Chapter 265 – A Lost Ring and a Wedding
Frank and Abigail went to the courthouse first and got all that taken care of. The lady there was more than willing to change the adoption paperwork when she saw some of the names attached to it in support. They also got the wedding license. After the courthouse, they went to the jeweler and found some simple rings. Since they had the proper size, the man insisted on polishing them, so Frank decided to wait. They were looking around at different things when Frank spotted something.
"Abigail." Frank said.
Abigail went over and was looking at the display case that Frank was looking at.
"Was there something you liked?" Abigail asked.
"Yes and no." Frank said. "Did Becky tell you about her mother's ring?"
"Yes." Abigail said. "She showed me the picture that she helped Dee create for the Mounties to keep an eye out for it. Why?"
"Look." Frank said, pointing to a ring in the middle of the case. "It stuck in my head because it was similar to my mother's ring with the small polished pieces of gold."
The younger sales associate came over.
"Do you have a question? Or do you want to see something up close?" He asked.
"Yes." Frank said. "That ring right there in the middle."
The sales assistant took the ring out and set it on the fabric pad. Frank picked up the ring and started looking at it.
"What can you tell me about the ring?" Frank asked.
"We got it from another shop." He said. "We know it was a second hand ring. They bought rings that people no longer needed or had to sell."
"Do you have any paperwork on the ring?" Frank asked.
"I can go ask." The associate said. "Can I ask why?"
"Because I asked for it." Frank said.
"Let me go get the owner." The associate said.
Frank continued to look at the ring and showed the small engraved letters to Abigail.
"It is the ring, right?" Abigail asked.
"I am ninety-nine percent sure." Frank said. "I think we need to have Becky and Wynn come in and see if Becky can identify it and let Wynn deal with it. I am going to ask them to hold it and see what happens."
"You had some questions about a ring." The owner said.
"Yes." Frank said. "This one."
"We got that from a shop I bought out in Fort Garry." The man said. "He didn't have any paperwork on it other than he had bought it for fifteen dollars because it was so unique. I can tell you the diamond is real and about a quarter to third caret. I believe the gold to be eighteen carat."
"I would like to get this for my adopted daughter." Frank said. "But I want her to see it first, in case she doesn't like it. Would there be any way for you to hold this and we come back tomorrow. It would be after school because we are here for the science fair at the school."
"I can set it aside and as long as you come back before I close at four on Saturday." The owner said. "I am sure we can find something that your daughter will love."
"Thank you very much." Frank said. "We will be back tomorrow then."
"Let me just finish up your other rings." The owner said.
The owner walked away and took the other ring with him. Frank and Abigail looked around and a few minutes later the owner came back out with their wedding bands. Frank and Abigail thanked the man again and said they would be looking forward to seeing him the next day.
They left the jeweler and sat in the car for a moment.
"How do you want to deal with this?" Abigail asked.
"Let's get through the wedding." Frank said. "Then we will talk to Wynn. There is nothing we can do right now. If we can return the ring to Becky I want to do it, but I don't want to get her hopes up. We got lucky and now we have to put that excitement aside for a bit. We need to focus on the things in front of us and right now that is our wedding."
"Flowers." Abigail said. "We need flowers. I know that I didn't want a big thing, but flowers would be nice."
"Let's get you some flowers." Frank said.
They went to the florist and found exactly what Abigail was looking for. She picked out some pink snapdragons and some white roses. She had two bouquets made and two boutonnieres made. They were each made with a white rose and the pink ribbon that Abigail picked out. She had some pink and white ribbon added to the two bouquets made. They took everything and headed back to the hotel. Abigail was so happy. She knew that the flowers would look wonderful with the pale blue dress that she had. She had a similar one for Becky but it was in a pale pink. Frank had a dark gray suit and had gotten Cody a matching one. Abigail had gotten blue ties to match her dress, so it was going to be perfect.
