Post Fractalization

Chapter 11

“Is this it?” Samuel asked his brother as they slowly made their way down the lane. It was late morning. Seth had called the minute he turned onto the private lane. He was instructed to stop at Emmett’s cottage. That’s where Seth and his brother were going to spend the time until they were required.

“This is Emmett’s cottage. The wedding will be at Brian’s cottage just at the end of the lane,” Seth explained as they got out of the car carrying their suits and other bags.

“That big house at the end?” Samuel was referring to Rachel and George’s house.

“No, look toward the right. See the cottage?” Samuel nodded. “That’s it. The other house belongs to Brian’s in-laws.

“Is the cottage going to be big enough?”

“You’d be amazed how many people can fit in that place,” Seth laughed. His brother looked rather perplexed. “I’ll explain later. Now, I did tell you about Emmett. Sometimes he’s a little over the top, but he’s the friendliest person you’d ever want to meet. His partner is Drew Boyd.”

“Drew Boyd, the retired quarterback, Drew Boyd?” Samuel asked as Seth knocked on the front door to the cottage.

“The one and only!” Drew said as he opened the door to greet the groom and his brother.

“Hi, Drew!” Seth greeted the man. “Allow me to introduce you to my brother, Samuel.”

“Very nice to meet you, please come in. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me till the wedding. Emm’s down at Brian’s doing his planning thing. And probably very relieved at the moment since the sun came out.”

“Yes, we were following it all the way here. Someone must have worked a miracle,” Seth chuckled.

“Probably Brian,” Drew joked. “Would you like some brunch?” Drew offered the brothers mugs of Emmett’s finest coffee and several of his delectable muffins. “You boys relax. Plenty of time for excitement later,” Drew counseled. Seth and Samuel took a seat in the kitchen to have something to eat.

 

*****
 

“Will you look at that?” Claire exclaimed.

“Yes, Molly is quite far along,” Steve agreed.

“Yes, she is, but that’s not what I was referring to.”

“What then?”

“That behemoth parked across the lane,” Claire pointed to the Winnebago that had just pulled up and parked. Debbie and Carl were planning to leave on their trip on Sunday.

“It has to be thirty feet long! And Brian bought it for them?”

“Apparently. You know how much he loves Debbie and Carl. They said they wanted to travel.”

“I always wanted my own crop duster, do you think...”

“Don’t even try it!” Claire scolded then they laughed. Claire and Steve joined the rest of the family that were strolling through the gardens and enjoying Emmett’s delicacies as they waited for the wedding to begin.

 

*****
 

“Father Tom! I’m so glad you’re here,” Jennifer said with relief. She was hiding herself in the attic office bedroom. Tom and Emmett had gone up for some last minute instructions. Molly was resting in the master bedroom.

“Jennifer, I am very honored to officiate,” Tom said as he kissed the woman’s cheek.

“You’re not offended that we decided on a nonsectarian ceremony, are you?”

“No, of course not. I’ve performed hundreds of unions this way. Your wedding will still be legally binding.”

“Thank you,” Jennifer said serenely.

“Do you have any last minute instructions?” the good father asked Jennifer and Emmett.

“None that I can think of,” Jennifer commented. “Emmett?”

“You’ll be standing at the far end of the garden so that Miss Jennifer can be escorted through it. Of course, Seth and Samuel will be standing with you. Miss Briana will go first, followed by Molly who may be moving a tad bit slow but we’re in no rush. You’ll do your ‘dearly beloved’ thing and poof! The happy couple are married and we can all relax. Oh and just in case you didn’t know, Richard and Morgan Connolly will be here covering the wedding for the Times. This union is news!” Emmett gushed proudly.

“I wish you wouldn’t remind me,” Jennifer grumbled.

“No sad faces, it causes wrinkles. Now I must check on my minions and on the matron of honor. When you hear your cue, you start down the spiral staircase and for heaven’s sakes don’t catch your heels in the steps. Tootles!”

Emmett swished himself down the staircase to tend to his guests.

“Can I get you anything?” Tom asked.

“I guess a scotch and soda is out of the question?”

“I imagine it is after five o'clock somewhere in the world but in our corner, it’s only twelve-thirty. Tea, perhaps?”

“That would be nice.”

“I’ll have someone bring you up some.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Tom, today I am Tom.”

“Thank you, Tom.” Jennifer smiled at the man, who had, over the years, become a part of the family.

 

*****
 

“Your sister has taken over our room,” Brian grumbled to Justin who was busy making tea for his mother.

