Waiting
The shallow breathing the walls had recorded now became a deep inhale sound a person makes as they wake. This couple also moaned slightly as they woke. Their bodies were stiff from lying in the almost same position all night. Charlie kissed Emily on the forehead.
"We should get up, sweetheart. My parents are probably already awake."
"Mother, doesn't sleep very late either."
Reluctantly they both got out of bed. While Charlie was dressing Emily was gazing out the room's window.
"It looks beautiful outside. I don't see a cloud in the sky."
"It's going to be a good day to be outside sightseeing."
A double knock on their door made Charlie say. "That's my dad."
"Is that a secret knock, Charlie?"
"No, it usually came after mom's many calls for us boys to get up. All three of us waited until the last minute to get ready for school."
As soon as Charlie opened their door, they both heard.
"Your mom's anxious to see the city. She sent me to be sure you were awake and dressed."
Charlie gave Emily one of those I told you looks. And Emily looked away so Earl wouldn't see her smirk.
"Both of us are dressed, Dad. We're anxious to visit the priest. We should have breakfast here in the hotel."
"Sounds like a plan; I'll go tell the ladies."
They met in front of the elevator. When they arrived at the lobby floor, Charlie led them to a restaurant on the first floor named Edgar Restaurant. After they were seated and had placed their orders, Earl commented.
"Edgar is strange name for a restaurant."
"Dad, it's named after J. Edgar Hoover. When he was director of the FBI he ate breakfast here every day for twenty-five years. The owners decided to honor him by naming this restaurant after him."
When they finished eating, the groups separated.
Charlie and Emily walked to the church with the name, St. John's Episcopal Church.
"Charlie, this looks a lot like churches in England."
"I'm sure it's very old. It was probably built by the British. It was the British crown which settled all thirteen of the original colonies.
"I know. We do learn about them in school. I also learned about how all of them decided to renounce British control. And that General Washington was somehow able to outsmart the British Army.
"And now the American military came to the aid of Europe. Both our countries will forever fight on the same side against those who don't believe in their people being able to live their lives in freedom."
"You're right Emily. Our two countries are very much alike. It's only our forms of government which are different."
This all stone church had six large pillars like the Greeks had on many of their buildings. A bell tower rose from a slightly pitched roof; it was double the height of the church building.
They didn't enter the church; they were searching for an office.
"Charlie, let's walk on the street side of the church. There's a house on the other side."
"Seems like the logical place for an office, let's find out."
The couple had made a wise decision. In the back of the church building was a sign which simply read; CHURCH OFFICE, on a placard attached to a door. Charlie cautiously opened it and found it opened into a room with a receptionist who immediately spoke
"Good day. How may I help you?"
"May we have a few minutes of the priest's time?"
"You must be Lieutenant Commander Madison."
"Yes mam, I am. And this young lady with me is Emily Barham, my fiancée."
"I've been expecting you. Commander Cummings came to see us a day ago. I'll tell him you are here."
In a few minutes a young priest, maybe a few years older than Charlie, emerged to greet them. "Welcome home, sir. I'm Father Martin.
"Commander Cummings tried to explain why you were on Omaha Beach; he mentioned something about making a movie and that you were wounded."
"Yes, I was hit by friendly fire from one of our battleships. And then after our aircraft began dropping bombs on the German, one of them must have landed near me and knocked me unconscious. A corpsman later told me I was found lying face down and was thought to be dead. But when a corpsman discovered I had a pulse I was transported to a hospital.
"I only know I'm one lucky man; I could have easily been left for dead."
"God had planned a different life for you. Every person needs to find the life they were meant to live. Now tell me, when do you want to marry?"
Emily and Charlie squeezed hands. They both believed the same.
"Maybe tomorrow afternoon, my admiral and other officers may want to attend. Emily's mother came with us and my parents arrived from California yesterday on the train."
"How about four tomorrow afternoon?"
"That's a good time. When do you want us here?"
"Three-thirty will give you enough time to sign all the documents."
"We'll be here then, thank you for being so willing to marry us."
"I sensed your strong commitment and besides, it's still war time. There are no rules in effect."
The priest shook Charlie and Emily's hands before they departed the office. They were giddy with excitement as they hastened to the street.
"I'm so excited Charlie; we must find something to do to pass the day."
