A match To Remember
Chapter 15
Ok I have had four months, so I should have edited and corrected all but alas I did but sometimes spell check seem to either be in charge or my computer refuses to move into the 21st century. I am in the process of completing all my open stories I hope they are done by the new year. Content may not be any better but at least there will be closure.
We are getting married in the evening
There was a pounding on the front door then the doorbell…. followed by the sound of knuckles hitting the glass windows. The occupants of the house who had barely closed their eyes three hours ago all gave a collective groan.
They looked at each other as they tried to figure out where the noise was coming from….it kept changing locations…. who was making such a racket at …Damm… 6:45am.
Ten hours ago
The ladies in the wedding were mainly strangers so they stayed up most of the night making swans and getting to know each other. Olivia knew Mary and Abby, but Abby did not know Mary….no-one knew Belle, so the night was filled with interesting stories that was new to at least ½ of those listening. Abby and Mary were about equal talkers but this being Mary's house she deferred to Abby.
They started to talk when they saw the headlights of a car pull into the driveway. Mary peeked out the window ….it was Raven…a younger cousin and her sister Ronda.
"What are you guys doing here…we are a having a girl's night and I think you guys are too young for the conversation we will be having."
Ronda jumped in…"at first dad told us not to come but I was not going to let Raven get in trouble alone so here we are. Mom was unsure if you would understand a 17 and 18-year-old attending your girls' night, but dad said just throw you in the water and see how well you can swim Olivia."
"swim? …
"dad said it's better to let you see Iowa the way Iowa is…... it's not unusual for girls under 18 to attend bridal parties. Years ago, many of the brides the brides were sixteen."
Mary looked at Raven…" that as many years ago cousin."
"And what kind of conversation do you think we will be having that may be too risqué for your tender ears?" Mary asked
"None really." Raven answered…" Mary you are the cousin who will answer any of our questions and I appreciate that…...We knew you guys had a small group, so we came over to make it seem more like a party."
"Mary eyed the two…." you can join us but no alcohol …. don't you guys have school tomorrow?"
"Yes, Mary we have school…. we thought we could act as your hostess. May we stay please..."
"And school…. tomorrow?"
"We brought clothes for tomorrow."
"Girls your mom told you no…. where do your parents think you are?"
"My dad said no then yes but my mom said no …we are good. Plus, this is so exciting engaged and married in three days in front of the whole community. I want to have as much of the background on this wedding as possible. I want to be able write it as part of our family history and add my part when it told at family gathering years from now." Raven stood with her hands on her hips.
A defeated Olivia threw her hands up… "Ok guys you can stay but remember if you get in trouble you are on your own".
The two girls settled on the floor among the older ladies
"Olivia, we have not really talked since we have been together so please explain how this came together. How in the world did you expect to get engaged and married in less than three days in front of what…? 200 guests…... 95% you don't even know. If this works, it will be the best example of unexpected success since Columbus bumped into the Americas. I did not know you were even seriously seeing anyone now I am about to be the maid of honor in your wedding. What happened …. that's a silly question looking at your groom I can guess what happened. Mary he's your brother…right…. Someone please bring me up to date..."
"Abby, I met Fitz when I was I New York in August." Olivia answered
"New York… when…. I saw you when you were in New York you never mentioned him to me, you never mentioned you were dating someone …...that you were so serious you were considering marrying him."
"I met him when you left on your business trip the second week I was there. Remember we were going to attend together then your boss sent you to DC."
Abby looked like she was formulating something in her head…." you mean you met him between the time I left and before you returned to Chicago. Please tell me you did not use that dating app I installed... It was meant as a joke I did not expect on to actually use it."
"Abby, I did not meet him on a dating website I met him at the Open."
"you mean at the tennis match?"
"Yes….
"how did you court at a tennis match …You courted and fell in love in one week?"
