Reunion (The Monkees Family Vol. 3)

Chapter 11

Gabby, Dawn and Wendy were up early, as per old habit, serving bagels, lox, tomatoes and onions and watching Looney Tunes cartoons.  Wendy had Charlotte on her lap and was helping introduce her to all the characters and explain why everything was so funny.  There was also a big fruit salad, coffee, tea, and a coffee cake that Lynda had brought with her.  She said she couldn't take credit for it, however; Robert had suddenly become interested in home economics and had started baking as a hobby.  Mike razzed him and said he'd been hanging around too many women at the NOW office, where he was Gabby's personal assistant.  Robert disagreed.  He said "Maybe I'm in training for when Lynda and I get married and I become a househusband and she's a successful costume designer."

Everyone stopped what they were doing.  Jaws ceased chewing, coffee cups paused on their way to lips, and conversations stopped mid-sentence.  Lynda and Robert beamed at each other. 

Gabby finally inquired "Ahem, do you two have something you want to share with us?"

Lynda, with her usual understated manner, announced "Robert and I have become engaged and will be getting married sometime next year."

Everyone burst into cheers and applause.  The girls rushed Lynda for hugs and kisses and questions like:

"Why didn't you say something before?"

"When did he pop the question?"

"When's the wedding going to be?"

"Where are you going to have the ceremony?"

Gabby asked "How come we didn't know this sooner?"

Lynda shrugged her shoulders and said "Damned if I know!  I've been wearing an engagement ring this whole time since I walked into your house and not a single one of you noticed!  Robert and I've been fit to bust up laughing waiting to see who'd notice it first.  Wendy, I'm really disappointed in you.  My money was on you to notice first!"

Wendy blushed and said "Well, I guess these pregnancy hormones have my brains all scrambled.  Come here and show me your ring!"

All the girls gathered around to examine Lynda's ring, which was as delicate and petite as she was.  It was a small solitaire diamond on a thin band of gold.

Dawn asked "Where will you have the wedding?  I mean, your family are all in England, right Lynda?  Will they be able to fly over here for it?"

Lynda shook her head in the negative.  "No, they can't really afford it, and my mum and dad aren't in the best of health and many of my relatives either have huge families or are elderly and don't travel anymore.  So I'm afraid it's going to have to be held here, without them."

Gabby's system rejected this idea as if she had eaten tainted food.  She resolved to speak to Micky about it as soon as possible to see what they could do to address the situation.  In the meantime, she noticed that he seemed very tense this morning and she wanted to ask him about that also, but it would have to keep until their guests were gone.  She also noticed that Jan's eyes were red, as if she had been crying.  This she decided was something she could do something about and she walked over to Jan and invited her to come out to the garden with her for a stroll.

As soon as they were outside, Jan turned to her and said "Gabby, I know you're going to ask me what's up and I wish I could answer but I can't.  I'll just say that I should have known better and that it's my own damn fault."

Gabby's whole body tensed up and she seized Jan's shoulders.  "Jan, you don't think – I mean, I didn't – I swear, I didn't –"

Jan shook her head no "No, you didn't do anything wrong, Gabby.  I know that.  This isn't on you.  I overheard Davy and Micky arguing last night outside the house."