THE RECEPTION
Standard Disclaimer
Please send reviews – and I was thinking of ending this entire series here. Opinions please.
Thanks to the help of Amy, Becki, Dani, Irene, and Tania. (Alphabetical listing) Your advice and editing have been invaluable.
And most of all to my slave driver Mac! For bugging, editing and serenading me!!!!!!
Here is the link to the Landon House: http://www.landonhouse.com
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The Landon House is located in Urbana, Maryland. Originally built on the Rappahannock River in Virginia in 1754, it was relocated in 1840. It was during the Confederates' first Maryland campaign that Landon would make history as the host site of legendary Confederate cavalry General J.E.B. Stuart's famous Sabers and Roses ball on September 8, 1862. The structure has a double veranda that gives an Antebellum feel to any event. The main entrance, which leads to the circular driveway at the front of the house lends to a very romantic and old-fashioned arrival. Once all the guests had arrived and were gathered on the veranda, Anna and Clay went back to the road where Mac and Harm were waiting.
"It's time." Anna said as she knocked on the window.
"Ok, what's the surprise?" Harm asked as he helped Mac out of the limo.
"This!" Clay said with a big smile as he pointed to a horse drawn carriage. "You guys need to arrive in style."
"This is great." Mac said with a laugh. "It's so, so. It's just so…"
"I know isn't it?" Anna said. "I'm glad you approve."
"Anna this is so sweet." Harm said. "Now what's my mother's surprise?"
"Are you kidding? She'd kill us if we told you." Clay laughed.
Mac and Harm got into the carriage and were taken to the reception.
"I feel like I should be doing the royal wave." Mac said as she mocked the wave.
"King and queen for the day." Harm joked. "I could get used to this."
As they approached the house everyone smiled.
"Oh that is so romantic." Chloe said.
"Yeah it is nice." Ahmed said.
"That was such a great idea." Harriet said to Anna.
"I just think these two deserve something special." Anna said. "I'll be back, I want to make sure my assistant has everything under control."
The carriage was brought around and Mac and Harm got out. Everyone applauded their arrival, Harm looked around for his mother; he wanted to know what the surprise was. "Mac do you see my mom?" Harm asked.
"No, I don't." Mac said looking around. She then smiled and pointed. "Harm look."
"Grandma, you made it." Harm said running over to Sarah Rabb.
"You think I would miss my oldest grandson getting married?" Sarah Rabb said. "Now where is this other Sarah Rabb?"
"Mac how did you know that was my grandmother?" Harm asked leading her to the senior Sarah.
"The picture Harm. You've only showed it to me a million times." Mac laughed.
"Grandma, this is Sarah MacKenzie Rabb." Harm said bursting with pride that his two Sarah's were meeting.
"It's wonderful to meet you Mrs. Rabb." Mac said. "Please call me Mac."
"Mrs. Rabb? Please call me grandma." She said hugging her. "So you're the one who finally got him in line."
"That would be me." Mac said with a smile.
"Promise me you won't let him get away with anything." Grandma Sarah whispered.
"You have my word." Mac laughed.
"Good now why don't we go celebrate." Grandma Sarah said.
They walked into the cocktail hour; the room was beautiful. The quartet from the ceremony was already assembled and playing. The guests talked among themselves while the bridal party went off for pictures. After the cocktail hour everyone went into the reception area and sat. Once everyone was seated the bandleader made the introductions.
"First lets have a round of applause for our ushers, Clayton Webb and Ahmed Mirza." They entered.
"The first bridesmaid; Miss Bobbie Latham escorted by Commander Sturgis Turner." They entered.
"Our next bridesmaid; Mrs. Harriet Roberts escorted by Lt. Bud Roberts and our ring bearer AJ Roberts." Harriet and Bud followed Little AJ in who ran across the room.
"Ladies and gentleman please give a round of applause to the Maid of Honor Chloe Madison and the Best Man Sergei Zhukov."
"Now for the moment we have all been waiting for. Please stand and welcome Commander and Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Jr." The band played and everyone rose. Mac and Harm entered the room with huge smiles. The bridal party took their seats and everyone sat down. Reverend Turner stood up and gave the blessing. When he was done Sergei got up to make his toast.
