While the car wound up the driveway Emily speechlessly watched as the estate came into view. The house glowed from the decorations for Christmas and the grand event. Carlos stopped in front of the house, where a grounds worker busily cleared the walk for Ms. Claire and her guest. Emily reached for her door. Claire touched her hand and she hesitated. Carlos got out and went around and opened their door and then opened the door to the house.
Once inside Catherine greeted them. Claire happily introduced two of her favorite people. Emily sensed an exceptional relationship between Claire and Catherine.
Catherine informed them that their dinner could be ready at any time. Mr. Rawlings was delayed due to weather. He would be home late and they should eat without him. Claire thanked Catherine and told her she would show Emily to her room, let her freshen up, and they would return in fifteen minutes.
Emily and John were given a room down the hall from Claire’s suite. It was a room with one of the doors that Claire was surprised to see many months ago. These were bedrooms that were rarely used by anyone and kept immaculate just in case they may be needed. It was a suite about half the size of Claire’s, with a queen-sized bed, bedroom furniture, a sofa and chair, a small gas fireplace, attached bath, and walk-in closet. There were large windows that looked out onto the backyard. However, all that was visible now was the top of a very large tent.
Claire showed her the room and told her that Carlos would have her luggage there soon. Then she showed Emily to her own suite. It was just a few doors away in the same corridor. Emily tried to be polite, but she could only say “this is beautiful” so many times. She asked about Tony. Was this his room too?
“No. He has his own room on the first floor.” Claire smiled. “But he does visit.” She could sense Emily’s surprise that Claire and Tony didn’t share a bedroom. Tony had just earned a few points in Emily’s book.
They ate dinner in the formal dining room. As they finished, Tony arrived home. He behaved as politely and graciously as possible. He kissed Claire and hugged Emily, told her how happy he was that she arrived safely in spite of the weather. Luckily, the snow was scheduled to stop tomorrow and the forecast was clear for the weekend. Then he turned to Claire. “But you know those weather reports, you can never trust those meteorologists.” She playfully threw her napkin at him and he smiled. When he sat, Catherine brought him his dinner. The ladies had coffee while Tony ate.
After dinner Tony offered to take the lead on a house tour. Secretly Claire was delighted. She had been concerned about the magnitude of a tour. It was much easier to defer to Tony. Emily said she loved their home and asked if maps were available at the guest relations desk. Tony and Claire laughed, saying it wasn’t that big. She would know her way around in no time.
Tony added, “However, it did seem to take Claire a few weeks before she found her way around.” His statement caught Claire by surprise. However he didn’t notice, as he was watching for Emily’s reaction. Her obvious lack of understanding satisfied his unasked questions.
Her mask secure, she said, “Well, I finally learned the secret. Everything is connected to the main house, and if you need anything just ask.” Her response received a twinkling eyed smile from her fiancé.
Emily retired after the tour, promising to be more fun tomorrow. However, after a day of work, travel, and the magnitude of her surroundings she was exhausted. Claire hugged her and told her how happy they were that she was there.
It wasn’t long after Claire readied for bed that Tony joined her. Claire couldn’t help but inquire, “Explain that comment, please.”
Tony laughed. “My dear, I was just checking your reflexes.”
“Well, you nearly caused whiplash.”
“Perhaps there are other reflexes that we could investigate?”
John’s hearing adjourned at noon on Friday. He offered to fly commercial, but the earliest he would make Iowa City would be after 10:00 p.m. Tony graciously provided a company plane that allowed him to arrive in Iowa City by three thirty. Emily prepared him for the house and its amenities. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Tony and Claire for the flight and told them that their home was stunning.
It was a beehive of activity, with people everywhere making last-minute adjustments and preparing for the event. They were even beginning to prepare the food. The tent had been transformed into a picturesque banquet hall.
Claire and Emily readied themselves for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Tony accepted Courtney’s kind invitation and agreed that the dinner could be held at the Simmonses. The rehearsal was scheduled to begin at six thirty, with dinner at eight. It was late, but everyone had to get to the Rawlings home after a long day of work. The intimate guest list for the rehearsal included the minister, musicians, Brad, Monica, Patricia and a guest, the Vandersols, the Simmonses and their children, the Millers, the Bronsons, Elijah Summer, and MaryAnn. Of course, these guests would be at the wedding tomorrow, but this informal private gathering would allow them more relaxed friendly conversation than would be possible at the big event.
Everyone congregated in the grand hall by six fifteen. This group of friends respected Tony’s affection for punctuality. Claire waited for Tony in her suite. He wanted to make an entrance with his fiancée. “Ms. Nichols, you are stunning this evening.” Just before entering the hall, he beamed and whispered, “Tomorrow at this time you will be Mrs. Anthony Rawlings.”
She kissed her fiancé and smiled. “I can’t wait.”
There was a brief discussion by the head of security about some issues for the wedding. In an attempt to limit pictures, all cell phones, iPods, cameras, and any recording equipment, visual or audio, would be confiscated at the door. They would be returned on leaving the ceremony. The only recording of the wedding would be done by the hired photographer and cinematographer. Those photos would be reviewed by Shelly prior to release. However, as Tony and Claire’s personal friends, the head of security asked them to be observant, and if they noticed any prohibited recording notify security personal immediately. They would be everywhere. Claire felt like she was back stage at a rock concert.
The minister took a few minutes to discuss the important meaning of marriage and its significance. “Many people enter into marriage in this day and age without the understanding of eternity. When two individuals are joined in the sight of God, those two become one. They are one for eternity.” Tony and Claire looked at each other. She was in awe. How did she end up in the grand foyer of Anthony Rawlings’s estate, holding his hand, looking into his chocolate eyes, and listening to a minister talk about their marriage? The minister continued, “And after speaking with Anthony and Claire, I believe they are fully aware of the commitment which they are about to make, a commitment to God, to friends and family, and to each other. So to you, the intimate group of friends that Anthony and Claire have chosen to share in their special day, please join me in a prayer. Let us ask God to provide for Anthony and Claire, not in a monetary way. Let us pray that God will provide them with love, understanding, and patience. That He will provide each of them with the qualities necessary to take what they begin tomorrow and continue it into eternity. Let us pray.” Claire closed her eyes, Tony tenderly squeezed her hand, and a tear trickled down her cheek.
Brad and Monica then took control. They told Claire, John, and Emily to go upstairs. Tony, Brent, and the minister went to Tony’s office. The string quartet began to play. Brad and Monica wore earphones and microphones. They directed the participants. First they instructed the men to leave the office and walk to the back of the grand hall. A raised platform surrounded by sleek Christmas trees and lights had been constructed in front of the large windows. The only decorations on the trees besides the white lights were deep red crystal globes. The windows behind the platform exposed snow covered trees with more lights. The quartet was positioned slightly off to one side of the platform and the harpist was on the other. Once the men were in place, Emily was directed to descend the stairs and make her way down the aisle to the platform. After she arrived at her destination, the quartet concluded and the harpist began the traditional wedding march. Although it was the rehearsal, Claire and Tony’s friends rose to their feet and Brad motioned to Claire and John to descend the steps.