Chapter 79: Something Borrowed, Something New
On Wednesday morning, once her parents had picked up Julie and Jack for their little adventure and "pure spoiling," as they called it, Elizabeth grabbed her basket of blueberry muffins and headed over to the Coulter rowhouse. Abigail answered the door with a sleepy Ian in her arms as Rosemary was just putting Evie down in the living room crib. Abigail moved aside, all the while swaying side to side, lightly patting Ian's bottom as Elizabeth came in and closed the door behind her. After she put Evie in the crib, Rosemary gestured to Elizabeth to meet her in the kitchen, so the two friends made their way into the kitchen at the same time. Rosemary put water on to boil as Elizabeth put the basket on the table and automatically went into the cupboard for teacups and saucers. Rosemary pointed towards the backyard as Elizabeth prepared to carry the items to the table out there. Rosemary followed her with the muffin basket. As they came back in to check on the tea itself, Abigail was just walking in with her finger to her lips. Rosemary grabbed the tea kettle off the stove before it began to whistle and filled the antique teapot, put the tea leaves in to allow the tea to steep as she carried it outside and the friends prepared the rest of the table. Elizabeth followed with the cream pitcher and sugar bowl as Abigail carried the plates and forks for the muffins and napkins. Abigail, Rosemary, and Elizabeth sat at the picnic table outside with their teacups and muffins in the Coulter's backyard. Rosemary left the back door open as the twins slept in the living room crib. The three smiled happily at one another. It was nice to have this moment between them once more.
Elizabeth looked between her two friends and smiled contentedly to herself. She was thankful that she had taken the week off leading up to the wedding just to take care of the little things that seemed to keep coming up. Laura was the substitute teacher for this week, along with the time that Nathan and Elizabeth would be gone on their honeymoon. Elizabeth had worked out a deal with the university that Laura's time at the preschool and substituting at the Thornton School could be considered part of their extended program under Elizabeth's mentoring.
The three decided that they would go over last-minute details since the rest of the day and the next one were filled with wedding preparation. After a few moments of enjoying the simplicity of being together in this time of silence, Rosemary leaned over and took hold of Elizabeth's hand and said, "Elizabeth, I know that you mentioned that your mother gave you your aunt's old pearl and diamond broach for something old that you want me to incorporate into your bouquet along with the powder blue ribbons that we are using for something blue. But Abigail and I wanted to personally take care of something borrowed and something new." Rosemary glanced over at Abigail as to signal to give her gift.
Abigail handed Elizabeth a small white box. When Elizabeth opened it, she found a beautifully hand-stitched, embroidered handkerchief with the initial G on it in powder blue. "Oh, Abigail, this is so beautiful! The care that you put into this truly shows. Thank you so much! I absolutely love it!", she said to her friend as she clutched it close to her heart.
Abigail smiled warmly at her younger friend, took her hand in hers, and said, "It was my honor making it for you, Elizabeth. May it dry many happy tears in the years to come."
"Ok, my turn!" Rosemary excitedly spoke. She slid a larger, square blue velvet box towards Elizabeth. When Elizabeth opened the box, Rosemary went to explain all about the set. "Lee got this set for me when I first discovered I was struggling to become pregnant. These are the March birthstone, aquamarine. Not only are they the color of your wedding and will be your something borrowed, but they have a special meaning too, and that is the main reason I'm sharing them with you for your special day. Aquamarine is a symbol of courage and is associated with trusting and letting go. Elizabeth, I am so proud of you, for finally letting go of your fears and having the courage to trust your heart and love again. I am so thrilled for this new chapter of your life, my friend!", Rosemary shared.
The tears that had begun to glisten in Elizabeth's eyes when Abigail shared her wishes started flowing nonstop by the time Rosemary shared her wishes. "Rosemary, it is through the love and friendship here that I was able to find that courage that you speak of to let go of my fears and trust in love once more. It would be an honor and a privilege to wear this set on Saturday. Thank you both," Elizabeth said as she reached over and grabbed each one of their hands and squeezed them tightly.
The three friends were weeping together for a few minutes and then, after awhile, started giggling. "Look at the three of us! We are a blubbering mess! Thank goodness we are not out in public." Rosemary animatedly said, which made them giggle even more.
