Beth held out her hand to Carol, who indicated me. She stepped up to Beth and whispered something to her. Beth nodded and Carol returned to her place. I took the small leather pouch out of my pocket and handed it to her. Beth extracted the two wedding bands. She handed one each to K.P. and D.J. She explained to Karen and Bob as she gave the rings to the children, "These rings are Carol Anne and Ben's wedding presents to you."
"Karen, please remove your diamond." Karen took off her diamond engagement ring. Beth took it from her for safe keeping, promising to return it later.
Beth and her apprentices raised their arms high, the children raising the rings. Her voice rose in supplication. "May the Goddess bless these rings and what they symbolize. These rings are the symbol, worn every day, of the knot you will tie." Then she and her tiny helpers lowered their arms, holding the rings in front of them.
She had D.J. hand Bob her ring. "Bob, place Karen's ring on her hand and say. 'Karen Michelle Roberts, I thee wed'."
He slipped her ring onto Karen's hand "Karen Michelle Roberts, I thee wed."
Karen's ring fit the ring finger of her left hand perfectly.
Beth handed Bob's ring to Karen. "Karen take Bob's ring, and place it on his hand. Say 'Robert Scott, I thee wed'."
Karen spoke with a clear voice. "Robert Scott, I thee wed."
Beth then had them join their ring hands. Aside from repeating Beth's words, no one had spoken a word while they exchanged rings. Once they held each others' hands, Beth produced a string, long, strong, and quite ornate from that invisible pocket in her gown. She wrapped it around their hands such that they were bound securely, and tied a tight, secure knot. Beth intoned. "Now, under the sacred knot you will bind yourselves to each other. Say together after me. 'We, Karen Michelle Roberts and Robert Scott take solemn oath and promise before these witnesses that we are now wed, each to each in love and friendship forever."
They repeated the vow together.
I spoke in clear tones, my voice ringing in joy and pride, "I am Witness to this joining of two hearts. Let no man put it asunder." My Wives each repeated my words.
From her traveling bag Beth took out another of those special cakes, that wasn't a wedding cake per se, but more like bread. She had them cut it into two more or less equal pieces with their still-bound hands using a small knife she also drew out of her traveling bag. She bade each take a bite of a piece then a bite from each others' so both pieces had been bitten by each of them. Then she took the remaining bits and passed them to the rest of us. She took a small bit of each herself. By the time everyone had a bite of each piece, the cake was all gone.
Beth spoke again. "You two, Karen and Bob are now joined by the sacred bridal knot. Today the two of you have exchanged rings and said a vow to each other declaring and promising eternal love and friendship. You have shared the bounty of the earth represented by this cake with each other and your friends. As Her earthly representative present, I give you the blessing of the Goddess and pronounce you Wed in Her sight and to the world. Bob, please kiss your bride."
Bob wasn't any slow coach. He took Karen into his embrace and kissed her hungrily. It was a little awkward with their left hands tied together like that but they managed very nicely.
When they separated from their kiss, Beth kissed each of them sweetly on the lips. She then motioned for me, My Wives and the twins to do the same. I got a sweet kiss from Karen, and a hug and handshake from Bob. The twins got huge hugs and kisses from both. I was immensely proud of my little princesses.
After all the kisses, hugs and handshakes, Beth spoke again. "Now your circle is complete." Now that I knew what it meant, I was happy indeed for Bob and Karen
Beth unraveled the string without untying the knot, and gave it to Karen, saying. "Save this string as your remembrance of this day." The she took Karen's left hand and replaced her diamond on her ring finger. "I told you I'd give it back." Then she hugged Karen again.
She turned to us, and in a new twist, she grinned and said. "Family and friends, I present Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scott."
Beth had even more surprises. Out of her bag she produced a small ornate book. She wrote in it, then asked Karen and Bob to sign it. Then she asked us to sign as Witnesses. She explained. "This isn't an official document, but I like to keep a record. I call it the 'TempleRegister'. I left a blank page for your tribe, David. In all the commotion over Ben the other night, I forgot to have you and yours sign it. I'll get Robbie and Jamie this afternoon."
