Song: Love is a beautiful thing

By: Phil Vassar

Start song at (1)

"This is the story of one of the most memorable of family occasions, a wedding. Nothing can bring the family together quite like a wedding can. The power of two people who truly love each other and are truly meant to be together can bring in flocks of people and heal many a wound."

Aunt Greta had everyone's attention so she slightly nodded and her husband instantly started to play a sweet twangy melody.

"When I met your uncle Jerry I was introduced to the Bennett way of life. It took us a little while but we finally found, that we cared deeply for each other. I had always been a little headstrong so it took him quite a while to woo me." There were a few giggles from the kids as they imagined uncle Jerry trying to persuade aunt Greta to do anything. "When he finally convinced me, there was a new situation to try and set up. My family was not one that was easy to live with. All of us were headstrong, stubborn, and very blunt! So I was more than a little nervous about sending out the invitations to my wedding. I didn't think more than a few handful of my extended family would come. So I didn't order any catering, Jerry's family were happy to provide a potluck style feast, and the invites didn't have an RSVP return slip. (1) Imagine my surprise when, on the day of the wedding, car after car started to pull into the parking lot. The church was so packed that we had to add some folding chairs in the vestuve. Even my old aunt Ruby flue in, the women who swore never to get on a plane-or flying sardine can death trap as she called them."

That got a grunt from the back where said woman grumbled. Aunt Greta quickly moved on with her story. "There were the masses of kids jumping and running around, Mr. Charlie wearing his lime green suit who was being admired by widow Chalihan. Then I was even more surprised when I saw my Uncles Joe and Jack, who haven't spoken since '98, say hello and start talking like they had use to. I saw the beautiful power of love spreading healing and forgiveness to a group of people I had seen butt heads and stubbornly refuse to let anything go for most of my life. It also helped me remember all the love my family truly did have for each other, the things that I had forgotten, that had been buried under my memories of the not so lovable times."

Aunt Greta sat back in her seat then and got a bit of a wistful look. "My daddy waited with me, and I helped him fix his tie as I saw a single tear escape his eye. My father wasn't one to cry in front of others so I let him brush it off with the lame excuse of: 'Man it's hot in here.' Then he wrapped me in a big strong hug and whispered in my ear: 'How did you grow up so fast? God I wish your mamma could be here for this, she would be so happy and proud of you!' He took my arm and, me in my mother's gown him in his wedding suit, we start walking down the aisle as everybody stood and smiled. And when he gave me away daddy broke down in happy tears."

The kids started to sway with the song as Aunt Greta described the other people who had come to her wedding and the beauties that love, and the celebrations of love-like weddings, can create!

"When we arrived at the reception we found our table for gifts stacked full, the dishes of the feast hot and ready, and the entire crowd of people cheering for us! As we danced I looked at my wedding band and realized that the day wasn't a dream! I leaned into your Uncle Jerry and we held each other close as we moved to the music of our song." Aunt Greta looked at her wedding ring and smiled wistfully. "And you know what? I latter saw young Tommy teasing Lorelei, even watched him push her down. Lorelei started to cry and there was a big fuss being made. It was then that I had the first inkling that they would one day find themselves together at a wedding again, only it would be there's!"

Everyone spun to look at cousin Tommy and Lorelei, both were blushing bright red as they held hands with their wedding rings proudly displayed. "Aunt Greta!" Lorelei said.

A few of the cousins who didn't necessary get along suddenly looked like they were terrified as they locked eyes with each other. Tooth found herself blushing, Sandy made a few Wedding bells appear above some heads, North's belly started to shake, and Bunny fell out of his seat in surprise. Jack watched his fellow Guardians and thought: This has been a wonderful night!

The evening wrapped up at the same way it did the year before, the only difference being when Jack left the house with his bag of leftovers he was accompanied by the other four Guardians.

As they walked toward Jack's pond through the forest Bunny asked: "so you're going back next year right?"

"Do you even have to ask?" Jack replied as he hefted his leftover bag over his shoulder.

"I'd love to join in again!" Tooth chimed in.

"Now Toothy, we don't want to become squatters! This is Jack's family's thing." North said.

Jack thought about it for a while as the pond came in to view. "You're right North, this is my family's thing. But I don't see why my extended Guardian family can show up every once in a while. Just make sure it's not the same way you did it today."

Everybody laughed at the inside joke and North brought out his snow globe. "Well time to go home!"

Bunny tapped his foot twice and jumped into his tunnel, Sandy lifted into the air with a wave as he headed to do his nightly duty, North spoke into a snow globe and create a portal as he had to walk toward it they looked over there shoulders at Jack asking him if he would be joining them. Jack shook his head in lifted into the the air writing the wind off to the east.

"You know," North mumbled quietly to himself when he got to the pole and lent tooth the snow globe to get to tooth palace. "I may just start celebrating Thanksgiving again. Maybe not on Thanksgiving day, so Jack can still have his family get together. But, da, it would be good to celebrate the things I am thankful for!"

End of part 2. The next part will be coming soon. I have another story I am in the middle of editing right now so both the continuing of Thanksgiving and my new story will be posted side by side. Thank you to all the new followers and the long time followers!