Author’s note: Even if you have not been following The Long Way Home, or if it has been a while since you read, this story should be clear enough. In summary, Jim and Trixie are married, Honey and Dan are in a relationship, Di is engaged to Thorn, Mart (in Australia) is in a relationship with Daphne and Brian (in Buffalo, New York) is in a relationship with Ginnie. However, if you need more, a short description of each previous story in this universe may be found on the Reminder Page.
Wednesday, 15th October, 1997
Rose Cottage
Trixie had her foot on the bottom step, intent on getting an early night, when the telephone began to ring. She exchanged glances with her husband, who was two steps ahead of her.
“I guess I’ll get that first,” she decided, with a sigh. “It’s probably Moms and she’ll come over to see what’s wrong if I don’t pick up.”
Jim smiled and let her go.
“Hello,” she greeted, having snatched up the receiver. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jim lounging in the doorway, watching and listening.
“Trixie, it’s Brian. Sorry to call so late.”
“No problem,” she answered, turning so that she could see Jim. “How are things?”
“Great. I don’t have long to talk – I still have some more calls to make – but I wanted to invite you to my wedding. It’s on Saturday.”
“Saturday? Like, as in this Saturday?” she shrieked, making Jim jump. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”
Brian laughed. “Aren’t I allowed just one impulsive act, every now and again?”
“I don’t suppose it’s all that impulsive, now that you mention it. It must be five years since the two of you got together.”
“A little over six,” he corrected. “Do you have a pen and paper? I want you to write down the details.”
She did so, reading them back to him to confirm that she had them correct. “We’ll be there. We wouldn’t miss it for anything.” A thought occurred to her. “How did Moms take the news? Did she try to talk you out of it?”
“No. She seemed happy enough. Dad, too. Why do you ask?”
Trixie exhaled with a huff. “Do you have any idea how much grief she gave me over my seven week engagement? You give her four days’ notice and she’s happy? How is this fair?”
He chuckled. “You were about twenty. I’ll be four days short of twenty-eight. There’s a world of difference.”
“I was nearly twenty-two! And we’d been dating almost four years and known each other for about five years before that.”
“Well, maybe your successful marriage has paved the way for her to be happy for me,” he soothed. “In which case, I offer my thanks.”
A smile broke through her indignant half-scowl. “And I’ll offer my congratulations. I am happy for you. It’s about time.”
“Probably. Is Jim there? I want to talk to him, too.”
Without another word, she handed the phone to Jim, who had a brief conversation with his friend and brother-in-law. Ten minutes later, the two switched off all the lights and snuggled into their bed.
“Saturday!” Trixie repeated. “Who would have thought that Brian, of all people, would do something like this!”
Jim, with his lips on her neck, made a noise of absent-minded agreement.
“I hope he doesn’t expect me to find him a gift before then.”
Her husband pulled back to look her in the face. “I don’t think they expect anything of the kind – and with an apartment each, I doubt that they need much of anything.”
She nodded, still focussed on what she had just learned.
Jim leaned over, switched on his bedside lamp and picked up a book.
“What are you doing?” she asked, as he settled in to read.
“Well, if you’re only thinking of Brian…”
Trixie smiled and switched off the lamp.
Saturday, 18th October, 1997
Buffalo, New York
Trixie bounced out of her father’s car and peered around, looking for any sign of her friends and family. She spotted Honey and Dan just rounding a nearby corner, her brother Bobby trailing behind them disconsolately, and hurried in that direction. Bobby had flown back from Florida for a couple of days at his mother’s insistence. Behind her, Jim and her parents followed along at a more leisurely rate. The two cars had travelled up together, arriving with enough time to stop for a cup of coffee before heading to the place where the wedding would be held.
Trixie and Honey launched into a conversation, while Dan joined the other group.
“I wonder how many guests there’ll be?” Trixie peered around, looking for any possible ones in the vicinity. “Do you think Ginnie’s family will be here? From some things he’s said, I didn’t think they really approved of the relationship. Her mother wanted her to marry someone else.”
“But surely they’ll come to the wedding,” Honey answered, frowning. “She’s their daughter and this is her choice.”
“They’ve had long enough to get used to the idea,” Trixie agreed. “Are you okay? You seem kind of… something.”
Honey shrugged. “Bad memories. I’ll be okay. It’s just important to be here for Brian.”
“So, you think he’s doing the right thing?”
Honey looked over at Trixie’s parents, who both looked happy. “About marrying her? Yes, I guess so. About only giving a few days’ notice? I think they’re in a better position to judge that than I am.”
Trixie looked in the same direction. “Moms and Dad seem really pleased about it. And I am, too. Mart’s only disappointed that he couldn’t be here. I don’t think Bobby cares, one way or another. I just wonder whether Ginnie got a good reception, too.”
A gust of cold wind caused several people to shiver.
