitting. She wore the sapphire necklace and matching earrings Danny had given her as a wedding present, she looked radiant.
“Callie, do you have the ring?”
“Mac and I
will put both rings on the pillow Jason will carry.”
“Does Mac have my ring?”
“I’m sure he does. You know how anal he is about these things.”
“Right, he never forgets anything important.”
Kaitlyn and Sally dried their eyes.
“You look beautiful, Mom,” Sally said.
“Incredible,” Kaitlyn said.
“Thank you girls,” Eliza said, hugging them. “Have you finished being sad?”
They laughed.
“I might cry, too, Lize,” Callie said.
“Don’t you dare! If you all cry, then I’ll cry and ruin my makeup and look awful and it’ll be your fault…all three of you.”
“I’m starving. Girls, could you find some hors d’oeuvres for me?”
“Are you all right?” Callie asked her.
“I need to sit down for a minute.”
The two friends shared a sofa when the twins came back with a small plate of food. Eliza quickly ate three cheese puffs and two shrimp.
* * * *
Kaitlyn and Sally rounded up John Lawrence and they were ready to begin.
Mary Carter from the music department played the piano. Callie went down the aisle first. Mac watched her walk. She caught his eye and returned his warm grin.
Danny watched the women proceed slowly down the aisle, shifting his weight from foot to foot. Finally, it was Jason’s turn. In his fancy suit he marched down the aisle by himself. He held the pillow rigidly out in front, balancing both small rings perfectly. But he got scared when he saw all the people. He froze a quarter of the way down the aisle and couldn’t continue. His mother coaxed him, but he started to cry and the pillow wobbled, dumping the rings on the floor.
Mac retrieved the rings and Danny went to Jason. He crouched down, took out his handkerchief and wiped Jason’s face.
“Jason, look at me,” he said taking Jason’s face in his hands. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m scared,” the little boy whispered.
“It’s okay to be scared, but us military guys, us soldiers, we never show fear. Did you know that? Even when you’re real scared, don’t let anyone see.”
“Yeah?”
“You’ve got to pretend not to be scared, if you want to be a soldier.”
“Can I be a soldier?”
“Sure. Pretend you’re not scared to walk down this aisle. Do you think you can?”
“Yes, sir,” Jason said, saluting Danny.
“Okay, buddy. Here goes.” Danny stood up, and nodded to Mac who returned the pillow with the rings to Jason. Mac steadied the pillow in Jason’s hands and smiled at his son. Then the two men went back to their positions.
Jason took a breath, put on a solemn face and continued the rest of the way down the aisle. He presented the pillow first to Callie who took Danny’s ring, then to Mac who took Eliza’s ring. Folks applauded, so Jason turned around and took a bow, which made the crowd laugh and clap again.
When Eliza rounded the corner, her eyes widened to see two hundred people at her wedding when she expected only fifty. She knew Danny touched the lives of many people in Willow Falls and apparently they all wanted to be here to share his special day.
“This is a real privilege for me, Eliza,” John said, patting her hand.
She smiled at him, nervous all of a sudden. Then she saw Danny, looking so handsome, standing straight and tall in his uniform.
Danny’s eyes got wide when he saw her. She chuckled to see his reaction, then smiled warmly at him when their eyes connected. Eliza stopped for a second and leaned on John’s arm as she felt a little dizzy.
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
She nodded.
Danny almost ran up the aisle to get to her.
“She’s okay. John will take care of her.” Mac put a hand on Danny’s arm.
Danny waited nervously shifting his weight from foot to foot.
Eliza regained her balance and continued down the aisle with John.
When she got near Danny, the justice of the peace asked, “Who gives this woman?”
“I do,” John Lawrence replied, kissing her on the cheek, giving her a hug.
Danny stepped down to Eliza and offered his hand.
She took it, beaming at him. A hush fell on the room.
When the judge asked Danny, he said, “I do, now and forever.”
Danny’s hand was steady when he slid the wedding band on Eliza’s finger.
Eliza’s hand shook a little, but she managed to get the ring on him amid laughter.
She said, “I do, now and forever.”
When the ceremony finished, Callie pulled out one of Mac’s handkerchiefs to wipe her eyes.
Danny turned to Eliza for the kiss. He took her gently in his arms, afraid to crush her, and gave her a long, adoring kiss. The crowd clapped when they broke and started down the aisle.
