follows "Long Night's Journey into Day"
The last of the winter snow finally seemed to be melting away, leaving a collection of muddy puddles and dirty drifts in its wake. Sidewalks were slick with a thin coat of snow, and ice crunched, like popcorn, under the boot.
Andy Flynn and wife, Sharon, strolled along the village streets, the hardware store their goal. Bundled against the still chilled air, they walked, tucked tightly together, searching for the elusive hint of warmth found in those rare moments when the sun showed itself.
Andy's former partner Provenza, friend Mark, and nephew Brian had begun an ambitious project only two weeks ago. With spring break upon them, they would welcome extra helping hands from family and friends – Ricky, Drew, Jeff, Julio and Amy. The goal, an addition to the guest house currently occupied by Andy's great-nephew, Brian. The young seminarian was to be married in June. Andy and Sharon thought the home would make a fine gift. Mark and Anne, parents of the bride, agreed – with one caveat. Since the Flynns owned the home, the Jameses would contribute to the addition.
The plan called for a remodel of the small two room cabin. With an added master suite and enlarged kitchen, it would suit a young couple starting out, with room to grow.
Brian was in on the plan, but his bride was not. Both split their time between finishing their degrees and continuing their work at Hope House, their church's children's home. Upon graduation from San Bernardino State, both would join the staff full time. Not just accomplished, they were accomplishing. With their impending graduation and wedding, there was much work to be done.
As far as Lydia was concerned, the expansion of the guest house was something planned as an investment, as well as to more comfortably host Brian's Jersey family who were coming in for the wedding. That was just how they wanted it.
As a former foster child, adopted by Mark and Anne at sixteen, Lydia had long prayed for a home and a family of her own. Between her new parents and Brian, along with the home they all were working to give her, her prayers would be answered.
While Andy was in need of a new saw blade, Sharon tagged along hoping to spy some new furnishings for the enlarged home. Approaching the shop where she had lucked into imported teas and wines, she peeled off, Andy continuing onto the end of the street.
Andy entered the hardware store on the corner and headed toward aisle three. He knew the store well. From home improvements to storm preparation, he was quite familiar with the place. He would begin with his saw blade, then take a look at lighting options, giving his wife ample time to browse other treasures to her heart's content.
Sharon perused the collection of tea infuser's in shapes rolled out for Christmas and now being cleared out for spring. Her mother, Maggie, preferred tea balls and Sharon was looking to lift her spirits.
It had been nearly four months since Will's passing and Sharon missed her father terribly. Maggie could hardly remember a life without him. That's what a union of more than seventy years did.
Sharon smiled, a bit sadly, at that thought. She and Andy wouldn't even come close, having married around the same time as their retirement. They would take as many years as they were afforded though, and be grateful.
At the rear of the store was a new addition, an old upright piano. It's once ornately carved legs had been worn nearly smooth. A sheet of music rested on the rack, while the edges of the top and upper panel were scratched bare.
Sharon ghosted her fingertips over the keys wistfully.
"Doesn't play," said the young employee. "At least I don't think it does. I think it's just there as decoration."
Sharon smiled in hummed and reply, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"May I?" she asked, gesturing toward the old instrument.
The teen shrugged her shoulder.
"Fine by me," she said, continuing with her work.
She nodded her thanks, somewhat absently, her attention focused on the keys. Sitting down on the embroidered stool, she flexed her fingers before tentatively touching the keyboard. In an instant, she was transported.
It was far from perfect. At first, her fingers stumbled clumsily over the keys. It had been some thirty years, after all. Imperfection was to be expected. The piano did play, though, and so did Sharon.
"My God, Sharon," she heard at her back.
The spell was broken. As if drawn from a dream, she turned to face him.
"I can't believe I remembered it. I'm terribly rusty," she said, blushing.
Andy shook his head, recovering his senses. He knew his wife had grown up playing the piano. She played throughout college too, earning her pocket money by playing for the few ballet classes she didn't take. Jack had even bought her a used instrument when they purchased their home, but he'd pawned it later to pay off an impatient bookie.
"Rusty? Sweetheart, that was unbelievable. I had no idea you could play like that. You are," he paused. "You are extraordinary. Seriously, Sharon. I had no idea."
He couldn't believe she could do that. He'd never seen her at the piano. She'd told him about that part of her upbringing, as if simply filling in the missing facts. When he'd asked why she no longer played, she'd explained how she had lost her piano, her voice forlorn. Then, the subject was abruptly changed.
"Well," she said, standing. "That was a very, very long time ago. Did you find what you needed at the hardware store?"
Andy stared at her, wide-eyed. She just played, for the first time in decades, with unbelievable skill. Now she was simply walking away, continuing on with the errands they planned. As always, she amazed and befuddled him.
He followed her back toward the entrance, where she paused to pick up the silver tea ball she'd spotted upon arrival.
After she paid for the item and stepped away from the counter, and he took one of the shops cards and scribbled his cell number on the back.
"Please have your boss call me at his convenience," he said, voice low.