"We never courted…we sat next to each other for three days…. we were seatmates and friends during the day but went our separate ways at night. My last day there we spent it together and he invited me to visit. After some starts and stops I decided to visit him... Two days after I came for a visit …. we were engaged and planning a wedding. ""
"Olivia you are the less impulsive person I know…. Somewhere in this story I missed something…. Anyone care to fill in the missing pieces.". Abby leaned over and whispered in Olivia's ear must be some mind-blowing sex…from both of you,"
Olivia dropped her head…. leaning towards Abby she whispered…. smiling "yes some mind-blowing sex and I know it was fast, but we love each other…. I love him, and I believe he loves me."
Mary stepped in…..." Abby I can say…they love each other otherwise neither would have agreed to this and I definitely would not have encouraged my brother to marry a woman he did not love."
Belle who had been listening spoke up. "it's something special…. I have never seen so many people work so hard to make this happen…...looking around it seems like we may pull it off. Mary you did a great job…it made my very difficult job easy. "
"Belle how did you, a wedding planner from Chicago who doesn't know the bride, or groom, find herself in Iowa?" Abby asked
"Ms. Smith got me hooked in this….…. she and Mary did a super job pulling it all together."
"Olivia you have lived Chicago less than six month …...I need to know more. The entire wedding is such a shock I am sure there are a lot of untold hidden stories... "
"ok Abby….my aunt Dee knows Ms. Smith who knows Belle."
"Belle…. tell us about yourself please. Abby is my friend from college…. Mary is the groom's sister. Tell us a little about you..." Olivia asked
"Guys I am from a family of achievers and the baby. Fitz and Olivia remind me of my parents.…. father was an exchange student from Sweden my mother from Tennessee, they met at Yale and have been together ever since they both joined the debate club. Five children…. all high achievers…. except me the baby. I have tried everything…I attended the Culinary Institute in France…. the Fashion Institute in Italy until finally finding my mark as a salesgirl in a small boutique in Chicago's Hyde Park area."
"I was window shopping while visiting my sister when a customer, Ms. Smith, mistook me for a clerk. They were shorthanded …I helped, and the owner offered me a job. "
"I had only been working there about two weeks when Ms. Smith came back in looking for a dress to this very ultra-black-tie dinner. I helped her even with her hairstyle with a couple of pieces from the hair store nearby. During my time in Europe I learned just enough about hair, fashion, makeup and accessories to be dangerous."
"Ms. Smith was a hit …. I became her personal shopper …she introduced me to some of her friends. When I helped with the wedding of one of my clients I knew I had found my calling. My stays at the Culinary and Fashion Institute really helped. In four years, I have built my business up and I have not been happier. I am happy, and my family is happy. My sister is a successful trauma surgeon who uses my shop to decompress. It is so different and relaxing … she works for nothing saying it has saved her a mint in therapy. When Ms. Smith called me, it was obviously something important to her, so this wedding is important to me."
"Putting this wedding together was simple …mainly because Olivia has an unlimited budget. If I found something I thought would work I was given cart blanche to try it plus it was nice to be able to pay Ms. Smith back for helping me…she is a fabulous person. I would have done anything possible to help her. My shop is my sisters part time job…. she is either opening someone's chest or coordinating wedding colors. In case you ever call my shop and a very proper woman answers the phone…that's my mom. She and my dad, both semi-retired are manning the shop while I away. Seeing what I do and the joy I bring to so many have finally made them realize not all success comes with letters behind one's name.
"You guys are great." Raven said…. . listening to everyone talk. It's been fun I have learned a lot. Now I know finding the right job is not always what someone else thinks it is. You are all successful some in your original vocation…...some on your second of third try. I'm glad we stopped by…...now I know exactly what I want to do with my life."
"do tell…Raven what is it?" Mary asked
"I'm going to go to Georgetown with Billy …. if he decides to change his mind about politics I will step up. If he stays the course j will be a member of his cabinet…...or maybe a governor or senator."
Olivia turned to Mary….". you Grants don't think small or do small do you."
Abby turned to Olivia…..." what was it about Fitz that caught your eye…except he dimples, blue eyes, head full of wavy hair and broad shoulders?"
