Chapter 31

The next morning’s forecast was for a perfect weather day for our wedding. A feed of eggs and sausage washed down with a rather strong coffee would do me until our wedding meal. Boris had made an early trip into Apeldoorn, leaving a bag of clothes for Lana to wear. I tried to find ways to pass the time and was fortunate to borrow a bicycle and tour around the area. Though my calf muscle ached, I felt the bicycle ride was good exercise for it. As I toured around, many streets remained cluttered with collapsed buildings. The locals were pleasant enough waving to a stranger cycling by them. I found my way to the local park having a large statue and fountain in the middle of the pond.

I found the Canadian Detachment, and showing my identification, inquired about the process of taking my war bride and her family home with me. The situation was a total snafu, trying to organize tens of thousands of soldiers for passenger ships homeward.

At two in the afternoon, Andrew was at my hotel door. His number one uniform fit him well. I was already in my suit, I guess to cover the obvious bulge my cock made against the close-fitting material.

“All set for your big day?” He asked, adjusting my tie.

“No backing out now, not that I’d want to.”

“Make sure you have Lana’s wedding rings.”

I took them out of my pants pocket and handed them to him.

“Did you write anything to say to Lana?”

“This room must have been used for many wedding nights. I found several notes in a drawer and managed to use my book to translate most of the words.”

I went to the bathroom to compose myself. I looked in the mirror, thankful I hadn’t cut myself shaving. I examined the scars over my right ear. They itched a little as my hair grew over the suture lines.”The next time I see you, you’ll be a married man,” I said to my reflection.

Padre Wilson and I began the two-block walk towards the church. I noticed a few people also out for a walk that soon grew to a dozen or more.

“What’s going on at the church? Why are there so many people?” I wondered out loud.

“They’re here for you and Lana. The celebration of your wedding brings new life, a new hope for a return to normalcy after such a costly war.”

Throngs lined the sidewalk in front of the church. They saw the Padre in his uniform and started applauding, coming forward to shake his hand and mine.

“Bedankt, Canada voor onze vrijheid!”

“Thank you, Canada for our freedom!”

“They’re thanking us for their freedom,” he explained.

We walked up the stone steps to be greeted by Father Dekker. “At least one of you hasn’t chickened out,” he joked with a firm handshake. “Relax, Richard, I’m sure that Lana is as anxious and excited as you are.”

He took us inside, where he placed a red tulip with a sprig of Lily of The Valley flowers behind it in the left buttonhole of my jacket. “These flowers are part of Lana’s bridal bouquet. The Tulips is our national flower, with red representing strength, bravery, and valor.”

He placed the same one on Andrew’s tunic. I took out the notes I had made, going over them, hoping I wouldn’t humiliate myself, Lana, and her parents when I recited them. I didn’t know it was tradition for the man’s chair to be closer to the altar than the woman’s, as if he was better than her. I moved my chair back to be equal with the one Lana would sit on.

The time grew closer with the church beginning to fill up with spectators. I noticed people from the cafe gathering entering the church. They wore the same corsage, only upside down. Benthe smiled at me as she sat in the first row.

I saw Lana’s three friends, “Elke, Sanne, and Myrthe arrive. They wore a long red skirt and a white blouse, accented by Elke in a red bodice, Sanne in white, and Myrthe in red. The neckline of their bodice and blouse revealed a decent amount of cleavage. They each wore lace material with Lily of the Valley flowers around the back edge.

There were a series of flashing lights as a man was taking pictures of our wedding. I had forgotten about us getting a photographer.

The low hum of voices was interrupted by the massive church organ announcing Lana’s arrival. I looked back to watch for my beauty to arrive, noticing every seat filled with the townsfolk. Scanning the number of pews on both sides of the aisles there must have been close to five hundred people seated or standing in there. Everyone stood for the entrance of the bride.

My eyes captured sight of Lana on Boris’s arm. I saw her skirt and blouse were white, but her bodice was dark blue satin. I recalled her saying her wedding clothes would please my eyes, and they sure did. Several women commented, and men smiled. Lana’s bodice and blouse were cut very low, easily revealing the upper halves of her full breasts and the cleavage between them. In her left hand was her bouquet of Lily of the Valley and miniature red tulips.

Lana smiled shyly as she caught my gaze. Boris came to me, patting me on the shoulder, placing her hand on mine.

“Houd alsjeblieft van mijn dochter en bescherm haar.”

“Please love my daughter and keep her safe.”

My eyes took in her beauty, my perfect future wife. We turned to Father Dekker, who motioned with his hands for everyone to sit. Lana squeezed my hand, noticing our chairs were now equal side by side.