A Better Idea - Chapter 48.3
Genre: BBM
Pairing: Ennis + Jack 4 Ever
Disclaimer 1: main characters belong to Annie Proulx
No money is being made here, nor fame nor fortune.
Disclaimer 2: This story is unbeta'd. Please let me know about any typos, or errors. Thanks!
Rating: The basic premise of ABI is that two men love each other. If you don't like m/m slash, you won't like ABI either.
A/N 1 – It makes me happy that so many of you are still reading and enjoying our boys.
A/N 2 – Dedicated to the Memory of Heath Ledger; He will never be forgotten. Never.
A/N 3 - Definition of FAMILY: "we decide for ourselves who and what makes up our family; if it works, and it makes us happy, it's nobody else's business." Judy
Feedback: You bet. Jay Gee Kay Four Two At SBCGlobal Dot Net
I hope my story brings you peace.
Chapter 48.3
Maggie came to the wedding; she brought her two older children, Daniel and Rebecca. Rose stayed home with Dolph and a goodly supply of milk, expressed and frozen by Maggie over the week before her trip to Riverton. Dolph had previously watched over Joe for short periods of time when Maggie had to be somewhere else for the children, or once when she had the flu for several days, so when this wedding invitation was suddenly offered he stepped up again and agreed to care for Joe so Maggie could be with her new found family.
Ennis was glad he had saved a room for her at the Jackpine. However, Alma insisted they come and stay with her after the wedding day was over. After all, Junior's room would be available. Besides, Alma had always wanted to get to know her sister-in-law. Ennis hadn't ever said very much about her, but when he did, it was always with great warmth. He'd been more circumspect about KE, but now the two brothers were thick as thieves, she noted.
Junior was radiant, walking down the aisle on Ennis' arm. Her daddy had agreed to come to her in the Brides' Room. He was nervous as a cat, but looking handsome in his dark chocolate brown suit, white shirt, with a brown, grey and blue striped tie. His boots were brown and gleamed like the soft leather they were. He couldn't get over how beautiful she looked, how grown up, how . . . she was a woman. He ran his curled fingers down her face, and called her his angel one more time, wished his li'l darlin well in her married life, and told her all the things daddies tell their daughters at such a time.
Just then, Jack peeked into the room asking if everyone was "decent". The bridesmaids were dressed and gone so the coast was clear. Jack was wearing a charcoal grey suit, with a white shirt and a black, grey and blue striped tie that matched Ennis'. His boots were black and shined like mirrors. He came in and did the daddy speech all over again, but not like Ennis had. The three of them hugged thinking how after this day, everything would be different, and yet, the same. Pretty soon, they were all teary eyed.
Alma came back in and shooed the men away, then dabbed at Junior's eyes. 'No streaking mascara is going to ruin this girl's wedding pictures', she vowed to herself. She was the mother of the bride, and she was prepared for everything.
When Junior looked good as new, Alma went to the door and waved in Maggie and Rebecca. Junior's Aunt Maggie carried a small drawstring bag and placed it in her niece's hand. She told her that the locket inside had belonged to her mother, Ellie. "See, here's a tiny picture of her and our daddy on their wedding day. I think it would be a beautiful tradition if all the brides in our family would wear this locket on their wedding day. Today it will be you, then Jenny some day, and later Rebecca will wear it on her wedding day, and so on."
Maggie didn't mention that the "and so on" part of her proposal included a daughter she hadn't brought with her, nor mentioned. She was not going to hide Rose from her family, but all the details of the intervening twenty one years would come, all in good time. Junior should be the focus today.
Junior thanked Maggie as she peered at the small pictures in the gold locket. She could not tell much about either grandparent, but asked her aunt to help her clasp it. When the older woman had done so, she turned Junior by the shoulders, so she could see herself in the full length mirror thoughtfully provided by the church ladies' auxiliary. Every bride needs a full length mirror on this special day in her young life. When she stared unbelieving at her reflection, Rebecca let out a breath she'd been holding, and said "Cousin Alma Junior, you're beautiful!"
Junior took Rebecca's hand and said, "Thank you so much, Becca, but please just call me Junior, everybody does." The little girl glowed hearing the nick name her grown up cousin had just given her. She loved it and would identify herself as Becca from now on.
"Okay, Junior, if you're sure." she told her new idol.
The menfolk were gathered in the vestry and were ribbing Kurt about "it's not too late to slip out the side door." And "what did you do today, on your last day of freedom in your whole life?" . . . .things men always say to each other when the risk of showing too much emotion looms.
