BACK HOME
DB86#2
Edited by: Pat
A trip back home changed their lives.
****
CHAPTER 1
Michael had just raised his hand to knock on the door when a shriek rang out from the other side. The sound immediately had him dropping the flowers he carried.
He opened the door and entered the room filled with women in purple dresses, all peering at him with wide, startled eyes.
"Michael?" The query was accompanied by a rustle of silk that drew his gaze to his sister Molly as she disengaged from the small cluster of women to his right.
Michael simply stared at her as she stood before him. "You look beautiful, Sis."
"Thank you, baby brother. Every little girl dreams about wearing a beautiful dress and look like a princess." There was emotion in Molly's voice and on her face.
"You make a gorgeous bride, Sis. I heard someone scream and I thought something had happened." Michael explained.
"All is well. Thank you for the compliment. It was a happy shriek. My bridesmaids were admiring how I look in my wedding dress."
She twirled around to give her brother the full effect.
Michael hesitated and glanced to the group of women who were acting as bridesmaids, all gathered now at the far end of the room. They all looked exquisite, which was actually a problem. He was a man after all... and he didn't want to unintentionally insult any of the women with a reaction from his nether regions.
Molly's attention was on the doorway behind him. "Were those for us?"
The question drew his gaze back to the open door and the flowers that lay scattered on the hall floor. Much to his relief, none of them appeared to have been damaged by the fall.
"Yes, sorry I dropped them." Michael apologized, turning to head back to the door. Molly followed. He knelt to collect the bouquets and she asked quietly. "I want to ask you something, a small favor, Bro."
Michael kept picking up the bridesmaids bouquets.
"I'm listening."
"A friend of mine travelled from a distant town to attend the wedding and I promised her that I would make sure that she'd be back to her hometown after the reception. She said something about needing to be there to help Betsie deliver a baby. I told her you wouldn't mind driving her home."
"You told her I would drive her back," Michael said slowly, a frisson of alarm sliding through him. His older sister was well-known for her matchmaking, and she didn't do anything without a purpose. Michael suddenly wasn't feeling good about this task.
Molly rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't look so alarmed, baby brother."
He shook his head.
"Geez, Molly. Your matchmaking powers are not going to work with me," he said with irritation. "Where does she live?"
"Middletown."
He frowned, "Middletown? Where exactly is that?"
"It's a small town to the west. I don't know for sure, I've never been there. She'll give you directions. I'm pretty sure it won't take more than a day to drive there."
"A day's drive! Are you out of your mind? Are there no planes or buses? Maybe a stage coach..."
"She doesn't like planes and there is no direct bus from here." She interrupted him. "Stage couches? Ha, ha, ha! Good one."
"I'm going to waste two days driving your friend there and then getting back here. Probably more if I make a stop to get some sleep."
The bridesmaids looked at him and Molly lowered her voice.
"It's not like you have to get back to work, is it, Bro? You haven't been doing much lately, except stay at home."
"Is she here?" Michael pointed with his chin to the group of bridesmaids.
Molly gave her brother a playful smile.
"She is but I'm not telling you which one of my bridesmaids she is."
Michael looked at the women with renewed interest.
"Molly, you know I love you, but this is too much to ask. Do I need to remind you that I'm already taking care of Emma? How am I supposed to drag our niece into a drive to some backwater town?"
"I already talked with Emma. She'll be thrilled to get out of your apartment for a change. You have no social life at all. Good thing you can work from home, otherwise you would be insane by now."
"The way I live my life is none of your business." Michael protested.
"I'm your sister. Everything about you is my business. Worrying for you come in the job description." she added with soft smile. "Look, I just thought that a nice relaxing drive would be good for you and Emma. Enjoy some country air. It's been a year since Curt and his wife died in that horrible accident..."
"Stop!" Michael snapped. "You know I don't like to talk about it."
He pressed his lips together and grimaced. The wounds of losing his older brother and best friend were still fresh for him. The fact that he had to babysit their teen daughter wasn't helping. It was a continuous reminder of what had happened.
"Fine, I'll do it. I'll drive your friend to Middle-Of-Nowhere-Town. Happy?"
Molly gave her younger brother a big smile.
"Thank you, baby brother. I knew I could count on you." Molly kissed Michael's cheek. "Now please leave. I have to get ready for the ceremony." She said, pushing him out of the room.
***
The wedding ceremony itself was beautiful.
Michael watched his father walking his sister down the aisle and give her away, then stand there, a picture of fatherly pride and joy. His father's eyes were bright with emotion. His mother got all teary-eyed as Molly and Matt exchanged their vows.
Molly and Matt made a beautiful couple and they were clearly devoted to one another. They were so sweet together that people joked by calling them M&M.
"They seem so happy. They're obviously deeply in love." Michael heard his niece Emma whisper. He merely grunted and hoped the ceremony wouldn't be long.
Fortunately, the minister wasn't long-winded.
After the ceremony, they had a nice wedding dinner not far from the church where family members and close friends ate together, danced and hung out. Since her brother's death had been just a year ago, Molly and Matt had opted for a very simple event. It was a bittersweet moment and everyone did their best not to mention the elephant in the room.
Molly and her father had the first dance and then he reluctantly handed her over to Michael. Finally Matt cut in to claim Molly so they could dance their first dance as husband and wife.
Michael looked at the happy couple as they waltzed around the dance floor. They both glowed with joy. Sharing this moment with them had woken up some feelings he had fought to send to the back of his mind. However, it was hard not to yearn for that kind of connection and happiness too.
CHAPTER 2
Sabrina descended the stairs raising the long skirt of her bridesmaid's gown a little higher with one hand, and carefully holding the handrail with the other.
The last thing she wanted was to slip on the rain-wet steps. She was not used to walking in high-heels.
It was raining like there'd be no tomorrow. Molly had told Sabrina that her brother Michael and her niece would be waiting for her at the entrance.
"In some cultures, rain on your wedding day is considered good luck, symbolizing fertility and cleansing," a female voice told her.
Sabrina glanced at the teen girl standing in the doorway. She was smiling tentatively at her.
"I love fun facts." Sabrina said.
"Hello, you must be Sabrina. I am Emma, Molly's niece."
"That's me. Nice to meet you, Emma. Molly told me about you."
"Nice to meet you too, Sabrina."
