by Rikki Dyson
“Keep me posted on your grandmother, Shane. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart,” Shane replied.
Stacey sat there for a long time thinking after the worrisome phone conversation with Shane. The family history suddenly forgotten.
Chapter 40
Scotland
Things were a bit different in Scotland. Shane’s grandmother was doing very well. The doctor said she should be home in a week or so. Shane, with his mother and dad were visiting with Grandmother McLeod in hospital. Shane flew up for the weekend, now he wished he hadn’t. Stacey had brought pictures of just the barn to show Shane where the wedding ceremony was to be held. How Stacey explained it seemed perfectly logical to Shane.
“Mother McLeod, did Shane tell you they’re getting married in a barn?” his mother asked, incredulously.
“Yes dear, he did mention it. I’m sure it will be a lovely ceremony.”
“But Mother McLeod, in a barn!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“Mother, I’m sure it’s a perfectly good barn,” Shane assured her wishing he had never mentioned it to her or shown her the pictures.
“Shane, darling, do they not have a church?” Elizabeth McLeod asked.
“Yes, Mother, of course they have a church, but Stacey said it will not hold everyone. Stacey has a rather large family, plus there are other people who will want to come.”
“Perhaps they shouldn’t invite so many then,” Elizabeth said.
“Oh, they will come, whether they’re invited or not,” Shane said with conviction. “The reception is open to all.”
“Shane darling, I have a wonderful idea,” his mother said. “What if we all get together and pay their flight and hotel bill. That way we can have the wedding right here in Edinburgh.”
“Elizabeth, that could very well offend them,” Andrew said.
“Thank you, Dad. No, Mother, Dad’s right, I’m sure they’re very proud people.”
“Shane, doesn’t this bother you, being married in a cow barn?” his mother asked.
“No, Mother, it doesn’t. I couldn’t care less if we’re married in a pig sty. I want to be married to Stacey and have her here with me.”
“Shane darling, I know you love Stacey. We all like her immensely, but this is something you do once in a life time. You’ll want good memories and pictures of Stacey looking beautiful in her wedding gown walking down the aisle.”
“Well, now that’s another thing, Mother. Stacey’s wants to wear her mother’s old wedding gown,” Shane slapped his palm to his forehead wondering why in bloody hell did I tell her that. Deep down inside I must be a masochist, he thought.
Shane, did you tell Stacey you could afford to buy her a wedding gown? Every girl dreams of her wedding day and her own wedding gown.”
“Yes Mother, of course I told her, but she sees no need for the expense when her mother’s gown is good enough. Besides, Stacey’s grandmother made it for Stacey’s mother when she married Stacey’s dad. So this way it makes everyone happy.”
Shane’s grandmother lay in her hospital bed, watching her grandson having to much fun at his mothers expense. Elizabeth McLeod was not going to give up on this. She was prepared to dogge to the end and get her point through. “Shane, do you realize they have invited your
cousin’s from Australia and Canada to the wedding?”
“Yes, Mother, isn’t it wonderful? Mother, don’t worry. They’re very nice hard working people, I’m sure you’re going to like them just fine. Besides, I’m not marrying them. I’m marrying Stacey.”
Shane kissed his grandmother and his mother, took his dad’s hand and said, “I must go, I’ll see you soon.”
The next two weeks for Stacey were busy cramming. She would only be gone a week, but she couldn’t afford to get behind on her studies. The family history book was put away and forgotten for the time being. Mr. Chen drove Stacey to the airport. Her dad was at the clinic and her mom was teaching a class.
People always seemed to notice, when a Chinese gentleman and an Anglo girl are standing and speaking Chinese. People tend to look and listen, like they’re really going to understand. Stacey learned a long time ago, to be tolerant of human curiosity. Stacey truly loved this man, her, mom-a-daddy, as she referred to him when she was first learning to talk. He had always been there for her. Stacey loved her parents, but this man was like a parent too. She had always known he would drop everything and come running if she needed him.
“Darren and Suzie are very lucky to have you in their lives,” Stacey told Mr. Chen, as they waited in the airport for her flight to be called.
