As soon as Teddy had left for Montreal to find out what he was wanted for, Emily had set about planning her big day. There were many friends and relatives that had to be invited and the ceremony had to be arranged.
The first people outside the family that Emily wrote to were Ilse Burnley and Perry Miller. They were childhood chums of both Teddy and herself, and she thought it was their right that they heard first. Perry and Ilse were to be married in a few weeks time, after having a few problems of their own, not the least being Ilse's engagement to Teddy. That affair had been hard for all of them to deal with.
Ilse was a beautiful, fair woman with a fiery temper and a 'God may care' attitude to life. Until the arrival of Emily, Ilse had run wild, and had still until Emily discovered the truth about the death of her mother. After this, her father had the decency to look after her a little better. She had a shining gold mane of hair and brilliant amber eyes that glittered when she was enjoying herself. She had been studying elocution in Montreal and was beginning to make a name for herself.
Perry, on the other hand, was a lawyer – quite a good one. A boy from Stovepipe Town, the expectations of him were rather poor, but he was a determined soul and was trying his hardest to prove everyone wrong. He had twinkling grey eyes and untameable brown curls, and he had a knack for provoking Ilse's temper tantrums. It was proving that their's would be an interesting marriage.
Emily wrote to Ilse, knowing that when he got a chance, Teddy would do the same for Perry. It was unfortunate that Ilse would be married by the time Emily's turn came around, and Emily didn't want anyone but her madcap pal. But she knew that Murray tradition stated that she had to have someone stand up with her, so after much thought, she decided on Jen Strang, an old school friend who had almost always stood by her side.
'It's finally going to happen,' Emily wrote joyously to Ilse. 'I'm finally going to marry Teddy. I'm 'taking you leavings' as dear Aunt Elizabeth kindly puts it, but it's all I've wanted, so I'm happy to get it any way I can. Sadly dearest, you can't be my bridesmaid – you got there first – but you must be there all the same. You and Perry must come down to New Moon and help us plan; we can't have you left out.'
As she waited for Teddy's return and for Jen and Ilse's letters, Emily turned back to her Jimmy-books and to her stories. Writing was her life and she couldn't go for long without writing in her journal for very long.
July 1, 19—
The one thing I've come to loathe about planning this wedding is dealing with all my relatives who are all making requests about things they want done at my wedding. I've a good mind to refuse all of them – soon my wedding will be anything but my own! But thankfully I am a Starr, and that and my stubborn streak hold me apart from the clan. My wedding will be mine, as much as I can make it!
The other day, we had a family 'conclave' about my wedding. We gathered in the parlour of New Moon, and I sat there, looking around at all the people who were present. With a twinge of sadness, I remembered that day back in the house at Maywood after father's death, when all my relatives were discussing who I looked like, and where I was to go. They were all here now: Uncle Wallace, Aunt Eva, Uncle Oliver, Aunt Addie, Aunt Ruth ("Sniffing as usual", I thought), dear Cousin Jimmy, sweet Aunt Laura and Aunt Elizabeth. There were a few others here this time though, mainly Uncle Oliver's children, including Cousin Andrew.
It was quite nice to see them all though. When I lived in Maywood, I thought no one would ever care for me, especially after father died. It's been wonderful here, finding that underneath, all my relatives did love me, and making friends that have carried me through. It will be sad to leave them.
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Very soon Teddy arrived back with his news about Teaching in Montreal, and not long after, Perry and Ilse arrived and there was a glorious celebration before the planning began.