Hidden Talents

The day before the wedding was filled with family events. Relatives from both families descended upon the two households in droves. A luncheon was held at the Hitchcock home and following the wedding rehearsal there would be dinner at the MacKenzies. The guys had spent the morning horseback riding in Central Park to avoid the visiting relatives while the girls made sure Isla's trunk was packed and ready for the transfer company to take to the ship for the cruise to Italy. They also provided moral support with all the aunts and cousins who had to comment on how they couldn't believe she was old enough to get married or say how they knew she would end up with Mark.

After lunch, Hitch and Isla welcomed family members as they toured "the gift room" where all the wedding presents were on display. However, this was not the traditional wedding gift room. There were no china place settings or silver serving pieces arrayed. Instead, there were tables filled with little white cards, similar to place cards, all lined in neat rows. Each bore a caption reading, A gift to (the name of a non-profit charity) has been given in honor of the MacKenzie/Hitchcock wedding by (the names of the donor).

The couple had been adamant about no gifts at their wedding because they didn't need anything. They had inherited china and silver from previous generations as well as household furnishings. They didn't need cash. Just the presence of their friends and family were enough. A card within the invitation explained their request and encouraged the guests, if they insisted on a gift, to donate to their favorite charity. There were hundreds of cards on display, making Hitch and Isla very happy but they still had to deal with comments from elderly relatives who thought the idea too modern or bohemian.

"I really hate having everything on display," Hitch muttered to Isla who nodded in agreement. "It's so pretentious."

"It's the same in the South," Mary Ellen assured him.

"And in England," Pippa added. "At least you don't have to find space for all the gifts and end up with three toasters."

"That's true," Hitch remarked.

"And a lot of charities were helped. You should be proud," Mary Ellen spoke.

"At least we got to have things our way," Isla commented.

The rehearsal was to begin at the church at 6 p.m. While the girls finished dressing, Moffitt, Tully & Hitch gathered in the library.

"Where's Troy?" Tully asked.

"He's playing mother hen," Hitch laughed. "He is practically glued to my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Janet, who's due any day now. I think he wants to be ready in case she goes into labor."

"Maybe he thinks he'll be called upon to deliver it like he did in Africa," Moffitt joked.

"Don't remind me," Hitch groaned. "That has to be one of the scariest things I've ever been through. I'd never seen a human being that tiny."

"I think we were all weirded out what with all the shellfire and explosions around us," Tully said.

"Can I ask you guys something?" Hitch grew serious.

"What? You need advice from us for your wedding night?" Tully teased.

"No," Hitch replied quietly with a slight grin. "I think I can handle that." He took a few moments to gather his thoughts. "You're the only guys I trust to ask and know you will be honest with me. How did your wives handle the first time you had nightmares about combat?" The other two men were silent and contemplated their answers until finally Moffitt spoke,

"Pip was very concerned and very understanding. I had told her I sometimes dreamed of what we experienced during the war. She's very sweet and holds me close until I'm able to sleep again." Tully was nodding.

"I'm fortunate that Mary Ellen was an army nurse. She'd seen a lot of combat fatigue in the field hospitals before waking up next to me in the throes of a nightmare. She talks with me when I need to talk and soothes me to get me to sleep. I feel safe with her," Tully admitted.

"Were they scared?" Hitch was curious.

"I believe Pip was more concerned than scared. I've had some pretty violent dreams reliving some very intense moments," Moffitt replied.

"Same here, but Mary Ellen makes everything okay again," Tully answered.

"Did you ever hurt them while fighting the dreams?" Hitch was concerned. "I keep thinking about when I was in the hospital after Meekin shot me and I hit a nurse while I was having a nightmare. I would cut off my arm to keep from hurting Isla in that way."

"Isla is aware of what happened then, and I know you've discussed your nightmares with her, so she knows what you're facing. I'm sure she will be as understanding and helpful as Pip is to me and Mary Ellen is to Tully." Moffitt pressed Hitch on the shoulder.

"Thanks," Hitch told his friends, "I feel a little better now." At that moment, the ladies entered the room and they left for the rehearsal.

Following the dinner, the Rats and partners had gathered around the fireplace in the drawing room for some time together before the guys would head back to the Hitchcock's mansion.

"Are we really going to do this?" Troy asked Isla, sounding displeased.