“She hasn’t taken over; she’s just resting her feet. Give her a break and go out there and play host! Most of the family is here already.”

“Why is that, Justin? The invitation distinctly said two. It’s twelve fucking thirty. I’m already in my suit and a pregnant woman is lying in my bed! Explain that!”

“Our bed and I have no fucking clue, Brian. It is what it is. Now, behave yourself. I have to bring Mom her tea.”

“I’ll do it; you be host. They all like you better anyway.”

“No, they don’t, they love you.” Brian scowled. “On second thought, maybe you’re right. You handle the tea; I’ll deal with the guests.”

“That’s what I love about you, Sunshine, always the practical one.” The lovers kissed then temporarily parted ways.

 

*****
 

“Richie, is that the Sarah Kingsley?” Morgan Connolly whispered into her husband’s ear. She quickly snapped several pictures.

“Yes, it is. Jennifer Taylor’s daughter is married to Kingsley’s grandson,” Richard whispered back as he jotted down a few notes. “She looks like she’s attending a cotillion.” Sarah Kingsley was wearing a flowing chiffon dress with a huge hat. The outfit left Morgan speechless.

Richard kept scribbling notes as several more guests arrived. He and Morgan meandered through the gardens, quietly interviewing some guests and taking pictures.

“Hey, Pop! Why are you hiding up here?” Gus had snuck up to the attic office to find his father and the bride to be sitting side by side on the pull-out. Their shoes were off, they were each sipping a very small glass of sherry and playing footsie. “Oooo, I’m telling!” Gus teased. He was shushed by both of them.

“Pop, she can’t be drunk at her own wedding!”

“Who says?” Jennifer asked as she giggled. Gus was horrified.

“Don’t worry, Sonny Boy. It’s barely an ounce and Jennifer had a good breakfast. I promise, Mother Taylor will be as sober as a judge when our Sunshine walks her down the garden path.”

“She better be, Pop, or your Sunshine will have your ass in a sling,” Gus warned his father as he turned to go back downstairs.

“Ooooo!” Jennifer and Brian said at the same time, then broke out into hysterical giggles. Gus fled the scene of the crime.

 

*****
 

Precisely at two, the string quartet that had been playing quietly in the garden, entertaining guests since noon, began the wedding march. Justin stood at the base of the spiral staircase with Bree. They watched as Brian gave Jennifer a kiss. She gave her favorite son-in-law a hug just before he came down the stairs. Brian kissed Justin deeply then led Bree to her starting point where she'd begin to fulfill her duties as flowergirl. Owen had gone into the master bedroom to help Molly. She wanted her husband to walk with her. Molly’s twinges kept coming faster. She knew she shouldn’t have had that third popover. It was giving her indigestion.

Jennifer slowly descended the stairs as Molly and Owen walked out of the sun porch door and into the garden. Justin held out his arm for his mother.

“You look so beautiful, Mom.”

“You think so?”

“I know so and I’m very happy for you. Are you ready to take that walk now?”

“I’m ready.” Justin escorted his mother out to the gardens.

 

*****
 

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of Mother Earth and in the presence of our family and friends to join Jennifer Taylor and Seth Harris in matrimony.”

“Oohh,” Molly moaned.

“Are you okay?” Owen whispered.

“It’s this damned indigestion; my stomach keeps cramping up,” Molly grumbled.

“Jennifer and Seth come now to be joined, to unite two hearts and lives, blending all interests, sympathies, and hopes....”

“Ssssss,” Molly hissed as another cramp hit.

“Mol, you sound like you sprung a leak,” Owen commented.

“Can’t help it.” There were tears in her eyes.

“Molly?” Jennifer stopped paying attention to Father Tom as she turned to face her daughter. “Molly, sweetheart?”

“Oh God, Mom, I think my water broke!” Molly exclaimed as she looked down then burst into tears.

“By the power vested in me by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Tom said rapidly. "Seth, kiss Jennifer and I’ll owe you the rest of the ceremony later. We need some help here!” Tom said loudly into the crowd.

Doctor Dan, who was attending the wedding with his wife, rushed to Molly’s side. “How far apart are they?” he asked Molly.

“I don’t know, I thought it was indigestion,” Molly cried. Owen had her right arm while Dan took her left. They were walking Molly into the house.

“Bring her into our room,” Justin suggested. Brian paled.

“Oh for fuck sake, my sheets!” Brian scooped up Bree then dashed into the house to transform his bedroom into a maternity suite.

“What’s wrong, Dada?” Bree asked her father. Brian had set his daughter down on the overstuffed chair in their room. She watched with fascination as her father flew about the room, stripping his bed of his Egyptian cotton sheets and blankets.

