Lynn and Leif Forevermore Ch. 49

And, sure enough, her handsome man had given everyone their marching orders. They were all in the correct locations knew the correct sequence they were walking and everything. He'd also assured her that she wouldn't have to worry about anyone walking her down the aisle.

So she was shocked to see not just one, but two people flanked at her side, Garret, and her grandmother.

Lynne looked up at them-

"Well I couldn't decide between the two of you, I needed someone to walk me down the aisle, and Leif told me not to worry about it, that he'd take care of it, let you both discuss it to see who wanted to walk me," said Lynne looking confused.

"Yeah, yeah he did baby, but the truth is, we both wanted to walk you down the aisle so badly, that Leif thought we both should walk you down the aisle together. He said we both had touched his heart with how much we cared for you and wanted to give you away that he couldn't chose," said his grandmother.

Lynne looked between the two of them. Granny, her only true loving blood family, and Garrett, her sweet father in law. Her eyes filled up with water, and she started to cry and giggle with happiness.

"I...I'm sorry. I'm not together...I just..." Lynne wiped her face off with the heel of her hand so that she didn't smear her eyeliner.

"Damn it..."

"It's okay honey, take your time...I warned Leif it might look a little awkward, two people walking you down the aisle. If you want your grandmother to do it alone, I won't be offended. I just couldn't pass up the chance when he asked me, I'm honored to be able to give you away, and I'm happy you are marrying into this family, look forward to you being my daughter in law, and the grandchildren you're going to give me, and seeing you grow old with my son," said Leif's father in law dotingly patting her shoulder as everyone lined up.

"No, that's not it at all! I don't care if it looks weird. I want both of you. One on one arm, one on the other. I worried...when my parents became estranged from me, and I fell in love with Leif, I worried that I wouldn't feel like I had family during the wedding. Even up until the last minute, I worried about standing out as different because I didn't have a blood father here who loved me enough to walk me down the aisle. But Leif, he's just reached out with that love of his, and rescued me from this feeling. He's surrounded me with beautiful love. Oh hell he brought my granny here. He asked you to walk me down the aisle Garrett, and he shared his beautiful family with me, you, your wife, his brother without reserve. I just feel so loved, and wanted, not just by Leif, but by all of you. So I'm sorry for getting so emotional," said Lynne.

"You don't have nothing to feel sorry for baby, you're just a cry baby is all," said her grandmother.

Her grandmother and father in law swallowed her in a big old hug, and they each linked an arm with her, to walk her down the aisle.

Lynne was actually glad to have the support of both her grandmother and father in law to help her down the aisle. She looked towards Leif, standing where the archway would be in the afternoon tomorrow. Lynne could hardly believe that they'd come this far, this soon in their beautiful love, and they would be sharing their vows tomorrow.

Her tears had dried from the outpouring of two very supportive, mature and loving people in her life fighting for the honor to walk her down the aisle when her lousy father didn't want to do it. He'd forfeited the privilege, and now it seemed that two people lobbied for the honor.

Leif looked so handsome standing on the little platform. And he gazed right at her lovingly and smiled.

She heard Matthew teasing him-

"Save some of the googly ass eyes for tomorrow. It's not even the damn wedding day yet," he said.

"Shut up," said Leif softly.

She gave Leif a glance like he was a misbehaving school boy and he stood up straight and tall, ignoring his best man's teasing. Men!

They stood beside each other, and linked arms. Leif and Lynne both wanted to save their special vows for the wedding day.

So the only thing they practiced was how they would stand, and their ring exchange.

But, most important on Leif's agenda was the kiss.

He planted his hands gently in the small of Lynne's back, his fingers branding her with fire as they danced where the skin was exposed In her halter top.

It had been too, too long since she was close to him, and everything else just melted away.

He leaned in towards her to kiss her, and he pressed his lips against hers, chastely at first.

Lynne was shy with all the guests, but he lightly caressed her face, and he boldly pushed her lips apart by pressing on her chin dimple.

She guessed he didn't care who saw them. He grunted into her mouth, and kissed her sweetly, probing his tongue delicately between her lips.

