CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
(part four)
Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.
“Kids asleep?” Sandy asked from his living room couch.
“Finally,” Aden said.
He held his hands out to her. She took his hands then let him pull her into his embrace.
“It’s all that Captain Crunch,” Sandy said. “Was that their first wedding?”
“The first one where they know the people,” Aden said. “Jake’s been such a big part of our lives. Jill is your best friend. She has special status. God, Noelle went on and on.”
“About what?”
“Everything.” Aden kissed her lips. He squinted his eyes.
“What?”
“I’m wondering how I can get you into bed,” he said.
Sandy laughed.
“How asleep are the kids?”
“Nash is completely out,” Aden said. “Noelle was just dropping off. You know how she talks until she’s asleep. What did you have in mind?”
“Hot tub. We’ve never….”
“It’s snowing.”
“No nosey neighbors.” Sandy kissed him.
“I love the way you think.”
Undressing as they went, he dragged her through the kitchen. Naked, he wrapped her in a bath sheet. He was reaching for a towel when he dropped to his knees.
“ADEN!” Sandy screamed.
He looked up at her and took her hand.
“Promise me, you’ll think about marrying me,” he said.
“You really scared me!” Sandy said. She swatted at his head.
“Promise me. Please.”
“I will.”
“You will what?”
“Marry you.”
“WHAT?!”
“I’ll marry you,” Sandy repeated.
“Today? Because I bet Delphie….”
“Soon,” Sandy said.
“I have to work tomorrow….”
“I’m working fourteen hour days until Christmas,” Sandy said.
“You’ve given this a lot of thought!”
Aden hopped to his feet. He pulled her into his arms. Sandy nodded.
“I don’t have a ring,” Aden said. “Oh crap, Sandy, I’m sorry.”
“No rings,” Sandy said. “Let’s just play it cool.”
“Cool. I can play it cool,” he said. “Are we telling people?”
“Oh, do you want to?”
“Yes, I want to tell everyone! I want to shout it to the world! I want ….”
Sandy kissed him.
“Slowly,” she said. “For me. Ok?”
Aden nodded. He opened the door and the wind blew a blast of cold onto them. Sandy shivered. With his arm on her shoulder, he led her to the hot tub.
“Aden?”
“Yes, Sandy?”
“You’re naked and it’s snowing.”
He jumped into the hot tub. In a flash, he stretched his arm out and snatched Sandy’s towel off. She squealed and ran to get in the hot tub.
“You’re the very best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Aden said.
“Prove it.”
As the snow fell into the hot water, he rose to her challenge.
~~~~~~~~
Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.
MJ held Honey’s hair while she threw up in the toilet.
“Are you sick from all that Captain Crunch?” MJ asked.
“I don’t think so,” Honey said. “I think I’m pregnant.”
“WHAT?” MJ said. “How is that possible?”
“The egg is released from the ovary. It travels down the fallopian tube where it meets the sperm….”
“But I thought we couldn’t. You couldn’t. I….”
“They said six months,” Honey said. “It’s been about five months since I was injured.”
“Wow.” MJ leaned against the sink.
“Could you get me a wash cloth? I can’t really get it myself.”
“Oh. Yeah. Sure.” MJ wet a hand towel and gave it to her.
Honey wiped her face and hands.
“You seem lost in thought,” Honey said.
“You’re sure? I mean about a baby. You’re sure.”
“No, I’m not at all sure,” Honey said. “It could a combination of the Crohn’s and three bowls of cereal.”
“Oh,” MJ said.
“Oh?”
“Let’s make sure.”
MJ carried her back to bed.
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
(part three)
Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.
“Big day,” Jazmyne said.
Candy Roper rolled on to her side in their bed. She stroked Jazmyne’s bare shoulder.
“Your fabulous cake got you a real job at a bakery,” Jazmyne held up one finger.
“Colin Hargreaves offered me the job,” Candy said. “I have to meet the other owners. He said they would set up a baking interview this week. This time next week, I could have a real paying job.”
“Yes,” Jazmyne kissed Candy’s hand.
“We went to our first family function.” Jazmyne held up a second finger.
“Together,” Candy added. “And no one thought a thing about it.”
“We even danced together,” Jazymyne said.
“A lot,” Candy said. “Hey doesn’t that get a finger?”
“Sure,” Jazmyne held up a third finger.
