Chapter 16—Tender Hooks and Revelations J
Mare Nubium. Umbriel. (Sea of Clouds. Umbriel. 2 3
Mare
Imbrium. Ariel. (Sea
of Showers. Ariel)
Et itur ad astra. (And
we go to the stars. 4 5)
Et itur ad astra. (And
we go to the stars.)
Mare Undarum. Io. Vela. (Sea
of Waves. Io. Vela. 6 7
Mirabile dictu.
Mirabilia. (Wonderful
to relate. Marvels. 8)
Mirabile visu. Mirabilia. (Wonderful
to see. Wonders.)
Et itur ad astra. (And
we go to the stars.)
Et itur ad astra. (And
we go to the stars.)
Sempervirent. Rosetum. (Evergreen.
A rose garden. 9
Afer Ventus.
Zephyrus. (African
Wind. Zephyrus. 10)
Volturnus. Africus. (Volturnus.
Africus. 11 12)
Et itur ad astra. (And
we go to the stars.)
Et itur ad astra. (And
we go to the stars.)
Etesiarum. Eurus. (Etesiarum.
Eurus. 13 14
Running verse:
Suus cuique mos. Suum cuique. (Each
has its own habits. Each its own. 15
Meus mihi, suus cuique carus. ( Mine to me, its own to each is dear.
16)
Mememto, terrigena. (Remember,
life is earth-born. 17)
Mememto, vita brevis. ( Remember,
it is brief.)
Meus mihi, suus cuique carus. Mine to me, its own to each is dear.
Translation for Enya's song Afer Ventus (African Wind) from: http: Lexie and Susan had been locked in the wine cellar for a good hour. Susan started to empathetically hum like Za-zu from the Disney movie 'The Lion King' in hopes to cheer Lexie up like she would hum for Nigel when he felt sick, as she could tell Lexie didn't look so hot, "I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts...standing tall in a row, big ones, small ones..."
"You have things to do with your work don't you?" Katrina asked mystically Susan, "Than being locked up in the Glenbogle House wine cellar?"
"I don't have much to do-I heard the noise and I came down to join the party...I just didn't think I'd be hanging out in this dreary place, this long—thanks be to Lizzie—remind me to play a prank on her when we do get out of here." answered Susan as she glanced around the old stone walled room which still had bottles of wine lined up on racks...as she sat beside Lexie and stroked her hair as Lexie had placed her head in Susan's lap. Lexie felt pretty nauseated, by the sight of the room too...the musty, ancient, and dank smell was getting to her aside from the claustrophobia that she never thought she had, kicked in.
"For a minute there I thought you came to the party to play mediator or write a sonnet on the place, you call home. Speaking of 'home' I read your article on 'Highland Economy'...the one you won an award on. Impressive,"
"I normally don't play United Nations between 'Katrina republic' and "Lexie country' if that's what you're implying, as for my article, thank-you, I think," Susan replied with a beam as Katrina gave a laugh and they waited for Lexie to add some kind of thought in, but she groaned, "The bean's famished. If I open my eyes, Suzy, this place is starting to spin..." as Lexie also lie there grumbling mindfully about her stomach and it let out a growl in reply to how hungry it was...
"We'll get you out of here soon enough..." Susan assured as Lexie just mumbled again with her eyes closed, "The smell..."
"I know."
Katrina continued her conversation with Susan, "I mean it. You went out on a limb and wrote about how a community should own the land, that rents are high enough and lairds shouldn't be the ones making money off of people...it's true. I know because I fought for many things in this community when I lived here, many modern ideas and new ways, some received well and some not. I think you were very brave to include comments from the laird of Glencampbell, how did you get Compton's thoughts anyway?"
"I actually let him wine and dine me," Susan boldly laughed as she added, "It worked...I don't really like him, even though, through the grapevine, Lizzie harbors this thing for him,"
"I know."
"I'm harboring like I'm going to lose my lunch, when I already have..." Lexie remarked in gloom doom as she sat up, only to lie back down on Susan again, "I wish Lizzie and Molly or someone would let us out of here...I can't imagine Arch, would allow this."
"For all we know he could be behind it," Katrina said as Lexie tipped her head in Katrina's direction, and disagreed, "Archie wouldn't do such a thing..." Katrina glanced back at Lexie and then focused on Susan again, "Funny thing..."
"What?" Susan asked as she looked at Katrina.
"That Hector MacDonald's illegitimate son would get involved with a relation to someone he politically despised," Katrina remarked as Susan tilted her head, "To Margaret Thatcher. He didn't believe in democracy or any of those modern introduced ideas that you have made in your article, or I think he feared them...he never cared for politics much either, unless it involved his community, but he did like the prehistoric feudal rule."
