Finding Truth Behind Legends
by Wizardtho
Chapter 46:
After all 4 of the 8-quart crockpots are filled with roasts, veggies, and seasonings, I pull out both of the recipe books I’ve made of Gran Marie’s desserts. I immediately start scanning through recipes for cakes and cupcakes.
I’m standing at the island when Leah comes into the room, yawning her good morning. I chuckle, but before I can say anything, she gasps and grabs my left hand. I smile as I meet her eyes, “This morning, at the water’s edge on the picnic island… where we first met.”
She turns my hand a bit in different directions, then pulls it closer as she looks again. She finally laughs, “I get it; that comment you made the day I got here! That’s so cool… and it’s perfect for you, honestly.”
I nod, confirming, “It is, really. I didn’t think he’d take it so literally, but it’s so beautiful that I couldn’t catch my breath when he first showed it to me. I was balling, Leah. He listened… listened and heard what I was saying, then had that translated into something that symbolized us. That means more to me than anything.”
I start choking up again, but Leah pulls me into a hug, saying, “I’m happy for you, Bella. I always thought you should be tied to our rez. You belong with us as part of the family, not just a friend. Not just an honorary title, but a literal one. You just never clicked with any of the pack until mister alpha showed himself to you. Go figure, you’d be the one meant for a wolf that’s been waiting for eons.”
She lets me go, then asks as she starts the kettle for tea, “So when’s the date? I’ll make sure I can come back for your big day.”
I cough slightly, then chuckle, “Well, seeing as you won’t be gone before Saturday, there will be no need for you to come back. Taha and I want to be married before the Italians come.”
Her jaw drops, eyes wide as she shakes her head at me, “Jesus, Swan. Have you even phased yet?”
I shake my head no, and her eyes get even wider. I realize why after a second, then mutter, “Shit… Sam and the pack.”
She finally chuckles before walking toward the open dining room doors, “Yeah, shit. You know Sam will be pissed if no one tells him. Christ, Swan! Don’t worry, I’m on it.”
I chuckle, “Thanks, Leah. I’ll make your tea when the water’s ready. I’m waiting on the imprints to arrive and help me plan this. And yes, I need your help, too. Please and thank you.”
Thinking about the imprints, I quickly look in the fridge but find the iced tea pitcher nearly empty. I pull the tea tin I made up for Sinopa’s visits from the cupboard, then another kettle, filling it before placing it next to its twin on the stove. Sinopa will want her afternoon tea while here, since the blend has really been helping her.
Little Kai comes running into the kitchen, still in his pajamas, so I swoop him up into my arms and place little kisses all over his face. He giggles, then he offers while twirling a lock of my hair, “Mama says you and Taha are gonna be married like her and Daddy. I was s’pose to give you a pillow. I forgot, but Mama’s getting it.”
I smile widely, “We are going to get married. On Saturday. Would you like to come?”
He nods his head, “Yes, please. Do you have a ring like Mama? Will there be cake? Mama said weddings have cake… and food.”
Lily laughs as she walks in, and I join her as I promise Kai, “Yes, there will be lots of food, and I’m thinking lots of special yummy cupcakes with decorations.”
I place Kai on the counter, then hold out my hand so he can see my ring. He looks for a second, bites his little lip, then laughs, “It looks like that stuff that grows on rocks, Mama. Look!”
She grins widely while peering down at my hand, then whispers in Kai’s ear, “That ‘stuff’ is called moss, and yes, it does look like that. See the little twigs? Taha asked the ring maker to make Bella’s special ring look like nature.”
Kai smiles widely at me, then Lily hugs me before handing me a small ecru pillow that looks hand-embroidered. In the center is the word ‘together’, while it’s surrounded almost completely by an open circle of leaves and small flowers. At the bottom of the circle is a tied ribbon holding 2 gumball machine rings. “This was used at our wedding. I want you to have it for yours. I’d rather it be used again, instead of gathering dust in my closet.”
I hug her tightly, thanking her, then promise, “Of course, we’ll use it, Lily. It’s perfect. There’s only one problem. I need someone to hold it.”
I look at Kai, then ask, “Do you know what a ring bearer is?”
He nods with a grin, “That’s a little man like me. If you get picked, you get to hold that special pillow…” he takes the pillow from me, then holds it out with both hands, a look of concentration on his face, “And you walk with it, like this.”
I chuckle, “And what do you have to do to get picked?”
