Click here to see the Engagement Party Links
Just then William announced the buffet was ready, and he then held out his
welcoming arms to Vincent and Catherine, asking them, "Please won't you
begin the cortège."
Vincent reached for Catherine's hand, to lead her through the Hall, and then
welcomed her to step ahead of him, as they approached the table hosting the
feast.
Click here to see the Menu
They looked at each other in amazement, at all the delicious looking food. The
buffet William had prepared and spread out before them, had an assortment of
breads, and side dishes to accompany the poultry dishes he prepared.
As they took plates in hand, Catherine, and Vincent filled them, and then took
their seats, where Mary had planned.
Catherine then thoughtfully mentioned, "William is such a master chef...I cannot
imagine
ever being able to compete with him. Yet, I cannot help but be saddened by the
fact
after we get married, I personally will not be cooking for you."
Vincent looked at Catherine, and said, "Most woman would be pleased to know
the chore of daily meal planning will be of no concern."
Catherine truthfully admitted with a small laugh to her voice, and said, "Perhaps
in the years to come it will be, but right now, I just want to do everything for
you..."
Catherine's comment gave Vincent a little food for thought. And although he
hasn't been able to share his new ideas with Catherine yet, but thought that
tomorrow, he would start transforming Catherine's chamber into their new
home...perhaps he could build a little kitchen area for her. Then she would be
able to on occasion, do some cooking, since this seemed so important to her.
He then thought that yes...he would definitely talk to his Father about this
possibility later on when he had the chance.
As Catherine and Vincent sat at their assigned seats before the community, next
to Jacob, Mary, Peter, Jennifer, Ronald, Rebecca, Pascal, and Mouse, their
elegant contented casualness, set the joyful tone to the evening.
As everyone else settled in at their seats with their delicious party food fare,
gaiety was abound, as the sounds of conversation, laughter, and the clinking of
glasses and pewter-ware echoed throughout the hall.
Jacob looked around, and saw since everyone had served themselves, that it
was a perfect time for his speech.
He wiped his mouth with his napkin, and upon clearing his throat, he then stood
to make the Toast he had prepared to Catherine and Vincent.
Though he had it written out, he had no need to read it, because they were
words straight from his heart.
He raised his glass, and said, "I would like to propose a toast to my son, and to
the woman he has chosen to make his wife. No Father has been more proud of
a son than I am, or more pleased with his choice for a life partner. To see him
happy, and so fulfilled, completes every wish I have ever dreamt for him. And
as far as Catherine is concerned, I have watched her evolve from a loyal friend,
into a loving, giving partner, who's love and happiness radiates from her, every
time she looks upon my son. So on June 6th, when they wed, sharing the same
date as Catherine's parents had chosen as their wedding day, it will truly be a
Blessed, Blessed day. So please let us raise our glasses, to my son, and to...his
Catherine."
As everyone toasted along with Jacob, Mary gasped, as the moved up Wedding
date of June 6th resonated in her ears, and registered in her anal plan oriented
brain.
She shockingly whispered aloud, "That is just a couple of weeks away!"
Mary turned to Catherine and asked, "So soon, I thought it was to be
midsummer?"
Vincent stepped in to get Catherine off the hook, and explained, "We decided to
move up the date Mary, there is no reason to wait."
Mary explained, "No reason, accept for the minor detail of PLANNING!"
Jacob looked compassionately at a distressed Catherine, and then soothed
Mary's ruffled feathers by saying, "Mary please, ultimately this IS Vincent and
Catherine's decision. There will be plenty of time to plan."
Mary forgetting herself, quickly said, "Of course, you are right Father."
Then under her breath, from the side of her mouth, she anxiously told Rebecca,
"We haven't a moment to spare, tomorrow we start preparations for the
WEDDING!"
Vincent and Catherine overhearing Mary, apologetically smiled, as they shared a
look with Rebecca, knowing she may be the one baring the brunt of Mary's
angst!
Rebecca gave them a reassuring look, indicating just leave Mary to her, before
she replied, "Anything you say!"
At the conclusion of Dinner, the cake was cut and served with some piping hot
Tea, and it was then the children readied themselves to perform their program,
which was a scene from Romeo and Juliet.
Catherine and Vincent's Engagement Cake
Lisa excused herself from her group to be on standby, in case the children
needed her.
The boys rolled out the scenery, that was painted to replicate a castle stone wall.
The scenery, also had people painted on it, to resemble guests at the Capulet
party.
And so the children acted out their play, and to everyone's enjoyment, the play
was a success.
Samantha held her pose, as everyone broke out in applause, and was then
joined by Kipper, Eric, and Brooke. They linked hands, and bowed, before they
integrated with the rest of the guests, happily accepting the accolades that were
cast their way.