"Let's first go to the navy building and invite the Admiral to our wedding. Let me hail a cab; the navy building is a good distance from here."
Taxi cabs were readily available. The driver surprised Charlie when he went to pay by telling him.
"Navy officers don't pay us anymore. Recently the navy decided to pay us weekly to transport its officers."
"Then accept my thanks for our quick drive here."
"You're most welcome commander. And Miss, are you enjoying Washington? I couldn't help but notice your British accent."
"I am. This is a very unique city."
"That's a good word for its design. I don't remember how long it took me to learn how to get around; my first customers did a lot of directing me."
And the driver now did something unusual; he got out to open the back door for them. He smiled as they waked away hand in hand. He probably thought they were newlyweds.
When they entered the navy building, Charlie had to show his identification card just as he had when Emily had driven to the navy depot at Hendon Airport. He was also asked.
"Please sign your guest in."
Charlie had to remind himself to write Emily Barham and not who she would be tomorrow; Mrs. Emily Madison.
Emily had noticed how large this building was as the taxi had driven beside it. She spoke about it.
"This building is huge, Charlie. Have you ever gotten lost in here?"
"I thought I might but then I saw all the signs and soon learned how to get to the wing with Admiral Jessup's office."
"Charlie, what did you do before you went to London and became a Dog Robber for Admiral Jessup?"
"After I completed my officer training, he put me on his staff. A lot of what I did for him were the same things I did for him in London. I didn't buy groceries for him; Florence bought them. She loved to cook.
"I kept him on schedule. I made sure all his uniforms were ready when he needed them. I was someone he could discuss the plans of D-Day with before even the President had been told."
They had been walking all this time; Emily noticed all the signs; she really didn't need Charlie to tell her they had arrived at admiral's office. He was greeted by his yeoman.
"Welcome home Commander, I'll tell the admiral you are here."
Admiral Jessup immediately came from his office. Bus had already been to see him so he asked.
"Have you been to see the priest?"
"We have. Emily and I will be married tomorrow at four. Will you do us the honor of your presence?"
"You bet I will. I also arranged for you to receive the Navy Cross before your parents leave here."
"Thank you, sir. I know my mom will be especially pleased."
"Yes, moms are like that. I'm looking forward to meeting both of your parents. Are they out sightseeing?"
"Yes, my mom probably went straight to the White House. I'm sure they'll stand in line to take the tour."
"You can really go inside."
"Emily, the tour doesn't show people very much. They see rooms used to greet dignitaries and they walk by the stairs to the President's living quarters. They exit through the Rose Garden."
"That's more than the British people see of Buckingham Palace. All we get to see is the changing of the guard ceremony. Although I must say that as a child I always wanted to see it."
The admiral added. "There are lots of monuments and museums to visit all around the navy building. Charlie, you need to tell your parents to be sure and go up in the Washington Monument; you already know the view from there is spectacular. And I'm sure they will be impressed with the Lincoln Memorial. The words of the Gettysburg Address always make even me tear up."
"I will, sir."
"I'd like to see them too."
"We will Emily; in time we'll visit everything near here including Thomas Jefferson's home in Monticello."
"I must get back to work. I need to put the finishing touches on my report to the Naval Affairs Committee. It meets in two days. I'll see you at the church tomorrow afternoon."
Charlie waited for the admiral to leave first. Then he spoke to Emily.
"We will visit both the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial but first let's go visit the first structure built on this land. It's commonly called The Castle. You'll see why when you see it."
By now they had walked out of the navy building and had walked only a short distance when Emily spoke.
"Charlie, I see it. And you're right; the turret definitely identifies it as a castle. The color of the brick is unusual."
"It was built entirely of red sandstone which came from a quarry in the nearby State of Maryland. Let's go inside."
Once they arrived in the building, Charlie led Emily to a table which was a realistic display of how the Frenchman, Pierre Charles L'Enfant had envisioned using this land.
Emily studied the display and then commented. "I don't see the navy building."
"Near the end of World War One, the navy needed more room. This land was vacant so a temporary structure was quickly built on it. A new building is being built in Virginia. Hopefully this one will be torn down once everyone moves there. Then the land can be used for another museum."
"Let's go see the Children's Room. I'm sure you'll find it very interesting."
