All was quiet except for Miss Busybody who was getting anxious about the wedding day. Although she was in no hurry, the longer it took for Milford to find a place to hold the wedding, she felt it wouldn't happen. She didn't pressure Milford but she was a bit on edge.

She decided to go shopping for a wedding dress and she had two people in mind to accompany her. The door bell rang and she answered the door as calmly as she could.

She opened the door to her soon to be, pink haired niece. "Hello Stephanie! Please do come in."

"Thanks Bessie. I'm glad you asked me and Laney to help you with your wedding dress."

"Oh yes. Where is the dear?"

"She's not here yet? I'll try and call her. Maybe she's running late."


Elena had managed to shower and get dressed early. She had time so, she laid back down for a quick nap, which ended up not being so quick. She had another sleepwalking episode. They tired her out when she had them. And Sportacus was just as tired because he was on night duty. He even tried staying with her a few nights to watch her but she managed to disappear without a trace. Her nightmares were quiet with maybe one or two unsettling dreams but the sleepwalking was the biggest mystery. They decided not to tell anyone about the nightmares or the sleepwalking. They wanted to make sure nothing was going to interfere with Bessie's wedding.

She felt bad but, as Sportacus said, it was out of her control. She lay sprawled on her sofa and awoke to the ringing of her phone. She reached around and found the receiver but fell on the floor as she picked it up.

"Wha!" Thunk. "Ouch. Hello?"

"Hey Laney! It's Stephanie. Bessie and I are ready to go shopping for her dress. Are you still coming?"

Elena shook her head hard to wake up. "Huh? Oh yes. Give me ten minutes. I'll see you soon."

She hung up the phone and got up and went into the bathroom. She splashed water on her face, did a few stretches, grabbed a bagel and she was out the door.


Sportacus was coaxed awake by his airship. "Sportacus. You need to wake up! It's ten o'clock."

He turned over on his back and yawned. He slowly sat up. "Thank you. I'm up."

"Sportacus. I suggest you stop staying up so late. You won't be performing at your best for rescues."

"Actually, that's why I haven't been sleeping. Elena has been sleepwalking. But she gets away from me and I don't know how. Anyway, I have to meet with the mayor so we can find a place for his wedding." He jumped out of bed, stretched, brushed his teeth and started on his morning exercises then he was off to meet the mayor.


Elena met up with Bessie and Stephanie. "Sorry I'm late. I didn't sleep well."

"Is there anything we can help with my dear?"

"No. Just a little restless. Thank you for inviting me to help you."

"Not at all, my dear. We all need a ladies day out after all."

"Bessie! Don't forget your purse." Milford ran over, and handed her her purse. It still felt strange calling her by her first name. The only reason he didn't before, was nerves. He had always loved Bessie very much. Ever since he first laid eyes on her. And he would always treat her like a queen because she deserved it.

Sportacus flipped his way to the group. "Hi everyone!"

"Hey Sportacus! What's going on?"

"The mayor and I have some things to talk about but I needed to talk to Elena before you leave."

"Of course. Take all the time you need." Bessie added.

Sportacus smiled and pulled Elena aside. "Are you feeling up to this?"

She offered her best smile. "Yes. I'm fine. Besides I can't live in fear over what might happen. I'm not going to stop living my life that I've just started living."

He grinned. "Of course not. I just want to make sure you're ok."

She smiled awkwardly and nodded.

"I do have a favor to ask you. The mayor is having trouble finding a place to hold the wedding. I remember you mentioned that meadow and how beautiful it was. Would you mind if I showed it to him?"

" course not. I think it would be a wonderful place for a wedding." She have him a hug.

Bessie and Stephanie saw the look on Sportacus's face when she hugged him.

"Just how long is it going to be before these two get together?" Stephanie whispered to Bessie "If they keep going like this, I think I'll be married before they will."

"Patience is a virtue, my dear."

"For us or them?" Stephanie joked. Bessie let out a chuckle.

Elena rejoined Bessie and Stephanie and they headed out for a day of dress shopping.

Sportacus walked over to the mayor. "Oh Sportacus. I think we are running out of time. I'm afraid we won't find the perfect place."

"Mayor, I think there is a perfect spot. I haven't seen it but from what Elena said, it's the one. We should take the airship. It's a little ways away. Why don't you meet me in Lazy Grove and we'll head out."

"Airship? Oh my. This will be exciting. I'll meet you there."


The mayor marveled over the ride in the airship. It wasn't the same as flying a plane. He got a little motion sick and had to step away from the window. Sportacus landed on a back road near where he found Elena when she had her nightmare.

"There is a path through there. The spot should be just beyond those trees."

He started to walk and noticed the mayor was unusually silent. He kept looking around. "Mayor? What's wrong?"

"I-I think I've been here before. It looks very familiar." He started walking on the path. Sportacus followed. They came on the clearing and the colorful meadow and-

"The tree."

Elena was right. This was a very beautiful place. And the tree was magnificent. Sportacus stood there in awe. "Wow." He whispered. "You've been here before?"

"Oh, Sportacus. This, this is the place." He reflected. "It's where I first met Bessie."

"First met her?"

"We were coming back from a senior class trip and one of the busses broke down on the road close to where you landed. Some of the students hung out by the busses and others wandered around. I saw one of the female students walk through the path and decided to follow her for safety. I finally got courage enough to call out to her and when she turned around, it felt like my heart was coming out of my chest. So, I joined her on the walk. I was so nervous I stuttered most of the time.

Then we came upon a gorgeous meadow, this one, with the most unusual tree we had ever seen. We didn't get to stay long because the school bus horns sounded as soon as we got there. But to see her against that tree was breathtaking. It was such a long time ago, it became a distant memory. Like a faded picture. Until today."

They looked at the leaves on the tree. The tops were a glistening white and the bottoms were orange/red. It was stunning at every angle.

"Sportacus. I'm getting married..."