Chapter 8 – Truly, I Do
Well rested the next morning, the Pottses, including Bert, and Gina and Julian piled into Chitty and waved good-bye to Mary Poppins and the Bankses as they lifted into the sky.
The wedding of Caracticus Potts and Truly Scrumptious commenced several days later on the lawn of the Scrumptious estate. The weather was perfect. Among the London guests, besides Bert, were the Bankses, Mary Poppins, and Agatha; and, from Vulgaria, the toymaker Johannes Bergenkraft, Gina's grandfather.
When the orchestra began to play the processional, Jemima Potts, in a pale pink dress, skipped down the aisle throwing white flower pedals along it. Behind her, Jeremy, in a smart gray suit, brought forth the rings on a white, silk pillow. Then, Lord Scrumptious walked his beautiful daughter down the grassy aisle to the white trellis, woven with white flowers, where Caracticus, in a white suit, courtesy of the Lord Scrumptious, was waiting in breathless anticipation next to the pastor. Agatha dabbed her teary eyes and blew her nose into a handkerchief. Julian slipped his hand into Gina's and gave it a squeeze, which prompted an adoring gaze between them. Caracticus and Truly joined hands as the pastor began the ceremony.
Caracticus and Truly kissed at the pastor's prompt and all the guests stood with applause to welcome the new couple. Everyone proceeded to the open area of the lawn for dancing. Long white tables were set with refreshments and, of course, the cake. Grandpa Potts lead a toast to his son and new bride with a speech that, while very long, did not digress into a lesson from some foreign travels, contrived from his readings.
The next morning, the Pottses stood with Julian, Gina, and Johannes on the boat landing, exchanging farewells before the Vulgarian residents boarded their ferry.
"It's been fun, Julian," Caracticus said. "Thanks for helping out once again."
"You need to stop taking your kids anywhere," Julian joked, drawing laughter from all. Then, he added, "You might not always have a Child Catcher at your convenience." He winked.
Jeremy and Jemima threw themselves at Julian's waist, which Julian rewarded by bending down to casually wrap an arm around each of them.
"Must you go, Uncle Julian?" Jeremy asked.
"Yes, yes," Julian sighed. "There are dozens of other whippersnappers—er, I mean kiddiewinkies—in Vulgaria that need me to set an example for them. We sure could use all the help we can get, though."
"Oh, can we, Daddy?" Jemima wheeled around. "Can we go to Vulgaria with Julian and Gina?"
"I didn't mean right now," Julian added.
"Got to stay in school, you two," Caracticus said. "Besides, who's going to help me move all your things into our new home?"
"Chitty can help you."
Everyone laughed.
"Well, Chitty can't pack your things," Caracticus said. "So, let's let our friends catch their boat. And we'll get together again soon."
"You'll be out of school for the summer before you know it," Truly assured them.
"Then, we can have a wedding for Julian and Gina!" Jemima said.
More chuckles, though much more humble.
"As if I didn't have enough trouble on my hands in Vulgaria," Johannes groaned sarcastically.
Julian gave him a brief but familiar squint of retribution.
Hugs were exchanged between the two parties for a final time. From the dock, the Pottses continued to wave to the departing trio, who returned their extended farewell in like kind from the railing of the ferry.