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The venue was a twitter with activity. It was Friday evening, and there was activity everywhere. As the flower arrangements and centerpieces were finished and looked at from every angle, Amy sat amidst the noise and movement stuffing goodie bags. The little bags would be given out to all attendees as mementos of the wedding. She loved being needed during this big event. It had been a busy couple of weeks, but she loved the pace of her world these days.
“Hey, need some help,” Belle asked, nervously sitting down next to her.
“Sure. You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just a bundle of nerves and don’t know why. I love Jake and have waited for this moment, but I still feel nervous,” she said, holding her shaking hand out for Amy to see.
“I’m sure it is to be expected. You can be happy and nervous at the same time,” Amy assured. “You will make a beautiful bride alongside Margaret, and then it is over, and we party.”
Belle laughed, “Thanks. This may be the largest event I think Living River Ranch has ever hosted, on Christmas Eve no less. I just don’t want to disappoint anyone or mess up. I have been reciting my vows in front of the mirror for weeks. I’m afraid I won’t remember the words, or simply freeze up.”
“I will tell you a trick my mom always gave me when I had to do a public speech. Just find the eyes of the person you trust the most in the room and focus on that person only.”
“That would definitely be Jake for me,” Belle nodded slightly. “He’s simply the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I know that feeling,” Amy said, glancing over to where Ray sat with all the other guys gathered, putting lights up, and waiting for direction from the women who were definitely in charge.
The holly and garland were going up perfectly, and as Amy stood back to look, she had to admit it was going to be perfect. “It’s so beautiful,” she whispered. “I wish my mom could see it.”
“I know,” Matthew said, coming up and putting his arm around her from thin air. “You know what scripture Grandpa told me to read?”
Amy shook her head.
“Ecclesiastes 3–a time for everything, a time to mourn when he and your momma died, we cried, but a time to dance is next,” Matthew added. “That’s tomorrow when Margaret and Belle get married, and we all laugh with them and dance around like this,” he said, spinning around with his hands in the air.
“Thank you,” Amy said, wrapping him in a big hug.
“You’re welcome Ms. Baize,” he said, as he wandered off.
“He is really something, isn’t he,” Belle added, as she finished tying the last of the party favors on the table.
“I am always amazed at his perfect timing. Whenever I hear something about Down Syndrome people being deficient in any way, I think about him. He’s like a guardian angel here on earth, and I can’t imagine what this place would have been if Holmer and Grace hadn’t taken custody of him.”
“I don’t think there would have been a Living River Ranch without Matthew,” Margaret came upon Amy and Belle.
“And what a shame that would have been,” Stormi added as she joined the group.
“None of us would have a purpose,” Avery finished.
“Or a place to call home,” Emily interjected.
“Or those crazy lugs,” Margaret added, looking to the wall of men to their left.
“All that came before us, must have been gathering to bless your day,” Amy added, with her mother on her mind. “It will be a day to draw everyone together for the celebration we all have played a tiny part in, thanks to your family, Margaret.”
“I think we should all toast to that,” Stormi said, bringing out plastic champagne glasses. “Don’t worry; it’s just sparkling water tonight. We all have to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for tomorrow.”
The men surged forward, and each took one off the tray.
“Here’s to all our friends, family, and those who came before on the occasion of our weddings,” Margaret said, slinging her arm around Belle.
“Here, here,” the voices echoed the sentiment around the room.
“Thank you for coming out tonight to help,” Noah interjected, with another raising of the glasses.
“I love you,” Margaret said, standing on her toes to kiss him.
“And I love you,” Noah replied.
“I’ve loved you my entire life,” Ray whispered into Amy’s ear so no one could hear.
“And I love you,” she said, lightly turning slightly as his lips came down on hers. “We will find a way to make this work.”
“Agreed,” she replied with a smile.
“After Christmas,” he said, wrapping his arm around her. “We have a party to attend.”
“Agreed.”
