The wedding reception lasted till the wee hours of the morning as everyone had a good time. The highlight of the reception was the opening solo dance of Vivian and Eino. That ubiquitous, traditional bride and groom dance was a pleasant marveling experience for Vivian and went far beyond what she would have expected. When she had finished law school and acquired her position at Kirkland, Mayer & McDermott, she had taken formal ballroom dancing instructions in order that she wouldn't find herself to be out of place in high society formal social outings. This indeed did serve her well during her affair with Jed Baxter, since despite his marriage there were several occasions where she and Jed were dance partners in some gala social balls in Chicago.
In the planning for this wedding, Vivian had gotten a hold of the agent for Andrรฉ Rieu, the Dutch violinist and conductor best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra. His concerts worldwide have been enjoyed by millions. The agent was able to dispatch a limited number of the orchestra's musicians to perform at this wedding. For that opening dance, the band performed Rieu's signature piece of music titled, the Waltz No 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich. Despite the truncated orchestra, their rendition was just as beautiful to behold had Andrรฉ Rieu himself performed with the full complement of his orchestra.
Vivian was pleasantly surprised as to how superb Eino proved to be as her partner for this dance. Instead of woodenly moving around on the dance floor, he danced superbly and confidently. His performance to the waltz was smooth, as they glided effortlessly around the dance floor to the delight and applause of their onlookers. Vivian couldn't help but exclaim, "My goodness my dearest husband. Oh, wait a minute, let me say that again... (pregnant pause) My dearest husband. I don't think I'll ever get tired of addressing you as such.
"Anyway, as a mere dairy farmer, you have the dancing skills surpassing the vast majority of those of the male persuasion. I'll have you know that I've taken professional dance lessons while living in Chicago. I can safely say, without fear of contradiction, that even those of the most urbane sophisticated dance partners I've had the pleasure to experience, none of them, and I repeat, none of them, are superior to your dancing skills. Some of them might equal your skill, but again, none of them could surpass your dancing prowess. So, what is your secret my dear beloved husband? Of whoops, something else I think I'll never tire of saying, let me say it again... (pregnant pause) My beloved husband. How can you be such a skilled dancer, being a mere dairy farmer?"
Eino naturally chuckled at Vivian's hyperbole but was warmed by her sentiments of approbation. He replied, "I know you haven't had the sufficient time to get to know or appreciate my mother's character fully in all its myriad factors. Suffice it to say that my mother appears to the world to be a mere farmer's wife, to my late father, and mother to a farmer's son, namely me, but still there is more to her than those simple facts. She is appreciative of the fine arts, and when I was twelve years old wanted to enroll me in ballet instruction. Over my objections and that of my father's, she relented and had me enrolled in ballroom dancing lessons instead. She paid no attention to my objections in that instance, and my father waved the white flag of surrender on this matter. In hindsight, I'm now glad she persisted, as it has allowed me to dazzle my pretty new bride."
Vivian replied, "Oh, I'm dazzled all right, and you have provided me with nothing but happy surprises since the time you proposed, and I accepted. So, when we leave here, I'll have some happy surprises for you as well. At least I trust they'll be happy surprises."
"Happy surprises you say? I can't wait. I'm definitely intrigued."
"Yes, I'm anxious to leave as well, but I guess we have some obligation to our guests. Mind you considering the joy that seems to permeate this room, everybody seems to be having a good time. I know if I wasn't the bride, I would be wanting to stay all night."
Then Vivian added wickedly, "Mind you given my track record, perhaps if I weren't the bride, I might have left here before the time we are actually going to leave."
By this time Eino Tarvas was getting used to his bride's insouciance regarding sex as well as her self-deprecatory humor. He replied in kind, "Well then, I guess from my point of view, it's a good thing you are the bride, so that I'm spared the tedious task of chasing away all your beaus."
When the music had died down from that first dance, the audience/guests were thrilled by the music and the wonderful display of the solo dance of Vivian and Eino. The applause was relentless, so much so, that the orchestra was compelled to repeat the music. This time Vivian and Eino were joined by other couples on the dance floor. Eino then danced with his mother while Erica and Vivian danced together. After that, Vivian and Eino returned to their seats to allow guests to approach them to offer their congratulations and otherwise to comment on the joyous occasion.
Angela was the first to return to her seat and she gushed to Vivian, "Congratulations Vivian. You are truly the consummate beautiful bride. And what a wonderful reception event! My sisters had only six months to prepare a decent wedding for me, but you pulled it off in less than two months. Your wedding certainly blows away mine despite very little help from me or Erica. By the way, how in the world did you manage to get to engage Andrรฉ Rieu's Orchestra for this reception?"
Vivian chuckled at Angela's description of her wedding, so she replied, "Gee Angela if your elaborate lavish wedding was merely 'decent'* (*air quote) how would you label my wedding? Spectacular perhaps?"
"Spectacular is indeed a good enough description!"
"As for Andrรฉ Rieu, this is an example of the clichรฉ, money talks, and good things happen if you only ask. The main part of the orchestra along with Rieu of course are now in the midst of a tour in Australia. These musicians here remained in Holland but are contracted to join the tour next week to replace those musicians who for one reason or another could not commit for the entire engagement. So, I caught a lucky break there."
Sometime later during the intervening mingling of the guests, Vivian happened to have had a very interesting discussion with Carmen Kass. They were both of similar age and hit it off ever so well. Their conversation was visibly animated and lasted longer than the perfunctory greetings exchanged between most of the other guests. Eino who had witnessed the exchange between them subsequently innocently asked what the two of them had talked about. Vivian coyly replied, "Oh you'll find out soon enough. For now, suffice it to say you will be pleased."
Eino replied, "I'm even more intrigued now than ever."