The ladies decided to wait until Thanksgiving to tell their families. They figured they would answer everyone's questions at one sitting instead of repeating themselves with each individual. They started making calls to invite everyone on
both sides to their home for the holiday feast.
Halloween was a lot of fun. Cassandra oted to stay at home with Rose, passing out candy while Julie took the boys trick-or-treating. The boys dressed as Captain Hook and Peter Pan.
Julie was fine going as Wendy since all she had to do was wear a simple dress. They dressed little Rose as Tinkerbell.
As Thanksgiving started to approach, the ladies' anxiety started rising. They got a lot more affirmative responses than
they expected. Julie and Cassandra sat down one evening to start planning for the meal.
"Lets start with your side," Cassandra stated, sitting down with a notebook and pen. "Mama Sandy and Papa Henry coming?"
Julie looked at Cassandra
indignantly, "Of course mom and dad are coming."
"Susan and...and"
"Jay. Yes they are coming with their two little girls, Katelin and Alexis."
"Your brother Dex, I'm guessing, is not coming?"
"No, he is, him and his boyfriend
Jim are flying in from CA."
"Did those two ever get hitched? They have been dating forever."
"I think its been five years maybe 6. No, they never took that step, I think they should."
Cassandra looked at Julie skeptically.
"You are excited about our wedding, we're doing it, you feel everyone should."
"No, just a little nervous about being the center of attention. Maybe I should call Dex, we could have a double ceremony."
"We agreed to wait till Thanksgiving.
You know how gossip runs between our families."
"You got a point."
"Besides, if they're not ready, they're not ready. Let me see, that makes, wow, 8 guests already."
10 month old Rose crawled up to Julie and pulled herself up to
a standing position using the couch. Julie's heart leapt, she knew her little girl would start walking soon.
"Let me see, my mom and dad are coming of course."
"Is Mama Rachel bringing her sweet potato pie?'
"Of course she is," laughed
Cassandra. "It will be amazing if our moms let us cook anything."
"Please tell me you didn't invite Mitch."
"I did, and get over it. It's been 10 years since he dumped you."
"I know, but it might be kind of awkward having his
wife and daughter in my home."
"Don't worry about it, he's been divorced for two years."
Julie perked up. "What? Why didn't you tell me?"
Cassandra glared at her. "You were married, besides you have been pretending he doesn't
exist."
A blush started to rise in her cheeks. "I guess it will be nice to see him again."
Cassandra glowered over her growing list. "Just be careful, I don't want to see either of you get hurt, and I don't want to see either of you
go back into avoidance mode."
Julie just sat there with a dreamy look on her face.
"Brad is coming."
"Poor Dex, Brad ever forgiven him for coming out of the closet?"
"I don't know, he just became squeamish because they had
been such close friends."
"Is his wife and son coming?"
"Yes Denice and Jeremy are coming too."
She looked at her pad and started counting. "So that is 8 for your side, 6 for mine and 5 for our family."
"Oh my God, that is
19 people, can our poor little house handle it?
The day before Thanksgiving Mama Sandy and Mama Rachel invaded with a flurry, accompanied by what seemed like the entire grocery store. Julie and Cassandra were unceremoniously kicked out of their
own kitchen and told that their mothers would prepare the feast. Julie and Cassandra left under protest.
Throughout the day they could hear the laughter and chatter coming from the kitchen that showed the easy familiarity that only a 44 year friendship
could produce. Papa Henry and Papa George sat sullenly on the couch, mostly in silence as they watched whatever was on TV. They knew each other well, however they never shared the closeness that their wives did. Both men lit up when the ladies
suggested they take Johnny and Franky out for ice cream. Smiles filled the room as the men and boys prepared to leave.
The warning, "Be careful not to spoil your supper," followed them out the door from one of the older ladies in the kitchen.
Cassandra and Julie tried to go into the kitchen to fix supper and ran into a stone wall named Mama Sandy. They were told beyond a shadow of a doubt that the kitchen was now the territory of their mothers.
That evening supper
was a lot of fun. The Mamas regaled the table with tales of their mischievous childhood. The boys laughed raucously as their grandmas told the story of a mudfight they had when they were 13. Apparently there had been a young man that had
caught the attention of both girls.
That night Julie and Cassandra gave up their rooms to their respective parents, and talked long into the night sitting on sleeping bags in the living room. Both of them almost, but not quite forgot about their
impending announcement.
The next morning the Mamas relented and allowed the ladies to eat a late breakfast in the kitchen. They did not allow them to touch any of the cookware or appliances. The four ladies were chatting cheerfully
about their families when the doorbell rang.
"Why don't you answer that Julie," Mama Rachel commanded, barely hiding a smile.