Emily had no idea of what to expect. It was a natural history display area made especially for children. All the displays were at a child's eye level. That meant adults had to bend over or squat to see them.
What they saw was a large aquarium with many different kinds of fish. Several cases contained preserved birds of all kinds. And sitting on top of these cases were birdcages filled with live birds.
"Charlie, teachers must like to bring their classes here. I'm sure it was put here to inspire children to study natural history."
"And I'm sure it does just that. Let's find another taxi to take us back to the hotel."
Charlie easily found one. Emily counted three other museums which were just as large as the "Castle" on the trip back to the hotel.
When they entered the hotel, a desk clerk spoke to Charlie. "Your parents left this note for you Commander."
Charlie thanked him and read the brief note.
"It says they're out on the mall sightseeing. They'll find lunch but will meet us here for dinner."
"We need to have lunch too."
"Yes, we do and I know just the place to go."
The place Charlie spoke of was the Garden Terrace of the hotel. Its name fit the room. There were beds of flowers everywhere. Some even surrounded small trees.
Shielded by a screen was a small aviary; several species of native birds made it their home. They were escorted to a table which sat next to it.
"This is lovely, Charlie."
"I thought you would like it. The food here is simple but very good. They serve meals which come from a variety of eating establishments located all over America."
The maitre'd seated them and a waitress was nearby to give them each a menu.
"Charlie, it all looks good. You can order for me."
Emily heard him place their order with the waitress.
"For starters we'll have the British diner appetizer of hot tea and Brown Bread with cream cheese. And we'll both have the Woolworth special, their Grilled Cheese sandwich with a bowl of Tomato soup with bacon pieces. I'll order dessert later."
"Most people do that. I'll be right out with your appetizer. Your sandwiches don't take long to prepare. They should be ready after you have enjoyed a few pieces of Brown Bread."
As soon as she departed, Emily asked. "Why did you specifically order hot tea? Is there any other kind?"
"There is Emily. In the summer time, Americans drink it ice cold."
"My mother's going to be appalled."
"I suppose she is. It really is refreshing ice cold in the hot weather."
"I'll give it try sometime."
Their appetizer arrived. They only had time to consume two pieces of Brown Bread and cream cheese before their meal arrived.
Emily was surprised when she saw Charlie dunk his Grilled Cheese sandwich into his soup. He told her.
"I started doing this when I was a boy. It won't sop up all the soup; I'll finish it with a spoon."
Emily copied him. As the both took their last spoon full, the waitress was there to take their order for dessert.
"Miss, I noticed your British accent. We do serve trifles."
Now it was Charlie who inquired. "What are trifles?"
"Charlie, it's the British fancy word to describe plain custard which is topped with a piece of cake. The cake is sometimes soaked in wine or liqueur. It can also have jam or fruit on top of it."
The waitress added. "We only serve it with jam or fruit. Shall I bring you both a trifle with fruit?"
"Yes please and another pot of hot tea."
Charlies enjoyed his British trifle. They each finished their cup of tea. Charlie left a nice tip for the waitress. He paid their bill at the cashier stand located by the exit.
Charlie was beginning to walk better; he no longer used his cane. But the distance to the Washington Monument was over a mile away; too far for him to walk. They found a taxi parked in front of the hotel.
Soon Emily was staring at this very tall skinny structure. She asked.
"How in the world did they build it?"
"I read somewhere they used a steam-powered elevator that could lift six tons of stone up to an iron frame. Masons had climbed the frame and set each stone in place. It wasn't easy and it took a very long time.
"Are you ready to ride the elevator to the top? It doesn't go very fast."
"As long as you hold on to me, I'm ready."
"Of course I will sweetheart."
Charlie didn't have to buy a ticket for himself or Emily; another privilege of the military. There were only a six others waiting for it to return from top.
They were held back so the people could exit it. The door closed after the eight people waiting had entered. Charlie held Emily close as the elevator ascended.
It really did rise much slower than the hotel's elevator. They stepped out onto a large observation deck. There were several windows; one was on each side of the small pyramid at the very top on the structure.
Emily was amazed at all they could see. Charlie told her a few of them. "That building with that large dome is the Capital building. And near it is the National Arboretum."
They stepped to the next window. Emily saw something she recognized. "That's the White House I see and is that a cathedral I also see."
"It is. Let's look out the window facing west."
