Part Seven

TAG

Five Months Later

(October Third)

"I cannot believe this, Mother!" Amanda was standing in front of a huge full-length mirror wearing a beautiful, simple, vanilla cream-colored dress.

"Well, my ONLY child will not be remarried when I am not there and try to get away with it!" Dottie replied, smiling. "How can you just sit me down one day and say that you actually met Lee at a train station in 1983 and had since become engaged and gotten MARRIED and you decided not to tell me? No reception, no ceremony, Besides, this is fun for me. This is the last time I will get to see my little girl get married… Isn't it?"

Amanda smiles mischievously.

"I suppose that depends on Lee, my mood, politics, the weather…"

"Don't tease me, Amanda!"

"Oh Mother!" Amanda laughed, hugging Dotty reassuringly.

"I just want it to be special." Dotty informed her. "And perfect. For you."

"Grandma?" Jamie poked his head in. He was dressed in a suit and ready to be the ring bearer.

Honestly, Amanda thought it was just a little silly. She had expected her mother to do something... but really!

Despite what her was saying, her heart told her that she was doing the right thing. And that's really all that matters.

"Aunt Lillian is looking for you. You look really pretty, Mom."

He pushed his glasses up again.

"Thank you, Jamie. You look very handsome yourself."

He smiled, and left the room with Dottie.

"I'll be right back, Amanda. Stay right there."

"Yes Mother!"

She laughed to herself.

A moment later, Lee slipped in.

"Hey." He said, then added, "You look beautiful!"

"Thanks. Now go away before my mother sees you. She might think were making plans to run off and elope."

"Yeah, right. Again? She'd have to kill us."

"You've got it. Are Billy and Francine here?"

"Yes. And Billy's wife Jeannie."

"I'm glad we invited them."

"I'm glad we told them."

"Me too."

"After all, honesty is the best policy," He said out of the blue.

"Sometimes it is like you read my mind."

He stayed a moment longer, and with a quick kiss left Amanda alone again.

"All right! Amanda, Let's get ready. Now, I'm am going to go take my seat, and Phillip is waiting to take you down the aisle."

"Thanks Mother."

"You may now kiss the bride."

'Funny,' Amanda thought, 'This is the fourth time I've heard those same words, and three of those times I've been with Lee, and yet they never lose their magic.'

Thus the Scarecrow and Mrs. Stetson lived happily ever after.