After we had all signed her 'Register' for Bob and Karen, she filled out the blank page she'd left for us and had us sign it except for Karen. Basically it was just the date and the Rite performed. I leafed idly through the book, and was pleasantly astonished at the number of multiple marriages. Beth certainly was no stranger to the concept, and we were far from unique!
We wanted Beth to stay for coffee, but she had other things to do. Before she left, I asked her about my conclusions regarding Princesses. Beth explained that Princesses were born to it as I suspected. To all intents and purposes they were, to use her words "crudely put, they're the 'breeders' of the old Blood families, for in them the Old Blood flows the purest." She confirmed they had traits and behaviors in common, but knowing when you're pregnant was the rarest one of all. She'd never seen anyone with that ability yet. She was stunned beyond words when there were three confirmed in the room, one probable, and one confirmed at home. Like me, she suspected an actual family connection somewhere along the line with Karen, but thought it would be almost impossible to check.
She said where Princesses were the true 'mothers' of the Old Ways, being born to it, Priestesses were the 'mothers' to the people of the faith, studying long and hard to achieve that status. Witches were similar, but filled a more practical role. In old times they were midwives and healers. At the thought of witches, she looked up. "Roberts? Karen Michelle Roberts? I knew of a Michelle Roberts years ago. She was a very powerful witch in Vancouver. She should have become a priestess, I don't know why she never did. Karen?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know a Michelle Roberts, like your second name?"
"Yes, that's my grandmother. I was named after her."
"Is she still among the living? Does she practice the Old Ways? Someone taught you."
"Oh, yes! She's in her late sixties, but doesn't look a day over fifty, maybe younger. I hope I look half as good at her age. Yes, she told me she was a witch, but when my parents took to Christianity, she got very quiet about it. She taught me secretly, but I embraced it openly and my parents never forgave her."
"Praise the Goddess! I only met her a couple times. She's very nice, and a powerful witch. Karen, you make sure she gets that towel. She'll be so proud and pleased! And here's my card. Give it to her and tell her she has my prayers. Oh! Look at the time! I must get changed and be on my way!" It was still only a little past nine thirty, but she acted like it was past midday, and bustled off to change out of her gown.
Despite being a Witness for Karen and Bob, I managed to get quite a few pictures of their wedding. Bob was really pleased. We stood about kibitzing for a bit, but Carol soon rounded us up for various chores. Bob and Karen were sent off to get dressed. Carol told them in no uncertain terms to be quick about it, too. Hanky-panky could wait 'til later. Before they went to get dressed, Beth returned from changing. She hugged them both and wished them well in their new life together, congratulating them on their marriage and the new baby. We all said our goodbyes and 'Happy New Year'. As she hustled and bustled out the door, she said, "Say hello to your mother, The High Priestess for me. Tell Lori I'll call after the New Year when things slow down a bit. May the Goddess protect you!"
After she left, Karen asked me incredulously, "Your mother is The High Priestess? You just said she was a Priestess Holy shit! What kind of family am I in?"
"Yup! Isn't everybody's? Magical, Karen Michelle, magical." I always thought Mom was a High Priestess. It never occurred to me there might only be one. Hmmm. More questions.
After Beth left, Carol organized us to get things cleaned up and packed for her. Bob and I brought all the empty boxes up so she could start packing. We didn't have any packing paper until Karen suggested using the used gift wrap. With that suggestion, all Carol's small items were soon being packed. Diane and Riekie got laundry. There wasn't a lot, but they decided to not only do the bed linens and table services we used, but also anything of our personal clothing that needed washing. It's a lot nicer to travel with clean clothes than a smelly old laundry bag. We figured we'd get grungy enough on the way home.
It never ceased to amaze me how well my wives got along at domestic chores. There was a minimum of fuss and bother. From the beginning, way back when, Carol and Riekie had always functioned like a well-oiled machine. Adding Diane to the mix seemed to make it run even better. Their happy chatter and banter as they worked was always a source of pride and delight to me. It still is. Now we had Karen, at least temporarily, and she fit in just as smoothly as Diane. Bob and I had always worked well together, and although it had been years, we still had that ability, an almost uncanny way of knowing what tool the other needed for a job, and have it ready to hand for him. I guess that's basically the way the girls worked and continue to this day.