Kurt's two obnoxious, homophobic cousins were not invited to the wedding. His parents agreed that it should be so, on this day. After all, it was the Bride and Groom's day, and no one and nothing should detract from their happiness. Only those who were open minded and open hearted towards Junior's dad and his partner were welcomed at the ceremony and reception.
Family and friends filled the pews at the Methodist Church, and many craned their necks back to the nave for the first glimpse of the bride and her father. When they were ready, Junior signaled the organist and the ceremonial music began. Ennis cleared his throat, which was threatening to close up on him, and looked at Junior for strength. She smiled at him, stepped out with her right foot and waited for him to do likewise.
Each of her bridesmaids stepped off with their right foot also, just as they'd practiced last night, and proceeded down the aisle in the time-honored measured cadence.
Maggie, Rebecca and Daniel sat on the Bride's side of the church, directly behind KE, Barbie and the twins. As their brother came in to view with his radiant daughter on his arm, Maggie and KE clasped each other's hands and held on. With hearts full of gratitude and pride, they smiled as the procession passed their pews. Emotions, many of them conflicting and mixed emotions that had been held in check up to now could no longer stay behind the dam of propriety. Tears of happiness ran down Maggie's cheeks and KE reached for his hanky; but Daniel, used to taking care of his mother, handed her his freshly ironed linen first.
As Alma Junior and Kurt vowed lifelong love and devotion to each other up at the altar, the bride's dads looked into each other's eyes, held hands and mouthed the traditional words to each other. Never would two people mean these vows more sincerely. Just then Jack felt a tugging on his sleeve and looked to see Thomas, Alma's youngest, climb over his daddy to get to him. Jack helped him up on his lap, and got him settled. Thomas promptly stuck his thumb in his mouth, curled up and went to sleep. His sister might be getting married, but it was his nap time.
Ennis couldn't help but wish that he and Jack had a little boy. He'd always wanted "a boy for a kid", and starting this life with Jack opened all sorts of new longings in his heart. Having Bobby was great, and Ennis had come to love him for sure, but he was nearly grown when they first met. When Ennis reached over and ruffled Thomas' hair, Jack knew they were going to have the "baby" talk again soon.
'If you don't want no more a my kids, I'll be happy to leave you alone'.
Now where did that thought come from? Had he really and truly wanted more children with Alma? No, he knew for sure that he hadn't. But that didn't mean he was through wanting to raise a family. Ennis shook his head and forced his mind back to the present.
He motioned to Alma to hand him Albert who was getting restless, and beginning to bounce in his seat. She handed him down the line without a second thought. Ennis gave the boy his ring of keys to play with and that entertained him long enough for everyone to be able to clearly hear the vows.
When it was time for Jenny's solo, Ennis picked him up, and held him in his arms. Albert wrapped his little arms around Ennis' neck and laid his head on his shoulder. Little snuffles and snores were soon evidence that it was his nap time too, even though he would deny it, cause he was a big boy, and no longer takes naps. Ennis and Jack saved one hand for each other, holding tight while their daughter's strong voice flowed over everyone in the church.
In another pew, Bobby listened to Jenny's crystal clear voice and nearly popped his buttons that this wonder of a girl was his. For now. She was his for now, no matter what the future held. Lureen observed and smiled, and hoped that those two kept their heads about them. 'No need to rush, my children, no need to rush'. she thought.
Alma was grateful to Ennis and Jack for the help with the boys; her dress was pastel and lacey. As mother of the bride, she didn't need two active little toddlers wrecking her hair-do and her dress. It was amazing that she still looked fresh and lovely through the entire ceremony. Monroe was usually very helpful with the boys, but he would soon need to slip out briefly to check on the food prep. His staff was catering today, and everything had to be perfect for Junior's wedding.
Monroe's parents, siblings, and friends as well as the store employees and their families sat on the bride's side of the church as well, but a few rows in back of the parents of the bride.
Kurt had a large family and many friends, co-workers and school pals in attendance. They amply filled the Groom's side of the church.
This wedding was home made for the most part; but still such a lovely ceremony. There was nothing solemn here, it was a lively and happy occasion.
At the reception, it was evident that Maggie had talked to KE and Barbie and said enough of the right and conciliatory words and they'd all made up. They shared a table, kids and all. Rebecca and Daniel took an interest in the twins, even playing "I Spy" with them. They stuck to them like glue going through the food lines, taking care they didn't spill, and helped them carry everything back to the table.
When complimented and thanked, they explained that they were used to caring for little ones, as they had a baby sister. When asked, Maggie just said yes, Rose was too young to bring with her to this event. She added that she missed her something awful, and would bring her next time.
