Madeleine L’Engle
Rachel Michels was
too old to have bridal jitters. But what else could cause the shaking in her
fingers, her numb jaw, the quiver of her heart? Gervas Friedemann, her fiancé,
had already done this twice. Rachel would rather go to city hall and get it
over with like they did in his home country of Germany, but their adult
daughter—daughters, Maeve and Katrine—had vowed to disown them if they did such
a thing.
Rachel grumbled
when Maeve announced Ann and Mark had booked the Monona Country Club south
terrace for a wedding. “You have no idea what I want for my wedding.”
“Do too. I’ve
known you my whole life, and you hate making decisions.” Rachel’s twenty-three-year-old
daughter canted her head and stared straight into Rachel’s heart. “But you’ve
definitely gotten better since your…treatment. And changing jobs. Aunt Ann and
Uncle Mark want to do this for you.”
“Yes, yes. I
know. I let my big sister continue to mollycoddle me. You’re not going with all
those funny European wedding traditions, are you?”
“Which ones?”
Maeve barely glanced up from her phone where she was rapidly scrolling, moving
information on the screen with her forefinger.
“I’m not sawing a log with your father.”
“Where did you
see that?” Maeve started poking more frantically at her phone. “Do you remember
the website?”
“We aren’t
going to be woodsfolk—men, whatever. Or live in the Black Forest.”
“Like Max and
Justine.” Maeve read a few sentences on her small screen and hen set the phone
down to stare frankly back at Rachel. “This says it’s a tradition that’s
supposed to show how well you’re going to work together to make a happy life.
Something like that.”
“After all
these years, you think your father and I have something to prove how much we
have to learn about each other by wielding sharp instruments?”
“You may have a
point.” Maeve stabbed at the phone again. “No log sawing. But you’re at least
wearing the flowers, right?”
“I can do that.
I will even visit the Black Forest.”
“It’s beautiful,
judging by the pictures. Katrine’s invited me in the fall. I’ve started a
savings account from my paychecks.”
“Your
stepbrother and his wife are happy to claim the family estate.”
“Yeah, they get
to build a new house and all, after the fire. Should be done when…”
Maeve’s voice
trailed when she apparently realized how she sounded. Rachel had no comeback.
Maeve’s grimace and self-hug said it all—she had yet to come to terms with many
things over the past whacky year. Rachel took a deep breath and sat on the arm
of Maeve’s chair. She leaned over and fingered a lock of faintly pink hair.
“It’s taking this stuff a long time to wash out.” Maeve leaned against her
side.
“Mom, I’m
sorry. I’m forever running off my mouth.”
Rachel’s
precious daughter looked up with that plaintive expression she’d worn since
birth. Rachel smiled. Maeve had been hers alone since she had been misled to
believe Gervas would not leave his well-to-do and disturbed wife and two
children on their estate in Germany for her, a small-town Wisconsin college
administrator with no status or claim to fame. He’d been a celebrity, an
international scholar traveling the world sharing his dreams for a better world
while she hid in Madison, or stood in his shadow when he breezed in from their
sister university in Freiburg, Germany, on the way to Chicago, Johannesburg, the
Hague, Paris, or Stockholm.
Rachel gave
birth to Maeve after he left for good. She’d done the best she could.
“Will I ever
outgrow it?” Maeve asked her, as if Rachel had the answer.
Rachel passed
on the best advice she’d received during her mental health stay last summer in
Colorado after her breakdown. “One thing I learned is that living is a journey
we never finish while we have breath. Every day is a do-over. The fire was sad,
but in a way it was a blessing. Sylvie was a danger. It was a good thing no one
else died or was hurt.”
“I guess. Max
said his mother was out of control and they were having a hard time finding a
place for her, or even help of any kind.”
Rachel kissed
Maeve’s temple. “Your father and Sylvie were married quite a while and
had…raised two children together.” Maeve didn’t need to know about Gervas’s
first wife’s infidelities. Gervas and Max’s relationship as father and son
never changed after they’d learned of the biological difference. What a tangle
of family secrets. “Their relationship was complicated.” As was Gervas’s brief
and volatile second marriage. Another thing she and Gervas had worked out.
