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Chapter 44 With This Ring I Do Wed

THIS DAY I WILL MARRY
THE ONE I LAUGH WITH, LIVE FOR, DREAM WITH, LOVE...
MY FRIEND....

I woke before the alarm sounded.  I just laid there beside Mark listening to his even, steady breathing. Kate was fast asleep in the other bed. Outside a car would rush by on the interstate and someone was taking a shower on the other side of the wall. The day was waking up. A special day. Tonight Bret would become a husband. Our little Bret. He had grown into quite a young man, if I must say so myself.

I quietly got out of bed and went to the window and pulled back the curtain. The eastern sky was a glow with the promise of a bright sunny day. I stood there for a little while just thinking, then let the curtain drop back in place and went to wake up Mark.

"Mark...," I whispered shaking his shoulder. "Mark...," I said again.

"What?" he said with a start.

"It's 7:30. I think I want to get breakfast. I need to wash my hair and take a shower. Do you want to come with me?"

"Guess I better." he said getting up and walking to the suitcase that laid open on the table.

"Let's let Kate sleep." I whispered pulling a top over my head.

We put the Don't Disturb sign on the outside of the door, pulled it shut and walked to the front of the hotel. While Mark made a couple waffles, I poured us a glass of orange juice and made a bowl of oatmeal. We were the only ones done here so we sat there quiet as we ate, once again in our own little world.

When we got back to the room, Kate was gone. Mark went to check the boys' room while I showered and washed my hair. I had just wrapped it in a towel when he returned. "Kate's over there working on Bret's fingernails! She said that since Emma went to get a manicure, Bret should at least have clean nails. By the looks of things she is giving him a good one!"

"His nails will be cleaner that they ever have been when his sister gets done with them I'm sure."

The clock on the bed stand just kept going around one hour after another, until it was 11;00. "We need to be eating lunch and thinking about getting ready. The wedding is at 1:00 you know," I told my gang as Mark and I made sandwiches for everyone. "Where's Adam?"

"Oh he said he'd get something later. He had to make a trip to the lumberyard." Kate said giving a sandwich to Peter and biting into hers.

"Dad and I are going to be gone for a little bit," Bret said grabbing the car keys. "We have to take yours cause Adam isn't back yet."

"Well don't be too late. You can't put those tuxes on in a minute, you know," I said giving Mark a kiss on the check. "And you have to wear one too, husband, you remember."

"We have a hour at least." Bret said heading for the door.

"Just remember you're getting married at 1:00!"

After they had left, Kate and I cleaned up the lunch mess and were wondering what to do next when Adam came charging into the room carrying a 7 foot step ladder!

"Boy I'm glad they left! We have to get this wrapped." he said, putting it down on the floor and pulling out some Christmas wrapping paper and a roll of tape. Have you ever tried to wrap a 7 foot step ladder? It is interesting, to say the least. It took all four of us to get the job done, but in the end we had a "man type" gift, wrapped in paper with Santa all over it. Big Ho Ho Ho's were written in blue and red's. Very impressive! 

It was getting to be 11:30 and still no Mark and Bret. "Do you know where they were going?" I asked getting concerned. "We need to be getting dressed. I'm going to get mine on so I can help them when they get here, if they ever do!" I was getting a bit upset.

It was 11:45 when they came slowly into the room. "Where have you guys been?" I started in on them. "We have to be over to the house in an hour and 15 minutes. "

"We had to go to the next town east for this," Bret said pulling out the cutest little camera. "Now I can carry it in my pocket and take a picture of Emma when she walks down the aisle."

"Oh how sweet. Now please get dressed!"

"I want to wash the car up a little." Bret said heading for the door.

"Oh no you don't, young man! You are going to get a shower and get this tux on! I'm not going to have you late for your wedding! Now beat it!" I said shoving him toward his room.

It wasn't long before we had three men in room 92, asking for help to get 24 or so tiny buttons fastened.  I mean, have you ever tried to put on a tux? It called for both Kate and my assistance, and boy did they look handsome after it was complete!

"Hey mom," Bret said handing me his shoes. "Would you carry these into the house for me?"

"Why for Pete's sakes?"

"Cause I want to surprise Emma's mom and make her think I'm going to wear these." he said holding up one foot and revealing a cowboy boot and his pant legs stuck down in it.

"Bret, why? That's not nice!"

"I'm just teasing her and seeing what kind of reaction I'll get. She hates cowboys!"

"OK but you have to get serious and wear these! Agreed?"

"I'll wear them!"

The day was beautiful with sunshine and blue skies as Adam brought Bret's 69 white Pontiac to the door. Written in big letters across the back window was the words "Almost Married"  Adam looked real sophisticated in his sunglasses, as he drove the groom to Emma's parents' new home on the outskirts of town.  We followed behind with "the shoes".

"Hey, somebody take my picture before we go in." Bret said sticking one foot up on the hood of the car, a big smile on his face.

"Bret Beck! Get those horrible boots off right now!" It hadn't taken Emma's mom long to notice. Of course it wasn't hard, with Bret strutting around like a proud peacock!

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Those are too snug on my feet!" he said hugging her.

"I don't care. Snug or not!" Judy said while the others were rolling in laugher.

"OK Bret, you have had your fun. Here are your shoes." I said, bringing the box to him.

Oh, I hope this family knows what they are getting into having Bret in the family. He is such a joke. But he has been living close enough to them that they should know him by now! I thought.

Emma had missed all of this as she was in the back bedroom all dressed up to become our Bret's beautiful wife.

The living room was transformed into a beautiful, simple room. Out in the kitchen, the photographer was shooting pictures as the Justice of Peace, Adam and Dena signed their names to the final papers laying on the counter. The three girls were tuning up their stringed instruments and Emma's mom was pinning the corsage on my black pinstriped suit.

