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“And angel sweet with it.” Stepping back from the bed, Noreen turned to Breen. “She has her father’s eyes, does Brenna. I can see him in them, and it comforts me. I miss him so hard, and every day, but it comforts me to see him in our daughter’s eyes. And today I carry his happiness for his sister in me.”
She looked around her. “It’s kind of you to give over this room where you tell your stories to us for the day.”
“It’s our first real party. I hope you brought an appetite.”
“If I hadn’t, it would find me sure enough with all the grand scents in the air.”
“Come sit, and we’ll eat.”
They feasted on frittatas with winter squash, candied bacon, tiny sticky buns, berries and cream, baked French toast, and more.
“How am I to fit into my wedding dress now? Marco.” Morena sighed. “You’re a kitchen magician.”
“He is indeed, and as such, not allowed to wash a single dish.” Finola wagged a finger at him. “We’ve more than enough hands to see to all this, but the cook and the bride are exempt.”
“I’m all for that.” Morena lifted her glass.
“If you’re sure, I’ll take Morena up and start on her hair.”
“Oh, is it time? Oh aye, please. Make me beautiful, Marco.”
“Not a challenge, since you already are.”
That got a chorus ofahhs, as Marco led Morena away.
When, from the near bedroom, the baby let out a whimper, Maura waved Noreen back. She stood, tall and dark, her warrior’s braid dangling from her short, sleek hair, and a short sword at her side. “I’ll fetch her and bring her to you. And have a bit of a cuddle first.”
“She likely needs changing.”
“Sure I remember how it’s done.”
“Beat me to it, she did.” Sinead shook her head. “I’ll have my cuddle once she’s changed and fed. Now you, Aisling, you keep Noreen company. Go in, the pair of you, with my beautiful granddaughter, and sit by the fire while we put all this to rights again.”
In the way of women well used to the task, they dealt with platters, bowls, plates, pots, and skillets. Breen put music on low to add a tune to the voices, and laughed when Finola and Marg executed a quick little step dance.
“I didn’t know you could do that! You have to teach me.”
“Sure I will. And don’t you look as happy as our bride.”
“I never had this, all this.” As she set another bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice on the table, she looked around. “We have friends inPhiladelphia, but… I never had a group of women I loved together like this in my place. All the flowers, and the candles, a Christmas tree, and a baby nursing in front of the fire. My friend upstairs where my friend is doing her hair for her wedding.”
“She’ll never forget you gave her this time, this gathering,” Tarryn said. “Now.” She clapped her hands together. “It’s battle stations, ladies. Time for all the fuss and finery we can muster.”
She heard laughter when she led the mother and grandmother of the bride, the mother of the groom to her bedroom.
Morena sat on a tall stool, back to the mirror, while Marco stood meticulously adding more braids to her sunny hair. Through them he wove a thin silver ribbon with tiny bells.
“Oh my God.”
“Is that good or bad? He won’t let me see.”
“It’s incredibly good,” Breen assured Morena, as Sinead waved a hand in front of her face.
“My girl! I’m watering up again. You look a picture already, darling. Minga did mine and Tarryn’s this morning, and I confess I worried you wouldn’t be up to the task, Marco. But here you are, making my girl as beautiful as any bride could be in all the worlds.”
“Ma.”
“Ah, give me the day to weep and babble. Tarryn, give me a bit of a glamour, would you, that’ll hold against the weeping.”
