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Conversations of the Heart
A Journey of Love
Chapter 6. ~ The Reception ~
Opal had been put in charge of the guest book that was signed by each guest as they entered and she also was in charge of distributing a small gift to each guest as they left. Most of the guests had found their seats by 1:00 as Rosie had planned. Each place setting had a menu card along with name cards for the guests to take as a memento of the wedding. The entire restaurant was full and they had some seating at the café to allow for room for dancing in the Queen of Hearts. Many of the students were seated in the café where they would be greeted by the wedding couple before the afternoon was over. A couple of the adult invitees had volunteered to chaperone at the café in case they were needed.
After they had finished the photo session, Lucas and Elizabeth entered to rounding cheers. Elizabeth was awed by the beautiful decorations. Tiny tea lights were strung on tree branches around the room. It looked like a fairy forest. The tables were adorned with floral arrangements that mimicked her bouquet. Beautiful white and red roses with wild greens. In addition to the lights, the students had all made Valentine's cards wishing the couple well and had hung them on the branches. Allie had volunteered to gather the cards after the reception to give to Lucas and Elizabeth to take on their trip. Allie was old enough to know that card reading wouldn't be high on their list of activities, but the younger children were excited to have the couple receive them so she had offered to make sure they got them. They had decorated a special sack to hold them all.
The plan was to have the first dance now while they had the guest's attention and then the dancing would be opened to the parent dances and guest dancing after dinner. Lucas bowed and offered his hand to Elizabeth and escorted her to the dance floor as Timmy and Angela began to play "The Blue Danube Waltz" by Johann Strauss. The couple glided and spun around the dance floor effortlessly to the lovely music as guests watched in awe of the magnificent beauty of the scene before them. As the dance came to an end Lucas dipped Elizabeth into a classic waltz ending pose as the guests clapped enthusiastically. They then made their way to the front table that was set perpendicular to the long tables for guest seating.
When the group quieted down, Lucas and Elizabeth said a few words of welcome to everyone and announced that lunch would be served. Each guest would receive the options they had selected on the menu when they received their invitation. The waiters began serving the first course in both the Queen of Hearts and at the Café. The gathering was lively and joyous as was the occasion. The meal had been expertly prepared by Chef Gustave and Chef Michel to no end of compliments. Lucas requested their presence along with the servers for a round of cheers once the main part of the meal was served. Champagne was poured all around and Lee and Rosemary toasted the couple.
Then it was time for the big event, the unveiling of the wedding cake. The wedding couple along with Jack and Allie, who was currently in charge of caring for him, came to admire the cake. The photographer was in place to take a photo of the pair as they joined to cut the cake and serve each other the first piece. Jack of course had to join in so Allie accommodated him by sharing one bite with him and taking a bigger piece back to their seat to share.
The dancing was then resumed by Elizabeth and William who danced a father-daughter dance soon joined by Lucas and Helen. The other parents then joined with Lucas' father taking a turn with Elizabeth and Grace with Lucas. Everyone else was then invited to dance as classical as well as jazz tempo music was played. The tables were soon pushed to the side to enlarge the dance floor as most guests were persuaded to join.
Lucas and Elizabeth soon headed over to the Café to greet their guests there. A small section had been set aside for a dance floor where couples were dancing to the Victrola that Lucas had brought from the Queen of Hearts. Lucas and Elizabeth made rounds thanking each guest for coming. Many of these were current or past students at the Jack Thornton School and this time with them was precious to Elizabeth. It was Lucas who insisted that they be invited and he had arranged to accommodate the extra seating with Bill who was more than happy to be able to help. It was soon time to say goodbyes and return to the main reception. Hugs were distributed to those who sought them and then they made their way back to the saloon. As they had to leave the boardwalk, Lucas scooped her and her dress train into his arms and carried her across the snow and mud. He realized that a change in shoes would likely be in order before they left on their trip.
Once back at the reception, they circulated around the room as they paused to greet and thank their guests. As it was approaching time to leave, Lucas and Elizabeth found Rosie, Lee, and Jack and they all headed to Lucas' office. On the way, Elizabeth called for Gustave and gave him a big thank you hug for all his wonderful work that had made their wedding such a memorable event. Lucas once again thanked Gustave and the other chef and servers for their part in this special day.
They joined the others in the office and all found a place to sit and relax for a bit. A tea service had been brought in so that they could all enjoy a cup together before the couple left for their trip to UC. Lucas handed Jack a cup of chocolate milk and then poured a cup of tea for Rosemary and Lee and then poured one for Elizabeth and himself. They chatted briefly about the day's events as Jack made his way to Lucas' lap. "Papa, when will you and Mama be back?"
"On Monday afternoon; you will be staying with Auntie Rosie and Uncle Lee for three nights and then we will be home to pick you up on Monday. You will have a wonderful time with them; they will bring you home to get some of your toys or books that you might want. Please be a good boy for them, I am counting on you son. Mama and I will miss you but we know that you will enjoy your time with them and when we get home, we will all be together. Papa will be living with you all the time, you understand?" Jack nodded up and down vigorously as he wanted to make his new Papa proud of him. Elizabeth watched and smiled as she saw Lucas execute his first important task as Jack's father.
It was time to leave and so Lucas stood and crossed the room to Lee, shook his hand, and then hugged him. "Thank you, Lee, for being with us during the ceremony and for all the help and patience you have shown us during these past few weeks. And especially for the absence of your lovely wife who spent more time with us than with you. And most of all for being there for Jack today and for the next several days. Call the hotel if there is anything you need. We will alert them of our location at all times."
"No problem, Lucas, it has been and is my pleasure. Take care of our girl, okay? Lucas nodded in response, "I certainly will."
Lucas then went over to Rosie and helped her up and then wrapped his arms around her giving her a bear hug. "Rosie, I don't know what to say. You are the sister I would have loved to have and I can't tell you how much you mean to me. You know how much I love her and so you know then what your love for her means to me. Thank you for everything you have done for both of us. And thank you for caring for our son while we are on our trip. Anything you ever need of me, just ask and it is yours."
"I love you too Lucas, and I may take you up on your offer someday. I still wouldn't mind that stage you know and perhaps I can persuade you to accept my services." With that, she tossed her hair and gave him a wink.
Lucas let out one of his deep chuckles and was joined by Lee. Lucas had shared with him the story of Rosie's first meeting with him. "Lee offered Rosie his arm and said, "Come on Tiger… time to get this show on the road."
Rosie beamed and Elizabeth giggled at the little display. Lucas helped Elizabeth put on her new wedding coat, and donned his own. He picked up his suitcase and then offered his arm. "Shall we?" The group then crossed the saloon and headed for the exit.
Just as they arrived, they heard a shout from Fiona, "the bouquet… you forgot to toss the bouquet."
"Oh my," proclaimed Rosie, "how could I possibly forget that? Gather round single ladies right over there." Someone handed Elizabeth her bouquet and she turned to face the door and Rosie counted "One, two, three… go." To which Elizabeth responded by tossing the bouquet back over her head toward the ladies. She turned to see Molly grab the bouquet from the air and then jump up and down excitedly. Lucas smiled over at Bill … who gave him a shrug and a look like…"who me?" Everyone knew that Molly had her sights set on Bill.
Elizabeth hugged Molly and whispered, "good luck… go get him." And then she put her arm through her husband's and they headed to the car.