“Why don’t we step inside?” Peter suggested, pitching his voice loud enough for both groups to hear. “I’m sure Honey and Trixie will catch us up.”
Just as they were turning to do so, a woman with dark-dyed hair, flawless make-up, elegant clothes and a severe expression pushed past. In her wake trailed a young woman of perhaps twenty-five, who shot them an apologetic look.
“Was that Ginnie’s mother and sister?” Trixie asked, as they all approached the door.
“I thought I saw a family resemblance,” Honey agreed. “And didn’t she look furious! The mother, I mean.”
“Maybe. We’re going inside now.” Dan’s face and voice showed disinterest.
“Oh, good,” Trixie answered. “Maybe we’ll see some more.”
Jim shook his head, but looked amused. They stepped inside and found the waiting area. Diana and Imogen were already there, the little girl silent and wide-eyed. Di was in conversation with a grey-haired gentleman. She waved them over and effected introductions.
“Everyone, this is Ginnie’s father, Patrick Ellis.”
“Pleased to finally meet you,” he added, while shaking Peter’s hand, when all of the relationships had been explained. “I suppose, now, I’d better introduce the rest of the family. Over there is my ex-wife, Oriana Chippendall. Mind the pronunciation; she’s particular. And this is my younger daughter, Chloe.”
“It’s good to meet you all,” Chloe told them, with a slight smile on her lips. She glanced at her mother, who acknowledged the gathered guests with a cold nod.
Before an awkward silence could develop, two more people joined the group. Brian looked neat but relaxed in dark trousers and an open-necked shirt. Beside him, Ginnie wore a well-fitting dress in an attractive shade of aubergine. The skirt draped in soft waves around her knees.
“Oh, good. I see you’ve all met.” Brian leaned to kiss his mother’s cheek. “Everyone here? I think they’ll be ready for us in a minute or two.”
“Brian! You can’t get married dressed like that!” his mother whispered in anguish. “Where is your tie?”
“I don’t need a tie to get married,” he answered, squeezing her hand. “And it’s too late to change anything now. See? It’s our turn.”
He turned to Ginnie, who was standing by her mother with a strained expression on her face. From the looks of things, a similar exchange had passed between mother and daughter, but on less polite terms. Brian held out his hand and she took it, the tension dropping away from her face.
Less than ten minutes later, they returned to the foyer, the simple ceremony complete.
“I’ve booked a table at a restaurant near here,” Brian explained, handing around small printed directions. “The booking isn’t for about an hour, so how about if we all meet there then?”
Ginnie’s mother nodded once and reached for Chloe. It appeared that she was going to leave without a word.
“Wait!” Helen cried. “Aren’t you going to have some photos with everyone together?”
The newly-married couple shared a look.
“I suppose we should,” Ginnie conceded, at last. “Maybe, if we all stand over there… and if we can find someone to take them?”
Brian looked around the waiting room and picked out a stranger who was waiting for his turn, asking if he’d mind. The man readily agreed.
“Move in a little closer on that side,” he directed, as the bride’s side of the family attempted to keep a distance between themselves. “That’s great.”
The flash illuminated the group twice, then they broke apart. Brian thanked the stranger, then handed his mother her camera. Oriana stalked out, holding her younger daughter by the arm. Chloe shot her sister an apologetic look on her way out the door.
“Perhaps we should find somewhere a little nicer for a few more photos,” Patrick suggested, holding up his camera. “I’d like one or two, myself.”
After a short discussion, they settled on a location and made arrangements for everyone to get there. The group split up, talking happily. They converged a short time later at the place Brian had suggested. The old building had seen better days, but its architecture was interesting and the elegant lines of its arches would make a nice frame.
“Now, I’d like the two of you together,” Helen directed. “Put your arm around her, or something, Brian. This isn’t a formal portrait from 1885.”
Brian pulled his bride closer, while giving his mother an indulgent look. She clicked the shutter before he had time to pose.
“I wasn’t ready,” he protested. “That’s going to be an awful shot.”
“Are you ready now? I’ll take another,” she offered. “That’s lovely.”
Other photographers joined in the fun, each of them calling contradictory directions.
“Put your hand on his chest, Ginnie,” Honey called.
“It was better how it was before,” Trixie grumbled. “Turn a bit to the left. No, your other left.”
“I thought it was better when they turned to the right,” Patrick added, frowning.
“Are you all quite finished?” Brian asked, sounding exasperated. “How many photos do you need?”
“Well, I’d like some with the Bob-Whites,” Helen mused. “And one with your father and I. And with your brother and sister. Oh, and–”
“Okay, Moms. I get the idea.” Brian gestured to his friends. “You heard her. Let’s get this over with.”
At length, Helen ran out of film and everyone else with a camera was satisfied.
“That was an ordeal,” Brian quipped, as they walked back to the cars. “I’m just glad we didn’t have a professional photographer; they’d still be going.”
