With This Ring
Chapter 7
"The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church,
It's a choice you make - not just on your wedding day, but over and over again."
Barbara de Angelis
Peter and Jim got back to the farm house midafternoon. They'd left the shop and gone to the ice cream shop and Peter had ordered an ice cream sundae and Jim had indulged in a double scooped cone of chocolate and vanilla. At the first taste of their own, they had both sighed in pleasure and grinned at each other. Peter's new clothes would be delivered tomorrow morning and Jim was confident his mother would approve of their selections.
They arrived back at the farm during the late afternoon, Jim's comm remaining stubbornly silent. No word from Derek Bradford yet, and Jim was getting impatient. He hoped Admiral Nogura was not off planet; that would put a big dent in their plans to get Gavin back quickly.
He parked the shuttle and he and Peter went into the kitchen. The wonderful smell of sugar, vanilla and almonds wafted through the kitchen. There were dozens of cookies on every available inch of space in the kitchen. Winona, Spock and Bones, were busily working and Uhura was putting the cooled cookies in storage boxes.
"Ma! How many cookies did you bake?" Jim asked aghast, eyeing all the cookie trays.
Winona turned and smiled at them. "Hello….many dozens, dear. I'm afraid I've lost track now."
Spock turned to her, "17 dozen not counting the ones in the oven," he told Winona.
"Thank you, Spock. I think we'll stop at 18 dozen," she mused. "The guest list is not that large."
"Where's Violet, Ma?"
"She's at the church talking to Father Joe. There were some last minute details she wanted to go over with him. Have you heard from Derek yet?" she asked hopefully?"
"Not yet. If we don't hear anything soon, I'll comm him to see what the holdup is."
"Peter, dear, please feed Sorrel and check his litter box, and then please feed the animals and the chickens. I hear them clucking, so I know they're hungry. Jim, please get the vegetable casserole from the freezer. We're having that for supper along with a three bean salad and of course some cookies for dessert."
"Sounds good, Ma."
The kitchen door opened and Violet came in carrying Davy who was fast asleep in her arms. "He always falls asleep in the shuttle, I think the motion rocks him," she said softly. "Let me go put him down for his nap."
She came back to the kitchen, sat down and sighed tiredly. "Father Joe and I took care of all the last minute details," she told them. "He told me not to worry, to have faith that Gavin will be back in time for the wedding." She smiled at Winona. "He's so comforting; he made me feel a lot better."
Winona nodded. "He helped me so much after George died and then after Sam and Aurelan. His faith is so strong and somehow he imparts it to others. You just can't help but feel better when you talk with him."
Violet turned her large questioning brown eyes to Jim. He shook his head. "I haven't heard from Derek yet, but all that means is that Admiral Nogura was probably not in his office and Derek has to wait. He'll be traveling, so he'll have to comm the Admiral when he gets the chance."
"I'm sure he'll comm when he can," Violet said, calmly. "Winona, what can I do to help you?" she asked.
"We need to get all the vases and containers for the flowers down from the attic," she told Violet. "They all have to be washed and dried. Uhura was going to do it, but you can do that if you want to, Violet."
"I do want to," Violet said. Peter came in the back door, and Winona smiled at him. "Violet here is your helper. You go up in the attic and get all the milk glass vases, they're all on the shelf under the attic window, and the mason jars are in boxes on the floor. You hand them down to Peter and that will keep you from having to go up and down the attic stairs. We'll put the mason jars in the dish washer, but the milk glass will have to be washed by hand, especially the large vases."
Peter followed Violet and they could hear the attic stairs come down. Jim and his mother looked at each other. "She seems more at peace, Ma."
"I think so. I'm sure Father Joe gave her a different perspective. She's been terribly worried about Gavin, but I really do think Mrs. Nogura and the Admiral will intervene to bring Gavin home in time for the wedding."
The oven timer rang and Winona bent to take the last cookie tray out of the oven. "That's the last of the cookies," she told her two helpers. "Thank you so much; you two did an excellent job."
"You're welcome, it was our pleasure," Bones said.
"Indeed, Dr. Kirk. I have often wanted to learn how to make cookies. I now feel quite proficient in the art of cookie making."
McCoy goggled at the Vulcan. "You've always wanted to learn to make cookies? Oh my sainted aunt! Listen here, hobgoblin, you've never once voiced that desire to Jim and me, not ever; so you just stop trying to butter up Jim's mom."
Spock raised a supercilious eyebrow. "There are many things in life that I yet wish to learn, Leonard. Just because I have never expressed the desire to learn them, does not mean they do not exist," he said in his iciest tone. "As usual, you are jumping to erroneous conclusions. I would try to curb that tendency if I were you, Doctor McCoy."
Bones spluttered. "Why you….you…green blooded, pointy eared, robot. I don't jump to conclusions. I arrive at my conclusions after a lot of scientific observations." His angry blue eyes raked over Spock.
"All right you two, there's no need for warfare." Jim said, trying to contain his amusement.
