Once Within A Lifetime (29 page)

“
It sounds like you have everything well in hand, then,” replied her dad. “That is great, we will talk to Esther about the reception. Sheila made a very good point about having to do late cleanup in the house and I agree with that. That is where the reception outside will be a good idea. I am sure Esther will also once you explain it to her. Don’t worry about a thing, we will make all the plans and arrangements and take care of everything. This is your wedding and you do not need to get involved in any more of the details, you have done all you need to do. Your part now is getting married.”

“
Sounds good to us, and we are ready,” replied Todd. “Seems that all is taken care of at this time.”

“
All except looking at the room for the guests. Let’s go do that right now.”

They
went upstairs to the guest room. Her mother opened the door into a large room and she felt certain it would be plenty of room for a couple, and if there were children, they could make provisions for them as well. 

“
Looks great,” exclaimed Todd. “Now all we have to do is decide on who will be here. But it will work out just fine. We appreciate all your help.”

They
went back downstairs and Sheila checked on dinner. Clarissa, the cook, told her it would be done in about a half hour, and if she would like, she could bring drinks into the living room for them while they were waiting.

“
Oh, no, Clarissa, please do not bother. I will have Lincoln do it. He will enjoy it. You can notify us when it is time to come into the dining room.”

She
went back to tell the others and her husband got up to mix the drinks. He asked what they wanted and went into the dining room and fixed them.

“
It is a hot day; how about an ice cold gin and tonic? That would be truly refreshing. Is that agreeable to everyone?”

As
he returned with the tray, Todd rose and took it from him to pass around providing each with a drink.

“
You have a lovely home here,” Todd remarked as he sat beside Triessa with his drink in hand. “Homes here are very different from ours in Europe. Over there they seem to be more on a formal style. I am looking forward to spending more time with you all here after the honeymoon when we can do things on a more relaxed basis.”

“
So are we,” replied Sheila. “We can plan some good times and get much better acquainted. We are really happy about the whole idea, aren’t we, Lincoln?”

“
We certainly are, let’s drink to that.”

They
raised their glasses in the air and then each took a sip.

Clarissa
brought the first course to the dining room table, so they all got up and went in to get seated. The men assisted the ladies, then seated themselves. They talked as they ate and soon dinner was over.

“
Let’s go into the living room to have our dessert and coffee there.” suggested Sheila.

They
nodded in agreement and moved into the living room.

After
dessert was finished, they sat and talked a while longer, then Triessa told Todd she thought they should go back to the house and get some rest. Tomorrow they’d do other things, maybe take a tour of the countryside.

When
they got home they sat in the living room a while because they were expecting a call from Matt and Chantelle regarding their arrival. Shortly they called and discussed the situation about the best man, and he suggested that they use Reese and Dirje. It would be fine with him. He could be nearby just the same. He told them he and Chantelle would arrive on Tuesday just before noon. Dirje and Cord would be coming with them on the same flight.

“
That will be great,” replied Todd. “You can all be here at the same time and we can meet you at the airport. We can work out housing arrangements when you get here.”

They
got a call on Friday and his folks still planned to come on schedule. It is a long flight and she would need to get a lot of rest once she arrived. After they hung up, they decided they would like to have some tea before going to bed. Triessa went into the kitchen to make tea, and after she left, the phone rang. Todd answered. It was Spencer. They talked a few minutes. Then Spencer told him they may have to change their plans for arrival. Esther was not feeling well and did not know yet what was going on, but he told him they would call back tomorrow and let him know.

He
went into the kitchen where Triessa had gone to make some tea to tell the news to her. 

“
Oh, no,” she cried, “I hope she will be all right. This could change our plans, depending on the situation, and it is getting so close. What is wrong with her? Will she be all right? What will we do?” She began to cry. Her nerves were so on edge these days.

They
went back to the living room to have their tea. Soon they decided to call it a night and Todd kissed her goodnight and went to the cottage. Triessa was a little upset about the situation and decided to wait a few minutes before going to bed. She went to her office to sit and look at the plans they would gone over during the morning to see what would happen if plans needed to be changed. But soon she went to her room and got ready for bed.

When she awoke the next morning, she lay there a while wondering how things were going. She was very concerned about what would happen now. When she got down stairs, Todd was already having coffee on the patio. She went out and joined him.

“
How are you, dear? Did you have trouble sleeping? I know you are very concerned but let’s not get too upset until we get a call from them.”

“
I will try to relax. Tomorrow is Friday and we will soon be going to pick them up, if they can keep their schedule at the same time.”

They
had breakfast and were sitting on the patio to be near when the phone rang. It was difficult to relax so he looked at her and suggested, “Why don’t I call them? Then we can plan to do something.”

“
That is an excellent idea.”

“
Good, I will call them and be right back.”

He
soon returned and said she still was not feeling too well but if things did not get worse they could still leave on schedule.

“
We will check again tonight or tomorrow.”

“
Fine, that sounds good. What can we do today?”

“
Well, let’s go out to the garden and look around. Would that relax you?”

