Do you mean this minute?”
“Yes, I mean this absolute minute.” Sam laughed. “Where’s Jason? Come on mate I need a best man.” Sam and the tall and gangly Jason had been best friends since pre-school. As different as chalk and cheese, both had originally followed the same paths at Grammar and then onto the University of Queensland to follow their dreams of studying law. But within a couple of months, Sam broke the news to his parents that it was not the path for him, and that instead he wanted to be a chef.
Chilli’s brother, Charlie, as a chef had been another strong influence in Sam’s life, and every school holidays had given him work as a kitchen hand, for pocket money, never realising that one day Sam would make it a career for himself. Sam told his parents that he believed strongly that the style of leadership, passion and respect for food shown there, built onto his developing food affair that his mother had first started, was where his future lay.
Meanwhile Jason had graduated with honours from university. The five top firms in Brisbane had opened their doors to him, offering a position. Chilli looked up at the young man’s face now, noticing he still carried an air of boyishness about him, lawyer or not.
“My God, what is happening Chilli?” He shook his head. “I don’t know what to say.”
She could well imagine. She didn’t know what to say. She gave the tall skinny boy a huge hug, putting her arms around his waist. He bent down to her. She wasn’t sure if she was doing it for him or to steady herself, but he hung on.
“I know this is ridiculous,” he said, “But I’m ...” He shook his head, swallowed and blinked rapidly, “I had no idea. I can’t imagine what a shock it is for you and Rob. Wait until Mum hears. She’ll flip.”
Sam was busy directing everyone. “Mum, Dad, I want you and Grandad and Grandma up here near me. Lucille, Miranda will want you here.”
Realising she was still clutching Jason rather tightly as she still felt the need to anchor herself somewhere, tentatively she let go of her hold and ushered him towards Sam.
The string quartet began to play and Miranda’s younger sister Jess walked in, the soft pink of her dress absolutely perfect for her role in the wedding. Earlier, she had told Chilli that even though Miranda had been unbelievably busy, she had taken the time to help Jess pick out a dress for the opening this evening. Looking at Jess, Chilli now understood why. Sam and Miranda had thought of everything. What darlings they were.
Then Miranda, clutching a bouquet of white orchids, followed, escorted by her father. Ken, with tears in his eyes, smiled nervously. Miranda, an oasis of calm, looked at all of her guests with confident beauty and then looked to her waiting groom with such adoration; she looked as if she would melt.
Just before Miranda took her place beside Sam, she stopped and embraced the two mothers. The young woman looked into Chilli’s eyes and Chilli saw depths of beauty she had never seen before. She could not ask for a more perfect daughter-in-law. Holding back the tears, she kissed the beautiful girl’s face.
Throughout the short ceremony, Sam and Miranda looked at each other with such love, that Chilli just loved them both all the more. It was as if her son had suddenly become a king. There was an aura about him, as he stood so proud and sure of himself. Chilli had always thought that as a parent one could never be too cocky, but tonight, she gave herself a pat on the back and realised what a great job they had done with this boy.
As the beautiful young couple exchanged the vows that they had written for themselves, Chilli was overcome with a sense of surrealism. Everything seemed to be in slow motion and for a moment she couldn’t hear anything but the pounding of her own heart in her ears. It was as if she was floating in the room and simply observing. Even the room had the most magical glow to it.
Chilli glanced at Rob beside her. He sensed her, and ever so slowly turned his head, gave her a slow smile, and then turned back to the young couple. She couldn’t help but think she was in a dream; a dream she was not ready for. She wondered if she could just ask everyone to stop, postpone it until she felt ready, but the reality was it didn’t matter if she was ready. They were ready!
She was startled back to reality, as at that moment the young couple kissed, and kissed again, amidst cheering and laughing and slaps on the back. Rob took Chilli’s hand in his and squeezed it tightly.
With that, the young married couple turned and embraced their parents. Sam then pulled away and looked down at his mother’s face.
In a quiet voice, he earnestly asked, “Mum this is how I wanted it. Are you okay with it?” At that moment someone clicked their camera and so Chilli was always to be reminded of that moment in time, when it had seemed that Sam was asking her permission.
Chilli looked into his face and reassured him. “It’s perfect my darling. It’s all about what you two want. We’re happy with that. A bit of notice perhaps... no I’m joking, truly.” Playfully she slapped at him. “Your bride awaits... go.”
Chilli felt unsure of herself, and she knew it had nothing to do with the young couple. They were meant for each other; she knew that. It was her. She was feeling all sorts of emotions, emotions she didn’t even know she had.
The party continued on, with much eating and drinking. Sam’s desserts were so sensational that, despite groans of full stomachs, everyone seemed to make more room for the truly sublime mini caramel custards with young coconut sorbets.
However, the piece de resistance of the evening was the magnificent wedding cake. On a silver platter, delicately scented violet tinted meringues filled with violet cream were piled high and scattered with sugared petals. There were murmurs of rapture from the guests.
It was at this time that both fathers felt the need to say something. Ken began, clearing his throat first. “Well, when I woke up this morning, I didn’t think I was going to be giving my daughter away this evening. All I knew was that we were coming to the opening of Montgomery’s and I had to get all dressed up. I thought that was going to be my biggest issue of the day. Little did I know? Anyway, Lucille and I did have a couple of hours notice. Gee thanks kids, that was so kind of you!” he said mockingly, amidst much laughter. “But, what I did think today when Sam came and asked my permission was that I gave Miranda away to Sam a long time ago. He brings the best out in her, she brings the best out in him, or so I’m told. Anyway, I want to say that although they are young by today’s standards, I admire that they want to make this commitment and say, ‘you are the one for me for life’. I think that is pretty special. You guys make me proud.” Tearfully, Ken hugged the two young ones to him.
And then Rob took the floor. As he spoke he had one hand on Sam’s shoulder and one on Miranda’s. “Well, I am glad that you had a couple of hours notice Ken, because we only had five minutes.” He held his hands up, “It’s okay, he did try earlier. I am told it was my fault.” Pausing, he smiled and took a deep breath. “What I would like to say is, in one of life’s satisfying ironies, sometimes those who make the least amount of noise as they go about their business, are often the ones who are rewarded by shining brightest and most spectacularly in the long run. I don’t need to welcome Miranda into our family, she was welcomed a long time ago. Your mother and I love you both.” Swallowing quickly, and unable to say anymore he squeezed them both and then put his arms around Chilli and kissed the top of her head.
By midnight, many of the guests had departed except a few of Sam’s friends. The young ones were still buzzing about the evening. Most of this group of young men had gone to school together and were still remarkably close. A couple of them had brought their girlfriends along. And, being girls, they were
