17. Wedding Invitation

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"Tomorrow. That's soon. How long have you been engaged?" I asked, in an attempt to shift the conversation away from me.

"A year now."

"How exciting," commented Christopher. He patted Mr. Connelly's shoulder. "What a lucky man you are."

"I'll say," said Katherine, pulling her fiance closer to her. It was almost sickening how she smothered him, but I didn't say anything.

"Oh, before I forget. A friend of mine is coming. He's a pastor from a little ways away from here. He was giving a sermon at another church today and told him to meet us here. I hope that's alright," said Christopher. "He's good people."

"Yes, yes, of course," replied the Lord. "If you don't mind me asking, what was the sermon about?"

It was then when Christopher began to spark up. He smiled when he said, "I'm glad you asked. Pastor Larsen told me it was about giving to those less fortunate. He's actually asking for donations to help the orphanages provide food and clothing for the children around the country. You know, since winter is coming."

"What a good cause," said Mr. Connelly. "Don't you think it's a good cause, Katherine, dear?"

"Of course! Those poor children."

Just then, there was a shout of "hello there!" from across the grass. We all turned our heads and caught the profile of Larsen, dressed in a more professional outfit (though apparently he didn't know how to tuck anything in). He came up to us with a jolly smile, different from his usual face full of disinterest.

"Captain Taylor, good afternoon. How have ye been?" he said, patting Christopher's shoulder.

"Very well, pastor. I'm glad you can join us. Let me introduce you." He gestured toward the rest of our party. "These are the Wheats. The Lady and Lord and their daughter Katherine Wheat, along with her fiance Mr. Connelly."

"Hello, hello, hello," Larsen said, shaking everyone's hand, even going as far as shaking Katherine's hand despite her not holding it out. In turn, she gave a disgusted look, but that didn't faze Larsen at all.

"Pastor, a pleasure," smiled the Lord.

"The same, good Lord. I'm glad you let me join. Such friendly folks ye have 'ere cap'n."

"Some of the best people I know. Anyway, how did the sermon go?" asked Christopher.

"Oh, just fine. A lovely crowd. I'm only so happy that people care so much about these children to show up. My, you should have seen it! Checkbooks flying out of pockets, women with wads of bills on them, ha! Even the children were begging their parents to give their allowance away!"

The Wheats seemed amused by this, Lady Wheat putting a hand over her mouth, taken aback by how many good people there seemed to be in the world. If only she knew where this money was really going," I thought to myself.

"That's wonderful, pastor," I added, to keep the conversation flowing. Larsen nodded.

"Yes, quite so. The Lord would be so proud."

"What church do you preach at, by chance? Sermons that collect that much money must be graced by some kind of miracle. Katherine and I would love to sit in on one of your sermons. Isn't that right, dear?" said Mr. Connelly.

Though, bored, Katherine said, "yes, I quite agree."

"Oh, I'm from some run down little church just south of here. It's a little far away and-"

"Thats alright. We don't mind. It would be a blessing to hear you speak."

"That's mighty kind of you, good sir," said Larsen, glancing at Christopher for a moment. Christopher gave a "go on" look. "Except I'm retiring. This sermon was my last, sadly."

"Oh, how terrible," exclaimed Lady Wheat. "I hope you managed to collect enough money needed from just today's sermon."

Christopher stepped forward, pretending to be interested in the topic. "Yes, paster. Did you collect enough? I know we donated so much already, but we're willing to give more. How about it?"

"Yes, please let us give more," I insisted, "it's for children after all. Christopher, darling. Imagine if our Olympia-, oh, I can't just imagine it!"

"Darling, darling, please don't think that way. Our daughter is safe back home and cared for. Once we finish my work business here, we can return to her." Christopher wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. It gave me goosebumps, but none of the others seemed to notice. They were too busy pulling out their checkbooks.

"What's a good number for you, pastor?" said Lord Wheat, flipping open the little black checkbook and readying his pen. Lady Wheat was rubbing his back, a grateful look on her face.

"Actually, I have a better idea," Mr. Connelly said, putting his checkbook away. The Lord followed his lead. "Why don't you come to the wedding, all of you. I'm sure you'll make the rest you need there."

"Honey," Katherine sneered, gripping harder on her fiance's arm. He said "ow" in response. "What about the wedding gifts?"

"What about them? We have so much! Besides, it's not about the gifts, dear, it's about our marriage! You're not just marrying me for the gifts, are you?"

"Wha-, what? No! Edward, why would you-"

"I'm just joking, dear," he said, laughing. "But I do think it would be a a kind thing to do! We already have so much!"

"I suppose..."

"Excellent. It's is settled then. We're having the wedding at the church just three blocks from here at noon. You all are invited to sit in."

Wedding? We were going to a wedding? I glanced at Christopher. His smile only grew brighter. "We'd love to come."

"Yes, very much so." I said.

"How about it, Pastor?"

"Yes! I mean," began Larsen, "yes, that would be lovely. Thank you."

"All in the name of charity," said Mr. Connelly, his face bright like an angel from heaven. It was only his fluffy white wings and golden halo that was missing.

Everyone was pleased by this decision, except Katherine who suddenly grew quiet. She let go of her fiance's arm and once again looked like the pouting fifteen years old I knew from before.

Though the time had changed, it was funny to see what still stayed the same.

***

When we left the park it was late in the afternoon where everyone was taking naps in their homes or took up reading in a comfy chair, but not for me and Christopher. The moment we left the park after Larsen and the rest of the party parted from us, the topic of our fictional daughter came up.

"So we have a daughter now, do we?" said Christopher teasingly. "You know, you could have just left it at us deciding not to have children as it would prevent a reason for them visiting us at our fictional home that we don't have."

"Are you mad at me right now or what?"

"I wouldn't say I'm mad at you, just curious I suppose to why you'd add fuel to a burning fire."

"So you are mad at me for it," I said, looking away from him and focusing on my feet moving as we paraded the streets of shops.

"I told you, I'm not mad."

"You sound that way."

He chuckled. "I'm not. Calm down. It's amusing that you seem stressed about it, though."

"What I'm more stressed about is finding suitable clothes for the wedding tomorrow. We can't just go in with what we're wearing now."

"Easy. Lost and found."

"You mean at the inn?"

"Exactly."


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