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Rehearsal Dinner

Meredith slid her chair aside to let Toby sit down. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“Sorry.” Toby unfolded his napkin. “You’re really cute when you’re mad, though.”

She smiled sweetly. “You’ll see how cute I am when I jam a fork in your head.”

“Love you.” He flipped open a menu and paged through it.

“What are you going to order?” She opened her menu.

“Humble Pie with a side of crow?”

She tried not to smile. “I’ll get you, my pretty.”

“And my little dog, too?”

She buried her face in the menu. “Be quiet. I’m trying to read this.”

“Sounds like they’re married already.” Steve laughed. “Are you sure you two didn’t swing through the JP on the way here?”

Toby held his hands up. “I just asked the question. It’s her answer that makes the magic.”

She whacked him with the menu. “How am I supposed to be mad at you when you say stuff like that?”

Kendra raised her hand.

“Yes?” Meredith bucked Toby with her shoulder.

“Why do you want to be mad at Mr. Toby?”

“Oh, honey, I don’t want to be mad at him. We’re just kidding around.”

“What did he do?”

“Well, after he proposed and I said yes, we got out of the car-”

“He proposed to you in the car?” Holly asked.

“Yes, it was a lot more romantic than it sounds.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Anyway, I wanted to hug him. So, we got out of the car and it locked on its own.”

“It’s freezing out tonight.” Kendra said.

“Exactly! I thought we were going to have to stand outside in the cold for hours waiting for a locksmith.” She smacked him with the menu again. “He waited until I had completely flipped out to tell me he had a backup key in his wallet.”

Kendra stared at him as she pushed her glasses up her nose. “What’s the matter with you?”

Meredith started a cascade of laughter that encircled the table.

“I just wanted to see if it was still yes after she was good and mad.” Toby grinned sheepishly.

“She must really like you.” Chelsea laughed.

“Because that was really dumb.” Lynn clinked her soda cup with Chelsea’s.

Meredith laughed so hard she snorted. “Ooh, you just got called out by First Graders.”

“Haha, wait until Mom hears about it.” Toby laughed.

“Oh, yeah.” Ian said. “Mrs. Belzer is going to give him holy heck for that.”

“Is she tough?” Frank asked.

“Irene? She’s so sweet.” Meredith said.

“She may be sweet to you, but she’s gonna give him a good swift kick.” Steve laughed.

“I’d pay good money to see that.” Meredith pinched Toby’s cheek.

“Okay, okay. This is all fun and everything, but let’s give due deference to the couple who are the actual guests of honor here.” Toby stood up, raising his glass. “Ian, you and Steve are the brothers I never had. It’s been a joy and an honor watching him grow his family. Now, it’s your turn. You and Ivy were made for each other. I wish you long, happy years. I wish you beautiful, healthy kids. I wish you a happily ever after. Ian and Ivy!”

“Ian and Ivy!” the table declared with glasses raised.

Toby sat down to find Meredith gazing at him. He smiled and took her hand.

Steve, Frank and Father Dave took their turns toasting Ian and Ivy. Toasts gave way to anecdotes and reminiscences.

As dinner was served, Father Dave gave a blessing and the conversation continued.

Throughout the meal, Meredith noticed Kendra studying the pastor’s son.

“Well…” Toby held Meredith’s coat out.

“Yeah.” She slid into the sleeves.

“At least you’ll have some fun with the kids tonight.”

“I’m still going to miss you.” She turned to look up into his hazel eyes.

“I will, too.” He wanted to get lost in those dark eyes forever.

“I hope you’ll like my dress.”

“I’m sure it’s not half as beautiful as you.”

Ivy poked his shoulder. “Gag me. I’m going to warm up the car. Bring her out when you’re done.”

Toby never took his eyes from Meredith’s. “Okay.”

“I don’t want to be done.”

“Me, either.”

“I want to drink in this moment forever.”

“So do I, Meri.” He brought her hands up to kiss them. “You said yes. We get to have this moment forever.”

“Guess we’d better get going.”

“I’ll walk you to her car. Don’t want you getting cold.”

“Don’t go there, wiseguy. We’re having a moment. Remember?”

“How could I ever forget?” He put his own coat on. “Stay close. I’ll keep you warm.”

They stepped out into the chilly night. The sky was clear and dark, festooned with countless diamond stars.

“I’d like to pluck one down and put it on your finger.” He said, standing near Ivy’s car.

“I’d like that.” She looked up at him as she wrapped her arms around his enormous frame.

“See you in the morning?”

“Be there or be square. I want to see how you look in a tux, Mister.”

“Not half as spectacular as you’ll look in your dress, Ma’am.”

Ivy gunned her engine.

“Subtle, isn’t she?” Toby chuckled.

“Pre-wedding jitters. Better not keep her waiting.”

“Good night, Meri.”

“Good night, Toby.”

“You should get in the car.”

“Probably.”

“Are we forgetting something?”

“Definitely.” She launched herself into his arms and kissed him.

“How was the dinner, Toby?” His mom asked as he came in the door.

“Dinner? Great. Rutherford’s is everything they say about it.”

“Rutherford’s? Wow.” His dad twisted around in his chair. “Come, sit. Tell us all about it.”

Toby plopped down on the sofa and turned off the TV. “Guys, I have something that you need to hear.”

“Toby, what’s the matter?” His mom came over and sat on the arm of his dad’s chair.

“Nothing’s the matter. Everything is actually really great.”

His dad stroked his chin. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Yes. I asked her and she said yes.”

“Toby, that’s wonderful!” His mom smiled and clutched his dad’s arm.

“Good work, boy. I told you she was a keeper.”

“Thanks.” Toby heard his mom’s text notification chime. “Who’s that?”

“Hmm, it’s Meri.”

“Really? What did she say?”

“It says you’re supposed to tell us the whole story.”

“Oh, that.”

“Toby, what did you do?” His mom scowled.