New characters:
Violet - The new manager of the Boar's Nest.
Carolyn - Dixie and Cooter's Mother
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Chapter 14
A Time to Rejoice!
Our newlyweds pull up to a deserted Duke farm. The only vehicle in site is BJ's rig. Luke says, "Looks quiet here." He pulls the General Lee up to the back door and helps Dixie out her side. He takes her hand and they enter the kitchen door. "Hello?" calls Luke.
There is no answer as Dixie spots the note on the table. "Luke." She says handing him the note.
Luke unfolds the note, reads the short note and begins to laugh.
"What?" Dixie asks curiously.
Luke begins to read the note: "Luke and Dixie, Everyone has went to the Boar's Nest to set up. I have a few errands to run, and then I will meet you all there. Enjoy your time alone together! Just don't make us come looking for you all. Everyone is expecting you by about 8:00. Congratulations, Uncle Jesse."
Dixie laughs, "I can't think of a better present."
Luke takes her in his arms and kisses her deeply while locking the kitchen door.
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At the Boars Nest:
Daisy has talked to Boss's new manager, Violet, and has set up one side of the Boar's Nest for the reception. This way no one will be excluded from the party but regular customers don't have to participate. Jeb, Coy and Vance are busy getting the bands equipment set up. Violet is happy with this arrangement as the band has agreed to play for free. Daisy and her waitress friends are decorating. Daisy calls to BJ who is helping the guys set up, "BJ would you mind running to the bakery and getting the cake? It should be ready and I need to finish this up."
"Sure no problem. Do you want me to take your little helper there?" BJ asks.
All eyes turn to see Bear wrapped in streamers.
Daisy laughs and reaches to pick up Bear still wrapped in streamers. "Bear, you know I love ya, but BJ needs you to watch out for Rosco for him. OK?"
Bear smiles and nods as BJ takes him from Daisy.
"Come here silly boy!" says BJ as he takes the streamers off Bear. "Be back in a few minutes." He says giving Daisy a quick kiss.
As BJ is going out the door one of the waitresses call out, "Hey, BJ telephone for you."
BJ returns to the bar and answers the phone, "BJ McKay."
"BJ, I just got into the Country Comfort and got your note. I tried the first number and there was no answer." Says the voice on the other end.
BJ smiles, "Callie, if you're not in too big of a hurry or too tired, would you want to drive a little further?"
"Sure, where to? What's up?" questions Callie.
"It's a little place called Hazzard. I'll be here at the Boar's Nest. It isn't far after you cross the county line, believe me you can't miss it. I have some friends I who are having a party tonight and I'd like you to meet them."
"Ok, I'll be on my shortly. See ya then." Replies Callie.
BJ states, "Just watch yourself between there and here. You know you have to come through Bishop County."
"You got it. But Cain is your friend NOT mine." replies Callie.
"Yeah, but you don't want to meet him tonight either. Just be careful!" instructs BJ. He hangs up the phone, approaches Daisy, saying, "Well, I'm off to get the cake now. By the way, that was Callie; she will be here later. I hope its Ok that I invited her."
"Sure, the more the merrier!" smiles Daisy.
BJ says, "OK, then. I'll be back in a few." BJ takes Bear and gets into Jesse's pickup truck.
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Cooter's wrecker arrives with Cooter and Kathy. Cooter parks and comes around to help Kathy from her side of the truck. She hands him a bowl of bagged rice and picks up another one herself. "I sure hope there are enough of these to go around." says Kathy.
Cooter replies, "Darlin' there are enough to go around the Tri-counties!"
They enter the Boar's Nest to find everyone in a frenzy of preparation. Cooter goes to Daisy and asks, "Where is Bo?"
She looks at her watch to see it is near 6pm and says, "He should be here by now. He and Diane went to Ruebottom's to get the things to decorate the General Lee. And BJ should also be here soon."
"Ok, I have a few things for the General myself, from the garage. Any sight of my sister?" Asks Cooter.