The cabin was filled with the savory aroma of a hearty stew, perhaps the last of the season. The lingering chill in the air made it the perfect meal. Along with Maggie's homemade bread, it would feed the veritable army descending on The Flying Monkey.
Daughter Emily, her husband Greg, and toddling son, Andrew, would be arriving for dinner. Son Rick, his wife, Holly, and their a little one, Willa, would join them as well. Both young families visited as often as possible, LA and San Bernardino not terribly far away.
Their other children would arrive the following morning. The house would be filled with extra laughter and love for the coming week, some thing they all needed.
By the time the table was set, their family had arrived and Sharon was overtaken by her grandchildren. They brought with them handmade artwork and updated photos, which Andy placed on the credenza situated along the far wall.
Rick settled his pregnant wife at the table and pulled up a bench so that she could elevate her feet.
Sharon smiled at her son, the doting husband, and her glowing daughter-in-law. Holly had hardly been showing at all at Christmas. She'd only been some four months along then. Now, at seven months, the baby growing inside was much more evident.
Rick scuttled away to put their belongings in their room, and Maggie took a seat by the young woman.
"How are you feeling, dear heart?"
"I feel really good, Maggie. I tire really easily, but otherwise, I'm good. I'm eating well, keeping most of it down," she said with an eye roll. "I'm exercising, Rick and I walk every evening. Willa enjoys it."
"So did her daddy when he was small," said Maggie.
Holly rested her hands on her swollen belly.
"I hope this one looks like Rick."
Their little Willa was the spitting image of her mother, copper curls and all.
"Nah," said Ricky, rejoining the family. He kissed Maggie on the cheek before sitting on Holly's other side. "Hi, Gram."
"Hello, darling. It's good to have you."
"Great to be here, Gram. Do you want some tea, babe? Mom bought decaf just for you."
Holly slid one hand from her belly to the top of his thigh and squeezed.
"That does sound nice, maybe after dinner. Just sit with us first. Take a break."
Leaning forward, Maggie studied her boy.
"How is work, Richard? Your mother says you will be working from home soon?"
"Yes, ma'am. I will. One of the perks of running my own place. I can oversee things from home when needed, host virtual meetings. I'll be around to help with Willa more, the closer Holly gets to her due date."
"I'm sure she'll appreciate that," said his grandmother. "Your grandfather did the same, at a time when few men did. We enjoyed that time. He would cook for me, bring a cup of tea to settle my stomach, play Clementi on the piano."
She looked a bit wistful as she briefly peaked back into her memory.
"I always assumed Mom got her piano skills from you, Gram."
"Oh, I taught her, yes, but her father was never far from her side. It wasn't long before she surpassed both of us and we had to take her to Mrs. Grant at the college."
Maggie sat back and sighed. Her eyes traveled toward the wall where there hung a portrait of them both, taken only the previous year.
"Oh, Will," she smiled.
"He was a good one for sure," Ricky agreed.
"Indeed, he was," said Sharon, joining them at the table with a picture of tea in hand.
They gathered to eat and share, to kick off a week to reconnect and love.
The others joined them mid-morning the following day. All of their children visited regularly, a fact that still had Sharon and Andy scratching their heads in wonder. Sharon's were once scattered across the country, chasing their own dreams. Andy's didn't even speak to him at one time, such was the rift between them. That they flocked home as often as they now did, amazed them both.
Still, hosting them all at once, several times a year, was truly their favorite thing. It was noisy and boisterous, and they often needed a recovery period afterward. It was, however, the best. It was exactly how they envisioned their life on the lake.
After a simple, but hearty meal of sandwiches and leftover stew, several of them followed Andy out into the backyard to get a look at the work being done on the guest house. They were impressed with how much had already been accomplished.
The stairs and second floor were framed, and the original roof replaced on top. Most of the remaining work needed was to the interior. The plumbing and electrical had been hired out, as had the lifting and resetting of the roof. The rest was all Flynn, Provenza, and James.
Sharon had sought out Lydi's thoughts on paint for the walls, under the guise of her fine eye for detail. Patrice and Anne were brought in on the discussion, so as not to give away the surprise.
Thus, while Lydi and Brian spent the day with the children of Hope House, their family and friends got busy coating the walls with color.
The downstairs would boast a soft sage green, with the exception of the kitchen and bath, which will be painted a soft buttery yellow.
Sage would continue up the staircase, as well as into the second bedroom. The master bedroom and ensuite would be a soothing gray, with faint lavender undertones.
Teams dispersed throughout the home, which was now twice its original size. From guest quarters to family home, the transformation would be beautiful.
In between playing with grandkids, Sharon snapped pictures, just as she had from the start of the project. She had plans for a wedding gift.
Maggie and Holly took over supervising the younger children. While Nicole's boys were keen to help paint, Sharon Rose and Sara joined Flynn, Harold, and Andrew on a large blanket spread out in the great room. And assortment of books, toys, and teething rings joined them.
As afternoon turned to evening, the family reconvened, having finished the first coating of paint. They would shower and eat, then enjoy the evening together before applying a second coat the following day.
