Andrea was working overtime at wedding preparations. She was working with Sofia and Violet to get a bunch of different components to fly in formation. Sofia was in charge of attire for those not wearing a uniform. This would be Veronica, Amber, herself, and Jennifer. It was Paige and Henrik’s call. The thinking was with impending retirement, it might be the last opportunity to wear their full dress uniforms. Besides, it was the military that brought them together. Sofia was able to scrounge up an additional Marine dress uniform for Violet, but Veronica was Air Force and the resources just weren’t there.
Violet was tasked with decorations. From the archway they would be in front of, to the flowers (plastic or paper), she was in charge. Andrea was skeptical until she saw the origami flowers and swans Violet made from simple typing paper. Violet took a lot of joy in teaching Jennifer how to make them so she could help Violet. This kept Jennifer engaged and freed up Jonas for other tasks.
Silas and Jonas were working the other construction elements for the wedding. The location chosen would be the field behind the house. It was large enough, private and had the right feel, according to the bride. A trellis archway needed built, benches for the audience and a small platform for the ceremony to happen on all needed constructed.
All the preparation was designed in ways to prevent the bride and groom from having to construct their own wedding. Petra was tasked to keep Paige busy with the trailer project and the other vehicle preparations. Veronica and Ivar were keeping Henrik busy hunting and gathering.
In some ways, Sabine and Amber were the odd ones out. Well, Sabine really. Amber would wander about, helping where she could, mostly with the inside preps. Many times it was running errands with Sabine to get more of this or that.
Sabine was trying to oversee everything and keep Paige and Henrik from worrying about anything. She knew what she needed to do to help Sofia and Andrea with the food. Her part of the food she could do with her eyes closed. It was the other parts she was stressing about.
Her duties as the Groom’s ‘Best Man’ were a bit fuzzy. In olden times, the position was usually the best fighter of the clan, responsible for capturing and containing the bride from the targeted village. Fortunately, times have moved past that. These days, the position has devolved to getting the groom there on time and properly attired. Those wouldn’t be hard tasks. The other modern tradition was the Bachelor Party organization. She worked on the problem for some time in her head until she finally had to get it figured out. She gathered the men together, minus Henrik.
“OK, guys. We need to talk about the Bachelor Party.”
The assembled group looked at one another. No one had given it much thought. This was apparent to Sabine by their expressions. She continued.
“The tradition started all the way back with the Spartans with a dinner and toasting. Most people these days think of a riotous party with strippers, hookers and debauchery, floating on a sea of alcohol. Well, that won’t work here.”
“With everything collapsing, ‘strippers-are-us’ isn’t answering their phone and the other prospects won’t work either. I’m the Master of Ceremonies, so it’s not me. Andrea is the MC for Paige’s party, so she is out. That leaves a scant field of women, all of which are related to one of you, so I am making the call. No strippers.”
Everyone was silent for a few as they thought through her reasoning. Sabine continued.
“All of you have been married for many years. I am proposing a gathering with alcohol and cards. We sit around, play cards, drink, and advise the newest initiate to ranks of the married on the perils and pitfalls he should avoid to have a safe, successful and happy marriage. Any objections to my plan?” Her gaze swept the room. No one objected. “Good, now we don’t have much time and a lot to get done. Anyone need extra help, let me know.”
They all file out. The last one is Silas. He waited behind to speak to Sabine if she needed to talk to someone. He had come to recognize the signs of nervousness and apprehension in her. Sabine saw him stay behind and approached him, her tentative smile back on her face.
“It’s OK, Silas. I’m the dealer and don’t intend to drink. I will let you guys fill him in on married life.” She slid a hand across his shoulder and gave him a small hug. “But I appreciate your concern. You don’t know how much it means to me.”
