Chapter 29:
The sun arose over the beautiful lake and Janet was standing in the great room looking out over the water taking in the scene. She was so incredibly happy that she was not able to sleep for another minute. Her wedding day had come and she could wait to put on her gorgeous antique dress and stand before Eddie and God and say her vows. Although she had no planned for this day she could not imagine it any other way now.
Suddenly Janet felt arms wrap around her waist and she smiled. Eddie had come up behind her and was presently nibbling on her neck and ear lobes. She closed her eyes and took in the feeling of being loved so much. He turned her around slowly and planted one hell of a kiss on her lips. As they stood there in the light of the morning sun reflecting off the lake indulging in one heck of a make out session neither one of them could think of a single place they would rather be.
After several minutes, they decided breathing would be helpful so they reluctantly pulled apart. Eddie smiled down at Janet in the warmest possible way. Janet looked up at him and took her hand and gently rubbed it across his head into his hair and down around his cheek. It was such an intimate moment between them, nothing needed to be said.
Eddie broke the silence first, and said, "Good morning babe."
Janet said, "Good morning to you. We are getting married today. Can you believe we actually pulled this off?"
"Absolutely…because it was meant to happen that why every thing worked out. So what do you want to do today?" Eddie asked.
"Well I was thinking that maybe we could go into town and have breakfast and just see the sights a bit." Janet said.
"The Justice will be here about 5:45 because the sunset is scheduled to be around 6:15pm or so…he thought in case of a change he would be here. So we have the day to do what we want. Breakfast sounds great I am starving." Eddie said lifting his eyebrow and a wink.
"You are always starving." Janet said with a laugh
"I can't help that being with you gives me one heck of an appetite" Eddie chuckled
With that the two turned around and headed upstairs to get dressed for the day. They found this cute little restaurant that served the most amazing pancakes Janet and Eddie had ever tasted. After eating way more than he should have he finally stopped. Janet didn't indulge as much as she knew that she wanted her dress to fit as perfectly as it had in the shop yesterday. She looked around the streets of the town as they sat at their window seat and tried to decide where to start. There appeared to be a main street so she thought that would be a great place to walk around a bit. Eddie paid the bill and they set out to see the sights of the town.
A few hours later, they came across this little wood shop store that sold lots of little things and some furniture made from the wood found in the area. Janet saw this wooden box that sort of resembled a treasure chest that she thought would be a nice touch to the living room to put little things in, or maybe she could put her jewelry in it. Eddie was walking around the store and came upon a grandfather clock. It was absolutely beautiful and there was a place that you could engrave a message. He thought was a perfect gift for his bride to have sent to the house. He quietly snuck off and found the owner of the store and explained what he wanted the clock to say and gave him the address of their home in the Ridge so it could be sent there as he wanted it to be a surprise. The owner was thrilled at the thoughtfulness of Eddie and saw Janet looking at the treasure box. He came up and pretended like he hadn't just spoken to Eddie minutes before and introduced himself as the owner of the shop.
"Hi folks! My name is Gab and this is my shop. What brings you two to these parts?" he asked with a smile.
"Hi Gab, I'm Eddie and this is Janet. We are actually getting married later on today. We came in just looking around and enjoying this amazing little town. Our ceremony is at sunset right on the lake." Eddie said with such pride.
"Well that sounds real nice. You must be staying at the resort with the cabins right?" Gab asked
"Yeah, they are beautiful." Janet said
"Well if you need anything let me know. I see you eyeing up that box there, how about that be my wedding gift to the two of you. Everyone needs a place for the things they love the most right." Gab said with a smile. He knew she really wanted it and probably wouldn't ask but Eddie had spent a lot on the clock so Gab thought it was fair.
"Oh no, I couldn't take this…that is very generous but…" Janet said stumbling a bit
"Non-sense, it is my gift to you. Congratulations to you both. " Gab said as he placed the box back in Janet's hands and walked away.
Eddie looked at Janet clearly conflicted on what to do and said, "Janet he wanted to give this to you. Just take it as a remembrance of our time here. It's our wedding day, people like to do nice things on their wedding day, Ok?" Eddie wasn't going to let her know that he had just spent a great deal of money on that clock and knew exactly why Gab gave that treasure box to her.
"Ok, I guess it would be ok. It is beautiful isn't it." Janet said admiring it once again.
"Yeah, beautiful…" Eddie said looking purely at Janet
They walked around a bit more and decided to head back to the cabin and get ready. Janet had just gotten out of the shower and was drying her hair. She was looking at herself in the mirror and just thinking about what was about to happen. The day had come that she would be Mrs. Edward Latekka. She wanted to call her Grands but thought that they would be upset if they missed her wedding so she decided the one in August would be ok to wait for. It would be a bit more traditional which would make them happy.
She applied her makeup and decided on just having her hair somewhat wild and curly just as Eddie liked it. She didn't get a bunch of flowers or anything to hold. She wanted to be just simple. She began to put the dress on, then the jewelry and then the shoes. She looked at herself in the mirror and just stood there. For the first time in her life she felt beautiful. She hardly recognized herself. She would have started to cry but didn't want to ruin her makeup so she began to walk away and look out the window of the loft. Eddie agreed to go to the downstairs bathroom to get ready and wait for the Justice.