A buffet of homemade pizzas lined the countertop. Andy's dough and sauce, made from scratch, had been thawed that morning. The kids decorated the crusts according to their preferences and both ovens were used to cook them. It was a messy process and a messier meal. It was perfect.
When Mark and Anne offered to clean up, Sharon and Patrice volunteered to see to the grandkids so that their parents could enjoy reconnecting as well.
Rick and Holly, Emily and Greg, Rusty and Ben, Nicole and Jeff, Lydi and Brian, the next generation, spent the rest of the evening in and out of the hot tub, or in Holly's case, resting nearby. Only Drew was missing, having picked up an extra shift. He would be joining the following day, and would be bringing someone along. That was certainly new, they thought.
Nicole and Jeff had met her and decided the two were a good match.
With the smallest in bed for the night and the older boys watching a movie, the seniors among them enjoyed quiet chatter and warm tea. They talked of the construction outback and the party planned for the end of the week. They would be showering both the mother and the bride to be. Holly and Lydia were both aware of the event, if not the specific details.
Before heading off to bed, Sharon switched on the monitors where the smallest slept, planning to tend to them herself so that their parents could enjoy a few carefree hours. She then took her turn in the shower and dressed for bed.
Curled together in their room, Sharon and Andy spoke in hushed tones about the impressive house project he'd undertaken, as well as the baby and bridal shower she was planning. Together, then gushed over long-awaited baby kisses, and marveled at how tall Sam and Seth had grown. Such a wonderful day would surely make for the sweetest dreams.
The following morning, they returned from Mass to find that Drew had arrived and with him, a young woman.
"Dad, Sharon, I'd like for you to meet Melanie Carter," he said. "Mel, these are my folks."
They exchanged pleasantries before getting them settled and getting lunch on the table.
The afternoon meal was somewhat more sedate. Rusty and his partner hosted his siblings and their children. Nicole chose to stay behind to welcome her brother and his girlfriend. Mark and Anne had Sunday lunch at home, with Lydi and Brian.
The less boisterous crowd made for an easier introduction. Melanie would surely meet them all in time.
Melanie worked with Drew in critical care response, and had transferred from San Diego, joining his unit. They didn't often ride together, but had hit it off early and easily. Apparently, they've been seeing each other for quite some time, keeping it to themselves and cherishing their time without the prying of others.
That was certainly something Sharon and Andy could appreciate, having done likewise.
They were taking it slow, with a little caution, both feeling they were right where they were meant to be, but proceeding in a mature manner.
Andy and Sharon were impressed and looked forward to spending time getting to know them as a couple.
The week progressed with a flurry of activity, the few going to work, the many turning their attention to the house.
Trimming and wainscoting were added, ceiling fans and lighting installed, fixtures going in. Many selections were made based on Lydi's reactions, facial and verbal, when strolling through shops and thumbing through catalogs. Brian had discovered many of her favorites, as well. Her preferred colors, textures, fragrances were known to him. With those in mind, even the tiny details such as door knobs and drawer pulls, silver or brass, Sharon and Anne made selections to add finishing touches. The young couple would likely receive many desired items at the upcoming party.
With the constant coming and going, Drew was able to introduce Melanie to his other siblings and their families. Not surprisingly, she was welcomed as an instant friend.
The most touching example of hitting it off was found with Drew's cousin and his fiancée. They hadn't grown up around one another, with Andy relocating to the West Coast and his ex-wife holding custody. They were also several years apart. Something in their similar serious manner, though, drew them to each other.
Brian was an old soul, while Drew had always used humor to balance out the more critical aspects of his vocation. Perhaps he'd finally found a partner willing to help shoulder that load.
They had also clearly connected with Nicole and Jeff, who gladly included them in various activities throughout the week.
Andy watched them now, his oldest with his new love, standing on the path near the water's edge, fingers entwined eyes fixed on one another. The odd mix of careful steps and friendly ease touched him. He found it quite familiar. That boded well for the pair.
He felt his wife before she said a word.
Sharon slipped up behind him, wrapping one arm around his waist and the other across his chest, her chin resting on his shoulder.
"They make a good pair, don't you think?" she asked, patting his chest. "They remind me a little of our courtship. Keeping to ourselves, working out the kinks, learning how to be ourselves with each other."
He crossed himself, covering both of her small hands with his own, much larger ones.
"Would you believe I was just thinking the same thing?" he asked, turning to kiss her cheek.
Kissing his in return, she hummed.
"Wouldn't be the first time."
The day of the joint shower, the house was decorated in sunny yellow and crisp white. Lydi loved the colors and since Holly didn't know the gender of their second little one, yellow suited her just fine.
Fresh flowers, daisies and daffodils, adorned the room. A luncheon was laid out on the table, a large cake and punch bowl on the counter.
