Chapter 16: Tradition
Leah knew it was time. Time for her youngest child to move out. Although she and Ethan had only two kids, it is sad. They had Isaiah, and then a daughter, Rebekah. Like they always planned, they would name their first daughter after Ethan's sister who had died. Ethan and Leah have been married 22 years and Leah still doesn't regret her decision.
She and Ethan have aged a bit. Ethan the most. After working outside in the hot sun every summer and then being coped up in the house with two noisy kids doesn't help keep the gray hairs away. For some reason, although married Amish men always have beards, Ethan didn't like it. He did have a beard, just a short one. Leah didn't mind. She didn't like when she kissed him, that her face would get tickled, but she knew it was a custom.
Isaiah has already gone off and got married. He lives not to far from home. His wife, Eve, has been a wonderful addition to the family. They haven't had any kids yet, but they plan to soon. Rebekah is getting married and will soon be on her own, well, at least out of the house. Leah does love her children, but has been waiting for this time. The time where it will be just her and Ethan, like before. Like when they met. She still remembers that day. She looks back on all their memories. The days before the kids were born and the days after. The days when the kids were born and the nights they were conceived. Plus many other things.
"Ma, come on." Snapped Leah back to reality. She had been thinking all this while the women of both families worked on the dishes. She was to take Rebekah over to see her future husband before tomorrow. She was to be married tomorrow. Leah's baby was leaving the nest and then she and Ethan were to have the house to themselves for the first time since Isaiah been born.
"Hold on darling." Leah said walking over to Ethan. He was sitting, comfortly in his favorite chair, drinking from the cup Leah bought him years ago. "We'll be back soon. Don't stay up waiting for us. We have a long day a head of us and we need our sleep. I promise we will not stay very long." Leah said to Ethan. She leaned down and gave him a kiss goodbye.
"Alright. Young Rebekah, when your mother says it's time to go, it is. You will see Jonathan tomorrow. " Ethan said to his daughter. Rebekah nodded, but Ethan knew better. He knows that she won't obey. Charity did the same thing.
Leah and her daughter walked outside and hopped in the old buggy. Still squeaky from all the years. Ethan's done the best to fix it. It just wasn't worth getting rid of. They headed down to the gravel road from the house Ethan built. They discussed the wedding plans for tomorrow. When they finally reached the Nelson's farm. Leah stopped the buggy and Rebekah jumped out.
"Hello?" Jonathan answered and "Hi Rebekah." Rebekah wasted no time hugging him. She jumped into his arms and he swung her around. It was like they haven't seen each other for years, but to Rebekah, a few hours is like a year.
"Hello Mrs. Longacre." Jonathan's father said. He was widowed five years ago and had to raise the four children himself and the community, as usual, helped him out. Everyone would send food and clothing for the family. Jonathan is the oldest and only boy. His three younger sisters range from age 16 to 7. They do have an older sister, but she had already moved out and had her own family when her mother died.
"Hi Mr. Nelson." Leah said. He lead Leah into the kitchen for some tea as Rebekah and Jonathan sat in the kitchen. They gave them some privacy, but still was able to watch them.
"Exciting day tomorrow?" He said pouring the hot water for Leah.
"Oh yes. Ethan is outnumbered a home. Every women in a ten mile radius is at our home." She said. He just laughed. Leah mixed her tea and took a sip.
After awhile. Leah decided that it was time for them to go home. Rebekah needed her sleep. If she was like Leah on the night before her wedding, she wasn't going to get much sleep. Only a couple hours.
"Rebekah dear, it's time to go." Leah said walking into the living room.
"Couple more minutes, mama?" She asked. Leah put her jacket on. Although it was summer, the nights were cool.
"No, we have to go. You will see Jonathan tomorrow and the rest of your life. Now you know what your father said." Leah said.
"But Mama." Rebekah whined.
"No buts. It is time to go. Thank you Mr. Nelson for the tea. We will see you tomorrow." Leah said and "Come on, Rebekah. We have to go." She held up her jacket.
"Fine. By Jonathan. I'll see you tomorrow." Rebekah said bummed. She was, but if she didn't listen, she'd be in trouble with Ethan. As they took off, Jonathan and his father watched them. Making sure nothing happens.
