Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

"Thank you. It has always been a pleasure to spend time with Willow," Professor Fuentes replied.

Before Thatcher could respond with one of his witticisms. Bunny pushed forward in the greeting line to introduce some distant relatives. "who have come directly from a vacation in Hong Kong," she emphasized. But that's our family. No cost is too great when it comes to celebrating such an important event."

I greeted them and turned to the next guests. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Professor Fuentes talking to Manon Florette and Liana Knapp. His eyes went from them to me, and I could see in them his cry for help. It made me laugh. I shrugged, indicating the line of guests that snaked around the entire patio. He was on his own. I wouldn't be able to rescue him until much later.

It was exhausting, and of course there was no way I could remember all the names. Some people simply wished us the best, while others had to talk about their own weddings or tell us where they had been on their honeymoons. Finally, we were able to retreat to the dais and get off our feet, but almost immediately there was a call for us to kiss, and then we were invited to get up and dance to our chosen song Actually, it was my chosen song. Thatcher had left it up to me. and I'd chose "Love Is a ManySplendored Thing." It was Daddy's favorite.

The food was served and the music played on. How happy Mother looked. Every once in a while. I caught her staring at us, her eyes so full of light. She and Amou had similar looks, both sharing their joy, and both telling me at different times how proud my father would have been.

Before the reception ended. Professor Fuentes asked me to dance. Thatcher was already dancing with Sharon Hollis. In fact, every member of the Club d'Amour danced with him at one point or another before our wedding party had ended.

"This is truly the most wonderful wedding I have ever attended." Professor Fuentes said. "Not that I have attended all that many, mind you. but I can't imagine anything grander than this."

"Much of it was done to please Thatcher's family. I would have preferred eloping."

He laughed.

"Me, too, whenever I marry." he confessed. "But so much of what we do in our lives is done to please the people we love and who love us. Is that not so?"

"Very so." I said.

"I'll be going soon," Professor Fuentes said after the dance. -"Have a wonderful honeymoon. I do hope you will continue with your studies afterward."

"Of course I will. Professor."

"That's good." he said, nodded, and walked off. As I headed back to the dais. Linden stepped in my way. I had been so distracted and busy during the reception, I hadn't noticed him. I realized quickly that I hadn't because he hadn't been there much.

"Linden, where have you been?" I asked. "Did you eat?"

"I've been putting the finishing touches on your gift." he said. "It's ready."

"That's wonderful," I said.

"I want you to see it before you leave."

"That's all right. We'll see it as soon as we return. Linden."

"No," he said firmly. "You must see it before you go."

My heart started to trip. I looked to Mother, who was watching us with worry while she tried to pay attention to whatever Whitney's husband happened to be saying to her.

"All right. Linden," I said calmly. "I'll tell Thatcher"

"You could come look first, if you like. Or you could bring him, too. I don't care. It's a wedding gift."

"All right, Linden. Just give me a little time to get his attention." I said.

"That shouldn't be hard. Ever!" he snapped, and walked back to the dais to take his seat. For the next half hour, he sat there glaring

at the guests like he was in a sulk. Mother spoke to him and I saw both the Butterworth twins talk to him, but he never took his eyes off me for long. I could feel them even when I had my back to him-- especially when I had my back to him.

"Linden wants to give us our wedding present before we leave, Thatcher." I told him when I was able to pull him aside. He looked a little bleary-eyed from toasting with one group of friends and associates after another.

"What wedding present?"

"A picture he's painted," I said. "You know. I've told you about it before."

"Oh. boy. I can just imagine what it will be... two skeletons in bed, or a woman on fire and her husband trying to douse it with gasoline."