There they could see the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River. When they looked out of the south window, they saw things Charlie told her where in the nearby state of Virginia.
They were forced to leave the observation deck; it was time for them to return to the ground floor so another group of visitors could enjoy the view.
Charlie hailed another taxi to take them to the Lincoln Memorial. Emily saw the sculpture of Lincoln sitting in a stone chair.
"It's so life-like, Charlie. It makes you feel he's about ready to rise and speak."
"And what he would speak are the words of the Gettysburg Address which have been engraved on the walls. They're probably the most moving 272 words ever written."
They took time to read them. It begins with, Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation… and ends with… that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
And like Admiral Jessup, it bought tears to both of their eyes. They walked as a couple down the stairs of this grand memorial. Even others who were there didn't speak. Everyone seemed to hold a reverence for it.
Charlie hailed a cab and they returned to the hotel. The others returned at about the same time. Emily's mom told them they had visited it and also found it to be a reverent place.
They had dinner together and all of them felt exhausted from their sightseeing. Elizabeth spoke to Emily.
"I hope you get some sleep. I know how you were anticipating your Birthday parties. Tomorrow is your wedding day."
"Maybe Charlie and I will sleep late. We may be lazy and order room service for a late breakfast and also for lunch. We will need to take turns in the bathroom. I'm sure we will be dressed well before it's time to meet Father Martin at the church."
"We may go visit the National Arboretum in the morning. And then have lunch again at the restaurant with the odd name, Child's Restaurant. Their food was excellent."
"That's fine, Dad. We'll see you at the church."
The two groups departed to their rooms.
Once again the couple slept close. And again they had moved very little during the night. In the morning, Emily snuggled even closer.
"You know we ignored the rule that a bride and groom aren't supposed to each other before the wedding."
"I'm not superstitious. Are you?"
"Not in the least. What time is it? It's awful bright in here."
Charlie looked at the clock on the bedside table. "It's already nine o'clock. I should call room service for our breakfast."
"You can call them. I need to use the bathroom."
Charlie did place their order for breakfast. He was standing in front of their big window. Emily joined him. She put her arm around his waist. He pulled her close.
"It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day for our wedding."
"And you're going to be a beautiful bride."
"You're so sweet."
They kissed with passion. A knock on the door separated them. The attendant wheeled their breakfast cart near the table for two by the window. And as he had been taught, he told them.
"If you want anything else, don't hesitate to call."
"I doubt we will but thank you for the reminder."
As soon as he left, they lifted the covers on all the food and found it was more than enough. When they had finished, Emily looked out their window again.
"The city has wakened Charlie. Two taxis just pulled away from the hotel. And I see there's a large group of children headed for the White House."
"During the summer months a lot of children visit the city. People probably already know Hitler's army is in retreat. Everyone is starting to live more normal lives. Although everyone will be more than happy when the war in the Pacific is over too."
"We need to do something to pass the time."
"I have a deck cards in my bag. We can play bridge."
They couple played until it was time to order lunch. After eating each took their turn in the bathroom. Emily took a bath. Charlie took a shower and shaved. He then covered his wound with a clean bandage. They were both dressed by three o'clock.
When Charlie saw Emily, he made a comment.
"Emily, you told your mother you were wearing a church dress."
"It is Charlie; it's a dress I had set aside to wear on Easter. But I had to work that day. Now I'm glad I didn't wear it then. I'll always remember it as my wedding dress."
Emily was wearing a blush-pink satin dress. It had a design around a heart-shaped neckline made with pink and clear glass beads, pearls and rhinestones. The bodice had some fullness to it; it had three-quarter length sleeves which were gathered near her elbows. The skirt fell below her knees and had the same amount of fullness as the bodice. If she were to twirl it would flare slightly.
"You're beautiful sweetheart."
"Well, you're mighty handsome in your formal uniform."
"Our wedding ceremony will begin soon. Emily, I want you to know I'm more than ready to be a faithful husband."
"I have no doubt you will be. I will be your faithful wife. The vows we will take will be made in full faith of keeping them for as long as we both shall live."
"You're right Emily. Are you ready to leave for the church?"
"I'm more than ready. I can hardly wait to be married."
The couple hurried from their room to the elevator. After arriving at the first floor they hurried to the gold door. They were now walking at a slower pace as they approached the church.