Leah and her daughter returned home and went inside. Ethan was found asleep in his chair. All the other women had left
"Ethan, Ethan. Honey, wake up." Leah said shaking him gently. His eyes slowly opened and he looked up at Leah.
"Yes?" He asked.
"You fell asleep in your chair. Now go upstairs and get into bed, dear. Everyone is gone and it's bedtime." Leah said taking off her jacket and "Rebekah, you go upstairs and go to bed too. We can take our baths in the morning." Rebekah nodded, knowing here she had to obey her mother. She walked upstairs and went into her room. Ethan got up and walked over to Leah.
"I'm going to bed. Are you coming?" He asked.
"In a couple of minutes." Leah replied. Ethan smiled and kissed her. He walked up the stairs and went into their bedroom. Leah cleaned up some of the mess they left. She then went to lock the door and ventured to their bedroom. She walked in quietly, not sure if Ethan went to sleep. She let out her hair and started to undress. She slid into bed. She felt a hand reach over for her's.
"Goodnight my Leah." Ethan said squeezing her hand.
"Goodnight." Leah said. They fell asleep.
"Ma, Pa. I'm getting married today." Rebekah said opening the door. It was too early, even for Ethan. Leah understood her daughter's excitement. She did the same exact thing. But Ann and Mary were alright awake. Leah decided to get up. She and Rebekah could take their baths and eat breakfast before the ladies come back. She walks downstairs and goes to find the tub. She sent Rebakah to get some water and she lights a fire. They would usually take their baths at night, but since Rebakah wanted to see Jonathan, plus their were a bunch of people in the house, they decided that in the morning they would.
After Rebekah was done, she went upstairs to get dressed. Leah took her bath. When she finished, she dumped the water and went upstairs to dress. She made a new dress for today. Ethan has woken up and was dressing when she came in.
"Just give me a couple minutes, and I will make breakfast." Leah said.
"Do not worry. I can make breakfast." Ethan said walking out of the room. She would him do that. She has a million things to do without making breakfast. When she finished, she went into Rebakah's room. She dressed in her wedding dress. It was a simple light blue dress, just like Leah's.
"Wow." Leah said. Rebakah turned around and she was crying.
"Rebekah, what is wrong?" Leah asked her daughter.
"I'm getting married today, Mama. I won't be Rebekah Longacre anymore. I'll be Rebekah Nelson. I won't be your little girl anymore. I'll be a woman. I'll be taking care of a husband and children soon. I'll have my own house and garden. Mama, I'm scared." She said sitting on the bed.
"Darling, I was too. There's nothing really to be scared of. Jonathan loves you very much. He will take care of you too. You will always be my little girl. Even to your father. You are our first and only daughter. This is the only time we actually get to plan a wedding for you. Let us make the best of it. Now wipe away those tears and I will tell you story." Leah said.
They came downstairs after awhile. Rebekah tears have been wiped away and the reddness disappeared.
"You look very beautiful, honey." Ethan said hugging his daughter.
"Thank you Papa." She said wiping her nose.
Rebekah and Jonathan were married and are spending their first night together at home. Until spring, they will be living with different family members. Ethan and Leah stayed quiet so the newlyweds felt like they were alone in their own home.
Leah walked into their bedroom that night. Ethan was sitting on the edge of the bed and looked sad. "What's wrong Ethan?" She asked going to the dresser.
"My little girl is grown up." He said.
"Yes, I know. Both of our children are grown up. " Leah said dressing for bed. She sat down and started to brush her hair.
"She's not little anymore." Ethan said. Leah puts her hair brush down and gets up. She walks over to the bed and sits down next to her husband.
"No, but she will always be your little girl. She will always be that little girl sitting in front of the fireplace, playing with that doll we gave her. She will always be the one coming after making a snow man with snowflakes on her eyelashes, saying it suppose to look lie you." Leah replied and "She is lucky to be someone's little girl." Leah referred to her old life, before Ethan came around.
"I guess your right." He said.
"Now Ethan, let us go to bed. " Leah said getting up and walking to her side. She moves the covers and slides into bed. Ethan follows.
"Want to bundle?" Ethan asked covering up.
"Oh of course and maybe more." Leah said. She kissed him. He reached out and turned the light off.
The End
What da ya Think? I hope you enjoyed the story. I do plan on writing another Angel's story. Just a little different. Thank you for all the reviews.