Janet seemed so lost in thought that she hadn't even heard the door bell ring. She was staring out the window when she felt the small touch of a hand on her shoulder. She had made Eddie promise not to come up there until it was time to start. She turned around quickly to find her Grands standing there. She couldn't hold back the tears anymore.
"What are you doing here?" Janet said as tears fell from her eyes
"Eddie called us yesterday and told us of his idea. It sounded so amazingly sweet that we couldn't have missed it. He knew deep down you would have wanted us to be here on your actual wedding day. You look so beautiful Janet." Edith had tears of her own falling from her eyes.
"I am so happy that you are here. He is one amazing man isn't he Grandma." Janet said.
"That he is my dear, that he is." Edith said.
"We have one thing that we wanted to give to you. I know that you wish that your parents could have been here to spend this day with you. They loved you so much Janet. There are a few things that I know that your mom wanted you to have." Edith pulled a few things out of her purse. "These were the earrings that your mother wore the day she married your father. She loved him so much and hardly ever took them off. Today she would want you to have them as something old. This was your fathers. We gave it to him the day he graduated from college. (It was a sapphire tie tack.) His favorite team was Michigan State, no one could ever figure out why but he loved that team and so we got him something with Blue the color of his favorite team. He loved it so much and wore it all the time. I bought this small flower to put into your hair as I figured you wouldn't have a veil or anything and I placed the pin in the flower as your something new and something borrowed that is blue." Edith placed the flower that was attached to a clip into Janet's hair. It was just enough to make the large curls really stand out.
Janet just stood there and didn't know what to say. Edith continued, "Janet we are just so happy for you and so happy that we could be here today to share in your day. I know that we can't bring your parents back but I hope that these little things can help you feel closer to them as I am sure they are here in spirit in their own way."
Janet's tears started again and she just hugged her grandmother as tightly as she could. She did feel that they were there standing beside her. Just then the Justice said, "We better get started I can see the sun is beginning to fall."
Eddie and the Justice went outside and got positioned out by the lake. Janet and her Grands came down the stairs and walked out of the back door of the cabin towards Eddie and the Justice. Janet had her grandmother on one side and her grandfather on the other. Each took a hand and the three of them walked hand in hand in hand towards Eddie and the Justice.
Eddie could not believe how beautiful Janet looked. She was absolutely breathtaking in that dress. Tears began to fall from his eyes before he was able to control them. Soon Janet arrived across from Eddie and her grandparents stood behind her. The Justice began the ceremony as Eddie and Janet faced each other as the sun began to make its slow descent to the water.
The ceremony was rather traditional with Janet and Eddie reciting vows that were time honored and traditional. There was no music just the voices of the Justice, Eddie and Janet and the various birds that were lending their voices to the ceremony as well. The rings were exchanged and the prayer was given. As Eddie and Janet looked into each others eyes just as the sunset was nearly complete, the Justice pronounced them husband and wife. Eddie leaned down and gently pressed his lips against Janet's to confirm the union of Edward and Janet Latekka. Janet's Grands were in tears as they watched their granddaughter kiss her husband for the first time and they began to clap as the Justice announced the newly married couple.
Eddie pulled back from Janet and smiled. He said, "I love you Mrs. Latekka."
Janet looked at Eddie with tears in her eyes, and said "I love you too Mr. Latekka."
With that they slowly turned and went to hug Janet's Grands. They all went into the cabin as the sun was finally set and it was rather dark out by the lake without the sun. They decided that they would all go out some where in town to go celebrate their wedding. The Justice had made a suggestion of the nicest place in town and told Eddie that he had let them know that you may be stopping by so they would be able to accommodate them. Eddie shaked the Justice's hand and in moments he was gone.
Eddie turned to the three other members of his family and said, "Well it looks like we have a reservation so lets go eat!" Eddie thought to himself that he had never been this happy before. This would be a moment in his life that he would never forget.
Janet, her Grands and Eddie made their way to the restaurant that the Justice had suggested and there was a small corner table that was in what appeared to be a bowed window setting. It was decorated with flowers and champagne on the table. Apparently the Justice had done a bit more than just make a suggestion. The staff at the restaurant approached the foursome and said, "You must be the Latekka's. Congratulations on your wedding, come your table is all ready. I must say ma'am you are so beautiful" the waiter said with a smile.
Janet just blushed at the comment however Eddie beamed with happiness. He said, "I couldn't agree more. My wife looks stunning tonight." Eddie stopped Janet just then and kissed her properly as a husband should. Everyone eating in the restaurant just began to clap and shout their congratulations to the happy couple.
