Interruptions
October 1947
Hitch and Isla were cuddling in the garden swing at the Hitchcock family mansion in New York City. The leaves were brilliantly colored on this sunny day, and the air was crisp with a slight breeze. Their wedding was only days away and they were expecting friends and family to arrive for the occasion. They were deep into some heavy necking when Hitch's sister interrupted.
"Is this all the two of you do?" she asked mockingly irritated. Hitch sighed and he stopped what he was doing and addressed her,
"No, but it's as good a pastime as any, if only we weren't constantly interrupted," he said mildly exasperated.
"There's plenty of time for that after you're married," Vi joked. "I just came to let you know dinner will be ready in half an hour."
"There's no reason to not get in some practice before hand," Isla told her soon to be sister-in-law.
"I'll remember that when Mark interrupts my dates," she shot back.
"That is an entirely different matter," Hitch said firmly, and she playfully stuck out her tongue at him in response. "Besides you're only what-fifteen?" he teased.
"You know perfectly well, I'm nineteen," Vi retorted.
"So, you won't be dating for what; another 5 years?" Hitch continued to tease.
"In your dreams," she remarked.
"Better watch it, Vi," Isla cautioned, "He can be pretty scary when he wants to be. You know he's going to be sizing up anyone who tries to seriously date you and give them the old, I can snap you like a twig, big-brother speech." They laughed.
"Your brother, Duncan tried that with me, but I called his bluff and dared him to try it," Hitch admitted.
"He wouldn't dare after your commando training and what little he's heard about what you did in the war," Isla laughed along with him.
"So what time are your fellow Rats arriving?" Vi asked.
"Tully & Mary Ellen will be here in the morning, Moffit & Pippa in early afternoon and Troy whenever he shows up," Hitch explained.
"It's a shame Tully had to go and get married," Vi sighed, "he's pretty cute and a lot closer to my age. So, I will basically be paired up with Troy since he's Best Man?"
"Yes," Isla answered.
"It's going to feel like being on a date with my father," she complained.
"Don't EVER let Troy hear you say such a thing," Hitch warned her. "You just think I can be scary. Troy is scary!"
"Troy is the definition of scary," Isla added.
"And that's on a good day," Hitch finished.
"So, what are the plans? Vi brushed off their comments.
"Dinner together tomorrow night, catching up and making sure everyone knows the plans," Isla replied.
"Wednesday the guys are doing some fishing and camping at the MacKenzie's cabin upstate. Guns will probably be involved for some target practice. After a hike on Thursday morning, we're heading to get massages and a take a steam at the club followed by an evening of drinking at various pubs around town," Hitch announced.
"On Wednesday, the ladies are going shopping with me to get a few remaining items for my trousseau, helping me finish my packing and having a girl's dinner out with cocktails. Unfortunately, Vi, you are too young to accompany us. However, you can join us on Thursday for a day of pampering: facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, hair done, and so forth, along with making sure the bridesmaids dresses fit as they should. Thursday night we are seeing a Broadway show and having dinner at the Stork club," Isla outlined the events for her attendants.
"But unescorted women aren't allowed in the Stork Club after 6:00 p.m.," Vi interrupted.
"And how exactly do you know that bit of information?" Hitch asked suspiciously.
"I heard Mother and Aunt Moira discussing it," she retorted. "It's supposedly in case some men may be out with women other than their wives. I think that's a pretty poor excuse."
"You shouldn't know about such things," Hitch shook his head, glancing at his baby sister apprehensively.
"It's alright," Isla explained. "My father is going to escort us in and once we've ordered, he's going to disappear. You get to come with us since the owner is very careful about making sure no alcohol is served to minors—not that we would allow that to happen. Oh, and he's great about giving out gifts. Ladies in evening wear receive a gardenia or orchid corsage and he might just hand out a tube of Stork Club lipstick or a vial of perfume."
"Really?" Vi was impressed and Isla nodded.
"I need to figure out what I'm going to wear." Vi said, jumping up from where she had been sitting on the ground. "Don't forget about dinner," she hurried up the garden path toward the house.
"Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?" Hitch asked, putting his arm around Isla's shoulders.
"I'm sure you'll remember," she said, melting into his kiss.
