“Yes this is Delminico Del Sandros speaking. Do you have the results of my pregnancy test available now please?”
I am trying to keep my voice low so that no one in the house will know my business and I am getting very frustrated with the poor quality of the telephone connection. Because our cattle station is on the Nullabor Desert in South Australia the only mobile phone connection available is by satellite, at times it is really very poor and it is extremely expensive.
“”Madam, if you look at the address on those results you will see I am in the middle of the desert here, more than four hundred and fifty miles from your medical facility. I had those tests done when I was in town on business last week and I do not plan to back for another two months. I accept your policy of not giving results over the telephone in normal circumstances but surely there is someone in authority there than can overrule them is special cases like mine?”
So help me I want to throttle this desk jockey at the pregnancy clinic, she is as thick as two short planks! It is not as though I live down the street; it is a nine hour trip into Ceduna Township from our remote location. Maybe I am finally getting through to her; she agrees to ask a supervisor to come to the phone.
Good grief here we go again!
“Yes Sir this is Del’ Sandros speaking, as I have already established with your reception personel, as you can hear from the hideous echo this is a satellite connection and we are really racking up the big bucks here.”
Not in the remotest interested in my phone bills the wanker blah blah blahs, running through their protocols and procedures. Fair suck of the sauce bottle, I swear these bloody clowns must take an advance course in university on how to really piss people off.
“Sir let me just stop you there, as I mentioned a moment ago I have been through this already with your desk jockey, can you just give me a yes or no, am I pregnant?”
Without even acknowledging the question he rattles on about being unable to treat people any differently just because we are too impatient or lethargic to visit the clinic again for the results.
“Listen here you two bit son of a cow turd, why don’t you clean the shit out of your ears and pay attention. I am in the middle of the bloody Nullabor! Can you get that through your fucking pea brain? Now shut the fuck up about your bullshit fucking rules and give me the damned results!”
“CLICK!”
Oh! The bastard disconnected me. Thumping my closed fist on the wall beside the phone in utter frustration I almost weep. I am 22 years old and my parents believe I am a “nice” girl. If they knew I had jumped the bones of the artificial inseminator who was here working on our cattle stud last month they would be horrified. I really need those damned results, if I could just invent another reason to go back to town, but I am not accustomed to lying to my parents and I just cannot tell them the truth. What a bloody dilemma.
“Del you bloody idiot,” I castigate myself. “You know better than to insult a man you need a favor from, no wonder he disconnected the call.”
Damn! Damn! Damn! I thump the wall again.
“Delmonico De Sandros what on earth do you think you’re doing to that wall?”
My Mother is standing in the kitchen doorway down the hall and her look of utter concern calmed me down immediately.
“I am so sorry Mum, I got cut off and it got to me a bit.”
“Yes I know Del, I heard the last paragraph, I would have cut you off myself.”
As my Mother walked towards me I was desperately trying to remember exactly what I had actually said just prior to being cut off.”
“Del,” my Mother asked quietly putting her arms around me. “Are you in trouble girl?”
Bursting into tears in my Mother’s loving arms I sobbed out the entire sordid story. She never interrupted me once, just walked me slowly through the house into my room and sat beside me on the bed until I had finished.
“Oh Mum I feel so dirty and ashamed I have let you down so badly,” I wept.
Hugging me close she spoke quietly and at length.
“Del it was no secret to me you liked that young fellah from the vets office. I could see it was reciprocal too, he really liked you also. I don’t think your Father picked up on it but it was as obvious as ticks on one of the cattle dogs to me. Now, I judge from your phone call that you have had a pregnancy test and they are giving you the run around over the results. Let’s solve that small issue first shall we? Les Jackson is running the mustering helicopter into Ceduna tomorrow for a service, so you and I will hitch a ride and do a little shopping. At least that is what I shall be telling your Dad.”
Leaning against my wonderful Mother I gave her a huge hug and just sat still, breathing in her familiar fragrance and feeling her unconditional love engulf me. Why on earth hadn’t I had enough faith in her love to go to her in the first place instead of bearing this all on my own? As if reading my mind she continued.
