Chapter 35
The Wedding
William got up and walked to the window. Jack followed and asked, father, what is it? Meet me in my office in a bit and I'll explain. Yes sir. Give us about thirty minutes. He walked back to Elizabeth and held out his hand, I think it's time to rest! She took it and replied, I am a bit tired. She kissed her mother and went upstairs with Jack. After getting her settled he went downstairs to meet father in his study.
He knocks and says, father are you here? Yes son please come in and have a seat. Would you like a drink? No sir I don't drink but I'm fine father. So what is it that you have to explain? William walks over to the window as if it was going to give him the courage to say what he needed to say. He clears his throat and says, I don't know if you know but my sister was a twin, her twin sister was stillborn, she had two sets of twins and one of each were stillborn. My grandmother, my mother's mother had a set of twin boys and one was stillborn. As far back as we know of every time twins were born, one was stillborn. Son I fear for my daughter and unborn grandchildren. No doctor could say why it happens but it just happens. Father wipes the tears that rolled down his face. Jack just sat there with his head in his hands quietly sobbing. Charlotte came to the door and knocked. William said, come in Charlotte. She noticed her son sobbing. She sat next to him and wrapped her arms around him and asked, son, what is it? Jack couldn't bring himself to say so William proceeded to tell her. She gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Nothing was said.
That evening Julie and Tom came in with several trunks. William, Jack and Charlotte held their smiles on the outside but on the inside they were hurting. Jack didn't know how to tell his wife what the possibility was. He had to get more information on this. He would seek out the finest doctors if need be. We just need to get though the holidays and the wedding is what he told himself. The wedding was in four days and Christmas in six days. I'll tell her after everything is settled. He would talk to father and Ma. He would make this the best holiday ever! That evening after Elizabeth and Jarrick was sleeping he would talk to them. He caught father in the hall and told him he needed to talk to him after Elizabeth and Jarrick were asleep. Father agreed. He found his Ma and told her the same thing. So after they were asleep Jack was in the study when his Ma and father came in and shut the door behind them.
Jack started, ok I've been doing a lot of thinking and I keep coming back to the same conclusion. I want her to see a specialist. I don't care how far we have to travel to see them. I want to know that I have done everything and exhaust all her avenues to insure that if she is in fact carrying twins. I'm going to need both of you to help me with this journey. Ma I'll need you to travel with us to help take care of Jarrick. Father I'll need you to help find the best specialist for her. I don't want to tell her until the holidays are over. I don't want to ruin this holiday with all these worries. We have to carry on as if nothing is going on, am I understood? Both said nothing but agreed. Father does mother know about this cycle? Not that I'm aware of but Elizabeth knows. I can handle mom for now. Everyone was in agreement and went about their business.
Elizabeth asked Jack to take her Christmas shopping. He agreed as long as she agreed to stop and rest if she needed to. Father had loaned them his car so she wouldn't have to walk as much. They went to the toy store and bought Jarrick a pull along dog and a couple wooden trains. The got Cecilia a baby doll. They had hit several stores before lunch. She said, hon, how about some lunch? I'm getting pretty hungry and could use a rest. He lead her to a small cafe. They ate lunch and discussed who they had left to buy for. After about an hour she was ready to hit the store again. He had left her in the school section of a store to go buy her Christmas presents. When he came back she was finished. She had purchased his Christmas but had it delivered to the house. She had also ordered some things for school and had them sent to Lecombe.
They finally finished their shopping for everyone. She asked to go to the park. They walked to the park and sat on a bench across from the fountain. She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed. He took her hand and asked, a penny for your thoughts? You may have them for free! Hon, I have some bad feelings about this pregnancy. He closed his eyes to fight back the tears that he felt coming. He swallowed and asked, what do you mean Bella? She shrugged her shoulders and said, I feel like something is going to happen to our babies. Tears were silently falling down her cheeks. She wiped them but they wouldn't stop. He let go of her hand to place them around her shoulders. Bella, we will do everything in our power to make sure they are born healthy. Hon how will we know if something is going wrong? Bella, what if we went to the doctor here after the holidays to get you and the baby or babies checked out before we head home? I would like that Hon.
The wedding was here. Elizabeth's dress still fit just fine. They had left the dresses and tuxedos hanging in the closet instead of transporting them back and forth. Elizabeth and Jack came down the stairs carrying Jarrick. Jarrick had on a little tuxedo as well. Elizabeth was holding Jack's elbow. At the bottom of the stairs Jack kissed her temple and said, you are so beautiful. Jarrick repeats, mama butiful! Yes she is son! She kissed both of them. Jack handed Jarrick to father while he helped her in to her coat. Nonny put her grandson's coat on. They didn't want to let him down in case he decided to run off. Jack held her coat as she slipped it on. They walked out and was in the car before Jarrick was aware of what was happening.
