Pt.36

Over the next several days, Kitty, Beth and Maggie set to planning a wedding. They had gone to town to see the dress maker. Kitty made special arrangements to order a fancy Irish lace, that Maggie admired so much, for her dress embossed with ivy and roses. This would be a surprise for Maggie.

Everyone was invited since Abel was town Sheriff. No one wanted to miss this day. Matt and Kitty offered them the ranch to have the ceremony and party afterwards. Kitty and Beth took on all the decorating. In a matter of days, the ranch was ready.

"Matt, I can't believe how fast all this is ready to go." Abel looked on in amazement.

Matt shook his head. "Abel, let me tell you, when it comes to a party, Kitty is in her element."

"Well, my friend, it looks fantastic."

"Abel, tomorrow's the big day. Last chance."

"Nah, Matt. No way."

Morning of the Wedding

Matt had taken his clothes and gone to town to join Abel, along with Josh, Matthew and Martin.

Maggie stood in Kitty's room, pacing in her petticoat. She was nervous. "Uhhhhh, Kitty Dear. How could this happen? The dressmaker said the dress would be ready in plenty of time, she did." She continued rubbing her hands.

"Maggie, relax. It will be here. I promise." Kitty was trying to hide her smile.

Just then, Beth entered the room. "I have a package for Miss Maggie McBride." She was smiling wide.

"Ah, me dress! Thank the dear Lord." As she opened the box, her eyes widened. "What? What is this? Oh, me Lord."

Kitty and Beth stood smiling. "Well, do you like it?" Kitty asked.

"Like it? Miss Kitty, my dear girl. It's sooooo beautiful. I love it! Where... when did ya..." She questioned as she looked at Kitty with tears in her eyes.

Kitty with a pout, "Oh, no, now don't you dare, Maggie. You'll mess up your make-up and we can't have that. Now can we?"

Quickly hugging her. "Oh. I love ya, my darlin' girl. Ya know I do. I never imagined a dress so... so beautiful."

"Well, a beautiful dress for a beautiful bride. Now, let's get you into this beautiful dress. Ok? Otherwise, we'll have a groom standing all alone, waiting, thinking you changed your mind."

"Aw, no. We can't do that." The three women laughed, hurrying to finish dressing.

"Maggie," Kitty pulled out a box from a cabinet. "I'm not sure of your beliefs but most weddings you should have something old, new, borrowed and blue." She opened a small box, pulling out two fancy hair combs. "I've had these since I was a young girl. They were my mother's."

"Aw, Kitty girl. Are you sure?"

Nodding, "Yes. Go on. I'd be pleased to have you wear them." Then she went in her night stand, pulling out a gift wrapped box. "Maggie, that was something old. This is something new." She opened it. It was a lace and satin kerchief with Maggie's initials on it. MMR.

"Aw, Kitty!"

Then Beth stepped closer. "Maggie." Handing her a tiny gold bracelet with little blue stones attached. "This can be your something borrowed and blue."

As the three women stood holding hands. "Oh, wait!" Kitty said. "One more thing."

Maggie and Beth both looked at her questioningly. "What?"

"Ah, a new penny for your shoe, for luck. Not that you will need it."

In town, Matt, Abel and the boys were all getting dressed.

"Well, Abel, my friend, todays the day."

Abel was tying and re-tying his tie. "Ah, damn it, Matt. Why do we wear these things anyway?"

Matt chuckled. "I don't know. For the women I guess. They think we look good in em."

"I'm happy in my shirt and vest. What about you?"

Nodding, "Yeah. Sounds good. But it's only one day, if you survive it."

"Hey, friend."

Matt just laughed. "Well, what'da say we get going? Matthew, Martin?"

"Right here, Dad."

"I hope you're staying clean. Your momma will..."

Matthew interrupted. "I know, Dad. Have your hide."

"And yours, Boy. And yours."

Kitty heard a carriage approaching. When she came out on the porch, she saw it was Reverend Kelly. "Hello, Reverend."

"Mrs. Dillon. Good morning. I thought I'd get here a little early and look around."

"Please, come in. Make yourself comfortable. The men haven't arrived just yet. The bride is still doing some last minute touches." As they entered the house, "Can I get you anything?"

"Oh no, Ma'am."

Some of the guests began to arrive. "Reverend, if you'll excuse me, some of our guests are arriving. Please feel at home." She began greeting everyone, smiling. "Welcome everyone. Please make yourselves at home. We will be getting started just as soon as our groom arrives."

Suddenly, she looked up, seeing Laura Jessup and Mike Jr. "Hello, Mrs. Dillon. I want to thank you. It was very thoughtful of you to extend an invitation to our family."

"How are you, Laura?"

"Very well, Ma'am."

"Kitty, please."

"Ok, Kitty."

"And the little one?"

"Little Michael is doing great! Isn't that right, Mike?"