She traced his own tounge delicately with her tongue as though she was sucking a sweet, savory piece of candy, but she refrained from kissing him too raunchily.

He broke off the kiss sweetly pecking her moist lips.

Then he kissed her forehead.

"Tomorrow I won't wrestle with you to taste the inside of your sweet mouth, I'll just be real greedy and embarrass you. I love you, and I'm not embarrassed by the passion and even the greediness that I feel to taste you, and you shouldn't be either, you're my grown and beautiful woman," he murmured tenderly, kissing her forehead again.

He melted Lynne like butter. She felt silly for being embarrassed to kiss him lustily like that at the vow rehearsal, but she loved the way he handled her firmly, yet tenderly. He was so perfect for her in everyway and she couldn't wait to experience this firm, tenderness with him in the bedroom.

"Yes husband," she whispered breathlessly.

"Hell yeah, I like the sound of that," he murmured sweetly and he swatted her bottom.

"Leif!" she cried, giggling and blushing.

The minister chuckled and playfully pronounced them man and wife in less than twenty four hours.

Then, everyone took their places at Lynne's artfully prepared fruit plates and name placeholders to eat the rehearsal dinner.

***

The female minister who was to conduct the ceremony was the first to speak after everyone had sat down and taken their places.

"Lynne wanted me to open up this rehearsal dinner with a prayer. I'm going to do that. She also wanted me to pray over the meal at the reception. I'm not going to be doing that. I think that I'm going to call on Lynne to say the blessing over the beautiful union between she and Leif. Her spiritual yearning is so deep and sincere I already know she'll have the correct words to speak to what the two of them are feeling in their hearts. So, that having been said, I want to say a simple prayer over this meal. We know the presence of God is delighted to see these two on the eve of their union gathered together amongst friends and family to partake a meal and wish a blessing upon their upcoming nuptials. Tomorrow will only confirm what is already in their hearts, and may your blessing be upon it, in the name of the father, the son, and the spirit, Amen," said the female minister.

It was such a beautiful prayer that Lynne was sniffling when she joined the chorus of everyone saying Amen. She was moved that she had such a familial connection, along with a spiritual one, so many family and friends with she and Leif, all at the rehearsal dinner and eagerly awaiting their vows, indeed this would not be a sad affair, scorned with lack of support, but just what Leif had promised her, a joyous celebration of love.

Lynne had wanted the women of the Bridal party to serve the guests the rehearsal dinner. It was just a touch of what she wanted, because she loved caring for others, and wanted her bridal party to show that same concern.

Leif's father had turned a bit of the rehearsal dinner into a fun and games family gathering.

He'd sat up a great big chalkboard next to his barbeque grill, where he stood grilling and smoking all kinds of delicious meats. On the sign he'd written "Lynne and Leif's redneck wedding," and listed hilarious spoofs of the type of meat he was serving, gizzard, chicken butt, turkey throat. Of course that wasn't what he was serving, he had traditional chops, and ribs, and wings, but the sign, replete with misspellings was hilarious and caught everyone's attention. Garrett was being true to his Texas spirit, which was where he'd been reared prior to his family settling in upstate California.

The bridal party lined up and got several plates and handed them to the guests along with gingham napkins an drinking glasses made out of old time mason jars with the names of each guest written in marker on the front, by Lynne.

Lynne was glad that they loved the glasses. Wait until they saw what she did for the wedding tomorrow. While the bridal party was serving the guests the dishes from the grill, some of the little children who were in the bridal party got into a shoving match and knocked over a box of table favors.

The parents scolded the children harshly. They shouldn't have been shoving each other, but Lynne was patient with the children. She sat them down quietly at the table. She found a coloring book and crayons to occupy the little ones.

Leif came up behind Lynne after she'd laid out all the supplies to turn the children's table into a mini arts and crafts station while they waited for the bridal party to serve them special kid sized hot dogs and hamburgers that Garrett had made.

"That's sweet as hell Lynne. You're so beautiful inside and out," he murmured softly.

While Lynne had been occupying the children, Leif had picked up the box of party favors that they were to pass out at each table that the children knocked over with their rough housing. Lynne thanked Leif for picking it up so quickly so she could get back to serving their guests.