“You found each
other,” Maeve said. “With a little help from moi. And you always loved each
other. That’s the most important thing.” Maeve straightened. “That and getting
this wedding put together. I can’t believe you and your sister just decide,
poof! I’m getting married and think it will all fall into place. Leave others
to do all the nitty gritty details. I should talk to Grandma. Find out what
kind of wedding she had.”
“I wouldn’t go
there. She was a war bride.” Rachel stood and went to fix tea. She was still
getting used to her new condo and modern kitchen after selling the little ranch
house where she’d raised Maeve. “And your dad and I can still elope.”
“No way.” Maeve
swept into the kitchen majestically. “Okay, Mom, let’s go through the final
checklist. We don’t have much time left.”
Rachel brought
two cups of their favorite mint tea to the table. “A week and a half. That’s a
long time.”
“Aren’t you
nervous? Excited?” Maeve asked. “You’re so calm.”
“Deep
breathing. And tea. Come, sit.”
“We—you and me
and Auntie Ann have our final fitting this weekend. And little Stella bella…oh,
she’s going to be soooo cute.”
“Good, my
infant niece will steal the show,” Rachel said fervently. And hoped so.
Imagine Maeve having a cousin a generation apart. “What are you making that poor
baby wear? Nothing too fancy, I hope. She’ll probably tear it or something.”
“She won’t.
Stella is perfect. She’s going to be somebody when she grows up.”
“Save the world
and all?” Rachel laughed.
Maeve curled on
the dining room chair in a pretzel the young and flexible managed. She studied
the screen on her laptop. “Venue, check. You and Dad got the food arranged with
their caterer, right?”
“Check.” Rachel
let the steam of the tea warm her cheeks and eyelids. “My sister is generous.”
“Music. Katrine
and I got that part.” She looked up with a devilish grin. “Don’t worry. Nothing
wild. Well, not too wild.”
“I should hope
not. You promised me a small gathering. I think you even used the word
‘elegant,’ young lady. I’m expecting violins.”
“Check. I have
something totally spectacular lined up for the processional. But that’s all I’m
going to say.”
“At least you’re
standing with the bride, not the groom, in this wedding. I expect you to
behave.”
“Aw…” Maeve
saluted with her stylus. “Yes, it was a difficult choice. Uncle Mark had no one
else, and after what he did for me…for us…” Maeve stopped and swallowed.
Rachel bit her
lip. “He’s been fabulous. I’m glad he was there for you.”
Maeve cleared
her throat. “Well…he and Dad and Max are gonna knock your socks off with their
duds.”
“Katrine
doesn’t mind not being in the bridal party?” Rachel asked. “I guess we had to
set some guidelines or everyone would be in the wedding party and nobody would
be in the seats. Which actually might be okay. No one would be staring at me.”
“You’ll do fine.”
Maeve dismissed Rachel’s fears with a nonchalant shrug. “And, nope. Katrine’s
cool, and so is Colleen. Don’t worry. It’s not typical to have bridesmaids in
German weddings so Katrine didn’t even think about it.” Maeve ducked in to
whisper, “She even thinks it’s a little weird. But she showed me how to make
your bridal crown.”
“Crown?” Icy
dismay made Rachel stiffen and frown.
“Just flowers.
Don’t get so ruffled. Colleen is taking care of the guest register book and
gift table. We’re doing table favors together.” Maeve went back to her screen. “There’s
so much stuff about marrying a German citizen in America. It’s crazy. Good
thing Dad’s got an in at the embassy.”
Having friends
in Chicago at the German Embassy had, indeed, been another blessing. The
applications and immigrant visa process was underway but not necessary to
complete before the ceremony. Rachel’s hand shook with another spasm of nerves.
She set her cup down to take her left hand in her right to finger the diamond
ring Gervas had given her. She’d never been able to date anyone after loving
him, first as a student, then an adult, working with him on his presentations.