"Easy…. his tattoos."
"'What tattoos both Abby and Belle asked?"
"The tattoos that run from his right shoulders to his knees."
"'Was he naked?"
"Abby…it was August, summer and we were at a tennis match. When I saw the ones not covered by clothing I wondered how far the ones on his shoulders went down and how far the ones on his leg went up."
Belle and Abby turned to Olivia who looked at Raven and Rhonda who left the room to get more refreshments.
"And they both asked?"
"wait that's my brother you guys are talking about." Mary piped in
"And my future husband…. this conversation about the ups and downs of his tattoos are officially off limits…. forever."
"'Maybe the discussion is off limits but here will be a vacation involving a bathing suit, shorts or tank top at some point.' Abby said with a smirk.
"Let's turn this conversation back to Abby and Olivia how did you guy meet?" Belle asked
"We have known each other since we met at a swim class when we were eight. We kept in touch and both decided to attend Georgetown after Georgetown we were both accepted at Harvard. Olivia's brain is like a human computer…...she keeps the best notes…I'm a good cook. I exchanged her notes for my food. I am not sure if Olivia knows popcorn is not a separate food group."
"We both settled in New York but at different law firms…. Olivia…. after winning several high-profile cases either burned out or was convinced by Dr. Beene…money and fame wasn't all there is to life, so she quit and became a volunteer everything for Dr. Beene…. Me I still have a couple of purses and several dozen pairs of shoes I want to buy before my philanthropic genes kick in.
The group kept the banter going until all were stretched out on Mary's floor
The present
"Mary, I know you are awake …. you should have been up an hour ago…. because you were born here. Abby its 7:45 in New York…. you should be leaving for work." Abby squinted at her watch looked at the other ladies all with a WTF look on their faces.
Belle …. not a city girl…sat up and looked at the other women around her on the floor some sitting, some rubbing their eyes and some ignoring it all. "Who is that she said looking at Mary?"
Mary got up from the floor and headed for the door "One guess." She answered
"The groom." they answered in unison
Abby not an early riser and not one to sleep on a floor but she figured it was harder to fall to the floor if she were already on the floor said. "Olivia what did you do to that man…should I ask or assume… or are they all like that here."
Mary went to the door…." what is it Fitz?" she could see Marcus, Jake and Huck leaning on the car parked outside. Raven and Ronda had gone to the bathroom to get cleaned up and dressed.
"We came over to see if anyone wanted breakfast…. we are cooking?"
Mary pointed to the motley crew standing at the car "We "… whose is doing the cooking …you all are here…. are you making breakfast in my kitchen?"
"We came by to say good morning and to check to see if you needed anything."
"Nope the dresses are fine we are just going to relax what about you guys what's on your agenda?"
"Nothing just relaxes until the ceremony."
"Why are you really here Fitz?"
"Dunno"
"What's dunno I haven't heard that in years."
"I was just checking is that ok?" Fitz stood there looking at the ground
"It's ok Fitz."
"I need to see Belle."
"Belle or Olivia?"
"Belle"
"Belle …..." …Mary called over her shoulder there is a man who is supposed to be marrying another woman in less than twelve hours at the door asking for you….is there something I should know?" Mary eyed her suspiciously
Belle ran to the door…stepped onto the porch and closed the door. She and Fitz talked quietly for a moment before she returned to the room and Fitz returned to his car.
"Care to explain to the wedding planner what just happened."
Belle shrugged her shoulders before answering
"I planned a surprise for the wedding party…Last night after we left…. all the men…. including the fathers had their nails and feet done….. she thought they would love a good foot soak and a massage…..they did even Harry and Gerry Grant as they say in the church parking lot….This morning was supposed to be the mothers and the rest of the wedding party but Miss. Kitty has four flat tires on her mobile van so she is not sure she can get the ladies done….hair, nails and feet."
"Miss Kitty" …..you are joking right? With that name I would never associate her with hair and nails." then Mary remembered the pink van that was always present at every fair, stock car race and rodeo recently, with the name Miss Kitty's Emporium. Mary remembered the pink van, but the line had always been so long she never stopped to look.