"Harm and Mac, I know I speak for everyone when I say how happy I am to share in this moment. Seeing you together brings a joy like none other. You were meant for each other. I wish you a life of love and happiness. I raise my glass to a long and happy marriage." Sergei said.
Everyone raised a glass and "hear hears" where heard.
The first course was served and cleared. The bandleader asked for everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentleman now is the time for Harm and Mac to share their first dance."
Harm got up and extended his hand to Mac, together they walked out to the dance floor. They had several discussions on what the first dance should be. They debated everything from Frank Sinatra to Elton John, from classics to contemporary. Finally they decided on a jazzy Nat King Cole tune. L-O-V-E.
L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you can adore
Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don't break it
Love was made for me and you
L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you can adore
Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don't break it
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
Halfway through the song the bridal party joined in. Since the men out numbered the woman, Anna danced with Clay and Elena, Sergei's girlfriend, danced with Ahmed.
As the evening wore on, Harm and his mother danced to Bette Midler's Wind Beneath My Wings. Originally Harm had suggested they not do all the traditional dances since Mac would not have a father/daughter dance but Mac insisted, besides she had something in mind.
"The bride has requested that Admiral Chedwiggen please join her on the dance floor. " The bandleader said. The Admiral unaware of what was happening walked out on to the dance floor and bowed to Mac. "Mac what's going on?"
"I'd like this dance please." Mac said with a smile. The band began to play "What A Wonderful World" the Louis Armstrong hit by George Weiss and Bob Thiele.
There was one special dance that was not planned for but never the less important. After Mac and Harm danced with their friends to various songs both upbeat and slow, Harm walked over to his grandmother.
"This one is for us." Harm said as he took her hand. The band began to play "Three Times A Lady" by Lionel Ritchie. When the song was over there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Everyone knew the history of that song, Lionel Ritchie had written it so many years ago for his grandmother and there wasn't a more perfect song for Harm and Grandma Sarah to dance to.
The evening progressed and it was time to throw the bouquet and garter. The single woman lined up and Mac waved the bouquet at them. "So who's going to catch it?" Mac asked laughing, "Chloe? Bobbie? Teresa? Anna? Elena?" Mac said naming just a few. She turned her back to her friends and threw the bouquet. It was as if the Red Sea had parted again. All the single ladies moved out of the way and left Bobbie standing there to catch the bouquet. Little did Bobbie know; Mac had set it all up.
Next came the garter. "Ok boys here we go." Harm laughed swinging the garter on this finger. Harm turned and pretended to throw the garter. Then laughing he turned around, walked over to Sturgis and casually flipped it to him. "Here you go old friend. You're next." Harm said with a smile. Sturgis laughed and walked to Bobbie. "Something tells me we are next to be locked in the basement." Bobbie just shook her head and smiled.
It was an amazing day for everyone. Mac and Harm were finally married. Everyone had a wonderful evening. As the guests left the group of six friends remained. Gunny had offered to take Little AJ back home and give Harriet and Bud a little time with their friends.
"We always seem to be the last to leave." Bud said.
"I think it's fitting." Mac replied. "You have been with us
every step of the way."
"I propose a toast, to all of us." Sturgis said raising a glass. "Let's always be as happy as we are today."
They clinked glasses and drank.
"Oh I have something to say." Harm said. "Thank you. You're my best friends. You helped me see what was important. Without you I would not be the happiest and the luckiest man in the world."
"Aww, group-hug guys." Bud said. They had their little moment together with some laughing and some tears.
The friends walked out of the Landon House to the awaiting limousines. Off into the night they went, Bud and Harriet to their home, Sturgis and Bobbie to Bobbie's and Mac and Harm to the Loews Jefferson Hotel. Tonight was their first night as man and wife; tomorrow they were leaving for London.
After years of trying to get it right, Mac and Harm finally did. They were married and nothing would break that bond. Where the winds took them from here would be an adventure, one that they would gladly experience together.