Friends and family, and friends of the family all mingled and talked. Herman Stodemeir, however, was conspicuously absent. The volume in the party hall grew louder and louder. The time came for the bride and her dad to dance; she waltzed once with Ennis and once with Jack to the delight of all the on-lookers. Kurt's dad intended to cut-in, but Junior told him "No, you get a whole dance just for you." She didn't add a name or an endearment to that sentence and it bothered her. She would have to work out soon, what she was going to call her in-laws. She had come to truly care for them, and this meant a lot to her, to think of something personal to call each of them.
Kurt beamed at her as he danced with his mother and with Alma once each.
When the new Mr. and Mrs. Rawlins got ready to leave the hall, Junior held her bouquet aloft, and pitched it over her shoulder. Leah, one of her new friends from work at the power company caught the bouquet. Holding the flowers high over her head, she whirled around and grinning, cocked her eyebrow at her new boyfriend. All his buddies started pounding him on the back. "Congratulations Lenny, looks like you're the next one getting hitched!"
Junior had already thanked her parents and said her good-byes to Jenny and Bobby. Kurt had done the same, because now it was time for the mad dash out the door to the beer-can trailing car. They knew they weren't going to get off scott-free. There was a white shoe-polish "Just Married" on the back window also . . but that was okay. That was mild compared to what it could be. Just so no one put fish on the radiator like they did to Kurt's neighbors!
Alma and Monroe soon followed suit; quickly leaving the reception behind the departing newlyweds, as it had been a very long day. They rounded up Albert and Thomas and said their sweet, sleepy good-byes. Alma was a little sad, she'd lost her first child now, and even though she would grow to love Kurt, it still pinched a bit that Junior was a grown woman with a new life, and a home and husband of her own.
Alma too, had taken Junior aside, back when they first began talking of marriage. "You're sure that you are his first and only love, aren't you? There are no surprises down the road for you, such as I had because of Jack Twist?"
"He loves me, and only me, mama. S'funny in a way. Daddy asked me the same thing."
"He did? Yeah, guess he knows he wouldn't want that for his little girl – what he did to me. But you know, Junior, it's what young folks did back then. They married and raised a family, no other life was even thinkable. Your daddy did what he thought he had to do. It's all water under the dam now."
"I don't know why no one ever asks if I Love HIM. Guess that's not important or something."
"No one asks if you love Kurt, because we know you're too smart of a girl to plan a future with a man you do not love. 'Sides, you're always saying you love him. Don't ever think we don't think it's important, cause we know it most certainly is."
"Okay, mama. Thanks for explaining it that way."
After a bite or two from the buffet, and only one more dance, Claire led John around to say good night to Ennis and Jack and the grandchildren, as well as several other folks. They were going to their room at the Jackpine, and dream sweet dreams. There would be no wake up call for them tomorrow morning. "We'll see you when we see you." said Mom. They left carrying two pieces of wedding cake in a napkin.
The band would still be playing for another forty-five minutes. Ennis pulled Jack by the hand, over to KE's and Maggie's table. Barbie was a little tipsy; she was cute. The siblings talked about how time flies, and marveled that now one of them had a married kid. They had not expected that it would be the youngest of them to become an "in-law" first. They repeated over and over how they should never have let so much time go by without talking to or seeing each other.
Jack brought over cold long neck beers for everyone, and then asked Ennis to dance with him. "Dance with me at our daughter's wedding reception, Cowboy."
He really wanted to, he really did. But there was no one else on the dance floor. Ennis stood up and looked around. He was toeing the floor with his best boots, looking shyly around when Maggie stood up and walked over to Daniel. "Dance with mama, honey." So they got out on the floor first.
Barbie reached for KE's hand, and he was instantly on his feet. Haltingly he walked her out to the center of the floor and they danced. Becca, not to be outdone, pulled Cody and Corey to the dance floor as well, and danced as a threesome. Ennis smiled and reached for Jack's hand. "Looks like my family is in a dancing mood, bud."
Just as they walked out to the floor, several other couples joined the group; some were Kurt's relatives, some were work friends. Ennis Del Mar and his husband, Jack Twist, danced in public for the first time on this memorable night. They looked into each other's eyes and smiled. It had taken a lifetime of waiting, but here they were. Jenny and Bobby were taking a break over by the punch bowl, and witnessed this moment.
When the dance was over, they stayed out on the floor to see if another slow tune was coming up. Yes, it was one of their favorites, so they danced one more time. Jack eventually put his head on Ennis' shoulder and they snuggled a little bit, just like many of the other dancers were doing. KE had worn himself out on the one dance, so Barbie led him back to their table. He had not wanted to use his walker in front of everyone this weekend, so he'd pushed himself pretty hard.
