Take Me to the Moon 4.1: Old Wounds

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It was the morning of Delaney's wedding, but she was outside, looking at Uncle Barnaby's old trailer, and missing him.

And Delaney was staring at the spot where her launchpad and rocket, Earhart, had sat for so long.  Earhart had practically been her best friend through high school.  Many, many days and nights they had spent together, and then shared that amazing, 93 minute low earth orbit.

Cacey and Delaney had decided to sell the rocket to help Delaney and Alexander start their life together after their marriage.  And Delaney was now a Low Orbit Specialist at the Space Agency, so she got to participate in the launching of rockets several times a year.  It just wasn't the same, though.

Delaney's phone rang.  It was Bella, her soon to be mother-in-law, making sure they were on their way to the church in Willow Creek.

But before leaving the house, Delaney gave Cacey a big hug.  There weren't really words to express her gratitude to her aunt Cacey for making a happy life for her after the death of the rest of her family in her childhood.

Cacey, a newlywed herself, was Delaney's matron of honor.   And just a few moments earlier, Cacey had found out she was expecting a baby!

Still, they arrived at the church on time.  

As Cacey's best friend, Bella Goth had not made any disparaging comments about Cacey's informal patio wedding just months before.  

But as Delaney's future mother-in-law, Bella put her foot down and insisted on a proper church wedding and reception.  Cacey had warned Bella that so many of the elements of a formal wedding would be difficult for Delaney, an orphan.  Fortunately for Bella, Delaney had never shied away from a challenge and she wasn't going to avoid this one.

Bella was relieved.  It just wouldn't do to have dust blowing across the lawn, or people lounging around in swimsuits, at her son's wedding.

With the morning sickness and all the excitement of her first pregnancy, Cacey was finding it challenging to concentrate on organizing the bridesmaids, Ryleigh and Cassandra.

She was very relieved when Alexander came in looking, for the most part, calm, since he tended to be reticent at parties and social events.  Or downright panicked.

The time came, and Ryleigh and Cassandra entered the church on cue.  As an orphan, Delaney had decided to get around the whole "give the bride away" dilemma, by starting at the altar standing with Alexander.

Alexander, with his usual serious intensity, promised to love and cherish Delaney,

Which almost made Delaney cry.  She had only a few memories of being part of a big family, and had only Aunt Cacey for so long, to love her.

Delaney promised to love and cherish Alexander, till death parted them.

Ryleigh's fiance, Dante, was practically beside himself with excitement.  He tended to be that way about romantic occasions.

Alexander kissed Delaney, and they were declared husband and wife.  Mr. and Mrs. Tesla-Goth.

As soon as the official ceremony was over, Delaney gave Alexander a big, big hug.  They had both made it through the first part of a pretty scary event, together.

The families and friends were waiting to take group pictures before moving into the ballroom for the reception.

First, Delaney's tiny family:  Aunt Cacey and her new husband, Gavin, posed with Alexander and Delaney.

Alexander and his sister, Cassandra.

Delaney's two best friends, and bridesmaids, Cassandra Goth and Ryleigh Arias.  Now Delaney would have a sister!

Delaney with her aunt Cacey, and new mother-in-law, Bella Goth.

It was time for the reception.  Delaney made a toast to the guests.  "Thank you for being part of this beginning of a new chapter in our lives.  You've welcomed me into your families and hearts, and Alexander and I love you."

Alexander walked over, took her in his arms, and gave her a big kiss.  It was so unlike him, to be so emotional, and especially in public.






"You've made me so happy, Laney," he said, and snapped a picture of them on this big day.






"For posterity," he laughed.






To avoid the awkwardness of no "father-daughter" dance, all the bridesmaids joined Delaney in a first dance.







Delaney went over to Ryleigh and gave her a big hug.










"And yours is next!" she and Ryleigh practically jumped up and down with excitement about Ryleigh's upcoming wedding.

Delaney went and joined Cacey and Dante for a while.  She didn't feel like she'd really had a chance to get to know him yet.   He had was working as a caterer, trying to get the money to start his own restaurant.

"Ryleigh and Dante really did look happy together," Delaney thought.

Eventually, Alexander and Delaney had talked with everyone, and hugged most everyone, and it was time for them to leave.  Ryleigh gave her another hug.

***

Outtakes:

Alexander telling Ryleigh about how Gavin is a writer.  Of course, he has been unemployed most of his life, just got his first point in writing skill this month, and never had anything published.  I eventually changed his aspiration after Outdoor Retreat came out, to fishing, and he and Cacey live off her salary.

Cacey spent most of the reception going around telling everyone her big news, that she's pregnant:

Here's Delaney's initial reaction:

And Bella's reaction was pretty funny:

Not sure what emotion this is, but not really positive:

Flabbergasted?

And finally, sharing her friend's excitement:

Cacey is very excited about this baby, she constantly had thoughts of the baby on her mind.






Just a sweet picture of Delaney and Alexander:








And then the Grim Reaper crashed the wedding, but fortunately no one died.  (At first I was closely watching Mortimer Goth, afraid he was about to die!)  I did think, with Delaney and Cacey's tragic past, maybe it was symbolic of all their dead family members being there in spirit, but decided not to include it in the post.  Something about it is just more comic than sadly evocative.