Book Two

chapter four

“Oh dear. We did it all wrong I knew something was wrong. Ben, please take the ribbon off their hands and give it to me. If you are not walking a bride I think the parents should be in their seats already. Mick you can take your wife to her seat before we begin if you want. And then come back up. Alan and Lizzie you may also walk to your seats before we begin. Then we will be using both stairways. Ben will walk down the right side, and I will walk down the left. This is how the procession goes. Ben and I, then Joe. Felicia you and Mick will be off in the alcove there which we will pull curtain, so no one sees you. Like Joe.”

Alan said, “There’s a curtain! Lizzie!”

“Shut up Alan.” Said Lizzie. Everyone laughed. So, Mick and Felicia stood in the alcove. Minus curtain for now. Then Goldie and Chris, Niomi and Danny, Joe and finally Ben and Lissa. Lissa was remembering now that she had a part not just to stand and look pretty.

Lissa took over. “Now Ben and I walk down our prospective stairs. We will be wearing the pack color. As we get to the bottom remember you’re walking normally but just a little slower. Meet in the middle take your partner’s arm and continue. Down the aisle. Lissa had stopped but told ben to keep going. To his spot. When you see the couple ahead of you get here start down the steps. As couples descended she repeated good, good. She stepped out of the way when you get to the dais go to first step. You’ll end up fanning out, but we’ll fix placement once we’re all there. Good Goldie and Chris. You know you’re next so keep this in mind. When you get to the dais go the next step up but a tad closer. Then Mick and Felicia will walk down your stairs and meet in the middle just like everyone else. Only difference you won’t do it until you hear the bridal march. Cause that will signify everyone else is in place. So, then you hear the music. You will appear at the top of the stairs everyone will stand up. You’ll walk down the stairs, meet in the middle and continue walking slower than you normally do. Because we technically can’t start without you. Your time to show off dear. If you want to walk at a tempo of one two feet meet one two feet meet you can, or one two three feet meet. All up to you. But take your time. I hear the dress is amazing show it off.”

“I like the one two three feet meet.”

“ok that’s what we’ll do. Oh, and the song I’m told that the rest of the party is walking to is A Thousand Years” Felicia nodded. “Ok, so continue your walk.” She and Mick continued walking, and Lissa continued up and stood next to them. Where she linked him. “I remember now, I get a part in this. When it’s time to wrap them, we step forward, and You talk, and I wrap. I do wrap their left hands but backs up so they can place rings. Once vows are done rings placed instead of kissing. They mark each other. But instead of marking Joe and Felicia will give a passionate kiss, resembling a marking each other. Then everyone will cheer. We will hold hands and you will pronounce them husband and wife and mates forever. We only do coming-of-age if they haven’t found a mate. We really need to write this stuff down. Lissa linked her secretary and said, “Get with me tomorrow we need to write down a mating/wedding ceremony how to type thing. This was brutal.” Her secretary simply said ok. Lissa saw that everyone was staring at her. “Sorry folks. Important link I didn’t want to forget. So, let’s see. She went down and stood in front of Felicia and Mick. Looked at how everyone was placed and said, “Just for placement’s sake. Please go to your spot on the top step. So you and Joe should be middle in front of us. So please step forward and face each other. Next, Goldie and Chris step forward so you are just behind the person above you and so on.” Everyone got in place, and Lissa hurried to stand next to Ben. “Ok, Mick, once you and she get to these steps, you may give her a hug and a kiss. Joe will come down and shake Mick’s hand and then take Felicia’s hand. Joe, you will then lead her up and stand with her in front of us. Goldie, you’ll take her bouquet, and Niomi, you’ll fix her train if she’s got one. If there’s a veil you’ll then flip that over to see her smiling teary face. No worries Ben will have Kleenex in his pocket because I don’t have pockets. Everyone else you’re on your own. Some stick some in their sleeve or make there mate carry it for them. Or a purse.. Then we’ll conduct the ceremony, but it will be I who does the wrapping and Ben who does the talking.”

Someone called out, “As usual!” with that everyone laughed.

Lissa continued. “Usually, the one who said mate first goes first if anyone remembers. If not the man does.”

“I growled first then Joe.”

“Then that’s how we’ll do it. You’ll say your vows and place his ring. Did we make sure the rings fit as I know we’re using your parents’ rings.”

“Yes they fit. Joe replied. It had been a tad tight but with a little stretching of some pliers it fit perfectly. Felicia’s fit the first time she tried it on.