“Darling I have heard you throwing up the last couple of weeks and I so wanted to comfort you but I did not know how to approach you. I had to just wait for the right moment. But never be afraid to come to me with any problem no matter how earth shattering it seems to you at the time. I am your Mother and I love you and will always be here for you.”
This began another raft of tears and many more close hugs from her.
“Hello Audrey, what brings you in here? Good grief don’t tell me you…!”
Laughing out loud at the ridiculous assumption she was pregnant again at 58 Mum interrupts him.
“Ha ha ha ha. No George, Del’ had a test done last week and I just wondered if you had the time to take a quick recce at her results?”
Sitting back down at his desk again my Mother’s friend tapped the keyboard a few times.
“Congratulations dear, you are pregnant.”
“You can keep your damned congratulations; book me in to get rid of the damned thing!” I burst out!
“DELMINICO DEL SANDROS YOU APOLOGISE TO THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY” my Mother roared.
With eyes blazing, she was standing over me absolutely shocked.
In actual fact I was sorry I had spoken to the helpful man so rudely.
“Doctor I really am so sorry, I am thankful you helped me with the results. I was just really hoping that I was not pregnant and the results made me freak out. Please forgive me?”
I gave him the little girl smile that always worked on Dad and he melted.
“That’s quite alright dear. Incidentally, would you be the same client that told my clinic manager to clean the shit out of his ears yesterday?” He asked smilingly.
Hanging my bright red face in abject shame I admitted that I was.
“Bloody good job, the self-righteous little Cretan needed a wakeup call, wish I had done it myself.”
Looking into the kindly Doctor’s sparkling eyes I caught myself giggling.
“Yes he was a little up himself quoting rules and regulations, I just lost it when he said I had to come all the way back here just to get the results.”
“I shall have to get the staff together and remind them we are a people service and need to bend a little sometimes,” he said. “We all need protocols of course, but we also need compassion and understanding in this business as well.”
The man stood up and walked around to perch on his desk in front of my chair; taking my hand in his he patted it soothingly and asked me about my outburst earlier. Calmly I told him everything about my little fling and that I did not want a baby now or at any time in the near future. He listened attentively continuing to hold and pat my hand.
“Miss Del Sandros this facility is equipped to end pregnancies and as yours is in its infancy, no pun intended; it is a very simple procedure. However,” He continued. “Before I book you a reservation I am going to ask you to do me a favor. I want you to return home and think long and hard about this decision for one week. Regardless of how sure you are right now this is still a young human life growing inside you and I want you to think about that. I am not giving you a lecture on morality or pro versus con here, just placing the facts before you to consider seriously. In one week if you are still quite sure you want to terminate the pregnancy and end this young life I will do your procedure myself. Is that a fair offer?”
I nodded my head, I am a young healthy woman and I thought getting rid of the child growing inside me would be more difficult than this.
“Yes Doctor it is fair and I shall comply with your request, but I will not change my mind.”
“Fair enough, I shall hear from you in a week,” the Doctor stood and shaking hands with Mum and I he escorted us from his office.
After spending a couple of hours in the local shops and justifying the excuse we had given to Dad for wanting to come to town my Mother and I had our lunch in a little boutique café on the main street. We each ordered a sumptuous lobster Mornay and an ice-cream and strawberry dessert.
“Darling are you going to tell your young man about the baby?” My Mum asked.
“He is not my man Mum, and no I am not. Why should I?” I rejoined.
“Please don’t get upset again dear, I was only asking because you have been so stressed about your situation it seems you have entirely forgotten it is his child too,” she countered.
I was about to rant and rail at her to mind her own business when her simple statement hit home with a wallop.
His child too.
My Mother was right, I was about to murder his kid and without even telling him he has one. Damn! Just when it seems things are sorting themselves out Mum throws another spanner in the works.
“Mum this thing is getting way out of proportion here, what do you suggest I do? We only had a passing fling, a small romance to ease the boredom. Should I tell him? He is just beginning a career after almost 10 years of university, I am sure he doesn’t want to be burdened with a kid right now?”