“You’re biased little daughter,” he said with a big smile.
“Yes, absolutely,” Stacey said. “Because I know you and I know what a good man and a good parent you are.”
Stacey’s flight was called. She hugged and kissed Mr. Chen bye. With any kind of luck, she would be in London in a few hours. She was looking forward to being with Shane primarily, but she was excited about the possibility of the opportunity to search more for the people from the past, when Shane was occupied at the medical center.
Chapter 41
February
Annie picked Stacey up at the airport. Shane was in surgery and couldn’t get away. “That’s okay,” Stacey said. “It gives us time for girl-talk. Are you getting the wedding jitters yet?”
“No.” Annie said. “This feels very right. I would just as soon elope though, but that’s out of the question. Hugh eloped with Barbara, and we know how that turned out. Besides his family is looking forward to this wedding and we don’t want to disappoint them.”
“I know what you mean, how is your family acting?”
“Very well,” Annie said. “Better than I expected.”
“That’s great, they had to get a brain sometime,” Stacey said. “When do I pick up my maid of honor dress? Did Mrs. McGraw make it?”
“Yes, she used your November measurements.”
“Good, they’re still the same as far as I know. I’ll go see her tomorrow.”
“Do you want me to come up with you?” Annie asked as they pulled up in front of Shane’s building.
“No, not necessary, I’m gonna’ shower and take a nap until Shane gets home.”
When Shane walked into the bedroom, Stacey was on her tummy sound asleep. He undressed, took a quick shower and laid down with her. Stacey raised her head and said, “Hi.”
“Go back to sleep sweetheart,” Shane said as he softly kissed her lips.
“Like that’s gonna’ happen,” Stacey said. “I’ve been without you much to long.”
Shane took her in his arms and kissed her. Stacey raised up and pushed him on his back and starting kissing him. “I’ve missed you so much, I could devour you,” she said.
“Be sure to leave enough for me to make love to you.”
“Always,” Stacey said.
She was kissing his chest and tummy. As she was kissing lower, he raised his head and said, “Where do you think you’re going?”
Very shyly she said, “To say, hello, to Willie and the boys.”
“My love, I haven’t been with you for some weeks. I fear with intimate contact, he quite possibly salivate on you.”
“He would be an ungrateful bloke, don’t you think?” Stacey said quite seriously.”
Shane chortled heartily, hugged her and said, “It’s so good to have you and your sense of humor back in my arms again. You make me a happy man.”
“What I’d like to do is make you a very, very happy man.”
Shane rolled her on her back and made them both very, very happy indeed.
As usual they laid in each others arms and talked. Stacey asked about his grandmother? Shane said, “She’s doing very well, not able to maneuver the stairs yet. Of course Beebe is right with her. She made Grandmother a temporary bedroom downstairs in Granddad’s old study.”
“I wish we could go visit with her, but I know you can’t get away, so I’ll do the n
ext best thing and call her.”
“That’s my girl. Grandmother told me you call often and talk the time away and you ask about her and my grandfather. She loves talking with you, she said your questions bring back wonderful memories for her.”
“Yes, I do call her often. I’m so glad she doesn’t mind my questions. We talk about you a lot too, I hope you don’t mind. Oh, by the way, I didn’t tell you, I’m a wealthy woman now.” “How so?” Shane asked.
“I sold, well actually J.B. did, two of my bulls, for thirty thousand dollars.”
“Congratulations, miss tycoon,” Shane said.
“No, no,” Stacey said. “I’m no longer a miss, I’m a Mrs. tycoon now.”
Shane was chuckling and kissing her at the same time. He said, “Beautiful lady, you’re my Mrs. now. Welcome back into my arms.” Of course, kissing and caressing led to other things and it was six p.m. before they knew it. When Stacey went to the kitchen to look for food to prepare for supper, she was shocked to find the refrigerator and the pantry stocked. She told Shane, “I must make it a point to thank Mrs. Wyatt.”
“For what?” he asked.
