Fallen Too Far (33 page)

“Be careful Tom with what you say about gifts.  It seems to me that there is a D-O-G that a little girl would love to have.  Be nice to me.  I’m thinking Bernese Mountain or Jack Russell.  Besides, it’s a good idea to keep making Hope feel special, especially with a new baby in the house.  Speaking of which!” Annie hurried up the stairs.

Annie eased the door open and peeked in the baby’s room. Annik was leaning over humming softly and stroking the baby’s side.  Annie crept softly to the side of the crib and mouthed ‘Hi’ to Annik.  The two women stood silently smiling down at Tommy, who was just about asleep.

They tiptoed out together and gently closed the door.

“He’s so precious Annik.  Thomas Philip.  A big name for such a little baby.”

“Yes, he’s a good baby.  He’s almost sleeping through the night.  Hope just loves him and Tom is over the moon about him.  Well both kids really.” Annik led the way to the stairs.

Annie had warmed to Annik after Hope was born.  She saw how devoted Annik was to Tom and Hope and how absolutely happy Tom was.  And Annie herself was thrilled to be an aunt, to get to spoil Hope and play with her.

“The monitor is set up in the living room.  When he wakes up there’s a bottle of milk in the fridge made up for him.  Just take the chill off of it and he should finish all of it.  We’ve ordered Chinese food for Hope and you.  It’s her favorite.” Annik said.

“Don’t worry about us.  I picked up a few Disney movies and we’ll have fun watching them later.  Stay out as long as you like.  We’ll go to bed if it’s really late.  Please wish the happy couple well for me.”

Annik stopped halfway down the stairs and watched as Hope served Tom and Anthony their tea in the tiny plastic cups.  Hope moved gracefully, being very much the lady hostess.  Annik pictured herself and her mother having afternoon tea in the Black Swan, her father’s hotel.  And the times she’d spent with Poppa at the Pelican, always dressed in her finest.  A tear came to her eye as she thought of her parents.  How they would have loved to see Hope and Tommy.

Tom startled and looked around quickly at the same moment that Hope halted mid sip to peer quickly at her father.

“Who is that man Daddy?” Hope got up out of her chair at her little table and walked to Tom, snuggling shyly into his arms.

“Hope, it’s okay.  It’s only Daddy and me having tea with you.  Look there’s Momma and Aunt Annie.” Anthony said as he glanced at Tom, noting the odd look on Tom’s face.

Hope, easily distracted, ran to the stairs to show Momma her new Cinderella shoes that Aunt Annie had given her.

“Very pretty Hope.  You look like a princess.  You thanked Aunt Annie, didn’t you?”

“Yes, thanks Aunt Annie!  I love them!” Hope reached out for Annie’s hands.

Tom stood up. “Well Sis, we have to get going.  You have our number if you need anything.  And my beautiful wife.  Are you ready?”

“Absolutely. Hope, give Daddy and me a kiss goodbye.” Annik leaned over to kiss Hope.

Tom walked over to Annik and bent down to kiss Hope.

They said goodbye and left.

As they were driving along, Tom said. “This may sound weird.  But I had the strangest sensation when Hope was serving tea and you were on the stairs.  I could feel a hand on my shoulder and a faint voice saying ‘she’s beautiful.’  I thought of your father, immediately.  And Hope saw him.  She asked who that man was and clung to me, a bit shy.”

“That’s funny because just at that moment, I was thinking of Momma and Poppa, how much they would have enjoyed seeing Hope and Tommy.  Maybe they do.  I like to think that they’re nearby.” Annik said.

****

At 
Pandora’s
, the great ballroom had been set up with cloth covered chairs, audience style.  The small stage was decorated with an array of colorful ribbons, balloons and white rose petals.  On one side of the room, near the French doors to the solarium, a trio of musicians played chamber music softly.

Tom and Annik greeted the guests and took turns showing the people to their seats.  When the sixty guests were seated, a minister wearing a white robe entered the ballroom and walked to the stage.  When she had settled herself in front of the microphone, she asked everyone to stand and welcome the two people being joined in marriage that day.

The audience rose and looked expectantly at the doorway.  In a few seconds the Major wearing a dark green blazer over a white shirt and the tartan kilt of his family clan appeared.  At his side was Roy, the Major’s partner of many years.  Roy wore a navy blue sports jacket with taupe colored trousers. Both men wore matching red roses in their lapels.  They smiled at each other and proceeded to slowly walk to the stage, without touching.

The Major and Roy stood on the floor while the Minister stood higher on the stage.

“We are gathered today to unite Donald James McQuaid and Robert Roy Jones in holy matrimony.  If anyone has cause to dispute this marriage, please rise now and say your piece.” The Minister scanned the faces in the audience.

“Do you both agree to love each other, care for each other in sickness and in health till death do you part?”

“I do.” The Major and Roy said in unison.

“Donald, you may now place the ring of your love upon Roy.  Please tell him what this means to you.” The Minister said.

“I Donald, place this ring upon your finger Roy, as a symbol of my love and devotion to you.  You are my life partner, to walk at my side, supporting and cherishing each other.” The Major gazed intently into Roy’s brown eyes.

Roy then placed a ring upon the Major’s finger and recited the same words to the Major.

“I now pronounce you to be married in the sight of God and society.  Go forth. Live and let Love guide you.” The Minister pronounced.

Roy and the Major kissed each other and then arm in arm, walked down the aisle between the rows of chairs. People in the audience yelled congratulations and best wishes as they threw rose petals.

“What the Minister said was beautiful. Live and Let Love guide you. We should have that inscribed over the doorway into 
Pandora’s
.” Annik looked at Tom as they left their seats and stood in line to offer best wishes to the happy couple.

“How about just Live and Let Love.”

THE END

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