Chapter 17

Danielle Winters had taken a number of days off, at well spaced intervals, so she could spend time in Lodi to help the girls plan the wedding. The ceremony and reception would be held at a small winery that was delighted to host the celebration.

Working with the event planning team, it was decided that the marriage ceremony would take place in the early afternoon, followed by a reception that would feature an extensive buffet that would satisfy almost any taste and would go into the evening. There was an area where a portable dance floor could be set up, and music was to be provided by an up and coming band, named “GNO”. When asked what that stood for, the answer was; “Girls Night Out”.

“Trust me,” the planner told them, “I have seen and heard these ladies in action. They are highly talented and have a pedigree. There are big things in their musical future.”

“Pedigree?” Danielle had asked.

“I like to think of them as the ‘little sister’ band for La Banda Sage. I’m sure you heard of them? Super talented and a wide playlist of music. Now, let’s review some other things...”

Brandi hadn’t really wanted a big “To-Do”, as she had that when she married Christopher. However, she knew that Lupe deserved a special day, even if she had protested and said a simple ceremony at the courthouse was fine with her.

“Darling, I want the whole town, or at least those we invite, to come and celebrate our Love. You deserve this! And it’s our way of letting the world know we are not afraid to let everyone know about us.”

“Fine,” Lupe nodded. “I do have a question though about the traditions of who tosses the bouquet? Maybe we toss ours together?”

“Don’t forget the garters,” Daniele smirked.

Brandi was chopping assorted vegetables for the stir fry that would be part of dinner, when there was a knock at the door. “Are we expecting anyone?”

“I will see.” Lupe stood and went to the front of the house.

A sudden scream had Brandi and Danielle running.

They stopped and stared at Lupe as she embraced an older Hispanic woman, both of them were sobbing as they swayed together. The words ‘sorry’ and ‘forgive’ could be heard being repeated many times.

Lupe managed to compose herself after a few moments, and turned to the others. “Esta es mi madre.”

Sylvia Marquez had been quickly welcomed and brought into the house, and once it was learned that she had also brought both of Lupe’s sisters on the trip, Felicia and Karmen were called from the car and had quickly run to their older sister. Once again, hugs and tears were abundant.

The girls were very happy that the old ‘farmhouse’ table that had traveled from Weed to the kitchen where they sat, was large enough to hold all six of them. The story of how they had met, and how they had slowly come to realize just how special they were to each other was shared with many smiles and light touches of their hands.

“Isn’t that where we got gas, when we got to town? I think the only reason Mama stopped was because the fuel light was on and she didn’t want to run the tank dry,” Felicia grinned. “She drove like crazy to get us here!”

“We will take you there to eat,” Lupe laughed. “And to have chocolate pie!”

“Eat at a gas station?” Karmen wrinkled her nose. “Gross!” At 14 she didn’t quite grasp the concept of ‘fine truck stop dining’.

“Not at all,” Brandi replied. “Now we just need to figure out where everyone is sleeping!”

Danielle graciously gave up the queen size bed in the guest room, so Sylvia and the girls could sleep there. The sofa in the living room was a pull-out that she was comfortable on, even with her tall frame.

“Such a beautiful house,” Sylvia thought to herself.

The afternoon turned to evening. Sylvia told everyone about the confrontation that she had with her husband, and how at this time, the marriage was on thin ice, with divorce being an option because of Hectors actions. The news that he had not told anyone of the phone calls from Lupe or Father Xavier were quietly accepted, knowing that so much heartache and anguish could have been prevented, had he not been so stubborn.

“I do not know if it is possible for me to stay married to a man who could do this to his daughter. I know he can be set in his ways, but to the point of not listening to reason or another viewpoint? I just don’t know.”

“Mama,” Lupe covered her mothers hand with her own. “This may seem strange, but Brandi and I have been going to pre-marital counseling. We both have expectations of how our marriage will be. Remember that Brandi was married before. What happened to her was traumatic. And my own fears and anguish and self doubts have not made me the best candidate for a relationship either.” She looked across the table and smiled at her intended. “But Padre Xavier has listened to us and prayed with us and helped us to see that God does things in His own way for us. Had Papa not done the things he did, I would still be in Tempe, living a half life. Instead, I had the motivation to take control and make my life mine. It allowed me to meet the woman I will spend the rest of that life with. If he was here, I would thank him.”

“He’s as stubborn as a mule and just as thick-headed.” Looking down, Sylvia sighed. “I honestly don’t know what will happen when the three of us return to Tempe in a few days. But I do know that I just had to come here to make sure that you were safe, happy, and hadn’t given up on us.”