“For stocking up on groceries.”
“In a pigs eye,” Shane said. “I did that.”
“You? You went to the supper market?” Stacey said, in a state of surprise.
“Must I remind you, you’re married to a man of many talents,” Shane said with a self satisfied smile.
“I’m very proud of you,” Stacey said, as she gave him a kiss. “What would you like for supper?” Shane gave her his sly grin. “From the refrigerator,” she informed him.
“I did the shopping,” he said. “the menu process is your department.”
As Stacey was going through the pantry to see what was available, she found a box of cereal. she said, “Cheerios, you bought Cheerios!”
“Yes, why not?”
“I’ve never thought of you as a Cheerios, kind of guy.”
“Andrea’s little son, Ryan eats them, so I tried them, they were quite palatable.”
Stacey laughed and said, “Yes, they’re very good, but I bet that’s the first time they’ve been described as that.”
“What do you mean?” Shane asked.
“Never mind, my love. I bet you could become Americanized very easily.”
“I don’t know about that,” Shane said, “but I do love my American wife.”
“Ohhh, that will get you anything you want for supper or afterwards.” There was a pause, then Stacey said, “I have a Cheerios joke. Would you like to hear it?”
With an indulgent look, he said, “Absolutely, sweetheart, have a go.”
“I’m not very good at joke telling, so here goes.” Two little boys were in their room talking, the five year old said, ”I think it time we start cussing. When we go down to breakfast, I will say, Hell and you can say Ass, he told the four year old. They climbed up to the table and their mother asked what they wanted for breakfast. The five year old said, Oh hell, I’ll have cheerios. His mom grabbed him from the chair and swatted his bottom all the way up the stairs. When the mother came back downstairs she asked the other little boy what he wanted for breakfast, the four year said, you can bet your ass it won’t be cheerios. Shane laughed and got choked on his coffee.
“It wasn’t that funny,” Stacey said.
“Oh yes, it was cracking good,” he said. “I must remember it, to tell Nigel and Iain. They have children.”
“I fear it may lose something in the translation,” Stacey said, and shook her head.
Chapter 42
In-Laws
Hugh called on Sunday morning, and made a date to meet Shane and Stacey for lunch.
“I’m so glad your mom and dad are coming to the wedding,” Annie said.
“Does this mean more sneaking around, like at my parents house?” Shane asked.
“No, They won’t be here over night. They’re going on to Madrid from here.”
“Why?” Shane inquired.
“Horse business,” Stacey said. “I was gonna’ tell you, but I forgot. We’ll need to pick them up at the airport at six a.m. next Saturday.”
“Is Mr. Chen and Eric coming?” Annie asked.
“Yes, they are, they’ll be staying over night and we’ll travel back together.”
Shane looked at his wife aghast and said, “Sweetheart, that’s our last night together.”
“Don’t worry about that, they already have hotel reservations. Besides, they know we’re married.”
“How many people have you told?” Shane asked.
“Just Eric and Mr. Chen,” Stacey said.
“How many know?” Annie asked.
“Not that many. Shane’s grandmother, Mrs. Beebe, Mrs. Wyatt, Mr. Chen, Eric, and everyone at your uncle’s party and you two, of course.”
“Stacey, why did you tell Mr. Chen?” Hugh asked.
Shane knew Stacey was very protective of Mr. Chen, softly she said, “Because I value his opinion of me.”
Hugh laid his arms on the table, leaned on them and said, “You’re an enigma, Stacey. I don’t begin to know you, do I?”
“No you don’t Hugh, but hopefully in time you will. You’re my husband’s best friend and my best friend’s husband, so I think we should make a real effort.”
Hugh leaned back and said, “You don’t mince words, do you young lady?”
“No,” Stacey said. “Not about something this important.”
Annie and Shane looked at one another and smiled. Shane reached over and playfully slapped his friend on the shoulder and said, “Come in out of the cold Hugh. I’ve been her adversary before, you won’t like it.”
On their way home, Stacey asked, “Does Hugh still think I’m gonna’ kick you to the curb? You know, like lead you down the garden path?”