Maybe she’d always known they’d end up together. Maybe she was stupid to
believe him when he professed to have loved her as well. Deep in her heart, the
heart she wrapped up waiting for him, led to accept his simple truth. She had
no fear of marrying, or marrying him. She just didn’t want to have everyone
staring at her. A long-held memory of being laughed at in the school choir when
she choked on a solo kept her from putting herself in a similar situation. What
if she forgot her vows? She had a copy of them written down, but what if the
page got wet or misplaced? How was she going to remember the ring? What if her
father had a heart attack during the ceremony? What if Gervas changed his mind?
Rachel pinched
the inside of her arm. Stop that. No one was feeding him lies this time. He
wanted to be here with her and Maeve. Katrine was here.
Rachel had
agreed to marry him again in Germany later in the fall in a civil ceremony
which would be legally recognized in his home country as well. They’d discussed
citizenship choices. After the dust-up with Gervas’s brother and the immolation
of his family estate, Gervas was ready to live with her in the United States.
The immigrant visa would see to that. They could travel. They’d leave options
open. Another thing Rachel had learned in rehab was to embrace an open mind.
“Right?” Maeve
said, bringing Rachel back. “You’ve done the paperwork for the license and all
that?”
“Yes, yes, we
have the paperwork squared away, worry squirt.”
“Katrine’s
taking care of the flowers.”
“That was so kind
of her.”
“She loved
doing it for you. I’m glad she’s so nice. Her and Max. And that we all get
along.”
“I’m glad too.
I’ve never thought of being a stepmother, but with all of you grown up, I guess
you don’t need mothers anymore, anyway.”
“Aw, Mom, we’ll
always need you. Just like you need Grandma. Oh, right. Gramps.” Maeve picked
up her mug and cocked her head before taking a sip. “You’re all sure he’s okay
enough to walk down the aisle?”
“He wants to.”
Rachel played with her ring some more. Her father’s declining health was hard
to watch. He’d hung in there with his hearing loss, kidney and prostate
problems, gimpy leg and a host of other mild complaints. Rachel and Ann’s
mother said she was prepared for the inevitable, but she wasn’t fooling anyone.
“After his
appearance on the big screen at Ann and Mark’s wedding, maybe we can convince
him to be a movie star again,” Maeve said, making it sound like a question.
“He wants to
give me away in person, if he can,” Rachel said, repeating herself and trying
to stay neutral. Her mom and dad had been the only ones she’d told a little bit
about the father of her baby all those long years ago. Ann had already been
married and had her own baby, Ritchie. “It means a lot to him, and I want to
respect his wishes. We kept the aisle short. For both our sakes.”
“Got it.”
Maeve avoided
her eyes, which stung a bit. They’d had their ups and downs, but had grown
closer than ever this past year after Maeve graduated from college and moved a
short distance away to her own place, her own life, and career. Rachel had
mistakenly closed herself away from the intimacy her sister Ann had wanted
during their adult years. Instead of sharing baby and childcare as they should
have, they got together only when their parents held holiday events. A rare
phone call, a birthday card had been the extent of their communication. Rachel
had tried not to become a bitter old maid, but it had been easier to be a
failure than move on and find a replacement father, or a replacement lover. How
could she explain such a thing to her sister who seemed to have everything? It
had taken almost losing Ann to a devastating stroke for them to realize the
pain of not having each other to share their secrets.
Mark Roth had
been the first intrusion into their stagnant lives, and resurrection of
Gervas’s love had done much to restore her family. And the adorable surprise
late-in-life baby, Stella, sealed the deal. A late pregnancy was definitely not
something for which Rachel had even a smidgeon of jealousy. Cuddling the
sixth-month-old was as close as she’d come to a baby who wasn’t a grandchild.
Maeve leaned
her cheek against her knee and blinked. “Hey! Back to weddings!”
Ah, child. “You’re going to be so good
at this, when it comes to your wedding, you probably won’t let anyone help.”
“That’ll be the
day.”
Rachel bit her
lip. Nosey mom-ness invaded the moment. “So…no one special right now?”
“No time,”
Maeve shot back without hesitation.
“Your dad said
Katrine’s young man is coming. On leave? From the Air Force?”
“The Luftwaffe.
Martin Werner.” Maeve pronounced the last name German-style, with a v—“Verner.”
