Carlee attacked bo
xes and put things away, setting up their home together, and she loved it all. Matthew and Michael watched U.S. football on TV, but were ready to lift, move, unroll, and hang things they had purchased whenever she was ready. It was coming together nicely.
Finally, Matthew made the sound of a loud steam whistle; “Quitting time! I’m feeling a cold beer coming on. Ladies…?”
“
Well, before we decide, what are we eating?” Carlee asked.
“
Ladies and gentlemen,” Matthew said in an announcer’s voice, wrapping his arms around her in a hug, “we have breaking news; Carlee Oliver-Stevens is starving!” and they all laughed.
“
Whatever,” she replied sarcastically, and then joined in the laughter.
“
What are you hungry for my dear?” Matthew asked.
“
I don’t know if what I’m hungry for is an option. I’m craving some fried chicken.”
Deborah
told her, “There’s a place called Perfect Fried Chicken just around the corner, and it is pretty ‘perfect’,” she laughed.
While the guys were gone to get the food, Deborah and Carlee continued tidying up. Michael told her about Carlee, so Deborah knew some of her story, but as she helped, she wondered. Carlee had set some pictures on a table and Deborah picked one up.
“
My mama,” Carlee said, walking to where Deborah stood. “That was right before she got sick. I was three in that picture.” It was the picture of Beth and Carlee in the garden filled with daisies. Deborah recognized it from Matthew’s book. Carlee picked up another one; “This is my dad; he died when I was fifteen. Deborah picked up the one Matthew had taken of Carlee and Andy, “Papa… I’ve been with him ever since.”
Deborah put her arm around Carlee and squeezed her.
The guys returned with the chicken
, and Matthew got beers for him and Michael. “OK, ladies, what’ll it be?”
“
Muscato, chillin’ in the fridge for me, Deborah?” Carlee replied.
“
Sounds good! Yes! Carlee, my friends call me Deb.”
“Muscato, chillin’ in the fridge for Deb and me!” Carlee announced.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE ~ THE Icing on the Cake
On Su
nday, Matthew and Carlee continued what she referred to as ‘nesting.’ They’d unpacked most of the boxes, and everything found a ‘home.’ She put a roast, potatoes and carrots in the crock-pot. Later, Matthew watched soccer while Carlee puttered around, but he mostly watched Carlee. Walking around from room to room, Matthew watched his ‘domestic goddess,’ and smiled.
Finally, feeling like she
’d done all she could at that point, she dropped on the sofa beside Matthew. She pulled out the iPad and started reviewing ‘The Big List.’ The dinner reception planned, Cook had taken over and she knew it was in good care. White’s had the taken care of the cake, again under Cook’s watchful eye, so she moved to the next item. She had her dress picked out for the dinner. Matthew would pick up his suit for the evening, and the one he would wear for the wedding, on his way home Monday.
She and Andy decided that he would sing
“Won’t You” at the dinner on Friday; he “might not be as emotional then,” he’d told her. She would be staying with him on Friday night, just the two of them.
The hotel provided a room for Carlee, Jenna and Marissa to use to dress in
on Saturday morning. Her dress was already in their care. She had her bag packed with the other items she needed and had gone over that list a dozen times to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything. The wedding night bag-packing was in process.
The table flowers would be
on delivered Friday for the dinner and stored overnight for the breakfast. The hotel had the table linens and burgundy tulle decorative bows for the chairs. The bouquets would arrive early Saturday morning for the ceremony at ten. The ceremony would be held in the Clendenin Room. The Cummins and Harker rooms would be opened together for the dinner and breakfast receptions.
White
’s gift to Matthew and Carlee was a luxury suite for the wedding night. Dan Patrick was taking pictures at the dinner reception, as well as before, and during the wedding ceremony. Satisfied that it was all under control, she closed the tablet and snuggled into Matthew’s arms.
Matthew was working through Wednesday at the University. The rest of the week was spring holiday.
Monday morning
, as Matthew readied to go to work, he asked Carlee, “Do you want to take me and keep the car?”
“
Nope; I have plenty here to keep me busy, plus I just got a text that the shipping company will be making a delivery today. More boxes! And in the middle of all of this I have a psych paper due when I get back. I have it all - just gotta get it typed.”
“
Deb doesn’t work today,” he said. “Want me to call and ask her to join you?”