“Oh good. So, after you say your vow you’ll place the ring on their finger. Now remember your hands are still wrapped. Once both rings are on, Ben will pronounce you husband and wife and mates for life, while I’m unwrapping you. Once unwrapped. Normally you’d mark each other. But since you’re marked you will passionately kiss resembling marking each other. Joe and Felicia kissed each other deeply and passionately. When they pulled apart. They were a little flushed. Then we will continue back the way we came. Ben we need to find out from Marley how tables and such are being moved in.”

“Sweetheart, they’re going to switch the space over while pictures are being taken. Which will be taken…Felicia where are we doing pictures?”

“Pictures are being done here under the trellis the movement behind won’t affect the pictures. Once we’re done with the pictures the cake will be up here. Or the cake might be off to the side hiding. I’m not sure. I think it arrives in separate boxes and then gets put together. As I have the topper. Niomi made it.”

“Oh ok. Then are we good? Everyone understand their role and what to do on Sunday?”

“What time is the wedding?” Alan asked.

Anne said, “Oh Alan, it’s at two. The girls are going to get ready at noon probably they know their schedule. Then the guys will get ready about twelve thirty. We just need to be here on time. The bride’s parents will probably be here. Joy with Felicia and Mick with Joe and the crew.”

Ben said, “the men will be in my office with me. Lissa and ladies will be in Felicia’s old room. Now good night all see some of you tomorrow the rest on Sunday.” With that all dispersed to various homes.

When Felicia and Joe got home. Joe looked at her and said, “um love, was it just me or did you want to jump me as much as I wanted to take you right then and there?”

“Was not just you.” She said as she jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs.

He carried her to the bedroom kissing and told her, “Goddess I love when you do that.”

With that they made love as the kiss was so passionate it ignited the spark that was always on a low burn anyway.

The next morning. Niomi and Danny set their kitchen up. “Babe, I told you I start classes online next week right?”

“Yeah. At your new desk.” She said with a smile.”

Just then the workers showed up and started working on the house. “He said come on; I want you to meet Harry.” They went outside and around the side of the house. Harry was standing at a table looking at what the plan was for the day. “Hey Harry! I want you to meet Niomi!”

“Ah the missus.”

“Hello.” Niomi said with a genuine smile.

“Harry I want to show where the plans and what our plan is.”

“Sure. He took them through there were markings everywhere. That the workers knew what it meant.” Today we are preparing to do the foundation. We may even be able to pour the foundation if everything goes smoothly. But here will be your living room. It will be as big as that one in there. The sliding glass door will be opposite the wooden door. Which is currently being made from trees from the forest. Then there will be a widened hallway here with three rooms. You can see the long rectangle. On the other side of those rooms is a staircase that we are also using wood from the trees that we cut down. Even the banister. Then on the top floor is your room. That I’m told is a surprise, right Danny?”

“Yes I designed that special.” He said looking at Niomi with all the love he had for her in his eyes.

“I look forward to seeing it. Honey I really must get to work. There’s a few things I need to finish and start. Oh, if Goldie brings that design over can you please get it to the sign people.”

“Of course, love.” Danny said and then she was gone. “Thanks Harry. You did a much better job explaining it. It gave her a clearer picture. I need to finish setting up our kitchen. Also, thanks for not telling her about the fire pit. Also, a surprise.” Then Danny walked away too. Just as he got to the front Goldie showed up.

“I forgot to give this to Niomi last night and she forgot her gift. If she asks I put ours in the room we’re getting ready in. So here is the design.”

“Do you know where the sign place is?” Danny asked. “She asked me to get it to them but I have no clue where it is.”

“I do. It’s close to the shop. Want me to drop it off?”

“Would you? I’d really appreciate it. She’s already working. Well make sure she eats today. You guys weren’t at breakfast. We were setting up the kitchen and then I showed her the house. Which is going to be awesome. I also need to get some groceries for the house.”

“Link Marley I don’t think she’s sent anyone yet today. Plus, I know both sets of parents were going to bring the last of the boxes over so you probably should stay here.”

“Your right. I’ll take care of it, thanks for reminding me.” Danny walked inside and made some coffee. He took a cup upstairs. Calling as he walked up. “Ni, I’m bringing coffee.” He said it three more times by the time he got to the door. Seeing she was already deep into it he set the coffee on a nearby table to the workstation. He called her again this time standing next to her. Then placed his hand on her shoulder and spoke softly to her. It had worked she came out of it and smiled.

“Babe you did it! What was it you wanted?”

