Chapter 29

Just as Francesca left Grace came hurrying down the hallway carrying what looked like a circle of flowers. "Mom this is for your hair! Harriett made it from the flowers in the garden."

"It's lovely Grace I will be sure to thank her when we get downstairs." Stepping back into her room she stood in front of the mirror on her dresser. Placing the flowers on her head she asked, "How do I look?"

"Oh mom you look like a (fairy) princess! Maybe Harriett could make one for me and Francesca too!"

"We could ask her sweetie. But we don't have a lot of time so let's not be too disappointed if she can't, okay?"

"Okay mom."

They had just reached the head of the stairs when Francesca came out of her room and walked towards them. The three of them went downstairs together and were met by Harriett at the bottom. She had two more circlets of flowers in her hands and Grace squeeled in delight at the sight. Harriett handed Francesca's to Cassie so she could help her put it on while Harriett herslef put Grace's on her head.

They walked to the back of the house as Harriett told them everyone else were already in the garden. At the back door George was standing there waiting for them. With a smile he handed both Francesca and Grace a single pink rose with the throns removed to carry. The one he handed to Cassie ivory. Then he offered her his arm.

Harriett walked out the door to tell everyone they were ready and the could start the music. When they heard the music begin Francesca went out first followed by Grace and then George and Cassie. She could see AJ standing next to Martha at the end of the garden with Bud and Brandon next to him.

Their eyes met and both of them smiled. She knew her son was standing there but she only had eyes for AJ.

Martha performed a traditional ceremony with just a few personal comments about the bride and groom. Soon she pronounced them husband and wife and told AJ he could kiss his bride.

AJ did so with great care and tenderness. When he lifted his head and whispered, "I love you wife."

With a wide grin she whispered back, "And I love you husband."

They turned in unison to face their guests and were greeted with cheers and applause. People gathered around them offering well wishes and taking turns kissing the bride and groom.

When it was Harm's turn to kiss the bride, he did so ans as he stepped back he looked towards AJ and said, "That wan't anything like kissing (my wife/Mac)!"

Mac rolled her eyes at her husban's tackless comment and when she stood on tiptoe to kiss AJ's cheek she whispered in his ear, "I'm sorry." She said the same thing to Cassie when she hugged her and wished her well.

After everyone had a chance to talk to the happy couple they went inside to the dinner that Stephanie had brought from the Bistro. People filled their plates then either sat or stood around eating and visiting with each other. Grace hurried to finish eating and then approached the newlyweds to ask how soon they were going to cut the cake. Cassie laughed at her daughter's impatience, she was about to tell Grace that she would just have to wait until more people had finished eating but before she could Brandon came up to them and asked the same thing. This time both Cassie and AJ laughed. They ruefully put their plates aside and went over to the table where the cake was waiting.

When Harriett saw this she came over to take pictures as she had been doing all evening. She and Bud had told Cassie and AJ the part of their wedding gift from them was going to be a photo album with all the pictures of the night.

With both their hands on the knife they made the first slice and then a second. Pulling the piece out they each took a bit in their fingers and fed it to each other. After cutting a full slice each for themselves they stepped aside when Stephanie came over to say that she would serve the guests. The happy couple were not surprised to see that Grace and Brandon were the first in line.

To Be Continued…