It wasn't long before Bob and I had most of the stuff Carol wanted to take out of the basement and into the garage ready to load. We would have to wait until everything was moved up and packed, before we loaded, though. I hate like hell getting a load almost built only to find most of it has to come off to fit some last minute item. Better to survey everything you have to load, get a mental picture of how it will go in the vehicle and build the load accordingly.
Carol's bed was the only one being moved, as it was part of the set she inherited from Oma, and also the only large piece of furniture except for the dressers and the end tables. The one that had been in her room was stored in the basement. Bob and I checked it out, ready to switch them around, and discovered the two were virtually identical. To save moving that item twice, we suggested she take the one from the basement and leave hers in the room. Then we'd only have to get her cabinetry out. She thought that was a good idea, so we moved the one from the basement to the garage.
I didn't want to disturb Bob and Karen from their room, but we needed to move that cabinetry out. The originals were in the basement as replacements. With Carol's blessing, we moved her cabinetry to the garage, and brought the originals back up from the basement. We had her old bedroom completely changed over by noon. Lunch was left-over-turkey sandwiches. The last things to be packed would be our clothes and the kids' toys.
Everyone worked until one then we broke to change for the service. The family was eager to get on the road, but we had to perform this last function for Ben. Karen had only the clothes she came in, plus the kilt and sweater Carol had loaned her. Her old apartment wasn't that far away, maybe fifteen minutes. About eleven thirty she broke off from helping Carol pack and Bob drove her over to get her clothes.
Bob was funny as blazes when he reported back to us what transpired when they got there. Her roomie was in, as Boxing Day was a holiday for her, too. He said she was exactly as Karen described — Riekie's Temperance Lady made real with bells on. Karen wasn't in the door two minutes when she started into Karen about running around like a loose woman, and started running down Bob, whom she'd never seen before, for corrupting the morals of a young woman.
Karen got angry, and soon had her choking on her words when she waved that rock and wedding band under her nose. The roomie was pissed, as we suspected, and tried to give Karen a very hard time about moving out, but when Bob wrote her out a cheque for a month's rent without batting an eye, she soon calmed down. It seemed money and fine jewelry was the key to that woman. They were back by twelve thirty. Karen was still angry when she got back to the house, and couldn't wait to get her own things out of that apartment.
While she was at the apartment, Karen called her job to give her notice 'til the end of the week, because she'd gotten married and was moving to Vancouver. Her boss, a newlywed himself, accepted her resignation, and told her she didn't need to come back, to take the rest of the week off. She gave him Bob's address in Vancouver to forward her last cheque and record of employment. She and Bob got a honeymoon of sorts, anyway.
By one thirty, we were all ready for the service. Carol could still get into her little black number, although she complained it was a little snug around the waist. It'd do for a couple hours at least. I got three cuffs upside the head when I suggested they wear their wedding gowns. Riekie and Diane made do with the most demur of their black pullovers, of which they all seemed to have an abundance, and dark coloured skirts. Karen, strangely enough, brought similar style clothing with her, and dressed accordingly. They all went braless, naturally. In deference to the cold, they all wore pantyhose, and complained about it from the outset.
The limo from the funeral chapel pulled up in front of the house at one thirty just as the boys said. Bob and Karen decided to follow in Bob's car, rather than crowd the limo. My wives, two kids and I climbed in. My friend Ben was gone. Now I had to deliver a eulogy to a room full of strangers.
We arrived at the small chapel a few minutes after the limo picked us up. Robbie and Jamie were already there with their girl friends. They introduced us to their ladies and greeted us like true family, calling Carol 'Mom', despite the hot kiss she gave them the night before. So much for me being a prognosticator. Except for them, we were the only family present. Several of Ben's oldest friends had also arrived early to act as honourary pall bearers.
Despite it being the Holiday season, there was a very large turn out. Some of the attendees were the boys' own friends, there to support them. Ben knew and was respected by a large number of people. We needn't have worried about our dress for this memorial. Everyone, including the boys was dressed very casually. The whole affair was casual, without that air of morbid sentimentality that I normally associate with funerals.