“Del I have no idea what he will say or think but I believe you will never forgive yourself if you do not find out. You asked for my advice so I shall give you some. He has the right to know he has begun a human life inside you; he also has some rights over a termination, morally if not legally. I did read of a young man taking his girlfriend to court and preventing a termination, but if I recall that was in America and I am not up with our laws here, but you should call our solicitor and find out. Lastly and equally as importantly, I believe you should tell your Father, or allow me to, he also has a right to know.”
I never commented when my Mother finished speaking. I sat looking out at the street and weighed up everything she had said. I agreed, every point she made was relevant, important and most of all, correct.
“Thanks Mum, I shall give Kevin a call tonight after I have told Dad everything.”
She just looked at me proudly and smiled. It was enough.
“Dad could we go for a walk after dinner, just you and I? I have something I want to discuss with you.”
He looked up from dissecting his large beef spare rib with an enquiring look.
“No biggie Pa,” I smiled disarmingly. “I just want some private time with my favorite man.”
He laughed almost choking on a mouthful of beef.
“What a big fat whopping lie,” he joked. “But how can a red blooded Aussie ocker like me knock back a request to walk in the moonlight with his beautiful daughter?” We both laughed.
“Oh my my it’s running thick in here tonight,” chortled Mum, getting into the act.
We finished our meal in a light mood and after Mum and I cleared the table and stacked the dishes into the dish-washer Dad took my arm and we ambled outside and walked along the path through the extensive gardens and orchards next to the house.
“Okay girlie spill, what’s troubling my girl?”
I took a deep breath and bolstered my courage and hugging his arm more tightly as if afraid of losing him I told him everything. He never interrupted or asked any questions, just held my arm back and listened as we walked. We kept walking long after I had finished, not speaking just a man and his daughter enjoying the moonlit splendor of their home.
I had been so afraid to tell my Dad about this because I knew it would be a real wake-up call that I was not his innocent little baby girl any more. But walking arm in arm through our orchard I knew he was not angry, his breathing was regular and even and his strong arm around me was relaxed. I was sure he was digesting everything I had said and if he made any comments they were going to be poignant and helpful. My Father ran our massive cattle station alone with just my two brothers as permanent hands. It was only at roundup and branding he hired additional help. He was slow to anger and always weighed his words heavily before delivering them, and you could bet any advice offered would be intelligent and current.
“So you have decided to call Kevin and tell him about the baby and that you want to terminate the pregnancy Del?” My Father broke his silence.
“Yes Dad, do you think that is wise?”
“I cannot know that my girl but I certainly agree that if it was me I would want to know. Tell me this,” he asked. “What will you do if he decides he wants this child?”
“I have been thinking about that since Mum asked me if I had told him,” I answered truthfully. “Dad I am not ready to be a Mother, and I don’t know if I would ever decide I want to be. I cannot bring a child into the world under those circumstances can I.”
“Oh I don’t know about that girlie, your Mother and I did.”
I was not certain I had heard him correctly. “You and Mum did what Dad?” I asked.
“Why we brought a child into the world before we wanted or even considered having kids of course. Your brother Charles was unexpected and a heck of a shock. We fast tracked the wedding plans and only just got in ahead of time, we even told a bit of a fib. We said he was almost a month premature.” He giggled then. “We were even too young to know our parents and older friends and relations knew that an eight and a half pound bouncing baby boy was certainly not premature. But they never let on until years later when we all laughed about how naïve and innocent we had been. But that was us, we are talking about you. Could there ever be a future for yourself and Kevin honey?”
“Oh Dad,” I wailed and turning buried my head in his chest. “We had such a big fight the night he left. He wanted me to leave home and live in Ceduna with him and when I said there was no way on earth I was leaving here he got mad and so did I. I said some really terrible things.”
“Yes girlie I just bet you did. I have heard stories from the casual hands over the years about how you speak your mind when your bloods up. But relationships are not all roses and chocolates darling, if an argument destroyed them your Mother and I would have separated 100 times in our first year.” He chuckled again. “You and Kevin are young and wisdom is not conducive to youth unfortunately. But love grows when two people really care about each other and wisdom comes with time. Then arguments become discussions and are peaceably settled. Let’s head back to the house now and you call your young man and get the lay of the land, so to speak.”
Again we walked silently, the last of the spring blossoms were so fragrant and the flowering trees such a beautiful canopy arching over the path. How could I ever think of leaving this idyllic place where I had been all my life?
