{Dear Readers, I had planned to publish the final chapter of Past Perfect Future en toto. However, real life very rudely reared its untimely head and delayed me from finishing it as quickly as I wanted to (although I have been scribbling away with great dedication…)
A reviewer's inquiry (thank you, Annie 1994) about the last chapter has caused me to rethink my plan and I've decided NOT to try your collective patience any longer (really, very sorry about that!)
The finale will be published over the coming weeks as individual chapters. Beginning now…}
... ... ... ... ...
When we last saw our favorite couple they had just returned home after finishing up (except for fishing, of course) their honeymoon Down East in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. They've been back in Cabot Cove for two weeks now. Let's see what they're up to...
... ... ... ... ...
"Seth, I'm home!" called Jessica as she walked in through the kitchen door holding a manilla envelope under her left arm.
"Well, hello stranger. I thought you'd gotten lost!" exclaimed Seth as he came in from the living room and planted a buss on his wife. "Did Eve hold you hostage, or what?"
"It was beginning to seem like it. I never realized that she is quite the fanatic for details. Oh, and Eve just loves the bracelet we gifted her with for helping out with the wedding."
"That was right thoughtful of you to get birthstone bracelets for all of the ladies who helped make our nuptials special," said Seth. "Mort's mentioned that Adele just loves hers - but then what woman wouldn't love a diamond bracelet?"
"Lucky for us she's the only one who has an April birthday! By the way, your idea of giving Mort a black leather bolo tie with a black agate stone set with a diamond chip in the center so it matches Adele's, was inspired," complimented Jessica.
"It was worth it just to see the look on his face! I don't believe I've ever seen our esteemed sheriff rendered speechless before. Ah, but I think he really liked the week at the beach cottage even better. He even mumbled something about a second honeymoon."
"Well, Adele's eyes certainly lit up!"
"And speaking of matrimony issues," continued Seth as he looked closely at Jessica, "are you having second thoughts about hiring Eve as our reception planner?"
"No, not really. No one can do a party quite as well as Eve. She's put a lot of effort into organizing things - I'm very glad she finally gave in and agreed to let us pay her. It's just that she's so intent on making this perfect that she's driving me to distraction!"
"She just loves you and wants to do right by you." Seth put his arms around his wife's waist and pulled her to him in a snug hug. "I certainly can't blame her for that," he said as he turned his head and set a sound kiss on her cheek.
Pulling back a little Seth asked, "So, how does it look?"
"How does what look?" a somewhat breathlessly muddled Jessica replied.
"The mock up of the reception invitation that you went over to Eve's to get. Remember…?"
"Oh! Yes, of course. It's right here," Jessica chuckled as she pulled out a heavyweight ivory sheet from the buff envelope that was still tucked under her arm and held it up for Seth to see. "You don't think it's too informal, do you? If we approve, Eve said they could go out at the beginning of July. Of course, there's also an envelope for the RSVPs."
... ... ... ... ...
WE HAVE ELOPED!
... ... ... ... ...
To learn more you must
Come and celebrate with us at a
Post wedding barbecue reception on
Sunday, August 17, 1997
From 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.
On the common green
Behind the Community Church on Seaside Drive
Cabot Cove, Maine.
Jessica Fletcher Hazlitt
and Seth Hazlitt
...
"I don't see how a barbecue could be anything but informal. Leave it to you to put in a bit of mystery, too. I think it'll get our friends and family out and it'll be a great bash."
Jessica stared at Seth with a raised eyebrow. "Just who are you and what have you done with my husband? You know, the man who doesn't especially like parties?"
"Pshaw! I've always enjoyed a good soirée. I just don't particularly like the more formal ones where you have to get all gussied up and then sit around listening to some wind-bag talk about everything he doesn't know while eating rubber chicken. Now a pig roast with all the trimmings like this one is perfect! We get to meander around and visit with everyone while the band plays our favorite tunes and everybody has a grand time."
"Don't forget there'll be hot dogs and hamburgers for the kids…"
"And happy clowns and magic shows for the little nippers too," excitedly interrupted Seth.
Eyes a-twinkle Jessica added, "Mmm, hmm, and for some of the bigger nippers as well, I see..."
"Why, sure! Now don't tell me you don't believe in magic, Jess."
"Oh, but I do," she softly answered as she took his face between her hands and brought his lips close to hers. "I believe in it every time I look into your eyes," she murmured just before pressing a warm, lingering kiss to his mouth.
... ... ... ... ...
The third weekend in August came quicker than anyone thought possible.
Early on the Saturday morning before the reception Jessica and Seth were walking down the sidewalk in Cabot Cove, arms laden with filled grocery bags.
