Made For Each Other
Chapter 9
With school out and no specific schedule other than lunch and the dress fitting at Rosemary's, it seemed almost as if it were the lull before a storm as everyone knew the flurry of last-minute wedding set up and preparations would no doubt be in full swing the next day.
Abigail went in first thing in the morning to help Minnie with some of the extra food preparations at the cafe as she had promised, whilst Fiona and Faith began taking some of the decorations over to the church.
Elizabeth took the opportunity to begin packing for the honeymoon, while William Thatcher spent the morning carrying down to his car the boxes and bags that his wife said were to go to Elizabeth's house, as she sorted them out of her trunk and suitcases. He wondered to himself why they couldn't have all been packed in one suitcase or trunk and simply taken directly to Elizabeth's house rather than to have hauled them all up to their room yesterday only to now be hauling them all back down from their room today. But being a wise enough man when it came to the ways of women, having been married 38 years and raising three daughters, he made no complaint over it.
Elizabeth had invited her mother to come to see her house before they headed over to the dress fitting and lunch at Rosemary's, so when she heard the car pull up she was not surprised. But she was not expecting to see her father walking in behind his wife with his arms full of boxes and Julie and Aunt Agatha each carrying bags.
Coming in the door her father asked her, "Where would you like me to put these?"
"What is all this" Elizabeth exclaimed as she showed her father where to set down the boxes.
"You will have to talk to your mother." William said in his matter-of-fact manner. I'm only doing her bidding and carrying it in, other than that I know nothing!", holding his hands in the air to declare his innocence. Then smiling at his grandson he asked Jack if he wanted to come for a ride in Grandpa's car while the ladies had their tea party.
"It's lunch father," said Elizabeth, "and Jack needs to eat too."
"Alright then, he can have lunch with me either at the hotel or the cafe here in town", giving Elizabeth a look to say do you have any other objections?
Elizabeth laughed and said, "Ok you win." Then turning to Jack, she said. "Get your shoes on so you can go for a car ride with your grandpa"!
Finally turning her attention back to her mother she asked, "Now do tell me, what is all this?"
"Well," said Grace Thatcher, looking pleased as punch with herself. "I abided by your wishes in not buying the fancy designer wedding dress I thought you should have, but that didn't keep me from getting you a new wardrobe for your honeymoon. A proper trousseau so to speak. As I am quite sure that what your young man has planned for your honeymoon needs more modern stylish attire than what you have grown accustomed to out here, shall we say, cut off from society. Girls your age wear much shorter dresses now with cloche hats and I don't want a daughter of mine looking out of date."
"Oh mother", exclaimed Elizabeth, "you didn't need to do that. I don't even know where we are going, Lucas has insisted on keeping it as a surprise. For all I know we may be going camping"
Julie, Grace Thatcher, and Aunt Agatha all looked at each other and Julie couldn't hold back a giggle.
"Do you all know what Lucas has planned for the honeymoon?" asked Elizabeth, her mouth hanging open.
"He made me promise not to tell you!" said Julie, not able to look her big sister in the eye. "But he didn't say I couldn't tell mother."
"So am I the only one that doesn't know!" said Elizabeth in a bit of frustration. "I know he loves to surprise me but I really prefer just knowing what the plan is."
"Don't worry Elizabeth!" said Julie. "After we look through what mother has gotten for you, you will probably only need to add a few of the very nicest dresses you have, and your packing will be all done! Mother had me check your sizes when I was here last so everything should fit you just perfectly and you will look absolutely divine on the… Honeymoon!" Julie quickly caught herself before she spoiled the secret.
"I suppose," said Elizabeth, still wishing she knew where they were actually going, but now also finding herself curious to see what her mother had brought.
Looking through the things her mother had bought for her, including some unmentionables, Elizabeth had to admit they were all very pretty although she said. "I'm not sure how I am going to get used to showing so much of my legs."
"Well, I am sure Lucas will quickly enough!" chimed in Julie. And they all shared a laugh together.
Elizabeth showed her mother the rest of the house and little Jack's room as they took some of the new things upstairs.
Grace Thatcher, taking note of Jack's picture on Elizabeth's bedside table and pictures of Elizabeth and Jack together, along with their wedding picture very prominently hung on the bedroom wall, said, "Well, this is all very cozy for you and little Jack but where is it that you will all be living after you come back from the honeymoon my dear?"