Wynn, Elizabeth, Becky and Cody arrived at the hotel. Wynn immediately went to talk to the manager while Elizabeth took the kids and had a seat. Wynn explained everything and it was no problem. He was able to get him, Elizabeth and the kids into the suite that he had reserved. Dee was going to take the single room that had been reserved. Wynn asked that Frank and Abigail's suit be upgraded to a nice suite for the weekend. He explained they were getting married that night and adopting the two children so they wanted to give the new couple a weekend of comfort. The manager wanted to keep Wynn happy, so gladly upgraded the suite for Frank and Abigail. Wynn got all the keys and then had let the manager know that his son would be arriving with the luggage shortly. Wynn was assured everything would be delivered to the proper room.
Wynn took Elizabeth and the kids up to the room. It was only about ten minutes later that Dee knocked with the cart of luggage. Dee took his bag and went to his own room, leaving the trunk in his parents room. While everyone else was getting settled, Wynn called and made arrangements for them to have supper. Twenty-five minutes after Dee arrived, Frank and Abigail arrived. Dee had come back up and was going to help Frank take their stuff to their room, but Frank stopped him.
"Can I speak to Wynn and Dee alone for a moment?" Frank said.
"Let's go start getting ready." Abigail said.
Everyone looked at Cody.
"I will go to the other room and wash my face." Cody said.
Once it was just the three of them Frank quickly explained.
"I have the original drawing and statement from Becky in my messenger bag." Dee said.
"We will deal with it tomorrow." Wynn said. "Let me call headquarters and have them look into this owner and the shop he bought out in Fort Garry. We don't have time tonight. We have a wedding to get ready for."
"Alright." Frank said. "I just didn't want to get Becky's hopes up and it not be it. But I am so sure. I listened to her describe that ring three times and she never wavered."
"Alright." Wynn said. "Have Dee take your luggage up to your room and then get ready to get married."
"Yes, Sir." Frank said with a smile.
Frank and Dee took the extra luggage up to the suite that Frank and Abigail were going to be sharing. He then left Frank to get ready. Dee went and did the same. Wynn got ready and then helped Cody do so. Thirty minutes later, the group was meeting in the hotel lobby. Frank and Dee took the kids, while Wynn and Elizabeth took Abigail. A few minutes later they pulled up to a small house next to a nice looking church. As soon as the cars stopped, an older man and his wife stepped out. They waved to the group and quickly ushered everyone in the house.
"Frank." The man said. "So good to see you again."
"Great to see you again as well." Frank said. "Please allow me to introduce everyone. This is my bride-to-be, Abigail Stanton. My soon-to-be adopted daughter, Becky. My soon-to-be adopted son, Cody. Our friends, Deputy Commissioner Wynn Delaney Sr, his wife Elizabeth Rose and son Wynn Jr."
"Pleased to meet you all." The man said. "You can call me Noah."
Abigail gasped.
"Everything alright?" Noah asked.
"My late husband was Noah." Abigail said. "He was killed in a mine explosion almost fourteen months ago."
"Well." Noah said. "It must be a sign. This is my wife, Rebecca."
"We have the chapel set up for you." Rebecca said.
"Thank you." Frank said. "I am so glad that you can do this for us. We didn't want a big fuss. With the kids and it being a second wedding for Abigail, we felt it was better to just get married. The Delaneys just happen to be traveling from Hope Valley to Hamilton."
"Of course." Noah said. "It is so great that you have children after losing your first husband."
"I am adopting them as well." Abigail said. "Their parents were killed and they were orphans found in the area of Hope Valley in December."
"So this really is the making of a family." Noah said.
"Yes." Abigail said.
"We then." Noah said. "Let's get started."
They all went to the chapel. Frank gave Noah the paperwork and they stood in front of him. Frank gave Cody the rings to hold on to for a moment. Becky stood up with Abigail and Cody was with Frank, even though Wynn and Elizabeth Rose were going to be the ones signing the paperwork.
"We are gathered here today to join Frank and Abigail in holy matrimony." Noah said.
Frank and Abigail smiled at each other.
"I am not going to tell you all about marriage." Noah said. "Having been writing back and forth with Frank, I know he knows the meaning of a marriage versus a wedding. Having been married before, I am sure Abigail knows as well. So let's just get to things. Frank, can you please start. Do you need my help or can you remember?"
