Adam Blake - 101. Chapter 101

Saturday I spent with my family, Mom had secreted Marie in one of the staff rooms and I wouldn’t see her until morning. I spent the day with my Knights, Bill, and his family although I noticed Jen had disappeared. Walking around outside, I saw the tents, the tables all set up as well as a dance floor. James caught up to me, “What do you think?”

“I think Seth outdid himself. He should add this to his business.”

I started to walk toward the college, Dad was interested in the construction. I explained the various rooms as they were roughed in. Billy wanted to know where the social room was. “The social room is called the Dungeon and will be in the basement.”

“Are you going to have cells?”

“Yes, with iron bar doors, but they won’t be locked.”

“You are keeping with the theme you started in the Academy.”

“Similar, but the college looks like a school from old England and so it fits. I’m sure Johnny will keep you informed.”

Dinner was interesting, with all of our guests, Seth had set up long tables which permitted everyone to sit in one room. We had to modify the Square Table, but it worked. Marcel and the cadre of chefs, prepared several items and wanted us to rate them. I knew what we liked would be on the menu tomorro

The rest of the day was spent laying out what I wanted James to follow up on while I was gone. There were a few items that needed to be discussed with the architect now that I had the trustees' backing. I was going to do it anyway, it made sense.

“James, when you have a chance, at the far end of the dorm extension, I want an English pub built. Have Able work on a sign, the name of the pub is going to be the Lion’s Inn. See if the architect could have some drawings for me to look at when I return.”

“I’ll ask him for sketches. That shouldn’t take too long.”

Supper that evening was leftovers, but the boys didn’t mind and in fact, I don’t think anyone minded. Mom had to take a tray to Marie’s room. Not seeing her until tomorrow, some old superstition that was the forerunner of bad luck.

I expected to be awake most of the night, wedding jitters my dad called it. Well, I didn’t have any jitters and in fact, I had a very good sleep. I was startled awake from someone knocking on my door, when I answered there was Hans and Gerry. Both had a smile, “Good morning, Sir”

“Come in, I’m going to make some coffee. Gerry, I have orange juice in the refrigerator, help yourself.”

I poured Hans and myself a cup of coffee, “What brings you here this early morning?”

“We brought you your clothes for today.”

“I have my suit.”

“Dad, this wedding will be telecast to our people at home. You need to wear your official clothes, and this.”

“Why this?” As I held the gold circlet which was to be worn.

“Dad, even though I’ll assume the throne when I’m 21, you are the legal and rightful Prince as of now. You must wear these clothes and circlet, please.”

“Yes, my Prince, for you and our people I’ll wear them.” That got me a hug. I smiled at Gerry, I couldn’t love him anymore if I was his real father.

Getting dressed took more time than I figured. The clothes fitted me perfectly and I suspected that someone was busy taking measurements. Fully dressed, we went to the Dining Hall for breakfast. As soon as I entered the hall, everyone stood, my Knights crossed their right arm over their heart, the delegation from Liechtenstein, bowed. The trustees were looking perplexed. I realized they knew me as Dr. Blake, Head of the Academy. I saw the Ambassador, nod as well.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Knights, please be seated. I thank each of you for sharing this day with me. There are very few important times in a man’s life, marriage and the birth of his children. But very few men can count the number of friends that I can share this day with, all of you I consider a close friend. I cannot sit down without acknowledging one group who had been my joy beyond belief. It’s a group I serve with love and devotion, my Knights of the Square Table. I salute you.”

There were the three knocks on the table as I sat down. This time Gerry sat beside me, I put my arm around him, as I leaned in to whisper in his ear, I kissed him on his cheek.

Breakfast was a smorgasbord, everyone wanted to try a little of this and a little of that. After eating, I took my groomsmen to my office. I had a special gift for them. I hung a chain around their neck, the medal was a copy of the official seal of Liechtenstein. “I want you to wear this today.” I got a hug from Bill, Billy, Scotty, but the surprise came when I hung the medal around the neck of Hans. He got down on his knees, he had tears in his eyes, I looked at Gerry, he motioned for me to put my hands on his head. I did, in a low voice, “Please stand up Hans.”

MY groomsmen, proceeded me to the altar and I wasn’t sure where the altar was located, I knew it was in one of the tents but which one, I didn’t know. Gerry had a white pillow with the crest of Liechtenstein embroidered on it. Attached with a golden thread were two rings.

“Gerry, when are we suppose to leave?”

“Wait, you’ll know.”

Then I heard the trumpets, I looked at him, he was smiling, “I said you would know.”

I watched as Gerry led the way to the front door. He was dressed in a similar outfit as mine but no circlet. He began to walk down the corridor that Seth had established. As we approached the people, I saw my Knights come to attention, they lined the aisle, from the youngest to the oldest.

When I began to walk down the aisle, my Knights gave me an across the heart salute. ”

By the time I reached the altar, I had tears in my eyes. I was so proud of the boys. And there stood Lawrence, with my mom beside him. As I stood in front of the altar, the orchestra played the national anthem of Liechtenstein, on the right side of the altar was the American flag and on the left side was the Liechtenstein flag.

Then the traditional wedding march. Jennifer and Susanna walked down the aisle, then Dad and Marie. As they approached the boys, they went down on one knee and bent their heads until Marie walked past. ”

“Marie was beautiful, her gown was something you would see in fairy tales. Her veil was held in place with a circlet like mine. I wondered why I waited so long.

As she passed my Knights, they stood and followed. When Marie arrived at the altar, the bridal path was filled with my Knights, three abreast.

When the priest said we could kiss, looking into Marie’s eyes, “I love you and always will.”

Before I could kiss her, she looked at me and repeated exactly what I said.

The fanfare again as the priest announced we were married in German and English. The rest of the day was a blur, Seth had set up a very large tent I think it was several tents, tables were set around the walls, and a dance floor in the middle. The food was what I predicted, our dinner yesterday was a sampling of the food we would be served today.

Our first dance was the Viennese Waltz, Marie was radiant and I thanked my mother for insisting on me learning to dance. After our dance, Marie was danced once around the floor by all of the men and Evan. She leaned over and said something to him, he nodded and he got to go around the second time. He looked like the cat who got the cream.

Jen and Mom took Marie away while I was still chatting with the ministers. Gerry was by my side all of the time. Hans whispered something to Gerry, he nodded. I saw Marie coming towards me in a very smart suit. She looked like a princess.

“Dad, the helicopter will be here in 30-45 minutes. There will be a change of clothes on the plane. I’ll meet you at the heliport when you return.” I gave him the biggest hug I could, and I did slip a kiss to his cheek.

Marie looked at me as we boarded the helicopter. “Are you glad we waited?”

“Yes, and no, we could have done this much sooner.”

“No, it would not be as perfect as it is.”