“You spent the day with your mother.”
“Yesterday,” Candy said. “And you met her and liked her.”
“She’s a gorgeous, amazing person,” Jazmyne said. “Like her daughter.”
“And I was right that she wouldn’t care,” Candy said.
“She wants you to be happy.”
“Yeah,” Candy said. She moved Jazmyne’s forth finger up.
Jazmyne’s hand popped open to five.
“What’s the fifth?” Candy asked.
“Mike said he would father a child,” Jazmyne said.
“YOU ASKED HIM?” Candy blushed to the edges of her hair. “What did the beautiful wife say?”
“She said it was a great idea. Candy, we could be pregnant by the end of the year!”
“Wow,” Candy said.
“You need to get over your Valerie complex,” Jazmyne said. “She’s not the person they say she is on Entertainment Tonight. She adores your brother. She’s quite friendly. And so gorgeous. Plus, she paid for your Chef school and never asked for anything in return.”
Jazmyne turned onto her side to look at Candy. Candy seemed lost in thought.
“Are you mad? Say something!” Jazmyne said.
“We’re going to be Mommies!”
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
(part two)
Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.
Delphie was showering in his bathroom when Sam came in. He went into the bathroom to say ‘hello’ then began changing out of his tux. He was exhausted, worn out and charged up at the same time. He’d ever seen a more beautiful wedding or enjoyed a reception more.
“Can you believe they fed each other Captain Crunch instead of cake?” Delphie laughed from the bathroom. “The pictures are going to be fun.”
“Very Jacob,” Sam said. “Very Jill.”
“Do you think Candy was offended? She really worked her butt of making that gorgeous Crunch Berry cake.”
“She didn’t seem to be,” Sam said. He pulled off his tie. “You were truly wonderful.”
Delphie came out of the bathroom wrapped in a lime green towel. She wore in another towel in a turban around her hair.
“Thanks,” Delphie said.
“Would you….” Sam started.
He furrowed his brow at her then went into his walk in closet to hang his suit. Puzzled, she followed him to the closet.
“What’s up, Sam?” Delphie asked. “A moment ago, you seemed so happy. Now…?”
“Would you ever want to do this?”
“Do what?”
“Get married,” Sam said.
Delphie laughed.
“I’m serious.”
“I know,” Delphie said.
“I don’t ever want you to feel… second best or taken advantage of… when….”
Delphie put her arms around his neck. She held him close.
“Do you love me?” Delphie asked.
“Yes,” Sam said. “I do.”
“And Celia?”
“I love her too,” Sam said. “Miss her. I….”
“Shh,” Delphie said. “When it’s all said and done, she and I will have split your life. How do you feel about that?”
“There are a few years when I didn’t know either of you.” Sam smiled.
“Yeah? How many?”
“Ten glorious years.” Sam laughed.
“You and Celia met when you were ten years old,” Delphie said. “I met Celia when I was twelve years old. She rescued me when I was sixteen. You had Celia for….”
“Thirty-seven years,” Sam said.
“I’ll marry you on our thirty-seventh year,” Delphie said.
“What if I die before that?”
“What if I die before that?” Delphie shrugged.
“I don’t want you to feel taken advantage of or be alone in your old age or….”
“I have no family. At least any I’ve seen in almost fifty years,” Delphie said. “You, Celia, the kids have always been my family.”
“The kids think of you as family,” Sam said.
“Isn’t that wonderful?” Delphie asked. “It’s like a dream come true for me. If you die before I do, I’ll have our family. But I’ll miss you desperately.”
Sam held her to him.
“Do you feel second best?” He said in her ear.
“To Celia?”
“Yes.”
“I am second best to Celia,” Delphie said.
Sam shifted away from her to look into her face.
“Celia was….” Delphie shook her head. Tears sprung to her eyes. “The best person I’ve ever met. I owe her my life. I’m second best to Celia because everyone is.”
Sam held her close again.
“I miss her too, Sam,” Delphie said. “And I love you. Both things are true for me.”
“I just don’t want….”
“What do you want, Big Sam?” Delphie asked. “Because I have everything I want – home, love, family, friends, good work, gardens, bees….”
“Thirty-four more years?” Sam asked.
Delphie laughed.