“
I’m good. I know you don’t like me being here by myself, but I’ll be fine. I have her phone number if I change my mind. Go to work, man!” She put her arms around him and moved into his arms for a kiss.
“
OK, woman, I’ll call you during breaks,” he said, “Just because I love you.” He kissed her and left.
She put chicken and the ingredients for cacciatore in the crock-pot and busied herself typing her paper. An hour later, the buzzer indicated someone was downstairs. She liked that the small video security camera Andy had installed by the front door allowed her to see that it was the delivery-men downstairs. She told the men how to get to the flat and sent Matthew a text.
She opened the door and
each of them had a cart with two large boxes; she ushered them in and her phone rang; it was Matthew. “Just talk to me while they’re there,” he told her.
They told her
there were several more on the truck and left to go get them. After the boxes were in and the door locked, Matthew said. “I just didn’t like the idea of you being alone when they were there.”
“I love you, Matthew Davis!”
Matthew would return around
two that afternoon, so Carlee finished typing her paper, and then got busy tearing into the boxes. Three of them contained items they’d ordered from IKEA. Two boxes were from Andy; one contained her clothes and things she wanted sent from her room. The other one contained Beth’s china and crystal. She pushed that one aside for Matthew to help move to the other room until they had a place to put them. She knew she would have to have his help with the larger box. The last box was from Geni; she decided to wait for Matthew to go through it. Before she knew it, he was coming in the door.
“
Oh man, do I love seeing that!” he said when he entered, loving the vision of Carlee at the table. He went to the bedroom to hang his suits. As he returned, he smiled, looking around at all the boxes, and the things she’d already unpacked.
He pulled her from the chair and into his arms
for a kiss. “What is all of this?” he asked.
“
Some of the stuff we ordered, and a lot of love from home,” she said and smiled.
“
Let’s have a look.”
“
Those bags are some of my clothes. That box is mama’s china and crystal from when she married my dad. We don’t really have a place for it right now, so we can stash the box in the other bedroom until we do,” Carlee suggested.
But Matthew had a plan.
“This one’s from your mom.”
“
Well let’s tear into that stuff!” They did and found all new kitchen gadgets.
“
What’s this one?” Matthew said going to the larger box.
“
I didn’t want to try to open it - too big, and the ‘fragile’ stickers all over it intimidated me,” she laughed. “It’s from Papa, that’s all I know.”
Matthew got scissors and they started cutting and pulling the box and packing material away. Carlee let out a gasp and started to cry when she realized what it was, pulling harder to get the packing materials off.
It was the old framed quilt. “Oh Matthew, this is so special. He’s had this in his office at the studio since Mama died. I love this! I love that he is sharing it with us,” she said, still crying. “I know exactly where I would like this to go. Can I show you?”
She went to their bedroom,
“That wall,” she said pointing, “and then we will move the bed under it.
‘When you sleep under a quilt, you sleep under a blanket of love’,”
she quoted.
“
I love that idea. Let’s go get the hardware to hang it.” He marked where she wanted it, estimated the weight, and they went out. But there was an important stop to make on the way. “I want to show you something,” he said. There was an antique store around the corner. He parked and came around the car to take her hand.
“
I knew the china and crystal were coming; Andy told me. I stopped in here one day, and I saw something I want to show you. The owner of the shop is the mother of one of my students.”
They went inside and he introduced
her. “Hi Cindy, she’s finally here! This is Carlee.”
“
It’s very nice to meet you,” Carlee replied. “Wow, you have some great pieces here. Nanny has some old items like these. They belonged to Pops’ family. I love them.” She was immediately drawn to a large cabinet close by.
“
Wow!” she said again. “This piece is gorgeous. It looks really old, but like it could fit in anywhere. It’s very beautiful,” she said as she ran her hands over the dark wood, noticed the curve of the top of it, and started opening doors. The bottom had two doors and shelves inside. The top piece had glass doors with ornate metal filigree over the glass. She saw the ‘SOLD’ tag and said; “Someone is very lucky.”
She closed up and turned around.
“Sorry,” she giggled, “I got distracted. What did you want to show me?” Matthew and Cindy both laughed; “What?” Carlee asked.
“
Well, you know her pretty well,” Cindy said to Matthew. “Shall I get the truck?” And again they shared a laugh.
