Chapter 11

Jeremy, now called 'Jerry' and Jimmie were dressed in their Sunday Best. Their brother Toph was going to be married to Jerry's sister Jillie. Jeremy had no recollection of her being anything other than a sister to him. He was told she had been adopted and that Toph had fallen in love with her and would marry her as soon as she turned 13. Toph's intentions were definitely not honorable, but Jeremy did not understand at the time. Jimmie did and did not like what was happening, but he could not think of a way to help her.

"Jerry, could we talk?" said Jimmie just before they entered the main house where the ceremony was to take place.

"Yea, sure big brother! What is it?" Jimmie fumbled with something he took out of his wallet. Julie had told him to give it to Jeremy if there was ever a problem and she could not help.

"Well, Jerry, Julie asked me to give this picture to you and to give you this letter as well. She printed it one day and put it in my wallet and told me not to tell the others." He handed Jeremy the picture and the letter. Jeremy sat down on the bench just outside the entrance. Jimmie stood nearby watching to make sure they would not get caught.

Jeremy looked at the picture. The people in the picture seemed familiar to him. He then took the letter. Toph had insisted that both children at least learn how to read and write. He wanted them to be able do work that would require reading. Since Julie could already read and write he set her up with a small job of learning accounting for the ranch. Jeremy, he would have him learn just enough to read and sign his name and then planned to have him out working on the ranch as a ranch hand until he was in his 20's. Jeremy opened the letter and read:

"Dearest Jeremy, I don't know what is happening at this time. But I wanted you to know that you and I were kidnapped from my father's house when you were only 5 and I was 9 years old. It has been 3 years since we have been living here. I decided to write this letter and put this picture of your family that I had cut out of a newspaper and hidden. You were 8 then but I could not tell you, so I waited. Then a year ago, Toph started to be interested in me. I tried my best not to give him any reason to come to me, but he would not leave me alone. In the event he marries me or worse I am giving Jimmie instructions to give you this note and the picture. Keep it hidden until you have a way to find your family. They were not killed Elijah Harmon 'grandfather' said that so you would not want to run away. Your last name is Bolt Walton. My father's last name is Stemple. I am sure that they have been looking for us all these years. You have two brothers; their names are Jason and Joshua, and your mother's name is Candy Bolt Walton. Please try to find them. They will be able to let you know what happened. I love you like a sister and have always taken care of you. Julie Marie Stemple."

Jeremy looked at the letter again. He heard footsteps and immediately put the letter and picture in his pocket. Then looked at Jimmie and put his finger to his lips.

"There you are Jerry; you are the ring bearer you know?" said Will "I' ve been searching for you it's time to get in. Jimmie, you are an usher go find Sally, she will tell you what to do." Jimmie went inside taking one more look at Jerry. Jeremy just looked at him and nodded his head slightly. He was thinking.

"Okay, Jerry, let's get inside, you sister is getting married!" Will said as he took Jeremy by the arm and led him inside. He did not see Julie anywhere around. He did see Toph at the front of the house near the fireplace with a man who was dressed in a funny outfit. A lady he did not know came up to him and gave him a satin pillow and said:

"This is for you to take up to the altar." The lady said he thought she was very beautiful. She also slipped a note for him to look at while he was waiting to bring the ring up. He nodded to her a silent understanding between them sparked a distant memory, but it wasn't clear yet. The music started. Jason and Joshua were in the group of guests. Aaron was behind a post so as not to be visible to Julie in case she saw him. Will and Sally's twins had the basket of flowers, they were both 5 years old. They started up the isle and then it was Jeremy's turn. He walked up slowly as he had practiced two days ago. His mind was swirling. He saw the lady again, she looked familiar. Then he remembered the picture. As he was standing and waiting to give the ring to Toph, he secretly pulled out the picture and when he took a good look, he was shocked. Then a smile crept onto his face, and he stood there. Julie came up between the chairs. She was not really Julie at the time, but Jillie. She noticed a face behind a post but since she had an alter ego at the time, it did not register. Julie was asleep. Jeremy also saw several different people who had not been within the little family circle. But he remembered the lady and wanted to let Julie know what he knew. The only thing he could do was to wake her out of her 'sleep.' He started to hum a little tune that only she would be able to hear and recognize.

"Do you Jillie Harmon take Toph Harmon as a husband to love and hold Until death do you part?" The minister said. Jillie stood there and was about to say her 'I do' when all of a sudden Julie came out and turned around and ran.

"Catch that girl, she is getting away!" Toph said as he reached to grab her, but Jeremy had moved slightly so that Toph tripped over him. As Toph was getting up a man stood right near him and said:

"I wouldn't if I were you!" Jeremy had remembered and ran to Joshua and Candy as soon as he was able. Jason had caught Julie and held her waiting until Aaron got near. Julie was still rather dazed but knew that things were happening and that they had been rescued. There was a lot of chaos, the police were there and Toph and Will were arrested. The 'guests' were told to leave their address and phone number so that the local police could contact them. Candy went over to Jeremy and knelt down. Jeremy suddenly remembered her all the way and he held onto her so tightly that she could not breath. Joshua and Jason were also happy as well. Aaron was listening to his daughter and told her what had happened to her mother and that she had a little brother to come home to.

"Papa, I am glad you found us! But I am sorry about not finding my way back to you, but I had to stay and help Jeremy, he was so little, and he needed my help!" Julie said as she put her arms around him. Aaron relished the hug and told her:

"Julie, never feel ashamed of helping someone else. I am just glad that you are safe now." Aaron said as he held her for a long time.