Thanks everyone for sticking with this story. I really appreciate you all continuing to read and respond! I loved the wonderful replies to the wedding:)

Chapter Sixty-four

The evening was winding down, and what an evening it had been, one of the best Christmas Eve's the Logans had had in years. For Marita it had not only been an extraordinary day because of her marriage to Sean, but also because her father had come to the wedding, something that she was totally not expecting. She, along with everyone else, had been stunned by her father's voice quietly uttering her name, impeding the words of congratulations and the hugs as he came to where they were all gathered at the front of the Great Room. Marita had been shocked, yet so happy to see her father, whose eyes emanated his regret and love, that she'd gasped "Pa" instantly throwing her arms around him, embracing him in a hug, telling him how happy she was that he'd come. Her pa had then stated quietly, nearly inaudibly to everyone around him, but clear to Marita ears, that he was sorry for hurting her, and that no matter what he felt about her choice, he had no right to treat her the way that he had and that it was just that he loves her so much and was/is afraid of losing her. Marita had then pulled back from the hug to look her father in the eyes and tearfully responded that he would never lose her, not because of her marriage or anything else, that she would always be here and that she would always be his daughter, and that she loved him. Isaac had nearly cried upon hearing his daughter's words, her forgiveness, but instead he stifled his tears and took his daughter in his arms again, holding her as tears of happiness and relief flowed from Marita's eyes, while the Reverend, Sean and the family looked on, touched by the reconciliation between Marita and her pa...Fifteen minutes later they'd all, with exception of the Reverend who had other engagements that evening, proceeded to dinner, something that Isaac had been slightly uncomfortable with attending. For when he'd come to the wedding, he'd only planned to make things right with his daughter and not engage in the celebration that he was still weary of. And thus had originally intended to leave and go back to Mr. Johnson's, but Marita had insisted he stay. So he'd reluctantly complied, joining the family in the beautifully decorated dining hall, which had yuletide trimmings about the windows, the hearth, and the table. A table that was draped with an ivory cloth that was finely embroidered with green leaves, red holly and gold and accented with a lovely arrangement of red poinsettias, pine cones, and holly at it's center. The centerpiece was surrounded by the wonderful cuisine that was being served for dinner, a mixture of traditional Irish and Negro foods: Roast Turkey, Spiced Beef, Creamed Scones (Bread), Herb & Garlic Tomatoes, Potato Salad, Cheese Scalloped Corn, Collard Greens, and Candied Yams, with a choice of Red Wine or Iced Mint Tea to drink. The dinner had been mostly quiet at the start, for after Ned toasted Marita and Sean's marriage everyone's attentions had turned to their plates, and they all devoured the scrumptious meal before them. However, as the meal progressed the quietness had gradually faded, giving way to conversations about Christmases past, family, politics, friends, business, and some gossip. They'd even briefly talked with Sean and Marita about their future in Michigan, with Ned managing to embarrass them immensely by mentioning his desire for grandkids – right away. It had been a wonderful dinner, and the wonderfulness had continued when the family moved from the dining room to the parlor, where they carried out their Christmas Eve tradition of trimming the tree. Everyone placing a special ornament on the beautiful Virginia Pine, during which time Mabeline, accompanied by another servant, served eggnog and Sean and Marita's wedding cake. A small two tier fruit cake, which was a traditional Irish wedding custom, frosted with white icing and topped with sugar cream flowers. Marita and Sean had cut the cake and performed the wedding tradition of feeding each other their first tastes, while the family looked on with joy, before they all sampled the delicious cake themselves. Afterwards, they'd resumed decorating the tree, and the Logan parlor rang with laughter and hummed with pleasant conversation, something that hadn't occurred in months. They were all connecting again, laughing again, bonding again as a family, when out of the blue they received unexpected visitors. It was Andrew James and his family, who were returning home from visiting relatives in Chilesburg, and decided to pay a brief call on the Logans to wish them a Happy Holiday. The family had been surprised, especially with a call being so late in the evening, and a bit nervous about the how James' would react to Sean and Marita's nuptials. They didn't want the evening to be ruined by any unpleasantness. But Ned had instructed George to show them into the parlor, knowing that he had no other choice. It was only proper, and concluding that the James' would find out about Sean's marriage soon enough. So the James' had been shown in and where a little surprised to find Marita and Isaac there, and were completely stunned to learn that Sean and Marita had married hours earlier. The mood of the parlor had quickly turned from cheerfulness to awkwardness. For though the James' were liberal in their views, believing in equal rights for Negroes, they didn't really agree with such a union. And thus their genial response to the news was a bit strained. Nonetheless, they'd stayed, after all the Logans were their friends, had been for many many years, and despite their disapproval of Sean's marriage, it was not worth ending a 30-year friendship over. The visit had been awkward at first, the conversation a little tense, but after the James took some eggnog and cake, they'd relaxed a bit and the visit had gone fairly well, with them staying for nearly an hour, before they decided to go, citing the lateness and the deteriorating weather. Ned had kindly suggested they stay for the night, stating that there was plenty of room for them in the house. But the James' had declined, assuring Ned that they'd make it home all right. So the James' had said their goodbyes and Ned had then walked them to the door, while Sean checked on the special arrangements he'd made for he and Marita's wedding night, and the rest of the family remained in the parlor, lightly chatting. Now Sean re-entered the parlor, making his way over to his bride, who was standing at the sideboard about to fetch another cup of eggnog...

