Times Are A Changing Chpt 11
Kathleen sat on the edge of her bed staring into space wondering if it was possible that she was finally going to marry Jason Bolt. All those years that she was kept apart with their son from the man she loved. From the first time she saw him at the school social, she knew he was the one and now the day was here when they would exchange their vows. It was a gorgeous day outside which was fortuitous considering the entire town was expected to make an appearance. They had not set out with the objective of a large affair, but this wedding took on a life of its own. Jason, Josh, Jeremy and Jemma in one way or another had touched the lives of most of the residents of Seattle. A soft knock on her door from Johnathan interrupted her train of thought, he wanted to let her know that Aaron and he were headed for the camp. He would dress with his uncles and father in the tent which would be followed by a celebration breakfast. He kissed his mother on her forehead and informed her how happy he was for her as he knew better than anyone how she dreamed of this day for 17 years.
Chris ran into the office tent where Jason had begun to get dressed. Chris excitedly yelled "She is there, Jason. No one stole her last night. So, the wedding is on." Jason and Josh laughed at how serious the boy was delivering his message, Jason finally managed "Thank you, Chris. It has been worrying me. Are you ready to get dressed for my wedding?" Chris bit his lip and then asked, "You are not making me do the baby position of ring bearer are you?" Jason bent over so that he may talk to Chris eye to eye "You are one of the men, today" A huge smile cross the youngster's face." Josh put his hand on Chris's shoulder "Remember, this is what happens when you let women in your life." Jeremy came through the flap of the tent "Jason. I hate to talk business but Corky was wondering who is going to fill Swede 's position of foreman? Can I make a quick announcement to take some pressure off him?" Jason responded "Call him in, I am in great mood. Let's spread it." Corky arrived hat in hand, he started "I am sorry to bother you today, but I can't stop thinking about it." Jason nodded to Jeremy to handle it, Jeremy smiled as he informed Corky "We wanted both you and Swede to have your own special day, but you are going to share yours with Jason. Corky, we would like you to fill the position of foreman but realize that it will affect your relationships with your friends. Do you want it?" Corky let out a hoot and holler after which Josh asked, "Was that a yes?" Corky enthusiastically replied "Hell yes."
The women gathered with their wedding garments at Lottie's to get ready plus have their own breakfast. Kathleen was extremely emotional as she thanked everyone for being part of her wedding party. She knew that they were not accustomed to this much fuss regarding a wedding, but she had been part of the Irish Aristocracy. Weddings were a big occasion, often they were arranged to create an alliance and a big show was expected. Candy asked "Are you really going to be happy here even with the big house you are having built. We really live a simple life here." Kathleen smiled "The first moment I saw him across a room filled with handsome young men, I knew that I was his and he was mine. I swear if I had to live in cave with him that I could." Jemma grilled Kathleen "Do you love him for his looks?" Kathleen turned to her and denied "Jemma, there was a room full of handsome young men. I swear when you look at him there is an aura of kindness, selflessness, goodness, and ego. He didn't view himself as better than the people who worked the estates of the nobility. He would have never been able to tolerate the way the classes were handled if he had become Lair of Kilmarron. I believe he would have been miserable. I admit I enjoyed some of the benefits of nobility, but I feel happier now. All of us here at Seattle are building a better world for everyone not just the nobility. Both Johnathan and I escaped with sizeable nest eggs but we both intend to be generous with the community." Lottie interrupted the conversation "We better get focused on getting ready or you are going to be late, and if you are one moment late, I believe he will be here to fetch you."
The Bolt brothers, Johnathan, Aaron, Clancy, Duncan and Christopher were all in the tent getting dressed for the wedding. The loggers were beginning to get antsy as they wanted to eat their breakfasts. The flap was opened and the men starting howling, all in the wedding party except Aaron and Chris were in kilts representing their homelands. Jason and gang had decided to go to that table, take their seats and act as if nothing was different. As they started eating the men settled down. Finally. Corky questioned his bosses "WHY?" Jason took a deep breath "When the woman you love, cuddles up to you and peers lovingly into your eyes, and implores you to please wear your kilts, I admit that I gave into her wishes. The hardest part was getting everyone else to do so. Aaron and Chris are not Scottish or Irish therefore they were spared." Swede stood up and said, "Let's all say a prayer that it is not windy today or you may be seeing more of the Bolts than you ever wanted." The entire table broke out in rowdy laughter. Finally, it was time to depart the camp for the church. The Bolt brothers in their kilts of blue and green with a matching sash and a blue shirt with Uncle Duncan playing his bagpipes marched followed by their men as they often did to town and the end of an era.