He looks at the pillow, a scowl forms on his cute face, then looks up at me. “I… I don’t know.”
I smile and tickle his ribs, then say, “The people getting married ask you. Since I’m the one getting married, and I happen to like you best, would you be our ring bearer?”
The pillow is suddenly abandoned, and Kai is jumping into my arms. I catch him easily as he hugs me, “Thank you! I promise I’ll do good.”
I ruffle the top of his hair, set him down on the floor, then hand him back the pillow. “I know you’ll do a great job, Kai. Here, why don’t you go practice your walk in the living room for a few minutes.”
Leah comes back into the house, smiles widely at Kai wearing a path into my living room floor with the special pillow, then lets out a huge breath, “Swan, you cause commotion states away, just by lifting a finger.”
She wiggles my occupied ring finger with a chuckle, then assures me, “Paul is now convinced he’ll have to move here to get any sweets, and he’s not happy about it. Sam is trying to figure out if he can make it back so soon, and Emily is pissed that Sam won’t let her come. He’s afraid that the Italians could show up at any time, and you know he won’t risk her being here. Billy is packing, but we don’t yet know who will be bringing him. Embry, the rest of the pack, and the council all give their happy wishes and congrats.”
I chuckle, “Poor Paul. I’ll have to relay a message when I phase later, promising to send him those sweets after the wedding. I’m sorry about Emily, but I can understand both sides. I mean… we do currently have the best security anywhere, with more than 20 shifters within earshot 24/7, and I would love for her to come. On the other hand, this is his human mate that he might be bringing toward the threat of danger. It’s up to them to work it out.”
Leah and Lily both nod, then Melody comes running into the room all smiles, Angie hot on her heels. Melody hugs me tightly, then says, “What do you need me to do? You have me all day. Put me to work.”
I nod, then say, “We’re still waiting on Sinopa and Avory, but I started looking through my Gran Marie’s cake and cupcake recipes. I want something fruit-filled, to take advantage of the fruit on the property. My thought was a small round cake for the cutting, but cupcakes for everyone else. The decorations would match on both, but the cupcakes are an easy way to have equally portioned and easy-to-eat wedding sweets. It’s the perfect time for all the berries and peaches, so we have options for the fruit filling.”
Angie hums, then she offers, “I was given 4 packages of foil baking cups that stand on their own, for if you don’t have a baking tin. They’re silver and gold, with 50 cups in each package. They’re a little bigger than a regular cupcake, though… maybe muffin-sized? I might be able to cook a halfway decent meal, but I can’t bake. I brought them for if you wanted to bake breakfast muffins in them, but no one will complain about large wedding cupcakes. ”
I nod, “That would be great, Angie. Thank you. Larger cupcakes would be welcome with this crowd. If we make 100 large cupcakes and the small cutting cake, I think that’ll cover 2 cupcakes per person.”
I pull the open recipe book to me, then say aloud, “Now for flavors. Everyone help me pick.”
When the decision is final, everyone has decided on 2 flavors for the cupcakes; a spiced cupcake with peach filling and a cinnamon flavored buttercream frosting, plus a vanilla bean cupcake with raspberry filling and white chocolate flavored buttercream. I double-check the pantry to make sure I have the liquid flavorings for both frostings, as well as the coloring drops. I give everyone a thumbs up, then place everything in the center of the island. I smile, happy with our choices, “We are in business, ladies.”
Declan enters the kitchen, spying the island, then asks, “What’s up?”
I grin, “You and Rowan saw Taha propose this morning, right?”
He shakes his head, “We heard, yes, but we flew out just a bit to give the two of you some privacy. Congratulations.”
I point to the island contents, then say, “Thanks. What’s up is wedding cupcakes. I need the fruit that is going to help make these the world’s best wedding cupcakes. Can you and a couple of the other free shifters please go get me all of the ripe peaches and raspberries you can find in the gardens?”
He nods, “Absolutely. You say food, and I’m all for it. Especially sweet food. What would you like us to put them in?”
I point toward the entry, “Down the stairs, in the medicine room, are baskets meant for gathering ingredients from the garden. Take as many as you need, but please make sure the door is closed once you leave the room. The heaters should be running to dry out my newest herbs.”
Declan nods and dashes away as I start telling the girls what we need for each of the cake mixes. The kitchen quickly begins to buzz with both motion and happy chatter, and all along, a cute little boy practices walking with his special pillow.
