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"Invite Josiah to join us," Mark called out, standing over the fire pit, "We have plenty of food to go around."
Shaul relayed Mark's invitation to his brother when Josiah answered the phone, then stepped out of earshot to fill Josiah in.
Adelaide smiled, "Yes, tell Josiah to come. We will arrange it so they don't see each other. There is no need for him to stay away tonight. We'll just be very careful." She was actually enjoying the fun.
Shaul's eyes sparkled.
"Okay Josiah, come join us. Adelaide and I will make sure to keep you and your bride apart."
Adelaide had never heard Shaul laugh. He was a very solemn man, but now his eyes sparkled as he roared with laughter.
"Not a chance. Adelaide and I will have our eyes on your every move. Okay, see you in a few minutes."
They shared a conspiratorial grin.
"Atarah," Adelaide was breathless, "Josiah is on his way."
Atarah's eyes were shining, "You can't be serious..."
"Yes, he is. Shaul just called him. So you are coming with me," she laughed. "Coming Jaira?"
"No, I'm staying right here," she reached for her cell phone.
Gavin volunteered to start a bonfire for the ladies, Sheila and her sister, Patricia, helping her mother over the grass. It wasn't long before flames licked the night sky.
"Abba's here!"
Azrael shrieked in delight, running across the lawn as Josiah stepped out of the car, before swinging him high in the air.
Greeting Azrael's cousins, Josiah introduced the others to his relatives who had spent the day preparing for the wedding.
Rivkah hugged their family members, inviting the women to follow her to meet Atarah as the children ran back and forth between the "camps," laughter filling the air.
Josiah leaned against a tree; his wife was so close yet so far away.
The warmth of his family overshadowed the chill of Atarah's.
Unconditional love, so elusive to the Gallagher family.
*****
ATARAH SAT BACK IN the wooden lawn chair watching the flames swirl, enjoying the crackling snap of burning wood and the warmth it exuded. The women laughed as they got to know each other, doting on her elderly grandmother. Atarah couldn't help but smile. Her wedding was giving Atarah's family a glimpse into a different world but she hoped after everything was over, her family would have a change of heart. Even shy Adelaide was talking, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Seeing Atarah's eyes on her, she joined her elder sister, "You must be tired."
"I'm just thinking how wonderful it is tonight with everyone getting along so well," Atarah gestured toward those still gathered.
Adelaide nodded, "Can I get you anything? I'm going back in for a drink. Water?"
"Sure, thank you. And please tell Josiah I love him," Atarah winked, lowering her voice, "As wonderful as this evening is, I'd rather be on that side."
"I'll tell him," Adelaide giggled, walking away.
Within moments she'd found her new brother-in-law.
Josiah was quiet, listening to Shaul and Gavin in a heated debate. There was no animosity on Shaul's part, more subtle amusement at Gavin's desperation to impress Mark. Josiah raised an eyebrow as Adelaide approached him instead of her husband.
"Is Atarah okay?" He stepped aside, focusing completely on Adelaide.
"Don't worry, she is perfectly fine. Other than she wishes she were on this side and asked me to tell you she loves you."
Adelaide couldn't hide her grin.
Josiah chuckled, his laughter turning into a deep rumble of joy. He started to respond but burst into laughter again.
Adelaide couldn't resist laughing as well. There must be something to this week of not being allowed to see each other. Their love and longing for each other was something she hadn't had before her wedding, or even after, for that matter.
"Tell Atarah the feeling is mutual," Josiah smiled, eyes sparkling, then looked down at Adelaide, "Are you enjoying your visit?"
"It's the experience of a lifetime."
Josiah lowered his voice as Adelaide turned to walk away.
"Keep an eye on Atarah. I worry this is too much for her. She needs rest."
Adelaide smiled, "I've had three children, don't worry, I'll make sure nothing happens to her. She is having fun and is resting on a lawn chair by the fire. You have no need to worry."
"Thank you." Josiah smiled before turning back to the current topic of conversation.
****
"COME SEE ME TONIGHT," Rivkah murmured as she joined Atarah walking toward the house.
Josiah and his relatives had already left. Rivkah invited her sisters, mother and aunts to join in preparing Atarah for her wedding.
Adelaide nodded, "This will be like a ladies' night. We can make it into a spa sleepover!"
When the others had fallen asleep, they tip-toed down the hallway, Rivkah waiting for them at the top of the stairs. Patricia, Sheila and Jaira had turned down the invitation, only Adelaide joining in. They passed by Jaira's bedroom when the door opened.
"Oh okay, I'm coming," stepping out into the hall with her sisters.
"Okay, I just got Mom settled in and was going to get some water. I'll see you in five minutes."
Debbie joined them at the top of the stairs.
Rose emerged from her room, smiling brightly as Rivkah motioned them to enter her room. She turned to her suitcase, pulling out vials of scented oils.
"These will be added to your bath tonight. Properly done, the oils will seep into your skin and you will be fragrant for your wedding night. We have always done this as brides on the morning of our wedding, but in this case, I thought you might enjoy preparing with your sisters. A spa night, as Adelaide suggested."
Debbie joined them moments later, "Do you want to come to our room? Mom is still awake..."
Rivkah nodded, gathering her supplies. Granny lay propped up in bed, covers tucked around her. Atarah smiled at the family patriarch as Rivkah motioned for her to sit down, setting the bottles on the dresser. She took a brush, running it through Atarah's hair, her fingers nimbly braiding the long mass before she wound the flaxen braid around her head.
The women talked in low tones as Rivkah began to scrub Atarah's arms with a dry brush so vigorously her skin turned bright pink. She unfastened the back of her dress, working on her back and shoulders as Atarah held her dress up over her breasts.
"There, now you go into my room and continue just like I have the rest of your body. That's right, remember circular motions. Okay, when you've finished, come to the washroom and I'll have your bath ready."
Atarah followed her mother-in-law's instruction after Rivkah left to draw the bath, carrying glass vials after promising the others she would return in a few minutes.
Rivkah set the temperature as hot as she safely dared for the babies pouring costly oil into the flowing water. Atarah would soak for hours, preparing her body for her bridegroom as Rivkah's family had done for generations. She opened the washroom door as Atarah walked down the hallway wearing a nightgown
"A towel wasn't big enough," Atarah whispered.
A smile danced across Rivkah's lips - she'd be seeing her grandchildren soon.
"Here, take your time. You will be soaking for hours, so just relax. I'll be with your sisters. I'm looking forward to tonight and hopefully will get to know them better."
Rivkah draped a white linen shift over a folded towel on the counter before stepping out of the washroom, closing the door firmly behind her.
Rivkah returned to the bedroom, motioning for Adelaide to take a seat on the chair she placed before her. Reaching for a brush she slowly smoothed Adelaide's long hair. Addy couldn't remember when anyone had brushed her hair and the gentle strokes were extremely relaxing. When her hair shone like satin, Rivkah set down the brush and braided her hair as well, winding it about her head.
"Go get your nightgown and I will do your back as well," she instructed before motioning Jaira to take her sister's place, reaching for the brush again.
The older women sat back and watched, hushed chatter filling the room.