Belle filled Mary in…..she had booked a beauty day for all. All the men had been scrubbed, massaged, pained and buffed last night and this morning the ladies would get theirs starting at 8am…. but somehow the van had flat tires with no time to get replacements. Mary knew immediately who was at fault…but also knew how to solve the problem…..she lived on a farm. She called two Grants and told them where the van was, and she needed it at her mother's house by 8am…get them there by any means necessary even if they had to pick them up and walk them to the house.
The van had arrived earlier in the day …after finishing the men they had parked away from the farm to keep their presence a secret….…. Unfortunately, their presence and the wedding were an indicator of why they were there…...Everyone knew …. including Mellie. They had parked the vans in an out of the way spot, so they could keep their surprise. When the morning dawned, they were the ones surprised. All chose to believe but no-one believed, it was caused by a bad highway …. road debris…...…...really four flat tires...
Mary called her mother to tell her about the "no longer a surprise" and what to expect. With just a little luck they would be able to have all the ladies done by four…. hair, nails and feet, makeup …if the van got there by nine. Two flatbed tow trucks and two hours later Margaret, Dee, Ms. Smith and Dot were sitting with their feet immersed in warm bubbling water. By noon they were either sitting under dryers or in some other stage of hair preparation and had been replaced in the bubbling water by others in the bridal party.
By 4 pm, as promised, every lady had been painted, buffed, flat ironed and/or curled. They were enjoying a last glass of wine before getting dressed. Margaret had called Gerry earlier to tell him about the flat tires and to expect something at the church since everything else had failed…. that was the last chance to cause a problem since the presence of Gerry and Eli had stopped any possible shenanigans last night.
At the house the ladies were in their final dressing stage …..it was 4:30 and everyone was dressed except the bride who was having the last pieces of her makeup done when a small package arrived for Olivia. Fearing another trick Mary and Abby received and opened the package. It contained a pair of white thongs with a small blue ribbon and a note that said, '" something blue ...Fitz". Both Mary and Abby were still laughing when they gave the bag to Olivia who could only shake her head.
When the surprise is hijacked
Belle …, (Mary thought it was just for the bride) had set up personal grooming for all the ladies….nails, hair, feet, , facial followed by a professional make-up... She had made a bundle on the wedding and after meeting the bride and groom decided to put her profits back into the celebration She called in a couple of favors and gave some business to the town manicurist who suggested Ms. Kitty who was heading their way for an event this weekend. . Belle would do the make-up since it was simple, but she wanted this group to feel as pampered as any of her groups in Chicago. She would do the make-up, Ms. Kitty and her crew would handle the rest. A couple of her "'technicians" knew how to give basic shoulder massages and knew basic make-up techniques. .
The ladies were advised to take care of their personal daily grooming because after 9am they would be going non-stop until the bridal party left for the church by 9am they were busy at the Grant house with Margaret, Dee and Ms. Smith feet soaking in foot baths …... Mary, Abby and Dot enjoying a facial…... The group flipped with Olivia and Mary being the last group for the facial/ massage/ mani/Pedi. By 3pm everyone had been scrubbed within an inch of their life…..hands and feet buffed …hair pinned, jelled or flat-ironed in place and all that was left was the makeup.
Margaret and Dee believed less is best until they saw their transformation. After looking at their new look they jointly agreed… sometimes more is ok. These two went in the converted dressing room to dress while the bridesmaids received their make-up. For Abby this was the norm…. for Mary and Dot ….it was something new but after one look they decided this was the first but would not be the last. They mutually agreed a little eyeliner, eyelashes and mascara was good for the face and for the ego. Miss Kitty had new customers once she added that to her list. .