“
I believe it would, let’s go.”

The
weekend quickly arrived and it was time to go pick up Todd’s parents.

“
They will be having dinner here this evening,” said Triessa. “Let’s ask my folks to come over tomorrow if they have not already made plans to do so. Maybe we could have Reese and Deanna over together. He had been working with Dad on the garden but she has not been over that often.”

They
got ready to leave for the airport and knew that her car would not be large enough. They went by her dad’s place to use his. It would give them plenty room for all of them to sit and room for the luggage in the trunk.

They
arrived at the airport at about the time his parents’ flight arrived. Esther was feeling quite tired and wobbly by now.
Maybe this was not
such a good idea, after all
, she was thinking. They were happy to see each other again. Todd and Spencer loaded the luggage, Triessa helped Esther into the car and Spencer got in beside her. Todd helped Triessa in and then he got in to drive back to the house. They drove up front and got out. The men carried the luggage inside and upstairs. The ladies followed and Triessa told them they could freshen up and asked how Esther was feeling.

“
Maybe you should rest for a while and see how you feel later. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”

“
No, I do not think I had better right now. I just want to lie down for a while. I am not feeling well at all right now. Spencer, please help me up to our room, dear.”

“
Of course, my dear. Just lean on me and walk slowly.”

Spencer
soon returned, and told Todd that Esther was resting and may plan to stay there for the rest of the day and night. They had time to relax a few minutes before dinner so they sat in the living room and Todd asked his dad if he had any idea what was wrong with his mother.

“
Has she had any health problems recently? Do you think we had better have her checked out by a doctor?”

“
No, she has been fine; this is a surprise to both of us. We have no idea what it is, and if she feels fine tonight, we will see about having her checked out tomorrow. I will go up to see if she thinks she will feel like coming down to eat anything. I really doubt it. Be right back.”

When
he got up to the room she was asleep but he spoke to her. She told him she really did not think it would be a good idea to try to eat and asked if he could help her get ready and into bed. So after he got her into bed he told her he would go downstairs to eat with Todd and Triessa but would return soon to keep her company. He kissed her and left the room.

Nancy
came in with news that dinner was ready and Todd told her he was waiting for his dad and that his mother was not feeling well and was resting. Spencer arrived and told Todd his mother had decided to go to bed. He would eat and then go back up to be with her. Todd told Nancy and she brought in the food. Todd helped seat Triessa while Spencer sat opposite them. As they ate Spencer asked him how things were going in the Rose Garden.

“
What has been done and how are plans coming? Your mother was so afraid she would mess things up, and after our previous trip here, she did not want to have a repeat performance.”

“
It is all finished,” said Triessa, “Except for setting up the net over the top on the morning of the wedding and a few last minute details. There are plans to do it early. It will be light enough after dinner to go check it, if you would like. Please tell Esther not to worry. The past is all behind us and we need to look ahead and carry on. Truly we can understand. Would you like to see the garden before you go upstairs with Esther?”

“
I would love to,” replied Spencer, “But I had better go up and stay with her. I told her I would be right back after I ate with you two.”

“
I think that is a good idea as well,” agreed Triessa. “I do hope she will feel much better. Maybe the trip was a little too much for her right now. We will see what tomorrow brings but don't be afraid to speak to me in the night if you need anything. I will leave my door open.”

“
Thank you, but I think she will be all right with some rest. Please excuse me. I will go back up to be with her now. We will both feel better being together. I don’t want any dessert.”

“
Alright, Dad, please let us know if you need help at any time. We want to make her as comfortable as possible. Good night, rest well, and sleep as long as you need.”

“
Thank you both so much. I will see you tomorrow.”

In
the morning Todd rose early to go up to see how his mother was. His dad came down and said she seemed to be a little better but would stay in bed a while until she felt sure she was recovered.

Triessa
arrived on the scene and asked what she could do.

“
Do you think it would be all right if I go and talk with her a minute?”

“
Yes,” replied Spencer, “I think that would please her very much.”

She
went up and knocked lightly on the door. When she heard Esther answer she went inside to ask if she could get her anything.” 

“
I really cannot think of a thing. I don’t feel like eating anything right now. I will just stay here and rest as long as I feel I need to so I will be well for the big occasion. Maybe a little orange juice would help if you don’t mind.”

“
Of course, I would be delighted to get you some. Be right back.”

She
soon returned with a nice glass of cold orange juice and helped her sit up to drink it.

“
Yes, that really does help. I think I can rest some more now.”

“
That is fine. We will take Spencer out to the garden to show him what has been done.”

“
That would be nice. I know he will be eager to see it. Don’t worry about me, I am just tired. Thank you so much.”

Triessa
went back downstairs and told the men what had happened.

“
She just needs more rest now.”

She
asked Spencer if he would like to go see the garden.

“
Oh, yes, please, I would love to see it all,” he replied.

They
went to the Rose Garden and saw the arbor and gates which were very beautiful. Roses had been set in to grow up the arbor by the big day.