Chapter 19: June - A Graduation & A Wedding

Graduation Day had finally arrived. It was an outdoor ceremony, with a slight breeze keeping the graduates and guests cool in the early evening sun. Trent put up a fuss about having a graduation party; he really didn't want one. But Mitch had convinced him that it would make his mother happy, so he invited a few friends over. They had a cookout and enjoyed the hot tub and dancing under the stars while Mitch and Tory stayed indoors.

Two weeks before the wedding, Tory, Mitch and Trent headed north to the hotel on base. When they arrived, Chuck and Denise hosted a dinner at their house to review the final wedding plans. Jayson and Cami also attended and they held an impromptu combined graduation celebration for Trent and birthday celebration for Trent and Jayson.

Tory and Mitch met with the chaplain the following Monday. They finalized the plans for the rehearsal and the ceremony, and then made follow-up counseling appointments with the chaplain for before the wedding. While running errands, the couple also made sure to verify the reservations for the hall. They were pleased to find the base band would be able to play at their reception. With all the last minute details out of the way, the nervous couple tried to relax, knowing the weekend would be stressful when their families arrived and finally met.

Both Tory's and Mitch's families had agreed to meet a week before the wedding to get acquainted with the "other side" and just enjoy the time with the bride and groom. While Tory had been in contact with Marshall and Catherine since their visit, she had yet to meet the Ross children. Trent and Jayson were a little nervous about meeting them, as well. They were not sure they would receive a warm welcome from Mitch's family, so they were happy their uncle and his family were also able to come up early.

Marshall and Catherine Ross were the first to arrive, with Jay and his family landing soon after them. Tory and Mitch were at the airport to greet both planes. Catherine and Marshall had no problem waiting until Jay's plane landed. Once introductions were made and baggage claimed, Tory and Mitch drove his parents to the hotel, with Jay and family following in a rental.

Once the new arrivals were settled, Marshall offered to buy lunch for everyone so they could get better acquainted. Since it was a nice afternoon, the mixed family took a walk to a nearby sandwich shop. After a quick phone call, Jayson met everyone there for lunch.

While Catherine engaged the young adults in conversation and Tory and Sarah discussed wedding plans, Marshall sat quietly. Mitch noticed this, but was distracted by Jay's questions about the honeymoon plans before he could say anything.

After lunch, Jayson needed to return to work but the rest still had energy to burn. Before returning to the hotel, they went for a walk in the park where the son finally had a chance to talk with his father.

"Dad, is everything okay?" Mitch asked, walking slowly alongside Marshall.

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"You were awfully quiet during lunch. Mom was talking with the kids, but you didn't really talk with anyone."

"And that's supposed to mean there's something wrong?"

"Let's face it, Dad," Mitch chuckled, "you've never been known for your shy and quiet demeanor!" Marshall agreed by laughing along with his son.

"That may be so, but no man ever found answers by talking too much."

Mitch continued to walk with his father, silenced by confusion over what the elder man had said.

"Now you're being the quiet one, son. Cat got your tongue?"

"I'm just trying to figure out what you meant, Dad. What questions do you still have about Tory and me?"

"It's not questions about you and Tory, per se. It's just ... wanting to see for myself how things really were. Anyone can put on a gentile act for a couple of days -— not to say that's what Tory did over Easter. However, when you're surrounded by your own kind, people who really know you, your true being comes through." Marshall allowed Mitch time to ponder his words before continuing. "Tory said that she cared enough for her older brother to accept and keep the nickname he had given her as a child. Yet, how much does he really love her if he moves thousands of miles away and hardly ever sees her? Plus, she's marrying into our family, which means she'll have your siblings, her new in-laws, to get along with; how will she do? Watching her with her brother and sister-in-law now speaks a great deal toward answering those questions."

"Not to mention, will she still love me if my father turns into an overbearing ogre and tries to beat her down?" added Mitch.

"You thought I was overbearing, did you? What do you think Patti will do?"

"Is she that worried?"

"Well, let's just say that a week hasn't gone by since your engagement announcement that I haven't heard from one or the other of the kids. But, Patti's far ahead in the interrogation game." Marshall continued after noticing Mitch's brows begin to furrow. "You know she means well. She's been worried about you ever since your divorce. And, she hasn't stopped worrying just because you announced your engagement. Only now, her worry is that you're falling into the same trap. She would have been out here sooner to see for herself..."

"But, she's been busy. I understand. With the four kids, it must be hectic," interrupted Mitch.

"I WAS going to say, 'except Neil has stopped her', Mister Smarty-pants!" corrected Marshall.

"Neil?"

"Yes, Neil! He knew that Patti would swoop in and try to control what was going on between you and Tory and that wasn't what you needed to have happen. All you kids are grown adults, that's true; but you all still act like you were little kids sometimes. Patti still wants to make all your hurt go away — just like she did when you were younger."