My parents never cease to amaze me; just as Mum had done in the café at lunch time he seemed to read my mind.
“Darling you must realize that you cannot have a full life if you stay on the station forever. You will become a dried up old spinster with a face like a prune and harp on about the Australian summers being so hot and the desert winters so cold that all the marriageable men will run in the other direction.”
“Oh Dad!” I laughed and punched his arm playfully.
But again that logical mind had delivered accurate information, albeit it in a light and humorous way. I digested this too although the thought of leaving home even briefly was hard and heavy on my heart.
Stopping just short of the orchard gate Dad turned to me.
“Del I have something to admit to you. Your Mother and I have been talking about retiring to town ourselves in a couple of years and leaving the boys to run things here. Does that make a difference to your thinking dear?”
“Oh Dad you couldn’t.” I wailed.
“Honey of course we could, your Mother and I have worked seven days a week for 30 years and we want to travel some before we are too old. Surely you wouldn’t begrudge us that Del?”
So much had been said today my mind was reeling. “Oh Dad of course I wouldn’t, it is just such a shock. Our lives have been so stable and we are so set in our ways it just never occurred to me any of us would change. I would love you both to enjoy your lives; I just need a little time head to get my head around things.”
“I understand darling, I guess I should add a statement your Grandfather made to me when I was about your age. He said, ‘Son, nothing is forever, just try to remember that.’ “
With that said he opened the gate and we walked up onto the veranda and into the house I had lived in all my 22 years.
My phone call to Kevin was stilted and difficult and over in less than five minutes. I laid out all the facts and he listened and then thanked me and after our goodbyes he rang off.
I watched the end of an old western movie from Dad’s exorbitant library of video cassettes and then went to bed early. Neither of them asked about the phone call and for that I grateful, I was not even sure myself how I felt about it.
“Hello, who is this creating all that dust? Someone seems to be in a mad rush.” Mum was standing at the kitchen double doors looking out towards the road drinking her after breakfast coffee.
“Del you might want to change that dress and freshen up, unless these eyes deceive me you are about to have a gentleman caller.”
Jumping up from the breakfast table I rush to the window and see Kevin’s ute coming up the road.
“Holy smoke he must have driven all night,” I exclaimed. “Oh Mum stall him please,” I begged. I look a wreck.
She and Dad exchanged a knowing glance and Dad got up, “go on girlie do your thing, I’ll handle Kevin for a bit.” Then he walked out on to the veranda as the Ute braked to a stop by the steps.
“G’day young fellah,” he greeted Kevin. “Did you miss inseminating one of my cows last month?” he grinned at the disheveled and travel weary young man. Then he walked over and clapped him on the back. “Oh of course you didn’t, you are here to discuss inseminating my daughter.”
Totally disarmed and on the back foot instantly he spluttered and mumbled incoherently as Dad steered him to a chair on the veranda and settled beside him.
Pulling himself together Kevin shot to his feet and began a sort of disjointed but obviously rehearsed speech.
“Sir I came here as soon as I heard, to do the right thing. I respectfully ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“No lad, sorry but I refuse.”
“Huh? Wha.. But why?” He demanded sitting again.
Because you are here to ‘do the right thing’, that’s why,” Dad explained.
“But sir I don’t understand. I drove all night for this.”
“Well Kevin I will tell you why. If you had begun your speech with, ‘I love your daughter and I want to spend my life with her,’ I would have answered differently. But I am damned if I will let her throw her life away on someone who merely wants to do the right thing. My answer is an unequivocal and resounding no.”
After delivering this statement Dad turned on his heels and went back into the house, leaving a bewildered and shattered Kevin sitting with his head in his hands on the veranda.
“Where is Kevin dear, I have made him a coffee and some scrambled eggs?”
“Oh little Mother I wouldn’t disturb him for a while,” my Father used an old term of endearment. “He was so over inflated with a self-righteous sense of doing the right thing I had to prick him a little, I hope he takes it on board because if he speaks like that to Delminico we are going to experience world war three right there on our veranda, believe me!”
