Hale yawned and said, “For a few minutes. You cleaned my rifle?”
“Yes, it looked like it hadn’t been done properly in a while.” Raynar replied.
“No, it hadn’t. I’ve been moving and fighting non-stop for nearly the last week.” Hale said.
“I’ve told you my stories. Now tell me yours. What’s it like fighting the Russians?” Raynar asked.
Hale’s father poured them each another drink and then sat back and listened as Hale told him the events of the last week, “It’s amazing you managed to survive all of that.” Raynar said.
“Many good men weren’t as lucky. I don’t feel like I am special, that I did anything unusual to live. In this kind of war against the Russians, it seems to be more about luck than anything.” Hale said.
Raynar downed the last bit of port in his glass and stood. Hale followed suit. Raynar took a step forward and embraced his son, “Son, I’m proud of you. Of the man you have become. If you don’t.” Hale father paused for a moment to collect himself as he fought back tears, “If you don’t come back. Know that I am proud of the man that you have become. I will help to raise your child and be there for them as long as God wills it.”
Hale looked into his father’s eyes. He could see that the older man was fighting back tears as he said the words. Hale, overcome by emotion of the moment, began to weep, “It’s ok son. Let it out.” Raynar said.
Hale cried in his father’s arms for several minutes. Finally, he said, “I hadn’t thought yet about the possibility of my child growing up without me. Thank you for your promise father. It will help to ease my heart in the days to come.
Chapter 10
The morning dawned sunny and bitterly cold. The sunlight reflected off the white canopy shrouding the earth causing the Karhonen family to squint as old Liv pulled their sleigh into the village. Arriving at the church, they found Nea’s family already there putting up decorations for the ceremony to come.
The two families worked together, to transform the simple chapel into a festive room filled with color. As two o’clock drew near, Hale excused himself. He knocked on the door of Oskar’s office, “Come in.”
“Hello father, it’s almost time. Do you mind if I change in here?” Hale asked.
“Go right ahead. I’m just finishing up some lunch. Would you like some?” Oskar asked.
“No, we ate heartily before leaving the farm this morning. My aunt is working on a fantastic feast back at the farm for our reception later.” Hale smiled as he said, “I should probably save some room.”
“Indeed, my son, you are wise before your years. Never disappoint a woman who has worked hard to fill your belly.” Oskar said.
The rotund preacher, ignoring Hale, turned his attention back to his meal. Hale finished dressing in his Sunday best and quietly slipped out of Oskar’s office. Looking down at himself he admired the look and feel of his black suit. He closed his eyes for a minute and smiled. Soon he would be joined to Nea forever.
Hale rejoined his family in the main sanctuary. His mother, seeing him in his suit, came over and fussed over him to ensure all was perfect, “There, now step back, let me have a good look at you.”
Hale dutifully took a step back from his mother, and turned slowly, “How do I look?”
“Like a handsome war hero ready to meet his bride.” Jeanna replied.
The clock in the back of church began playing it’s on the hour melody. During the pause between the melody and the hour dong, the sound of a sleigh pulling up outside the church could be heard. As the second dong rang then fell silent, the church door opened.
Everyone inside the church squinted at the sudden change in light. The bright sunlight of the sun, streamed directly in the church blinding everyone inside as they looked at the open door. A shadowy figure, they couldn’t tell who, stepping into the doorway. Whoever they were paused for several moments taking in the sight of the decorated church.
Finally, the person stepped forward into the sanctuary, it was Nea. She wore a white dress. Sitting on top of her head, catching the rays of sunlight was a golden crown. As Hale met the penetrating gaze of her emerald orbs, she smiled at him. The moment those eyes settled on him he froze. She’s amazing! Hale was so transfixed by Nea, froze. He stood there, unable to move, with mouth hanging open at the sight of her. So beautiful.
After several long moments he shook off the spell that Nea’s appearance had cast upon him. He used his eyes to slowly looked Nea up and down amazed at the transformation. The farm girl, his childhood friend, had been transformed into a gorgeous woman. Her red hair was braided and wound around her head in an intricate design. She had found some makeup somewhere. Just enough of it had been applied to accentuate her natural beauty without overwhelming it.
Resting across her shoulders was a wrap crafted from the pelt of a white wolf. The wrap covered up her prominently displayed breasts keeping the exposed skin mostly covered up, but revealing enough of a hint underneath to set the hearts of every male in the room racing. Hale’s eyes continued to fall and settled on her slightly bulging mid-section, My child.
Hale lowered his eyes further, continuing to take all of her in and trying to commit this moment to memory. The dress accentuated the natural curve of Nea’s hips, and then loosened up around her legs creating a bell like shape as the hem of the dress ended a few inches off the floor at ankle level. Hale, ignoring protocol walked up to Nea and asked, “How did you find a wedding dress so quickly?”
Nea, pleased with the effect she was having on Hale said, “As soon as I knew I was pregnant, we traveled to Viipuri. There is a shop that sells nothing but wedding dresses. You should have seen it, it was incredible.”
“Not as incredible as you are now.” Hale replied.
Nea’s cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson at the compliment.
“You’re looking pretty good yourself.” Nea said.
“You’ve seen me in this before in church.” Hale said.
“Yes, but now you really fill it out. The army life has certainly agreed with you.” Nea said.
Hale opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by the sound of a muffled belch coming from the other side of the door set in the back of the sanctuary. A moment later, the priest’s rotund figure came bursting through the portal.
Seeing the bride standing just inside the doorway at the back of the church he said, “Let’s get started. Impi start playing.”
The older lady nodded at Father Oskar’s command and started playing the piano. Hale quickly strolled down the eisle and took his place at the front of the sanctuary on the right side. Simultaneously, Nea’s father joined her by the double doors at the back of the sanctuary. She slipped her arm into the older man’s, made eye contact with him, and whispered, “Now.”
The pair started taking slow steps down the aisle toward Hale. Raynar, standing just behind Hale, beaming with pride. Jenna, Hale’s mother, sat on the left side of the first pew right near Raynar. She began crying as the Impi continued to play Canon D the traditional wedding processional piece.
As Hale watched his bride come down the aisle, the rest of the world seemed to fall away as his vision filled with only Nea. Memories of their time together growing up, began to flash through his mind, Nea as a little girl playing in the mud of the creek beside him. Then as an awkward ten-year-old, running across a meadow. His memory shifted as she became a pre-teen, the earliest hints of the woman she was to become had appeared. She smiled down at him and held up a bug, “Eat this!” She begged.