Free Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 11 by Chautona Havig

hiding under her bridal veil. Libby worked to keep the childish revelry down to a minimum , but with the constant interference by everyone insisting , “ they need to celebrate too ,” the youngest Stuart childr en led a wild side of the party—occasionally contained by whatever adults happened to be nearby.
    After eating, the cake, toasts—Aggie stood and the younger women congregated in the center of the room. “ Go , Willow. Catch the bouquet .”
    “ Why? ”
    Chad nudged her forward. “ The one who catches it marries next .”
    “ I thought that was just in a book .”
    His laughter rang out , causing several near them to smile knowingly. “ Willow, it was in that book because it ’ s what people do .”
    Cheri grabbed Willow on her way to the group by the door. “ Come on. If I get it, I ’ ll pass it to you .”
    Willow thought the entire thing was ridiculous , but she tried to get in the spirit of things. As Aggie ’ s bouquet of roses flew into the air, Willow glanced back and saw Chad ’ s hopeful face. She turned, determined to catch it, and found it falling into her arms as though aimed there. A glance at Aggie confirmed her suspicions.
    A cheer went up from the women around her. Willow sought Chad ’ s eyes and smiled as he nodded his approval. Cheri squealed and hugged her. “ I can’t stand it. This is great! I ’ m so excited! ”
    Luke stood and made his way to the microphone, tapping it to gather everyone ’ s attention. “ Well, we all know I ’ m not much of a talker. I ’ m sure you ’ re all wondering how I managed to get this many words out without a thirty to three hundred and thirty second pause .” A ripple of knowing laughter washed over the room. “ Well, for the record, I rehearsed this all week so you ’ ll be disappointed if you expect any pauses while I try to choose my words. I have an announcement to make .” His eyes swept the room as he shook his head. “I didn’t rehears choking up though. Ok, so this announcement— it ’ s extra special to me because of why I get to make it instead of someone else. Back in January , my mother went to Rockland for us to pick up something for me and as she passed a bridal shop —”
    Chad and Willow ’ s eyes widened. “ Do you think … ” she whispered feeling terrible that her selfishness had given away their secret prematurely.
    “— an d in that shop, trying on wedding dresses , was a young woman that Mom recognized . With her was my Aunt Marianne , so when mom got home, she called Aunt Marianne about this little event. Apparently, my cousin Chad has been engaged since New Year’s, but he wanted to give Aggie and me ‘ our day .’ It sounds like just Chad .”
    The room erupted in spontaneous applause and congratulations but Luke called for quiet. “ Aggie and I are leaving. This is probably the only time in the next thirty years that we ’ ll have any time to ourselves , so we plan to disappear and enjoy the quiet for the next two weeks so this reception is over .”
    People began standing as if to follow Luke and Aggie out the door , but Luke stopped them again. Chad glanced at Willow and shrugged. “ I didn ’ t know —” he protested as she glared at him.
    “ Wait, wait, ” Luke continued. “ No one invited you to leave. Our reception is over but welcome —” Luke paused as Cheri and Marianne rushed into the room with a huge banner that read “ Congratulations Chad and Willow .” “— to Chad and Willow ’s e ngagement party! ”
    A curtain opened at the back of the reception hall and the band struck up a popular country tune. Cheri and Marianne called for everyone to push their tables from the center of the room to the edges and corners and the bandleader called for dancers. “ Come on , happy couple. Lead the dance .”
    Reminiscent of one special night that seemed like years past , Chad held empty arms out to Willow. “ Will you dance with me? ”
     

     
     
    “ I forgot about Ditto!