Chapter 54

There were more than a few people who could not hold back a tear or two at her lovely words and one of them was Catherine. She was very glad that she had thought to bring a handkerchief with her because she was certainly putting it to good use.

Devin's smile had only grown brighter as he listened to Rebecca's words. Then it was his turn, "I am sure that everyone here thought this day would never come, and if I am to be truthful I was certainly one of them. I left this place absolutely sure that I would never return, but here I am. I have traveled the world searching for something that would make me feel complete. I never once thought it would be waiting for me here in this hole in the ground that I had sooner never come back to. Yet when I did return not only did I find family and friends waiting to greet me and welcome me home, but I found Rebecca, the skinny kid that followed me around almost as persistently as Vincent did. She showed me that this place I couldn't wait to get away from when I was a kid, was really the place that I belonged all along! She is my lifeline, my anchor, my home. I couldn't be a luckier man that to have her by my side to love the rest of my life."

The Preacher pronounced them husband and wife and then presented both newly married couples to the group. The applause that rang out through the tunnel community would have been deafening if the events had been held anywhere other than in the Grand Hall. Everyone was pushing forward to get to the front unfortunately on their big day Father and Mary were unintentionally overlooked. They were all so shocked by what Devin and Rebecca had done that they all wanted to talk to those two to find out the details of why it had happened the way it had.

Devin held up his hands and said loudly enough for everyone to hear, "You all seem to have the same questions for Becky and I. We promise to answer all of them, but please lets everyone go through the buffet line to enjoy William's wonderful food and when everyone is settled at tables we can tell you what you want to know."

This seemed to satisfy most everyone in the Hall, so the duel wedding parties moved to the side of the room to get their food. William had once again done the community proud in setting out a feast fit for a king…and his queen. Even he hadn't known that it was going to be a double wedding.

Catherine had gone through differing eating spurts throughout her pregnancy and Vincent watched in amusement as she piled her plate high and told anyone who looked at the amount that she was eating for two! They took their places at the head table with the others who had some time to eat while the rest of the community was going through the buffet line.

Once everyone had gone through the line to get their food and then settled at a table the wedding party at the head table was about halfway through eating. Devin stood and raised his hands in the air for quiet. Everyone quickly complied, even the children, whom had been taught respect and manners.

He began to speak, "I know everyone is curious about Becky and I and I will explain, but we cannot forget that this is also Father and Mary's day. We in no way wanted to outshine them or steal the lime light from their day. We only decided to do this today so as not to place the burden on the community of arranging of time, and truth be told, we just didn't want to wait! So I would like to propose a toast to Father and…" he turned to Mary and asked, "Do I call you Mother, or Mom, or would you still prefer Mary?"

The lady in questioned blushed prettily and replied, "I think I like the sound of Mother."

"Okay then! To Father and Mother on their very special day!" Devin concluded raising his glass high.

To be continued…..