"Whew, I'm glad we're back to the car," grunted Seth as he opened the back passenger's side door. "Here Jess, just slide your bags in on the seat and I'll tuck mine in close so they don't fall over."
"That's it for the last minute perishables. There should be enough food to feed everyone at the house for a couple of days now," sighed a relieved Jessica. "I can't wait to see little Frank again. He's growing so fast - just like a weed! I suppose I'll have to stop calling him 'little,' though."
"They do grow quickly, don't they?" agreed Seth. "Say, that was a wonderful idea of yours to have a family dinner tonight. Between my sister and her husband, and Susan, John, and the girls, in addition to Grady and Donna, and littl,.. er, young Frank we're going to have a full house. I can't wait to see everyone together. It's too bad your siblings and their families got delayed by the weather."
"Yes, but we'll see them tomorrow and they're all staying an extra day." Looking at her watch Jessica noted, "Speaking of time, we should get a move on home. Grady and Donna will be here soon. Did Susan and John and the girls get settled all right in your old place?"
"A-yuh, they did. They're picking up Helene and Shelby this morning. Of course, I locked up my office but they all have the run of the rest of the house. I'm glad you reminded me to tell them to bring extra chairs or we'd be sitting on each other's laps. Not that I'd mind at all having you sit on my lap," impishly teased Seth in a quiet voice as he leaned in close.
"Seth! Behave! We're in public," giggled Jessica as she lightly swatted his arm.
"Details, details…" he chuckled as they got into the station wagon. Neither of them noticed the mischievous smiles on many of the faces of the other shoppers on the sidewalk.
Early that afternoon Jessica was puttering around in the kitchen when a noise at the back door cause her to look over and see Grady lead Donna and Frank in through the back door.
"Aunt Jess! We're here!" Grady exclaimed as he came over and gave Jessica a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Ohh, it's so good to see you! And Donna, you look wonderful," said Jessica as she gave her a hug, too.
"I thank you, and my belly thanks you as well," chuckled Donna as she patted her small round bulge. "Frank," she called to the six year old urchin half hiding behind her leg, "aren't you going to say hello to your Aunt Jess?"
Jessica knelt down and spoke softly to the suddenly shy youngster. "Hello, Frank. My, but you've grown since I last saw you. You know, growing boys usually need something to keep up their strength and you've had a long ride. Maybe you'd like a cookie and some milk?" she asked while looking up and getting a nod of approval from Donna. "I made your favorite, chocolate chip. They were your father's favorite, too. How about that?" Jessica offered as she held out her hand.
"Yeah!" was the enthusiastic reply as the tow-headed child slid from his hiding spot and flung himself into his great aunt's arms. "Two, please."
"Hey, leave some for me!" insisted a gravelly voice as Seth entered the kitchen and gave a big wink to the surprised lad, who started to giggle.
After hellos and hugs were again exchanged everyone arranged themselves around the kitchen table while Jessica put out a big plate of freshly baked cookies and Seth poured out the milk. The adults were busy catching up and Frank was munching on his second cookie when he noticed Seth dunking a bit of the studded disk into his milk.
"Why are you drowning your cookie, Uncle Seth?" he worriedly asked.
"It was thirsty, my boy. I'm just giving it a drink of milk," explained Seth with a big grin. "They taste good this way. Try it."
Frank pondered this for a moment, then plunged all of his small fingers and the rest of his cookie into his glass. He held it there for longer than advisable and then pulled out the disintegrating mass and stuffed it into his mouth, dripping milk on the table and a few drops on himself.
"Yeth, thay do thaste good lak thith!" was his garbled comment on his new found method of eating chocolate chip cookies.
Jessica and Seth hid their smiles behind their hands as Donna reminded her son not to talk with food in his mouth.
"Come on, sport," said Grady as he rose from the table, "let's get you cleaned up and have a nap."
"That sounds like a great idea," agreed Donna as she rose to clean up the mess on the table. However, Jessica shooed her away. "Why don't you all go and stretch out for a while before dinner." Her suggestion was gratefully accepted and the house soon grew quiet.
Jessica and Seth busied themselves doing as much preparation as possible before the large meal to be enjoyed later.
"Honey, I know it's a lot of work but I sure am glad you decided to make your seafood feast tonight," thanked Seth as he chopped the clams. "No one does it like you do, especially your secret recipe chowder."
"I don't mind, especially with an extra set of hands to help. I'll need some minced onions next, please."
Soon the wonderful aromas of simmering chowder, steaming crab, boiling shrimp, and other briny delights filled the kitchen and wafted their way into the dreams of the nappers upstairs.
"We've done as much as we can for now," determined Jessica as she took off her pink apron. "The cod fingers and stuffed clams will be finished up while the water boils for the lobster. I'm glad you made the rhubarb pies yesterday. Phew, I could use a rest."
