Once Within A Lifetime (24 page)

“
We will have lunch very soon, then maybe you two would like to go out since your flight was delayed until tomorrow. You will feel much better as each step of the way unfolds. Please sit down and I will check on things so we can get started. We can sit here and talk while we are waiting. Tell us what we can do to help you.”

Todd
smiled, shrugged his shoulders and said, “We will surely get in touch with you as soon as we get back and see what’s going on there. We truly want you involved. We cannot say too much since we are not sure how things are back at the garden.”

His
sister came over, hugged him and whispered, “Is everything alright? We will come as soon as possible and will be in touch to let you know our plans when we know for sure.”

He
thanked her and said, “Yes, she is fine now.”

They
all went to the table. Lunch was being served, so they began to eat. Triessa seemed a little more calm. He felt a lot better about that.

They
sat around and talked. Triessa asked about their life and how they met. It was very interesting. After a small meal in the evening, they took a walk. It was so beautiful outside.

The
next day they would have an early lunch because the airport was not far away and they had to be there at noon. Dirje came over to say goodbye to them and to talk about the wedding. She told them they would let them know as soon as Cord could work things out to leave. They were glad to see her again before they left.

As
soon as they ate, he went up to make sure their luggage and packages were all in order. Triessa was getting fidgety to be on the way. She never dreamed she would be so nervous. His dad was planning to take them to the airport so they would not have to leave his car there for a long time.

“
That is just great. Dad, we truly appreciate it,” replied Todd. “Won’t you come along with us, Mother?”

“
I believe I shall,” she said.

She
went to get her purse and sweater. His dad was already bringing the car up to the door so he could load everything in it. Todd was carrying out the luggage and Triessa went out with his mother. He helped them into the car, first his mother and then Triessa.

They
reached the airport and got the luggage ready to be loaded on the plane.

“
Let’s take our packages on board with us and keep them safe. They are special cargo,” suggested Triessa.

They
hugged his parents and said goodbye, telling them that they were looking forward to their arrival and a really nice visit. They went up to the ticket area to get their boarding passes and were ushered onto the plane.  They waved goodbye at the door and his parents waved back. After they had boarded, his parents went back home. They looked forward to their call letting them know how things were going.

The plane got ready for take-off and she settled back in her seat, at last feeling a little relieved to be on the way to get everything ready for the big and wonderful day. He looked at her and knew she felt better so he relaxed beside her and reached for her hand to hold while they both sat still and quiet for some time. At last, they looked at each other, smiled and began to discuss more plans. They really could not plan too much until they got back to see how things were.

At
last, the descent began into the airport near her home. They soon were able to deplane and get ready to go home. Her dad was waiting for them and welcomed them warmly.

She
eagerly asked, “What has been done? What do we have to do? How are things going? Is everything on time? Oh, listen to me. I must calm down. I am truly sorry, Dad. I know you have been busy with plans as you said you would. I am so grateful you have been here to do it for us while we were gone.”

“
That is right, my dear,” her dad said. He gave her a big hug to make her feel much better. “You will just have to see things for yourself, but it will need to be tomorrow for it is too late and too dark to see it now. Please relax and take my word for it, things are going great.”

They
arrived at her home, took the luggage inside and placed it in the living room to take care of tomorrow. Her dad kissed her goodbye and went back home so he could rest and be able to come back to help more tomorrow. Todd told her he would stay a while with her and then go down to the cottage for the night.

She
looked at him and asked, “Why don’t you stay in the guest room your folks used when they were here? I will just feel better having you nearby. I know I will sleep better.”

“
If you wish, my sweet,” he said. He got the smaller bag which had his nightwear and toiletry items in it to take up to the room. “Would you like to have a cup of tea first to relax?” he asked her.

“
Yes, I think I would like that. Let’s go into the kitchen and see what there is to go with it.”

They
went in and found some goodies left there for them. He made the tea so they could have a little snack and then they both felt they should be off to bed. They would be up fairly early tomorrow to get to work. They had two and a half weeks left. They got up, she went up to her room and he went to the guest room. They were tired and turned in. They fell asleep right away.

The
next day was gorgeous and they were eager to be up and at the work once they awoke. They both showered, dressed, and came downstairs. Nancy had prepared their breakfast and left a freshly brewed pot of coffee on the buffet in the dining room. They got some and sat down to eat breakfast. She would normally go out to the patio but wanted to wait until after they ate to survey the progress. They quickly ate and got up to leave. The first place she wanted to go was the Rose Garden. As they came near she could see the decorations that had already been done. Her dad had put up arbors at each entrance as he had promised and they looked simply elegant. They formed an elegant arch with gates in them and looked very decorative. She could just see them with garlands wound around them. How beautiful they would look at the wedding.

She
looked at Todd and said, “You know, I think I will leave them up permanently. They are more beautiful than I had imagined and will add to the beauty of the garden. Don’t you agree?”

“
I definitely do, sweetheart; they are just lovely and fit in perfectly. It will add a special touch to it all on a continual basis.”

