Chapter 6

Before long working together the cake was ready to go into the oven. When they'd cleaned up the kitchen once again Cassie suggested that AJ and Grace get their showers while she got the frosting made. She would shower while the cake cooled and then she could frost and decorate it.

Coming out of their rooms at the same time that evening AJ and Cassie couldn't help but stand and stare at each other for a few moments. He looked so handsome in a suit, this must have been how wonderful he looked in his uniform all the years he wore one. Cassie stood there in a flirty floral dress something Mac would never have worn. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

"You look great!" both of them said at the same time and then laughed.

They met Grace at the top of the stairs and all three of them went down together.

The vow renewal was taking place in the back garden and the ceremony was to be performed by Mayor Martha Tinsdale.

Everyone was gathered under the wysteria tree with Harm standing next to Mayor Tinsdale in his dress uniform. Bud and Harriett were acting as their bestman and matron of honor. Harriett preceeded Mac in a tea length mint green chiffon dress with a boquet of pink roses. Mac came out of the house right behind her in a lovely ivory satin sheath dress carrying a bouquet of cream colored roses. She looked very lovely as she walked down the garden path towards Harm.

The ceremony was pretty traditional with the exception of Martha's few attempts of humor. After their shared kiss Harm and Mac accepted well wishes, hugs, and kisses from their friends before people started into the dining room. Stephanie had everything set up for a sumptious dinner buffett and the highlight was the cake Cassie, Grace, and AJ had worked on as a beautiful display on a side table. They would cut it after dinner.

Dinner was extremely tasty with plenty of variety due to Harm being a vegitarian. When it came time to cut the cake Mac went first, carefully feeding Harm a bite with her fingers. However, when it came time for Harm to feed her he couldn't resist being playful and purposfully smeered the cake all around her mouth.

Cassie came forward with a damp face cloth so Mac could clean up and then moved behind the table to serve the cake so the guests of honor could sit down to eat theirs.

AJ waited until everyone else had been served to get his cake, hoping that Cassie could take a break to sit with him and share desert together. She was very happy to join him and the selected a table off to the side where they could talk in private.

At Cassie's signal George turned the stereo on to some CD's she had chosen earler and invited Harm and Mac to take the floor first. After a few rounds others began to join them on the floor and AJ held out his hand to Cassie and asked her if she would dance with him.

They danced well together, it felt natural to have her in his arms. He couldn't help remember the time he danced with Mac at her engagement party to Mic Brumby. It had just felt slightly off, but Cassie felt like she belonged there in his arms.

"I could dance with you all night," he told her softly.

"I feel the same way, but there is a young lady over there on the couch that I bet would really love to be asked to dance.

AJ followed where she was looking and saw Grace sitting there looking bored. He gave Cassie a gentle smile and said, "Promise me another dance later?"

"I promise," she assured him.

Approaching the young lady AJ held out his hand and requested, "Would you do me the honor of a dance Grace?"

She looked around as if she thought someone was going to laugh and then with a slight blush on her cheeks nodded and took his hand. He found that Grace was almost as good a dancer as her mother was. But as soon as the song ended Grace walked over to her mom to give her a hug and then went upstairs.

To Be Continued…