When we were seated, the boys accorded us 'next of kin' status. We occupied the whole front row. The boys sat side by side, their girl friends on Jamie's outside, with Carol next to Robbie, then me, Riekie, Diane, Karen and Bob. Diane and Riekie nominally held the children, but being kids, they played musical laps and often were on the boys, much to their delight and their girl friends' chagrin. The boys never did marry those girls. I remember them as being stylish and pretty in a self-absorbed sort of way, and to this day cannot remember their names.
It quickly became apparent that this was a celebration of Ben's life. While everyone except Ben's boys, and Beth Richards was a stranger to me and mine, they all knew Ben, and had positive, happy memories of him. Carol knew a few people, especially those friends he had through the business. Almost all the ones who knew Carol had to be introduced to her. They didn't recognize her at first, and were stunned at the transformation.
A few knew a little of our story, and were solicitous of her pregnancy. Those who noticed it but didn't know anything discretely kept whatever they thought to themselves. It was obvious Robbie and Jamie had no problem with it. Jamie even patted her tummy once and asked once how his new 'little brother and sister' were doing.
All four of the ladies in our group drew appreciative stares from the men again much to the chagrin of the boys' girlfriends. They were used to being the centre of male attention, and although Karen and Diane were actually not far from their own age, resented being upstaged by these four 'older' women.
A truly pleasant surprise was the number of children present as well as our own. Their happy chatter helped brighten the proceedings considerably. A surprising late arrival was the two nurses who had been so kind to us. I noticed they both joined Beth when they took their seats.
The service didn't follow the usual format. It was totally non-denominational. The preacher, if you could call him that, was more of a moderator, and it turned out, he actually knew Ben. He was very low key and I liked him immediately. He read a brief biography of Ben highlighted with a few of his own memories of Ben. His text was a collection of Ben's favourite poems and quotations, and his own thoughts on what it was to be a 'good' person. Robbie and Jamie spoke together, taking turns, remembering all the good times, and some of the bad they had with their dad. They remembered his support, strength and friendship, especially during their mother's prolonged illness. Beth Richards spoke and described Ben as a caring, loving man she was proud to have known.
The moderator asked the congregation to volunteer remembrances of Ben. As usual, people were a little slow coming forward, but after the first one or two, speakers popped up all over the room. Most people just had an anecdote to tell that illustrated how Ben touched their lives. The picture that built up from all the stories and testimonials was of a man respected for his fairness, generosity of spirit, and his respect for other people. At the end of the open testimonials, the preacher called me forward as his 'closer'. He told me after that Robbie and Jamie specifically asked that I speak last because I was the last to speak directly with Ben. They thought it was fitting.
I still hadn't prepared anything I was satisfied with, but I had a few ideas, and figured I'd wing it. I introduced myself and became quite choked up as I spoke, "I'm sorry. I've tried and tried since Robbie and Jamie asked me to speak to come up with something eloquent and profound to share with you today. It's proved almost impossible because there are no words to describe what is in my heart for Ben. What I say to you now is the most feeble of efforts to try.
"I was with Ben when he passed over and was the last person to actually speak with him. Among his last words to me were, 'Goodbye, David, my dear, dear friend. I'll miss you and our talks, but Kate wants me home'. Saying goodbye to Ben was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. The only true solace I have were his last three words, whispered almost below hearing as he went to Kate's loving arms -- 'See ya, David.' — I know now I'll be seeing my dear, dear friend Ben again someday.
"I didn't know Ben very long, but in the short time I did, he touched me in ways few people ever have. I actually only met Ben in person once, the day he died, although I'd known him for several months through regular phone conversations. The circumstances through which we came to know each other are unusual to say the least. I won't bore you with the details. Suffice it to say that he helped and protected someone very dear to me when she needed it most. It was through his attempt to help her become a whole person again that I came to know him. Between us, we succeeded beyond his wildest dream.
"Ben, to me, was first and foremost a true friend. Those of you who know me know the high value I place on friendship. In the short time I knew him I came to love him more than I have loved any other man save one, my own father. He gave and expected nothing in return. He listened and was non-judgmental. He offered advice only when asked, and was a willing shoulder to cry on. He trusted and was trusted. He welcomed a stranger, me, into his life... and his death. My family owes everything to this man. He had a generosity of spirit that has rarely if ever been matched. His last acts were the most magnanimous gestures I have ever witnessed.