Daisy looks skeptical at what Cooter may have to decorate the General Lee with from the garage. "Not since they radioed from your Dad's earlier. I think Uncle Jesse had a surprise for them at the farm himself, but he didn't give any details. Just said it would keep them occupied until about 8pm."
Kathy asks, "So what can do to help? I have a few rice bags made and several boxes extra in case that's not enough."
Cooter shakes his head, "She has enough rice for every man, woman, and child in the Tri-county area! Daisy's she's getting far too much enjoyment out of all this. I think I may be in trouble here."
They all laugh. And Kathy glared just a bit at Cooter's joke.
Daisy says, "Get that small table and set it up with the rice and Bride's Book near the door."
Cooter says, "Well, it looks like you all have this under control. I have a mission of my own to take care of." Daisy and Kathy look at him questioning. "Never mind those looks. I'll explain later." He hugs Kathy, gives her a quick kiss, and says, "I'll be back in a bit."
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8:00 pm at the Duke Farm
"Luke honey, it's eight now, you need to hurry." Says Dixie to the bathroom door as she brushes her hair.
She returns to Daisy's room and puts on her socks then looks for her boots. After several minutes of looking she laughs and heads out the door into Luke's room. There she finds her boots and puts them on hurrying back to Daisy's room for last minute touch ups. There she meets her husband coming out of the bathroom in a towel. Luke smiles and reaches for her with the hand not holding the towel. Dixie reaches out with both hands to hold him off.
"Luke at this rate, they will be looking for us. Now get!" She laughs and reaches in her back pants pocket for her comb, holding it as if she plans to flip him with it.
Luke turns so his back is towards his bedroom door and steps though it saying, "Now, now, Dear its been a long time since I've been in a comb battle with you!"
Dixie gives an evil laugh and steps forward, only to be backed up by a wet towel being popped in her direction. "That's not fair! But, only in the interest of you getting ready, I'll let you win this one!" She exclaims and returns to Daisy's room.
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At the Boar's Nest
Everything is set and ready for the newlywed's arrival. Except for the few friends and relatives, no one else is quiet sure of why the decorations. On the stage behind the equipment is a large sign reading "Congratulations! Luke and Dixie". Other customers are just given a rice bag and asked to sign the unmarked page of the bride's book. Everyone is setting around talking and questioning the obvious hosts of the party as the General Lee is heard approaching the Boar's Nest.
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Luke asks as he cuts the motor, "Do you think they need a warning we're here?"
Dixie gives Luke an "its up to you look".
"Well, we're only doing this…., uh…., twice so…" he says as he hits the General's Dixie horn.
Then, being on her best behavior today, Dixie waits as Luke approaches her side of the car and helps her out the window.
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Hurriedly, Daisy and Kathy and the others get the rice bowl and Bride's book out of sight and the sign ready for their arrival. Everyone gets really quiet until they hear the door open. Luke and Dixie come into the doorway.
Daisy whispers to Luke, "We haven't told them what's up."
Luke smiles at her taking her hint. He announces to the filled bar of family and friends, "I'd like for you to meet someone really special to me….." He pauses for effect, he and Dixie look as if someone were suppose to have come in behind them. "I'd like you to meet a new arrival here in Hazzard….. " again he pauses. "Mrs. Luke Duke!" The entire place is in shock with the few exceptions that already knew. The cake is brought out onto a table as the guys bring out the Congratulations sign and the band begins playing George Straits' "You look so good in Love".
No one has noticed the older but still very attractive woman come through the door behind the crowd. She takes in the scene. It is obvious she is at a wedding reception.
