Nathan Jones - First Winter

Lewis appreciated how the event was lifting the town’s spirits, and Matt definitely seemed pleased about it. He just hoped people were equally eager to get back to the necessary work once the celebration was over.

When he got back to the family cabin he remembered he’d moved his and Jane’s bed into the main room so their veteran guests could have the extension for now. That dashed any plans he’d had to see if his wife shared his celebratory mood.

On the plus side they all got a much needed early night.

Lewis felt honored that Rick had invited him to be a groomsman at the wedding, along with Trev, Gutierrez, Wes, and Chauncey. As a concession to Chauncey’s amputated leg they’d set up chairs for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to sit on. The display looked a little odd, but Lewis did have to admit it did a good job of focusing attention on the bride and groom.

Considering Rick was wearing a suit he’d nearly grown out of, he’d cleaned up pretty nicely. As for Alice, as she made her way down the aisle escorted by Chauncey (only a short distance as another concession to his limited mobility), the young woman looked radiant in an old but lovingly cared for wedding dress that fit her slim form surprisingly well, her long blond hair piled in elaborate braids atop her head.

She joined Rick in front of Matt, who’d agreed to officiate the marriage as Mayor, as Chauncey gratefully sank into his chair next to Lewis with a relieved sigh, massaging the tender flesh around the wooden prosthetic his son had made for him.

As the Mayor hesitantly but earnestly went through the ceremony the bride and groom held hands and eagerly rushed through their responses. If either of them felt nervous they didn’t show it, just happiness and excitement at the prospect of the life they were starting.

Watching them Lewis felt a bit sad that his and Jane’s own wedding had basically been eloping without going anywhere. He knew his wife had preferred it that way, and it definitely didn’t need to have been anything formal. Even this wedding, more casual and outdoors with the whole town invited, was a bit much for his tastes. But maybe just something small with family and a few close friends attending.

Then again, none of their family had been in Aspen Hill when they got married. Maybe things had gone the best they could under the circumstances.

But that slight regret aside Lewis was sincerely happy for his friends, and it was a good ceremony. The applause and cheering was polite but enthusiastic as the couple kissed for the first time as man and wife.

The reception pretty much began immediately after the ceremony ended. Lewis provided a decent digital camera so they could take couple and family photos, and he’d also volunteered to take pictures throughout the day. Although they didn’t have the equipment available to print the photos, at the very least he could transfer them over to his friends’ phones, which could be charged using the town’s solar panels, or the shelter group’s.

The line to congratulate the bride and groom circled around the meadow for over an hour, guests drifting between it and the potluck tables which had an equally long line. After getting in their own congratulations near the beginning Lewis and Jane wandered around, taking pictures and chatting with friends and neighbors. Or at least Lewis did, while his wife did her best to be present in a crowd that clearly put her on edge.

Children ran and played, darting around legs and roaming off up the slope above the meadow as far as they dared before parents called them back. A few of the teens led by Alvin and Wes started up some of the planned games early, tired of waiting for the adults to finish shaking hands and exchanging hugs.

As the eating and congratulations began winding down Chauncey got to work behind the sound system he’d rigged up, playing a classic song from the massive list Lewis had loaned him for the occasion so the couple could enjoy their first dance.

Alice had taken multiple dance classes growing up, and she’d obviously done a good job teaching Rick. They looked natural together, grinning ear to ear and unable to take their eyes off each other.

When the song ended they paused to more applause and cheers, along with Lewis snapping pictures. Then Chauncey began another song and couples flooded the dance area, packing it almost to the point where people were bumping into each other with every step. Nobody seemed to mind, and where there were collisions the response was usually laughter as opposed to complaints. Lewis kept to the periphery, taking pictures of the Watsons and their close friends for memories.

Although the current dance was a fast one Matt and Sam were dancing slow, holding each other close around her prominent belly. They seemed to be in a world of their own, enjoying the opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves together when so often their responsibilities kept them apart for a lot of the day. They didn’t even seem to notice the occasional jostle.

Lewis was surprised to see that Robert, the town’s new carpenter, had convinced Mary to join him on the dance floor. He knew his sister loved to dance, but her shyness made it awkward so she usually only danced with someone she knew. That was usually him or Trev or one of their dads.

Not this time, though; Robert led the steps with easygoing confidence, whatever he was saying making her smile and even laugh once. By the time the dance ended he’d teased a bit of conversation out of her, and they chatted as they waited for the music to start for the next dance.

He noticed Trev and Deb out on the floor. They were doing that sort of awkward, dancing by yourselves next to each other thing that seemed popular in high school dances or at concerts. Lewis wasn’t sure if that was because it was what they preferred, or if they were still tiptoeing their way around the brown-haired woman’s difficulty with physical contact. Either way they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Lewis wasn’t the only one paying attention to the two. As he and Jane watched from the sidelines Hailey, the goat expert they’d invited into town, sidled up beside him. “So your brother and that girl,” she said out of the blue, “are they dating?”

Blinking, he glanced over at her. “Um that’s my cousin, actually. And not really, but they’re getting there.”

“Oh.” The girl looked embarrassed. “The way you two are around each other, I just figured…” She shrugged. “I guess “getting there” means he’s not available. Too bad.” She glanced around. “Any other suggestions for a partner? I love dancing.”

Lewis shared a somewhat amused look with Jane. Personally he was content to watch from the sidelines, since he’d never been a fan of dancing. And he knew Jane absolutely loathed it. Not the dancing itself; as far as he knew it was practically human nature that music encouraged people to want to move along with it. But she didn’t like the spontaneity and uninhibitedness it required to do in front of other people, and didn’t even want to make the effort. So it was hard to imagine going up to a near stranger to ask for a dance partner introduction.

Still, in the week Lewis had known Hailey, working with her a little with the town’s animals, he’d found her to be a sweet, lovely girl. If she wanted to be steered towards a good match he was happy to oblige.

“Come on,” he told her. “Let me introduce you to my friend Raul.”

Jane didn’t mind taking over snapping photos with Lewis’s camera while he led Hailey through the crowd, over to where Gutierrez was standing off a bit by himself. The former soldier was also intent on the dancing, although he didn’t seem as content about being on the sidelines as Lewis was.