"Charles Dickens caught the spirit of Ben's magnanimity in 'A Tale of Two Cities'. As Ben passed, Sydney Carton's last words reverberated through my mind. 'It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known'.
"I've heard several people today mention how good a person Ben was. I'm here to tell you he wasn't just a good person. He was the best. There are two fine young men, Ben's sons, Robbie and Jamie, here today I would gladly call my own sons who bear witness to that. They are Ben's legacy to us and I am proud to count them among my friends.
"Carol Anne told me once she overheard the boys talking shortly after she and Ben were married. They were in their teens, almost grown themselves. Ben had just done something that impressed them. She didn't know what; she didn't hear that part of the conversation. What she did hear though was this: Robbie said, 'Dad's so cool! When I grow up, I want to be just like him!" and Jamie's reply to that was similar, 'Yeah! So cool! Me too! I want to be just like Dad.' What more fitting epitaph for any man, than to have his own children want to emulate him in their lives? From what I've seen of Robbie and Jamie, they have succeeded. I could go on, but let me leave you with this thought. When I grow up, I want to be just like Ben.
"Ben, may the Goddess protect you and guide your spirit to the light... and mine. See ya, Ben."
As I stepped away from the lectern, Robbie, Jamie and Carol rose and embraced me in a group hug. I didn't realize I'd said anything that profound, but I touched something in them. As I sat down, Riekie hugged my arm tight to her. She whispered, "My poet. My romantic. My One True Love."
The preacher-cum-moderator closed the service with a benediction. Beth rose and gave the Old Ways benediction as well. "May the Goddess protect you and guide your spirit."
The memorial service was over in less than an hour, with a small reception in the lounge area of the chapel after. Most people still had Holiday activities to attend, so couldn't stay, but a few did, long enough to be sociable. The boys joined us as we stood in a group, feeling lost among strangers. They got Carol between them and each slipped an arm around her. She responded in kind, pulling them close to her. Once again the close bond between her and those boys was apparent. The boys' girl friends were nowhere to be seen until I spied them laughing and talking with a group of the boys' friends.
Jamie told her, "Mom, I'd almost forgotten that conversation David mentioned that you overheard. We should tell you the whole story of why we said that." He looked to Robbie for agreement.
Robbie laughed, "Yes! Mom, David, and all the rest of the family should know. You tell them Jamie. I'm always doing the talking. It's your turn."
Jamie began, "You were right. Dad had done something that really impressed us. He married you, Mom. Robbie and I fell in love with you, not as a woman, but as a potential new Mom, the first time we met you. We knew you carried a great pain and sadness, but you were a mother to us, even before you married, just when we needed it. Although since you've been healed, we've been forced to look at you as a beautiful, sensual woman as well. <Chuckle>
"The day you overheard us, Dad had just told us the most amazing story. You can guess what that story was. He had just wormed the whole thing out of you, Mom, and he was overwhelmed. He had to share it with us. Even as teenagers, the love story and then the tragic loss affected us deeply. He was afraid when he told us we'd be jealous of David for him, but how could we be jealous of a love so deep? It fit perfectly with a teenager's idealistic view of the world. I guess Robbie and I will always be teenagers, then, because we still hold that view.
"Dad said if there was any way at all possible, he would find some way to reunite all of you, and wanted our help. He said Momma (It seemed strange to hear grown men call their mother 'Momma', but it sure helped keeping Carol and Kate distinct.) would like that. She was always trying to help people.
"He told us he married you not only to love you, but to protect you, and hoped of healing you of your pain some day. When you finally told him the whole story, he understood what he had to do. It became his mission in life. He knew he couldn't say anything to you, so we became his confidants and co-conspirators. That is what he told us that day that so impressed us. Everything we've done since that day was aimed at what happened Christmas Eve.
"We didn't have a time table, but Dad at certain points would say 'this needs to be done now.' Whenever that happened he would tell us, and we just did what needed to be done, right up to and including liquidating all his assets. From the very beginning we knew everything was going to you, Mom, and your family with David if we succeeded. We did make some small changes when Dad became so impressed with Beth and Robert, but there were allowances in his plan for such contingencies.