“It was a tribute to their love and understanding that she never even questioned him about what he had said, just accepted that her wise husband had handled the situation with his usual aplomb and unique ability to head off trouble before it begins.
“Kevin is on the veranda dear, would you like to take him this cup of coffee?”
“Okay I will, thanks Mum.”
“You’re welcome. Del’ I want you to remember that young man is over-wrought, stressed and very tired; he has driven all night to be with you. Cut him a little slack will you darling?”
With her usual intuition Mum had guessed the conversation last night with Kevin had not gone so well.
“Your Mother and I need to do a stock check this morning Del, we will be back around lunch time. Do you think you could prepare a little something for us for lunch?”
Seeing a surprised look flash across my Mother’s face I realized Dad had done it again. He was leaving Kevin and I to sort ourselves out, and he was and making sure the house was empty all morning for us to do so.
After I had reassured him that I would make them lunch, they walked out hand in hand and drove off. Trepidatiously I walked out on to the veranda
“Hello Del, you look great.”
“Thanks Kev’, you look like shit,” I grinned.
W slipped into the old banter we had used when he was staying here.
“Yeah well, prospective Father’s tend to unravel on long drives,” he quipped.
“Oh Kev’ I am so sorry I didn’t tell you before but I was so sure you wouldn’t be interested in have a child so early in your career I just didn’t know how to approach you. I never even said anything to Mum and Dad until yesterday.”
“Del you bloody silly sausage, have you been dealing with all this alone way out here in the middle of no-where? Oh you poor baby!”
With that said, Kevin walked up to me and wrapping his arms around me just stood there silently. It was exactly what I needed, Kevin showing me his strength and dependability in my hour of need. There would be time enough to talk later.
Holding me tight to his chest he gently rubbed my tense should blades and I felt myself beginning to de-stress for the first time in weeks. I also felt the old familiar tingling deep down inside my lower body, that animal attraction that had started all this off in the first place. As I snuggled closer I could feel that Kevin was also responding to our embrace, although trying to turn a little so I wouldn’t notice.
“Do you want to come inside?” I began.
“Del I need to ask you something,” Kevin said simultaneously.
We grinned self-consciously and I nodded for him to speak first.
“Del I have had a damned long night, I have prepared and discarded a dozen speeches along the road and I am still not sure if I will say it right.”
“You are doing wonderfully so far Kevin darling,” I murmur snuggling closer.
“To be perfectly honest I tried the final draft of my speech on your Father earlier and he totally shot it out of the water. So I am just going to try and get things back into perspective, I will I just verbalize what I am thinking and you can interrupt any time you think I am wrong or on the going off on a wrong tack.
I have tried for more than a month to believe that we had a brief but all consuming fling when I was out here and that it was now over and time to move on. I am almost thirty years old which is an ideal time for a man to settle and begin raising a family. You made it clear that was not something that did not interest you last time we spoke and I must respect that.”
“Forget that night please darling, I was so out of line. Now please go on.”
Kevin looked down at me contemplatively for a moment and then resumed.
“I have studied hard all my life to achieve my goals and there was little or no time for dating. My knowledge of love is almost non-existent,” he continued.
“I do not know how long dating pre-ceeds a proposal or how to tell if feelings are of love or of lust. I have tried to find out but although I am a master researcher on the internet the more I looked the more confusing it all became. The only clear and stable thought throughout the entire time was that I missed holding you and chatting with you and..! Well you know what I mean.”
I held him so tightly and begged him to go on, his words were echoing around in my head and fitting perfectly.
“I even asked you Father this morning if I can marry you and he just flat out refused, and upon reflection he was perfectly correct to do so.”
“What? He did what??” With my rising blood pounding in my ears I prepared to launch a tirade about the stupidity of the entire male population.
“Del, shut-up and pay attention. You can have your chance to speak when I have finished”
The shock of being scolded by someone other than Mum or Dad silenced my irate protests and I remained quiet and a little stunned as Kevin finished.
“As I was saying, he was justified in his refusal. I was so wrapped up in how this was affecting me I had given no thoughts to the impact on all of your lives this has had. I know I was doing the wrong thing now, but it was for all the right reasons. Now if you will kindly sit there on the chair I would like to begin over and get it right this time.”