At 1:00, Mark and I walked into the living room and took our seat on the couch, with Peter and Kate. It was a small wedding with the immediate family, grandparents and Adam and Dena.

Standing along the south wall, were two golden plant holders, with two simple green plants draping down the sides. The Justice of Peace took his place between them. To one side of him, stood our son and Adam. They looked so handsome in their tuxes.  To the other side stood Dena in her plum colored, long sleeve dress. She was holding a small bouquet of flowers. They were all facing the back hallway just waiting for our beautiful Emma.

As I sat there looking at our son, standing there so straight and handsome, tears started to roll down my cheeks. I couldn't believe that he was getting married this afternoon. I reached over and took hold of Mark's hand. I guess the photographer saw my tear because, before I knew it, there was a box of Kleenex setting next to me!

The three girls lifted their instruments and the soft notes of Canon in D floated out into the room and all around us. Walking slowly down the hall on her father's arm came our Emma. She was beautiful. She wore a floor length white satin gown with long sleeves and satin trim along the bottom. In her hair was a white train falling to her waist. In her hands she held a bouquet of plum and ivory flowers among greenery. She looked amazing. On her lips was a soft, gentle smile. Her father was dressed in a black tux and as he walked toward our son to give his daughter away for always, he too had a pleasant smile on his lips and his eyes were kind as he looked at his brand new son-in-law. I looked over at Emma's mother sitting there with love in her eyes and my heart fell in love with these dear people who would be father and mother to our son. I knew that Bret had chosen well.

"Who gives this woman to be married?"

"Her mother and I."

With these words, Bret stepped forward and Emma's father placed her hand into her groom's hand and they turned to face the judge.

We watched in silence as Emma and Bret promised  they would  stay true through sickness and health...until death did them part. We watched in silence as they placed the simple gold bands on each others fingers, sealing the vows for ever and for always. We all watched as the Justice of Peace looked at Bret and said "You may kiss the bride" We all watched as Bret took his new bride in his arms and kissed her.

We knew Bret was growing into a handsome young man, but when he walked out of that room with his Emma on his arm, he became a true man. He no longer belonged to us. He belonged to Emma. He had given her his name. He had promised to love and cherish and care for her until death did them part. He walked so tall and confident. I was so proud of him. My little Bret, all grown up.

There were lots of slaps on the back, hugs, congratulations, and so glad you're in the family. Adam put on his sunglasses and headed outside to bring up the Pontiac once again. Bret helped Emma into the back seat, tucking her dress in all around her. He gave a wave to everyone as he made his way around the back and into the seat beside her. Dena slipped into the front seat, Adam slipped into the driver's seat and they were all off with a load, long honk.

Mark, Peter, Kate and I stopped by the hotel to somehow get that seven foot ladder! Mark and Peter worked to get it into the car. We were pretty cute going down interstate, a seven foot ladder laying between us, running from the front dash of the car to the back.

Cars were parked all around the community room when we got there. There were grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends standing all around the big room. A long table covered with a white cloth stood at one end. All kinds of pretty colored gifts with purple, silver and white bows sat on top. On the floor in front of the table sat Adam's ladder with its Ho Ho Ho wrapping. A little girl stood at the end of the table on tiptoes, her eyes bright with anticipation, as she eyed the packages.

Just inside the door stood another long table. It was covered with a white cloth and at the corners was plum colored ribbon bows.  A white lattice screen stood behind the table as a backdrop. Dark red punch was at one end with red and white napkins and plates next. Then came the cake. It was three tiers, with the bottom tier made of four smaller cakes. Setting on top was a single boy and girl figurine. Carnations with plum colored tips covered the tops of the other tiers. Greenery ran around the bottom of the cake.

I don't know if Bret was surprised or not but when they cut into the bottom tier, one was a lemon cake, Bret's favorite. Emma had done that for him. They stood there, Bret just a slight bit taller than Emma, his hand over hers while they cut the first piece together. Camera's flashed and hands clapped while they fed each other the first small piece.

As we all ate and talked and took pictures, the young kids were having fun outside! The Pontiac was getting a face lift. Someone had separated oreo cookies and stuck them to the hood and roof. There was crepe paper strips running from one side to the other. There was hearts, made out of shaving cream. On the back window was now written "Just Married" Crepe paper strings held tin cans to the back bumper. Someone had fun blowing up balloons and filling the car. Mark and I stuck our heads out for a minute just in time to see the hood up and a number of boys were discussing something very important. Peter was standing beside the car his hands resting on the fender, talking with three other boys, one had his hands in his pockets while the others were looking at the engine all in deep concentration.

The hands on the clock read 4:00 when Bret announced that they were leaving. The bride stood just inside the door, turned away from all the single girls and gave her bouquet a toss over her head.  There was laughing and "oh no's" as someone caught it and Bret whisked his bride out the door and to the car.

He came to an abrupt stop when he opened the door. He had some balloons to get rid of first! Emma just stood there laughing and Bret started to work.  It didn't take him long to get the job done. He then helped Emma into the front seat, shut the door and waved once again as he ran around to the drivers side. He gave it the gas and out of the muffler came an apple. Bret backed around, rolled down the window, waved and took off, tin cans rattling.  They were Minnesota bound.

That night we stayed in the hotel once again. "Dad and I are going to take the tuxes back to Emma's parents " I announced to the young kids who were playing a game. "We'll be back sometime."

"Ok, take your time." Kate said then turned to Adam and said "Its your turn."

"Well we have just become a part of this wonderful state Mark." I said as we drove along.

"Yes, the farm will always be home, but then your kids grow up, changes come. I like this state, to tell the truth."

"Well you better because we will be coming up here often. After all, we have a son and daughter here now." I said reaching over to take his hand.












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