The Homecoming (Thunder Point #6)(90)

All was peaceful once again. Families were ready to celebrate Christmas in their individual ways. Carrie James did all the cooking at the McCain household for the usual large crowd. Rawley spent part of his day there and the later part with Cooper and Sarah, Spencer and Devon and all the kids—two families bonded by the children they shared. Lucky’s, the gas station, was open but for a shorter day because Al Michel, his three foster boys, his girlfriend, Ray Anne, Lucky’s owner, Eric, and his fiancée, Laine, were all at the McCains’ for Christmas Eve and at Ray Anne’s small house for Christmas day. Al cooked a magnificent meal. Peyton Lacoumette, Dr. Scott Grant and Scott’s kids were up north—he’d invited the two grandmothers to join them with about a million other people at the Lacoumette family farm. It was so crowded they had to sleep in shifts, but there were many contributors to the planning of a spring wedding.

For Seth and Iris, the events of the previous week were transforming. It was their town that had the traumatic experience, even though it had all played out fine. Seth had always thought of himself as just a working man and Iris admitted she thought of her life as pretty ordinary, even if the implications of her work with kids could have a huge impact. Now they were changed.

On Christmas morning, while they were still in bed, he nuzzled her awake and gave her a small box to open.

“Well, I never expected this,” she said, ripping into it. “I thought we decided we’d be each other’s presents this year.”

“Just a detail that really couldn’t be ignored,” he said.

Inside was a diamond ring and band, a beautiful platinum-and-diamond wedding set. “Oh, my God, how could you pick something this perfect without even asking me what I like?” she asked.

“I don’t really know how,” he said. “Everything about you seems completely right and easy to me.”

“We’ve come a long way, then,” she said. She handed him the box. “Put it on me? Say the words again?”

He slid the engagement ring on her finger. “Please, Iris, be my forever wife. Let me be your forever husband.”

“Okay,” she said. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m going to be in love with you until I die. I think at least ninety years. And then some.”

“Are you ready for today?”

“Oh, yeah. And I want you to know, it’s hard to get Christmas off when you’re the new guy.”

“You probably had to have a really good excuse, huh?”

“I had to scramble, that’s for sure.”

They had decided that Friday night, after the school emergency, they didn’t want to go forward separately. They couldn’t wait any longer.

Grace was in charge of flowers, not only for the house but for Iris and Grace to hold. She put together some fantastic arrangements that showcased the red-and-green of Christmas along with wedding-white flowers. Carrie provided a small but elegant cake. Seth had an acquaintance, a semi-retired judge who had lost his wife a couple of years back and who was alone for Christmas. He’d eagerly accepted the invitation. Seth’s parents approved and agreed to hold Christmas dinner a little later than usual, although Norm was concerned. “How late, exactly?” Now gallbladderless, he had quite the appetite. Seth’s two brothers and Boomer’s family would come to Thunder Point. Pulling everything together was actually quite easy.

So, that Christmas morning, they showered and dressed for an important day. Iris’s house was in perfect order when Grace arrived with the flowers. The women got ready together while Seth drove to Coquille to pick up Joe Falsbrook, a seventy-five-year-old circuit court judge who didn’t drive in sloppy weather. Gwen’s dining room was set up to serve Christmas dinner to a large group while Iris’s house was decorated for the ceremony. At exactly two o’clock, everyone was assembled in Iris’s living room. Everyone except the best man.

“What do we do?” Norm asked. “Just stand here?”

“We wait,” Seth said.

“I could go get some snacks,” Gwen said.

“I’ll open the champagne,” Boomer said. “Ain’t like it’s bad luck or anything....”

The champagne was barely poured when there was the toot of a horn. “A little help, Boomer?” Seth said.

Together they lifted Oscar, chair and all, into the house. Oscar made his presence felt immediately. “You better not’a done this without me!” There would be plenty of lifting today since the houses were not equipped with ramps. Introductions were quickly made, Iris hugged Flora and kissed Oscar’s cheek. Then Seth and Iris put down their champagne flutes and stood in front of Judge Falsbrook, holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes. Oscar was on Seth’s right, Grace beside Iris.

“It took me a long time to find my way home to you, Iris.”

“You took your time,” she said. “I was right here.”

“I love you, honey. I’d be so lost without you.”

“You won’t be without me again,” she said. “This time, if you start to wander off, I’m going to put my foot down.”

“I’m home for good,” he said.

The judge cleared his throat. “We just about ready here?” he asked.

Iris and Seth had nearly forgotten about him. They both laughed and nodded.