“
What?” Carlee asked again, clearly confused.
“
Yes, get the truck,” Matthew said. “We’ll be back at the flat in about an hour. Thanks Cindy!” He took Carlee’s hand and started for the door.
“
Wait, what?”
“
My wedding gift to you,” he said. “I stopped in the other day to look and saw it. I was pretty sure that I knew you’d love it, so I paid for it, but I wasn’t sure enough to have it carted up three flights to the flat.” She threw her arms around his neck and Cindy smiled at the exchange.
They picked up the hardware they needed and rushed back to the flat. Carlee looked around, and decided exactly where the cabinet needed to go, while Matthew got things ready to hang the quilt.
The cabinet in place
, and the quilt hung, they moved the bed in place. Matthew poured wine as Carlee made a salad and cooked pasta to go with the chicken. While the water boiled, she went to Matthew and sat on his lap. “Five days,” she said and kissed him. “In five more days you’ll be a married man…”
“
I can’t wait, Carlee,” he told her, nuzzling her neck as she curled closer to him. “I’m already past that point, though.”
“
What do you mean?” she asked leaning back to look at him, running her fingers playfully through his hair.
“
I’m already counting the days until May 9
th
when you’ll be headed this way for good.”
The timer went off
; she kissed him and got up to finish preparing their dinner. Matthew set the table and topped off the glasses of wine. Carlee dished up the chicken and pasta.
It was late, and after dinner they cleaned up the kitchen and got ready to turn in for the night. Carlee was already in the bed when Matthew came out of the bathroom. He crawled in bed, and when he did she scooted closer.
“
Good grief, woman,” he laughed, as she scooted her naked body against him.
“
If you don’t want to, it’s OK,” she said and rolled away.
“
Wait,” he said, pulling her back, his hands roaming, caressing bare skin. “That’s not what I said. You surprised me. I thought there were ‘rules’ or something, you know, before the wedding,” he laughed.
“
Only one rule, Matthew,” she said looking into his eyes. “Love me forever…”
~ ~ ~
Andy arrived at three on Tuesday afternoon. Matthew was there to pick him up at the airport after his class and brought him to the flat. Carlee had lovingly washed each piece of china and crystal and put them away in the cabinet. She couldn’t wait for Andy to get there, to see the life she was building with Matthew. She had the second bedroom ready. She knew he’d booked the suite at White’s, but hoped he would stay there with them that night. She prepared a meal for them and had everything ready to heat up when they arrived.
She heard them outside and ran to the door, jerking it open.
“Papa!” she yelled and threw herself into his arms. He gave her a big hug, kissing her cheek, not wanting to let her go.
“
I’m so glad you’re here! Wait ‘til you see everything we’ve done!” She had his hand pulling him around the flat. He smiled at her excitement, surprised at all that they had accomplished.
“
Wow, you guys,” he said, “everything looks great!”
“
Wow Carlee!” Matthew said. “She’s the conductor. I’m just a player in her orchestra,” he said and they all laughed.
Matthew went to change. Andy sat on the sofa, and Carlee cuddled up beside him. “Thank you for the quilt, Papa. It’s so special, and I love that you shared it with us.”
“
I love that it made you happy. I have something else I want to share with you, as well.” He went to his bag and pulled put a small package wrapped in bubble-wrap.
Carlee tore into it and found the crystal
songbird that had been her mama’s. She knew the story; it was the first Christmas gift he’d given her. And she knew that it was a treasure. “Papa, this is a lovely surprise. Thank you, I love it.”
“I love you, right back,” he said squeezing her in a hug.
Matthew returned and poured them all a glass of Andy’s favorite Chenin Blanc.
“
Do you have everything in place for Friday and Saturday?” he asked as he put his arm around her and pulled her close.
“
Yep,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re here. Will you stay tonight? I made the bed, hoping that you would. We can take Matthew to work in the morning and then do whatever you want. I’d like for you to stay here tonight.”
“
I’ll call White’s,” he said, and she smiled.
The next morning, they had coffee and took Matthew to the University. Carlee and Andy went to White’s. Kimmy and Lane, Jenna and Maxx, along with Marissa and Geni arrived around two that afternoon. White’s had a driver meet them and bring them to the hotel. Matthew met them there. They had reservations for dinner at Six.