“I’ll tell you what, Mr. Lipson.” Delphie helped him out of his shirt. “When I want to get married, I’ll tell you. I will ask you for what I need. Will you promise me the same?”
Sam nodded.
“There is something….”
Delphie dropped her towel.
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
(part one)
Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.
“I thought they’d never crash,” Valerie whispered. “They’ve been spinning in circles for at least an hour.”
She set Paddie Hargreaves down on their bed and began changing him.
“Too much sugar and chocolate,” Mike whispered.
He set Katy down on the other side of their bed. He took off her pretty shoes.
“What do you think about the dress?” Mike asked in his soft voice.
“See if you can take it off,” Valerie replied in the same tone. “Katy will cry if something happens to her wedding dress. Colin gave me some extra clothes for Paddie. Do we have PJs for Katy?”
“I didn’t think to get some,” Mike said. “She can wear one of my t-shirts.”
Valerie slipped Paddie under the covers. He opened his eyes for a moment to say, “Katy?”
“I’m sleeping,” Katy said. Mike helped her under the covers.
“I’m so glad,” Paddie said. His eyes drooped.
Mike beckoned Valerie out of the room. Before they were out the door, Katy and Paddie were sound asleep. They left the hall light on.
“What would you like to….” Valerie started.
Mike lifted her from her feet. His lips devoured her mouth. With her legs wrapped around his hips, he carried her into their sitting area.
“Bath?” He asked.
“Kiss me,” she said. “Just kiss me.”
“What about your fancy dress?” Mike asked.
With a flip of her hand, Valerie unzipped her Marchesa gown. Her dress dropped to her waist. Mike continued his exploration of her mouth. When his mouth strayed from hers to kiss her neck or shoulders, she begged him to return.
“I don’t know what it is….” Valerie’s mouth was less than an inch from his.
“Sugar and chocolate?” He asked.
“Makes me very hot….”
Mike fingers worked her nipples. His mouth pulled at her lips.
“Impatient….”
Mike moved to pull the rest of the dress from her.
“My body aches for slow, easy… hot.”
Mike laughed.
“Do you think they spiced the Captain Crunch with Viagra?”
She laughed. Holding his chin in her hand, she kissed his lips.
“You’ve never needed….”
And she was lost.
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
(part six)
Their friends and family cheers and hooted. With Katy between them, Jill and Jacob ran out of the Chapel. They were pelted with rice from the Lipson employees waiting for them in the tunnel. Jacob picked up Katy and up the stairs they went into the Castle where they were pelted with more rice by everyone waiting in the kitchen. Jacob continued toward a hallway off the main Castle living room. Leaning against a panel, he clicked the hidden sliding door and they were in a private sitting room. There was a bottle of champagne, roses, chocolates and candles.
Katy bounced up and down for him to let her get the chocolates. He set Katy down and she ran to the table. Turning to Jill, he encircled her in his arms.
“This is the best day of my entire life,” he said.
“I love you.” They whispered at the same time.
“Any regrets?” Jacob asked.
“Only that we didn’t do this sooner.”
Jacob laughed.
Denver Cereal continues on Monday….
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
(part five)
There was not a dry eye in the Chapel when Jill finished their poem.
“Jill, do you come to this marriage of your own free will?” Delphie asked.
“I do,” Jill said.
“Jacob, do you come to this marriage of your own free will?”
“I do,” Jacob said.
“Will your love survive the harsh fires of change?” Delphie asked.
“It will,” Jill and Jacob said.
“May your home be filled with warmth,” Delphie led their audience in saying.
“Will you love survive the ebb and flow of feeling?” Delphie asked,
“It will,” Jill and Jacob.
“May your life together be filled with love.” Delphie led their audience in saying.
“Will your love survive the times of stillness and restriction?” Delphie asked.
“It will,” Jill and Jacob said.
“May your union be strong,” the audience said with Delphie.
“Will your love survive the clear light of day?”
“It will,” Jill and Jacob said.
“May your marriage be blessed by the light of every new dawn.”
“Katy? You may come forward now,” Delphie asked. Instructing the audience, she said, “Please take each other’s hands.”
Katy ran to Jill and Jacob and held out her hands for them to take. Letting go of each other, they formed a circle of hand with Katy. Their friends and family held hands. When Katy jumped up and down and Jill picked her up. Jacob retook Katy’s hand.
