Ch. 21
The Rizzoli family, along with Cailin, Hope, Constance, Vince, Frost,Chang and Jess found themselves in a beautiful park just east of the parish where Sophia Rose had just completed her baptismal into the Catholic church with Frankie as her godfather.
Customarily, mass baptisms are performed during Easter Time however, having been a part of this particular parish, and Angela's relentless nature, brought on certain benefits. The family was able to have the baptism during a regular Sunday service. The familiarity of the mass brought on the comfort and awe that Jane always felt when she attended. She hoped her daughter would come to feel the same because, for all the criticism the Catholic church encounters, much for understandable reasons, there was so much lovely and cathartic content.
Cailin finding a park to perform her Earth Mother ceremony so close by was a coup, allowing their group to walk just ten minutes down the road from the church.
The weather was accomodating and there was little traffic in the way of park goers. Cailin had scoped out an area near a pond big enough for a bridge to dissect the middle. The bridge evoked the famous Pumping Station Bridge found in Greenfied; only on a much smaller scale.
The group crossed the bridge to the east side of the park to gather under a large willow tree.
Jess, the unnofficial photagrapher had been busy, inspired by all the beauty the day held and was still to come. She was a bit surprised she was invited as a guest and not the photographer but, she and Susie had been spending a lot of time with the couple, so she was glad to have been included.
Along with many couple's dates, Susie and Jess had been spending every free moment together as possible. So much so, Susie was handing Jess a lense attachment that she didn't even have to ask for. Susie automatically knew what she was going for on such a scene.
"You're getting good at this. I would try to lure you away from the ME's office if I didn't know you loved it so much." Jess purred.
"You're an artist. As well as I can recognize a painter's brush strokes, I know the way you like to frame your shots, your favorite kind of light to shoot in, and, your favorite equipment." Susie explained.
"Can I keep you?" Jess blurted, not caring how cheesy she just sounded.
"Hmm..." Susie let the idea roll around in her head. This waiting time gave Jess the opportunity to catch up on her eagerness.
"Don't answer that." Jess quickly added. She attempted to hide her face and embarassment behind her camera.
Susie smiled to herself. She was only pausing for dramatic effect. She was shocked she was able to play as cool as she had in the moment.
Susie walked up behind Jess, placing her hand on the small of her back and whispered, "you've already got me."
She could've blamed the feel of Jess's words on her neck for the chills that ran all over her body but, it was the message that really had her worked up.
Looking around, Jess found that the rest of the group was fawning over the beauty of the park. Yeah, it was an idyllic place for the occasion but, it paled in comparison to the woman who'd just claimed herself to her. So, she stretched her neck as far back as posible to take Susie's lips and attach them to her own.
The kiss was short lived as their, and the rest of the group's attention, was called for by Cailin.
"Thank you all for making it to this celebration of life, both human and Earthly. I would first and foremost like it to be clear that, in order for the ceremony to be successful, everyone must be here with true joy and a pure belief that we are all here to welcome Sophia Rose into a world that we all share and are responsible for.
"When humans gather in an area designated for great power, the attention of the Mother Earth is directed to that spot, and energy begins to flow to that area. I believe this is why Jane feels a sense of comfort when she attends mass in that emmaculate parish we were previously residing. And when we celebrate in these areas with joy, unity and harmony, we heal ourselves in turn, healing Mother Earth.
"With the power of love, healing, and knowing, these are the gifts we share with Mother Earth and now, with Sophia Rose.
"Let's all hold hands and embrace powers we all gift to Mother Earth." Cailin waits a few second for everyone to join hands.
"We now thank Mother Earth for her gift, you may do this out loud or silently. And when you are done with that, welcome Sophia Rose to this world and share with her what you wish to impart on her to make this world a better place for you, her and our future." Cailin thanked Mother Earth with a dance of twirls and jumps then, she proceeded to tell Sophia that she would teach her about the electromagnetism between humans and the Earth, and giving power.
Maura promised to share her knowledge of science and natural fibers used in all her favorite clothes. Jane would share her belief in justice and art of reading people so that she can evoke honesty in everyone she encounters because, when honesty is achieved, one can have open lines of communication. Communication is the first stepping stone for all relationships. Frankie promised to share the beauty of a well thrown spiral pass and optimum batting stance, he also added that he would learn more about reclycing and such. Vince promised to share his love and knowledge of music as well as the art of reading her mother Jane. Frost, well Frost guaranteed he would teach her all about technology, dance moves and the art of getting a man or woman. His reasoning, as a man, he knows what other men want and he considered himself a ladies man so, that would cover getting a woman. The rest of the guests made their own declarations in a similar fashion, the next as colorful as the last.
Cailin had the group hold hands once more and released them all.
Everyone agreed they felt quite joyful and that they would not find it difficult to keep their promises.
Before anyone crossed the bridge back to the west side of the park that would lead them in the direction of the church where their cars were, Angela was reminding them about dinner at Jane and Maura's.
"I can't believe she managed to keep it a secret." Jane admitted.
"I'll be surprised if she stuck to my rule of not making any of your favorites." Maura added.
"Guess we'll find out soon enough." Jane shrugged.
As everyone found their seats, Jane and Maura remained standing.
"We wanted to take this opportunity to really express our love and gratitude for you all. Whether you've visited, made food, taken pictures, or simply lent an ear to listen to our rantings and ravings about our daughter, please know, it has meant the world to us and we can never express just how much." Maura spoke on behalf of her and Jane.
"Ma, I really owe you so much for all that you do, the cooking, the emergency babysitting, simply being here for Sophia Rose is all that I could ask for and more. Thank you for preparing this meal, I'm certain it will be delicious, even if it's not your gnocci." Jane squeezed Maura's side and she felt her jump in surprise.
"Okay, maestro. This is your show, get it started." Jane aimed at her mother.
Angela raised a brass bell and a small precisioned team entered the dining room, all carrying their own serving platters with lids that covered its contents.
"Surprise all the way to the end eh, Ma?" Jane remarked.
Angela nodded, beaming.
The head waiter and, what seemed to be his second in command, lifted their lids in front of Jane and Maura.
"For your first course, a lemon-sage Cornish game hen with tomato-porcini sauce." The young man presented. With his words, the rest of the servers lifted their lids to the remaining guests.
Ooo's and ah's escaped, some silent, some not so silent. But, all were impressed.
"You've truly outdone yourself this time, Angela." Maura offered.
"I'll never question your menu choices again." Jane promised.
Agreements and thanks went all around the table.
"You all are very kind! Please, let's give thanks so we can all enjoy the taste as well as the sight and smell." Angela ordered and it was so.
A/N
Friendsofthepublicgarden_dot_org The "Sponsor a tree or bench" page will give you an idea of the park I imagine. The bridge I mention is real. You can look both up, if you so choose.
I would like to credit Jamie Sams for the words they provided on mysticmamma_dot_com. I used them for inspiration, some paraphrasing and direct quotes. No plagiarism intended.
A few times, it was questioned what in the world Cornish game hens had to do with the story. Well, initially, Maura wanted to make the meal when they shared with theirs friends and family but, for whatever reason, Jane wouldn't allow me to let it happen. I suppose it was so that I could deliver Sophia Rose to them. Worked out after all.
All in all, I'd say I'm pretty happy with this story. Stay tuned, there's still one more chapter. Thanks!