This
made her relax because she could see that things were moving right along. Todd was right. She really had no need to be concerned. They went inside, saw benches arranged at just the right places, and she could see where the tables would be set up.

“
This is great,” she exclaimed, “Just great.”

Soon
her dad and brother arrived and went into more detail with her about the rest of the layout for the garden. She was thrilled and knew it would all be just super. She asked what they could do to help and he told them that it was pretty well under control and suggested they go back to the house to see what else they could do there.

“
Your mother was planning to come over a little later. Maybe you could get your heads together, make plans and check on the guest list to see what has been done.”

“
Yes, and I want to tell her about my shopping spree. I so wish she could have been there. My dress is truly beautiful and I am very pleased with it. I know Todd will love it also when he sees it at the wedding, but not before. He wants it that way too.”

“
Your mother would have really liked to have been there, as well,” replied her dad, “But she knew she could not and is ready to help you get ready when the time comes. Remember, you found what pleases you. You had to do it your way.”

“
Todd’s parents are planning to come over early so we can get our heads together for the final plans and the reception. His mother feels it will be good to have the reception in the house. We will talk some more about this.”

She
and Todd went back to the house and sat on the patio a while to talk things over. She asked Nancy to bring them something to drink. She told her how good it was to see her again and to be back home. They went and sat down. She brought some cold lemonade for them. It looked nice and frosty in the tall, cool glasses. They thanked her and took a sip, nodding their heads in approval.

She
looked at him and asked, “What do you think we need to discuss now? The garden is coming along really well. I wonder if it would be less work and easier to keep the reception in the garden as well. Do you have any thoughts on that?”

“
Well, I don’t know. We need to get an idea of what would have to be done here in the house and go from there. Would you like to talk to my mother about it? Shall we call her? We also must check on the guest list.”

“
It is late for people to get notice, and have time to respond and prepare,” she said, very concerned. “Maybe they have taken care of that for us. Time is running out for many things that need special attention. Don’t you agree?”

“
Oh, yes, I do hope we are doing the right thing by hurrying this as we are. Will we have time to get in touch with everyone so they will have time to respond. Would it be alright to call or should we send invitations? How long will it take to get them ordered, ready and mailed? Once they are sent out, it will be too late to make any changes. Oh, I am getting very nervous again. What will we do? Let’s call your mother this evening. I need to calm down a bit before I talk to her or I won’t be able to think straight. I don’t imagine she would have anyone come except the family. Most of the friends may not be able to make it anyway. Let’s take some time to go up to the gazebo and sit there a while.”

“
I think that is a great idea. We can look down on everything and maybe get a better perspective and some ideas. Come, let’s go now.”

They
went to the car and drove to the top of the hill, got out, and started walking across the field to the gazebo. They got there and walked inside. He helped her get seated, then sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. She laid her head on his shoulder, happy for his strength.

She
looked at him and said, “What do you think we need to concentrate on now? I did not hear my dad say if he had done the sketch of the garden so we will have it for the wedding. I think that is the next step and then we can tell what we have left to do. What do you think?”

“
It truly sounds to me like the next best thing. How good it is to have so many capable hands to help us with this whole project? I know it will be just fine. Don’t you feel comfortable with it? There’s no way we could have done this without them all.”

“
Yes, I really do and need to relax more, after all, I have to do my part of planning for my role. I will go into town one day to talk with my beauty consultant to see what I need to do for my personal appearance. Will you go with me? Also, can you remind me to call the dress store we visited in town? I asked her to hold a couple items for me and I must let her know I am all set.”

“
I will try to remember it as soon as we get back to the house, my pet. I think I shall stay here and try to help your dad and Reese with the plan for the garden, if you don’t mind. I really cannot do much while you are in the beauty shop. That way you’ll be able to take your time, relax, and not think about someone waiting for you. How does that sound?”

“
Yes, that sounds good. That way you will be able to keep busy and contented. You are very considerate and I really appreciate that, especially now. I think when I go down, I will call Leslie, my beauty consultant, and make an appointment so I can make plans and get ready. No doubt, I should go in the morning of the wedding for finishing touches. Have we set an actual time for the wedding? I don’t know if we have. What do you say about eleven o'clock?”

“
That sounds good. You will have the time you need to get your things done. Better yet, I think you should see if Leslie can come here to help you. It will be too hectic for you to do a lot of time consuming projects. You need to be able to relax as much as possible. I do not think she will mind if she is your close friend, do you?”

“
Yes, of course, why did I not think of that. Thank you, darling, for your love and care. I know it will make a tremendous difference having you in my life to care for me. I thought I was so capable and had everything, and I can see I had nothing really. How very happy I am that we met when we did. Maybe we had better go back down so I can call Leslie. Then we can check on some personal items we will need to get ready. I need to call the lady at the store. I have her card. I do not think anyone knows where we are and they may have some questions for us.”

“
Sounds just right to me. Let’s go.”

He
helped her up, walked to the car with arms around each other’s waists, got in and went back to the house.

They
arrived at the house and Triessa went in to call Leslie to see if she could come to her house to care for her cosmetic needs on the day of her wedding.