Susan laughed, "Oh, well, to bad for him, huh? At least I'm no relation to Blair...I'll save those complaints for another day, eh?"
"Speaking about community involvement...you are getting married to Paul right?" Katrina questioned as Susan gave her an odd look, "Huh?"
"Well, Archie said he's giving Paul acreage to build a house on," Lexie explained as she kept her eyes closed and Susan gave her strange look, Lexie then concluded, "Didn't you know?"
"No, this is new to me..." Susan wondered more about Lexie bringing up this 'house' issue when Paul hadn't said a word to her about it...
Eurus
Afer Ventus
So the world goes round and round
with all you ever knew
They say the sky high above
Is Caribbean blue ...
If every man says all he can,
If every man is true,
Do I believe the sky above
Is Caribbean blue ...
... Boreas ...
... Zephryus ...
If all you told was turned to gold,
If all you dreamed were new,
Imagine sky high above
In Caribbean blue ...
... Eurus...
Afer Ventus ...
... Boreas
Zephryus ...
... Africus ...
Caribbean BlueEnya
(Latin names used in song which are between English lyrics are Roman gods of winds)
Fergal wandered out into the hall to hear Archie grilling Molly and Lizzie in whereabouts of Lexie, Susan and Katrina. As Fergal approached them, he asked "Where's Kat?"
"Look, Fergal, they as in Lexie and Katrina don't get along," Lizzie began as Archie glared, "Where are they?"
Molly gave in, "They are in a place where they are talking stuff out and Susan is sadly stuck with them. Lizzie and I decided we're tired of the schoolgirl rows between those two and we want them to get on with the future."
Fergal eyed Molly and then Lizzie, "Can someone fill me in on what exactly has made Lexie and Katrina both turn against each other?"
Archie rubbed his face with his hands, went googly eyed and matter of factly stated, "I want to know where they are and now! Fergal, I'll explain it all later, but I want to know where my pregnant wife is! Did you think if she didn't eat, she'd wilt away? Did you? Of course Lexie would wilt! You of all people mother should know this with your healthy pregnancy diet craze! This is uncanny, awfully rude, and just like the both of you to do something tricky, treacherous, and theatrical on an important day...where's Lexie?"
Lizzie handed over Archie's keys and his eyes grew wide, "My keys? You mean to tell me you both locked them in a room together? I better find them alive!"
"Oh good lord, drama king, yes they are alive!" Lizzie rolled her eyes in reply and grumpily put her hands on her hips as she scowled at her brother.
"Archie dear they are fine, I'm sure, Lexie didn't want to be at that dinner anyway..."
Molly assured and added as Archie said, "Not the point, mother!" as Paul appeared in hall, "Everything okay? Where's Susan?"
"Fine, Paul," Archie nodded as he interrogated Lizzie and Molly one last time, "Just fine and mother and Lizzie know where Susan is...for the last time, where are they?"
"In the wine cellar, but Archie you are such a good boy, just let them stay together for a little while longer...maybe they have it already sorted?" Molly replied as Lizzie blew out a breath as she watched Archie with Fergal right behind him take off and Paul stood there wondering what was going on, "Mummy, he's already off to the cellar, no reason to butter him up like a bread roll now!"
Fergal and Archie continued to beat-feet down the hall as Fergal pried again, "Can you fill me in now?"
Archie stopped short and grew quiet with perplexing thoughts, as he turned to Fergal, "Not much to fill in, Fergal, Katrina, came back years ago for..."
"The teaching position at the school she told me..."
"Oh?"
"There's more isn't there?" Fergal's face went sad, assuming there was...
Archie sadly nodded his head, "Katrina didn't just come back for the teaching job."
"She came back for you."
"Well, not exactly, okay, yes, but?"
"She told me she had these strong feelings for me when she was off in London?"
"Maybe so, look, Lexie got terribly crushed by the whole situation of Katrina trying to return and assumed she'd steal me away...which didn't work because I told her I was dead set on marrying my one true sweetheart..."
"Lexie. You know, Archie, Katrina said love transforms but doesn't change—it changed all right, about me, about us, and obviously went straight to the crapper! No wonder she was all hush-hush about the engagement..." Fergal started to jump to conclusions and Archie couldn't stop him as they walked up to the wine cellar door.
"Katrina didn't take the job because she feared seeing Lexie and I together would break her heart everyday. I personally was relieved that she didn't stick around..."
"So wait, she wanted you to drop Lexie and get back with her?"
"I'm afraid so..."