"I got this." Frank said.
Noah indicated for him to speak.
"In the name of God." Frank said. "I, Franklin Albert, take you, Abigail Marie, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Noah helped Abigail repeat the vow.
"In the name of God." Abigail said. "I, Abigail Marie, take you, Franklin Albert, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Noah turned to Cody and he handed him the rings.
"Lord, bless these rings as you bless this union, in your infinite wisdom, today, tomorrow and always. Amen." Noah prayed.
Noah picked up Abigail's ring and handed it Frank, who nodded.
"Abigail." Frank said. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. With all that I am, and all that I have, I promise to honor and cherish you, in God's name."
Frank slid the ring on Abigail's finger, then brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. He loved when Jack had done that with Elizabeth. Noah then handed Frank's ring to Abigail and helped her with the pledge.
"Frank." Abigail said. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. With all that I am, and all that I have, I promise to honor and cherish you, in God's name."
Abigail then slid the ring on Frank's finger and brought it up to kiss like he had done. They then smiled at each other.
"Frank and Abigail." Noah said. "Remember to love each other faithfully, just as Christ loved the church, for marriage is a lasting promise of kindness, patience, forgiveness, and love. Trust in God with all your heart, and your path forward will be filled with joy and light for all the years to come.
By the power vested in me by the providence of Alberta, in the presence of God and the witness of friends and family, it is my great privilege to pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"
Frank smiled, pulled Abigail close and kissed her. Everyone else clapped and cheered.
"Congratulations." Noah said. "Go and enjoy yourselves. Keep in touch."
"Thank you." Frank said. "Will you please join us for a lovely celebration supper?"
"No, you all go." Noah said.
"Thank you again so much." Abigail said.
"Let's say a prayer for the new family." Noah said.
Frank put his arm out and had Cody come stand before him. Abigail put her arm around Becky's shoulders. Frank and Abigail held hands.
"Heavenly Father." Noah prayed. "You have brought this new family together. Please bless and keep them. They were all walking a lonely path and now You have made them a family. If you see fit, grow this family. Help them to be understanding as they learn to be one unit. Help their other friends to understand their desire to start their new life as a family. Bless their time tonight and this weekend. Amen."
"Amen." Frank said.
Everyone followed suit.
The Hogan family shared a hug. The group then left and Wynn directed them to the private supper club. They normally didn't allow children, but because it was Wynn, they allowed it.
"Welcome the Gold Mine." The man said.
"Thank you." Wynn said. "I have a reservation. Delaney, party of seven."
"Yes." The man said. "We have a semi-private table ready for you, Sir."
The host led them to the table.
"The specials tonight are a steak cooked to order with a choice of baked potato or mashed potatoes. It is also served with sauteed asparagus." The host said. "Or we have a lovely pork roast over mashed potatoes with peas and carrots."
"Thank you." Wynn said.
The host nodded and left them to decide.
"Order what you want." Wynn said. "I am getting a bottle of wine to celebrate. I know that they have bottles of soda, so we can get those for the children."
The guys all ended up ordering the steak. Cody wanted the chicken. Becky and Abigail thought that the pork roast sounded good and Elizabeth got a chicken fried steak. She normally didn't like that, so when she ordered it Wynn looked at her.
"It just sounded good." Elizabeth Rose said.
"Okay." Wynn said.
They had a lovely meal and the adults shared a bottle of wine. Becky got ginger ale and Cody had Dr Pepper. It was a nice time and they toasted Frank and Abigail. Once they were finished, Wynn insisted that Frank and Abigail take some time together. Dee suggested that they take a walk across the way by the pond.
"Go, Mom." Becky said. "We will be fine."
Abigail got emotional when Becky called her Mom.
"Thank you." Abigail said. "We will see you in the morning. We have to be at the school at eleven thirty."
"Take your time." Wynn said. "The hotel is ten minutes from the school. Let's plan to meet you in the lobby at eleven. We will make sure the kids are taken care of."
"Thank you." Frank said.
Frank and Abigail left and took Dee's suggestion about the walk about the park.