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How Was Your Honeymoon?

“Are you sure about this?” Trilby said as they pulled up in front of the house.

“What? It’s a lovely house and Jeb has all the stuff moved out.”

“You’re bringing me back to an empty house? What are we going to do, sit cross-legged on the floor?”

“Well, no. I ordered some stuff while you were napping. I hope you’ll like it.”

“You went shopping without me?”

“Well, just the basics. We’ll go shopping for the important stuff together.”

“Oh, alright. It is a nice place.”

“I’ll bet it’s even nicer inside. Are you ready?”

She looked over the place trying very hard to forget it was Aundrea’s home. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Shall I carry you across the threshold?” Brendan put his arms out.

She smacked him playfully and jumped into his arms. “Alright, Tarzan. You can do the honors.”

He pulled her up close and gave her a kiss before turning the doorknob and stepping in.

“SURPRISE!”

“Oh, my word! What’s going on here?” Trilby clutched onto her husband as he tried to put her down.

“It’s a housewarming party, you dweeb.” Marta ran up and gave her best friend a hug. “How was your honeymoon?”

Trilby bit her lip and turned an interesting shade of red. “Marta,” she hissed. “I can’t talk about that in front of all these people.”

“Well, I see your trip to the islands hasn’t improved your grip on reality. I don’t want the details. Tell me about your resort and the food and everything.”

“Marta, it was beautiful and warm and colorful and the food…” She squeezed her eyes shut. “The food was completely out of this world.”

“Well, don’t be a snob. Say hello to everyone else here.” Marta said with another hug.

Jeb and Aundrea, Greg and Meghan, Marta and her parents, Brendan’s parents, Trilby’s parents and some of her friends from work had all been waiting for them.

“Mom, Dad.” Trilby said. “This is my husband, Brendan.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Her dad said.

“This is a very nice house, are you going to be able to keep up with the payments?” Her mom said.

“Mom!” Trilby’s eyes bugged out. “He already paid the whole thing off. He’s a web designer.”

“That’s nice. I just wanted to be sure-”

“You’re sure. I’m sure. Everybody’s sure. We’ll be fine, Mom.”

“Did you have a nice trip?”

“Yes, Mom. It was very nice. I’m just surprised to see you here.”

“Well, it seemed the right thing to do, dear. With all these weddings…”

“All these weddings? It’s me and Aundrea.”

“And the Pastor.”

“What?”

“Apparently, he got swept up in the spirit while you were away. Meghan seems nice.”

“As far as I know. I’ve only really seen her at The Marbury.”

“You can afford to eat at The Marbury?”

“I can now.”

“Good for you, honey. I’m glad you found a nice boy. His parents are very nice and Jeb thinks very highly of him.”

“Well, he ought to. He’s Jeb’s cousin. They’ve been friends for years.”

“Even so, it’s nice that you finally found somebody who can keep up with you.”

“Keep up with me?”

“Trilby, you’re the smartest person I’ve ever known. It’s no wonder it took you so long to find someone who was anywhere near your equal.”

“You think I’m smart?”

“Of course, Trilby. I always told you I thought you were brilliant.”

“All moms say that.”

“Trilby, I think you still don’t get it.”

“Get what?”

“You are the most miraculous thing that has ever happened to your father and me. We were so thrilled when you were born. We were even more thrilled when we saw what an inquisitive mind you had. We knew you would go far, honey. I know you feel that you had to do without a lot of things, but you always had your brains to rely on. We knew that you’d be alright on your own and, God willing, whenever you found your special someone. We’re so proud of you, honey. We always have been.”

Tears began welling up in her eyes and she hugged her mom as she hadn’t done in years.

“You doing alright, kiddo?”

“Yeah, Dad. It’s actually just hitting me now.”

“What is?”

She looked around the spacious interior of the house and all the friends and relatives who had come to surprise her. “This is my Happily Ever After, Dad. I never thought it would come. I never believed it.”

“And now?” He asked, looking over at Brendan.

“It’s even better than anything I ever imagined. It’s so wonderful that I’m half-afraid I’ll wake up and realize I’m just running late to the library.”

“That’s wonderful, sweetie. I’m so happy for you and your husband. He’s a very nice fellow and his parents are a treat.”

“I’m glad to hear you’re getting along.”

“It’s a wonderful life you’ve made for yourself, Trilby. Your mother and I are very proud of you and we wish you every happiness. We always have.”

“Thanks, Dad. I have to go talk to Marta about something.”

He gave her another hug and sent her on her way.

“What’s the matter?” Marta grabbed her by her shoulders and looked at her puffy eyes.

“I’m just getting a belated dose of reality.”

“Well, better late than never. How are you doing?”

“I think I’d probably better sit down.”

“Alright, I’ll get you a chair.” Marta grabbed one of the folding chairs and set it up for her friend.

“Thanks, Marta. You’re the best friend a girl could ask for.”

“Again, better late than never. So, spill.”

“Spill what?”

“How was your honeymoon?”

“Wait until everybody else has gone home.” Her eyes darted back and forth nervously. “My parents are still here.”

“Trilby, you’re married now. You’re allowed-”

“Oh, honey, I know I’m allowed. We were allowed most of the time we were there.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.”

“I feel kind of sad that I missed Pastor Greg’s wedding.”

“Oh, you didn’t miss it. They’re doing the whole shebang.”

“Really? When?”

“First Sunday in June.”

“Oh, that’s nice.” Trilby pulled up the calendar app on her phone. “Wait just a darned minute! That’s my birthday!”

“That’s alright, you’ll get free cake.”

“C’mon, man! First Normandy and then Brendan’s college roommate and now this? Is nothing sacred? I was going to have a big party for my thirtieth birthday and everything.”

“Ah, thirty is just a number. All the fashionable ladies stop counting at twenty-nine.”

“All the fashionable ladies…”

“Well, me.”

“Okay, I’ll take it. Today is too nice a day to be upset about people appropriating my birthday.”

“Well, stick a fork in me. I’m done. Have you actually grown up a little bit?”

“Maybe.” Trilby smiled sheepishly. “Just a little.”

“It had to be the honeymoon. Please give me a sneak preview. Please, please, please.”

“I just did. Honestly, this isn’t like playing spin the bottle at Marsha’s house. I can’t just kiss and tell.”

“But you did kiss.”

“Oh, yeah, we did.”

Marta giggled and smacked at her friend. “Come on, spill.”

Trilby looked over at Brendan. His smile made her heart race.

She fanned herself and whispered to Marta, “Let’s just say the Virgin Island are now the Thoroughly Satisfied Islands.”

“Okay, I take it back.” Marta stood up and straightened her sweater. “You’re just as incorrigible as ever.”

“What?” Trilby followed her friend. “You wanted to know…”

Marta stuck her fingers in her ears and started singing Deck the Halls.

Everyone joined in and they all lived happily ever after.