Chapter 26
Friday 31st May
The day before the vow renewal, Kate, Mia and I have met at Grace's to go over the plans for tomorrow and look over everything the hire firm have delivered and set up so far, all of the floral arrangements will be arriving tomorrow.
We start in the garden after walking down a marked out walkway which will be covered with a dark green carpet tomorrow provided there is no threat of rain.
We have a huge T shaped 'tent' at the base of the T is the entrance, tomorrow it will be guarded by two floral swans either side, the swans will be facing each other and made up of white flowers of peonies, sweet peas, roses and carnations, they swim in 'ponds' made of mirrored glass and should look amazing, as we enter the base of the vertical of the T we are greeted by an aisle with a delicate silver carpet which will be covered in white rose petals tomorrow, the seats are set out in twelve rows of five each side of the aisle and have white covers with silver organza bows at the back. The walls and ceiling of this part of the tent are covered with white silk drapes and we have crystal chandeliers down the length of the aisle. At the sides of the steps up to the dais we have small ornamental white rose trees they are only two foot six and only come about a foot above the floor of the dais so won't obscure anyone's view. That looks beautiful and we are all extremely happy with it, now on the 'dining room'
The 'dining room' comprises twelve tables of ten's plus the top table which will have at the centre Elliot and Kate sitting either side of them will be Asia and Ava then next to Asia will be Christian and I and next to Ava will be Grace and Carrick, with Mia next to Carrick and Ray next to me, at the table directly in front of Kate and Elliot will be seated Samuel, Rose, Ted, Monica, Arthur, Graces brother Richard, his wife Caroline their daughter, son-in-law and grand-daughter. The room/tent looks stunning it has silver silk drapes covering the walls and ceiling with fairy lights draped around the top of the walls, we also have beautiful and stylish 5 arm black chandeliers, as well as the table floral arrangements with black taper candles for lighting, which all together makes for a fairytale and romantic mood, when we did a mock up of the table and table setting we decided to see what a black table cloth would look like, we all loved the dramatic effect and decided to go with this and white seat covers with black organza bows. We all agree this room looks wonderful and we are all very happy with it.
Then it's through to the other side of the T which is where the dance floor is situated
This tent has very dramatic and stylish décor, there are love seats situated around the edge of room, the colour of theses are silver and black, the walls are again silver, silk drapes cover the walls and ceiling but have dramatic two foot wide black drapes every eight foot with colour changing rope lighting running down the black, wow it just looks amazing and at the end is a twelve by sixteen foot stage for the bands, the dance floor is made up of large black and white blocks.
We all agree it is perfect and hope the weather holds and I make my way out to Boeing Field to await my daughter. It's not long before she is running down the steps into my waiting arms; it's been a long week for both of us. Also on the flight were Samuel, Rose, Ted, Monica and Arthur. We catch up on everything we have all done in the last week while making our way to the apartment. Soon after getting everyone settled in Christian arrives home from the office and Asia, Ray, Christian and I get ready to go to Grace and Carrick's.
Grace is hosting a diner for the immediate family tonight. Christian has asked Mac to pilot Carrick's boat this evening. We are going to have caterers on board and after sailing round the top of Mercer Island we will moor up off the top of Seward Park for our meal well out of the way of prying photographers.
Grace decided on one table of ten for our meal in the centre of the deck as it's a beautiful evening; we are having a four course meal it sounds beautiful and I hope it lives up to it's promise, an entrée of Fresh prawn & roquette salad, with Marie Rose sauce and roasted cherry tomatoes, a fish course of Crab salad with mango, red pepper, coriander and wasabi on brioche, a meat course of Breast of chicken stuffed with mozzarella & wrapped in Parma ham, with a tomato coulis and a dessert of Raspberry Romanoff served in brandy snap basket with fresh fruit compote, and to drink, sparkling iced water and Bollinger Grande Année Rosé. The conversation flows easily throughout the meal, as I sit back and let the conversation wash over me, I think how lucky I am to have the unconditional love of everyone at this table and maybe it's time to let the past go and just live, love and enjoy my life. The caterers clear the table and the others start to make their way below as it is now getting rather chilly, I decide to stay on deck a little longer.
I make my way from the table to the bow and am soon lost in my thoughts as Mac starts the boat to head for home, Kate comes to stand next to me as I stand at the bow looking into the night, lost in my thoughts, "Ok Steele what gives" she says "Nothing" I reply "just counting my blessings" she pulls me into a hug and says "it's ok to feel robbed and angry you know, are you still seeing the therapists?" "Not so much now" I say "just whenever I feel the need, you know you, Christian, Asia and the rest of the family are mostly all I need" "I know Steele" she replies quietly
"While it's just the two of us Kate, I need to come up with something memorable for Christian's birthday, any ideas? I know its short notice and you are busy, speaking of which are you looking forward to your second honeymoon?"
Kate – "Oh Ana I am so looking forward to those ten day's, just the two of us alone, don't get me wrong we both adore Ava, and love being parents, but sometimes you know I just want to get down and dirty with my husband without having to think about where we are and where she is. With that Kate gives me a very throaty laugh.
Ana – "Don't worry Kate we will look after her, call it practise" Kate swivels her head towards me and asks "anything you want to share Steele?" I reply "no, I'm not sure if their ever will be, but Christian mentioned having another child 'in the future' whatever that meant, I want to enjoy Asia and that glorious man I claim as mine, but sometimes my arms do ache to hold a baby, I don't really feel ready yet, but I'm not getting any younger and I don't know how much longer I have or even if it is still possible, yes mother nature still leaves her calling card, not as regular as she once did but yes she still calls" Kate pulls me into a hug and says "I wish I had the answer for you, I wish I could tell you take as long as you need but I don't, mother nature could decide tomorrow times up for you, is there a test you can have done that would tell you roughly how much longer you are likely to be fertile?" "I don't know Kate but that's an idea I will ring the gynaecologist on Monday and see. I give her a big hug and we make our way down into the main cabin.
Sat on one of the sofas is Asia holding Ava in her lap while the little one sleeps, oh gosh that sight makes my heart melt and I decide then I will look into the possibility of falling pregnant and then discuss it with Christian, hopefully I will have a year or two left before time runs out for us.