Guiding me to the chair he gently pushed me down on to it and kneeling at my feet held my hands and gazing lovingly into my eyes he spoke quietly and sincerely.
“Del, in the five weeks and 3 days we have been apart I have discovered that I cannot live without you. You permeate my every thought in my days and every dream in my nights. If I close my eyes I can see your beautiful face and feel your wonderful embrace. I can instantly recall every moment of the time we spent together and I relive it over and over every day. That having been said I can only hope and pray that my prayers will be answered and you will consent right here and now to become my wife.”
With great big tears rolling steadily down my cheeks I looked adoringly into his eyes.
“Oh yes my darling man, I whole heartedly accept. I love you deeply and completely and will try for the rest of my life to make you happy.”
Jumping to his feet Kevin pranced around the veranda punching his fist up into the air.
“Yes!!! YES!! YES!!” He roared excitedly.
He jigged back towards me looking like a Kangaroo on ecstasy and grabbing me kissed me hard.
“Now about that making me happy thing girl, we have the house to ourselves and I know a very good way you can begin to make good that promise.”
With twinkly clear blue eyes he grabbed my hand and headed for my room.
Discarding clothing all across the lounge and along the hallway we arrived at my bed stark naked and trembling with desire. Lunging at me Kevin shoved me back against the bed and fell I back with my lover on top of me kissing me ardently.
“Darling! Darling! Darling!” I moaned out loud as I parted my legs and felt his full maleness rubbing my soaking wet cleft.
Kevin’s roaming hands were everywhere at once, behind my neck pulling my head closer to kiss me deeply and intensely. Then caressing my face as the kiss became more gentle and soft. Then down over my shoulders and kneading my nipples.
“Yes my sweet man,” I moaned louder. “Like that. Just like that. Don’t stop, oh please never stop.”
Arching my back under him I ground my pelvis against his probing cock causing another flood of desire to flash through my body.
He slid his hands under my ass cheeks and pulling me up towards him he sank fully and completely inside my soaking wet pussy and just held it there.
“Oh my wonderful man,” I wept with huge tears of happiness welling in my eyes. “This just feels so right, I am a part of you forever. Make love to me now heart of my heart, uck me until I can’t think or breathe. Now darling. Give it to me now. Deep and hard, make me really feel you.”
Rearing back he plunged his thick cock deep inside me in a powerful thrust of his hips. I arched my back and forced my groin hard against his bucking pelvis taking him even deeper.
Grunting and roaring with passion Kevin increased his speed and lifted me even higher into the clouds. Every thrust into me brought him closer to me and proved he belonged to me alone. This wonderful man fucking me is going to be my husband and the Father of my children.
“YES BABE!! Like that, don’t stop, make me cry and scream darling, make me yours.”
My words drove Kevin into a fucking frenzy and I met every savage attack with an insatiable need of my own to be hurt and owned and subjugated by this man. Our bodies were dripping wet as we rocked and rolled all over the bed. One moment his large hands were parting my cleft so he could drive deeper, the next I was riding his wonderful cock in uncontrolled passion of my own. On and on into the morning we fucked and kissed and explored each other.
“Del I give my life to you, from this moment on my only ambition and goal is to keep you as happy as we are at this moment. I will tell you every day that I love you and spend every day proving it to you.”
“Oh sweet sweet Kevin your words bring so many tears to my eyes, this is more than a dream come true it is a blessed union by GOD himself. Nothing in my entire life has felt as right as this does. I wish you can leave that great cock inside me always because I know when you take it out there will be an empty place that will just be waiting impatiently for you to fill it again.”
“Well we won’t let that happen hey girl.” And laughing this wonderful love machine fucked me again, and then again. Stroke for stroke and kiss for kiss and moan for moan we were both young and fit and strong and so well matched.
“Well little mother it would appear the lad got it right.” My Father had a self-satisfied expression on his face as if he had achieved World Peace single handedly. Perhaps to a certain extent he had. My mother couldn’t resist deflating him a little. With a mischievous grin she quipped, “You could be right dear or then again perhaps they have just killed each other.”
“MOTHER!!!” He squawked. “Good grief go and look woman.”
“Settle petal,” she laughed. “They would not be in her room if that had happened they would be scattered all about the lounge.”