Lottie saw the men as they descended from the mountain, her giggling made all the women run to the door to see what was happening. Lottie asked Kathleen "How did you get them to wear their kilts?" Kathleen smirking coyly answered "I asked." Lottie shook her head "This is going to be quite a day." Candy was admiring herself in the dark blue satin dress with a sweetheart neck, chiffon flowing sleeves capped with Irish lace, there was a green satin belt around her waist. The green and the blue matched the colors in the Bolts' kilts. Lottie's dress was the opposite combination green dress with blue belt, her dressed coordinated with Clancy's saffron kilt and green jacket. Maggie chimed in "I understand why you insisted on these colors for our dresses. I am going to enjoy painting this picture. Is the man taking the tintypes here?" Kathleen nodded her head yes. Molly's dress matched Lottie's and Chris wore a black suit with a green bow tie. Jemma was buttoning Kathleen 's dress, which was white satin with a sweetheart neck, traditional waist, her sleeves were satin puffy at the top, the rest of the sleeve was Irish lace, her hair was down but curled. The back must have had 40 buttons covered in satin. Jemma laughed "You better let us get you out of the dress because I imagine my brother just tearing all these beautiful buttons off."
The Governor Lister's carriage pulled up just as the men arrived; Jeremy and Josh quickly reached the governor and he slipped them a paper before Jason joined them. Jason escorted the governor into the church to a space reserved for him. The governor was impressed at the turnout of the town and the attire of Jason and his brothers. The governor laughingly said "You, Bolts, know how to throw an affair."
Josh gathered Jeremy, Clancy, Aaron, Duncan and Chris together "We need to go into the church so the bride can make her way to us." Duncan put his bagpipes down on a pew; He proceeded to Jason's side and requested a moment to his speak with his nephew in private. Jason and Duncan walked to side where Duncan opened his heart to his eldest nephew. Duncan started "If you father was here, I am sure that he would tell you what a fine man that you have become and how proud that he is of you. I, personally, admired the bond which exists between you and your siblings. You support each other, you are a team. My father pitted my brother, your father, and me against each other. It was important that I always win. We still loved each other but it was nothing like the bond which you share with your siblings. Johnathan and I would compete over everything including your mother. I loved your mother and view you in particular as the son I might have had. I imagine you and me controlling Kilmarron but none of that was to be. You have carved a wonderful life for yourself and your family in Seattle. I love you, nephew, and hope you will permit me to share in what I see as a wonderful future." Jason face softened as he realized how difficult that must have been for his uncle to say. Jason hugged his uncle "I love you, Uncle Duncan, and I would be proud to have my children embrace you as a member of the family in addition to Kathleen, Johnathan and myself."
Reverend Adams entered and directed Johnathan to join his mother. He announced to the men "The ladies are ready. Please take you places." He smiled as he realized the fashion of dress which the men wore. He asked Aaron "Do you feel lonely?" Aaron laughed "Only with the Bolt's would I feel out of place when I am dressed normally, and they are not." Essie sneaked in and took her place at the organ. She inspected the group and complimented them "Jason, Josh, Jeremy, Aaron, Clancy, and Chris, I don't believe I have seen a more handsome group of men at one time." Jason smiled back at her, but one could tell he was anxious for his bride. Essie played music as people were allowed into the church and as the procession of Molly, Cassie, Maggie, Candy, and Lottie entered. The women huddled in the front of the church as Duncan played the wedding march on his bagpipes. The doors entered as Johnathan arm in arm with his mother started their procession to the front of the church. Jason was breathless at the sight of his Kathleen. He couldn't believe at long last she was to officially be his bride. He felt that it was an hour as they marched down the aisle, but it was only moments.
Johnathan and Kathleen arrived, Johnathan gave his mother away and joined the men. When the reverend asked if anyone objected Jemma, Jeremy and Josh replied, "We do." Kathleen looked shocked and Jason appeared ready to kill his siblings when Josh stepped forward with a paper in his hand. Josh announced to the church "Jemma, Jeremy, and I would like to thank our Governor Lister for expediting something for our brother and his family which we would like to share with everyone at this moment." Jason growled "Josh, what are you doing?" Josh held up one finger and continued "Johnathan O' Neil is now officially Johnathan Ryan Bolt and his father is Jason Bolt. "Johnathan grabbed the paper as he held back his tears his father and mother grabbed him into a hug. Jason turned and grabbed each of his sibling into the family hug. Everyone in the church including Reverend Adams were fighting back tears finally he asked to resume the wedding, this time when he asked if anyone objected it was silent.
Reverend Adams finally introduced them as husband and wife advising Jason that he may kiss the bride. He pulled her into a kiss which left her breathless and the reverend saying, "Save some of that for later." They exited the church where the townspeople who couldn't get into the church waited with rice. The rest of the bridal party joined them. Biddie arranged for the bouquet toss to be done immediately. All the unmarried women line up behind Kathleen and she tossed her bouquet right into the hands of Biddie. Biddie though thrilled shyly glanced at Rodger who was applauding and laughing at her prize.
Jason threw his arm up in the air and enthusiastically announced "Let's celebrate. There is plenty of food and drink here, but most of all wonderful people. Jason Bolt ,17 years late, has wed his Kathleen Ryan."