Cora knew this was her sister Margaret's day as mother of the groom, so she was happy to help not expecting anything until the stylist told her to sit. She put a little coloring in her hair and a mask on her face as she sat having her nails and feet done. This was a surprise from Olivia as Cora had made herself the unofficial hostess and everyone was elated when they saw the joy on her face when she looked at her transformation. Margaret had tricked her into looking for a new suit for her husband, Al …..Al was tricked into looking for a dress for his wife. Once the sizes were determined Dot, Dee, Sam and Belle just made the necessary adjustments for both.
Cora was the person finalizing the brides walk down the aisle and the one to get everyone settled for the reception. Her outfit of a hazel skirt and top with a mint and hazel jacket blew everyone away especially her. The coloring was absolutely on spot Al oversaw the transportation …. getting the wedding party to the church on time AND making sure anyone who needed a ride to, or from the church had one... While Harry oversaw things at the church his brother-in-law oversaw making sure anything and everything needed at the church was there at the church…on time.
With everything in place, it was time to dress the bride… Olivia enjoying one last glass of wine. Mary without fanfare took the ½ full glass from Olivia and dumped it…" ok Cinderella it's time" Mary said beckoning to Olivia.
Olivia reluctantly moved allowed the last stages of her dressing to begin. While none of the makeup was overpowering Olivia choose just a little peach eyeliner and some mascara to accent her eyelashes. A white knee length camisole covered her scanty undergarments which included the pair of thongs Fitz had sent.
Next the dress with its sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice and slightly a line ….it fit was well now as yesterday when they did the original fitting. … her hair flat ironed back in a low bun that was held in place by two diamond pins from Ms. Smith…her borrowed item.
The old item was the handkerchief from her mother…. the something new ….. earrings from her dad. The last item…. her veil held in place by a small clip a Grant bride has used dating back nearly a century. She felt complete…she was carrying something from both family and friends down the aisle.
At 5:30 the limo van arrived…later it would return the entire wedding party to the Grant house …it had already dropped off the groom's group.
Cora was the first out of the limo and who was there but her husband…both looked at the other with a surprise. "Husband…. you look pretty good." Cora told her husband
Al gave himself a look down and said "I do don't I…. I really do….I did not know Fitz was going to put me in a get-up but I like it and I like the way I look…..…..I never expected this." …...Turned his wife around to look at her "your dress…your hair and everything else…..Cora you are a good-looking woman but you…..this" he waved his hand back and forth….this brings back days gone by….. "this is the Cora I held a seat for every day on the school bus…. I better go in and tell my nephew his bride is here."
"yes, it's time let's get this wedding done." Cora said giving her husband a kiss as she rubbed the imaginary lint of his suit.
Eli and Gerry had kept a watchful eye on everything and gave a sigh of relief when first the groom arrived then 30 minutes later the bride. Both entered the church to take their place …. leaving Harry in charge of the exterior of the church. Anything now would happen inside, and Gerry hoped Mary had that covered...
Exterior decoration
Olivia looked at the silver floral paper covering the barely open white mums which looked like tea roses from afar that lined the walk to the church. It was as beautiful as she had ever seen at any wedding. The green leaves and white mums extended to the stairs and exterior of the church where white and green was everywhere. Will, his friends and the cleaners had done a great job with the placement and covering the two colonnades with artificial with live vines and white flowers.
Olivia sat looking at the job everyone had done in such a short time…having to be told that she needed to go. Reluctantly she walked out of the van and to the church door looking and feeling like what she was….an excited bride.
Just inside the door and down the aisle the white and green theme continued up to the altar where there was an explosion of color by flowers in various heights and colors. This was Olivia's first look at the entire decoration and as much as she wanted to focus on it she was focusing on the man standing at the altar...
The men in the wedding party soon joined them and the march was about to begin…..Mrs. Smith was escorted by Dot's husband…Aunt Dee by John…Margaret by her husband…Then the sounds of a string quartet signaled the rest they should start their walk.
About then a handsome man sat down next to Mellie who seem irritated everything she had done to put a clog in this happening had fallen through now someone was blocking her way when she planned to speak out against the wedding in the middle of the service. The person took her hand and called her name…. looking up she saw a man that had held her attention before she latched onto Fitz. It was Daniel Grant who now lives in California.
