Once Within A Lifetime (32 page)

They
saw a large rock up ahead, walked toward it and sat down. She sat close to him while he put his arm around her and asked if she were warm enough, for the breeze was cool after the rain. She nodded that she was fine.

“
Does this area have a name?” he asked her. “It surely is beautiful.”

“
Yes, it is called Pleasant Point. Doesn’t the name fit well? We came here a lot when I was small. We made many sand castles here, but it was sad to watch the tide take them all away. My dad was good at sculpting beautiful edifices from his dreams and thoughts. We loved it so much. My mother helped him; we have always been a family that did everything together. Reese and I played together very well. We were about three years apart; I felt like I was taking care of him because he was younger and smaller.”

“
I am sure you had many wonderful times here, and we will have more, you and I and our family. Have you ever thought of having a family and what your desires are on it? I really haven not, although, I guess every man wants a son at some point. I never thought of any of these things prior to meeting you. I just went on doing what I had to do and did not even think there may be another world like this. Isn’t it amazing that you can seem to step out of one world into another so quickly just by circumstances. You cannot know it until it happens. It is a totally remarkable surprise.”

“
I had not really thought of a family that much either. Like you, I was just busy and it seemed like something in the distant future. I would really like to have a little girl to teach things to. Every woman does, I think. I would like to have a darling little boy as well; one who looks like his daddy and likes to do the things his daddy does. Beyond that, I do not know. It will be something we can think and talk about as time goes on. We will want to wait a while so we can spend time together and get to really know each other. Then when we have children we will be ready to give our time to them and have desires we wish to share with them. We will want the very best for them, yet we will have them learn good character traits as they go along. We will want them to be caring, responsible, and helpful.”

“
Yes, those are my feelings as well. We will not want to spoil them so they will not be able to appreciate things. Though I am sure it will not be easy or automatic. It will take commitment and planning. Oh, imagine it, having our own children to teach and carry on.”

“
I am getting a little hungry; how about you?” remarked Triessa. “It isn’t far to the restaurant. From there we can drive on over to a place where we can see more of the ocean and some islands. It is called Island View for obvious reasons.”

They
walked back, put on their shoes, got in the car and drove to the restaurant to have some lunch. It specialized in seafood and they decided to indulge and ordered a wonderful fish dinner.

“
No doubt, you will find it cooked differently here than where you come from. First of all, it may be a different kind of fish than you are used to having there. But I am sure you will love it.”

The
order came, and as they ate, he remarked, “Why, this is really delicious. I see what you mean, I have not had anything like this. I would like to have my folks try some of this. But I know we will be very busy and we may have to bring them here much later after we’re back and settled in.”

After
lunch they went outside they walked over to the edge of the field near the restaurant to look out over the water where they saw small boats sailing about in the gentle breezes. It reminded them of their ride in Todd’s boat. They looked at each other and smiled. He put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her to him. She leaned into his shoulder, snuggling close to him. The breezes were picking up and getting a little cool, as often happens in this area.

“
What do you say we go?” asked Todd.

“
Yes,” she said, “And I will drive you over to the other place I was telling you about. You can see miles and miles of ocean and islands in near the land. The coast is dotted with many islands.”

They
drove over and she parked on the edge near a cliff that looked out over the water. They sat there in the car and gazed at the beautiful expanse of water. The sun sparkled on the wave tops making them look like shimmering jewels on blue velvet. The boats were sailing around in and out among the islands.

“
One day we will take a boat ride out through the islands. It will be later, much later. But before summer is over.”

“
Well, dear,” she said, “I think we had better start back to the house. We have to plan on picking up Dirje and Matt and their families a little later. Tomorrow we will go get Phylicia. Then we will have two more days. Oh, I hope the time truly flies by, my darling. When we get back from our honeymoon life will not be so hectic here and we can do many more things. I cannot even imagine it at this point but look forward to it so much”

She
drove back and took him to see some more scenic areas, though they did not take time to stop now. They had to get back and get things ready. They soon reached home, drove up front, and got out of the car to go inside. His parents were in the living room and rose to meet them as they entered.

“
Oh, your faces look a little red,” replied Esther. “Guess the sun and wind were strong. I hope you have not burned with the wedding so close.”

“
I don’t really think so,” replied Triessa. “It will go away in a day or so. Did you have a good afternoon?”

“
Yes, dear, we did and even had a little nap. We were tired and it felt good to rest. This is more excitement than we are used to and such a different situation. It has been a while since the others were married. Todd was our last one to marry, as I guess you are in your family, right?”

“
Yes, that is right. I am sure my parents are glad for that. Though this has been a lot of fun. They are so happy for me and love Todd so much. This has been more hectic for me than my usual lifestyle, though I have loved every minute of it. I think I will go up and change now and get ready to pick up the others. See you in a little bit.”

She
went upstairs and into her bedroom. She laid on the bed for a few minutes and unexpectedly fell asleep. The release of tension and the sea air had taken a toll, and she was fast asleep in no time.

Meanwhile
Todd went to the cottage to change and returned. He sat in the living room and talked with his parents for some time, expecting Triessa to show up any minute.

When
she did not, he said to his mother, “I wonder if she is all right. She has been gone for some time. Would you mind going up to check on her, Mother?”