"So, Rosemary, I wanted to talk to you about how my parents and the Thorntons will give me away. I mentioned it briefly to you last night. Do you think that is a feasible idea?" Elizabeth asked as she searched her friend's bright blue eyes for an answer.
Rosemary's face lit up as she grasped Elizabeth's hands and said, "I think it's a magnificent idea and an incredible way to incorporate all parties involved!" Lee and I will rally up the others who can help on the day of the wedding since we are in the wedding party too, but I think it will turn out well!"
Rosemary looked down at her notepad, jotted a few things down and then glanced back up at her friends. "Ladies, picture this will you. Mike will drive Elizabeth and her parents from town to the edge of Jack's land. The Thatchers will escort Elizabeth from the car to the entrance of the aisle way. There, they will meet the Thorntons, handing Elizabeth over to them and the two of them will take Elizabeth to Nathan. Oh, it will be so beautiful!" Rosemary exuberantly said.
Elizabeth smiled at Rosemary as she nodded excitedly and said, "Oh Rosemary, I like that!" Rosemary made a quick note on her paper, thought for a few moments as she tapped her pen and then smiled and snapped her fingers. "Here is another thought. Let's incorporate Sergeant and Newton as well. The Grants can escort Allie riding sidesaddle on Newton up to the entrance point. Then, right before you come in with your parents, the Thorntons can bring Jack in on Sergeant. At that point, Jack would get the wagon with the twins in it, and they can make their entrance right before you. Finally, you would arrive as we mentioned before. Oh, I can just envision it now! It will be gloriously romantic!" Rosemary looked dreamily up and waved her hand in an arc through the air.
Elizabeth looked puzzled for a moment and then said, "Rosemary, you keep talking about this aisle way entrance that we will all walk down or through. What are you thinking that makes it so grand for you?" Rosemary squealed with glee, "Oh Elizabeth, that is one of my favorite parts! We have acquired two antique ladders that we will place on each side before the aisle begins. The thing that makes it so grand is that each rung of the ladder on both sides will hold a framed picture of you and Nathan or even the family together. In addition, there will be bud vases with roses next to the frames. The hay bales will help create your path to one another on each side and at the end of the aisle there will be a beautiful archway that Lee and his men have built for you decorated with flowers."
Elizabeth took in all that Rosemary shared thoughtfully. "I am not sure that I can entirely envision it, but I trust you my friend to help it come to pass. Each concept is so meaningful and touching. And, it is so reflective of who Nathan and I are and the journey that we've taken to find one another. Rosemary, thank you so much for taking the time and care with all of these precious details! My words can never truly express my gratitude for that." Elizabeth said gratefully with a smile and a squeeze of Rosemary's hand.
Rosemary caressed her friend's hand for a moment and said in response, "I do it out of love, dear Elizabeth. Plus, it gives me such great joy too!" She gave an impish grin and said, "Since I seem to be sharing all of my brilliant ideas with you today, I want to share one more with you that I will be doing. Remember how you said that Allie and Nathan have the tradition of planting tree seeds each Christmas? Well, I thought of something similar. We have all watched yours and Nathan's love bloom over the last five years, and I love the seed idea, so some of the other ladies and I had these made, and we are putting some miscellaneous flower seeds in them. Each guest will receive a packet as they walk into the wedding. What do you think?"
Rosemary handed Elizabeth a small brown envelope with an inscription on it. It read, "Please plant these seeds and watch them bloom just like the love of the bride and groom." Elizabeth held the packet in her hands, gently rubbing her thumb over the inscription as she said, "Rosemary, this is an absolutely beautiful idea! I love it, and I think Nathan will as well! Thank you so much! I'm so excited to see all of your ideas come together for my special day!" Elizabeth stood up, walked over to her friend, and embraced her.
Just then, they heard the twins babbling in their crib from the living room. Elizabeth and Rosemary broke apart from their hug, and Rosemary said, "Well, motherhood beckons from the other room, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Would you ladies care to join me inside to visit your niece and nephew? These dishes can wait until later." Elizabeth and Abigail smiled and nodded, eagerly following their friend inside.