In Search of the Past (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #2) (32 page)

The trees, gates and fences were trimmed in blue, white and silver ribbons. It was a beautiful sight from the air as the plane came in for a landing.  Stacey and Shane drove the SUV’s to pick up his family on the tarmac.  The uncles didn’t stay long as they had to take off again, right away. Daniel and David, both shook hands with Shane, kissed Stacey and told her, “We’ll see ya’ll tomorrow, sugar baby.”

“Who are those gentlemen?” Shane’s mother asked as she saw them kiss Stacey and shake hands with Shane. “They’re my uncles,” Stacey said.

“Are they airline pilots, dear?” she asked.

“I’ll explain it to you Mother, on the ride to the ranch,” Shane said.

“Is it far, darling?” Elizabeth asked.

“It’s just across the road, Mother,” Shane said.

Stacey and Shane split the passengers in the two SUV’s. Elizabeth McLeod couldn’t believe her eyes, as they drove down the driveway leading to the ranch house. Beautiful flower gardens surrounded the two story ranch house.

Sam and Jessie met them out front and escorted them across the red bridge that crossed the red, yellow, orange and gold Koi fish pond-river. The house was a revelation and different from anything they had imagined. Sam and Jessie were warm and hospitable, the house was cool and inviting. There were accommodations for all their guests. Elizabeth could not imagine trying to house and feed this many people. Andrew too, was taken aback. Neither had he expected anything this impressive. They were offered food and drinks. When Andrew had a chance, he said, “Elizabeth, do you see now what a mistake it would have been, to offer to have paid their way to Scotland, to have the wedding there. Just look at this place.”

Of course, Sam had to take anybody that would go, to see his prize horses. Harlan was there too, to proudly show the horses and their special aptitudes.

Stacey was taking care of Grandmother McLeod and Mrs. Beebe as well as Andrea and little Ryan. Phillip was off to the barn with Stacey’s dad and the other male guest. They were all introduced to Harlan and Jake. Eric came by to say hello and have supper. He said he’d be back on Saturday.

“We’re very informal around here,” Jessie told everyone. “The kitchen is always open. Don’t wait to ask if you want something just come look for it. There’s usually someone in here or close around.  Would you like to see the barn where the ceremony is gonna’ be held?” Jessie asked Elizabeth.

“Yes I would, very much,” Elizabeth said. 

Letty and Elizabeth walked to the barn with Jessie.  It was a huge white barn. The caterers had done their job well. White and silver chairs were all a lined and flowers were being delivered as they watched.

“I wanted to talk to you about all this at Annie and Hugh’s wedding, but we just didn’t have time. We had to be in Spain, there were people there interested in buying our horses, so we had to move fast. Anyway, if circumstances had been reversed, I would’ve been overly concerned if someone had told me my only child was being married in a barn. I asked Stacey, did she explain to you about the barn?  She said no, but she gave Shane pictures to show you.”

“I did ask Shane about the barn,” Elizabeth admitted, “however, all he would say was, from the photo it looks like a nice barn, Mother.” 

“Well he’s a man, and men don’t get caught up in the particulars,” Jessie said. “I’m sure Shane is a wonderful man and I know he loves my daughter.”

“You know we all admired Stacey when we first met her. We were very pleased when Shane told us they were getting married,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth was relieved, she now saw how elegantly the barn was decorated. She no longer had qualms about the wedding and perhaps she had been wrong about Jessica Scott as well.

The house was full of people, and the young people from Canada and Australia, fit right in with the Texas young people. They spent most of their time in the swimming pool and the basement game room.

Stacey and Shane hardly had a chance to see each other, but when they had a little time alone, they walked in the orchard holding hands. Shane said, “Stacey, why didn’t you tell me that your uncles owned a private jet?”

Stacey glanced at him with a frown, and said, “I don’t know, I guess I never thought about. It’s part of their work, they’re oil field firefighters, I’m sure I told you that. They have worked hard to make their company successful. They need to get where they’re going in a hurry. Why, what difference does it make?”

“It doesn’t make any differences, sweetheart. And yes, you did tell me that, I pictured things differently in my mind.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, to start with, I never imagined all this,” Shane said as he gestured toward the ranch house and its surroundings.

“I told you I lived in a big ole’ ranch house,” Stacey said, defensively.

“Yes, sweetheart, I know you did, however, I thought you were...you know...under privileged.”