When the song ends Uncle Jesse stands up and approaches the stage. He says, "Could I have everyone's attention for just a moment? As most of you all know, I have always said the chances of my boys here finding a bride, and having a family ranked right up there with hogs producing beef." He waits until the laughter stops, "Well, tonight I'm proud to say one of them has proved me wrong!" Again, waiting for it to quiet down, "I'd like for you all to join me in welcoming a new member to the Duke clan." As Daisy and Kathy approach with trays of shot glasses, Cooter reaches behind the stage and picks up a clear gallon jug filled with Jesse's finest. Diane sends Cooter a questioning look - he gives her a "What?" look. "Now, Rosco you just never mind where this came from and I figure if you all join in we won't have to worry about where the rest ends up." says Jesse. Diane approaches Uncle Jesse with 2 crystal goblets with ribbons that Bo had brought from home for this purpose. Jesse gives her a smile of approval and takes the goblets one by one and fills them passing one to Dixie and one to Luke. Then he fills the shot glasses as Daisy and Kathy pass them out. When Daisy gets to Enos she goes behind the bar, gets a shot glass and fills it with buttermilk for him. "Ok, if everyone is ready," Jesse continues, "I have been saving this shine for this very purpose. As you know us Dukes don't have much left in this world except for each other. Through the years we've even lost a few of our own…. Luke, this should be my brother up here instead of me…but I hope I do him and you proud…" Jesse says as a tear of remembrance comes to his eye. "I was beginning to worry that if my predictions came true that we'd all just die out…But enough of the sadness. Dixie, you and Cooter have always been Dukes at heart, and now, I want to officially welcome you to the family. Luke, I don't know what your plans are, but this is for the both of you." He pulls out an official looking document. "This is the deed to back 40 you have always loved. I wish you both the very best life can give! " Jesse concludes as he raises his glass in a toast. Luke and Dixie hug Jesse as he whispers to Luke, "It is yours, whether you live on it now or never."
Luther approaches and takes Jesse's place, "Cooter how about refilling those glasses for me? I know there are a few of you in this room who remember… shall we say… the differences that Luke and I had years ago. I hope all that is water under the bridge now. I'd like to make a toast to my little girl and my new son-in-law." He says as he raises his glass. After the toast he hugs his daughter and shakes Luke's hand.
The attractive older woman has made her way through the crowd unnoticed. At this point she causes everyone to listen as she says, "Luther, you old hypocrite! Any one in this room who remembers the past KNOWS this should have happened years ago!"
Dixie exclaims, "MOM!… How on Earth? I have been so busy…."
Her Mother takes her in her arms and hushes the rest of her sentence. "Luke, I have been wondering how long it would take you to get around to this. I've been looking for you to show back up in her life since she was 18! Congratulations! Now, it has been a long time since I've been to a party, Hazzard style, so let's get this one started!"
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A short while later Cooter motions for Bo to come outside. Jill and Diane knowing what the pair are up to would try to keep everyone else from noticing they are gone. Bo goes to Jesse's pick up and returns with several bags. Cooter backs the wrecker up to the General Lee as BJ, who saw them exit, joins them.
He quietly walks up behind Bo and says, "Need any help there, guys?"
Bo nearly jumps out of his skin. "Oh,…. Shew…. BJ you took ten year off my life."
"You sure move quietly there BJ! Yeah, we can use your help. We should be able to get done quicker with you helping. No telling when they will get the idea to leave."
Bo says, "BJ start here with the balloons. Cooter has the helium tank on the wrecker. I'll take the shoe polish. Sorry, General old pal, but we won't do noting to hurt you. Cooter what are you doing?"
"Let's just say I'm taking care of the tin cans!" As they are returning in to the Boar's Nest they hear a rig approaching. BJ steps up on the side of the rig and tells Callie to pull around back. Callie, who had seen the General Lee all decorated, asked a bit concerned, "What's going on here?"
BJ replied, "I told you there was a party going on. It's a wedding reception for some friends of mine. Remember me telling you about Luke Duke?"
Callie looking a bit relieved and says, "Wasn't he in Vietnam with you?"as she follows BJ to the front on the Boar's Nest where BJ introduces her to Bo and Cooter.
After seeing BJ and Callie, Bo and Cooter returned inside. Daisy announces it is time to cut the cake. Cooter being in charge of Jesse's finest pours the remainder into the two goblets for Daisy who places them near the cake. Luke and Dixie approach the table to cut the cake. They take the knife cutting the first two slices. Luke give Dixie a mischievous grin.