"Here, you two," Winona said hastily. "Try these cookies," she gave them each one. "Tell me what you think, you too, Jim, and you, Nyota."
There was silence as the three men and Nyota munched on the wedding cookies.
Spock spoke first. "In my considered opinion, these are the best cookies that I have ever tasted." He nodded thoughtfully and took another one from the tray.
McCoy snorted at Spock. "Delicious, Winona, simply delicious. Your guests will love them."
"I agree, Ma. How come we didn't get these when we were kids?"
"Because, my dear cookie monster, I had to have cookie recipes that were fast and inexpensive to bake. You boys, your friends, and your father, kept me baking almost every day."
"Lucky you, Jim," Nyota said, munching happily.
Violet and Peter came in with the mason jars and the large milk glass vases. "I'll get these milk glass vases washed, Winona," Violet said. She looked at everyone eating cookies and said to Peter, "looks like we missed out, Peter. We were working and they were eating cookies….somehow that doesn't seem fair to me."
Winona laughed. "Here," she said giving them each a cookie. "Never let it be said that anyone goes without a cookie in my house, enjoy."
Nyota finished boxing the cookies. "Where shall I put all the boxes, Winona?"
"Hmm," Winona looked around. "I'm not sure," she said, thinking of her full house. "I know, let's stack them in Jim's closet. It's practically empty, it's cool there and they'll keep just fine." She looked sternly at Jim and Peter. "There better not be any cookies missing by the time we have the wedding reception."
Jim and Peter looked at each other innocently. "Of course there won't be, Ma. We are honorable men, right, Squirt?"
Peter giggled. "Right, Uncle Jim."
Spock and Leonard helped Nyota carry all the cookie storage boxes to Jim's closet, and Violet began to wash the vases.
"Let's see," Winona consulted the notes in her padd. "Tomorrow all the flowers arrive, so we can do the flower arrangements, Nyota. Janie said she'll send some of her new preservative powder to put in the water, and the flowers will stay fresh for days. I've also ordered the boutonnieres for the men, Violet. The day after, very early in the morning, Mama Salvatore is coming to help me with the food preparations. She's very fast, so we should be finished by noon. She told me not to worry about the shopping; she'll take care of buying everything, and bring everything." She sighed. "She's so kind. She knows that this ankle is slowing me down quite a bit and she wants to help me all she can. We'll put everything in the big refrigeration unit in the barn. It's empty. I've had it running since before you came home, Jim, and it seems fine, but please check it again for me. I told her to bring me the bill, Violet so we can re reimburse her. That afternoon is the tea. There are only seven of us; Violet, Mama, Marie, Serena, Nyota, Mrs. Nogura, and I, so there won't be much preparation. I've got enough food for the teat already. We'll use some of the cookies I've got in the freezer, one of my pound cakes which I'll serve with strawberries and cream, and we'll make a few savory finger foods for that." She looked at Violet and Nyota. "I think we'll keep it simple, just some pimento cheese sandwiches, some nuts, and of course the tea. Violet, dear, I think we'll set up the coffee table in the living room as the serving table. Everyone will be comfortable in there. We'll use my mother's tea set" She smiled. "Wait until you see it, Violet, it's very old fashioned and it's decorated with violets." Her dimple peeked out. "I couldn't have planned for that any better. We'll get it unpacked this afternoon. I think there are 10 teacups and saucers and 10 small plates for the food. It'll need washing also. The next afternoon is the wedding. We just have to make sure your wedding suit, my dress, and Nyota's are all pressed. Jim, you and Spock and Leonard make sure your formal uniforms are also pressed. We'll have to check on Derek's and Gavin's once they get here."
She looked up and saw everyone staring at her in awe. "What? What's the matter?"
"Ma…." Jim cleared his throat. "You're amazing, you really are. You're like an Admiral getting ready to marshal his troops for battle, but," he looked sternly at her. "Have you rested at all today?" Jim asked looking at her tired face.
A flash of guilt passed fleetingly over Winona's face. "Not yet, dear, I haven't had a chance yet."
"Yes, well, now it's time. Leave your padd here and go lie down on the sofa for an hour. You know Bones made that one of the conditions for your walking cast."
She glanced at Leonard, who nodded. "Alright, Jim. I'll go rest. I am feeling a little tired. Will one of you put the casserole in the oven at 5:30? It will take an hour to bake. I'll make the three bean salad when I get up; it's quick and easy and then put the rolls in the oven."
"We'll take care of everything for dinner, Ma. You go rest, or I'll call in the big guns, and make Bones put you to bed for the rest of the day and evening."
Winona looked alarmed. "I'm going, James T for Tyrant Kirk, I'm going. I'll lie down on the sofa. I don't like to be isolated in the bedroom."
He turned to Peter. "Squirt, please help your Noni get comfortable on the sofa."
Jim watched her haltingly walk, Peter close by her side, and shook his head. He could tell his mother was very tired. He and Bones needed to do a better job of watching out for her. His mother never knew when to quit and her ankle was not completely healed. He smiled to himself. How many times had Bones told him that about his own behavior?