"I remember," Mitch chuckled. "When Sandy broke up with me in tenth grade, Patti was so angry at her for hurting me. She started throwing punches and got herself suspended! Patti didn't care that she was two years younger than us!"

"That's right! And, you've been there for her, too; don't forget." Marshall let out a sigh and stopped walking to add a little distance between them and the others. "The point is, your brother and sisters are as worried about you as you are about them, and as much as Jay is about Tory. We all want what's best for everyone. Your mother and I got a brief understanding during Easter about what you say is happening. Now, we have a better understanding with her family around, too. Don't worry, son; everything's going to be fine. And, if your brother or sisters give you any undue hassle, you let me know and I'll ground 'em!" Father and son laughed heartily as they began walking to catch up to the others.

After returning to the hotel, the cousins wanted to go for a swim in the outdoor pool. While they did, the adults sat in the lounges around the pool and continued to get acquainted.

After about fifteen minutes of sitting with the others, Tory excused herself by saying she was going back to the room to take a nap. Once there, Tory began pacing and wringing her hands together. She nearly jumped out of her skin when there was a knock on the door a few minutes later.

"Everything okay, little one?" asked Jay, as soon as Tory opened the door.

"Sure, I just wanted to take a nap."

"You haven't taken a nap since Kindergarten, Tory! So, what's going on? This is me you're talking to!"

Tory resumed her pacing while Jay stepped into the room and shut the door behind him.

"I'm just so nervous! I don't remember the last time I was filled with so much self-doubt."

"Hey, sis! What's going on?" Jay spoke with soft concern as he gathered Tory in his arms and brought her over to the sofa.

"I'm not sure if his brother and sisters are going to like me! And, what happens if they don't? Will I have another marriage like my first with my in-laws shooting me down and denigrating me?"

"What makes you think Mitch's family isn't going to love you? You seem to have already won over his parents. And, that's usually the hardest part!"

"If I've won over his parents, why was Marshall so quiet at lunch? Even Mitch looked a little nervous once we left the sandwich shop. No," she assured her brother, "I have reason to worry!"

Jay pulled Tory into a reassuring hug and gently rocked her like he used to do when she was frightened by a storm. Not too long after that, Jay heard the tell-tale click of Mitch's key card in the door slot.

"Ah, reinforcements have arrived!" he announced, before getting up to greet Mitch at the door. "Take care of her, brother," Jay said, slapping Mitch on the back as he was leaving, "I've never seen her so nervous."

"Hey, baby." Mitch immediately went to Tory on the sofa and pulled her onto his lap. "I thought something was wrong."

"Oh, nothing's wrong," Tory said. "It's just -- I don't understand why your family doesn't like me. I mean, besides the fact that right now I don't have any self-esteem..."

"Baby, what makes you think my family doesn't like you? So far, you've only met my parents." Mitch kissed Tory on the forehead and then held her tighter to his chest.

"Why was your father so quiet at lunch?"

"You noticed, too?" Mitch chuckled dryly. "Well, I asked him that same thing when we all went walking. He said that a man learned more by keeping quiet than by talking. He was just watching how everyone was getting along, baby. And, Dad told me that if anyone from the family gave you or me any hassles, he'd ground them! Sounds to me like he might like you -— just a bit!" Mitch smiled when he heard Tory giggle. When he lifted her face to his, Mitch could still see the slightest bit of doubt in her eyes. "I love you, baby. Don't you ever forget that!" Slowly, he leaned forward and gently captured her lips with his. He wrapped his arms around her and allowed their kiss to turn hard and passionate.

A knock at the door interrupted their intimate moment.

Grumbling as he removed Tory from his lap, Mitch took long strides to reach the door. "This had better be important!" he growled right as he opened the door.

"Ah, sorry, Commander, but your folks asked me to tell you that everyone should be here within twenty minutes. And, they expect you and Mom to be in the lobby with them when the others arrive."

"Thanks, Trent. And ... sorry for growling like I did."

"That's okay. I think your folks figured they'd be interrupting something, so that's why they sent me."

Embarrassed, Mitch chuckled slightly.

"Okay, well, your mom and I will be right down. We'll see you downstairs with my parents."

"I have to be there, too?!" All of a sudden, Trent's eyes got the 'deer in the headlights' look.

"Oh, yeah! Your mom is nervous enough. You need to be there to help give her strength! See you downstairs!" Mitch laughed as he closed the door and returned to his love.

Tory and Mitch arrived in the lobby just as a swarm descended upon Catherine and Marshall. Tory hesitated a bit, so Mitch wrapped his arm around her waist and gently guided her to his arriving family.

"Hey, bro!"

"Hey, Mike! Glad to see you could make it!" Mitch and his brother gave the typical 'man-hug' —- arms wrapped around each other with a loud slap on the back. Tory watched and noticed that Michael was only a few inches shorter than Mitch.