"Yes, we are. You asked what I wanted for a wedding present, and this is it," Isla responded. She had asked them to come prepared to share a secret talent that none of the others knew about. There were several more slight groans from the guys. "Who's first?" Isla asked and got no response. "How about you, Tully?" Mary Ellen grinned at her husband as he stood and faced them.

"I don't know if you would exactly call this a talent, but I can play the sweet potato," he said and drew a small potato shaped object from his jacket pocket. "Actually, it's an ocarina but down home we refer to it as a sweet potato because it kind of looks like one." He put it to his lips and played Clementine. They applauded when he finished, and Isla invited Pippa to display her hidden talent.

"I can recite poetry backwards," she admitted.

"You mean you recite a poem and turn your back to us?" Tully teased.

"No, I mean I can recite a poem, but instead of forwards, I start with the last word and recite it backwards," Pip explained, and she began reciting Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken. Only instead of beginning, Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, she began with difference the all made has that and until the poem was completed.

"That's amazing," said Isla as they clapped. "Is this something you memorize, or can you do it with any poem on the spot?"

"Pretty much on the spot," Pippa confessed.

"I suppose I'll go next," Moffitt sighed, "although mine is nothing quite as amazing as my wife's gift." The tall Englishman stood a bit away from the others and slowly, but decisively, stood on his head.

"How long can you stay that way?" Troy asked.

"Oh, I can keep it up for quite some time. It clears the mind and is actually quite restful," Moffitt spoke from his upside-down stance before relaxing and returning to an upright position.

"Well done," Isla applauded.

"Well, I guess it's my turn," Mary Ellen spoke. "I can do a few magic tricks. I learned them to entertain patients." She demonstrated her skills in pulling a quarter from behind Moffitt's ear; drawing a continuous stream of brightly colored scarves from the wrist of her dress and making a cane seemingly appear from nowhere.

"That ought to come in handy for entertaining the baby when it arrives," Moffitt commented as he clapped.

"Okay, Troy, it's your turn," Hitch prompted.

"You first," Troy shot back. Hitch held his hand out to Isla who joined him in the middle of the room.

"Very well, if you insist," Hitch said in a dignified tone. "Tully would you play the record on the phonograph?" Tully began the record. "My hidden talent is that I can tango." The music started and he led Isla around the room in a spirited and exaggerated dance. They laughed and showed their appreciation.

"All right, Troy," Isla said. "It's your turn."

"No, I'll go last. What's your hidden talent?" Troy asked.

"Well, you all know my talents, you've seen them on display enough times," Isla said.

"No, come on. You said we had to display a hidden talent. If you don't have one, then I don't have to show mine," Troy insisted.

"Very well," she said, standing and removing her shoes. "I can stand en pointe without my toe shoes." She took her position, and they watched both fascinated and appalled as she slowly rose up until she was standing on the very tip of her toes.

"Oh my gosh, stop," Tully cried out. "That's too creepy," he shuddered along with the others.

"Sorry," she said with a laugh, "No more stalling, Sam, it's your turn." Troy brought out a small case from behind the sofa.

"Remember, you asked for it," he said, opening the case and removing something. He kept his body turned away to hide what he was doing. Suddenly they heard a wheezing musical sound and Troy turned around to reveal a concertina. They madly applauded while he played a Greek folk song.

"That was quite the surprise," Isla said, and the others nodded in agreement. "If something happens tomorrow night with the band, we'll call on you."

"Thanks for making this week so special for us," Hitch said, his arm around Isla's waist. "I know it's been way over the top and out of your comfort zones and I'm really grateful you could be with us. Your presence is truly the only present we need, and we both appreciate having you as friends."

"I think it's time you guys were going so the bride can get some rest," Mary Ellen said. "Say your goodbyes and we'll see you tomorrow at the church." The bridesmaids were spending the night at the MacKenzies while the guys returned to the Hitchcock home.

Hitch pulled Isla close and gave her a long, lingering kiss. "The next time will be as husband and wife," he whispered. "I love you Zu-Zu and tomorrow we finally begin our life together."

"I love you, too, Tadpole and I'll see you tomorrow in the church. I'll be the one in white." He grinned at her and kissed her on the forehead.

"Till tomorrow," he said, and she stroked the side of his face.

"Tomorrow, my love," she answered, and they parted.