''Hi Mellie…. "he took her hand and kissed it…. we both should both skip all this…. I know I am not interested are you. I'm a Grant and I am expected to be here but do we both have to sit through this drabble.…...lets go over to the social room and open a bottle of that champagne they will serve later, no one will miss us."
Mellie was in a fix….should she carry her plan out or sit it out and maybe have a chance at the first Grant that got away , before she latched onto Fitz. . She knew Fitz was gone but Daniel…..maybe just maybe and he was still a Grant. Daniel took Mellie's hand and began to stroke it just as the strains of the wedding march began . As the bride and her father passed them Daniel and Mellie slipped out the door behind them. Seeing this from the altar Mary took a deep breath of relief and smiled ….they just might make it.
Olivia took in interior of the church with its tea lights with white and green lining the aisle but once she saw her groom everything else was lost. She hoped there were pictures because her eyes were totally on Fitz and his on her. Eli handed her off to Fitz who smiled and asked" did you get your present?" Olivia coughed
When Fitz started to say more Mary dropped her boutique which made Fitz look at her. The stare she gave him was one of sudden death if he said another word and all was quiet through the ceremony. Friends of Mellie kept looking around for her waiting for her to make her proclamation then they could all walk out together creating a disturbance but without her "leadership "Victoria and Amanda sat quietly wondering what happened….. What happened….well two bottles of wine later and a visit to one of the old lovers lanes they used to frequent Daniel convinced Mellie they should run away together ….right now or as soon as they both were sober enough to drive. Daniel had been the last line of defense and he had done everything Mary expected from a Grant cousin….recognize their common enemy and neutralize them.
Vows exchanged …. the wedding over and the celebration underway everyone could finally relax….no sighting of Mellie or her crew…it was time to turn the fountain on full tilt…. let the celebration begin ..
The wedding cake drew it's aahs and oohs… Like Mary said Grants don't do small …the three-tier cake looked 5 feet with its lifts and colonnades. It carried the wedding colors with white roses on beds of green with a piping of melon on the top layer. Olivia laid her head on Fitz's chest as they wheeled in the cake…...she could not believe her wedding…...had not only been planned to perfection but, so far, was living up to the wedding planner's script.
Everyone settled into toasting and eating, the chicken served family style…. the beef and ham served from a carving station along with Cora's lasagna. Will, being the best man was supposed to tell a risqué story but he did not know any that was Margaret Grant approved so he took credit for bringing the two together. Olivia noticed how handsome he looked, and she remembered his comment about being POTUS and Ravens about helping.…the more she looked the more he seemed to fit the part. If he mentioned it again she might have to listen a bit closer.
The couple took the floor for their first dance to …" A house is not a home" …..which through expert editing included more from Luther…then a few bars from Teddy and ending with Sinatra's upbeat "The way you look tonight. Fitz walked up to Olivia took a knee and extended his hand "Olivia did not know if Fitz could dance so she was determined to follow the best she could. Fitz was sure if Olivia had spent all her teen years in Switzerland she knew all the ballroom dances including the waltz.
Olivia was a bit nervous about the up-tempo music but once Fitz held her in the basic waltz position she knew she was in for something special. They swayed a couple of time then Fitz took her on the smoothest dance she could remember. She could not believe he was so agile considering his height. He put in dips and two steps …the dance ended as it began Fitz on one knee Olivia sitting on his knee…. the crowd erupted.
Before Olivia could catch her breath, her dad joined her with a much tamer Nat King Cole…...'When I fall in love. By the time Olivia had danced with just about every Grant male she found herself back in her husband arms to Sinatra's 'My Way"
Oliva and Fitz took a seat as the music changed with Charlie Daniel's 'The Night the Devil Went down to Georgia which everyone joined in to a medley of line dances ending with Charlie Pride's 'Kiss an Angel Good Morning"
Fitz smiled at his nephew who seemed knew a lot more about mixing music for a diverse crowd than he expected. Sitting back with his bride he marveled at the people on the floor…. uncles, aunts, old, young ….. his entire family really enjoying themselves.