"We were already set from Momma's life insurance, and we knew of that other policy, so we didn't need it. Besides, Momma and Dad raised us to believe money is only a tool, not something to be accumulated for its own sake. The screwing over he got from his partner almost derailed us, but with the latest oil boom we were soon able to get it back under control. The rest you basically know.
"His cause seemed so noble, and Dad got so much personal satisfaction out of it, we became enthusiastic volunteers. As we said, he was cool, and that's why we said we wanted to grow up to be just like him — to be able to give so much and expect nothing in return. For David to use that memory in his eulogy, not realizing the irony in it was extremely appropriate and touched both of us to the quick. Oh, there were lots of things about Dad that made us want to be like him, but that one act, started way back then, made us realize just how selflessly cool he was, and we just had to say it out loud. Since then, he did so much, not for just you, but others as well, that almost everyday one of us says or thinks 'I want to be just like him'."
How do you come back against something like that? These boys, no, men, never ceased to impress me. Carol wept openly and freely with the boys. She'd repressed her grief for the entire Holiday. Now, with them, she shared a time of emotional healing. As they wept in each others' arms, you could see the tension drain from all of them. This was a healthy release they needed. The rest of us gathered 'round and shielded them, gently fending off other well wishers, to allow them this private and personal time together.
When they'd cried themselves out, Robbie clasped my hand and put his arm around my shoulder. "David, you were wrong. You were both eloquent and profound. What you didn't say could be seen in your expression. Jamie and I have been wracking our brains for something to put on Dad's marker. Now we know his epitaph, thanks to you -- 'I want to be just like him.' We'll put that on his stone."
We had to get back to our packing and loading. The boys said they'd be over later in the evening to lend a hand if needed and to say goodbye, as we were planning on getting an early start. We wanted to get as many miles out of the first day as possible.
We told them Bob and Karen tied the knot with Beth this morning. They were ecstatic for both of them. We told them Karen was already pregnant, so they teased Bob a bit, but again were very happy for them. When we said Bob and Karen were staying on until the end of the week, the boys said they could stay as long as they needed.
By the time we left the chapel, everyone was smiling and laughing again. I noticed that Carol, Robbie and Jamie all walked with a new spring in their step. The limo was brought 'round to return us to the house. Despite the seat belt law, Carol rode home cuddled in my lap, with Riekie and Diane snuggling close on either side. We did buckle the kids in, though.
We were back to the house by a little before four. The weather was clear but still bitterly cold. Before going in, I started the van and let it run to warm up. In this cold weather, it was best to let a vehicle get warmed up every day. I wanted it to start in the morning for sure. It had a block heater, so while it warmed up, I rummaged around in the garage and found a long extension cord. One thing I'd learned when I worked in Edmonton years ago was all western homes and businesses had outside outlets for just that purpose. No one took any chances on a vehicle not starting.
When I went in, everyone had changed back into what they were wearing before we left. Diane and Riekie were finishing the last of the laundry. Karen and Carol were still busy packing her small items, but were close to finishing. Bob was tending the fire, but it only took a few minutes. I had him come back out with me and guide me as I turned the van-trailer combo and backed it in the drive. It would make loading easier and an easy departure in the morning. Once we had it where we wanted it, I plugged in the block heater.
I checked with Carol to see if she needed the microwave again before we left. She said no, we could load it, that there was a smaller one in the basement, which belonged to the house. Bob and I found the smaller machine, brought it up and took the big one to the garage. Our pile was getting bigger. Carol had some boxes ready to bring down so we brought them out too. It looked like everything was coming together.
Carol and Karen finished her packing shortly after five. Diane and Riekie had finished the laundry a short time before, and had gone ahead with getting supper ready. Like I said, those girls just knew what to do. Watching them work was poetry in motion. Bob and I loaded a few of the bigger items in the trailer before they called us to eat. Supper was over fairly quickly, but we still enjoyed each others' company while we ate. Over coffee and dessert we discussed out travel plans.