The air was fresh and fine, which was fortunate as, while the ladies were set up in the great room, the men were treating Ricky and Brian to a cookout. The latter was still getting used to the raucous Flynn family dynamic. Honestly, he preferred peace and quiet, thus explaining his affinity for their home on the lake. He was touched, however, by the gesture of celebrating his upcoming nuptials. Plus, after all the work they were all doing on the house, he could hardly deny them. He still couldn't quite believe his aunt and uncle were giving them the house, for as long as he chose to live there. Brian couldn't imagine making his life anywhere else. Finding Lydi, discovering his calling, reconnecting with family – was all more than he ever dared dream. He did miss his family in Jersey, but not so much the East Coast itself. He was very much looking forward to seeing them all soon when they flew out for the wedding.
The shower, however, they would miss. Airfare was too high for back to back trips. His sister and his grandmother had sent gifts along. He really couldn't believe he was getting married, a long-held dream.
Andy and Mark had the backyard festooned with lanterns and heat lamps, should they be needed. Spring was making an appearance, but the air still held a chill.
Two large picnic tables stretched across the yard, a thick yellow runner stretching the entire length. At each place, something unexpected.
Instead of flowers, the table was adorned with books. From philosophy to a Bible, from art to baseball, each guest brought a favorite text.
It was known that Brian was an avid reader. He thought and felt deeply; wrote the same. He would start his new life with a library full of books and his uncle, very good with his hands, had crafted an entire wall of shelves to hold them.
Brian was very moved.
For years, he'd searched for his true self, always loved but never quite fitting in. In the year he'd spent in his small cottage by the lake, he had been surrounded by people who saw him, much like his grandmother always had. Like Lydi did. He traveled nearly three thousand miles to find his home.
The ladies gathered around the two young women they were there to honor. Holly, daughter of Mark, and her new sister Lydi, adopted by Mark and his wife, Anne, sat side-by-side in chairs situated in the center of the great room. The sisters graciously excepted an assortment of gifts from friends and family. From household items for Lydia and Brian to baby clothes for Holly, their wishes and needs were easily met.
Maggie gifted each of them a hand-sewn quilt. Every grandchild had received one and the subsequent generation was no different.
Holly's was in shades of buttery yellow and pale green, just the right size for a crib.
Lydi's was larger, more suited to fit a full-sized bed. She had incorporated shades of gray and white, with a pale lavender throughout.
Both girls were delighted.
Holly hadn't planned on a shower at all. This was, after all, her second child. The women in her life-Sharon, Maggie, and Patrice, wouldn't hear of it. Every new life does deserves a few new things of their own, Maggie had said.
It was an overwhelming day for Anne. Having lost her first husband and their young daughter in an auto accident years before, hosting a shower for her child, let alone two, was a dream she had long given up on. Today, she helped celebrate both a bridal and baby shower for not one, but two new daughters. Holly, she could thank her new husband for and Lydi, well… Neither of them new what to do with that gift, but give thanks every day.
Holly was grateful for every new item, especially as she and Rick had again chosen not to know the gender of their baby.
Lydi was imagining where she would put everything in the apartment she thought they had secured. Little did she know, she would have an entire home to fill.
After the guests had departed and both areas cleared, gifts were stored out of the way.
Nicole and Jeff tucked their little brood into bed and returned to the living room.
Brian and Lydi sat near the hearth talking about the wealth of generosity heaped on them over the course of the day.
Rick and Holly got little Willa down and joined them, as did Emily and Greg, and Melanie and Drew.
Only Rusty and Ben were missing, having already headed back home with their boys, tuckered out from the busy day.
They caught each other up on the few details missed in the frequent calls and texts regularly exchanged between them. They spoke of jobs, kids, pregnancy, and weddings. It was life they were sharing, and it was beautiful. The life, and the sharing.
Springtime progressed and, with it, life on the lake. Hope House was thriving, along with its young residents, under the shepherding of Rusty and Lydi, who was burning both ends of a candle as she prepared to finish her degree, graduate, and marry. She was also somewhat nervous about what came next. Not the ceremony or all that followed, but she still had not seen the home Brian had found for them.
Brian had taken over the responsibility of securing a place for them to live after the wedding. Lydi was taking more hours in this, her final semester, so her fiancé had shouldered as many of their other tasks as possible, while she finished her studies.
He had found a place, he assured her, knowing just how important that was. Lydia had experienced homelessness before, and needed the security of knowing where she was to live upon leaving the safest place she could remember.
That was how she found the boldness to ask him, quite directly, about their future home. It was after dinner with Mark and Anne, during their evening stroll. Time alone was precious. Between school and work, they were surrounded by people, mostly folks they cherished. Still, surrounded. Their nightly walks, inspired by Sharon and Andy's morning hikes, allowed them a precious hour to talk, fingers braided together, as they closed their day together before going their separate ways.
"Brian, can you do something for me, please? If it's not too late, I mean."
He lifted their joined hands and kissed her fingertips, admiring her ring under the lamplight.
"Anything."
Lydi leaned into him, slowed her steps, and stopped on the path near the cabin.
"Would you take me to see where we'll be living?"
Brian turned and draped his forearms over her shoulders.