Stacey stopped walking and said, “Under privileged? You mean you thought I was dirt poor and you married me anyway.” Stacey hugged Shane and said, “You’re a good man Shane McLeod, and you’re half-right. We’re okay, but not rich. We live on a budget, that’s part of the reason I work for spending money.”

“What is the other reason?” Shane asked.

“Its fun,” Stacey said, and explained. “Both Mom and Dad work hard to make things work. Dad at the clinic and Mom teaches at the college. The ranch helps pay for some of it, but it still takes good management. That’s why Jake and Harlan are so important. We couldn’t make it without them. Moreover, when I said old, it wasn’t a figure of speech. This ranch house was built from parts of many older houses. My Dad’s grandfather was a contractor. He and his son, Dad’s uncle Bryan, built this house for Mom and Dad from many spare parts of other houses. His grandfather believed a house was a living thing as long as people lived in all parts of it. That along with love, made a house a home.”

Shane smiled at Stacey and said, “I like your great-grandfather’s way of thinking. I know he has passed on, but is his son still alive?”

“Yes, he is, they’ll be here for the wedding. You’ll get to meet him then,” Stacey said.

Stacey spent as much time as she could with Grandmother McLeod. Saturday morning around ten a.m. the Houston families arrived. Stacey and Shane could hardly wait for the two Jacquelyn’s to meet. Everyone, now knew the mitochondrial DNA, was a match. Of course, by now they both knew about the other, but still Stacey was excited.

When they entered the house, Gram headed straight to Grandmother McLeod.  She said, “Hello my dear cousin. Isn’t it amazing what fate had in store for us?” 

“Yes, very much so,” Grandmother McLeod said. “If these two darling children had never met, we would’ve been lost to one another. Now tomorrow our families will be united once again.”

The Houston family was introduced to Sir Richard. He was welcomed right into the family along with everyone else. This was not a stand off family. The family noticed, Aunt Lora and Sir Richard seemed to gravitate towards one another.  The wedding was schedule for two p.m. The Scotts came over on Thursday for Brandon to be in the rehearsal and to meet Shane and his friends from England. Now they were looking forward to meeting Shane’s family. Of course, they knew about the DNA, connection and were anxious to meet everyone.

The guests were starting to arrive. Stacey’s male cousins, along with Tony and Rich were ushers.  Annie is matron of honor, and Stacey’s female cousins and Katie are bridesmaids. 

Brandon is the ring bearer and Hugh is Shane’s best man.

Finally, the time had come for which Shane and Stacey had been waiting. The guests have arrived and the barn was over flowing.  Eric and his band were playing soft music as Annie and Brandon walk down the blue carpet, closely followed by the Bridesmaids.

While Stacey and her dad were waiting for the ceremony to start. He put his arms around her, kissed her cheek and said, “I love you baby girl and we’re gonna’ miss you.”

“I’m gonna’ miss you too Dad, but we’ll be back for a visit before you know it.”

Sam smiled at his daughter and said, “Seeing you in this dress, brings back memories of another wedding. I was so damn scared my knees were knocking, but at the same time I wanted to grab your mother and run away with her. A’ course, the only way I could get away with that was to stand up like a man, and go through with the ceremony.”

Stacey kissed her dad’s cheek, and laughingly said, “Well, Dad, I’m so glad you went through with the marriage ceremony, I would have been a little hellion if I had been labeled illegitimate.”

Doctor Sam Scott hugged his daughter, chortling and said,  “Sweetheart, if you had been more of a little hellion than you were, we might have all been run out of Texas.” Sam kissed Stacey’s cheek again and seriously said, “I have always loved you my sweetheart, audaciousness and all.”

“Thank you Dad, I’ve always loved you too. Now, let’s go get me married before Shane gets cold feet,” Stacey said as they heard the Wedding March start. Anticipation was high, when the band struck up, ‘Here comes the bride.’ Down the aisle came Stacey on her fathers arm. Her dress was white satin, fitted bodice, sleeveless with seed pearls around the top. Her jewelry was tiny pearl earrings, fresh water pearl and diamond necklace with bracelet to match.  Shane gave the pearls to Stacey on Friday night. One of the few times, they were able to be alone for a few minutes. Stacey told him how beautiful they were and said, “I will have to thank you properly later.” 

“In the usual way, I hope,” Shane said, with a sly grin.