“He’s been in and out of the picture for a couple of years. But now that
Katrine has a chance, a real chance at life, she’s talking to him again.”
“Good.”
Maeve raised a
brow. “Yeah, so? Aren’t you glad it all worked out?”
“Yes. You are
brave and strong and true. My hero, my role model. I understand your desire to
donate your bone marrow and thrilled to death it helped your sister. Moving
on…maybe Martin has a friend?”
“I’m sure
Martin has lots of friends. Moving on…you got Dad’s wedding ring sized?”
“Yes, moving
back…I just want you to be happy. Find a good…” Rachel hesitated. Nosy Mom
wasn’t backing down yet. “Person to share your life with. That’s all.” She felt
lame, not knowing if her daughter’s former friendships in college had
influenced her current lifestyle.
Maeve’s eyes
twinkled but her lips remained closed.
<<>>
Rachel paced in front of the mirror, practicing walking in the heels that
were an inch higher than she was used to. She had refused to consider stilettos
no matter how flattering Maeve thought they’d be. Maeve could please herself. A
vintage cap-sleeved bodice embroidered with pearls and crystals topped a
layered silk ivory skirt that forgave a lot of hip.
Ann, at age forty-eight, recovering from a stroke and childbirth, wasn’t about to try stilettos either.
As Rachel’s left knee buckled slightly on a turn, Ann caught Rachel’s
elbow.
“Steady, girl.” Ann chuckled. Rachel breathed in and out deeply before
thanking her sister.
“Maeve didn’t want to look like she was towering over us,” Rachel said,
waving at their feet.
“She’s a couple of inches taller than you, sure,” Ann said. “And again as
much as me. I’m afraid we’re rather uneven.”
“No one cares,” Rachel groused. “She doesn’t have to wear high heels.”
“She probably feels prettier if she does,” Ann said gently.
Rachel took in Ann’s svelte shape, even after childbirth, tucked into a cascading waterfall of a dress as matron of honor. Varying shades of blue tiers of organza flowed around a simple dusky blue straight dress from her shoulders ending just below the knee. Maeve’s dress matched. Rachel glowed at the thought of such beautiful women accompanying her on this precious day. No one would stare at her when they could look at her sister and daughter. Maeve had left her lovely rich chestnut hair with natural bands of lighter shades adorned only with a spray of baby’s breath. She’d convinced Rachel to get highlights in her own hair to gloss over the gray. Rachel touched the flower pin holding the sides off her face. She liked the lighter streaks, thought it would hard to spend the money to keep it up. Even though she no longer had to worry over her finances, it would be hard to unclench her purse for such frivolous expenditures.
Soon Katrine would bring their flowers. First, Rachel wanted to share a
gift with her sister and daughter. “Loved ones, I have something for you.” Ann
winked, while Maeve looked as though she wanted to check the itinerary for an
unscheduled event. Rachel walked over to her carry bag for the matching jewelry
boxes. She and Gervas had picked up the necklaces and earrings yesterday. She
turned back, gray velvet boxes in hand. The soft tickle of luxurious ivory silk
around her calves made her want to laugh. The jacket had long puffed sleeves
gathered at her wrists, but she hadn’t decided for sure about wearing it. This
April day was heading toward an unusual seventy degrees and a stray hot flash
would ruin her mood. Rachel handed a box to each woman. “We wanted to give you
something to remind you of this day and to express our gratitude for your love
and care for us.”
The necklaces had been Gervas’s idea, and his tasteful choice. Rachel was
thankful for his thoughtfulness. The gifts for their groomsmen were matching
cufflinks. “Even if only decorative, cufflinks are a good gift,” the jeweler
assured them. Well, of course, Rachel thought. Gervas had enjoyed picking
everything out, which in turn delighted Rachel. He’d had a lifetime of growing
up admiring antique jewelry, from his own family collection to priceless
ancient art held in safekeeping during World War Two.
Ann held up her gift, pleasure lighting her eyes. A double row of
glistening hematite beads separated by German crystals and a soft, small
sapphire pendant hung from her fingers. “How lovely! Thank you. Thank you both,
you and Gervas. Hematite? How unusual.”
“For healing. Let me fasten it for you,” Rachel said.