"I told you I was happy to handle that, you know. I'd really like to surprise you with it."
"I know that and you're very sweet for all of that. I'm just," she trailed off, embarrassed by her own fears. "I'm ready to graduate in a few weeks. I couldn't be happier about marrying you. I just," she paused. "Brian, Mark and Anne's house is the only safe place I've known since I was eight years old. I've lived in foster homes and I've lived in a car. I'm feeling, I don't know, unsettled not knowing where I'll live next month. I trust you, I know, absolutely, I'm safe with you, I just…"
"Come with me," he said, turning back toward his uncle's home. Tugging at her hand, he brought her along.
She followed him back up the path, around the house, into the backyard, thinking he needed his car keys.
When he paused at the door to the guest house, she stopped short, nearly colliding with him.
Brian open the door, gesturing for her to enter before him.
Stepping through the door, she looked around, admiration on her face. The work their families had done was nothing short of spectacular.
"My gosh," she sighed. "This is no simple guesthouse upgrade. This is nicer than anything on the market. They could really make some money if they rented it out as a vacation home."
"They aren't doing that. Actually," he cleared his throat. "They already have plans for it."
She spun in place. "Yeah?"
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward to meet her.
"Surprise?" he said, shrugging his shoulders.
His cheeks pinked, suddenly worried she might not appreciate a decision of this magnitude made without her input.
"This is my aunt and uncle's wedding gift to us, Lydi. I've been helping as much as I can, when I'm not at school or work, or with you. We all know how important having a home is to you, so this is a gift. Your folks have chipped in too."
She said nothing. Whether her silence was good or bad, he didn't know. Did she like it? Was she angry he'd not included her in the decision? Had he gotten it all wrong?
She turned her eyes on him. They were unreadable.
"You decided this with your aunt and uncle," she said without blinking.
He swallowed hard.
"Yes. I asked him about rental properties since they know the area better."
"And they suggested fixing up the cabin instead?" she asked, taking a step toward him.
"Um, my uncle said he knew how much I loved the place. He just wished it was larger, you know, like a family home. Then Sharon suggested they fix it up, and the whole renovation thing just sort of snowballed."
"And everyone was in on it but me. Everyone helped while I was none the wiser."
She stepped closer to him, a challenge in her stance.
"I wanted to surprise you at the wedding, you know, their gift to us, a place to start. My gift to you – a home to call your own, finally."
Brian stuff his quivering hands in his pockets, closing his eyes to calm himself. He was nearly mowed over when he felt her.
Lydia saw him close his eyes, in frustration, or despair, or more likely, prayer. She couldn't let him torture himself with doubt. As the swirl of emotion, surprise, gratitude, and love – such love bubbled up inside of her, she launched herself toward him, arms tight around his middle, cheek resting over his heart. Oh, that heart. How well it understood her.
"It's perfect, Brian. I can picture us here, even with no furniture yet. I love it. I love that everyone had a hand in creating our home, and I love that you wanted this for me, for us."
Pulling his hands from his pockets, he returned her embrace, resting his cheek atop her head. He sighed in relief and soaked in the closeness.
After a moment, Brian pulled back just enough to see her. Framing her face, big brown eyes watching him, he kissed her soundly, and hugged her again.
"Want to see the rest?" he asked as he held her. "It's really something."
Sniffing, she squeezed him tightly and said, "I want to see it all."
Lydi and Brian received their diplomas on the first Friday in May. It was a cool, clear morning, ideal for an outdoor commencement by the bay.
For Brian, it was the completion of the plan set in motion upon finally finding the direction he'd long sought. For his bride to be, it was more than she's ever dreamed. Abandoned child to college graduate. Living in a car to moving into a beautiful home crafted for her new family. From lost to loved.
A lawn party was held in Andy and Sharon's backyard. No other spot would hold them all. The five Flynn – Raydors and their children were all in attendance, along with friends and family, including Brian's Jersey crew. His father, sister, and grandparents had flown in for the graduation and wedding weekend, plus an extended stay.
"Andy, Sharon, I can't thank you enough for all you've done for Brian," said his grandmother. "You've given him a place to stay, time to find himself and his future, and a home for himself and sweet Lydia."
"He just seemed so at odds with himself," said her husband. "Like he was missing something, and he couldn't move forward without it. He's found it here."
Sharon and Andy smiled, their eyes passing from Andy's sister and her husband to another small grouping across the yard.
Lydi and Brian were sitting with his father and her parents. It was their first opportunity to meet and get to know each other. The following day, their children would be married and their families united.
"Finding what you're looking for is somewhat typical around here," said Andy.
"It's a very special place," his wife agreed.
The foursome gazed out over the lawn, children and grandchildren everywhere. Laughter and music abounded, a day to be topped only by the wedding to come.
"Looks like it's gonna be a pretty day," she said, taking in the dazzling shimmer of dewdrops dotting the landscape. They sparkled like diamonds.
"Perfect day for a wedding," he agreed, squeezing the hand he held between them.
