The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 14
Alice's wedding day!
It's the day of Alice and Sam's wedding. Alice is frantically packing up her belongings, so that she, Sam and Mike can bring them over to Sam's, and soon her, place. While the twins are napping, Carol is helping her friend pack.
Carol: Where do you want your hang up clothes?
Alice: Packing her toiletries in an overnight bag and suitcase. I've got garment bags in the back of the closet. She smiles. Just don't pack the white one.
Carol: Smiles, sharing in her excitement. I won't. Just a few more hours and you'll be Mrs. Sam Franklin.
Alice: That sounds so good!
Carol: I understand. I felt that way when I married Mike.
Alice: I hope I'm as happy as the two of you are.
They resume packing and Mike and Sam help load her stuff into their cars.
Sam: Is that everything?
Alice: Yes, that's everything...well, until tonight. Then, you get me!
Sam: You bet your lamb chops, baby! He wraps his arm around his fiancée.
Alice: Aww Sam! You say the sweetest things!
Mike and Carol try not to roll their eyes. Mike and Sam drive Alice to Sam's place, so that she can move her stuff in. Then, Mike drives Alice back to the Brady's, so she can start getting ready for her wedding.
In the attic room.
Alice and the older Brady girls are dressing, in Jan's new room, for her wedding. Marcia is wearing the dress she wore for prom. Jan's dress is a lined, full-length pink taffeta dress with zip closure in the back. Ruffled bottom and top off the shoulder design. Cindy's is a light lavender sheer cotton with acetate lining sleeveless floor length dress. Flared skirt with deep ruffled hem, fitted empire waist, shaping darts on the bodice, a ruffle trimmed square neckline, narrow straps and elastic gathers on the shoulders, attached ribbon ties and a back zip closure.
Jan: Zipping up Alice's dress. There! Now, turn around.
Alice turns around. She is gracing an eggshell crochet, sheer, knee-length maxi dress, with a square neckline and bell sleeves. Underneath is a light pink tank satin dress, which gives a pop of colour. In her hair, is a small chapel veil, with a pink ribbon.
Cindy: Alice, you look so pretty!
Marcia: You look radiant.
Alice: Blushes. Aww, thanks!
Jan: Giggling. Can you believe it? In just under an hour, you'll be a married woman!
Alice: It's been a long time coming. Hard to believe this day is here.
Marcia: Believe it!
Mike and Carol are dressing in the master bedroom. Mike is wearing a grey suit, with mint green tie and white shirt. Carol's dress is a long mint green butterfly sleeve beaded evening gown, with a gathered V-neckline and a gorgeous, light green bead, tiny faux pearl and embroidered appliqué decoration at the upper waist. Carol walks out of the bathroom, as Mike is adjusting his tie.
Mike: Whistles. You are beautiful!
Carol: Slowly spins around to give her husband a good view. You really think so?
Mike: Kisses her on the lips. Absolutely so!
Carol: Oh Mike!
The twins are in a playpen in the master bedroom, napping. Ryan is wearing a light blue sailor romper and Carolyn, the light purple dress, with white lace trim on the neckline, around the waist and at the cuffs, Carol chose for Alice's shower.
Mike: When do you want to get the twins?
Carol: We'll get them up about ten or fifteen minutes before we have to be downstairs.
Meanwhile, Sam and the boys are getting ready in Alice's suite. All are wearing grey suits; Sam with a light blue tie, Greg with a dark blue, Peter with a pink, and Bobby, a light purple.
Sam: To Greg. Got the ring?
Greg: Sticks up his pinky. Right here.
Sam: Good. Don't want it getting lost before I give it to my little filly.
Bobby, obviously uncomfortable with wearing a suit and tie, starts tugging at his clothes.
Peter: Can't do that once we get out to the living room.
Bobby: I know, but this tie is putting a choke hold on me!
Peter: Adjusting Bobby's tie. Here. How's that?
Bobby: Thanks.
Sam: Addressing the boys. I wanna thank you for taking good care of my Alice.
Greg: She's family.
Bobby: She's been with us since before I was born.
Sam: And I want you to know, you four guys, your folks, and your sisters are family to us too. We want you to always be a part of our lives.
Peter: We will be.
Sam: And Bobby, I know you've been looking for a small part-time job because you're saving up for a car.
Bobby: Yes.
