TJM48

The drinks were flowing freely at the Eagle lodge in River Run. The mood was light & very festive. Tommy & Sam danced their first dance together as Mr. & Mrs. Metcalf to Anne Murray’s Could I Have This Dance.

As Sam was being held in his arms, Tommy sang the words into her ear. “I’ll always remember the song they were playin’ the first time we danced and I knew as we swayed to the music and held to each other I fell in love with you….” Tommy sang along with Anne Murray’s record.

Sam whispered to him, “I love you so much.”

Tommy smiled & replied between verses. “Good, because I have a surprise for you later…. Could I have this dance for the rest of my life Would you be my partner every night When we’re together it feels so right Could I have this dance for the rest of my life I’ll always remember that magic moment When I held you close to me As we moved together, I knew forever You’re all I’ll ever need….”

Sam had never been happier than she was at that very moment. “You are a wonderful dancer, how did you learn?”

Tommy blushed. “My mother taught me. She said every gentleman should know how to dance with a lady.”

Sam snuggled in closer to Tommy & whispered, “Your mother is a very wise woman.” They continued to dance, even after the song ended.

Jeff gently tapped his son on the shoulder. “May I please dance with the lovely bride?”

Tommy smiled at his father. “Most certainly, but I will warn you, I am going to snag up your wife & dance with her.”

Samantha smiled at Jeff as she placed her hand in his. She couldn’t help but think back to how different things were, it wasn’t too long ago that Jeff was nothing but an icon to her. Now here she was, not only was he her father-in-law, but she was very proud to call him a close friend. Sam glanced over & saw Tommy dancing with Ginger. It was hard to imagine Ginger as anything but the strong confident woman that she was, but she had told Sam not too long ago how it was Jeff’s love & support that made her see her strengths. Before Jeff, Ginger told her she had been a clumsy girl with mediocre self-esteem. Sam was amazed at the power love held.

When the song ended, Sam thanked Jeff for the dance. She walked over to where Shawn sat, looking very sad. “Hey Shawn, care to take a spin around the dance floor with the bride?”

“Sure, “ Shawn said, taking Sam’s hand & walking towards the dance floor.

They danced for a few minutes when Sam noticed one of her friends wasn’t dancing either. She let go of Shawn & went & grabbed her hand, pairing them up on the floor.

Feeling very satisfied with herself, she looked around to find Casey. He was dancing with Karen, who’s side he hadn’t left all evening

“Why are you so happy, Mrs. Metcalf?”

“Well, Mr. Metcalf, I was noticing that for the first time in months Casey is smiling. I never thought of Karen as his type. You know she can actually form a thought in her head & does so on a regular basis, unlike the airheads he normally dates. But they seem to be getting along great!”

Tommy glanced over to Shawn on the dance floor. “Who is that girl Shawn is dancing with? I have never seen her before.” He put his arm around his new wife.

“Ah, yes, that is my handy work. She is a friend of mine from Toledo, a very smart accountant. I thought they would look good together.” Sam was beaming; she was so pleased with herself.

“Well, Mrs. Metcalf, now that you have done your good deed of the day, I am not letting you out of my site for the rest of the evening. Besides it is time for my surprise.” Tommy led Sam up to the front of the dance floor & sat her on a chair. He grabbed a microphone. “Excuse me, Everyone, can I have your attention, please?” Everyone stopped to look at Tommy. “I would like to do something special for my Bride.” He cleared his throat, “Take me out to the ballgame.”

Sam smiled. It was her favorite song.

“Take me out to the crowd. Buy me some peanuts & crackerjacks. I don't care if I ever get back. It's root, root, root for the home team if they don't win it's a shame. And it's 1, 2, 3 strikes your out at the ol’ ballgame. I truly love you, Samantha!”

Sam stood up & hugged Tommy; she took the mic out of his hands & spoke into it. “First of all I would like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate our special day with us, second I would like to thank all of the Metcalfs for welcoming me so warmly into their already very large family. & Last but not least, Tommy, For once in my life I am at a loss for words, but something someone very special once gave me explains my thoughts perfectly…. You are my heart, my soul, my desire. You are my every dream come true. I love you.” Sam set the mic down on the chair.

Tommy recognized the words she spoke as the sentiments he wrote for her at Christmas. He was touched that she not only remembered them, but also used them to convey her own feelings for him. Tears started to fall down his cheek as he embraced her

*********

The next few hours flew by. They ate, danced, cut the cake, danced, talked to guests & danced. All the guests gathered at the entrance to wish them a safe & happy honeymoon.