While both were rather traditional in their thinking, neither gave much credence to the adage that it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Each of them very much wanted to see the other, to touch base, to see how the other was feeling. Each turned to the other when in need of a friend, and their wedding day was no different.
They had decided the night before to meet in the morning, on top of the hill. Now, they sat together, enjoying a nearly bird's eye view of their new home, the home that waited to welcome them that evening.
"Are you nervous, Lydi?" he asked, his own nerves easily heard and felt. "You know, about all of it. The wedding or what comes after?"
She smiled, eyes still fixed on the enchanting view below. She knew what he was referring to, of course, and she had thought about it, quite a lot actually.
"Nervous excitement might be the best way to describe it. I'm excited about the wedding, of course, and while I'm looking forward to what follows," she said, blushing, "I am a little nervous. I don't know what I'm doing, obviously, and I want to be what you need. But I'm not scared, Brian. I know you love me and I trust you, so I know we'll figure it out."
He pressed to kiss to her temple.
"I'm glad, and I echo everything you said. We may have a bit of a learning curve," he winked, "but will have an awfully good time getting there."
He pulled her and close, and she willingly, gratefully went.
They each felt a tremor roll through the other. Excitement, anticipation, desire, so much that words could no longer express. They had come to that point where they were ready to show rather than tell. That night, they would finally get their chance.
After prolonging their morning as long as they could afford, they finally made their way back down the path. The backyard transformation was already underway, and since their folks wanted to surprise them, they shared a final lingering kiss before parting. Soon enough, forever would be theirs.
Their loved ones well understood the couple. Neither was comfortable with attention. Both were rather introverted. They also had a lot on their minds that day. Thus, the day was kept as low-key as possible.
While the menfolk, plus Melanie, saw to the lawn, the ladies put on a movie and kept the house quiet. Nails were done, and hair. Dresses were hung, ready and waiting.
Lunch was skipped. Maggie had prepared a celebratory brunch, so no one was hungry yet. With the post-wedding feast Mark and Anne were throwing, no one would go without.
Outside, tables and chairs were arranged, a buffet was set up near the deck, and the arbor Andy had constructed for Rick and Holly's wedding was centered in the yard.
Brian watched the flutter of activity on his behalf and shook his head. Never had he known people like this. Turning from the window, he bounded the stairs to the room and he would soon share with his wife. He still couldn't fully wrap his head around that. A college graduate, a married man with a home in which to grow.
He stood on the threshold of the master bedroom, the only one with any furnishings to speak of. He and Lydi would choose the rest together.
This room, however, was courtesy of his cousins. Rick, Emily, Rusty, Nicole, and Drew had chipped in to purchase a bed, nightstands, blanket chest, and dresser. Brian's grandparents has finished out the room with an armoire and a writing desk, which Brian had tucked beneath the window overlooking the lake.
The bed was covered by Maggie's quilt, and Brian had taken pictures of the entire room to share with her, as she certainly wouldn't be climbing the stairs. Dressed in grays and white, and a wisp of lavender throughout, it was the perfect marriage of masculine and feminine. Brian was sure Lydi would love it as much as he did.
His own finishing touch was a vase of flowers placed just opposite the bed, and an array of candles scattered around the room.
Satisfied with it all, he settled at the desk and began to write.
Lydi took refuge and Sharon and Andy's room. While beyond the door and the window was a whirlwind of activity, here there was calm.
The room was, as usual, in order. A large bed was the centerpiece, and where she found the items Andy would need for the ceremony. Sharon's dress and her own, were hung on the doors of the large armoire on the opposite wall.
A soft knock, the inching open of the door, and she found Sharon and Anne.
"Come in," said Lydi.
"I need to grab Andy's things. He'll shower and dress next door," she said as she crossed to the bed.
"I don't wanna kick him out of his own room, I.." she stood and began to say.
"Nonsense. The bride needs room!" said Sharon, extending her arm through the door to her husband.
"Thank you!" Andy called from the hallway beyond.
Anne crossed the room to the small table by the window, where Sharon and Andy often took their evening tea.
"How are you feeling, honey?"
She took the seat across from her daughter of only five years.
"Nervous? Excited? Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked.
Sharon perched on the bed and smiled at the pair who had lost so very much, then found it in each other.
"A little nervous," Lydia admitted, "mostly about everyone watching me. I am excited though. I can't wait to see Brian in his suit."
Leaning forward to bridge the small distance between them, Sharon placed a hand over the young woman's.
"Then just focus on Brian. Take it all in for a moment. You'll never have this day again. But then, keep your eyes ahead, on him. Let all the rest melt away."
"She's right. We're all here to support you and celebrate you, but today is about you and Brian," said Anne. "Is there anything you need before we start getting ready? Anything you want to talk over?"
Lydi looked down at her hands and smiled, shaking her head. She had an inkling as to what Anne was suggesting. She had been taken in by Anne and Mark at almost sixteen. They had no idea what she knew of relationships. For all they knew Brian was the only boyfriend she'd ever had, and they would be right. She had no experience, but she was educated and bright. Lydi wasn't going in totally blind.