“The Rings of Marriage serve many purposes,” Delphie said. “As rings are never-ending circles, they are a symbol of the never-ending commitment of marriage. As permanent fixtures on your left hand, they are a reminder of the one person to which you have sworn your devotion. And as jewelry, they enhance the hand, just as one life, through the joining of marriage, enhances another. Jill, Jacob and Katy, did you bring rings?”
“We did,” Jill and Jacob said.
When Jill bounced Katy on her hip, Katy said, “Oh, me too.”
“Jill and Katy, will you repeat after me?” Delphie said, “We give you this ring as a symbol of our love for you. As it circles your finger, let it always remind you of our eternal love, surrounding and enfolding you day and night.”
Katy dug around the pocket in her dress until she found Jacob’s ring. She gave the ring to Jill. While her eyes held his, Jill slipped a satin finished titanium wedding band onto Jacob’s finger.
“Jacob, please repeat after me,” Delphie said. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. As it circles your finger, let it always remind you of our eternal love, surrounding and enfolding you day and night.”
Jacob slipped a band onto Katy’s right middle finger. With tears in his eyes, he slipped a thin gold band on Jill’s ring finger. The wedding band set perfectly against the Marlow beauty.
“These rings are circles,” Delphie said. “Each represents the full circle of a life, as one is given into the care of the other.”
Jacob took Jill’s hand and Katy’s hand again.
“Friends and family,” Delphie continued. “You represent the community that will surround and support this marriage with love and friendship. No partnership exists in a vacuum. It is beholden upon each of you to honor and respect this union. Will you support this union?”
“We will,” the chapel echoed with their voices.
“Angelika? Sam?”
Jill’s mother and Jacob’s father came to the front of the room. With Delphie’s help, Angelika and Sam lit cream colored taper candles.
“Jill? Jacob?”
Delphie motioned for Jill, with Katy on her hip, to stand on her left side. She motioned for Jacob to stand on her right.
“Angelika?”
Angelika gave Jill her taper candle.
“Sam?”
Sam gave Jacob his taper candle.
“Jill?”
“I bring you the warmth of my heart,” Jill said.
“And mine too,” Katy said. Whispering to Jill, she added , “I forgot what I was ‘sposed to say.”
Jill kissed her cheek.
“I bring the light of my love,” Jacob said.
Jill and Jacob lit a large cream colored pillar candle set in front of the roses on the table. While they lit the candle, Delphie said:
“Above you is the vast universe, below you is the deep soil and stones. Remember always, like the universe, your love should be vast and constant. Like the Earth, your love should be solid and deep. Be understanding and patient, for storms may come and go. Be free always in giving affection and warmth, for it is the currency of a happy marriage.”
Jill, Katy and Jacob returned to their positions in front of Delphie.
“May the warmth and light of your union be blessed. May you know the best of fortune, and your life together be one of joy and prosperity. Do you swear to keep sacred your vows?”
“We do,” Jill, Katy and Jacob said.
“Please seal your promise with a kiss,” Delphie said.
Jill set Katy down. While they had promised no grand gestures and no tongue, Jacob took her breath away by leaning her back into his arms. His kiss was hard, insistent and left her lips tingling. Jill and Jacob bent to kiss either side of Katy’s cheeks.
“I now pronounce you – husband, wife and family.”
At that moment, the sun flashed through the stained glass windows. The Chapel lit up in the morning sun.
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
(part four)
“You may sit down,” Delphie said. “Who brings this man into this marriage?”
“We do,” Valerie, Sam, Blane and Aden said.
“His mother and I as well,” Delphie said. “Who brings this woman into this marriage?”
“We do,” Megan, Tim, Steve, Candy, Mike said in unison. Megan’s kids joined in with giggles.
“Her parents do,” Angelika and her husband followed her siblings call.
“Me too!” Katy jumped up and down in her seat beside Mike.
The crowd chuckled at Katy’s exuberance.
“Before we begin, who here is against this marriage?”
Her question was met by silence.
“Who here is for this marriage?”
“We are.” The chapel resonated with their voices.
“Yes, it’s about time,” Delphie laughed. “You may begin Jacob.”
The crowd fell silent. Jill’s entire attention was held by Jacob’s deep hazel eyes.
“I dreamed of you,” Jacob said.
“When I was a child,” Jill said.
“But life had other plans,” he said.
