The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 93 - The Naming

"I've got it, Susan," Mrs. Abernathy assured her as she pressed the phone between her shoulder and her ear.

"Hi Susan," Cindy said with a smile as Susan sat down again.

"Hi," Susan said. "Um, could you give my mom a hand in the kitchen?"

"Sure," Cindy said as she laid her jacket and handbag down on one of the chairs.

Mrs. Abernathy immediately pressed her into service, removing a muffin tin with tiny pie crusts in it from the oven.

"Oh, these are so cute. What are they for?" Cindy was asking as Zackary came down the stairs.

"Hi Mom. We're back," Zackary announced. "Where do you want the chairs?"

"Ask Greg, okay?" Susan said.

"He sent me to ask you," Zackary told her.

"Well, tell him I'm feeding Melody and he needs to decide," Susan answered.

"Okay, but I think he really wants you to decide."

Susan groaned slightly. "In that case, just bring them in. I'll be there to help in just a little while."

"Okay," Zackary agreed and he disappeared back up the stairs.

"Hi Susan." Alan was next in coming down to the family room to greet her. "Hi Melody," he said as he saw the baby in Susan's arms.

Melody interrupted her feeding to look at Alan, stared at him for a moment, then went back to eating.

"I guess that's 'hello'?" Alan said with a smile.

"About as much as you're going to get," Susan agreed. "Welcome Alan. If you don't mind terribly, I think your dad and the boys can use your help getting the chairs set up for the ceremony."

"I'd be happy to, however as I understand it, we're waiting for you."

"You hear that Melody? We need to finish so I can go help your dad," Susan told her.

"There's no hurry," Alan assured her. "I can bring our luggage in while we're waiting. Do you know where you want us this time?"

"In the middle, south wing this time. Julie and Elliot will be in the room connecting to yours. Your mom will be on the other side," Susan said.

"Good to know. If you get finished before I do, please tell Dad I'll be right back," Alan told her.

"I will," Susan promised and Alan disappeared back up the stairs.

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It didn't take Melody long to finish. Susan settled her in her basinet and went to help Greg.

Up in the living room, major furniture rearrangement was underway as they moved pieces about to make the room suitable to use for the ceremony. Padded folding chairs were brought in by the dozens and set up. Under Susan's direction they were arranged into short rows running parallel to and facing the windows, with a center aisle. The aisle was aligned with the entry leading from the front door towards the windows on the opposite side of the room. The sofas, which were normally there, were pushed up against the back wall, also facing the windows, creating overflow seating in case it was needed. Next a long, folding table as set up, and placed in front of the windows, with a fair amount of space between it and the front row of chairs. Susan went searching for a suitable tablecloth to cover it with to turn it into a make-shift alter. They were still working to arrange everything when Julie arrived.

"Oh good," she said when she saw what they were doing. "I brought you flowers, Susan. The arrangement would look perfect on the table."

"Thank you," Susan said. "I really did think we needed something there. I'll probably set out candles too, but the flowers help."