“
All right, dear, I will do that and I will be right back.”

She
went up and knocked gently on the door, but there was no answer.

Then
she knocked again and went inside. She looked and saw her asleep on the bed. She wondered about waking her when she stirred, looked up, and wondered what was going on.

Then
she remembered, jumped up and said, “Oh, I am so sorry. I did not mean to fall asleep. I will get changed and be right down.”

“
All right, dear, but it is good you rested a little. You were very tired I am sure. I will go back down and wait for you in the living room. Todd has changed and was concerned about you so he asked me to check.”

She
left to go downstairs.

Triessa
got up, took a shower to wake up, and put on one of the dresses she wore when she was with Todd before. He really liked it and she wanted to look nice when the others arrived. She came downstairs. The others were chatting and she went in and stood by Todd’s chair.

“
Sorry to be so long; I did not know I was tired enough to fall asleep when I lay down on my bed.”

“
Oh, that is fine, my dear,” replied Todd. “I am glad you did sleep. It will refresh you for the evening. I hope it does not disturb your night’s sleep. You can get to bed when we get back and catch up on your sleep. We have been really busy lately and it is different from the things we are used to. I can use a little extra rest myself.”

Nancy
had prepared a light snack for them to hold them over. The plane would not arrive until around seven o’clock this evening, and it was a long time to wait without a bite beforehand. They ate and got ready to go.

“
Let’s go by your dad’s first,” said Todd, “We do not have room enough in your car. We had better drive both cars in and have plenty of room.”

They
stopped at her parents’ house and got their car. They would have to leave one couple there for the night anyway.

“
Dad, why don’t you ride with me and Mom can ride with Triessa. We will be back soon,” he called to her folks as they left.

They
soon arrived at the airport and had to wait a few minutes, but soon the whole group came in. They hugged each other and went to get the luggage, then headed back, it would be late by the time they all got settled. They went to her parents’ home, made the rounds of introduction, and it was decided that Matt and his family would stay with her folks since they had the children with them and needed more room. Dirje and Cord would go and stay with Todd in the cottage.

“
Tomorrow we can come and get you and show you around Triessa’s place.” Todd told them. “It is dark now and it will not be the same. It will be late by the time we get home. We are very tired and need to relax; it’s been hectic lately. Mom has not been feeling well and we do not want to tire her out. We did not call you because it was not serious. She is fine now but needs rest.”

“
I can bring them over whenever they want to come,” suggested Lincoln, “And you won’t have to make a trip over here. They will need more room than your car has anyway.”

“
Oh, thanks, Dad; that would be really great,” replied Triessa and kissed him goodnight, then kissed her mother. They said goodnight and Todd and Triessa and the rest left to go back to her house. Tomorrow they would all get together and cover the area. Her mother got the guests settled after the others left so they could get some rest. She offered them something to eat but they had eaten on the plane and were all set.

Triessa,
Todd and the rest soon arrived at her place. He let his folks and Triessa out and then drove the car around to the cottage to help Dirje and Cord with their luggage. They decided they would stay at the cottage and go up to the house in the day so they could see everything. They were tired and needed to get some sleep.

“
That sounds fine,” Todd said, “I will go up to say goodnight and be back soon. If you are turned in when I get back, I will see you in the morning. Sleep well. Are you all set? Anything you need?”

They
nodded that they were all set, and he went out and up to the house to say goodnight.

He
arrived just as his folks were getting ready to go up to bed, so he said goodnight to them. He talked a while to Triessa and told her she would better get some rest because from now on, they would be quite busy right up to the time of the wedding. Wednesday they would go get Phylicia and Thursday was the time with the minister and the meeting afterward. It had been a very busy schedule. He held her and kissed her goodnight, then reluctantly, let her go and went back to the cottage.

“
Isn’t it just too, too marvelous, sweetheart!”

“
Oh, it is like a dream in some ways. I am tired tonight and eager to go to bed,” said Triessa. “I never realized how tiring it could be getting ready for such an exciting occasion. We have done a great deal in such a relatively short period of time. My life used to be very settled and quiet. I will see you in the morning, my darling. Goodnight, pleasant rest and dreams.”

“
You, too sweetheart, and do not worry about getting up too early. I can take care of everything until you get up. I need practice becoming the man of the house, right?”

She
nodded and began to climb the stairs to her bedroom. He went down to the cottage to get ready for bed himself. The others had already turned in and he was glad for he also was quite tired.

Everyone was pleased that Wednesday was a beautiful day. It would be great to see everything on such a gorgeous day. Since they had arrived in the dark, they did not see the beauty of the place. They were in for a treat. Todd woke up about eight o’clock, and since Dirje and Cord were not stirring, he took a shower so he could finish before they got up. The time zones were different for them and would take some adjusting. He finished and put on his robe to go into his bedroom and dress. When he came out, Dirje and Cord were up and ready for their showers. He told them that when they were ready, they could all come up to the house for coffee and breakfast. He dressed, and when he came out, Dirje was dressed. They waited for Cord, then went up to the house to get some coffee and to see if the rest were up yet. It was nine o’clock by now, so they were probably up and waiting.