“I still need one more shot,” Patrick put in. “Ginnie, we’ll have to get one with you and your sister later.”
“I don’t think she’s coming back,” Ginnie answered, looking pained. “Mother said they wouldn’t be.”
He shook his head. “Nonsense. Your sister is a grown woman. She’ll be there; you’ll see.”
They split up at that point, to travel to the restaurant. On arrival, they found that Patrick had been right and Chloe was waiting for them in the restaurant’s foyer.
“I gave her the slip,” she explained, giving her sister a hug. “She thinks I’m lying down in my room with a killer head-ache.”
Ginnie looked sceptical. “She’ll find out, you know.”
“Of course.” Chloe grinned. “But the only way she can stop me being here is to come here herself and take me away, which she wouldn’t do.”
“Smile!” Patrick called at that moment, making them both look at him. “That’s great. Very natural. I just need one with the two of you and Brian, if you don’t mind.”
“Are you sure about that?” Ginnie asked, as they arranged themselves. She glanced towards the door. “She’s here, now.”
“Yes, Ginevra, I am. Well spotted.” She turned to Chloe. “And I thought you had a headache, dear.”
“I am miraculously better.”
“Really. Miraculous, indeed.”
“Shall we go inside now?” Brian suggested, laying his hand on Ginnie’s arm to escort her.
“I’m not staying,” Oriana told them. “I just have something about which I’d like to speak to my daughters. Privately.”
Brian looked to Ginnie, a question in his eyes.
“We’ll be fine,” she answered, in a low voice. “Go and ask for our table. We’ll be there in a minute.”
“Shall we?” Oriana asked, in saccharine tones, while gesturing to the door.
Ginnie smiled, but shook her head. “No. Here will be fine. Just step over here, by these plants.”
Trixie caught a glimpse of some strong emotion on the older woman’s face, but it was gone in an instant. The rest of the group entered the restaurant, leaving the three behind. Trixie looked back over her shoulder, just before they were lost from view.
“What do you suppose that was about?” she asked Honey. “And is Chloe going to be allowed to stay or will that old vulture drag her off?”
Honey smothered a laugh. “She’s really very attractive, for her age. She’s not like a vulture at all.”
Trixie shook her head. “Didn’t you just see her? When Ginnie defied her, she looked every bit as ugly.”
“No. I didn’t see that.” She looked back over her shoulder. “Well, here’s the answer to your question. They’re coming in already.”
“That was a very quick conversation,” Trixie noted, just as she had to separate from her best friend.
They took their seats at the table. Ginnie and Chloe joined them before everyone had decided where to sit. The younger sister wore a defiant expression. Ginnie’s brow was creased with worry.
“Are you both okay?” Brian asked, pulling his bride closer.
She nodded and her expression cleared. “We’re fine. I doubt she’ll speak to any of us for at least a month, but I can’t bring myself to care. And now, I think, we only have people present who are happy that we’re married.”
Brian smiled and kissed her. “Sounds like an improvement.”
“A definite improvement.” She glanced around at the remaining guests. “Thank you for sharing our day with us. Thank you for supporting us. And, Dad, I hope you won’t be offended if we model our family on the way things are on Brian’s side.”
“That’s my smart girl,” he answered, laughing.
“I learned a lot of things today,” Trixie mused, as she and Jim settled into bed.
“Such as?”
“The difference between a really classy woman, like your mother, and one who’s just a social climber.”
“I think you knew that already,” he answered, dryly.
“Yes, but it was demonstrated so clearly for me,” she answered. “I know, in a vague kind of way, that both your parents are disappointed with some of Honey’s life choices, but they’ve never said or done anything in front of me to show that. Never. And I’m part of the family; I can’t begin to imagine them doing so in public.”
“Neither can I. But it’s not the same sort of situation. They like Dan. They’re hoping that they’ll marry one day.”
“I’m hoping that, too.” She sighed. “Today was pretty tough on Honey, I think. That’s another thing I learned: she’s not pretending to still be hurt by that bastard. She’s still really hurt. And it’s going to be hard for her, while every other Bob-White gets married.”
“There’s still one Bob-White neither married nor engaged,” he pointed out.
She dismissed the remark. “That’s only a matter of time.”
“So, is that all you learned, or is there more?”
“Oh, lots more. Broken families make things complicated. And you can’t control your adult children – though, I knew that already. Just look at the way Moms has struggled with Mart and Bobby.”
He laughed. “Not to mention the way she struggled with you over our wedding date.”
“Yes, well, I’m different from the boys.”
“Mmm,” he answered, running a hand over some of those differences. “I’m very glad of that.”
“Do you think they’ll be happy together?”
“Who?”
“Pay attention when I talk to you. Brian and Ginnie, of course.”
“I hope so.” He made an indistinct noise as he nuzzled her neck. “I hope they’ll be just as happy as we are.”
“That’s a great way of putting it,” she answered. “I hope that for them, too.”
The End