She whispers, "Luke, do it and die now!"
He replies, "What?"
They both took the cake in hand to feed to the other. As they each take the first bit as the other shoves the remained of the cake just a bit so that they both end up with icing on their noses. Everyone, including them, laugh.
After getting a bit cleaned up Dixie and Luke go up on to the bands stage for Dixie to through the bouquet. All the single females get up close to the stage while everyone else hangs back. Daisy being one of the hostesses is there but near the back being busy making sure things go just right. Dixie takes the bouquet and turns her back to the crowd and throws it landing right in Daisy's arms!
Callie gives Daisy a dirty look which BJ sees.
Cooter whispers to Luke, "I know there is no way you got her in to a dress let alone a garter so …." He hands Luke a blue garter purchased just for this purpose. Luke laughs. Now all the unmarried males are pushed and prodded good naturedly toward the front on the room. Luke turns and tosses the garter hitting BJ square in the chest. At this point BJ and Daisy take some teasing all in good fun. Everyone is amused except Callie. As things quiet down a bit the music begins to play and Luther asks Dixie to dance with him. Luke in turn asks Dixie's mother to dance.
BJ motions Daisy over to him and Callie.
Approaching Daisy says, "I'm sorry. I kind of got tied up there."
BJ says, "That's OK. I have someone I want you to meet. Callie this is Daisy Duke. Daisy this is Callie."
Daisy speaking first, "I've heard a lot about you."
"Wished I could say the same." Callie says in a low voice.
BJ heard her reply, " Well, you'll get to know this whole bunch before the night is over."
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Several hours later, Jesse's finest is long gone but the party is still in full swing. Everyone is having a good time. Luther and Carolyn have even danced a dance or two together.
As they dance Luke asks Dixie, "Honey, are you about ready to leave this good company?"
"Luke, this whole day has been like a dream. I don't want this night to end, but yes, I'm ready to leave." She whispers.
Luke smiles mischievously, "Good, but this night is far from being over with."
Dixie blushes slightly, "Are we going to tell them or slip out?" she questions.
"I think Daisy has something planned we'd better let them know." Luke replies.
The couple says their good byes and heads out to the parking lot where everyone participated in pelting them with the rice bags Kathy had made. Luke and Dixie run toward the General Lee to made their escape from the rice only to see that General Lee had been dressed up for the occasion.
Balloons were tied to long strings attached to both sides of the hood and trunk, to the radio and CB antennas, and the entire back seat was filled with helium balloons. Streamers had also been attached under the hood and trunk. So as not to hurt the paint job, white shoe polish had been taken to the inside of the back window saying "Just Married" and down the driver side of the windshield read "Luke" and the passenger side "Dixie".
Luke took one look at the mighty race car and shook his head, "Bo!"
Bo is laughing so hard at his cousin's expression he can barely talk, "The General had to get into the spirit of things too!"
Luke helps Dixie into the car moving balloons as she goes in. Luke also has to set some of the balloons free in order to get into the car. Once in the car Luke starts the General and hits the "Dixie" horn as he speeds out. A loud clanging noise is heard from in the car. Luke immediately lets his foot off the gas as he realizes it is just Hazzard's version of "tin cans" tied to the bumper. He continues on down the road, followed by old chains, tail pipes, shoes and a few cans.
After stopping a bit down the road to dump the noisemakers Luke states, "I'm not sure the General will forgive us!"
Dixie laughs, "At least we had friends who know not to put shaving cream or shoe polish on car paint!"
Luke agrees, "This is very true!"
"So where are we heading?" asks Dixie.
"It's a surprise for you and I hope they don't figure it out." replies Luke.
"Darlin' you act like you don't trust our friends and family!" Dixie giggles.
Luke states very matter of factly, "I don't!"
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Now we're getting to the good stuff -- the Chapter named 'The Honeymoon' is next IF I know you're still reading! Please review! Thanks!