“I brought you coffee and wanted to know if you wanted to eat? We missed breakfast. I was going to get some food in the house, and I put your coffee on this small table here.”

“Thanks, babe. I’m still full from last night’s dinner. But lunch in would be a good idea. I need to finish by seven tonight. So dinner in would probably be good. Did Goldie bring the design?”

“Yes, since the place is nearby where she works, she’s going to drop it off for us.’

“Great. Take my phone that’s in our room. Please only bring it up if there’s a wedding emergency or an emergency in general.”

“Ok, I’ll keep the coffee coming.”

“You can switch to water after two cups,” Niomi said, then went back to what she was doing. Danny just smiled and went back downstairs after grabbing her phone. There were a few calls, but he handled them with ease. One of them was the sign guys. He also gave his number to.

Next, he linked Marley and said to her, “Have you sent anyone to the grocery store yet? Niomi needs to work, so we’re eating here today. And I just can’t leave as people are bringing the last of the boxes. It’s just a bit hectic today.”

“No problem. I’ll get you guys things people normally keep in their fridges. Do you have coffee and coffee creamer? Also, don’t worry about cooking today, I’ll send meals over. No worries. You do what you need to around there.”

“Thanks, Marley…” Niomi yelled hey there’s no creamer. “Coming dear” “Uh, Marley I’m going to need creamer sooner rather than later. I just got yelled at. I guess at black. I was wrong.”

“Creamer on the way. Plus, I’ll get her favorite when I send for your groceries.”

“Thanks Marley you are the absolute best!” just as Marley had said someone showed up with the creamer and said from Marley. Then ran off again. He went upstairs poured the creamer and stirred and left as quietly as he came.

Niomi was deep in again. She had finished carving and smoothing the front out. Leaving the back rough. She took it back over to the purified water made a circle while cleaning it. Pulled it out grabbed the soft cloth and dabbed the excess water. She continued carving the back of the wolf and Luna the tree, just the ground was left rough. She went over and cleaned it dabbed it with a cloth and then set it down. She carved out three trees. Putting them on the back she decided she needed one more. So, she did one more. Took them to purify them as they were already detailed. Then lay them on the cloth placing a second one over to them. She went back to where her coffee was and noticed it had creamer in it; she smiled. Her next goal was to carve the clothes. She looked at the one long piece. She did straps with a deep v that went to the bottom of her cleavage. She carved the dress in two halves when placed together it was a perfect fit. It had slits on the sides of her dress from the knee down. Then she carved the hair. She took the two pieces and turned them gently into the water. She picked up her trees and put finishing touches on the rinsed trees one more time, she dabbed water off all of them. Went back to her worktable and using her gift she melded. The clothes she had done first then melded them to where the luna was sanding. She added the trees and melded them on, and it was finished. She linked Felicia and told her that it was done. She decided to go to the rock shop. Something would speak to her. She also needed Jade and some other stones. When she walked in the owner saw her and asked her if she had come for rocks or stones. She said Jade at least and anything else that might speak to her.

“Niomi, I have a request for you. A carving to be done. He handed over a drawing and a rock. Would you do me the honor of doing this for my wife? This rock is her favorite. We have three pups.”

It was the version she was already planning on doing just an extra pup. She looked at him and said, “Of course. When do you need this done by? Also, I must say this is not included in our deal as this is not to be sold but is a personal request. So, I must charge you. But I can give you a discount because we have a deal. I’ll only charge fifty dollars.”

“That sounds fair. I will put this in a small box. Then I will follow you around with a box and you put any stones that speak to you.”

Niomi nodded. She found a Ruby and put it in. Found the Jade. Black obsidian. A few moon stones. “I will carve a few wolves of various sizes, some to be sold here, others to be sold at my place.” He nodded and grabbed one more. “I’m trying to find one for Goldie and Chris. Their cake topper. The last one was done in Selenite. But they are a different couple. Nothing is quite speaking to me. She is a sandy colored wolf, I don’t know his wolf color.” He grabbed a sandstone, and something told him that they were both brown just he was a darker one.

“Have you asked?” she shook her head. She didn’t usually do that.” He decided to link Chris. “Chris what color is your wolf?”

Believe it or not he chuckled it’s a chocolate brown with light brown eyes.”

“Your right that is hard to believe. Thank you Chris.” Then he spoke to Niomi. “He said He is a chocolate brown wolf and with light brown eyes.”

She looked back at him with raised eyebrows. “So, did something come to you or you have an idea?”