think about that. His mother was right. He needed to spend a little time with his family. He really was going to miss them. He stood, and after throwing on a clean shirt, he combed his fingers through his hair, and went downstairs to join them.
***
That night when their parents retired, Alec asked Ben if he could talk with him about something. Still in the parlor, he walked over to the fireplace, and leaned against the mantle. “Little brother,” he began, “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I’ve decided to ask Miranda. I know she still thinks about Steven, but I believe she’s beginning to care for me also.” He then stood up straight, and turning to face Ben, asked, “What do you think? Should I, or shouldn’t I?”
Ben stared at his brother. How should he respond to this? He knew that Miranda cared a lot for Alec, but he also knew she still wasn’t over Steven. The last thing he wanted to do was to hurt him, so he inquired, “Gee, I don’t know. This is so unexpected. Does Miranda have any idea you’re thinking this way?”
Alec shook his head in response. “I don’t think so, but I know she knows how I feel about her, and that it’s only a matter of time, so why not now?”
Ben was curious. “So, when do you plan to ask her?”
Alec grinned. “What better time? I plan to ask her on the day you and Cassie tie the knot.”
Ben looked surprised, and all he could think to say was, “Well, I wish you luck. I hope the two of you can be as happy as Cassie and I are sure to be.” He became silent a moment, then continued, “I have something I need to discuss with someone too. I didn’t say anything when ma came upstairs and asked me what was wrong. It’s really silly anyway.”
With much concern in his voice, Alec asked, “What is it, Ben?”
Ben fidgeted, and scratched the tip of his nose. He felt a little embarrassed, but still he asked, “You’ll probably laugh, but I just can’t seem to quit thinking about my wedding night. What if I’m a disappointment to Cassandra?”
Alec did laugh. “I’m sorry, Ben. I don’t mean to laugh at you. It’s just the way you’re acting. I can imagine how you must feel, but look, I realize I’ve never come as close to marriage as you. I know it’s a natural thing to be nervous. Why, just think how Cassie must feel. She’s probably thinking about the same things you are, and as you well know, she should be more nervous than you.”
“Okay, okay!” Ben exclaimed. “Let’s not talk about this anymore!”
They both laughed, as they made their way upstairs. Since they no longer shared a room, Ben said appreciatively, before entering his. “Thanks, Alec. Thanks for listening. I feel better.”
Alec just waved his hand in response, as he made his way into his.
***
The big day had finally arrived. At the Porter home, everyone was scurrying about making sure everything was ready. The wedding would be performed at the church, but afterward the people would gather there for the reception. They had prepared so many delicious dishes, but still worried they hadn’t prepared enough.
Aunt Alice and Miranda were still busy in the kitchen when Mary walked in. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been more of a help,” she apologized. “Cassandra is my daughter. I should be the one doing all this.”
“Nonsense,” Alice exclaimed, “you must have your rest. Cassandra understands that.”
Being only five months pregnant, Mary was already tiring very easily, and had begun to retain fluid. The doctor had advised as much bed rest as possible. The whole family worried
***
That night when their parents retired, Alec asked Ben if he could talk with him about something. Still in the parlor, he walked over to the fireplace, and leaned against the mantle. “Little brother,” he began, “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I’ve decided to ask Miranda. I know she still thinks about Steven, but I believe she’s beginning to care for me also.” He then stood up straight, and turning to face Ben, asked, “What do you think? Should I, or shouldn’t I?”
Ben stared at his brother. How should he respond to this? He knew that Miranda cared a lot for Alec, but he also knew she still wasn’t over Steven. The last thing he wanted to do was to hurt him, so he inquired, “Gee, I don’t know. This is so unexpected. Does Miranda have any idea you’re thinking this way?”
Alec shook his head in response. “I don’t think so, but I know she knows how I feel about her, and that it’s only a matter of time, so why not now?”
Ben was curious. “So, when do you plan to ask her?”
Alec grinned. “What better time? I plan to ask her on the day you and Cassie tie the knot.”
Ben looked surprised, and all he could think to say was, “Well, I wish you luck. I hope the two of you can be as happy as Cassie and I are sure to be.” He became silent a moment, then continued, “I have something I need to discuss with someone too. I didn’t say anything when ma came upstairs and asked me what was wrong. It’s really silly anyway.”
With much concern in his voice, Alec asked, “What is it, Ben?”
Ben fidgeted, and scratched the tip of his nose. He felt a little embarrassed, but still he asked, “You’ll probably laugh, but I just can’t seem to quit thinking about my wedding night. What if I’m a disappointment to Cassandra?”
Alec did laugh. “I’m sorry, Ben. I don’t mean to laugh at you. It’s just the way you’re acting. I can imagine how you must feel, but look, I realize I’ve never come as close to marriage as you. I know it’s a natural thing to be nervous. Why, just think how Cassie must feel. She’s probably thinking about the same things you are, and as you well know, she should be more nervous than you.”
“Okay, okay!” Ben exclaimed. “Let’s not talk about this anymore!”
They both laughed, as they made their way upstairs. Since they no longer shared a room, Ben said appreciatively, before entering his. “Thanks, Alec. Thanks for listening. I feel better.”
Alec just waved his hand in response, as he made his way into his.
***
The big day had finally arrived. At the Porter home, everyone was scurrying about making sure everything was ready. The wedding would be performed at the church, but afterward the people would gather there for the reception. They had prepared so many delicious dishes, but still worried they hadn’t prepared enough.
Aunt Alice and Miranda were still busy in the kitchen when Mary walked in. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been more of a help,” she apologized. “Cassandra is my daughter. I should be the one doing all this.”
“Nonsense,” Alice exclaimed, “you must have your rest. Cassandra understands that.”
Being only five months pregnant, Mary was already tiring very easily, and had begun to retain fluid. The doctor had advised as much bed rest as possible. The whole family worried
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