Julie and Mitchell enjoyed a lot of time together for the next few months. The had candle light dinners, walks through the park. They even spent time with the whole family including Cassandra and the children.
In the mean time the
wedding plans went forward smoothly--for the most part. There were times when there were long debates between the two brides and their mothers over little details. One time none of them would speak to each other for two weeks because they couldn't
decide between daisies and lillies. After so much sniping at each other Mitchell finally stepped in and suggested they have both.
David wasn't quite as amicable about the impending wedding as the Mamas were. He tried to get custody of the
children because of the situation. This was quickly blocked by the ladies' lawyer. It was pointed out that custody would not be awarded on the basis of a male/female engagement, and since same sex marriage was legal, it also was not a basis for
losing custody.
David's mother, was catholic. She was even less amicable then David, in fact she was vehimently against the union. She avoided the ladies at all cost. She stopped visiting her grandchildren when they were with
there mother. It all culminated one day when Mrs. Alexander decided to call.
Julie had just gotten home from work. She had hung up her coat, was taking off her shoes when the phone rang.
"Hello."
"Julie,"
came the stern voice on the other end.
"Mrs. Alexander , what a pleasant surprise."
"Did you know homosexuality is a sin against God?"
"I know some people feel that way, but it doesn't appy to me."
"You are entering into a sacreligious
homosexual marriage."
It is not sacreligious because it is not against my religion, and it is not homosexual because neither of us is bi or gay."
"What?! Then why pray tell are you marrying a woman?"
"You would never understand the
deep platonic connection we share."
"So you would be willing to live a life of celibacy for a woman?"
"Yes."
The silence became very heavy over the phone line. Then a quiet voice came back.
"Let me think on this."
Julie wasn't lieing. She would be willing to live a life of celibacy if that was what Cassandra expected. Her thoughts began to linger on Mitchell, his boyish smile, his easy going laughter, the way he always seemed to understand.Yes, she could
even give him up if necessary. Thank God it wasn't necessary.
After that Mrs. Alexander became more cordial to the ladies, less afraid to come visit her grandchildren, often coming to pick them up for impromtu ice cream runs.
Sometimes she would even invite the ladies along. She even spoke warmly with Cassandra. Julie figured it was her way of giving her blessing on the wedding without admitting she was.
Julie and Cassandra's biggest dilema came
from what last name they would take. Neither of them favored keeping or sharing their married names. They both felt that a hyphenated last name would be cumbersome. They also felt that they did want a unifying name to show they were a family.
That is where the biggest difficulty brewed. Mama Sandy sid that of course they should take the name Woodall. Mama Rachel felt they should take on Brown, it was a simple solid name.
The two ladies wound up rolling their eyes at their mothers
and decided that they would go with Brownwood. The Mamas both grudgingly agreed there was a certain poetry to the name. It was decided that they would both legally change their last names just before the wedding.
The months seemed to crawl
by. The only thing that seemed to speed up was how quickly Rose was growing. At 14 months she was walking, however unsteadily. Franky and Johnny both adored their little sister. Even Johnny referred to her as such.
One day Julie
was getting very sick in the bathroom. Cassandra was a bit concerned.
"Julie are you arlright?"
"I'm fine Cass, just something I ate."
"When was your last cycle?"
"About six weeks...I'm sure its just nerves, wedding being
so close and all."
Cassandra shook her head. She still picked up a pregnancy test when she went to the store.
Late that afternoon Julie took the test at Cassandra's insistence. Afterward they sat in the living room to talk.
"Do
you still want to marry me?" Cassandra asked in a concerned tone.
"Of course, if you will still have me, and the baby."
"Come on Julie, I love your other two, I am sure I will love this one just as much."
Julie smiled cheerfully, "I had
a feeling you would."
"What about Mitchell?"
"He'll have to deal with it."
"You two have been getting pretty close, if it weren't for me, I would be expecting wedding bells for the two of you pretty soon. I don't begrudge you your
romance sweety, but I have been expecting you to call it off for a while now."
"I look at it this way Cassandra: Most people with close friendships prioritize the romance, but still spend a lot of time with their best friends. We are
prioritizing the friendship and still spending a lot of time on the romance. This way I feel our life will be more stable. We have the home and children without the rose colored glasses of romance clouding our judgements."
Cassandra chuckled,
"I wish I could get a little cloudy judgement too. You're having all the fun."
That night Mitch picked up Julie to go for a walk in the park. They wound up setting up a sunset picknick on a hill overlooking a lake. The orange and rose
colors of the setting sun bounced off the water making an unbelievably breathtaking view.
Mitch sat quietly while Julie curled up with her head in his lap. He was absentmindedly stroking her hair. There was a comfortable silence while they
were enjoying each other's presence.
Julie smiled up at him. "I have pleasant news."
He smiled back. "What can it be my dear?"
"I am going to have a baby."
The look of shock on his face was unmistakeable. "How
can that be pleasant given the circumstances?"
Julie sat up, rage barely in check. "I talked to Cassy about it, we would adore having another child in the house."
He looked baffled. "So this doesn't change your plans?"
"Why
should it?"
"Shouldn't a child be raised by its mother AND father?"
"It will be."
Mitchell gave her a puzzled look, now quite saying "How?"
"The child will live with Cassandra and I, but I want you to see the child as often as you
can. Besides we'll still be dating."
Mitchell sat gazing out across the lake for a minute in silent contemplation. The oranges and reds were starting to disappear and the slightly darkening sky of dusk had started to appear. Julie
sat patiently by, she realized that he needed to mull it over for a bit.
After what seemed like hours he smiled warmly at Julie.
"Of course my child is going to be the luckiest child in the world, being under the constant nurturing care of both
its mother and its aunt."
"I knew you would understand," beamed Julie, "you have proved that you are as good and wonderful a man as I thought you were."
He smiled and held her in a close hug. "If you weren't already engaged, I would
marry you."
"Take no offense my dear," she said, losing herself in his embrace. "I don't believe I would accept, my trust for men has been severely injured."
He considered this, knowing her past and realized that it ws no fault of his.
He settled himself to be a constant companion for this woman, knowing she would return his favor as fully as she was able. He held her a little tighter.
"That's okay," he whispered. "I only hope to be worthy of your trust as time goes on."
After that Mitchell was at the house every day. He was trying to wait on Julie hand and foot. This lasted about two days until Julie looked at him pointedly and said, "I am not an invalid, I am pregnant."
He decided to back
off a bit and just offered his warm company.