Samantha ran up to Lisa, waiting to see if she had won her mentor's approval.
Lisa beamed at the young girl, and as she hugged her, she said, "You were
wonderful Samantha, truly wonderful! I am so proud of you. I see so much of
myself in you when I was your age."
Samantha smiled as she took in the compliment that meant so much to her, and
then ran off with the other children who were calling for her.
Mary marveled as she watched Lisa with Samantha, and reflectively noted,
"You have made such a remarkable change in that child Lisa. Caring for her as
you do, giving her the individual attention she so badly needs at this age..it is
really important. It really makes an impact on a somebody, you know?"
Lisa looked fondly at Mary, and responded, "I do know...it is just as you had
impacted me when I was Samantha's age. Maybe you don't know how much
your tutelage meant to me."
With a faraway look, Mary replied, "Thank you for sharing this with me Dear,
but truth be known, I needed you as much as you needed me...I so longed for
the children I lost, and my daughter would have been close to your age."
Mary tearfully added, "And you were such a brilliant and responsive
child...caring for you helped heal my heart...and my soul."
Lisa then hugged Mary, and walked with her to join the other guests. As they
walked, having a heart to heart, Lisa told Mary about the new man in her life.
All she told her was that he was kind, brilliant, handsome, and very, very
wealthy. Quickly adding the fact he was rich was of no consequence to her. All
she cared about was they had so much in common, and he was wonderful.
Looking at her watch she then informed Mary she was in fact leaving now, to
meet him for a late night Dinner Date.
Lisa then asked, "Mary, could I ask you to say goodnight for me as my absence
is noted. I really should dash, and wish to be discreet about it."
Assuredly Mary replied, "Of course Dear. Run along and be careful."
Jacob then joined Mary at her side, and asked, "Is Lisa leaving?"
Mary affirmatively nodded, and said, "Yes, she asked me to say her good-byes
for her.
Apparently she was running late meeting the new love of her life. She seems
quite smitten with him."
Jacob smiled, and said, "Yes I heard..."
Then he looked to the dance floor, and asked, "Now are we going to allow this
beautiful music go to waste, or shall we dance?"
Mary gave Jacob a mock disapproving look, and said, "What a question...of
course we should dance."
And off they went to join the other couples dancing, and the most striking
couple of all, were the soon to wed...Catherine and Vincent.
To be continued
Chapter Seventeen
Just then William announced the buffet was ready, and he then held out his
welcoming arms to Vincent and Catherine, asking them, "Please won't you
begin the cortège."
Vincent reached for Catherine's hand, to lead her through the Hall, and then
welcomed her to step ahead of him, as they approached the table hosting the
feast.
Click here to see the Menu
They looked at each other in amazement, at all the delicious looking food. The
buffet William had prepared and spread out before them, had an assortment of
breads, and side dishes to accompany the poultry dishes he prepared.
As they took plates in hand, Catherine, and Vincent filled them, and then took
their seats, where Mary had planned.
Catherine then thoughtfully mentioned, "William is such a master chef...I cannot
imagine
ever being able to compete with him. Yet, I cannot help but be saddened by the
fact
after we get married, I personally will not be cooking for you."
Vincent looked at Catherine, and said, "Most woman would be pleased to know
the chore of daily meal planning will be of no concern."
Catherine truthfully admitted with a small laugh to her voice, and said, "Perhaps
in the years to come it will be, but right now, I just want to do everything for
you..."
Catherine's comment gave Vincent a little food for thought. And although he
hasn't been able to share his new ideas with Catherine yet, but thought that
tomorrow, he would start transforming Catherine's chamber into their new
home...perhaps he could build a little kitchen area for her. Then she would be
able to on occasion, do some cooking, since this seemed so important to her.
He then thought that yes...he would definitely talk to his Father about this
possibility later on when he had the chance.
As Catherine and Vincent sat at their assigned seats before the community, next
to Jacob, Mary, Peter, Jennifer, Ronald, Rebecca, Pascal, and Mouse, their
elegant contented casualness, set the joyful tone to the evening.
As everyone else settled in at their seats with their delicious party food fare,
gaiety was abound, as the sounds of conversation, laughter, and the clinking of
glasses and pewter-ware echoed throughout the hall.
Jacob looked around, and saw since everyone had served themselves, that it
was a perfect time for his speech.
He wiped his mouth with his napkin, and upon clearing his throat, he then stood
to make the Toast he had prepared to Catherine and Vincent.
Though he had it written out, he had no need to read it, because they were
words straight from his heart.