“Auntie Molly grossly miscalculated her dates and now she’s about to have her baby here in my room! On my BED!” Brian took it as a personal affront. However, Briana had no idea what her father was talking about. She just the thought the colors that her father’s face were turning were rather interesting.

“Why are you taking the sheets off the bed? Is it laundry day?”

“No, Squirt, I’m trying to prevent a lot of laundry.” Brian suddenly stopped. He was folding a blanket and trying to figure out how to waterproof the bed. He realized how ridiculous, or worse, frightening his behavior was, especially in front of his daughter.

“Bree, when women have babies, it can be messy. I want Auntie Molly to be comfortable....”

“OOOOOO!” Brian and Bree heard Molly’s cries become louder as she was getting closer to the house. Molly was in active labor and had to stop walking every few feet. It was taking her a long time to reach the sun porch door.

“But I don’t want my bed to be ruined.”

“Oh. Picnic blankets, Dada.”

“What?”

“Picnic blankets. They’re so soft and my hiney doesn’t get wet from the grass.”

“Out of the mouths of babes!” Brian picked up his daughter then swung her around the room. “You are a genius, Squirt!” Brian said as he kissed his brilliant daughter.

“I know, Dada. I help, I’ll go get the blankets for Auntie Molly!” Brian set Bree down then she rushed to the closet where they kept the blankets. The rest of the guests were all abuzz with the news and were offering to help or just stay out of the way.

Bree came back with the blankets and helped her father to arrange them on the bed. Brian put back the pillows then waited. Shortly, Dan, Owen, Molly and Jennifer arrived. Claire also joined them to help.

“Come on Squirt, its time for us to amscray.”

“Okay, Dada.”

“What do you have there?” Brian asked John as he was carrying a bunch of long aprons, the kind they used when grilling, toward the bedroom.

“Aprons. They’re all in there wearing their good clothes. It’s the least I can do,” John said as he hurried into the room. After a few minutes, John came out.

“Doesn’t all that birthing stuff scare you?” Brian asked his brother.

“Nah! You haven't seen a real birth until you've helped a mare give birth. Talk about a mess!” John laughed as the color drained from his brother’s face. “Don’t worry, my mother used to help out old Doc Adams when some of the local farm women decided to have their babies at home. Molly is in the best hands,” John reassured his brother.

“Hey!” Justin said as he came into the porch.

“Where have you been?” Brian asked as he arched a brow. Justin had been suspiciously absent for the past few minutes.

“Emmett is having a minor meltdown. He’s convinced that the gods are conspiring against him. He feels personally responsible.”

“For what? How could he know that Molly would decide to have her baby ahead of schedule?” Justin shrugged. “Go out there and tell the big fairy to get his ass in here and help me. Have his minions start serving and we’ll turn up the music. Let’s bring this baby into the world our way!”

Justin flashed his sunniest smile then rallied the family. Within minutes the party was hopping as a new life was entering the world.

“One last push, Molly. Make it a big one. This baby wants to be born,” Doctor Dan instructed the mother to be.

Owen was sitting behind Molly holding her up, encouraging her to push. Jenn and Claire were helping and ready to receive the baby.

“Deep breath, now PUSH!”

Molly let out a mighty roar as she pushed with all her might.

“That’s it. PUSH!” The room became hushed as Dan took the baby and placed it on Molly’s abdomen. He cut the umbilical cord then wrapped the baby up in a towel. He handed the infant to Claire who went about the business of making sure the baby was breathing and then cleaned up. Dan tended to Molly.

Within the hour, the new mother, father and baby were all peacefully sleeping in Brian and Justin's four poster bed. Dan and his ‘mid-wives’ left the new family to rejoin the wedding party.

“Your family certainly knows how to throw a party,” Samuel remarked to his brother.

“That they do,” Seth agreed as Jennifer came out of the room to join them, beaming from ear to ear. He hugged his new wife closely as they all laughed and cried with joy.

“So, is it a boy or a girl?” Brian asked impatiently as he handed a glass of champagne to Doctor Dan.

“I am happy to announce that Molly and Owen are the proud parents of a healthy baby....!”

 

*****TBC*****
 

Dear Sunshine Files Fans:

Use our feedback button to vote. Should Molly and Owen have a boy or a girl? We’ll announce the sex of Molly’s baby in our next Sunshine File.

Thyme and Sabina
 

Feedback for Thyme and Sabina or email to snrn@nyc.rr.com

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