“This is perfect, Mom. I love it so much.”
After finishing with her sister, Rachel carefully lifted Maeve’s hair to
the side to attach each side of the clasp around her daughter’s neck. The shiny
necklaces complemented the dresses. Drop earrings matched. Maeve replaced the
pearls in her earlobes as Ann did the same.
Rachel answered the knock on the door and helped Katrine carry in their bouquets.
Katrine had arranged the bouquets beautifully. She shyly held up a wired
circlet of roses, carnations, and other flowers Rachel thought lovely but
couldn’t identify. Ribbons floated from the sides. “Izz tradition among my
people,” Katrine said. “Brides to wear crown like zo. Please?”
Rachel lowered her head so Katrine could fasten the flowers in her hair.
The multi-colored ribbons were sweet, Rachel thought, very pleased with the
whole look. The flowers nestled in her hair like jeweled birds. The roses were
old-fashioned, heavy with scent, unusual today when the scent had been nearly
bred out of them.
Ann snapped a few pictures of their outfits, of Katrine crowing Rachel,
of Maeve’s necklace. Rachel had preferred not to have a formal photographer,
wanting to keep the day private. Between Maeve and Ann who dabbled in
photography, she was content to let Maeve record the day since Maeve had done a
beautiful job with Ann’s wedding. The three of them had gone through the album
when the wedding became a reality for ideas in general and remembering favorite
shots.
“It’s beautiful, Mom.” Maeve reached over the hug Katrine and kiss her
cheek. “You did great.”
The girls’ camaraderie was another factor Rachel latched on to for
healing. Maeve and Katrine should not grow apart as she and Ann had. Rachel
sought out Ann’s shining eyes. Ann raised the camera to catch a few more poses.
She checked her phone. “Dad’s here.” Then she looked at the clock. “I think we
can head out, ladies. Let me offer a prayer.”
Instead of fear, tingles of anticipation fluttered along Rachel’s skin.
It was as if Gervas had breathed “at last” in her ear. She took a deep
cleansing breath and closed her eyes to mouth an “amen.”
And then…at last. Maeve and Katrine’s friends, two violinists, a cellist,
and a young man, playing a portable keyboard provided lovely tranquil
background music under the canopy. Their tasteful all black clothing reassured
Rachel of their serious and obvious passion in their performance. Not that she
had doubted Maeve. Rachel noted the water feature of the golf course framed by
the open sides. Dozens of chairs lined a mercifully short aisle—chairs filled
with their guests, family, friends, and colleagues. No sign of the groom.
Rachel turned away, shaky. She grinned at the sight of her father, Ray
Michels, hobbling quickly, pushing his walker. Mom followed serenely, dressed
in a pretty gray two-piece knit outfit.
“Dad, how are you feeling?” Rachel asked quietly. Katrine quickly pinned
a corsage on Alice, then held out a boutonniere for Rachel to attach to her
father’s short-sleeved shiny gray dress shirt. He wore a tie with a swash of
blue for his most important role, and this concession to formality touched
Rachel as much as the girls had earlier. “Thank you, Dad, for everything,” she
said, not meeting his eyes as she put her left fingers inside his shirt to make
sure the pin didn’t poke him.
He cleared his throat. “No need for thanks. A father loves his little
girl, will do anything for her.”
Maeve photographed the event, then kissed her grandparents and handed the
camera to Katrine.
Max arrived to escort his sister to her seat next to her beau. Rachel widened her eyes at the sight of Gervas’s handsome son in black tie. Maeve had managed to find some amazing attire, despite her grumbles about last minute this and that. The swirl of blue on the cummerbund went perfectly with the blue dresses.
Mark followed. He winked at Rachel and his wife and extended his elbow to his mother-in-law. The music shifted. Gervas and Willa, the officiant, stepped into place next to a table at in front of the chairs. Candles wavered slightly, urging her closer. Violins slid under a steady beat piano intro tinkling into a rhythm that reminded Rachel of watching waves surge onto a sandy shore on a breezy day. By the time Ann and Maeve arrived up front, Max and Mark stood there waiting. A friend of Maeve’s sang the first few phrases while her father squeezed her shaky hand.