Abby heard the first strands of a song she requested 'Drinking Myself Single 'and grabbed Olivia as the entire crowd started clap…. being polite to the two city girls as they attempted to do a country-western line dance that was soon joined by all. Thirty minutes later Olivia, Abby and Will were only ones still standing…It was a hoot…everyone who had the energy gave them a standing ovation.
This was Abby's way of covering her friend…. Olivia could adapt…..she already possessed many of the tools that would make her easily fit in. AND she could out dance many of the locals.
Back at the table Fitz looked at Olivia…" Mrs. Grant you are full of surprises. "Not a song I would have chosen…. but it really kept everyone in a great mood…took the city out of you and best of all wore everyone out…. we can all go home now."
Olivia kissed her new husband full on the lips…'You have not seen surprises."
"I am open to any surprise you wish to grant me…you and country line dancing…did you learn that in Switzerland?"
'Nope. Was a way to exercise several times a month. Because of my class load and Abby's cooking I had grown out of everything I owned We found this club that featured country line dancing twice a week. Its fabulous exercise….and fun…. I bet we wore out a pair of boot every semester the two years we were at Harvard.'
"I never thought …. Olivia and Country Western."
"Fitz I never thought of you and ballroom dancing…including the waltz with that wicked two step you snuck in."
"I see it did not throw you."
'Nope you are a great partner…. You made t easy to follow."
"One of my mother's favorite movies….." Gay Divorcee" I got hooked. I saw where certain dance moves were the same as the footing used by football and basketball players. Once I learned the waltz I realized my footwork on the field and basketball court was much better. My coach also saw my improvement. He made every specialty player learned the waltz."
"Fitz you were smooth….. Will was Astaire….he was awesome. You Grant men continue to surprise me."
The two watched their guest enjoy themselves and thought…. this was perfection. Planned and executed to perfection with only 72 hours of planning maybe they did not have enough time to muck things up.
All too soon there was a call for last dance and he last call for alcohol for drinkers. , the designated divers had pulled the short straw for the night but each one got two bottles in their to go bag and it was still early…. enough time to enjoy one.
This was a school day, but no-one wanted to go home …those in the know filtered back to the Grant house the rest with their wedding muffins in tow finally called it quits. Cora and Al…..who started it all stayed around until everything was packed up ….Garbage had been emptied…..the little food that was left was packed into take out containers, tables stripped and the chairs folded away. The tent was such an inviting target for mischief it was folded away and locked inside it's travel container and packed on a Grant truck to be transported to the Grant house. The potted flowers would be picked up the next day and gifted to anyone interested. The minister and members liked the flowers so much they asked if they could keep them and work them into their exterior flower decorations.
All in all, everything went well by 9pm. the lights were out at the church and the party was in full swing in the Grant house which also doubled as the "Granthive".
"Olivia …where are we sleeping tonight.?"
"I assume where everyone else is on your parent's family room floor. It's been such a great day…. let's ride it with our friends all the way through. We have plenty of time for adult time together. I still can't believe this went off as well as it did. Mary was right you Grants don't do small and you don't do bad."
Mary looked at her brother and his bride…..she wanted to let him know Mellie was no longer in the county but why spoils such a great successful day.
The wedding party was in various states of dress and undress at the Grant house. The bride had changed into a dress that was like her wedding dress but in mint green…Fitz had shed his coat and his tie was hanging around his neck as was most of the rest of the males in the bridal party. Cora and Al had taken care of everything at the church…...Dee and Margaret's sister, Audrey, took over the hostess duties at the house. This was usual…...everyone had a part to play at every event…and everyone played their part.
It was nearing midnight when the wedding party all flopped on the floor in the Grants family room …everyone just wanted a rest even the bride and groom. They did not have the energy to move from the floor least of all to think of a wedding night together, they had experienced a week of unplanned events they both knew there would be a lot of time for personal time together so the two just collapsed on the floor among the throng of friends and went to sleep.