“Oh woman you have such a gory imagination, will you please cease and desist with the mind pictures?” My Father looked positively ill as he contemplated my Mother’s horrific depictions.
“What on earth can they be doing, surely after an entire morning they could have worked things out. How long does it take for crying out loud.”
With a lascivious leer he replied, “Dear you can so very obtuse. They are doing exactly the same thing as two people we know did on the floor of the shearing shed not an hour ago.”
Blushing bright red my Mother squeaked, “Keep your voice down, you want Del to know we still do THAT?”
“Do what Mother? I asked walking into the room.
“OHHHH,” she shrieked, rushing from the room scarlet from the neck up.
“Girlie where the bloody hell is the lunch you promised me, it is after 1PM and I am starving?”
Now it was my turn to blush and run to the kitchen calling over my shoulder I would do it now.
“Hello Sir did you enjoy the morning,” asked Kevin as he joined my Father. Clapping him on the shoulder my happy Father said, “Just as much as you enjoyed yours young man.” He then gave the lad a knowing wink and happily followed his two favorite women into the big station kitchen leaving an embarrassed Kevin to contemplate what he had said.
Leaning back in his chair Dad patted his stomach, “That was just what the Doctor ordered Del, thanks. Now tell me, how soon will we arrange this wedding?”
Shocked again the startled Kevin looks at him. “How on earth did you know Sir?”
Putting his arm around Kevin’s shoulders Dad replied. “Anyone with eyes could see you two are in love lad, and given your situation it is obvious that sooner would be better than later. However, due to the remoteness here some time will be needed for guests and relations to make travel arrangements. Shall we say one month from Sunday?”
Kevin looked at me and I nodded my head, trust my practical Father to put things into perspective.
“That would be great Sir,” Kevin answered. “If it is okay with you I would like to stay another night then I shall return to town and inform my own family.”
“Certainly Kevin, as of now this is your second home and you may come and go as you please. However I do believe you should take my wife and daughter back with you. There is a ton of shopping to do I wager and a very large wedding to arrange and damned little time to do it all. Is that alright with you dear? I imagine it will be much easier to do all that from town and I am not much practical use as you will well remember.”
Hugging her loving husband she laughed. “Yes dear you were under my feet trying to help arrange our wedding. It is a great idea; I will stay at the Plaza Hotel for a couple of weeks and arrange everything from there. Liz will want to help and she is really experienced because she is always hosting weddings in her hotel.”
Liz was a school hood friend of Mums and since her husband died 10 years ago she had built the Plaza into a multi-million dollar concern, and it was mostly her unique ability to arrange functions perfectly that had achieved such amazing results.
“Kevin you still look a little shell shocked, sit down and have a coffee. Leave everything to these girls now because I promise you that if you try to help they will skin you alive.”
“Darling I might make a suggestion,” my Mother addressed Dad. “ Why not host the wedding at Liz’s hotel? It will be easier on our guests and we can stay in town for a while afterwards and maybe choose a house.”
Clapping a hand to his forehead Dad exclaimed. “Perfect little Mother, what a tip top idea. What do you say Del? Would you mind terribly not having your wedding here at home?”
Running to him I hugged him dearly. “I would marry Kevin in an Aboriginal humpy in the bush Dad. I am so happy I will accept any decision that makes things easier for the family.”
“That’s the spirit honey.” Dad complimented me, “Now you girls start planning while Kevin and I drive out and look at the cows he inseminated and then he can book the time with his boss and not be in danger of being fired. I suggest you make a call and tell him that is why you are here and tell him to send me an account Kevin.”
“Oh my stars,” moaned Kevin. “My boss! I forgot to call him.” He ran into the hallway and grabbed the phone while we all laughed.
“Daphne, Delminico. What brings you to the thriving metropolis of Ceduna in the middle of the month? Finally run out on your old man to pursue a life of sin and debauchery have you girl?” The huge woman boomed as she walked over to give us both a huge hug.
Laughing my Mum told her we needed her services and why so she gave me another big hug.
“So you are going to tie the knot hey Delminico? Jolly good show, we must give you a wedding to end all weddings. How much time have we got, a year?”