"Hey." He uttered quietly as he came to stand beside her, placing his hand at the small of her back, sending an intense wave of heat through her form.

"Hey." Marita responded softly, nearly breathlessly as she turned her eyes to her husband, meeting his affectionate stare, completely forgetting about the eggnog she was about to get.

"We should...get going too." Sean then said, his voice smoldering and deep, revealing his intense yearning to be with her, to be alone with his bride, to kiss her like he could only do in private, and to cherish her in ways that only he was meant to do...

"Sean..." Marita sighed with an embarrassed smile, shyly dropping her eyes, even as she fervidly longed within, for what his utterance had implied and what was clearly emanating from his amorous gaze. "I want...I want to go, right now." She uttered quietly, passionately, as she lifted her eyes back to Sean's face, stirring him even more. "But we can't just...leave our families and head upstairs."

"Who said anything about heading upstairs?" Sean countered huskily, surprising her with his words, aching to taste her lips, but instead tenderly caressing a curl that hung next to her face.

"Well if we're not going upstairs, where are we going?" Marita faintly queried, desire and confusion in her voice as she ardently held Sean's heated blue stare.

"You'll see." Sean impassionedly replied in a hushed tone, that was etched with a smile, as he gently took his bride by the hand and led her back to the other side of the room, where everyone, including his father who'd returned from seeing the James' out, were gathered around talking. Upon reaching their families Sean was about to announce their plans to leave, when Isaac spoke first, stating that he was going to go. Ned had immediately rejected Isaac's declaration, insisting that the man stay there for the night, saying that it was Christmas, and thus he shouldn't go "home" alone, that he should be with family. Marita, Sean, and his siblings had concurred Ned's words, and thus successfully convinced a hesitant Isaac to accept Ned's offer, which was then followed by Sean finally announcing he and Marita's plans to go. Marita had then excused herself from the room to prepare to leave, with Alice and Lexy following behind, while Sean then took this opportunity to speak with Isaac one-on-one...

"It's coming down pretty heavy isn't it?" Sean stated quietly as he joined Isaac, where he now stood, at the front window gazing out at the luminous snow that fell in the darkness.

"Yeah it is." Isaac replied, his voice even and strong, his gaze remaining forward. "Are you sure that you and Marita should be trying to travel in such a storm." He then firmly asked, briefly turning his gaze to the young man at his side.

"Sir we're not leaving the property." Sean revealed. "I...prepared a place for us to stay here on the ranch, but just not here at the house." He explained with a hint of shyness, feeling a bit uncomfortable about discussing the arrangements he'd made for him and Marita's wedding night with her pa, who didn't respond to Sean's clarification, but continue to stare out the window. His silence heightening the tension between them...

Silence –

"Sir I know..." Sean began, shattering the quiet between him and the man, then for a moment pausing to center his thoughts, to speak them with properness and respect. "I know... that it wasn't easy for you to come today." Sean then cautiously continued, his uneasiness slightly deepening at the man's failure to assert a response. "But I'm glad that you d..."

"I didn't come here for you." Isaac calmly interjected as his eyes remained fixed out the window. "I came here for my daughter." He said.

"I know." Sean acknowledged. "But I still want to thank..."

"Sean don't thank me." Isaac stiffly exclaimed, cutting him off, finally returning his gaze to the young man who was now his son-n-law, his eyes intense and stern. "Just take care of my little girl." He then severely instructed, holding Sean's gaze.

"Sir I will." Sean passionately vowed; his eyes serious and true, unwavering, matching Isaac's stare. "I will." He then earnestly assured once more, promising the man that he'd never let anything happen to Marita.

Several minutes later, Marita, Alice and Lexy returned to the parlor and the family then walked the newlyweds to the door where they said their goodnights, then exited the home while the family looked on, watching as they disappeared on foot in the snow. Once they were out of sight, Ned shut the door and they all moved towards the hallway that led to the parlor, discussing what a wonderful, but tiring day it had been, all deciding that they were about ready to turn in, with Alice informing Isaac of the guest room that was being prepared for him, when suddenly there was a knock at the door, stopping their treks, startling and bewildering them all...

"Who in the world could that be?" Clay questioned with puzzlement as they all looked towards the door, wondering who would be paying a call at such an hour.

"Maybe Sean and Marita forgot something." Lexy deduced as her father now slowly made his way back to the door.

"They wouldn't knock if they forgot something." Alice countered. "They'd just come in."

"It's probably the James'." Ned had then inferred. "The roads might've been too bad for them to travel home." He said right before he reached the door and opened it, expecting to see the James' but was shocked with who he found. Someone whom he'd never thought would return to the ranch. It was his son, Jeremy Bradford, bearded and worn, with a child, no doubt his daughter, quietly sleeping in his arms.