"I can't believe this. I told you the day she ran from the train, enroute to Edinburgh; she just didn't want to go. I was foolish to think she had any kind of feelings for me and you know, I should have just let it all go in New Zealand, thinking I was the one who alienated her...who drove her away because I wanted to take that new job! I had told you that she'd come after me if she loved me—I made all those excuses for why she didn't come for me, Archie..."
"Now wait, let's get them out of the wine cellar, and let Katrina explain..." Archie ran to the door unlocked it as Fergal followed behind and replied, "Explain what? I'm not sure I want Katrina out of the cellar under this circumstance...I'm not going to marry her."
Just as Katrina stood there at the top of the steps, Lexie and Susan right behind her as the color flushed from her face, "What did you just say?"
"I said the thought of getting married to you is such a waste of my time!" Fergal sneered as a startled, shocked, soon love ridden, and guilty Katrina, avoided eye contact with both Archie and Fergal. Before she then took off on foot, blazed past a relieved Paul, who wandered down the hall to the cellar, "Normally it's here comes the bride, not there goes the bride right?" as no one caught any humor from Paul's joke and his questioning look about where the bride Katrina ran off too?
Susan just then nipped Paul by the arm with her hand, "Never mind the bride to be, we've something to discuss..."
"Oh?" Paul quipped curiously.
"Yeah oh, about 'our' house?"
Paul laughed nervously and smiled, "Sorry, I forgot."
"That's a pretty major thing to forget, Pauly!" Susan snickered and gave his chest a solid thump with her hand and her eyes narrowed in...
"Well, I... let's talk about this somewhere else, perhaps?" Paul caught Lexie's glare, she was going to erupt and he decided to get Susan and him self out of the way...
When they were out of an ear shot, Lexie ripped right into Archie as she still felt queasy but pushed it aside to scold her husband, "How dare you!"
"Me?" Archie's face grew red as Lexie continued, "And you! You know that was a horrible thing to say to your future wife! I don't understand the men in this house! First Paul and Duncan batting at each other weeks ago and now you two, you broke that poor girl's heart! You love her and you do want to marry her, you small insignificant monkey's hind-side-Fergal Maclure an' if you lie through those teeth again, I'll have King Kong stomp you out!"
"Lexie, I?" Archie was bewildered...
"I... don't know what to say," Fergal was still upset but Lexie expressed why she was angry and all in one breathe.
"I feel nauseated, wrecked, knackered, and on the verge to feast on a cow! And that cellar! Don't get me started as it reeks just like Hector's old stinky sweat socks an' his 'bleetch!' fishin' wellies- but I know by golly gee whiz what to say!"
Both men, Archie and Fergal, were silent just like on a cold winter's day during a blustery blizzard—as Lexie storm continue to batter through and down on them hard, "The issues, 'the personal business between Katrina and I' is no one else's concern! The hatchet has now been buried with us...Arch and I know you said something 'cos the neon glow from your 'halo' went out! You're no angel, Archie MacDonald when you sulk about! How could you tell Fergal about what happened years ago and plant false hopes in his puny brain? Don't even breathe another word about it to him! Duncan! I know you're there among the eaves! Show yer self now!" Lexie glared at Archie and knew Duncan was listening in on the whole heated discussion as he peeked around the corner, "Aye Lex?"
"Take this groom an' toss him in a nice suit an' he betta be sunshiny and smilin' when I see him again or else!" Lexie gave Fergal a quick shove in Duncan's direction.
"But what if I can't find one to toss him in?" Duncan asked, as Lexie eyed him once over, "Must I spell it out for you? Then take him to my room-get a suit and tie on him pronto! I'm off to cloth the bride!" Lexie stormed off and Archie went after her leaving Fergal and Duncan to look at each other utterly confused but did as she said, even though Fergal still wasn't sure he wanted to marry Katrina after what Archie had told him...
"Lexie..." Archie chanted and trailed his wife down the hall, "Lex, come on, this is ludicrous, I didn't plant anything in Fergal's head! He drew his own conclusions!" Archie stopped dead in his tracks just as Lexie made him back up, many, many, and many steps.
"Katrina Finlay and I might have very different views but we are both human and have for the most part moved on, Archie MacDonald! She still isn't my favorite runt of the litter but I know she was ready to secretly marry that Fergal tonight if you hadn't suggested a darn dinner extravaganza!"
"I know, it's kind of a bust, Lexie, and I know about their 'wedding' bit. I invited Rev. Alice, Fergal's mother and brother, and Xavier over to eat and to suggest to them getting married at the house, tonight or any night."