After all 4 of the 8-quart crockpots are filled with roasts, veggies, and seasonings, I pull out both of the recipe books I’ve made of Gran Marie’s desserts. I immediately start scanning through recipes for cakes and cupcakes.
I’m standing at the island when Leah comes into the room, yawning her good morning. I chuckle, but before I can say anything, she gasps and grabs my left hand. I smile as I meet her eyes, “This morning, at the water’s edge on the picnic island… where we first met.”
She turns my hand a bit in different directions, then pulls it closer as she looks again. She finally laughs, “I get it; that comment you made the day I got here! That’s so cool… and it’s perfect for you, honestly.”
I nod, confirming, “It is, really. I didn’t think he’d take it so literally, but it’s so beautiful that I couldn’t catch my breath when he first showed it to me. I was balling, Leah. He listened… listened and heard what I was saying, then had that translated into something that symbolized us. That means more to me than anything.”
I start choking up again, but Leah pulls me into a hug, saying, “I’m happy for you, Bella. I always thought you should be tied to our rez. You belong with us as part of the family, not just a friend. Not just an honorary title, but a literal one. You just never clicked with any of the pack until mister alpha showed himself to you. Go figure, you’d be the one meant for a wolf that’s been waiting for eons.”
She lets me go, then asks as she starts the kettle for tea, “So when’s the date? I’ll make sure I can come back for your big day.”
I cough slightly, then chuckle, “Well, seeing as you won’t be gone before Saturday, there will be no need for you to come back. Taha and I want to be married before the Italians come.”
Her jaw drops, eyes wide as she shakes her head at me, “Jesus, Swan. Have you even phased yet?”
I shake my head no, and her eyes get even wider. I realize why after a second, then mutter, “Shit… Sam and the pack.”
She finally chuckles before walking toward the open dining room doors, “Yeah, shit. You know Sam will be pissed if no one tells him. Christ, Swan! Don’t worry, I’m on it.”
I chuckle, “Thanks, Leah. I’ll make your tea when the water’s ready. I’m waiting on the imprints to arrive and help me plan this. And yes, I need your help, too. Please and thank you.”
Thinking about the imprints, I quickly look in the fridge but find the iced tea pitcher nearly empty. I pull the tea tin I made up for Sinopa’s visits from the cupboard, then another kettle, filling it before placing it next to its twin on the stove. Sinopa will want her afternoon tea while here, since the blend has really been helping her.
Little Kai comes running into the kitchen, still in his pajamas, so I swoop him up into my arms and place little kisses all over his face. He giggles, then he offers while twirling a lock of my hair, “Mama says you and Taha are gonna be married like her and Daddy. I was s’pose to give you a pillow. I forgot, but Mama’s getting it.”
I smile widely, “We are going to get married. On Saturday. Would you like to come?”
He nods his head, “Yes, please. Do you have a ring like Mama? Will there be cake? Mama said weddings have cake… and food.”
Lily laughs as she walks in, and I join her as I promise Kai, “Yes, there will be lots of food, and I’m thinking lots of special yummy cupcakes with decorations.”
I place Kai on the counter, then hold out my hand so he can see my ring. He looks for a second, bites his little lip, then laughs, “It looks like that stuff that grows on rocks, Mama. Look!”
She grins widely while peering down at my hand, then whispers in Kai’s ear, “That ‘stuff’ is called moss, and yes, it does look like that. See the little twigs? Taha asked the ring maker to make Bella’s special ring look like nature.”
Kai smiles widely at me, then Lily hugs me before handing me a small ecru pillow that looks hand-embroidered. In the center is the word ‘together’, while it’s surrounded almost completely by an open circle of leaves and small flowers. At the bottom of the circle is a tied ribbon holding 2 gumball machine rings. “This was used at our wedding. I want you to have it for yours. I’d rather it be used again, instead of gathering dust in my closet.”
I hug her tightly, thanking her, then promise, “Of course, we’ll use it, Lily. It’s perfect. There’s only one problem. I need someone to hold it.”
I look at Kai, then ask, “Do you know what a ring bearer is?”
He nods with a grin, “That’s a little man like me. If you get picked, you get to hold that special pillow…” he takes the pillow from me, then holds it out with both hands, a look of concentration on his face, “And you walk with it, like this.”
I chuckle, “And what do you have to do to get picked?”