"I think I know what you're asking," she said, finding their eyes. "I've educated myself and I've seen my doctor. Brian and I have talked a lot and, while neither of us has any experience, we trust each other enough to be vulnerable with each other and figure it out together. We are in no rush. We got a lifetime to learn."
Sharon and Anne looked at her, and then at each other. Each of them had stumbled through their personal lives, largely through no fault of their own, even as they both rose to the top of their profession. Here was a young woman, prepared to cleave herself to a young man, both of whom were wise beyond their years. They were patient and discerning, could and did talk through things with much more maturity than couples twice their age.
"I believe you're going to be just fine, baby," said her adoptive mother. "Know that I'm always here. Ask me anything. But you and Brian are off to a solid start. You talk and you share and you trust. You're miles ahead of a lot of folks I've known."
Sharon watched her old friend, enjoying the blessing of counseling a daughter on her wedding day. She well remembered the time before Mark and Lydi, those dark days following the loss of her husband and daughter. Neither foresaw the treasure the future held.
"Now, are you ready to get married?" Sharon asked. "Because I think it's time to get you dressed so you can see your handsome groom in his suit," she added with a wink.
"Yes," beamed Lydi. "Let's do that."
It was an image worthy of a painting- a sky of cerulean blue, the lawn lush and green. It was an unclouded day.
An arbor draped in white gossamer and adorned with daises and jonquils was the centerpiece and a trio of picnic tables on three sides of the yard created a perimeter. White tablecloths with a cheerful yellow runner painted the lawn in sunshine.
Everyone was in attendance. The combined Flynn and Raydor children, and their own young families, the Provenzas, Maggie, a few Hope House friends. They were gathered in a semi-circle near the arbor, Brian and Lydi's family at the front.
At the appointed time, Brian and Mark made their way to the center of the arbor, a sweeping view of the lake and hillside their background.
When Mark's eyes looked beyond the group toward the back door of the cabin, the others hushed and followed his lead. All was quiet, but charged with anticipation.
When the door finally opened, it seemed as if the entire assembly held a collective breath.
She studied her reflection in the large mirror hung above Sharon's dresser. Breathing deeply, she closed her eyes. Ridding her mind of all other images, she pictured only her groom.
She was dressed, hair and make up done. Never before had she been so well put together. It wasn't a lack of effort. She just preferred a more natural look.
Today, she made the extra effort, but stayed true to herself. Her hair was down, loose and flowing, the ends gently curled. The top she had braided into a simple crown away from her face. Not bothering to paint her face-Brian also appreciated her as is, he always said, she very simply drew out her already dark lashes and glossed her lips.
She was happy with her appearance. She felt beautiful and worthy. Her new family, even beyond her adoptive parents and sister, had seen to that. Then there was Brian, a gift, like her family, she only dreamed about but never truly expected to receive. With him, she felt more than love. He trusted her, desired her, believed in her. Brian cherished her.
He also waited for her, emotionally, intellectually, physically. For that, she cherished him. He waited for her now. Their wait was over.
She opened her eyes and stood, smoothing out her dress. Anne's dress, made more Lydi by Maggie's still-expert hands.
Leaving Sharon in Andy's room, she passed through the house to pause at the back door. With a final deep, soothing breath, she lifted her chin and opened the door.
All eyes were riveted on the bride. As much as Lydi tended to shy away from attention, on this day, it was simply unavoidable.
The lace and flowers had been cut away from Anne's old dress. Gone were the high collar and puffed sleeves. In their place were a fitted bodice of ivory crepe that flowed softly away from her body as it fell to the ground. Sheer chiffon covered her chest and arms, reminiscent of Princess Grace, and in her hands a bouquet of yellow and white narcissus.
While all eyes might be on her, Lydi's eyes were fixed on him. And his were on her.
Brian drank her in. He inhaled her, absorbed her. She filled up his very senses. He found her radiant, the pale ivory fabric against her bronze skin. Those large brown eyes that had captured and held his attention right from the start, held them captive now.
She may have floated to his side for as little as she'd felt the ground beneath her feet. As if from far away she heard the soft expressions of admiration from those around her, and yet she hardly noticed anyone at all. There was only him.
Lydia had chosen to walk down the aisle alone, as she had been for most of her life. At the end of her brief journey, her family waited, just as they had when she first became theirs.
Before the arbor stood Mark and Anne, and Brian. Her parents waited hand-in-hand, and once she joined them, both embraced her before each took their place.
Anne stood with Sharon and Andy and the Walsh family, while Mark stepped under the arbor, beckoning the bride and groom to join him.
"Ready?" he asked them both, a beaming smile gracing his face. As a pastor, he'd presided over many marriages. Along with Sharon and Andy's and Holly and Rick's, this one sat the top of his favorites.
He'd raised Holly largely on his own following the death of his first wife. Anne had lost both her husband and daughter years ago. Lydi represented an opportunity for them to parent together, even though she had come to them nearly grown. They had come together at just the right time.