Lexie then replied, "Then stop the Reverend from leaving and I'll go console and gather the bride and find the groom a suit-will ya, Arch! I know Duncan's probably up in our room now as we fritter away time talking about this!" Lexie waltzed away and Archie sighed as he was about to go in the direction of Fergal and Duncan as he ran back into the dinning room. Rev. Alice chatted delightfully with Molly and the dinner guests in the middle of the meal, as Archie nodded to Lizzie who was coming from the kitchen, "Don't let Rev. Alice leave, you owe me big!"
Lizzie nodded, "Okay but where are you going?" as Archie didn't answer Lizzie and took off for the upstairs and he found Duncan and Fergal in Archie and Lexie's room about to go through their wardrobe.
Lexie ran straight into the kitchen as she notes Susan and Paul sitting at the table and Susan's plate of food as Lexie eyed it hungrily and carefully asks, "Which way did she go?"
"Who?" Paul sure grinned as Lexie rolls her eyes and pronounces, "Katrina!"
Susan spoke right up joining Paul's grin with her own smile, "Check the pantry...hey!" as Susan's frown crept in when Lexie started eating her portion of grouse on her dinner plate.
Lexie answered with a significant twinkling in her cerulean eyes, "Double Thanks!" as she continued to eat Susan's portion of grouse, and went towards the pantry but Susan placed a hand on Lexie's arm and suggests, "here just take the whole plateful...I'll get my own again..."
Lexie beamed about to run towards the pantry when she circled back with a laugh, "Forks!" Lexie grabbed two forks from the dish rack and took off in the direction of the pantry.
"Katrina?"
"What do you want? I'm going, I shouldn't be in here...I just needed a place to think..."
"Susan and Paul said you were in here..."
"Look, I'm fine. I'm?"
"You're not fine, yer as fine as getting your foot caught in a boat rudder! Hungry?" Lexie maneuvered herself to sit down beside Katrina as gingerly as possible with the plate of food...
Chapter 17-The House Wedding and new beginnings J
I walk the maze of moments
But everywhere I turn to
Begins a new beginning
But never finds a finish
I walk to the horizon
And there I find another
It all seems so surprising
And then I find that I know
You go there you're gone forever
I go there I'll lose my way
If we stay here we're not together
Anywhere is
The moon upon the ocean
Is swept around in motion
But without ever knowing
The reason for its flowing
In motion on the ocean
The moon still keeps on moving
The waves still keep on waving
And I still keep on going
I wonder if the stars sign
The life that is to be mine
And would they let their light shine
Enough for me to follow
I look up to the heavens
But night has clouded over
No spark of constellation
No Vela no Orion
The shells upon the warm sands
Have taken from their own lands
The echo of their story
But all I hear are low sounds
As pillow words are weaving
And willow waves are leaving
But should I be believing
That I am only dreaming
You go there you're gone forever
I go there I'll lose my way
If we stay here we're not together
Anywhere is
The moon upon the ocean
Is swept around in motion
But without ever knowing
The reason for its flowing
In motion on the ocean
The moon still keeps on moving
The waves still keep on waving
And I still keep on going
To leave the thread of all time
And let it make a dark line
In hopes that I can still find
The way back to the moment
I took the turn and turned to
Begin a new beginning
Still looking for the answer
I cannot find the finish
It's either this or that way
It's one way or the other
It should be one direction
It could be on reflection
The turn I have just taken
The turn that I was making
I might be just beginning
I might be near the end.
Anywhere is Enya
Lexie sat with Katrina in the food pantry holding out the plate of food to her. Katrina didn't laugh, as she sniffed her nose and wiped her cheeks with her sleeves of her shirt while Lexie gestured to the fork in her hands, "Now are ya famished? Dun't tell me no, 'cos it's a 'keeping the peace' offering and I can declare war on you again if you don't eat it."
Katrina sniffled again and took the fork from Lexie as she offered the plate of food, "Last thing we need is another war...aren't you gonna have any?" as Katrina's eyes set on the second fork in Lexie's hand.
"Nah, I'll steal another plate from Susan...I already ate most of the grouse portion..." Lexie joked and winked at Katrina, "Now let's talk wedding here..."
"You heard Fergal...everything's messed up because of me," Katrina took a stab with the fork at some peas and brought them up to her mouth to eat.
"Hmmmm, not true, well, Arch wants you two happy an' also married..." Lexie grinned as Katrina gave her a serious look, and ate a bite of potato.
"You sure about this?" Katrina's brows rose as she opted for Lexie's opinion.
"Hum, let's see, we were once 'okay' mates you and I, were we not? Aside from the ancient battle over Archie, um, we made destroying the wine cellar look like a breeze. I dun know how Arch will react to hearing about our cat fight down there—aside from the baker's dozen of broken bottles...an' ye're askin' me if I'm sure?"