"Me, too!" and with that Seth readily dragged her into the living room and plopped them both down on the couch. "Ahhh, that's better," she exhaled.
The ringing of the door bell a half an hour later roused them from their respite. "Come in, it's open," Jessica called.
A moment later Susan entered with her youngest daughter in tow, followed by Helene and her husband Shelby, and John ushering in their eleven year old identical twin daughters, Camille and Elise.
The house resounded with happy greetings while hugs and kisses abounded among the adults and the littlest girl, Margie. The twins held back a little ways, huddled closely together and giggled conspiratorially.
Everyone had settled into a seat, Jessica and Seth again on the sofa, when Seth looked over at his older granddaughters, still off away a little.
"Well, don't just stand there you two! Come over here and give your old grandad a hug!" he demanded with a smile as he cuddled the youngest on his lap.
Roused by the noise, Donna and Grady were just coming downstairs, led by their son, who was near the bottom of the stairs and watched the cheerful scene with great interest.
After Seth called them over the twins looked at each other and grinned widely just before rushing forward, but at the last moment they turned to a very surprised Jessica and threw their arms around her while yelling, "Hi, Grandma!" and planting kisses on her cheeks.
Margie wriggled from her grandfather's hold and piled on top. "Grandma! Grandma!" she called in her little voice.
Everyone in the room was laughing at Jessica being mobbed by the youngsters. "So, that's what they've been whispering about to each other for the last week," surmised Susan to her husband.
Eventually, after the hugs and kisses were reciprocated, the youngsters giddily squeezed themselves in with their new, and old, grandparents on the couch, leaving Jessica speechless with the emotion of the surprise as Seth beamed a smile over at her.
Frank, now standing next to his father at the edge of the living room, looked up with sad eyes and whispered loudly, "Daaad! It's not fair! They all have a grandma and grandpa here, but I don't have any!"
Grady knelt down and quietly said something into his son's ear for only him to hear. Frank's eyes grew wide as saucers as an idea formed in his head. Donna stood silently by, slightly biting her bottom lip.
"You mean I could?" asked the youngster, growing more excited.
"Why not?" grinned his father at him, then looking up at Jessica with a twinkle in his eyes.
His mind made up, Frank ran up between Jessica and Seth and and took his great aunt's right hand in both of his small ones. Looking at her with big, hopeful eyes and then over at Seth and back again he begged, "Aunt Jess, will you and Uncle Seth please be my Grandma and Grandpa, too?"
There wasn't a completely dry eye in the place among the adults as Jessica, now blinking back unbidden, but not unwelcome, tears of joy, hugged him close. "Of course, my dear. Of course we will!" Seth leaned over and embraced them both, trying to clear away the mist that was watering his eyes as well, and adding his heartfelt agreement.
Meanwhile, the twins again looked over at each other, then smiled slyly.
Uh, oh. What're they up to now? wondered their mother, with some mild alarm.
Young Frank's joy at now also having grandparents there just couldn't be contained and he had to celebrate it by pogoing up and down in the living room to the vast amusement of everyone.
Camille and Elise shimmied off of the couch and went over to Frank. "Cousin!" they yelled as they smooshed him between them in a hug from either side. Not to be left out, Margie bounced over, and being a head shorter than her sisters - about Frank's height, threw herself into the group and managed to place a wet kiss on his cheek. "Hi, cousin Fwankie!" she playfully said.
Frank started giggling, and the merry contagion spread to the other children, and then to the taller people in the room until the house rang with laughter.
... ... ... ... ...
There were so many willing hands to help prepare the appetizers that Jessica just supervised the volunteers while Seth put out the white tureen of seafood chowder. The hors d'oeuvres quickly disappeared and dinner itself was a splendid mixture of great food, good conversation, and well loved guests.
"I'm stuffed to the gills," groaned Shelby after polishing off his lobster. "That was wonderful, Jessica!" The group heartily agreed.
"Well, if everyone's that full, let's have dessert in a half an hour," suggested their hostess as she eyed the contented bunch and noted the yawns of some of the adults and twitching of the children.
Helene piped up, "That's a great idea, and before they get into trouble why don't Shelby and I take the youngsters outside and let them run off a little steam?" Her offer was gratefully accepted and the couple shepherded the four kids out the back door while the adults got up and began to move about.
Donna surreptitiously winked at Grady as she loudly said, "Oh, let me help clean up," and began gathering dishes into the kitchen. Susan nudged John, who then also got to work. Grady then looked at Susan and inclined his head towards the door. Neither Jessica nor Seth saw them go out to their cars.
Grady returned first and leaned a large, rectangular, gaily wrapped package against the far fireplace lintel. A moment later Susan re-appeared with a smaller, but thicker square, also decoratively wrapped.