Mike Jr. nodded. "Ma'am, I too want to thank you for what you did for my wife and son."

Nodding back, "You're quite welcome. Enjoy yourselves." Then when she turned she was standing face to face with Louise. "Hello, Louise."

"Miss Russ... Mrs. Dillon."

Kitty looked at her with a smirking smile. "It's Kitty as I told Laura." Waving her hand, "If you'll excuse me. I have guests" Then she saw that the men were arriving. As they pulled up, "Well now, isn't this a handsome group of men." Smiling at Matt, Abel, Josh, Matthew and Martin.

"Matt, Reverend Kelly is here. Why don't you and Abel take him into your office and do what you have to, and I'll make sure Maggie is ready."

Abel walked to Kitty. "Kitty, is she..."

Now turning with a raised brow, "Abel, she's beautiful and anxious to see you too." She answered, smirking at him.

When everyone was ready, Reverend Kelly, Abel and Matt all stood out under the rose covered trellis. A young man from town played an Irish song on the violin, something Maggie requested. It was something she and Abel agreed on. Then the music started.

First, Beth walked out followed by Kitty. Then suddenly, everyone stopped and gasped, seeing Maggie.

Abel grabbed Matt's arm. "Oh my!" He couldn't breathe.

Matt nudged him, kidding. "Last chance, my friend."

"Are you kidding me? Not on your life!"

Matt laughed.

As Maggie made her way to Abel, the two locked eyes, then hands, forgetting anyone else was even there.

"Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends. We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Abel Rose, do you take this woman, Margaret McBride, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"

"Yes, I do." Abel leaned in to kiss her.

"Et, et." Clearing his throat, the reverend continued.

"Margaret McBride, do you take this man, Abel Rose to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"

Smiling, "Yes, I do."

"Ok, folks. Margaret, Maggie you all know her as, has something she wants to say to Abel. A vow of her own. Maggie?"

"My darlin' Abel. First in the Gaelic. My wedding vow to you, my love.

Is tu fuil 'o mo chuislean is tu cnaimh. Isleatsa mo bhodhaig, chum gum bi sinn 'n ar n-aon. Is leatsa m'anam gus an criochnaich ar saoghal Is tu fuil 'o mo chuislean is tu cnaimh de mo chnaimh

(This means In English) "You are blood of my blood and bone of my bone. I give you my body that we two may be one. I give you my spirit, til our life shall be done. You are blood of my blood and bone of my bone."

Abel was speechless. Then, "Maggie, my Irish rose. I never dreamed that at this season of my life, I would be blessed by such a beautiful woman walking into my life and wanting to share it with me. That you would love me, Abel Rose. Can you imagine? And yet here you are, Maggie. I promise to love you till the end of time." He now slid his arms around her waist, pulling her close."

Again the reverend shook his head. "Et et. Not yet." Everyone laughed.

"Ok, folks. Abel. Maggie. Is there anyone here that can show just cause why these two shouldn't be married? Speak now or forever hold your peace. Well then, by the power vested in me and in the eyes of the Lord and the state of Arizona, I now pronounce you husband and wife! Abel? NOW you may kiss your bride."

Quickly, Abel scooped Maggie in his arms, swinging her around, kissing her. Everyone cheered.

The party began, following the ceremony. The children ran around playing. Music was playing. People were dancing. It was a beautiful summer day.

Maggie pulled Kitty aside. "Kitty, this is amazing. I am so happy."

"Good! That's how you should be. Maggie, I'm going to miss you so much. We've been together a long time. You've been a big part of my life, an important part of my life. Sometimes, I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Aw, Kitty girl, I'm gonna still be around. Ya know that. I'll just be in closer to town, that's all. Ya cain't be rid of me, Kitty girl. You're Maggie McBride's family."

"Umm, I believe that's Maggie Rose now." The two broke into laughter,

"It'll take some gettin' used to."

Several of the children wandered down by the stream, playing tag, chasing one another. The boys were teasing the girls, just horseplay. Then some of them decided to try and catch frogs. Some were scaring the girls with them. They were splashing one another in the water, even in their good clothes.

Then they heard a noise in the brush. Most ran away. Matthew and Martin and another boy stayed. They were trying to see who could find the biggest frog. They were soaked to the skin, clothes and all. When they turned around, standing on the bank was a man.

A scratchy, bearded man. "What'cha lil' scallywags doing?"

The three stood, stunned. "Ah, just catching frogs, mister."

"Yer folks know ya here, do they?"

"Ah, well..." Now they looked at each other, thinking about what was going to happen when they got home looking like they did. "Dunno, Mister. We were just playing."

"What'cher name?"

"Martin. I live with Josh and Beth Reardon and…"

"Alright boy, alright." The man said.

"We ain't hurtin' nothing. I live here, Mister. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here lookin' fer a friend."

TBC