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"Are you leaving immediately after the wedding?"
Rivkah turned to gently massage Granny's hands with fragrant oil.
"I believe so, yes," Adelaide answered.
"I'm eager to get back," Jaira added, "I have a ministry that needs me. No offence, but being here for a week seems like a colossal waste of time when I can be serving the poor back home."
Rivkah bit her tongue.
"Alright. Well, we will make arrangements for those wishing to return after the wedding. It will be late, or you could stay until the morning. It really is up to you. Shaul will take you back to the airport if you let him know. After the wedding, I am going to begin preparing for the birth."
"What's there to prepare?"
Jaira rolled her eyes, but Rivkah was focused on Granny's hand and didn't notice.
"We don't give birth in a hospital because we are descendants of the tribe of Levi and must not be near death. Atarah will give birth at home," she frowned. "I am concerned that this birth may be difficult."
Rivkah kept the secret of the twins, "It has been a long time since I delivered a baby...Well, let me know who is returning." Rivkah changed the topic, "I need to go to Atarah now."
"Maybe we should stay..." Adelaide looked at her sister, "I had no idea..."
"Not me, I'm needed back at the mission. This was Arlana's decision. She made her bed and must lie in it."
Adelaide frowned.
"I need to talk with Dave. I'm not sure what we are doing yet," Rose admitted, her mind still on making arrangements to meet with Xing. "We may head back after the wedding but will meet up at the naming ceremony. I really want to be able to contact Xing before he heads back to the United States. I overheard him saying he is going to be in Ontario for two weeks..."
Rivkah nodded before leaving to help Atarah out of the tub, then waited for her to return to the bedroom.
Atarah emerged from the washroom wearing a white satin nightgown smelling of exotic flowers and a hint of musk. Relaxed by the long soak in warm water, Atarah struggled to stay awake.
"Here," Rivkah brushed a damp curl from Atarah's cheek, "We will continue to prepare in the morning."
It was already 1 am and they had a busy day ahead.
Propping pillows around her, Atarah closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep. Just one more night to go and she would be sharing a bed with Josiah. Fully married. They had only been intimate that one day which seemed like so very long ago. She closed her eyes, trying to remember what it was like to feel his touch, suddenly shy.
Their destinies tied, they were finally nearing the finish line.
****
THE GIRLS WORE MATCHING wine-hued dresses, baby's breath entwined in their curls. Azrael, Joshua and Peter wore matching black suits with shirts that matched the girls' dresses.
The other boys stayed with the men, Azrael going back and forth between the men and women's area, an air of excitement in the air that was more than a little tangible.
Adelaide and Jaira wore the same coloured dress, their hair styled with baby's breath.
Rivkah rubbed scented oil into Atarah's shoulders before buttoning the back of her brilliant white dress, wine coloured roses embroidered on the hem, weaving their way up the side of her dress. Atarah's hair was left long, falling down her back like a glossy waterfall.
Adelaide turned, fixing one of Isabella's curls that insisted on misbehaving.
"I believe we are ready," she smiled, leading the way from the bedroom.
****
RIVKAH SMILED, LEADING Atarah to a chair that had been set up, decorated to represent an ornate throne. Sitting, Josiah's female relatives wishing her "Mazal Tov!"
Josiah was out of sight, surrounded by his friends and relatives along with Atarah's father, uncle and brothers. Gavin hung back, watching the singing and dancing as Josiah's nuptials were celebrated.
Shaul sat at a table writing a document in Aramaic: "On the day first of the week, the 6th day of the month 7 in the year 5779 since the creation of the world according to the reckoning which we are accustomed to use here in the city of Tiberias in Israel.
Josiah son of Aaron of the family Levi said to this maiden Atarah daughter of the Gallagher family, "Be thou my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel.
...and I will work for thee, honour, provide for, and support thee, in accordance with the practice of Jewish husbands, who work for their wives, honour, provide for and support them in truth.
And Atarah this maiden, consented and became his wife."
Shaul handed Josiah a handkerchief symbolizing a dowry from Atarah's parents. Following tradition, Josiah returned it to his brother, the officiating rabbi. The witnesses signed the document. Shaul then joined the women, reading the kinyan.
As soon as he was finished, Rivka turned to Sheila, "It is time for us to break this plate together."
"Really? Why? That is so wasteful," Sheila frowned.
"In our culture," Rivkah explained patiently, "It represents the seriousness of their marriage relationship commitment. Just like a broken plate cannot be fully repaired, a broken relationship can never be fully repaired."
Sheila nodded, understanding. Besides, it wasn't costing her any money. Rivkah was supplying the plate.
Rivkah and Sheila stepped forward, breaking the plate together.
"The act also serves to slightly temper the festivities, in accordance with the Psalmist's enjoined that we recall the destruction of Jerusalem at our happiest moments," Rivkah explained to the gathering of women as they waited for Josiah to approach.
Josiah led the way from the men's table to where his bride was sitting among the women. The men followed him, singing and dancing.
Rivkah and Sheila stood one on either side of Atarah as Josiah approached, followed by his brother and Atarah's father, brothers and her uncle, their male friends and family joining the procession.
Atarah's heart fluttered as she watched Josiah approach her, dressed in a brilliant white Kittel, a soft blush creeping up her neck.
Josiah's eyes sparkled when saw Atarah for the first time in a week, gently placing a long white veil over her face, as he recited the blessing once pronounced over Rebekah, Achotenu: at hayi le alfei revavah—"Our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of ten thousands."
Shaul then pronounced a blessing over Atarah. It was then her father's turn to bless her, as he had been notified before the ceremony began.
Atarah felt nauseous.
Josiah then returned to his spot, the men joining him.
The wedding had officially begun.
Shaul and his cousin drove the wedding party to the Sea of Galilee.
Josiah's entourage left first followed by the other wedding guests, gathering to the spot where the chuppah was set up. Rivkah linked her arm in Josiah's, escorting him to the chuppah first where Shaul waited just outside of it, smiling as his brother approached, Rivah holding a candle in her free hand.
Once Josiah stood under the chuppah, his mother stepped aside, the cantor beginning to sing,
Blessed and welcome!
He who is mightier than all; He who is blessed above all; He who is greater than all; He who is distinguished beyond all; He should bless the groom and the bride."