The reception became a joyous occasion with food and liquor donated by Kiwanis members. Dale Bailey made two of her famous cakes, like the one she made for Callie and Mac’s wedding. A local band performed, courtesy of John Lawrence. They played Eliza and Danny’s song, At Last. The bride and groom only had eyes for each other as they swayed gently and gracefully around the dance floor. The music had dancers up and gyrating. Eliza tired too quickly to dance much so Danny danced most of his dances with Callie, leaving Mac and Eliza to share a few minutes alone.
“How are you?” Mac asked, staring at her, his brows knitted with concern.
“Okay. Wedding jitters and stress tiring me out,” she lied, avoiding his stare.
“Are you happy?”
“I’m so happy…you have no idea.”
“You deserve to be happy. Danny is a pretty great guy.”
“I’m so glad you two are friends,” she said, taking his hand.
“Callie feels the same.”
Callie came over and sat down heavily.
“Danny is wearing me out. I’ve got to conserve my energy, I have two kids to go home to,” she said, rubbing her heel.
Jason danced with Kaitlyn. Tanner danced with Sally. Danny coaxed Eliza onto the floor for a slow dance. He maneuvered them close to Sally.
“Don’t Sally and Tanner make a nice couple?” Eliza remarked.
“If he breaks her heart, I may have to kill him.”
“Danny!” Eliza exclaimed, her eyes wide with alarm.
“Just kidding, just kidding. Maybe only mess him up a little.”
“Danny, we have to stay out of their lives. They are grown-ups now.”
When the dance finished, Danny managed to get close to Tanner.
“Hey, Tanner...”
“Congratulations, Danny!” Tanner said, slapping Danny on the back.
“Thanks. If you break Sally’s heart…I’ll find you,” he said, his lips smiling, but his eyes blazed with threat.
Tanner stopped and looked hard at Danny, a quizzical expression in his eyes.
Finally time to leave arrived. Danny and Eliza went into the back to change their clothes. He took her in his arms and kissed her, threading his fingers through her hair, cupping her head and pulling her to him.
“Your second kiss as Mrs. Maine,” Danny said with pride.
“Let’s get on the road. I want to be alone with you, sweetheart.”
“I’m there, Sweetpea.”
They climbed into the car and left amid a roar of people cheering, throwing rice, singing and tin cans clanking on the road behind the car. They drove to the new house, Danny cut the tin cans off the car, loaded both dogs and their dog food into the car and took off for the lake. Eliza fell asleep, along with Rocky, who snored the whole way.
Chapter Thirty-One
Back in Willow Falls, Mac made a date with Callie to get together after the children were in bed. He bought their favorite wine and lit candles.
“What’s up, Mac?” Callie asked, settling down on the sofa in her nightgown.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Nothing. Remember when you said I would tell you what happened at Danny’s party when I was ready. I’m ready now.” He paced nervously.
“I’m listening.” Her hands gripped the arm of the chair, her eyes on him.
“Where to begin. Where to begin. I have a past I’m not totally proud of. I did some things perhaps I shouldn’t have done. Slept with some women maybe I shouldn’t have.”
“What’s past is past.”
“When Audrey and I got divorced, I spent some time on Friday nights at The Wet Tee Shirt.”
“You did?” Callie tucked one leg under her and rose higher in the upholstered chair.
“I’m human. I’m a guy after all...you know…”
“How much time?”
“Every Friday night for six months.” He clenched and unclenched his hands which were damp with sweat.
“Wow!”
“Well…I started dating one of the dancers there…Deena.”
“You dated a stripper?”
“Callie, this is going to take all night if you keep interrupting me. Yes, I dated a stripper.”
“Perhaps dated is the wrong word, Mac.”
“Callie!”
“Okay, okay. No more interruptions.”
“Where was I. Oh…I dated Deena and, yes, we were sleeping together. But after two months, I broke it off.”
“And so…”
“At Danny’s party, we met up again.”
“She’s still working there?”
He nodded.
Callie’s eyes started to tear up. She looked away from Mac.
“Don’t start. Please don’t. Wait until you’ve heard the whole thing. Please.” He reached for her hand which she pulled away from him. “Okay, I get it. You’re mad. I thought you already forgave me?”
“I didn’t know you met someone you’d slept with before. I thought all the women there were strangers.”
“So forgiveness is contingent on whether or not I had slept with the dancer before?”