“One step
closer,” the young woman sang, and Rachel followed the summons alongside her
father in a dream toward the man who’d promised he’d love her forever—longer
than the thousand years of the song lyrics. Gervas smiled gravely, throwing her
a lifeline.
Rachel sighed
and promised to thank her daughter again for the short aisle. She exchanged a grateful
kiss and hug with her father and watched him push his way toward her mother.
Another
cleansing breath later she had transported herself to Gervas’s side. He
caressed her cheek and took her hand in both of his to kiss her fingertips. She
thrust the bouquet behind her and felt it lifted from her grasp.
The music
faded. Rachel made a note to ask her daughter about it. Perfect choice.
“Friends,
Rachel and Gervas thank you for gathering to witness their marriage,” Willa
said.
She spoke of
commitment and respect, though Rachel was sure she wasn’t going to remember
everything. Gervas’s steady glance, his tender smile nearly took her breath and
made it hard to concentrate. A few minutes later they got to the vows. Oh, no. What had she wanted to say to him?
“Rachel and
Gervas want to share their own vows. Gervas.”
Rachel truly
had to concentrate on hearing him well. And not cry.
Gervas squeezed her hands gently. “Dearest, I am new to such things as writing a vow. Our daughters tell me this is not a time for regrets, yet I must share this in front of everyone today.” For the first time he lifted his gaze to those of their witnesses. “What I promise you this day is a future that will not repeat my errors.” He shifted his eyes back to hers. “That each day I will move forward with you to find the joy in it and in each other. I promise that I will not so easily fail you again. I promise to not let you down as much as it is in my power to do so. Rachel, Rachel, my love you have had always. I regret only what we lost. I cannot replace the time, nor can I change the past, but this I know: you now have all of me. My attention, my heart, my breath. My loyalty I freely give, and I promise to care for you and cherish you so long as I have breath in my body.”
He held out his hand in the direction of Max.
“My pledge is
this ring, a token of my esteem, the promise of my love and fidelity.”
Rachel watched,
heart fluttering, as he slipped his ring on her finger and kept her hand in his.
Her turn. She
bit her lip and then plunged ahead.
Willa stepped
back before them. “While Gervas and Rachel light a candle of unity, promise,
and remembrance, Max, Katrine, and Maeve have prepared a song in German. The
English translation is in your pamphlet.”
Katrine began
to sing in a clear, bell-like tone, joined on the second phrase by Max, and the
third by Maeve.
“Durch Gelübde der Liebe…”
Rachel raised her brows. Gervas smiled but gave her on ly a little shrug to indicate he had not been in on the plan. Rachel had missed seeing a wedding program. Gervas led her to the little table and offered her one of the shorter cream-colored tapers. They lit their tapers from the burning candles on either side, and together walked behind the table to face those seated.
“They sing, ‘By vows of love we are bound,” Gervas whispered.
“Too right!”
Rachel whispered back. With the worrisome part of the ceremony behind her,
Rachel’s boldness returned. Being tied to this man for life was more freeing
than the years they’d been apart when she had knit herself into anxious knots, afraid
he might find out about Maeve and take her away by trick or force. Now she had
everything together with him, and it was right. Their love freed them from the
past. They touched the wicks of their tapers together before lighting the
larger pearlescent candle inside a hurricane shield. The two of them grinned at
each other, Rachel lightened with joy. When the song ended, they replaced the
tapers and walked back around the table to face Willa.
“I am pleased
to pronounce that Rachel and Gervas are husband and wife.” She smiled and
nodded.
Gervas’s lips
were warm with promise. When they pulled apart to stare at each other, he
gently wiped the tear tracking along her nose. She hadn’t even felt it. He
hugged her, then turned to hold their hands high in front of their guests, who
laughed and clapped.
The quartet
began an upbeat jazzy tune.
The brilliant sun sank, lighting up the pond with an orange and red glow. Workers set up tables and rearranged the rows of chairs around them. Others came along and quickly laid place settings. Rachel blinked at their efficiency. She kissed Gervas again to remind herself this day was real. “Thank you,” she said.
