So Many Agoes

Chapter 30

June - October 1972

     A premature labor lead to an emergency C- section that brought us surprise twin girls. It was surreal. We suddenly went from having one baby to having three. Our wedding was postponed as Emilienne recovered from the surgery and the two of us adjusted to life with three children.

On June 8th 1972, we happily welcomed Nancy Dawn and Michele Sun Walter into our family.

     The wedding still came though, and we were married in late October of that year, just in time for my 23rd birthday. I will never forget how beautiful that day was. We decided to have the ceremony and reception in Alexander Park, a historical site for our relationship, and at Emilienne's request we planned for it to be a traditional Haitian ceremony. We had Emilienne's grandmother walk our babies down the aisle in strollers, much to the glee of our guests.

     Thomas and Emilienne's three sisters walked us to the center of the ceremony. When I got to truly take a look at her, I couldn't help but sob. Her dress was incredible, it was off the shoulder, and the bodice came down to hug her hips snugly.

     The skirt flared out gracefully, it wasn't too full nor too relaxed, and it was a beautiful cream color that complemented her skin tone so incredibly well. An elegant edition to the dress, a train like cape that draped around her shoulders made her look like royalty. In our current house, our wedding photos are hung in our master suite and whenever I look at them I can't help but smile.

     The full wedding lasted hours, with none of us getting home until around one am, a rare occurrence for us early night parents. Emilienne and I treated ourselves to a short honeymoon in Paris, the first time in ages where it was just the two of us, alone to enjoy each other. We had an excellent view of the Eiffel Tower, and just sat in each others arms as we watched the sun rise. To our young minds there was no point in going to sleep that late, so we just enjoyed each other's company in complete and tranquil silence as we watched the city sparkle below us. We welcomed the morning with french coffee and crepes, and excitedly explore the city together.

     Paris was beautiful, and had a special magic that made us feel timeless. We enjoyed a little too much wine, and ate more delicious food than we knew what to do with. We promised to come back as a family, when our children were old enough to remember the experience.

     When we returned, our parents insisted on our return flight taking us to Boston. We obliged our parents, who greeted us with our children at the airport. A happy reunion it was, as even though having time away from your children is necessary to stay sane, we spent most of the time there silently wishing we could let little Denise play in the gardens and start the twins on exposing them to as much culture as possible.

     Our parents refused to tell us where we were going but the two of us contentedly watched the old city fly by us. Cathedrals, markets, and houses as old as the US itself drifted past us as we neared our destination.

     A house, it turned out to be. Emilienne's father had received a bonus that year due to the Presidential elections taking place. He saved it for us, to purchase a house. Just outside of Boston in the exact area we wanted, It was an old, weathered brick, three stories, with a dark green tin roof. Ivy sprawled up the sides of it and the front yard was covered in cherry trees, flowers and herbs.

     There were 5 bedrooms, enough to promise enough room if our family was to expand more. Dark oak wood ran throughout and in certain places there were nostalgic soft squeaks that came from the boards below our feet. It needed a lot of work, the kitchen was dilapidated and most of the rooms needed new ceilings and walls; but we would turn it into a beautiful home together. The kitchen had endless natural light and we knew some white bead board cabinets and a farm sink would make it perfect for spending all of our time there.