Lexie's face and voice glazed over with a hint of sarcasm as Katrina continued to be clouded with her own thoughts, wondering if Lexie was still upset, and until Lexie laughed, "Of course, I'm sure...Katrina, Arch's right you deserve to be happy and I agree. Things didn't have to get so hairy with us, even though they were very sticky there for awhile, and Susan's right we're grown ups, we should be able to make sound judgments and choices an' fightin' like lions doesn't help in the swing of things, does it?"
Katrina's face softened, before it grew with loss of heart again, and then her mouth went into an upside down half moon, "No, but good it ends all well, what about Fergal? There's no stopping him, once his mind is made up firmly, he keeps it that way..."
Lexie's face bloomed with satisfaction, possibility and brightness at Katrina's near future, "Getting' down upon yer self doesn't help matters, much does it? Dwelling about if Fergal meant it or not that shouldn't be an issue now. I know he loves you with his whole heart as much as you do, or he wouldn't be upstairs at this moment getting ready to stand before you and a Minister?"
"How do you mean?"
"Katrina, Archie wants you both married here at the house and even went as far to dial up Rev. Alice, she married us you know, Arch and I-she could marry you and Fergal too. Archie suggested tonight even, just like how you wanted it at Xavier's...Arch, wanted to bring forward his own 'peace' offering..."
"Are you mad? Archie's?"
"Katrina, come with me..." Lexie picked her self up off of the floor and gave Katrina a hand up as they left the dinner plate sitting there with half eaten food and two forks criss crossed over together like Lexie and Katrina had reached at a cross-road with their problems-leaving them in the past for good.
"I'm not dressing up in anything..." Fergal trumpeted as Archie stood there with two of his best suits on hangers...
"Yes, you are..." Duncan replied, "Or else...creeeeeeeeeeek!" Duncan made a 'dandifying' sound and place his fingers near is neck as if he were going to be beheaded by...Lexie for not doing as he was told.
"Fergal, if you're not sure about marrying her today or any day, then why did you spend all of that time living with her for the past weeks and buy her a ring?" Archie judged as Fergal tossed him a look, shrugged his shoulders just as the bedroom door opened and Kieran appeared, as he signaled to Fergal, "What's wrong?"
"Not sure about marrying Katrina at all now..." Fergal signed back as Archie and Duncan watched the Maclure brother's hand chatting away.
"Why not? Look, Mum's getting antsy and restless, she thinks you're getting hitched tonight after Molly MacDonald suggested wedding preparations and Archie, there, suggested that possible wedding here..."
"I know. I know the wedding could be tonight-but it's not going to happen."
"Why not?"
"I said so."
"If you love the woman, you marry her with your whole heart and soul and tonight of all nights?"
"That woman doesn't love me..."
"What?"
"What's he saying?" Archie asked as Duncan replied, "He says that Fergal should marry Katrina with her whole heart and soul and tonight of all nights..." as Fergal and Archie gave Duncan a baffled look...
"My favorite Uncle, he's hearing impaired, been able to converse in sign language for a while now—I read the books," Duncan's face lit up at Archie's 'oh' expression on his face and the marvel appreciative glance that Fergal gave him in approval, "...get married to her Fergal, it's the right thing to do." Duncan smiled with his choice and then wandered out of the room before signing to Kieran, "I just talked him into it with you,"
Kieran smiled back signing, "Thank-you."
Kieran turned to Fergal, hand motioned, "Well?"
"Yeah, suppose," Kieran beamed, gave Fergal a thumbs up and then walked out of the room to catch up with Duncan.
Fergal sighed, as his hands latched onto the suit in Archie's left hand, and then while releasing the suit, he replied challengingly, and to Archie,"I have to talk to her..."
Fergal then wandered from the room just as he ran into Katrina and Lexie on the stairs...Katrina froze as Lexie gave her a nudge in Fergal's direction, "Go on, I'll meet you in the lavvy."
Katrina's face dropped to the floor as she stared at her shoes...and Fergal peered right at her, "Katrina...listen...I..."
"No, you're absolutely right, getting married isn't something to take lightly or seriously, I was wrong to believe you'd want to be married to last week, last month, or an eon ago's garbage..."
"Hang on, you're not garbage, you're not old news, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me..." as Fergal placed his hands on Katrina's shoulders, gave them a soothing rub, and stared lovingly into her pristine blue eyes.
"Why the sudden change of heart since the wine cellar? You said you didn't want to marry me..." Katrina tried to back away, but found it hard to do on steps, with Hector MacDonald's painting staring down at the couple as if he were saying, "take a darn leap into the lover's abyss or get off my steps!"