“For what?” He
looked serious behind his half glasses, grizzled hair cut short and beard
neatly trimmed.
Rachel fingered
his black bowtie. “For marrying me.”
“At long last.”
“Yes.”
He lifted his
chin and looked beyond her. “How did that go, hmm? I have waited? A thousand
years?”
“The song?
Maeve said she’d found something special to play today. We’ll have to ask her
about it.”
“If we can
catch her. That young woman has much energy.”
“Mom! Dad!
Pictures! Come on, Gramps is getting ornery.”
“How can she
tell?” Rachel murmured to Gervas’s chuckle.
Maeve and Ann
spent nearly an hour arranging and rearranging them to get what they called
“candid” shots.
In between
Rachel asked about the music.
“Oh, Katrine
wanted to sing a hymn for her father. They taught me the German phrases, though
I’m sure my pronunciation was terrible.”
“You sounded
beautiful. It was a lovely tribute. The other? The modern one?”
Maeve flushed
and looked at her feet, then at a point beyond Rachel’s shoulder. “Um, well,
it’s a song everyone’s playing for their weddings these days. It’s about that
kind of love, that forever love. It reminded me of you…you and Dad. About waiting
so long and love finally coming true.” She shifted to her other hip. “Too bad
it came out too late for Aunt Ann’s wedding. It’s from a movie.”
Rachel held up
her hand. “As long as you’re not making a statement about our age and it’s not
from a disaster movie.”
Her daughter
rolled her eyes. “Not technically. And it’s from a wedding scene. Mostly…Mom, I
don’t want you to be afraid anymore.” She took a quick inhale and called,
“Ready for the next shot?”
Technically? Such love and concern was
like sending in the reinforcements to enable Rachel’s steadiness through the
rest of the day. Could a parent be any more proud and delighted?
Eventually they
seemed satisfied with the photographs. Ann turned her baby daughter over to
Rachel to hold while she and Maeve sneaked off to check their work. Maeve
promised a slide show during dinner, and Rachel could only marvel at digital.
Rachel pointed
to a quiet corner where she and Gervas could unwind. At six months, Stella had
lost the newborn look and was heavier than a feather. Rachel cuddled the warm
baby bundle on her lap as she slept calmly. Gervas leaned over and stared at
the baby powder-infused marvel of their niece.
“Don’t fall in
love with this child,” Rachel warned him. “You can borrow her whenever you
want. We’re not getting one of our own.”
His lazy grin
sent shivers down her spine. “We have a beautiful daughter already. I am
content.” The grin turned wicked. “Though that does not rule out the bond we
will share as husband and wife in practicing.”
Rachel’s
shivers turned to tingles.
“Father? I
apologize for intruding.” Katrine stood before them with her young man beside
her.
“Katrine,
Martin. You are no intrusion. Is it time already?”
“For the
treatment. Martin is taking me.”
“Thank you,
Martin,” Gervas told him. “It is good of you.”
“No problem,”
he said. He kept his arm around Katrine. “If I may, I will return for my friend
later.” Martin nodded toward his tall companion who seemed to be having an
intense conversation…with Maeve.
“We will see to
any of his needs,” Gervas said.
Rachel narrowed
her eyes upon hearing her daughter’s laugh. “Kane, is it?”
“Captain Harry
Kane,” Katrine said. “US Air Force. He has been on exchange vid Martin.”
“Come,” Martin
said, bussing Katrine’s temple. “We must stay on schedule.”
“Yes, you are
correct. Our best love and congratulations on so happy a day. I am glad to have
you in our family now, Rachel. Ve vish you much joy. I think…” She turned to
glance at Maeve, who stared back. Katrine made a cut motion. Maeve raised her
brows and frowned in exaggerated fashion. Katrine pointed at Rachel with the
baby in her arms and shrugged. Maeve reluctantly nodded. “Ve vill forego the
log cutting tradition,” Katrine announced.
Gervas
pretended to plead with puppy eyes. “Perhaps in Bavaria…”
“Perhaps not,”
Rachel said.
Martin and
Katrine giggled. “Guden nacht, Father.”
“Good night,
then, dear ones.” Gervas rose to kiss his daughter and shake hands with Martin.