“For me” they said in unison.
“And I forgot my perfect dream.” he said.
Jill’s eyes welled with happy tears. Without letting go of her hand, his finger tips stroked her cheek. He nodded to her.
“I saw you at,” Jill said.
“The very moment that,” Jacob said
“I was ready,” they said together.
“To remember,” she said.
“My dream,” he said.
“Of you.”
“And our.”
“Life together.” They said at the same time.
“Now that I’m here,” he said.
“I won’t ever,” she said.
“Ever.”
“Forget you,” they said in unison.
“Again.”
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
(part three)
Jill and Sandy stood together.
“Bend down,” Sandy said.
Jill bent over so that Sandy could a fluff of tulle with cream roses attached to the comb in her hair.
“Nervous?” Sandy asked.
Jill nodded.
“I’ll be right there. I love you, Jill.”
“I love you, Sandy,” Jill said.
Sandy touched one last curl, then went into the Chapel. MJ, with Honey on his back, where the last guests through the door.
Jill stood alone in the little hallway. Staring at the door, Jill’s mind flashed to standing at the top of the escalators waiting for the Seawell Ballroom security to notice her. She met Jacob again that day. Her life, her really good life, started the moment she stepped off the escalator.
At the time, she only saw the part of her life that was ending – her soul mate marrying some other girl. Jill stroked the script “Soul Mates” tattoo on her wrist. She’d asked Jacob if he’d like her to have the tattoo removed. Of course, Jacob just laughed. He said that like Trevor, the “Soul Mates tattoo” was a part of her. He loved every part of her.
Jacob.
Jill smiled. She touched the button that had been her friend, life force, and constant companion since she stole it from Jacob the wizard’s jacket. Jacob had it made into a bracelet so she could always have it with her. Her finger traced the barely visible bumps.
Jacob is waiting for me. Her entire face lit up in a smile.
Mike came through the door with a bouquet of six cream colored roses wrapped in cream ribbon.
“You look happy,” Mike said.
Jill nodded.
“Ready?” Mike asked.
Jill nodded.
“I wondered if you might want this as well,” Mike said.
He held up the ribbon he’d wrapped around the rose he’d given her for Trevor’s engagement party. Jill laughed.
“Guess not,” Mike said. He stuffed the ribbon into his pocket. “Here we go.”
Jill placed her hand on his elbow and they stepped into the Chapel. In the dim early morning light, the chapel glowed with in the warmth of hundreds of cream colored pillar candles. On the front table sat an enormous vase filled with the dozens of cream colored roses Jill had collected in her journey to the Chapel. Each pew had a large cream colored bow with two cream colored roses in the center. Standing at the front, Delphie wore a gorgeous lavender colored dress.
“Please rise to welcome our bride,” Delphie said.
The room was filled with everyone she loved. Her brother and sisters, their partners and children, her precious mother and her husband, Claire Martins, her husband and all of their children, Blane, Valerie, Sam and in a row, her best forever friends – Tanesha, Heather, and Sandy. Sandy was tucked under Aden’s arm. Noelle and Nash waved to her from beside Aden. Jill’s eyes went from smiling face to smiling face.
Until she saw him.
Wearing the black tux and tails she bought for him, Jacob’s entire being radiated with his happiness. Their eyes caught and Jill all but floated the rest of the way to him. She felt the brush across her cheek from Mike’s kiss, but her mind and soul were focused on the beautiful man in front of her. Jacob took the bouquet from her and gave it to Valerie. He took her hands into his own.
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
(part two)
For protection from the coal dust in the tunnels, Sandy helped Jill into a long overcoat. Together, they went down the stairs where Lipson Construction employees filled the entire coal tunnels. They screamed, clapped, and hooted for Jill. Dozens of roses were passed forward for her.
Turning toward the Castle Chapel entrance, she saw MJ with Honey riding piggyback. Honey’s small head peeked over his broad shoulders. He held her legs with his arms.
“You’re not coming in?” Jill asked.
“Got to keep the natives quiet. This riff raff….” Honey pointed to the Lipson Construction employees who cheered. “Need a little management.”
Jill laughed.
“Go on,” MJ said.
MJ’s partner, Sergeant Margaret Peaches and the rest of MJ’s team stood near the hallway to the chapel. Every team member brought their wife or partner. These military people said the nicest things to Jill.