“No not quite Aunty Liz, just over 4 weeks to be precise.”
Liz blanched. “A month! You want the best wedding ever to performed in this nation in a MONTH!? Well we best get to work then. Cecilia, Rose, come here and work with Delminico on bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses. Come on Daffy, you and I will arrange color schemes and floral arrangements”. Mum laughed at the use of her old nic-name and followed Liz gratefully. Things were off to a great start.
By the end of the very first week Liz had sorted and sent all the invitations. Arranged color schemes and catering and the band and put me in touch with a friend who was a dressmaker to sort out the gowns. There were going to be 470 guests all up and the next hurdle was going to be how to accommodate them all in a town the size of Ceduna. We pre-booked every suite and every room and every boarding house and we were still shy around 100 beds.
One night my over stressed Mother cried on Dad’s shoulder on the telephone, she was at her wit’s end.
“You quite finished whining Mother?” He asked. I will sort this bed problem tomorrow, just go and get a decent nights rest. I will bring the chopper in the morning. Now promise me not to worry anymore.”
As good as his word always Dad arrived promptly at 7Am and started in on the bed issue.
“Hello Harry, long time no see. Yes mate you are right I do need something. Can you lend me 100 Army cots and mattresses and three very large marquee tents? Cool, I need them at the local camping grounds no later than Saturday the 29th. Can you bring along a few grunts to help set them up? Oh while I am at it bring the Mrs. Del is getting married in the afternoon. Thanks Harry, see you on the 29th.”
“Okay Mrs. Del Sandros what else can I do for you?’ Dad looked like the cat who got the cream, a beaming smile on his face.”
“Raymond Del Sandros you could have arranged that from the station, what are you doing here exactly?” Asked my Mum accusingly.
With a sheepish grin he explained, “It is kind of lonely out there with my two girls in town so I am going to stay and help.”
“Oh no you are not, have you forgotten our wedding? My Mother was almost ready to make me widow even before I was married.”
“Oh come on Daph’, it’s as boring as buggery out there. The boys have the place under control and I have bugger all to do. Let me help. Pretty please with ice-cream and a strawberry on top?” He put such an innocent school boy look on his face Mum burst out laughing.
“Oh let the boy stay daffy.” Liz boomed. “He could be useful to you, especially on the long nights.” She winked at Dad who blushed a pretty pink. We all giggled, Liz was remarkable but extremely frank and outspoken.
Finally the big day arrived and to say I was ill would be the year’s understatement. I started my usual throwing up around 5AM and it just didn’t stop.
“Oh Mum,” I wailed. “How can I get married like this? I am so ill.”
Hugging me on the bed she wiped my brow with a cool, damp towel. “It will be okay baby cakes, it is just nerves. I had them too, I was convinced I was going to throw up all the way down the aisle but the instant I put on my dress I was calm as a cucumber, you are going to be fine, you will see.”
She was absolutely right of course, although I did discover much later she had lied about being sick herself. It was a clever ruse to relax me and it worked. The instant the dress went over my head I was right as rain.
Walking down the flower strewn aisle on my handsome father’s arm towards my wonderful husband to be I was on cloud 9. Leaning down Dad said, “If you want to change your mind and light out girlie this is your last chance, I will hold them at bay and give you a sporting chance.”
“Oh hush up Dad, if you make me laugh I will crown you with the bloody bouquet so help me I will,” I whispered back, not changing my serene expression although it was a mighty effort not to grin.
After that solemn walk everything was a blur until I felt myself in my brand new husband’s arms and he was kissing me passionately in front of 500 people, including 20 army privates who threw their berets in the air and cheered.
“Darling where are you taking me,” I asked Kevin. “This is the road to the airfield; there is no accommodation out here that I know of.”
“It’s a surprise your Dad and I have been working on for you, just be patient a little longer.”
Pulling onto the airfield tarmac he steered for a small private jet and pulled up near the steps.
“Next stop Bali my dearest,” Kevin declared. Your passport is in my suitcase and the jet stays with us for the week. Happy?”
With huge tears welling up yet again I held my husband in a tight embrace and asked, “Has that little plane got a bed do you think?”
As it turned out it did!
THE END