“Thank you,
Katrine,” Rachel told her softly over the baby’s head, “for everything you did
to make today special. The flowers were beautiful. And I didn’t know you could
sing like an angel.”
Katrine
flushed. “You are velcome. Good night.”
“Good bye.”
Rachel waved, then beckoned Gervas close. “What do you know about Harry Kane?”
Gervas’s eyes
twinkled. “I have met him several times.”
“And?”
Gervas sat and
put his arms around her and the baby. “My bride, some things we cannot control.
Like the change of seasons. Like love. We must let it take its course.”
Rachel knew she
should agree. Stella sighed and wriggled a tiny bit, stretching her little
arms. She opened her indigo-ringed golden eyes, stared blankly and then closed
them again.
“I think I
would like to borrow that baby now.” Gervas reached to take Stella in his arms.
“You’re a good
father,” Rachel said.
His glance
flickered from Stella’s pucker to look for his adult daughter, Maeve…who seemed
to glow in the company of a certain Air Force officer.
“Maeve still
needs her father now as much as she ever did,” Rachel told him.
“You have been
an exemplary mother,” Gervas said quietly.
“No regrets. We
just promised.”
He raised his
right warm, strong palm to meet hers, and twined their fingers. “We will
continue our journey together.”
“To the
future,” Rachel said.
“To our
future,” Gervas promised.
***
© by Lisa J Lickel December 1, 2018, 2025
Fox Ridge Publications
Inspirational short fiction collection
The Michels Girls, Ann Michels Roth,
Rachel Michels Friedemann, and Maeve Michels Kane, are characters from the
Forces of Nature series and are entirely fictional, as are the character and settings
of the series. They are not meant to represent any persons and are the exclusive
rights of the author, Lisa J. Lickel. Excerpt from Meander Scar, courtesy of
Black Lyon Publishing. Centrifugal Force and Parhelion excerpts, courtesy of
Fox Ridge Publications. All rights reserved. Please enjoy!
All pictures are courtesy Pixabay or Morguefile and are in the public domain.
Scripture quoted is from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The hymn, “By Vows of Love Together
Bound” Words by Eleazor T. Fitch, music by Ira Heinrich C. Zuener, 1845, is in the
Public Domain
The quote on Rachel and Gervas’s wedding
invitation is from The Irrational Season by Madeleine L'Engle,
Published January 1st 1984 by HarperOne (first published 1976) “Appalachia
Waltz” by Mark O’Connor, 1993 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vguZmqHJ6OA Artists: Yo-Yo Ma, Mark O’Connor,
Edgar Meyer Licensed to YouTube by SME (on behalf of Masterworks); Audiam (Publishing),
CMRRA, & 2 Music Rights Societies
“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri,
David Hodges, 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgaTQ5-XfMM
Published on Youtube on May 9,
2012 by the Piano Guys Artists: The Piano Guys
Published by SUMMIT BASE CAMP FILM
MUSIC, EMI BLACKWOOD MUSIC INC, CHRISTINA PERRI D/B/A MISS PERRI LANE PUBLISHING
Arrangement produced by Jon Schmidt Arrangement written by Al van der Beek, Jon
Schmidt, & Steven Sharp Nelson Performed by Jon Schmidt: piano Steven Sharp
Nelson: acoustic cello, & cello-percussion Music recorded, mixed & mastered
by Al van der Beek at TPG Studio Piano was
recorded and edited at big idea studios by Jake Bowen Video produced by Paul Anderson
& Tel Stewart Licensed to YouTube by SME (on behalf of Masterworks); Warner
Chappell, UMPI, EMI Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing, UBEM, CMRRA, SOLAR
Music Rights Management, AMRA, and 17 Music Rights Societies “Trumpet Voluntary”
by Jeremiah Clarke, circa 1700 Published on Youtube on January 12, 2008 by Hui
Bernard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lTTWraugCI
Artist: Stuttgarter Kammerorchester
Album: Festliche Hochzeitsmusik Licensed to YouTube by NaxosofAmerica, AdRev
for 3rd Party; UMPG Publishing, AdRev Publishing