"So far, so good," whispered Susan.
"Yes, I don't think they noticed - and with Aunt Jess that's saying something!" remarked Grady.
Susan looked up at him to smile her agreement and noticed the arrangement of photographs on the mantle. "Oh, look! Here's an old one of my Mom, Dad, and me when I was a baby."
Looking around for a moment Grady plucked out a old black and white photo and smiled wistfully at it for a second before showing it to Susan. "These are my parents holding me soon after they brought me home from the hospital. I think Uncle Frank took it."
"That was so sad about your parents…"
"Yes, but I really can't complain. You couldn't ask for better people to raise you like you were their own. And now, I even have a sister, who I hope will give me lots of tips on how to raise twins."
"And I finally have a brother!" laughed Susan as she pulled Grady into a hug. "Don't worry, you already know the basics; always keep an emergency stash of extra diapers and formula on hand and never, ever, refuse anyone's offer to lend a hand. Don't tell my Dad that I told you this, but he just loves babies. And, well, with Jessica you'd better check her luggage before they leave - she may just carry one off with her!"
They both looked up in response to the noise as the kids were ushered back into the house.
"C'mon, let's go and get them over here," said Grady as he led Susan to the kitchen.
Soon, everyone had been collected around the fireplace where Susan addressed a rather bewildered Seth and Jessica. "We know you didn't have time to hire a photographer and, well, we wanted to get you a wedding gift. These have been a group effort."
And with that Grady held the larger rectangle for the now very surprised couple as they tore the wrapping paper off of it. Exclamations of "Oh!" and "How marvelous!" were heard when an enlarged, framed picture of Jessica and Seth sharing a kiss while dancing after the wedding dinner was revealed.
The image of Jessica, with her blond locks and the golden hue of her gown, held closely by Seth, who was all silvery with his white hair and white tuxedo shirt in a black tux, was aptly titled on the name plate at the bottom: Sun and Moon Wed, by J. Bryce.
"It's our wedding picture!" reflected Jessica in a hushed voice.
"And a beautiful one, at that," exhaled Seth. "But how...?"
Grady answered, "Everyone saw Jonathan take this shot. We asked him if we could have the negative. He not only gave us one, but copies of everything else he took."
Susan picked up the story. "Then I called Loretta and asked if she would quietly check around to see if we could get pictures from anyone else. Of course, she enlisted everyone in the shop, and thereby, probably half the town. This is the other part of the gift," said Susan as she held up the other present.
Jessica took it and pulled the tail of the bow while Seth grasped a corner of the wrapping paper and pulled. They both gasped with astonishment as they read the gold embossed script message on the cobalt blue cover of the scrapbook:
Jessica and Seth
Our Wedding!
June 7, 1997
"Open it," encouraged Helene.
Flipping over the plush cover Jessica and Seth were delighted to find many pages filled with pictures of their impromptu wedding and the dinner and dancing that followed.
"And we're going to fill up some of the blank pages starting right now," declared John as he produced a small camera from his pocket. "Everybody look up and say 'Cheese.'" After several shots and much laughter, Jessica and Seth turned to everyone and expressed their profound gratitude.
"There's no way we could ever thank you for what you did…" said Jessica while holding the scrapbook against her and starting to fumble for words.
Sensing her becoming overwhelmed, Seth spoke up, "But we do thank you and we love you all very much. And now we're going to feed you the dessert I made with my own two dainty little hands!"
Chuckling, Susan asked, "Some of your famous rhubarb pie, Dad?"
"When have I ever made anything else?!"
The resulting laughter eased the emotional tension off of Jessica and she entrusted the cherished book back to Susan while she and Seth made their way to the kitchen.
Just after they crossed the threshold, but before they closed the door, Jessica turned and indicated for Seth to look back at the happy scene of everyone admiring and talking and laughing about the pictures in the album and the portrait.
Looking up at him with shining eyes, Jessica whispered, "This house is full of family and bursting with love and joy. Oh Seth, it's what I'd always dreamed it should be and it's all because of you. My love, you've made my dream come true!"
Pulling her into the privacy of the kitchen, with the door closing behind them, Seth wrapped his arms around her and nestled her against him. "That seems only fair since you made my dream come true when you said, 'I love you' to me and again when you said, 'I do.'"
... ... ... ... ...
Oh, my goodness! thought Donna when she realized that no one had gone to assist their hosts. With a grin she instructed her son, "Frank, please go and see if your grandparents need any help."
Frank ran to the kitchen, and a few moments later returned and hurried up to his mother to loudly report, "No, Mom, Grandma and Grandpa are kissing and they don't look like they need any help at it, at all!"