Shane smiled at her and asked, “Where do you come up with these old adages?”
“Never mind that, just answer my question.”
“No sweetheart, Hugh knows you love me. Annie has set him straight on that. I think he enjoys sparing with you.”
It was still early when they reached home, so they watched a Rugby game on TV, then went to bed. On Monday morning, Stacey made scones and coffee for breakfast. Mrs. Wyatt arrived and was all a gush. She asked, “Did you notice, Doctor McLeod went to the market? I tell you Mrs. McLeod, I’ve worked for the doctor for almost five years. To be sure, I’ve never known him to do such a thing before.”
“Don’t fret over it Mrs. Wyatt, the practice will do him good. When we have children, he’ll need to know how to do these things, so he can help out around here. He’s gonna’ be a hands on father.”
“Yes ma’am,” Mrs. Wyatt said. “To be sure, I believe he will be.”
Stacey went to Mrs. McGraw’s shop to try on her maid of honor dress. It fit perfectly. Annie and Hugh’s wedding motif has a valentine theme. The maid of honor and bridesmaids dresses are the same style and color. They’re red satin, ankle length sheath dresses, with one long sleeve and the other arm and shoulder bare. The skirt has a slit down the back. It looks very elegant. Mrs. McGraw boxed it up and Stacey took it home.
Annie and Hugh’s wedding day was on Saturday, February fifteenth, two p.m. at St. George’s church. Hugh and Annie have invited Shane’s parents as well as Stacey’s. This will be the first meeting of Shane, his parents, Stacey’s parents plus Mr. Chen. Of course, Shane knows Eric from last summer. Stacey has no worries about her dad, Eric and Mr. Chen. She feels sure Shane, his dad and her dad will do fine. However, Shane’s mother, and her mother, may be a different story. Elizabeth McLeod and Mr. Chen have communicated a few times by e-mail on preserving, after Stacey gave him the jar of preserves that Elizabeth sent him.
Elizabeth, shall we say, is a bit upset that her son is getting married in a barn. Jessica is ready for any snide remarks this sophisticated English woman may have to say about her daughter. Jessie read and re-read the Christmas card Elizabeth McLeod sent. Jessie got the distin
ct impression that Elizabeth McLeod thought she was commiserating with people a class lower than herself. This raised Jessica’s hackles. Well, this wedding would give both women a chance to evaluate the lay of the land, so to speak. Neither Stacey or Shane are totally aware of the smoldering hostilities of these two women.
Stacey had supper ready by the time Shane got home from a hectic day at the hospital. He ate, showered and fell in bed. Stacey had just finished the dishes and was on her way upstairs when the phone rang. It was Shane’s mother calling. When Stacey answered, Elizabeth McLeod asked, “Who is this?”
Stacey looked at the phone, then put it back to her ear. “This is Stacey, Mrs. McLeod.”
“Oh Stacey darling, may I speak to my son?”
“I’m sorry, Shane is sound asleep, he had a rough day at the hospital.”
“Well,” Elizabeth said. “I suppose I can tell you. Shane’s father and I would like to stay over in the flat on Saturday night. We look forward to taking you both out to dinner. Do you think that will be alright, Stacey, dear?”
“Yes ma’am, as for as I’m concerned, you both are more than welcome.”
They talked for a bit and Stacey asked about Grandmother McLeod and Doctor McLeod? Elizabeth McLeod couldn’t have been more cordial.
The next morning before the alarm went off, Shane was kissing and exploring Stacey’s warm body. Shane was in an amorous mood with nothing on his mind, but making love to Stacey, when she said, “Oh, by the way, your mother called last night.” He was prone to enter when she said, “They wanna’ spend the night here Saturday night after the wedding and go home the next day.”
“Hum,” Shane said in the early moments of his delight.
“I told them okay,” Stacey said.
Shane, enthralled in blissfulness at the moment said, “Hum.” All of a sudden, Shane’s eyes opened, he fell on top of Stacey and said, “You did what?”