"Archie told me what happened years ago... why didn't you just come out and say it?"
"Cause I wanted to forget it,"
"Why?"
"I don't love Archie, Fergal. I don't want to grace the floor because his feet are standing on it...I'd much rather kiss you in the silver birch woods that you and I stand in...I love you. I'm sorry I didn't say it right out before...I'm not one for going out and getting what I want when it comes to men. Lizzie knows all about this..." Katrina sighed, while Lexie snooped from the hall with a huge grin plastered upon her face just as Archie whispered, "Lex?" and she latched an arm around him, "Shhhh...They are making right up...let them do it..." Lexie whispered back to Archie as he smiled, "Ah,"
"Shhhhh..." Lexie put her finger to her lips to silence him and then to his...
Katrina and Fergal were in the middle of length, loving and soft kiss as they broke free, laughing. Katrina lifted her head towards the hall, in Lexie and Archie's hiding spot. Katrina laughed and breathed easy again, with her response, "We can hear ya you know, peeping up there, whispering about..."
Lexie snapped her fingers and gave Archie's shoulder a shove with her cased hand, "Shoot!"
Archie laughed, "Okay, you..." as he wrapped an arm around her and leaned in, placed an enchanting kiss to her brow and then an even warmer one to her lips, "I should go get the Rev. Alice, shouldn't I?"
Lizzie giddily replied at the bottom of the stairs, "If you're getting married, Reverend suggests, getting ready and soon..."
Rev. Alice waved at the couple as she stood beside Lizzie at the bottom of the steps in the front foyer. Molly and Mavis toss hands up in excitement and said in sync, "Awwww...we love weddings!" Xavier and Golly nodded to each other as Paul, Susan and the kids stood with huge grins after witnessing Katrina and Fergal become one again...and Kieran signed proudly, "and I get to bless the union after all!"
Katrina and Fergal waltzed up the stairs as Lexie snagged Katrina in the direction of the bedroom and Archie grabbed Fergal into the direction of the lavvy. Lexie opened her old wood wardrobe and pulled out a white dress in a dress bag as Katrina gazed at her, "Oh no, I couldn't wear it..."
"Aye, you can, Molly even fished it out of the trash barrel on my wedding day years ago...one woman's trash is another woman's find...it's a joke, Katrina." Lexie chuckled as Katrina eyed her closely, seriously and then relaxed, before inquiring, "You were supposed to wear that on your wedding day?"
"Look, old news, wear it...bodice will fit you and the a-frame skirt looks bedazzling with it, don't you think? I have the veil that goes with it and the beaded heart crown that's attached..." Lexie searched her wardrobe for a white circular cardboard hat box where the veil rest, before snatching it out and showing it to Katrina.
"Lexie, I..."
"You're not going to tarnish my wedding memories by wearing the dress I had picked out for myself then...I didn't wear it anyway, Arch and I married on a hillside in other lovely clothes...wear it. I'll even send it your way with you if you like or store it...you never know, you might get lucky and have a daughter-ya know?" Lexie winked and Katrina eyed the white fabric of glittering white jewels at the top of the skirt and the sheer silky fabric of the bodice...
Katrina nodded her head with a huge smile and minutes later, after Lexie had helped Katrina get dressed up, as Lexie put the finishing touches on 'bride' Katrina, they both stood before the mirror as Katrina asked, "You don't think it's a bit much?"
"Nope, Katrina Finlay, not at all, or shall I say, Katrina Maclure," Lexie beamed with joy as she laughed and then Katrina gave her look, "What do I do about flowers?"
"Dun worry, I have that one taken care of...or I'm sure Molly does..."
Fergal kept fiddling with the black bowtie, as one side came together and the other side felt short, finally Archie stepped in, "I've gotten so used to wearing these I can do them up in my sleep...now turn face me, you look nice a spiffy...I have one thing to add to your suit," Archie opened up a black box with a huge smile, and handed Fergal, two shimmering, glinted, and genuine sterling silver cufflinks...
"Ah no, you've done enough with the suit and tie..."
"My father gave them to me the day I was to be sworn in as laird and since you can't wear a kilt so wear them tonight for the ceremony..."
"Sure about this?"
"I'm sure, Fergal."