At the church Jack held Jarrick on a pew keeping him entertained. Elizabeth walked into the dressing room at the back of the church. Oh Julie, you look just like a princess! Thank you Bethie! That's what I was going for! Julie, you look like Cinderella! I love that dress! You did a fantastic job on it! Mother, doesn't she look just like Cinderella at the ball? She does, mother agrees! Julie, you are so talented, mother says! Bethie, are you feeling alright? You look a little tired. I'll be fine little sister! I can't wait to see you walk down that isle!
There was a knock. Mother opened the door. Do I have a daughter in here that's about to get married, father asked? Julie stood, can I have a minute alone with my baby girl please, he asked? Elizabeth and mother stepped out. Mother was ushered to her seat while Elizabeth waited for her turn to walk down the isle.
Jack brought Jarrick to her. He bent down and said, hey, look at daddy for a minute. Jarrick looked at him and listened. Now, you need to stand here with mama until she tells you to walk down to me, ok? It's very important for you to listen to mama. Es sir Jarrick said. Jack kissed his cheek and stood. Are you ok Bella? I'm getting tired but I'm ok. Jack looks around and sees a chair against the wall and brought it to her for her to sit. He kissed her cheek and said, I love you so very much Bella! I love you too hon! He walked back down to Tom. The three bridesmaids joined Elizabeth along with Cecilia.
Julie and father stepped out of the changing room. Elizabeth nods to the organist. She starts playing. Elizabeth bends over and says, Jarrick walk next to Cecilia until you get to daddy, ok? Es ma'am. They started walking. Jack bent down at the end of the isle to get Jarrick. He kissed his cheeks and said, good job buddy! The music changed again, the bridesmaids started down the isle followed by Elizabeth. When she got to her spot the music changed again. Julie and father started down the isle. Jarrick yells, aun uwie! Jack shushed him. Everyone chuckles at his antics. After the wedding Jarrick run up to Julie and said, up aun uwie! She picks him up and says, you did good little man! I'm so proud of you. Jack apologized and took him.
At the reception Elizabeth sat at their table with Jarrick. Jack was kneeling down next to her making sure she was okay. She said she was. Jarrick was playing with his train that Jack had put in his pocket to keep him entertained.
The meal was served. Jack sat on the other side of Jarrick. The first dance, the father daughter dance, the mother son dance was done. The floor was opened for anyone. Jack asked her, would you dance with me? She stood and Charlotte walked over to sit with Jarrick. They walked out onto the dance floor. He held her as they danced. She leans in to him and held him tightly. He whispered in her ear, are you alright or do you need to go home? I'm okay but I think I should sit for awhile. Do you mind? Bella you are my everything. I don't mind if that's what you're body is saying. He walked her back to her chair. The cake was cut. Tom was afraid to mess up her dress so he was nice. Toasts were made. The newlyweds left a couple hours later. Elizabeth leaned over and asked, can you take me home now please? Yes, let me let everyone know I'm taking you home. Charlotte agreed to bring Jarrick with her. They said they're goodbyes and left.
At home Jack asked, would you like a warm bath before you turn in Bella? I think that would be great, thanks hon! He drew her bath while she got out of her dress. After her bath he laid down with her until she fell asleep. He went downstairs to wait for Jarrick. About an hour later everyone came through the door. Jarrick ran up to his daddy and asked, w'ere mama? She's asleep little man. Her seepy? Yeah she is buddy. Let's go up and get ready for bed ok? Es sir. Jack picked him up and told everyone good night. Jack went upstairs and got him ready for bed. He sat in the rocking chair and rocked until Jarrick was asleep. He laid him in his bed and got ready himself. He crawled into bed and pulled her close. He prayed that the Lord would protect their baby or babies.
Christmas morning everyone was up and had breakfast. After breakfast father took Cecilia and Jarrick to the sitting room while everyone else followed. Presents were handed out. The children had made out like bandits with toys and clothes! The adults had a very nice Christmas as well!
Jack took the children out in the backyard and showed them how to make snow angels. Father joined them. Everyone was in total shock to see father get down on the ground and make them right next to Jarrick. Mother are you seeing this? Jack stood and got his camera out and took pictures of father making snow angels with his grandchildren. Nonno, wook, I do it! Cecilia wasn't sure about the name Jarrick called her grandfather. Father sat up and said, look at you two! Great job!
He got up and started rolling up snow to make a snowman. Cecilia thought she needed a girl snowman so he made her a girl snowman! They were having so much fun and Jack had got so many pictures! This would be a Christmas that the children would not forget!