"It's no trouble Leif. They shouldn't have been running around like that, but they are just children. I think part of the problem is that we expect them to behave like little adults and occupy themselves during a big rehearsal dinner, which they probably find boring. Growing up in that church, as an only child, I found myself in so many damn boring situations where I had to act like a little adult. Occasionally I would fail, and I knew I would be getting a spanking. I wanted only once for someone to be in my corner and understand that I didn't have the patience of an adult. Sometimes granny would be my ally, but only once a year on our visits. Anyway, that was why I wanted to have a few games to amuse them tomorrow, so they won't feel bored. I want them to look back on this wedding with fondness. For some of them, this is the first wedding they've ever been to," said Lynne.

"Baby you're so sweet and thoughtful with others. I'm going to reward your thoughtfulness. Your husband saves lists not only of your naughty actions but your sweet as hell cute ones as well, and this one is on top of the list right now, having patience with the kids when I was ready to pull out my hair. You're getting so good at this whole kids thing I better start saving double-time when we get back from the honeymoon," he teased.

After everyone was served, the grooms served the women in the bridal party, and then, themselves. Leif thought that, since the women wanted to serve the guests, it was only right that their men serve them. Lynne loved this was a nice touch and wholeheartedly agreed when he suggested it.

After he set Lynne's plate before her place setting, she pinched him playfully on the ass while the people near their table chuckled. Each member of the male bridal party served the corresponding member of the female bridal party.

After everyone was served, it was time to eat, and they feasted on Garrett's delicious grilling of various meats, and even a few left over fish from the fishing trip of a few days ago.

Then it was time for entertainment.

For entertainment, they had a triva game to see how much Lynne and Leif knew about each other. For the trivia game, Janelle and Leif were asked questions about Lynne and they had to put the answer in a jar, which was then read and scores were tallied for the correct answer. Then Lynne and Matthew did the same thing with Leif.

Whoever got the most things right won a door prize, which was a huge pitcher of his mother's homemade iced tea with herbal farm honey, and a collection of Garrett's Texas southern cooking Recipes.

Due to Lynne's thoughtful nature and attention to detail she actually won the trivia game. But she only beat Leif by a few points.

She playfully mentioned that since they shared everything, she would give Leif the cookbook, he'd need it if he were going to learn to grill like his father.

Everyone chuckled.

***

They tested out the sound system they'd rented for the reception and they played a little music for everyone. Tomorrow, they'd have a full-fledged DJ on deck. There was some playful dancing to up tempo numbers, and next, they played a game that was actually a couple's scavenger hunt. This game was played by the members of the bridal party, along with Lynne and Leif.

Lynne and Leif worked hard together, giving each other eye signals and they were adorable searching the yard for the scattered items. But Janelle was loud, and aggressive even though she was playful, bossing Matthew and helping him find items, and Matthew and Janelle actually won this game. The prize was two movie tickets.

"Maybe you two can get to know each other better, after the wedding," teased Leif.

Janelle glared at Leif.

"No, what it means is that I have a free movie ticket to go out to a movie with Lynne if I can ever get her to climb from under you after this wedding," huffed Janelle.

Lynne chuckled.

Finally the party started to wind down. They cleared away plates, cleaned off the make shift plastic table cloths from the table, and helped the wedding planner and his mother arrange the chairs and tables the way they wanted them set up for the reception.

After that was finished they cleaned up the yard, removed the grill station, and started decorating the yard with the party favors, designs, and items that Lynne wanted for the reception.

They did everything but the tablecloths, and things that could get ruined if it rained overnight, although they were not worried about that at all in California. Lynne was proud of herself for having the ingenious idea to have the bridal party help her and her mother in law decorate the yard somewhat for their big reception tomorrow.

The wedding planner would come early in the morning before she and Leif's private pre-wedding ceremony to hash out the rest of the rehearsal decorations.

Everyone was gone now except Leif, and his family, along with Granny and Janelle. Lynne and Leif sat side by side, drinking her Grannies patented iced tea in glass jars. It was delicious and spiked with a hefty amount of honey, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Leif had taken a few sips and said it was too sweet for it's own good, just like Lynne, while everyone gagged.