(Insert here the song "Pachelbel Canon in D Major" I love Enya's version (it's slow, very mellow and nice (also seven minutes long)—goes with the beginning of the K/F wedding ceremony but here's the one that's kinda upbeat but very pretty which goes at the end of the K/F wedding ceremony...(not my site...I give CREDIT!)
http:www.ray.hutchings.dial. LOL Enjoy! J
Not even an hour later of quick preparations, as the MacDonald family had been dressed to impress, men in kilted fashion (Golly, Archie, Duncan and Paul) with Scottish caps showing off family emblems, ribbons and a couple plumes, short suit coats with two rows of silver diamond buttons, their tartans expressing their last name colors—black, red, blue, green and brown, traditional rough leather sporrans strapped on their front sides, long socks topped with tassels and brown or black loafer-like shoes, women in best dresses (Molly, Lexie and Susan), black dresses—all similar in style, off the shoulder, on the shoulder, Molly's hair up, Lexie's hair flowing down over her shoulders and Susan with her bowl cut hairdo, and the guests (Mavis, Kieran and Xavier) in their unique fashionable attire—Xavier appeared in his best slacks, red tie and a cardigan. Mavis dressed in a purple jumper, short-necked turtle top, purple slacks and black shoes and Kieran with a flapping cuff shirt, cardigan over it and black slacks with his Boston loafers—were just waiting for special moment to arrive. Because of Archie's dinner party, they were all ready to lay their eyes upon a special, quiet, quaint and intimate wedding ceremony between Katrina and Fergal.
"I'm delighted that Kieran is a Minister," Rev. Alice spoke up while hinting to Mavis as Fergal stood dressed up in Archie's suit, standing next to Kieran—listening in, "Since I'll sign the paperwork, Kieran should do the ceremony,"
Mavis stood beside Rev. Alice with a grin, "Are you sure?"
"I believe one should bless a union that they hold dear. Kieran should do it."
Mavis signed to Kieran, "See, someone else believes you make a great minister...wants you to marry your brother there with his soon wife..."
Kieran's face lit right up like a Christmas tree, as it was the best news he had heard in ages and hand signaled to his brother, "She's serious? I can do it?"
"Kieran, of course she is..."
Kieran nodded his head in a 'Thank-you' as Fergal replied to the Reverend, after she asked what Kieran just said, "He says, Thanks for letting him do it." Fergal gave Kieran a huge 'thumbs up'.
"Who will translate?" Lizzie piped up as Mavis replied instantly with excitement, "As for wedding preparations, since I haven't done anything yet...I'll stand beside him and translate..."
"Very good, so Kieran stands there, you stand beside him and I'll sit down with the guests," Rev. Alice beamed indistinctly, "I actually get to watch a wedding I've signed for by the sidelines, this is nice," as she went to join Molly, Susan and the others, whom were sitting on the yellow velvet backed chairs from the dinning room table. Molly had instructed Duncan and Golly to move the seats into the front sitting room facing the raised floor where the wedding would take place.
Xavier and Katrina stood at the top of the stairs as a dazzled dressed Katrina bride sighed out in admittance, "I'm scared."
"No need to be, this isn't going to be painful...I'm overjoyed, you're letting your uncle walk you down the steps to your husband to be..."
"Not my uncle, my father." Katrina replied as she blushed at the thought of allowing Xavier after calling him her uncle all of these years, as her father, which he really was...
"Oh...I..." Xavier heard Archie shout out with Lexie's arm linked to his, "Let's get the show on the road shall we? I'll nod to Golly to play the pipes...just make sure you walk down those steps, no tripping up..."
Golly got the hand wave from Archie and began to play as Katrina and Xavier walked down the steps together with Archie and Lexie just behind them as they marched into the front room...Kieran stood on the raised landing and Fergal turned with a huge smile, completely awestruck and spellbound by the aura of Katrina.
Kieran signed with Mavis's words, "Let us begin,"
Xavier handed Katrina off to Fergal, who caressed her hand in his, as Xavier kissed her cheek and then sat down beside Molly on one of the old dinning seats.
Archie stood on Fergal's left and Lexie stood on Katrina's right...
Katrina's eyes met Fergal's as they turned towards each other and their hands stayed weaved together as Kieran nodded with a huge smile, and signed in a joking fashion and brotherly teasing, "You're lucky, banana beak, that Rev. Alice trusts me to do this..."
"Kieran..." Mavis hand signaled to him in warning as she couldn't say that to the waiting impatiently 'guests' for the small ceremony to start. Duncan laughed aloud from the 'seating' area because it was he who understood what Kieran had said. Everyone tossed him strange glances and Mavis gave him a frown too as Duncan's face grew slightly red, his head dropped, he shrugged his shoulders, and he signed back to Kieran, "Let the games begin..."
Kieran smiled, "We stand here tonight to bring together these two trusted souls and join them as one...Fergal..."