Sam: When Alice and I get back from our honeymoon, come to the store. I'm looking to hire a new delivery boy, and I'd like to hire you.
Bobby: Excited. Yes! Thanks!
Sam: Great!
It's time for the ceremony to begin. Family and friends gather in the living room. Alice's sisters and cousin and Sam's brother are here. Kay, Alice's best friend and other friends of the couple, are also among the guests.
Mike: Checks his watch. Looks like it's time to get you and the babies down to the living room. I set up a swing by your chair.
Carol: Thanks. I think I'll use it for Ryan. I've got a couple pacifiers in my pocket.
Mike: Good thinking! I hope the organ isn't too much for Ryan.
Carol: Kay said she'd help before the ceremony if we need her. Mulls it over. On second thought, I may put Carolyn in the swing and hold Ryan. If he starts fussing, I can bring him into your den. Picks up Ryan, and checks his diaper. He's good.
Mike: Picks up Carolyn and does the same. So is she. So, shall we? He offers her the crook of his arm.
Carol gives her husband a gentle kiss on the lips. They descend the stairs as the organist begins playing. Mike escorts her to her seat beside the baby swing. He kisses Carolyn, then settles her into the swing. Then, he gives his wife a quick peck on the lips. Mike goes back up the stairs and knocks on the attic bedroom.
Jan: Come in.
Mike: Opens the door and goes up the stairs. You girls ready?
Marcia: I think we are.
Cindy passes out the bouquets.
Alice: A bit nervous. Ready.
As the girls line up at the landing, Sam, the Officiant, and the boys enter from the kitchen. Greg, as Sam's best man, is directly behind the groom, then Peter and Bobby. The Officiant cues the organist, who begins Wagner's "Bridal March." The audience stands. Cindy descends the stairs first, then Marcia and then Jan. Alice takes the crook of Mike's arm.
Mike: This is it.
Alice: Here we go!
Mike escorts the bride down the stairs, to Sam.
Officiant: We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, The Joining of two hearts and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite this couple in marriage. Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, speak now, or forever hold your peace.
The room is silent.
Officiant: Who Gives this woman today to be married?
Mike: Her family and I do.
Mike places Alice's hand in Sam's and joins his wife in the audience.
Officiant: Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding. A good marriage must be created. It is never being too old to hold hands. It's remembering to say I love you every day and it is not just marrying the right person its being the right partner.
Sam faces his beloved. Alice smiles.
Sam: I, Sam take you Alice to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Alice: I, Alice take you Sam to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Officiant: Sam do you take Alice to be your wife?
Sam: I do.
Officiant: Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?
Sam: I do.
Officiant: Alice do you take Sam to be your husband?
Alice: I do.
Officiant: Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?
Alice: I do.
Officiant:Wedding rings are an unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this couple in marriage."
Greg takes the ring off his pinky and hands it to Sam.
Sam: Alice, This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. And with this ring, I thee wed.
Sam places the ring on her finger. Jan unties the ring from her bouquet and hands it to Alice.
Alice: Sam, This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. And with this ring, I thee wed.
Alice places the ring on his finger.
Officiant: By the power vested in me I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.
Sam and Alice kiss, while the audience applauds.
Officiant:It is my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Franklin!
The organist plays Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" as the couple engages in another kiss.
The back yard
The reception is held in the back yard, which is decorated in Gerber daisies and springtime colours. Carol holds Ryan and Mike holds Carolyn. The happy couple cuts the cake and feeds a piece to each other. Then, they drink from each other's wine goblets. The guests congratulate the happy couple, and dine on cake, nuts and punch. It feels like a whirlwind! Before they know it, it's time to leave. As the audience tosses birdseed, Sam escorts his wife to the car. Carol embraces her friend.
Carol: Congratulations!
Alice: Thanks, for everything.
Mike shakes Sam's hand.
Mike: Take care of her.
Sam: I will.
Mike and Carol join the guests. Alice tosses her bouquet, and much to Mike and Carol's horror, it lands in both Marcia and Jan's hands. Sam tosses his "little black book." It sails into Greg's hands.
Cindy: Laughing. I guess you two are next!
Mike: Not for awhile!
Marcia and Jan are laughing too hard to say anything.
Greg: Hands the book to Peter. You'll be needing this more than I will.
Peter: Thanks! Bobby, wanna split it?
