Toni and Richie meet Alistair

By Jo and Atonia

Toni clung to Richie as he led her to the car. The sight of his office building had left her shaken. She had seen this sort of thing on the news but never experienced it directed toward someone she loved. Richie seemed to be taking it in stride but she knew he was deeply affected by it.  Now it would be there for everyone to see on their wedding day.

"Hey chin up Toni, we’re going to see the preacher. Don’t…don’t let this spoil anything for you, it happens everywhere, it’s happened to me before. A can of paint will fix it right up, the Sheriff just wants to leave it until his investigation is complete."

Toni buckled into the seat, "it was a shock Richie it’s hard to believe that kind of thing exists here."

Richie backed out the car and headed toward the old mill. Hoping to change the subject and lighten up, "Your Dad was very enthusiastic about the Reverend Alistair Harris." Richie could have kissed his feet when he called and said everything was taken care of.

Toni stared out of the window as they wound their way toward the mill. "It’s really beautiful out here, oh look there it is. Oh my it looks like my grandmother’s village mill." Toni was on the edge of her seat.

Richie parked and they walked up to the door and knocked.

Alistair opened the door. "You must be Richie and Toni," he smiled. "Welcome to Peacefield Mill. Please come inside. I've just made tea if you'd like some."

"Thank you what a lovely name for this place," smiled Toni

"Reverend Harris, glad to meet you," Richie shook his hand and followed Toni into the Mill.

After they were seated in the small living room with its high-beamed ceiling and he had served them cups of Earl Grey, he sat across from them. "So I understand you're to be married near the Inn." He always thought of it in those terms and not as a boarding house. "Can you share a bit about yourselves so I'll have some idea of what you'd like in a ceremony? I never actually use the same vows twice. I find it works better when I shape them to fit the couple." He took a sip of hot tea, waiting to see which of them would respond first.

Toni sipped her tea and looked over her cup meeting Richie's eyes.

Richie smiled, "We're sort of a mixed couple. I'm Jewish and Toni's Episcopalian. This is Toni's first marriage and my second. I'm afraid neither of us is particularly religious but we do believe."

Toni set her cup down, "I think we'd like something simple. We're getting married outside underneath the sky. We love each other very much." She smiled at Alistair, "The first blush of the rose is off. We're old enough to understand what we are about to do."

Alistair returned her smile. "I'm glad to hear that, Toni. Understanding is one of the prime ingredients to make a marriage that will last." He took another sip of tea. "I quite like marriages under the sky. God created the Heavens well before there were church buildings," his eyes turned to Richie, "or temples. I think what you may be looking for is a gentle celebration of the fact of your love and your public statement of your commitment to each other. Is that about right?"

"Yes, that sounds like what we are looking for," answered Richie looking to Toni.

Toni nodded, "Nothing too long or elaborate.."

"I think we're on the same page, then," Alistair nodded. "Can you tell me a bit more about yourselves? It might help me find the right words."

"Well, it's like Richie said, this is my first marriage. I'm thirty years old, um, born in England and lived there for a while and then we moved to Virginia. You've met my Dad and brother I believe," she grinned knowing, "I'm a physical therapist, I love gardening and I love Richie. We've lived here for a little over a month. It seems like longer, doesn't it?" she looked to Richie.

His eyes were shining. "It feels like home. I'm a solicitor now. I had my own practice back in New Jersey and before that I was a cop. I'm a former Marine and...I dunno," he laughed, "I found this crazy woman in a therapy room and I haven't been the same since."

"I must say," Alistair smiled, "you two do seem very much in love. I'm really pleased you've come to me to perform your ceremony."

Richie studied his hands for a minute and looked at Toni who had her chin in the air, "I'm pleased you are going to do it on such short notice. With so much going on in such a short time, I nearly forgot...you've saved my life for sure."

Toni laughed, "its as much my fault as yours Richie." she turned to Alistair, "thank you so much for doing this for us. I'm awfully glad you've come to The Glen you are obviously needed here."