"You'll be married tomorrow. I'm glad you found such a nice young man Lynne. Someone kind who cares about you with all his heart. Loved you enough to even bring me here because he thought it would make you happy. I want you to take good care of him, the way I know he will take care of you. I want you to give him a few babies, and I hope I'm here to see them when they get here. If you need anything, remember that I am a phone call away. You can't pick your parents, and if they don't do right by you, it's a shame, but hell Lynne, don't forget you have blood that loves you, even if I'm a few generations removed from you, your granny," said Granny LaReaux.

"Oh Granny I could never forget that. Even though my parents only visited you once a year when I was smaller until I was about thirteen, your home was the main place that I associated with love. I never forgot the love that I felt as soon as I crossed your doorstep. That was why I tried to keep our relationship alive by calling you every week. But Leif has promised me to take me back to your home as often as we can afford," said Lynne.

"Yeah and we promise to bring back the beautiful babies we're gonna make," said Leif, his voice husky with emotion.

"I know you will. And they sure will be beautiful. With the Peterson genes, and the LaReaux genes, these babies will look like little babies that could be on a commercial," said her grandmother.

Lynne chuckled.

"Do you remember what we did with these jars after we finished our tea when you were small Lynne?" asked her grandmother.

"Of course! Catch fireflies!" said Lynne happily.

"Go find the lids to these cute Jars you've made. Can't wait until the guests can see what you are doing for the wedding. You are so creative, and I'm glad you can explore it now that you've gotten away from my stifling ass son-in-law and my crazy daughter," said her grandmother ruefully shaking her head.

Lynne chuckled, and went to find lids for their jars.

It was a beautiful night, with a full moon, so Lynne could clearly see everything, including beautiful, bright buzzing fireflies when they returned.

She quickly but stealthily scooped into the air and snapped the lid quickly closed as her grandmother had taught her as a small girl, chuckling with delight when she looked into the jar and saw the beautiful buzzing glow of the firefly.

"That's my girl. The LaReaux cunning and quickness," said her Granny.

Even quicker than Lynne, she nabbed a firefly and closed the lid on the jar. It was especially amazing because Granny LaReaux couldn't see well. She must have gone by the sound of the buzzing to catch the firefly.

She and granny giggled like schoolgirls putting the jars side by side on the porch railing.

"Beautiful, just beautiful. I love nature. This wedding tomorrow has everything I dreamed of, nature, god, church, family love, and romantic love. I'm so glad we can have the reception outside so we have a natural element," sighed Lynne, putting her head in her grandmother's lap and watching the twinkling of the fireflies.

"Yeah it's gonna be real beautiful baby," said Leif, and he leaned over and ran his fingers through Lynne's hair while her head was resting on her Grandmother's knee.

"Mmm, I feel spoiled with love right now and that's a great feeling for a bride to be!" said Lynne.

Leif looked over at the fireflies on the porch railing.

He picked up the jar that Lynne captured.

"Beautiful. Reminds me of you when we first met. Such pretty colors, such light to give off, but trapped in a small little world, defined by someone else, not allowed to be free," he said tapping the jar.

She looked over into Leif's beautiful blue eyes, and in that instant, she was struck with remorse. She saw the act of catching the fireflies through the eyes of her compassionate, nature loving husband to be. She immediately felt remorse, and actually hurt and ashamed that she'd imprisoned the small pretty creatures in a glass just because she thought their light would be prettier to witness in the confines of the small glass.

"Leif I'm sorry, I didn't think about how...how mean it was to trap them like that. It was just fun when I was small and I associated it with visiting my grandma, and Louisiana, and sweet tea, things like that, but it's not very loving to God's creatures. I'm sorry," said Lynne softly.

"You don't have to apologize to me. I know a lot of people don't think about it, I didn't think about it either when I was younger, and I trapped a hell of a lot of fireflies. They are pretty to look at. You're pretty to look at, but I always want you to fly free. And I know you'll always come flying back to me. Tomorrow, when you become my wife, we're going to open the lid," said Leif lovingly, and he opened the lid on the jar with the firefly enclosed inside.