The four of them sat and ate an amazing meal with lots of complimentary drinks from all over the restaurant and than they brought out this tiny little wedding cake. It looked like a miniature wedding cake along with the tiny little wedding bells on the top. Janet just could not believe that this day had been so perfect with such little planning. This town had really embraced these strangers as if they do this all the time. As she sat there watching Eddie talk with her grands and they all were having such a good time laughing and enjoying each other. It was the first time in a very long time that Janet felt like she was truly part of a family again. She looked up briefly as if to include her parents with the tiniest of smiles. She knew somehow that they were with her on this day and helped to make it so perfect.
Janet's Grands had made reservations at the local hotel as they weren't much for the cabin life and Eddie made sure they got safely in the hotel before returning to his truck and his wife. It was the first time that they had been alone together since the wedding began. Janet turned to look at Eddie and said, "Thank you Eddie. I can't believe you were able to get my Grands here for this. I know that you wanted it to be just us but them being here was really important to me. I love you so much for all of this." Janet said emotionally.
Eddie just looked back at Janet, "I love you too Janet and there is nothing that I wouldn't do for you. I know that deep down you would want them there for our actual wedding. You look absolutely beautiful in that dress. I am so happy that we did this. You are finally my wife!" He leaned and took her hand in his and kissed the top of it.
Janet could not wait another minute, "I think it is time for us to go back to our cabin and enjoy that whirlpool tub don't you." Janet looked into his eyes and winked.
Eddie just smiled and said, "Oh goodie now the fun begins!"
With that Mr. and Mrs. Latekka headed back to the cabin to enjoy themselves on their honeymoon. Eddie was thankful that he didn't have to be in to work the next day until later in the afternoon because he wasn't planning on getting much sleep that night.
Janet slipped out of her dress and hung it back up. It almost made her sad that she wouldn't be able to wear it again because she really loved that dress. She began to fill the tub with water, got the whirlpool started and began to light candles. She went into the kitchen and got a bottle of wine and two glasses and put them on the edge of the tub. The tub took up the entire corner of the bathroom so it had lots of ledge space for candles and wine. Janet wanted everything to be perfect.
Eddie came into the bathroom in just his boxers and stood there while Janet continued to light candles and get ready to go in. She was standing there in only her bra and panties and stopped briefly from lighting the candles to find Eddie looking at her. She had never felt so loved in her life than she had that day. She put the lighter down and reached behind her back, unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor. The panties hit the floor moments later. For the first time Janet stood in the candle light of the bathroom completely naked in front of Eddie with no shame and no attempts at covering herself in any way. She walked towards him at that point and Eddie seemed to be frozen not being able to do anything. Before he knew what was happening she was removing his boxers herself and they joined her clothing on the floor. Janet raised her arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss her. They kissed for several minutes when Janet pulled away and took his hand. Together they walked to the tub and both got in. It was a huge whirlpool so Eddie had plenty of leg room which he appreciated very much. He sat down first and Janet stepped in just after him. She stood in the water and stared at Eddie as he took his seat. Eddie had never really witnessed Janet's behavior before and he seemed to be a stunned by it, but in a very good way.
Janet waited for him to get comfortable and then she walked over to him and sat on his lap facing him. She looked at him with so much love because that is how she felt. They began to kiss and touch each other. Eddie wrapped his arms around her and they spent the next several hours just touching and caressing each other. The closeness that they were experiencing in those hours were so intense. They decided finally that they would need to leave the water so they got out of the tub and decided to go to the great room and spend the rest of the evening in front of the fire place instead of the loft. There was something so pure about their union that neither of them could explain it or wanted it to end. They spent the entire night in each other's arms, making love and lavishing each other with tendering embraces and loving caresses and a bond that would never ever be broken after this night. There was not much talking involved just a calm silence of a love that was determined to survive through all the tests it was given, a first love that was meant to be a forever love.
As the sun arose over the lake, Eddie and Janet had eventually fallen asleep in the early hours of morning. They were laying on blankets and pillows in front of the fire place wrapped in each others arms. The sun was powerful and Janet was the first to realize it. She blinked a few times not knowing what time it actually was. She understood why the bedroom was in the loft. It took several hours for the sun to reach a spot where it would shine into the loft windows.
She began to move around and sat up briefly. She turned just slightly to find Eddie completely asleep beside her with the most peaceful look on his face. She saw the ring on his finger just then and smiled. She couldn't believe that they were actually married. She looked at the ring on her finger and the added band that had gone with the set that she had looked at so long ago back when her life seemed like such a mess. She never would have thought in that moment that this would be how everything would have turned out. Grands was right, true love always finds its way home and she knew that Eddie was her home now.
Eddie moved slightly and noticed that he was alone. He sprang up quickly looking around to find that Janet was still there just sitting up. He grabbed her lightly around her waist and brought her back down to their little sleeping nest and said, "you aren't going anywhere Mrs. Latekka and it is was to early to be thinking about it."
Janet just chuckled and said, "I wouldn't dream of going anywhere but that sun is pretty bright."
"If you close your eyes it won't be." Eddie said with his eyes still closed.
With that Janet closed her eyes and the newly weds promptly fell back asleep wrapped in each others arms with the blanket over their heads. That is where they remained until nearly the middle of the afternoon.
