The Look Of Love

Chapter 67: Cuter Than Scooby Doo

T minus one day before the wedding. If Mary thought the day after Thanksgiving was crazy (with the lady who snatched the purple Hermès Birkin bag from her hands), then this day is crazier than that. Fern came over bright and early at seven a.m. He arrived wearing a pastel pink suit and pale blue button down underneath. All of his helpers came with him. Santa's elves have nothing on Fern's helpers. 

Truck after truck showed up, delivering all the items needed to decorate for the wedding reception. Into the ball room the objects, and the people,  went. While the ball room is being decorated, so to is the front foyer and staircases. Aunt Kitty overruled her niece and soon to be nephew. The staircases were to be draped with flowers. She said it would look more elegant, especially for pictures.

As all of this was happening throughout the manor, Mary made final revisions to her wedding vows. Lori also woke up early to finish writing her speech, for tonight's rehearsal dinner. While all of this is going on at Mary's house, Bobby's home is chaotic too.

Ms. Katie woke up early to speak with the rehearsal dinner vendor. Since the church (where the wedding will take place) is on Grand Bay Island, the dinner should be there too. After going over all of the suggestions Mary's Aunt Pitty gave her, she decided to go Italian. They chose the La Bella Cucina fine dining restaurant. The thing that stood out about this restaurant is the outside dining experience. It's full service, al fresco dining with a spacious open air sun room. The decor is also authentic Italian with rustic brick, skinny conifer trees, and patterned tiles.  

She reviewed the menu over the phone, with the restaurant manager. Everything from fresh ciabatta bread, calamari, various salads, brick oven pizza, risotto, pastas, chicken, beef, gelato, and tiramisu had been ordered. The instructions are to serve the food buffet style. Ms. Katie asked if she, and her helpers could arrive earlier, to decorate for the dinner. With a positive answer, she hung up the phone and set about gathering needed items.

As his mother began her task, Bobby began reviewing his wedding vows. He had not been thrilled with what he had written earlier. In his opinion they sounded very basic, and his love for Mary is anything but basic. So far he has written "I knew the first moment I saw you, in ninth grade, you were special. I loved you then, but the love I have for you now is much purer and stronger..." He kept writing from his heart and the words kept pouring out. Finally, he sat back against his pillows. He reread what he wrote and put the pen down. His vows were finished. They are truly the best thing he has ever written in his life (at least he thought so).

There's one thing he needed to do. Walking downstairs, and into his father's study, he asked "Dad can I speak with you?" His father welcomed him in with a warm smile. Bobby closed the door. 

"What can I do for you son?" Mr. Raymond looked at his 18 year old son, soon to be 19, and wondered what he did as a parent to raise such a fine man. He's always been mature for his age, and tender hearted. As Bobby's father, he's thankful he found someone who loves and appreciates his son's precious qualities.

Bobby sat on the luxurious, brown, leather sofa. "Well there's two things actually. First, I'm tired of Granny being rude to Mary. She sneaks in underhanded barbs. And what she did, by bringing Amy's friend along, last night is nothing short of ugly. Please tell me she won't be a problem tonight, or tomorrow." He needed this reassurance.

Raymond Brown sighed a long-suffering sigh. He knows his mother better than anyone. While his father was alive, he served to put his mom in her place. Now it's his job. "Son, I had a long talk with your grandmother when we got home. I told her she can either go home, or be quiet and supportive." He saw Bobby's expression seemed surprised.