We decided to leave as close to six-thirty in the morning as possible, and push for Brandon Manitoba. Driving four-hour shifts with three drivers, we figured we could make it in about twelve hours, even allowing for pit stops. We'd grab a motel and try to get away by seven the next day. Hopefully, we could make it by Monday, giving us a day to get the travel out of our bones and everything unloaded before New Year's Eve. In a worst-case scenario, if the weather slowed us up, we could stay out an extra night.
After supper, we took a few minutes to call home and give them our itinerary. There wasn't much happening at home. The kids missed us and wanted us back as quickly as we could get there. Mom wanted to know about Ben's service. We talked about that for awhile then she asked if we had any other news. I grinned and told her about Bob and Karen. She was absolutely delighted. Poor Karen was tongue-tied, talking to the High Priestess, but Mom soon had her at ease.
She said, "Karen Michelle, I'm the High Priestess for rites and rituals. The rest of the time, which is most, I'm Lori, mother to that crazy tribe you got mixed up with. You're likely to hear more mumbo jumbo out of David than you'll ever hear from me. Now, Princess, welcome to our rather extended family. When are you and Bob going home?" Karen told Mom they hadn't decided yet. It depended on how long it took her to pack. Bob had taken a quick survey of her belongings in that furnished apartment and decided he could get all of it in his car. She was eager to get back to Vancouver and set up her own house with Bob.
After Mom talked to Karen she spoke with each of My Wives. Diane just had to talk to the kids, and they just had to talk to the twins and their other mommies. We were quite a while on the phone. We wrapped up the conversation as quickly as we could. Everyone said their goodbyes. I told Mom we'd call every night to let them know where we were and if there were any changes as we traveled.
The call home looked after, we resumed packing and loading. We packed all the suitcases we could, keeping a travel bag with at least one change per person back. We didn't pack toys until after the kids went to bed at eight. We had each of them select a couple favourites to keep out for the trip. Riekie had a travel kit already made up for them of small toys, colouring books and crayons.
The boys showed up just before we put the twins to bed. If at all possible, we were going to bed early ourselves so we would be fresh in the morning. K.P. and D.J. were all over Robbie and Jamie until we took them upstairs. The boys gave them extra hugs and kisses because they wouldn't see them again before we left. The kids made the boys promise they'd call them now and then to say hello. Riekie and I took the kids to bed and tucked them in. They were excited to be making a big cross-country trip, but almost as soon as we kissed them goodnight, they curled up together and were soon fast asleep. We stood in the doorway cuddling, watching them sleep as was our custom.
As we stood watching the kids sleep, I felt someone's presence. Behind us stood Bob and Karen, doing the same, both looking dreamy and almost oblivious to us. I nudged Riekie, and we left them to watch the kids. They looked like we did, watching Heather sleep years ago. I heard Bob say as he cuddled Karen close. "Soon, Honey, that'll be our children sleeping so sweetly." I didn't know Bob was such a romantic.
Riekie and I rejoined the others to finish packing toys. We filled the three suitcases she had originally brought, and some boxes besides. With the help of Robbie and Jamie we got the trailer loaded in short order. Everything fit, and I was even able to position the luggage next to the side door so we could get at extra clothes if we needed. All that was left for morning was our travel bags, which would go in the van. I secured the locks and we were loaded, ready to travel.
The boys didn't stay late, knowing we wanted an early start. I wasn't sure if I'd sleep all that well, as I was as keyed up as the kids. The girls seemed excited, too. We said goodbye to Robbie and Jamie and wished them Happy New Year. We promised to keep in touch, and they weren't to forget their step-mother's birthday, either! The ladies gave them warm hugs and hot kisses. When the boys finally got away, their eyes were glazed. They told Bob they'd check in with him in a couple days.
Finally, the day was done. My wives went on up while Bob and I secured the house and set the fire for the night, and Karen loaded the coffeemaker setting the timer for five o'clock. It wasn't even ten yet, and I was ready for bed. It had been a long day, and a busy last three days. All the excitement, travel and emotional highs and lows were taking their toll. Despite my excitement at leaving, I looked forward to some rack time. I climbed the stairs of Carol's home in Bragg Creek for the last time. Tomorrow, I would finally bring my family home — all of them!