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The Reception

Meri bonked him on the head with her bouquet. “Oh, Toby. You had me so worried.”

“Ow!” He ducked from the flurry of flowery blows. “Hey, my head still hurts, you know.”

“Are you sure you still want to marry me?”

“Yes, but I’m having second thoughts on giving you flowers ever again.”

Everybody laughed and clapped.

She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Toby.”

“Me either.” He held her close. “Please just ask me, Meri. I’ll never lie to you.”

The limousine arrived at the hotel and the wedding party hurried inside. The banquet hall was packed with guests. Steve leaned inside and gave the MC a thumbs up.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Ian Woodard!”

He introduced the rest of the wedding party in turn and proceeded on to the first dance. Halfway through the song, the MC invited the rest of the wedding party to join them on the floor.

Toby held out his hand. “Ready for this?”

“I’ll go anywhere with you, Toby Belzer.” She grabbed on tight and followed him to the dance floor.

“I’m not a great dancer.”

“Neither am I.” She felt his hand on her waist as she rested her head on his chest.

“I could barely sleep last night.”

“Same.”

“I was looking forward to this.” He held her close and swayed to the music.

“Mm.”

“You want to know a secret?”

She squeezed his hand. “Anything.”

“I said the vows like it was us.”

She looked up into his loving eyes. “Really?”

“Is that silly?”

“No, I did it, too.”

He gripped her tighter. “You think the jewelry store will still be open after the reception?”

“Maybe so.” She snuggled in closer. “Wait until they cut the cake, you impetuous beast.”

He kissed her forehead. “Nobody’s going anywhere until after the Chicken Dance.”

“What the heck is a Chicken Dance?”

“Oh, you poor uncultured thing. Just wait.”

They enjoyed some more dancing, dinner service, toasts and the cutting of the cake. Ian promised he wouldn’t smoosh the cake onto Ivy’s face, but she managed to get some icing on his cheek.

“Will all the unmarried men please join us on the dance floor?” The MC asked.

“What are they doing now?” Meredith asked Toby.

“The garter toss.” He said as he got up.

“What’s that?”

“Watch and see.”

She watched him join the throng of guys as Ian sat Ivy down on a chair. “Oh, my goodness.” She watched Ian reach under Ivy’s dress to slide a garter off her leg. He twirled it around his finger for a moment and flung it over his shoulder toward the mass of men. “Yay, he caught it.”

Toby sat back down beside her at the head table. He was blushing and grinning. “What did you think?”

“Seems a bit racy, but I’m glad you caught it.”

“Great. Now, all you have to do is catch the bouquet.”

“See, now that I’ve heard of. Doesn’t it mean that the one who catches the bouquet is the next one to get married?”

“That’s what they say. Considering that’s a lock, you should catch it, no problem.” He tossed the garter up and caught it.

“I’ve seen it in the movies, but I’ve never tried it myself. I’m a little afraid Angela’s going to body check anybody who gets near the thing.”

“Well, I hope she doesn’t catch it.”

“Why not? She’s allowed to get married, too. I think she and Jeff are getting along alright.”

“Well, there’s more to it. See if you can catch it, anyway?”

“I’ll try.”

“You’ll be glad you did.”

Meredith imagined herself in one of those wedding shows, elbowing girls out of the way and diving for the bouquet like a volleyball. The image made her giggle.

“Will all the unmarried ladies please join us on the dance floor?” The MC announced.

“Good luck.” Toby smiled.

“Wait a minute. What are you up to?”

He shrugged. “Just do your best. Okay?”

She shot him a suspicious look as she got up to go join the others.

“I have to warn you.” Angela said. “I used to be on the basketball team.”

“Thanks for the warning. Toby said he really wants me to catch it, so watch out for knees and elbows.”

Angela laughed. She looked over at Toby and winked.

The MC handed Ivy her bouquet and said, “Okay, ladies, I want a clean fight. No eye gouging. Marquis of Queensberry Rules, okay?” Everyone laughed. “One, two, three!”

Ivy tossed the bouquet high overhead. Every eye was on the hurtling bundle as several women launched themselves into the air. Meredith saw a hand reaching past hers. She smacked it aside and snatched the flowers away. The crowd went wild.

She looked over to where Toby was sitting. He held up two thumbs and clapped as he got up.

“Ange, what’s he doing?”

“Don’t you know what comes next?” She giggled.

“No, I haven’t been to a wedding before.”

“Well, there’s a tradition around here that the guy who catches the garter slides it onto the leg of the gal who caught the bouquet. The tradition is that the farther up it goes, the longer the couple will stay married and the more good luck they’ll have.”

“That complete and utter beast!” Meredith slapped a hand over her mouth. “No wonder he wanted me to catch it.”

“Would you rather I had?”

“How far do you think he’ll go?” She watched him approaching.

“Well, he and Ian have been friends since Middle School. I imagine he’ll go as far as he can.”

Meredith’s back straightened, and she could feel her face heating up. “Oh, my.”

“Well, you want them to have long years and lots of luck. Right?” Angela laughed as she walked back to her seat.

The MC waved Toby and Meredith over to a chair at center stage. “Okay, Ms. Blake, do you know the story?”

“I just found out.” She said as she sat down.

“It’s for long years and lots of good luck.” He laughed.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Meredith clutched the bouquet firmly.

“Alright, Toby. You know the deal. The further you go, the longer they’ll be married and the more luck they’ll have.”

Toby nodded and held out the garter. “Well, I’m on one knee and this is kind of like a ring.”

“Don’t press your luck, buster.”

“How far will you be going, Mr. Belzer?” The MC turned the microphone to Toby.

“Start the music and find out.”

The band played a bawdy tune. Meredith held out her foot, and he slipped the garter up past her ankle.

“Surely, you’re not going to stop there.” The MC asked before turning the microphone back to him.

Toby continued, slowly sliding the garter up her leg. “Oh, I don’t think I’ll stop until I reach her bellybutton.”

Meredith gasped and whacked him over the head with the bridal bouquet.