Violet turned from her washing job and grinned at Jim. "She's stubborn, isn't she? Reminds me of someone else I know."
Jim laughed as Spock, Nyota and Bones came into the kitchen. "I've sent Ma off to rest, Bones. She's very tired."
"I knew she was doing too much," Bones said, "but just try stoppin' that woman. I'll check her ankle again after she's rested. Although I'm not much worried about it, Jimmy. It was healing very well, but it's best to rest it for a while."
"I told her we'd take care of dinner," Jim said. "Not much to do; the casserole, the three bean salad, and some rolls." He sighed. "I want her to be 100 percent for the wedding and reception, so we're going to have to make her rest every day until you tell me she's completely healed, Bones."
McCoy nodded. "Don't worry; I'll keep an eye on her."
Jim looked at the wall chronometer. "I think I'll try to comm Derek again. It might be impossible to get him if he's traveling, but I'll give it a try. Maybe mom's SF comm in her office will have a better range," he said. "I'll give it a try…be back in a minute."
"We'll clean up in here, and get the table set for supper," Nyota said.
Jim went into his mother's office, first peeking in to the living room. Peter was on the floor playing quietly with Sorrel, and he put a finger to his lips. Winona was fast asleep. Just what she needs, Jim thought, backing up quietly.
His mother's comm was state of the art, provided to her by Star Fleet and the Federation for her use in her consultant work. They replaced the unit every couple of years, since she often had to contact far distant planet officials in her work as a Xenobiologist.
Jim tried Derek's comm code and waited patiently for the two comms to connect. He heard the recording after a few minutes. "The party you are trying to reach is out of reception range. Please try again later." So that was that. He'd try again later this evening.
He went back into the kitchen and all eyes turned to him. He hated to disappoint Violet with his report. "All I got is the recording that he's out of range. I'll try back later this evening before we go to bed. Ma is fast asleep, Bones. She was very tired," Jim said worriedly.
"Don't get yourself in a tizzy, Jimbo. Winona's fine. Tomorrow she'll be even better. She doesn't even need the osteo regenerator anymore. She just needs to take it easy until we get that cast off, and the most important thing is that she doesn't trip and fall. That could be disastrous for the ankle. We just have to keep a close eye on her."
"Absolutely," Nyota said. "Yesterday she was talking about going up in the attic to get the vases and mason jars. I put a stop to that thinking right away."
Jim shuddered imagining his mother trying to get up and down the attic steps with the walking cast on.
Violet finished washing the vases. "I'm going to wake up Davy," she said, "Otherwise he won't want to go to sleep at his regular bedtime. He's such a bundle of energy now that he can walk and run that he usually wears himself out by bedtime and he's ready to go down."
She came back carrying Davy in her arms, and when he spotted Jim, he stretched out his arms. Where Jim was, fun was. "Jim, Jim."
Jim laughed and took him from Violet. "Davy, do you want to ride Dapple?" He looked at Violet. "It's perfectly safe, Violet. Dapple is very gentle and I'll hold on to Davy while I lead Dapple around. He'll love it."
"It's fine, Jim. I know you'll be careful. He needs to be outside for a while so he doesn't make noise and wake up Winona. Let me get Peter and he can go with you. Davy will love that."
Jim took the two children outside to the barn and while Peter saddled Dapple, Jim took Davy to 'talk" to the chickens. For some reason, Davy liked to make chicken noises and Winona had told Jim during one of their weekly comms, that it looked like the chickens and Davy understood each other perfectly.
Peter led dapple out of the barn, and Jim put Davy on his back and handed the baby the reins. Peter walked beside the donkey while Jim led Dapple around holding on to his bit. The baby crowed with delight. They all walked slowly to the mailbox and back and then Jim pulled Davy off the donkey. "You go ahead and get on Dapple, Peter. He needs some exercise; Davy and I will watch."
The afternoon was warm, but not hot, and it was pleasant to be outdoors with the two children. Jim missed these kinds occasions when he was on the ship, but he knew he would never be happy being dirtside all the time. Space was where he belonged, where he loved to be.
They took Dapple back into the barn and Peter curried him while Jim and Davy gave Ginger and Dapple fresh food. Jim had some sugar lumps in his pocket and he showed Davy how Ginger and Dapple took them from his hand. The baby's big brown eyes were round with wonder.
Afterwards, they went back to the kitchen to find that Winona was up from her nap. Uhura had put the casserole in the oven, and it already smelled great. Violet was making the three bean salad and Spock, under Winona's direction, was making the salad dressing. McCoy was setting the table with the Blue Willow china and blue glasses when the front doorbell rang.
"I'll go," said Violet.
"It might be Jonathon," Winona said. "Sometimes he drops in after work just to check in on Peter and I. If it's him, Violet, invite him for dinner."
"I will."
They heard the door open and then a scream from Violet. Jim hurriedly picked up Davy and they all headed to the living room at a run. There, standing just inside the front door stood Derek Bradford with a huge grin on his face, and with him, holding a crying Violet tightly in his arms, was Gavin!