Bobby: Holds up his hands. Oh, not me!
Sam pulls out of the driveway and the newlyweds are off to their honeymoon. Soon, the guests leave. Kay stays and helps the Bradys clean up. Sam's brother and Alice's sisters take some of the leftovers and fill Sam and Alice's freezer. After everything is put away and everyone changes out of their wedding attire, Greg and Marcia leave and Carol and Mike relax on the couch in the living room. Each of them hold a sleeping baby.
Carol: Smiling. What a wonderful day!
Mike: It was.
Carol: And Alice looked beautiful.
Mike: She did, but you were the prettiest of all.
Carol: I can't believe Marcia and Jan caught the bouquet.
Mike: Chuckles. I think you were more surprised than they were.
Carol: I'm not ready for my girls to get married.
Mike: I have a feeling we've got a ways to go before they're ready to tie the knot.
Carol: I hope you're right.
Peter descends the stairs.
Peter: Mom, dad? Can I move my stuff into Alice's suite?
Mike: Now?
Peter: Why not? Jan started moving into the attic right after Marcia left.
Mike: Weary. Sighs. Let us put the babies down for their nap, and we'll get started.
Peter: Great! He dashes up the stairs and begins packing.
Mike: Chuckles. I guess we'd better get started.
They get up from the couch and put the babies down for a nap in the nursery. As Mike and Carol exit the nursery, they see Peter and Bobby carrying Peter's mattress down the stairs.
Mike: Need any help?
Peter: We'll need some help rearranging.
Carol: Where are the girls?
Bobby: Jan and Cindy are arranging their rooms.
Carol: Again? I thought they did that after Marcia moved out.
Bobby: I guess they needed to arrange it again. I dunno.
Peter and Bobby continue down the stairs. Mike helps direct them into the suite.
Mike: Okay men, let's get this room rearranged.
Mike, Peter and Bobby arrange Peter's, formerly Alice's, suite. After it's arranged to Peter's satisfaction, they step back and take in their work.
Peter: I like it!
Bobby: Yeah, me too. Insistent. Now, let's work on mine.
Mike: One room at a time, men.
Bobby: When?
Mike: Tomorrow. We've had a full day today.
The attic room
Jan is sketching out a mural on the main wall. Carol knocks on her door.
Jan: Come in!
Carol: Enters and climbs up the stairs. Working on your mural?
Jan: Yeah. How do you like it?
Carol: Unsure. I dunno. It's hard to visualize.
Jan: The sketches are on the bed, if you want to take a look.
Carol: Looks at the sketches. Oh, this is nice!
Jan: Thanks! I got Cindy's approval on it too.
Carol: Cindy's? Why? It's your room.
Jan: Well, she likes the mural I did in her room last year, and since you and dad will probably have the twins take our old rooms when Peter and I move out, I thought I'd get her opinion on the mural.
Carol: But that's not for a couple years.
Jan: I know. I did tell her if she wanted me to paint one for her when she moves up here, I would. Bobby and Cindy also worked things out. Bobby wants to take the suite when Peter leaves, and Cindy wants the attic.
Carol: Impressed. You four have really helped us out by solving this on your own.
Jan: We knew the nursery wasn't much of a room...It's more like a closet, and they'd need their own space.
Carol: Do you need any help?
Jan: Thanks, but I've got it.
Carol: All right. She rises. Don't work too hard.
Jan: I won't.
Carol leaves the attic and knocks on Cindy's door. Cindy's putting the finishing touches on her room.
Cindy: Come in!
Carol: Enters her room. Rearranging your room?
Cindy: A little bit. I wanted to make it more useful for me. Besides, last year, I had the broken arm and sprained ankle, so I didn't get to help rearrange it.
Carol: Do you need any help?
Cindy: I'm good. Thanks though. How does it look?
Carol: Looks good!
Cindy: Thanks!
As Carol walks out of Cindy's room, she sees Mike entering the nursery. She follows.
Mike: Sees his wife. Just wanted to check on our youngest. Peers into their cribs and whispering. Looks like they're still asleep.
Carol: Yeah. Whispering, then yawns. I think I may take a nap. We've had a long day.
Mike: Kisses her on the cheek. I've got some catch up work to do on the account, so I'll see you later.
They give each other a quick peck on the lips and go their separate ways.
-End of Chapter 14-