I haven't written a wedding into any of my stories. I need one!

25

Amber looked through the church bulletin. She flipped the pages until she found the words, "Wedding Banns" written in a small box.

"C. Collins and A. (Von Tussle) Dupree"

This was the first of three weeks the announcement would appear. While making plans, Corny smacked his head and said, "We have to get the Banns!"

"What bands?" Amber puzzled, "We don't need a band. I'm not even sure the restaurant will hold it."

"Not Bands, silly bug!" He touched her nose with one finger, "Banns. Wedding Banns. They are announcing to the world that we're getting married. It's a Catholic thing. I'm surprised they didn't bring it up in Pre-Cana. I'll have to get with Fr. Joe and get them published."

Amber tried not to be annoyed with the whole Catholic tradition thing. He was, afterall, already there. When he told her that her marriage would have to be annulled before theirs could proceed, she nearly flipped out. How stupid was this? Dissolving a marriage that was already long through divorce was ridiculous. When she started to protest, she looked at his face. He looked dejected. Of course she would do anything he wanted, anything he needed. The twelve page questionnaire, the amount of cash to the Diocese, coming up with impartial witnesses to Robert's affairs, all of it was worth it, for him. He wanted to do things right, she had to go with it. He was so amazing, she found herself understanding totally how Maria felt. She would do anything for him.

Rosie leaned on her, dozing in the pew. She glanced past her to Salvatore Moralez. Never in a million years did she ever want or think that she would be dealing with this man. But as usual, her future husband astonished and amazed her. His love and understanding of the Grandparents of his daughter, was something that she simply couldn't fathom. How could he even give them time of day when they had been so horrible to him? He gently told her how important this was to him. How important it was to Rosie, to be able to see them as a whole family. She didn't like it, she wasn't happy, but like her mother, the man she loved along with the Moralez family themselves, changed her heart.

She didn't want to eat dinner with these people, she didn't want to go to their house, but when she arrived, she was embraced by every one of them, welcoming her to the family. She saw the pain in Marixa's eyes as she approached. Amber realized that this meeting was as hard on Marixa as it was on her. After dinner, she followed her to the kitchen.

"Mrs. Moralez, may I help you with clean-up?" Amber asked putting plates from the table down on the counter.

Marixa looked around. No one was coming in to save her. "If you like, Senora."

Amber wasn't sure if the title was used as respect or insult. She decided to let it pass.

"Would you like me to wash or dry?"

Marixa handed her a drying towel without looking up. They wordlessly began their task. Amber could feel her discomfort as they worked. Both Rosalinda and Rosie brought dishes from the table. Amber kept wiping, wishing she was anywhere but there. Finally when the table was clear, the door did not open again.

"I don't want you to replace my daughter." Marixa suddenly growled.

Amber nearly dropped a plate. She looked at her, "I will never replace your daughter Ma'am. I could not come near to filling her shoes. Even if I wanted to."

Marixa smiled for the first time but it wasn't a pleasant gesture. "That is correct."

There was silence again. Amber glanced over to see tears fall from Marixa's eyes. She wiped them and continued washing. How hard this must be on her. Amber surprised herself with a prayer of thanksgiving for her therapy training, then turned to the older woman.

"Ma'am, please understand, I don't expect you to like me. I don't even expect you to give me the time of day. But I will try very hard to not make your life miserable while doing the best for Rosie." She began in her best emotionless voice, "I'm not here for myself. I'm here because it would be in the best interest of your Granddaughter that we can see each other and remain pleasant. Anything that I can do to make that easier on you, I am more than willing to do."

Although Marixa said nothing, Amber could see her soften. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes again. "I will try as well, thank you." And she turned away. Amber took it as her cue to return to Corny's side. He smiled as she took the seat next to him and his hand under the table. She closed her eyes and knew that she and Marixa would never be friends. Marixa proved her wrong.

o0o

The wedding had become a much bigger event than either of them had planned. It was to be simple, a trip to the church, an exchange of vows, out to dinner. Nothing more. As time wore on, it grew. People announced they would be at the church to witness the ceremony, so they had to be included in the meal after. Keri said she would fly in to be Maid of Honor, bringing two residents and a nurse with her. Velma was flying in early, Maybelle volunteered a cake. It snowballed. Amber was feeling a bit overwhelmed. She had a big wedding last time and didn't want another. How could she leave out those that truly cared about them? Unlike the last time, this one really was about them together, not just him. Not just her, but them. She was putting together lists when the doorbell rang. Marixa stood silently with a box in her hands.

"Oh I'm sorry Mrs. Moralez." Amber began with her best smile, "They're not here. I dropped both of them off for therapy today. Would you like me to have….."

"I'm here to see you." Marixa interrupted.

"Oh!" Amber was taken aback, "Please come in."

Marixa made her way to the sofa. She was much more at ease than Amber at the moment. "What may I help you with, Ma'am?" Amber asked.

Marixa took a deep breath and looked heavenward. "I saw Maria. She spoke with me."

Amber looked at her. Corny had told her of superstitions well known to Old World people. Some were from the countries they came from, some were the traditions of historic Catholics. The Moralez family believed in both. Amber had nothing to say.

"She came to me in the night." Marixa looked Amber in the eye for the first time since they had met. "Maria told me that I should look at how you did things. How you act in the proper way. How you love Rosie. The way you will not let her call you, 'Mama' or

how you share no marital bed before it is your right. She said to look and see you como buena mujer." She stumbled for a second, "…a good woman."

Marixa ran her hand over the box in her lap. "She told me that when we accepted CJ into our family, he became our son. Now you are to be his wife." She sniffed. "Maria knows you will take her family to the future she meant them to have. She wants me to accept you as a member of our family. She wishes it to be this way."

To Marixa, this wasn't a dream, it was reality. Amber couldn't say a thing.

"Back in my country, when a couple is married, an honored couple will place "El Lazo" around their shoulders to symbolize their union before Our Lord." She opened the box. Lying in velvet was a Rosary like Amber had never seen. It was very long, with two loops that connected to a center which led to a single strand of beads making it one. "This one belonged to my Great-Grandmother and has been used by every woman in our family. Even Maria. Now I offer it to you."

Amber wiped her eyes. "It would be my great honor, thank you so much."

"I'm very sorry for the way I have treated you." Marixa stated as she looked down.

"Please Ma'am," Amber begged. "Don't even think…."

"Call me Abuela" Marixa smiled. And so their friendship began.