As they walked down the aisle, everyone watched. Stacey only had eyes for Shane.

Shane was watching her come towards him. His chest was tight with anticipation. He didn’t care they were being married in a barn, with Stacey in a borrowed dress. It couldn’t have been more beautiful. Now everyone would be happy and he and Stacey could finally live their lives.

Brandon was standing in front of Shane. His head came a few inches above Shane’s knees. He was still there when Stacey’s dad released her to Shane. The ceremony started and things went well until the minister asked, “Do you Shane take Stacey to be...“S- he do,” Brandon said. He told the minister three more times, “S- he do.” The last time, Shane said, “I do,” with him. Shane was smiling at Stacey, as Brandon was very serious about getting the ceremony over with.

Now it was Stacey’s turn. Brandon left Shane to come stand beside Stacey and hold her hand.  Both his dad and mom tried to get Brandon’s attention, but he wasn’t budging. From past experience, they knew it was better to leave him alone than to force the issue. While Stacey was saying her vows, Brandon was holding her hand. In his other hand was the little pillow with the pouch for the ring box.  Of course, the matron of honor had the ring for the groom.

When asked, do you Stacey take Shane to be... Brandon said, “S-her do.” The second time he said it real loud, “I tels ou, S-her do.” The guests started laughing. Now it’s time for the ring ceremony. Shane said his vows and put the wedding ring on Stacey’s finger. Stacey said her vows and turned to Annie,  “I don’t have it, don’t you have it?” Annie said in desperation.

“No, I thought you had it,” Stacey said.

Stacey knelt by Brandon and asked, “Sugar baby, do you have my ring?”

“I dun’t has ur wing, I has Sanes wing.”

“May I have it please?” Stacey asked.

“No, it not urs,” he said. “It Sanes.”

Shane thought this all very humorous. He knelt down on one knee and asked Brandon, “Will you put my ring on my finger for me please?”  Brandon took the ring from the pouch, no box, and put the ring on Shane’s finger and said, “I be nice, I do”

Shane picked him up and they both kissed Stacey and the three of them walked out of the barn together. 

“Ar we marrwed now?” Brandon asked.

“Yes, we’re both married to her now, but I’m taking her on the honeymoon,” Shane said, chortling.

“Okay, I has go fin my mommy, cause I has to pee, pee,” Brandon said.

Stacey was laughing and said, “That’s why he was in such a hurry to get us married.”

In no time at all the barn was rearranged with table and chairs put to the side and the dance floor ready.  Stacey and Shane danced first, then Stacey danced with her dad, both of her granddads and Andrew McLeod.  The barbeque was ready, so Stacey went to change her dress. She put on the dress Grandmother McLeod gave her to be married in before in Scotland.  The reception was ready and more people had arrived. Stacey kissed both of her grandmothers and Grandmother McLeod on her way to change her dress. When Grandmother McLeod, saw the dress that Stacey put on, she smiled and wiped a tear away.

“This was a marriage to remember,” Shane said. “Where’s little Brandon?”

“He’s taking a nap,” Stacey said. “Getting us married tired him out.”  Stacey looked around at the guest, then told Shane, “Take your morning coat off and roll up your sleeves. It’s hot, and if your family see you do it, they will too.” Most of the young people were in the pool by now.

Stacey and Shane had cut the beautiful wedding cake, that Su Ling and Mr. Chen had made. The photographer had taken pictures of the unusual wedding and ceremony. Time flew by, the uncle’s flight was due to leave at nine p.m. in order for Stacey and Shane to catch their flight to Rome for a seven day honeymoon cruise of the Mediterranean.  Nigel, Megan, Hugh and Annie were on their way home on a later flight out of Houston. Sir Richard had decided he wanted to see more of Texas and Houston.  He had canceled his reservations to a later date.

Stacey and Shane were hugging their parents, grandparents and everyone else goodbye, when one of her uncles said, “No long goodbyes, we gotta go.”  

Before long they were on their way.  Paul, Suzanne, Lynn and Melissa flew back to Houston with them. Paul and Suzanne had left the twin babies with Paul’s mother. They needed to get back to them, as they were just born in April.

Shane and Stacey said, goodbye, to their friends at the airport in Houston. The plane ride had given them time to visit and kind of settle down some from all the excitement.  They told their friends, “We’ll see you all in London in a week or so.”  The Rome flight left an hour before the London flight did.