Samantha Hargreaves and her boyfriend, Art Rasmussen, stood near the entrance to the Chapel hallway. More than most of the people here, Samantha knew Jill’s long journey to marry Jacob. Samantha kissed Jill’s cheek then started crying herself. Jill gave her a teary hug then entered the hallway.
Senator Patrick Hargreaves and his wife stood near the entrance talking to Valerie, Megan, and Jill’s mother. When they saw Jill, the Senator and his wife oohed and aahed over Jill and her gorgeous dress. After Sandy helped Jill out of her overcoat,Valerie and Megan collected all the roses and took them into the chapel. The Senator and his wife left the hallway to give Jill, her mother and Sandy a little privacy.
“Mikheil will come to get you,” Jill’s mother, Angelika, said into Jill’s ear as she held her close. “Bless you Jilly. You’ve always been the very heart of me.”
“I love you, Mama,” Jill whispered.
“Your Papa is inside with Claire and Ben. He won’t be able to stay, but wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Jill sniffled.
“No tears, my dear.” Angelika let go of Jill. “Sandra? Will you work your magic?”
Sandy pulled out her supplies from her fanny pack. While Angelika straightened Jill’s dress, Sandy put the finishing touches to Jill’s hair with a comb and a portable curling iron. Anglika checked Jill’s makeup then gave her a lace handkerchief.
“My mother gave me this when I married your Papa,” Jill’s mother said.
Jill moved to hug her, but her mother stepped back.
“No mussing,” Angelika said. “It’s time.”
Angelika kissed Jill’s cheek, wiped the lipstick off with her thumb then turned into the Chapel. Jill and Sandy stood together.
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
(part one)
Sandy opened the loft door.
They thread their way through Jacob’s old apartment to the long stairwell. Sandy held up the bottom of her dress and Jill began her descent. Reaching the landing, she slipped on her Louboutins and turned left into the main Castle living room.
Jill stopped so fast that Sandy ran into her. All of her friends, Jacob’s friends and their friends stood to create the borders of a small pathway. Each person held a cream colored long stem rose.
Sandy nudged Jill forward between the people. She walked past her friends from Pete’s Kitchen. As she passed, they gave her their well wishes, congratulations and hugs with their cream colored rose. Risto, the beefy cook who broke up Jacob and Jill’s second kiss, had tears streaming down his face. He gave Jill a bear hug which caused the crowd to cheer and clap.
Rosa, the housekeeper who took care of Jill and Katy that summer, stood with Sarah and Scooter. The dogs had cream colored roses in their collars. The dogs barked and wagged at Jill when Rosa gave her a hug. Rosa’s sons stood in their Lipson Construction shirts behind their mother. The men waved to Jill as she continued on.
Valerie’s publicist, Jennifer and, her designer friend, Ramon, hugged Jill. Ramon whispered that he set up the chapel just for her. Jennifer added that the flowers were Ramon’s idea. Thanking them both, Jill took her roses and continued walking to the chapel.
Continuing through the tunnel, Jill passed her old work friends from Ashforth construction. Darla, Ashforth’s office manager, whispered that she would start working in Lipson Construction’s acquisitions department tomorrow. Jill laughed. When her hands filled with cream colored roses, Sandy took them from her.
Jill moved toward Alex Hargreaves standing between her husband John Drayson and her twin brother. Alex winked at Jill while the men kissed her hand. Paddie, his father, Colin, and mother, Julie Hargreaves stood across from Alex and John. Paddie leapt from his father’s arms into Jill’s. The little boy rubbed his face against Jill’s neck. When Colin pulled the child away, Julie gave Jill their three roses with their congratulations.
She saw the Denver Zoo volunteers who helped them when Katy was stung by the bee. Shirley, Edward and Mary gave Jill their roses. Their lined, wrinkled faces beamed with joy.
Molly, who managed Jacob’s rehabilitation business along with Jill’s new decorating business, her husband, Pete and their three kids stood next to the zoo volunteer. Flustered, Molly wasn’t sure if she could or should hug Jill. Jill hugged her. Molly kissed Jill’s cheek. Pete gave Jill their five roses.
As she crossed into the Castle kitchen, she saw a bunch of people from Lipson construction standing in rows two deep. Many of them she’d seen before but didn’t know. Each person gave her a rose.
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….