At the couple's eager grin, Mark began.
"Mrs. Brian Walsh. I'm Lydia Walsh."
She stood alone in this stunning room crafted for her. Brian had left her to change, thinking it perhaps easier, this first night, not to overwhelm her. She was grateful for the gesture.
Lydi took the moment to center herself, take it all in, not wanting to forget a minute of the day.
She wasn't frightened or even overly undone by nerves, but remarkably calm. Lydia trusted her partner and felt good and right with the decisions they made and kept with regards to their relationship. They were ready to take the next step together.
Shedding her gown, she hung it up to be carefully packed away later. She reached for the garment selected for the night, then paused.
Draped across the chest at the foot of the bed was Brian's dress shirt. He'd slipped it off before excusing himself for a moment.
Lydi smiled as she quickly changed her mind.
A soft knock came a moment later.
"Lydi? May I come in?"
Brian was eager to see her, to be with her. Not even just in the physical sense. Now that they were united, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He would be happy to spend the night in anyway she chose, as long as they were together. After all the months of waiting, he found himself in no hurry.
"Yes," came a soft, low reply.
Slowly he pushed the door open. When he saw her, standing at the end of the bed wearing his dress shirt and little else, he almost forgot to breathe.
"Oh my," he sighed, almost to himself.
Lydi waited at the foot of the bed, wrapped in moonlight. Her hair was brushed and her face, scrubbed clean. Brian's crisp white shirt stood in bright contrast to her bronzed skin and her dark brown eyes reflected the love that shone in his own.
"It's okay?" she asked, suddenly timid.
Brian stepped toward her. He was itching to touch her, so he stuffed his hands in his pockets lest he move too fast in his eagerness.
"You take my breath away, Lydi."
Her smile broadened as she took a step forward.
"I guess we've got a lot to learn," he husked out. "Fortunately, we've got a whole lifetime ahead of us to figure it all out."
Suddenly emboldened, she took one last step forward.
"Lesson number one?" she began, voice low and thick. At his questioning glance, she said, "You're going to want to use your hands."
The lawn was cleared and cleaned, save for the arbor. Tables are stored away, food returned to the kitchen. Anne and Mark, having lingered long into the evening with the Flynn's, Provenza's and Walshes, had finally strolled along the lane up to their home. The others had finally retired, leaving only Andy and Sharon, exhausted but satisfied by the successful work of many hands.
As the sun set, the fairy lights began to twinkle. They had become a permanent fixture after Andy installed them and his wife fell in love.
Sharon grinned at the cheerful sight of them and when she looked up to find her husband standing in the center of the arbor, she dipped her head and crossed the lawn to meet him.
"Care to dance?" he asked, opening his arms wide in invitation.
"Hmm, you know me well," she purred. "But where's the music?"
Tucking her close, he began to sway with her as he sang You Are My Sunshine softly in her ear.
A few songs later, he tugged her toward the house.
"Join me inside? The night's still young."
She allowed him to lead her down the hallway running through the house.
"And what did you have in mind, Mr. Flynn?" she teased.
He paused where the hall opened into the great room.
"I thought perhaps a piano lesson," he smiled, gesturing toward the wall.
There, where the credenza had been was the antique upright piano that had rendered her speechless only weeks ago. The woodwork restored, the legs repaired, it was in pristine condition while retaining its original charm.
"Oh, Andy," she exhaled, hands rising to clasp before her. "I can't believe you did this. Wait. When did you do this? We've been in and out of the house all day. How did I not notice?"
"It was delivered while we were busy having a wedding. He'll be back to tune it on Tuesday morning."
Andy was beaming. He'd pulled off the surprise and his wife loved it.
"I originally wanted to give it to you for your birthday, but it needed a lot more work, so I needed to give it more time. I've never worked on an instrument before. There was a bit of a learning curve."
"You mean you did the work yourself?"
His smile grew.
"The woodwork, yes. The cabinet was a mess. I think it turned out well."
Sharon sat on the stool and ghosted her fingers over the keys.
When she felt his hands on her shoulders, she spun in place and stood to pull him close.
"Thank you, honey. It's a precious gift. It means more than you probably know."
Andy had an idea. He knew enough. She'd had a piano. Loved it. Then Jack took it and pawned to pay his bookie. Even if he didn't know far more about Jackson Raydor, that alone would have told him all he needed to know.
Her face tucked into his neck, she froze, then asked him, "Where is the credenza?"
"At the kids new place," he said, chuckling. "It's bare. All they've got's a bed."
She laughed with him.
"Of course," he added with a wiggle to his brows. "That's all they really need for now."
Sharon swatted his hand gently then stepped away.
"They're not the only ones with a bed, Andy."
She stepped beyond him, heading in the direction of their room, eyeing him over her shoulder.
"But what about the lesson?" he said, gesturing toward the piano.
Sharon chuckled.
"Oh, Mr. Flynn, there are many things I can still teach you."
His eyebrows danced again, alight with mischief.
"I do love being the teacher's pet."
The End