"I ask of you to be my wife, regardless of illness, regardless of being poor, needy or even rich for that matter...my heart belongs to you as so I give you this ring, Katrina because it signifies my eternal love and our magical silver birch forest, may we share it always and treasure it together," as Fergal set the moonstone ring upon Katrina's finger once again but for this time actually marriage's sake.
"Do you Katrina accept this ring and of course this man—well boy...okay, okay, man..." Kieran started to sign the vows as Mavis gave him another unruly look and he decided to give in as she edited her Minister son's words for the audience, "Katrina do you accept this ring and this man?"
"Yes, I take you Fergal, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness, though I have no ring for you today let the one you have placed upon my hand signify our forever union and may we always walk together side by side near the squirrels home-the oak trees."
"Then in the power of my blessing, I now grant you both husband and wife...what are you waiting for? Go on, kiss her!" The room filled with clapping, laughing, and mighty bright grins as Fergal and Katrina leaned in towards each other, wrapping their arms around their bodies as their lips locked together in a wedded blissful kiss.
Moments upon moments later after a champagne toast and during the timely dancing around the front sitting room, as everyone kicked up the heels and cheered in honor of Katrina and Fergal's union...
Archie went up behind Lexie curled one arm and hand around her as he presented his other hand with one of the broken bottles from the wine cellar to her... "So about this stellar cat fight..."
Lexie nodded, "Aye, what can I say, you missed the whole thing, Mr. Laird, no sound judgments heard from your corner either, just good old women milling it out! Aye, better this way...Katrina and I had to work it out on our own..."
"Well, Lex, but there are bottles of wine down there older than me, and quite a few are, shall we say?"
"Eh—let's not say, just put the thing down and let's dance..." Lexie urged her husband to set the bottle down as they went off to dance. Just as the group was pointing toes, stomping feet, swinging around the old floor, and boogying down, Nigel appeared in the doorway, as Duncan caught sight of him. Susan laughed aloud, "Nye? What are you wearing?"
Nigel beamed, "I found some of Grandpa Hector's things with Unc Dunc...see Mummy, I wanna go snowshoeing and be on the rescue team like Dunc!" as Nigel stood proud and tall with Hector's Red Baron pilot cap on his head, a pair of goggles across his eyes, dressed in his Uncle Jamie's old coat, and attached to his boots were Hector's pro-tennis racquets...
Paul went up behind Duncan and Susan as he eyed Nigel up and down, "This is Glenbogle's Forest Rescue team? This is your important idea you were trying to tell Archie the other day?"
Duncan sighed, "Well, he's only part of it...you see he could help keep tourists from getting lost in the Cairns."
Susan laughed, "There's not enough snow to snowshoe..."
"Yeah, huh, oh Mum! Unc Dunc says so!" Nigel bantered while Susan peered over to Duncan, "Lemme just say for the record, he's a great lad you have there..."
"I'll think about letting you go snowshoeing with him or rescuing anyone who gets stuck on a trail in the meantime, let's head upstairs and get ready for bed..."
Susan took Nigel by the hand who, waved at Duncan, before un-strapping his 'snowshoes' and heading up the steps.
"You know Duncan, that's a grand idea," Paul added with approval.
"Just as good as Minnie having two Dads," Duncan grinned back, "I was about to ask that too."
"No need too, its okay, two heids are better as one, aye?" Paul and Duncan rejoined the party in the old front sitting room as somewhat new friends, "Aye,"
Katrina smiled as she sat her self down in the old yellow velvet chair as Archie parked and swung himself down beside her...
"I'm beat, how about you?" Archie chuckled as she noticed Lexie and Fergal dancing amongst, Susan and Paul, Molly and Golly, Kieran, Mavis, Rev. Alice and Xavier and also Duncan and Lizzie too...
"Thank-you, Archie..." Katrina said quietly, "This has been a very special and fortunate gift for you and Lexie to give Fergal and I a real strong point in our friendship, I believe."
Archie grinned, "Ah well, Trina. My pleasure," as Lexie and Fergal ran over to reclaim their partners for another long lived dance...
Only Time (Gregorian Song) Enya (Roma Ryan)
Who
can say
Where the road goes
Where the day flows
Only time
And
who can say
If your love grows
As your heart chose
Only time
Who
can say
Why your heart sighs
As your love flies
Only time
And
who can say
Why your heart cries
When your love lies
Only time
Who
can say
When the roads meet
That love might be
In your heart
And
who can say
When the day sleeps
If the night keeps
All your heart
Night keeps all your heart
Who
can say
If your love grows
As your heart chose
Only time
And
who can say
Where the road goes
Where the day flows
Only time
Who
knows
Only time
Who knows
Only time
The End