Chapter Fifty
Once Kay had given Eve a friendly lecture on behaving herself John drove her back home so that she could travel to the ceremony with her own family.
David was no longer the picture of calm he had been when she left and she hugged him saying, "Just pretend it's only you and Lynnie in the church. You remember your proposal?"
David nodded.
"Well it looked to me that no one else was there as far as you were concerned. Capture that feeling again and focus on your lovely, soon to be wife."
"How is she?"
"Stunning."
"Did you see her dress?"
"No I'm not allowed to know anything about it." lied Kay, "But you'll see it very, very soon. Chris, take your brother upstairs and get him dressed. I'll see to your ties later."
"Mum?" asked Chris
"Yes love."
"While I get dressed can you go over my speech?"
"Of course, but I thought you and Dad had sorted that already."
"I'd just like a writer's opinion of it, and my Mum's."
"Awww, of course I'll look it over." He handed it to her, "And now I need to get myself properly dressed as well."
When Kay entered the bedroom Brendan was trying to knot his bow tie, he was struggling and sighed exasperatedly. He gave his wife a helpless pleading look that made her smile.
"Here let me. You boys are so hopless."
Kay took the ends in her hands and in no time Brendan had a perfect bowtie.
"It's a good job we have you."
"And you always will. I don't even know why you try it always looks like a dish rag after you've tied it!"
"Do you need help with your fastenings?" asked Brendan hopefully.
"I certainly will, just give me a minute. I need to read this for Chris." She left the bedroom and went in to their en suite leaving Brendan alone with his thoughts. He ran a hand through his speckled hair and looked around the room that contained so many memories. Retirement was approaching fast and now that David was up to speed with the business he wondered how long before he was no longer required there.
David… All grown up and married by the end of the day. He didn't need his Dad any more. And how long would it be before Christopher and Eve felt the same way? He sat down heavily on the bed and stared in to the middle distance; that was how Kay found him when she came out in her lingerie. When he didn't look up she spoke,
"Penny for them."
He looked up and a soft gasp escaped his lips.
"You look gorgeous darling."
"And you look… well you look almost sad. What's wrong?"
"I was just thinking, you know David doesn't need me anymore and I wondered how long it will be before Chris and Evie… Eve feel the same way."
"Oh you daft bugger! Just because David is grown up and getting married doesn't mean he won't still need you."
"I've never needed my parents… not since…"
"You couldn't have them. That's why you didn't look for them; it doesn't mean you never needed them. Who knows what might have been different if they hadn't died when you were so young? I can't answer that question but if they had lived you may have never been placed on the programme Piers was involved with, and if he hadn't met you how would he have introduced you to me? How would we have three beautiful children for you to even worry about?"
"That's all true, where did the last 25 years go Kay?"
"They went in family life. They passed us by in a rush of birthdays, Christmas's, friends, work, school runs and holidays. And all of it held together with our love for each other. It's all we have to mark time, that and a few more lines and grey hairs but I wouldn't trade a second of it for anything my love."
"Will you still love me when I'm old and grey?"
"Don't let Piers hear you say that! But yes I'll love you even when I can't remember my own name… how could that ever change? Will you still love me when I can't remember my name?"
"Always my sweet, always."
He pulled her towards him and held her close as he buried his head between her breasts.
"Hey, off the lingerie!"
"How about the lingerie off?" he winked cheekily.
"Later, much, much later. But you can help me change in between the main and evening receptions. That means a lingerie set off and another on." She said winking back at him. Carefully Kay stepped in to her dress and turned her back so that Brendan could close the fastenings she picked up her hat and gave herself one last look in the mirror.
"Well I guess I'll have to do."
"You'll much more than do. You take my breath away sweetheart. Now, before I forget myself and have you back out of that dress, Chris will need your help with his tie."
"I know and then we should leave, did you put the ribbons on the Freelander?"
"Yes, we are all but ready."
Kay took a deep breath picked up Chris' speech and went downstairs to the kitchen; Christopher was there with his tie still hanging loose.
"I'm glad you didn't try to tie this yourself and your speech is perfect."
"Thanks Mum."
"Nervous?"
"A little… but David is pacing in Dad's study I think he's really nervous."
"Not about what he is doing… just about doing it in front or everyone, he'll be fine when he's there and can lose himself in the moment. He doesn't have your poise about performing in front of people darling."
She left Chris with Brendan who had just arrived in the kitchen and went to the study in search of David.
"It's time to go love, are you ready?"
He turned to her and silently nodded. Brendan and Chris appeared behind her, "Do you have the rings little brother?" he asked anxiously.
Chris made a great show of checking all the wrong pockets before producing the rings to a very relieved David.
"You two! Time to go… come on."