"We will all be living here," Elizabeth replied.
Her mother raised an eyebrow and said. "Ohh… really? I am a little surprised Lucas wouldn't want to either buy or even have a new bigger house built for you all, as even I must admit that despite being out in the middle of nowhere he has actually made the hotel very lovely."
Elizabeth smiled, knowing that from her mother that was high praise indeed. Then trying to explain she said. "Lucas actually did want to do that, but I told him that I didn't want to move. I have everything I need right here."
Grace again raised her eyebrow but simply said, "oh, I see..."
The luncheon at the Coulter house was wonderful, with Rosemary in her element playing hostess. And there was no shortage of arms more than willing to hold Goldy and keep her entertained. When it was time to try on the dresses Rosemary assured Mrs. Thatcher that she had ordered in all the finest material for them.
Elizabeth's dress needed no additional alterations just as Rosemary had predicted and everyone, including Elizabeth's mother, agreed that it indeed looked just lovely on her.
Abigail's and Julie's dresses needed a few alterations as this was their first in person fitting. Abigail offered to help Rosemary with the sewing, knowing that now with the baby she simply didn't have as much time as she used to. Rosemary was more than happy to accept the offer and equally glad that the other two women were part of the bridal party, because although Elizabeth had of course asked her to be matron of honor, she simply couldn't do everything she would normally do and still care for Goldy. Especially with Lee being Lucas' best man. But having Abigail and Julie there would mean that all the tasks would be shared between them.
At the end of the dress fitting Elizabeth thought they should probably call the hotel and ask Lucas to send her father around with the car for her mother. But Mrs. Thatcher said. "My doctor told me that some walking every day would be good for me so if you are willing to walk slowly I think we could all enjoy a stroll back to town together.
Elizabeth was of course willing so the four of them started out. As they went it seemed that Grace Thatcher kept walking slower and slower until almost coming to a stop, when she told Julie and Aunt Agatha to go on ahead and not bother to wait for her. Julie began to say, "It's no problem..." when one look from her mother quickly changed her mind and she simply said. "Well actually Auntie I think we should go ahead, don't you? There is a lot to be done.", shooting Elizabeth a look that said I have no idea what this is about, before taking her aunt's arms and heading on down the road.
"What is it mother?" asked Elizabeth with an expression that told her that she knew she wanted to talk about something.
Grace Thatcher tried to act as if she had no idea what Elizabeth meant, saying "I just don't want to make everyone else wait for me, that is all."
Elizabeth laughed and said, "I know you Mother, and I saw that look you just gave Julie," figuring it was better to get whatever it was her mother wanted to say out in the open and over with sooner than later.
"Well all right my dear," Grace began. "It is just I believe you told me back at your house, before we went to the dress fitting, that you and your young man Lucas are going to be living in your house after the wedding…" She paused, waiting for Elizabeth to confirm or deny that fact.
When Elizabeth nodded her head and said "yes", Grace continued. "I couldn't help but notice in your room that there is a picture of Jack on your bed stand as well as your wedding picture and some other pictures of the two of you together on the walls..." Turning towards Elizabeth and becoming very gentle she continued. "Now I have never lost my husband, so I know I cannot begin to appreciate how hard it must be to try and move forward after that kind of loss." At that she gave Elizabeth's hand a squeeze. "But my dear, are you sure your young man is going to be comfortable moving onto a house that you and Jack shared, albeit for a short period of time?"
When Elizabeth didn't answer she took both of Elizabeth's hands in hers and looking into her eyes said in a very soft voice. "Elizabeth, are you sure there is room for a new man in your house?" Then giving her hand another squeeze she added. "You don't need to answer me, but please just think about it my dear". And with that she linked her arm with her daughter and began walking again, turning the conversation to finding William and Little Jack and seeing if they would want to get some ice cream.
True to her word, Abigail spent the afternoon sewing the bridesmaid dresses, however she was a bit surprised at the color choice knowing Elizabeth usually preferred pastels. Rosemary helped where she could, between caring for the baby and going into town to do a few things she had to do at the news pater office.
For now, Abigail had decided that rather than trying to confront Elizabeth with her concerns she would instead make the whole situation a matter of prayer. After all, she concluded, who was she to know what would truly be best in the long run for everyone involved. But she knew who did and she felt at peace leaving it in the hands of the almighty