He looks at the pillow, a scowl forms on his cute face, then looks up at me. “I… I don’t know.”
I smile and tickle his ribs, then say, “The people getting married ask you. Since I’m the one getting married, and I happen to like you best, would you be our ring bearer?”
The pillow is suddenly abandoned, and Kai is jumping into my arms. I catch him easily as he hugs me, “Thank you! I promise I’ll do good.”
I ruffle the top of his hair, set him down on the floor, then hand him back the pillow. “I know you’ll do a great job, Kai. Here, why don’t you go practice your walk in the living room for a few minutes.”
Leah comes back into the house, smiles widely at Kai wearing a path into my living room floor with the special pillow, then lets out a huge breath, “Swan, you cause commotion states away, just by lifting a finger.”
She wiggles my occupied ring finger with a chuckle, then assures me, “Paul is now convinced he’ll have to move here to get any sweets, and he’s not happy about it. Sam is trying to figure out if he can make it back so soon, and Emily is pissed that Sam won’t let her come. He’s afraid that the Italians could show up at any time, and you know he won’t risk her being here. Billy is packing, but we don’t yet know who will be bringing him. Embry, the rest of the pack, and the council all give their happy wishes and congrats.”
I chuckle, “Poor Paul. I’ll have to relay a message when I phase later, promising to send him those sweets after the wedding. I’m sorry about Emily, but I can understand both sides. I mean… we do currently have the best security anywhere, with more than 20 shifters within earshot 24/7, and I would love for her to come. On the other hand, this is his human mate that he might be bringing toward the threat of danger. It’s up to them to work it out.”
Leah and Lily both nod, then Melody comes running into the room all smiles, Angie hot on her heels. Melody hugs me tightly, then says, “What do you need me to do? You have me all day. Put me to work.”
I nod, then say, “We’re still waiting on Sinopa and Avory, but I started looking through my Gran Marie’s cake and cupcake recipes. I want something fruit-filled, to take advantage of the fruit on the property. My thought was a small round cake for the cutting, but cupcakes for everyone else. The decorations would match on both, but the cupcakes are an easy way to have equally portioned and easy-to-eat wedding sweets. It’s the perfect time for all the berries and peaches, so we have options for the fruit filling.”
Angie hums, then she offers, “I was given 4 packages of foil baking cups that stand on their own, for if you don’t have a baking tin. They’re silver and gold, with 50 cups in each package. They’re a little bigger than a regular cupcake, though… maybe muffin-sized? I might be able to cook a halfway decent meal, but I can’t bake. I brought them for if you wanted to bake breakfast muffins in them, but no one will complain about large wedding cupcakes. ”
I nod, “That would be great, Angie. Thank you. Larger cupcakes would be welcome with this crowd. If we make 100 large cupcakes and the small cutting cake, I think that’ll cover 2 cupcakes per person.”
I pull the open recipe book to me, then say aloud, “Now for flavors. Everyone help me pick.”
When the decision is final, everyone has decided on 2 flavors for the cupcakes; a spiced cupcake with peach filling and a cinnamon flavored buttercream frosting, plus a vanilla bean cupcake with raspberry filling and white chocolate flavored buttercream. I double-check the pantry to make sure I have the liquid flavorings for both frostings, as well as the coloring drops. I give everyone a thumbs up, then place everything in the center of the island. I smile, happy with our choices, “We are in business, ladies.”
Declan enters the kitchen, spying the island, then asks, “What’s up?”
I grin, “You and Rowan saw Taha propose this morning, right?”
He shakes his head, “We heard, yes, but we flew out just a bit to give the two of you some privacy. Congratulations.”
I point to the island contents, then say, “Thanks. What’s up is wedding cupcakes. I need the fruit that is going to help make these the world’s best wedding cupcakes. Can you and a couple of the other free shifters please go get me all of the ripe peaches and raspberries you can find in the gardens?”
He nods, “Absolutely. You say food, and I’m all for it. Especially sweet food. What would you like us to put them in?”
I point toward the entry, “Down the stairs, in the medicine room, are baskets meant for gathering ingredients from the garden. Take as many as you need, but please make sure the door is closed once you leave the room. The heaters should be running to dry out my newest herbs.”
Declan nods and dashes away as I start telling the girls what we need for each of the cake mixes. The kitchen quickly begins to buzz with both motion and happy chatter, and all along, a cute little boy practices walking with his special pillow.