He raised his glass, and said, "I would like to propose a toast to my son, and to
the woman he has chosen to make his wife. No Father has been more proud of
a son than I am, or more pleased with his choice for a life partner. To see him
happy, and so fulfilled, completes every wish I have ever dreamt for him. And
as far as Catherine is concerned, I have watched her evolve from a loyal friend,
into a loving, giving partner, who's love and happiness radiates from her, every
time she looks upon my son. So on June 6th, when they wed, sharing the same
date as Catherine's parents had chosen as their wedding day, it will truly be a
Blessed, Blessed day. So please let us raise our glasses, to my son, and to...his
Catherine."
As everyone toasted along with Jacob, Mary gasped, as the moved up Wedding
date of June 6th resonated in her ears, and registered in her anal plan oriented
brain.
She shockingly whispered aloud, "That is just a couple of weeks away!"
Mary turned to Catherine and asked, "So soon, I thought it was to be
midsummer?"
Vincent stepped in to get Catherine off the hook, and explained, "We decided to
move up the date Mary, there is no reason to wait."
Mary explained, "No reason, accept for the minor detail of PLANNING!"
Jacob looked compassionately at a distressed Catherine, and then soothed
Mary's ruffled feathers by saying, "Mary please, ultimately this IS Vincent and
Catherine's decision. There will be plenty of time to plan."
Mary forgetting herself, quickly said, "Of course, you are right Father."
Then under her breath, from the side of her mouth, she anxiously told Rebecca,
"We haven't a moment to spare, tomorrow we start preparations for the
WEDDING!"
Vincent and Catherine overhearing Mary, apologetically smiled, as they shared a
look with Rebecca, knowing she may be the one baring the brunt of Mary's
angst!
Rebecca gave them a reassuring look, indicating just leave Mary to her, before
she replied, "Anything you say!"
At the conclusion of Dinner, the cake was cut and served with some piping hot
Tea, and it was then the children readied themselves to perform their program,
which was a scene from Romeo and Juliet.
Catherine and Vincent's Engagement Cake
Lisa excused herself from her group to be on standby, in case the children
needed her.
The boys rolled out the scenery, that was painted to replicate a castle stone wall.
The scenery, also had people painted on it, to resemble guests at the Capulet
party.
And so the children acted out their play, and to everyone's enjoyment, the play
was a success.
Samantha held her pose, as everyone broke out in applause, and was then
joined by Kipper, Eric, and Brooke. They linked hands, and bowed, before they
integrated with the rest of the guests, happily accepting the accolades that were
cast their way.
Samantha ran up to Lisa, waiting to see if she had won her mentor's approval.
Lisa beamed at the young girl, and as she hugged her, she said, "You were
wonderful Samantha, truly wonderful! I am so proud of you. I see so much of
myself in you when I was your age."
Samantha smiled as she took in the compliment that meant so much to her, and
then ran off with the other children who were calling for her.
Mary marveled as she watched Lisa with Samantha, and reflectively noted,
"You have made such a remarkable change in that child Lisa. Caring for her as
you do, giving her the individual attention she so badly needs at this age..it is
really important. It really makes an impact on a somebody, you know?"
Lisa looked fondly at Mary, and responded, "I do know...it is just as you had
impacted me when I was Samantha's age. Maybe you don't know how much
your tutelage meant to me."
With a faraway look, Mary replied, "Thank you for sharing this with me Dear,
but truth be known, I needed you as much as you needed me...I so longed for
the children I lost, and my daughter would have been close to your age."
Mary tearfully added, "And you were such a brilliant and responsive
child...caring for you helped heal my heart...and my soul."
Lisa then hugged Mary, and walked with her to join the other guests. As they
walked, having a heart to heart, Lisa told Mary about the new man in her life.
All she told her was that he was kind, brilliant, handsome, and very, very
wealthy. Quickly adding the fact he was rich was of no consequence to her. All
she cared about was they had so much in common, and he was wonderful.
Looking at her watch she then informed Mary she was in fact leaving now, to
meet him for a late night Dinner Date.
Lisa then asked, "Mary, could I ask you to say goodnight for me as my absence
is noted. I really should dash, and wish to be discreet about it."
Assuredly Mary replied, "Of course Dear. Run along and be careful."
Jacob then joined Mary at her side, and asked, "Is Lisa leaving?"
Mary affirmatively nodded, and said, "Yes, she asked me to say her good-byes
for her.
Apparently she was running late meeting the new love of her life. She seems
quite smitten with him."
Jacob smiled, and said, "Yes I heard..."
Then he looked to the dance floor, and asked, "Now are we going to allow this
beautiful music go to waste, or shall we dance?"
Mary gave Jacob a mock disapproving look, and said, "What a question...of
course we should dance."
And off they went to join the other couples dancing, and the most striking
couple of all, were the soon to wed...Catherine and Vincent.
To be continued
Chapter Seventeen
| Sweet Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Sixteen |