When they returned to the table, Jack was not ready to sit down. He chugged his nearly warm beer and asked Maggie to dance. 'They are a beautiful couple,' thought Ennis.
Jenny persuaded her dad to dance one more time before the band quit for the night. As he danced with his daughter his eyes kept returning to Jack. "Guess you still kinda like him after all this time, eh?"
"Naw, In the words of one very smart girl 'I'm crazy about him'. Do you remember saying that to me about Bobby?"
"I remember, daddy. And that hasn't changed either."
"I know. Maybe it never will, but it could. You're still young, you haven't met everyone you're going to meet."
"You were young when you found Jack. Did meeting new people make you stop loving him?"
"Ha! I take your point, angel. I love him more every day."
"Finally, Ennis Del Mar tells all!"
"S'no secret, daughter."
"I know, daddy. Just like to tease you a little."
"Where'd your sister and her husband go for their wedding night, do you know?"
"Yes, I know where they've gone and it's not too far away. Tomorrow they will leave for Denver."
Ennis held his daughter close, and smiled, remembering his and Jack's wedding trip. He'd enjoyed being a newlywed and a tourist in Denver.
"HMmmm." he said.
When their dance was over, he took her hand and said, "I think it's time to spill the beans. Come on, Jenny girl."
Ennis gave Jack a look, and then a nod. Jack put one arm around Maggie, and the other around Barbie and looked at everyone expectantly. "Ennis said I could finally tell you all where we are moving to, and why." Every eye was turned to Jack and Ennis. They'd been so secretive about this for months.
Ennis began, "The area where the Twist ranch sits is not only rich in coal, but also in gas and oil."
Jack continued, "Several months ago, mama and her brothers were approached about selling all the family acreage to the Brigham Gas & Oil Exploration Company. At first they were not interested, but as the offer kept getting higher and higher, they decided to talk it over. It was a big decision, because that land has been in the Bell family for four generations."
Ennis picked up the thread, "But I think JC's stroke convinced them all that they really needed to be closer to emergency services, like hospitals and ambulances. Ain't none of us getting any younger."
"It was decided that we'd send out a search party after the family gathered together and had chosen a few likely areas. That has all been done. Next came the plan for what we needed in the way of housing, acreage and outbuildings, and then to set the timeline for the move."
"Several of the men and boys have put in some time building this summer, and at this time, Iris and Walter's house is nearly ready, and so is Harold and Margaret's. Mama and daddy's house is under roof, and now Ennis and I need to go help finish it. The time frame for them to move in is only one month away."
A general gasp went up, as that was really soon.
"We need to have every family, and that includes Ennis and I, under roof and the fine finishing completed by Thanksgiving. In the meantime, we can each live with our parents while we are still building those final few homes."
"This was an all or nothing move." stated Jack. "If Roger's or Kenneth's family's had balked at it, we would have turned the oil company down flat. But everyone searched their hearts, and have committed to the sale and the family move."
"As most of you are aware, we've been sorting, packing and tossing stuff for months. Everything we own is either boxed up, sold off or broken down for easier moving. The last of the stock was trucked away by their new owners on Tuesday, one day before we left to come here for the wedding."
"You sold Scarlet and Grey and all the horses?" Bobby asked, horrified?
"No, we could never sell them, nor daddy's horse. They're part a the family. We will move them with us." assured Ennis.
KE had walked up and got an armful of beers before they shut down the bar.
Jack and Ennis were dry from talking so much, and pretty much chugged their beers down. The band was packing up and the house lights came up bright and glaring. Then they blinked them twice, until everyone got the message.
Many people had brought wedding gifts to the reception, so Ennis and Jack had to take them all to Alma's tonight for safekeeping. They asked for and got, help from everyone to carry out all the gifts in their white, gold or silver wrappings. Ennis threw down a blanket on the truck bed and they placed them all in John's truck.
They went through the entire hall to make sure everyone had removed all their personal belongings before turning in the key. Sure enough, they found a woman's sweater and a child's tiny shoe.
With everyone gathered around the tailgate of the truck, Cody stepped up to his uncle Ennis and asked the 64 Thousand Dollar question. "But where are you moving to, Uncles?"
"The only place we can move to Cody, the only place that sounds just right and looks just right." said Jack.
"But where?" prompted Corey.
"Colorado." stated Ennis. And then he held his hand out to Jack to take the floor.
"Loveland, Colorado." confirmed Jack.
#
End of chapter 48.3