"I wouldn't have missed this for anything!"

"Mike, this is Tory and her son, Trent." Tory reflexively stuck out her hand in greeting.

"Sorry, Tory, no can-do," Michael began, and then wrapped his arms around her. "This is the way I greet family!" he explained and quickly kissed her on the cheek.

As soon as Michael let Tory go, his wife, Valerie, was hugging her. Michael went on to greet Trent with a much gentler 'man-hug.'

"Welcome to the family, Tory!"

Tory was a little take aback by the immediate acceptance, but was relieved just the same. She tried to remember things she had heard about each of the siblings.

"I hear congratulations are in order! When are you due?"

Valerie placed her hands on her abdomen. "The doctors say anytime between Thanksgiving and Christmas."

"That's a wide stretch!" Mitch commented. "I figured, with modern medicine, they'd be able to narrow it down a bit more."

"Right now, the target date is December 15th," Valerie explained.

"But," Tory continued, "twins can be early -— anywhere from two to six weeks, right?" Valerie gave Tory a nod and another quick hug before she was pulled along by her husband.

Tory watched as a woman gave Mitch a warm embrace. She noticed how much this woman reminded her of a younger Catherine.

"Tory, this is my sister, Veronica," introduced Mitch.

"And, if you call me that, I won't answer you!" Ronnie quickly added. "It's only Veronica to strangers and business associates; it's 'Ronnie' to family!" Just as Michael had done, Ronnie greeted Tory with a welcoming hug. When she stepped aside, Rob swooped down and placed a kiss on Tory's cheek.

"Hey, Ronnie, how's 'Bellie' these days?" Mitch asked, adding a chuckle when he saw his sister turn red in the face.

"You know better, Mitch!" scolded Ronnie. Turning toward Tory and Trent, she explained, "Rob and I have, among other animals, a pot-bellied pig. We named her 'Belle', but Mitch insists on calling her 'Bellie!' I can just imagine what he would call her if she were a real girl!"

"Probably 'Bellie Jean!'" teased Mitch. Everyone had a good laugh as Ronnie and Rob stepped aside for the next sibling.

"Congratulations, brother!" Neil was next to greet Mitch. The two men hugged and then Neil approached Tory and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He introduced Tory and Trent to the four youth with him, and Trent immediately found common ground with them.

As Tory and Mitch turned to watch his sister Patti talk with Marshall, Jay came up behind them. "Sorry to interrupt, little one, but Jayson's on the phone." Jay handed Tory his cell phone while Trent introduced his uncle to Mitch's family.

After a few moments, Tory removed the phone from her ear and looked at Mitch.

"Baby?"

"Jayson says he's getting hungry for pizza and thought meeting at Manzetti's for dinner would be a good idea." Tory looked pleadingly at Mitch before quickly darting her eyes to Patti and Marshall, still in an animated discussion. When Mitch held out his hand, Tory gave him the phone.

"Jayson? I think that's a great idea!" At Mitch's exclamation, all eyes turned to him, even Patti's. Unconsciously, Mitch wrapped his arm around Tory's waist as he continued. "Can you call Papa Joe and let him know? ... Let's see, if my count is correct there's twenty-three of us with you and Cami ... Terrific! Look, the rest of my family just showed up. Let's meet at 1800. That'll give them time to check in and get themselves settled ... Good thinking, Jayson! We'll see you there!" Closing the phone, Mitch handed it back to Jay before making the announcement. "Okay, everyone, there'll be plenty of time to talk later. Dinner is at six, so you all need to get checked into your rooms so we can leave in 45 minutes!"

Marshall helped Mitch move everyone to the front desk to check in and get their room keys. After that, they all worked their way down the hallway to their assigned rooms. Thankfully, the hotel was accommodating enough to section off an entire wing for the Ross-Markus families and guests.

Within thirty minutes, everyone was back in the lobby; directions and car assignments were handed out. Once everyone knew which vehicle they were riding in and where they were going, the families were off to dinner.

When they arrived, Mama Manzetti had another hostess relieve her so she could escort Mitch, Tory and the others to the back room. Jayson and Cami had already arrived and greeted their mother and the commander when they entered. After introductions, Jayson pointed out the pitchers of soda on a back table and announced that Mama and Papa Joe would be out shortly to take beer and pizza orders.

A few minutes later Papa Joe came and took the pizza orders and Mama went to retrieve glasses of beer and wine. Within ten minutes, Mama returned with the drinks and Papa Joe brought appetizers. He placed them on a back table with plates and napkins and then left. The next time he returned, Papa Joe was followed by Mama and two other employees — all carrying two pizzas each. Papa Joe had planned on the dinner being a buffet so he placed the pizzas on the back table next to what was left of the appetizers.