Julie obediently left the room.
"I wonder who is coming so early," said Cassandra. "We aren't eating
till 2:00."
"Oh was it 2:00," Mama Rachel mused. I told Mitchell that it was at noon. I also requested he come early to help set up. I asked him to be a doll and bring a dozen roses for Julie to put on the table."
"Mom you're
evil," laughed Cassandra, looking up at the clock and seeing it was just after 10.
Mama Rachel winked.
Julie was taken aback to find Mitch standing on her doorstep holding a dozen white, yellow and pink roses. Her tongue was
so tied she couldn't even say hello. She just stood there gaping at him.
"Good morning Julie," he said warmly, "these are for you."
Color started to rise in her face as she stammered a quiet thank you. She turned and fled into the
kitchen to escape her embarassment. She was closely followed by Mitch. He gave both Mamas a warm hug.
"Hi mom. Hello Mama Sandy, nice to see you again."
"I know I am not your mother, but you should visit more often," Mama
Sandy said patting Mitch fondly on the arm.
"Nonsense Mama Sandy, you've always been a second mother."
"You flatter an old woman," she chuckled.
"So what can I do to help?"
The two mothers shared a quick glance. "You
and Julie should go and get some ice cream for desert. Can't have pie without ice cream."
Mitch cleared his throat. "Where's David, it would surely be more appropriate to go to the store with him."
"Mitch sweety," she laughed,
"David left almost a year ago to be with some tart."
"Oh," he said startled, suddenly realizing the trap set by his mother. "Sorry to hear that."
"Oh and sweetheart."
"Yes mom."
"Take your time, there's no rush, dinner is
at 2"
"Yes mother," he laughed. He approached Julie with a grin on his face. "Shall we?"
They went to the park first and walked and talked easily for a long while, mostly about their children. They found some shade
by a small duck pond and sat down close to each other in the grass. He turned and faced her and picked up her hand and gazed longingly into her eyes.
"I am so happy to see you again."
He gently kissed her hand, then she could resist no
longer, and leaned toward him. His lips grasped her passionately. The longing they had could be clearly felt by both of them. The kiss seemed to last forever. He gently brushed his hand against her cheek. "I'm sorry I was such
a fool."
"Quiet," she whispered as she pressed her finger to his lips.
He gently took her hand and gave it a tiny kiss. He glanced at his watch then stood up.
"It's 12:30 we better get the ice cream and get back."
When the feast began they all sat around a long dinner table. The Mamas sat on either end with their husbands sitting to their rights. The children sat at a separate small table. Julie was sitting between Cassandra and Mitchell.
Electricity shot through her every time Mitch accidentally bruched against her. He quietly layed his left hand on her knee while he ate.
About halfway through the meal Cassandra stood up tapping a spoon against her glass. Julie froze.
She had forgotten to tell Mitch about the announcement. Would he ever understand? She considered stopping Cassandra, but she still knew that she did want to marry her so she instead grabbed Mitch's hand, entwining her fingers with his.
"I
have an announcement to make," Cassandra said in a loud voice.
Julie tried to lean over to whisper to Mitch but he waved her away gesturing toward Cassandra. Julie slumped in her chair feeling helpless.
"You know that our families have
been joined together for a long time, ever since our moms met when they were 10. Julie and I have been best friends practically since the day we were born, supporting each other, helping each other, laughing together, crying together and defending each
other. I would even dare say we are more than friends, we are soulmates.
"So even though we are not physically attracted to each other," she gave Julie and Mitch a knowing look, " there is no one else I would rather spend the rest of my life with.
Julie and I are getting married."
Gasps surrounded the table.
Mitch's hand slackened. He stood up and glared at Julie. He shook her hand free of hers. "What kind of game are you playing Julie? Are you bi or gay?
Is this some sort of plot to get revenge on me for what I did 10 years ago?"
"No, its not like that, and we are not gay or bi."
"Then what is it like?"
"You know how close are, there is no one I will ever trust more4 than her, so we decided
to marry. That doesn't stop us from having other relationships that are romantic."
He shook his head looking lost.
"I need time to think." He walked out of the house.
Julie felt bad, but she shook it off. She realized
it was much to early in the relationship to be too attached.
Mama Rachel stood up. "Everyone," she started, "as strange as it seems I completely understand how these two young ladies feel." She smiled at Mama Sandy, who nodded slightly.
"I have a friend that I have had for only about 85% of my life, but it has been a very long and full friendship that has lasted 44 years so far. I can understand how these two young ladies feel so close, especially with how flippant young kids are with
marriage these days. I for one give you two my blessing."
She raised her glass. "To family."
"To family," was the loud reply.