Consequences

at the guest relations desk. Tony and Claire laughed, saying it wasn’t that big. She would know her way around in no time.
    Tony added, “However, it did seem to take Claire a few weeks before she found her way around.” His statement caught Claire by surprise. However he didn’t notice, as he was watching for Emily’s reaction. Her obvious lack of understanding satisfied his unasked questions.
    Her mask secure, she said, “Well, I finally learned the secret. Everything is connected to the main house, and if you need anything just ask.” Her response received a twinkling eyed smile from her fiancé.
    Emily retired after the tour, promising to be more fun tomorrow. However, after a day of work, travel, and the magnitude of her surroundings she was exhausted. Claire hugged her and told her how happy they were that she was there.
    It wasn’t long after Claire readied for bed that Tony joined her. Claire couldn’t help but inquire, “Explain that comment, please.”
    Tony laughed. “My dear, I was just checking your reflexes.”
    “Well, you nearly caused whiplash.”
    “Perhaps there are other reflexes that we could investigate?”
     
    John’s hearing adjourned at noon on Friday. He offered to fly commercial, but the earliest he would make Iowa City would be after 10:00 p.m. Tony graciously provided a company plane that allowed him to arrive in Iowa City by three thirty. Emily prepared him for the house and its amenities. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Tony and Claire for the flight and told them that their home was stunning.
    It was a beehive of activity, with people everywhere making last-minute adjustments and preparing for the event. They were even beginning to prepare the food. The tent had been transformed into a picturesque banquet hall.
    Claire and Emily readied themselves for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Tony accepted Courtney’s kind invitation and agreed that the dinner could be held at the Simmonses. The rehearsal was scheduled to begin at six thirty, with dinner at eight. It was late, but everyone had to get to the Rawlings home after a long day of work. The intimate guest list for the rehearsal included the minister, musicians, Brad, Monica, Patricia and a guest, the Vandersols, the Simmonses and their children, the Millers, the Bronsons, Elijah Summer, and MaryAnn. Of course, these guests would be at the wedding tomorrow, but this informal private gathering would allow them more relaxed friendly conversation than would be possible at the big event.
    Everyone congregated in the grand hall by six fifteen. This group of friends respected Tony’s affection for punctuality. Claire waited for Tony in her suite. He wanted to make an entrance with his fiancée. “Ms. Nichols, you are stunning this evening.” Just before entering the hall, he beamed and whispered, “Tomorrow at this time you will be Mrs. Anthony Rawlings.”
    She kissed her fiancé and smiled. “I can’t wait.”
    There was a brief discussion by the head of security about some issues for the wedding. In an attempt to limit pictures, all cell phones, iPods, cameras, and any recording equipment, visual or audio, would be confiscated at the door. They would be returned on leaving the ceremony. The only recording of the wedding would be done by the hired photographer and cinematographer. Those photos would be reviewed by Shelly prior to release. However, as Tony and Claire’s personal friends, the head of security asked them to be observant, and if they noticed any prohibited recording notify security personal immediately. They would be everywhere. Claire felt like she was back stage at a rock concert.
    The minister took a few minutes to discuss the important meaning of marriage and its significance. “Many people enter into marriage in this day and age without the understanding of eternity. When two individuals are joined in the sight of God, those two become one. They are one for eternity.” Tony and Claire looked at each other. She was in awe. How did she end up in the grand foyer of Anthony Rawlings’s estate, holding his hand, looking into his chocolate eyes, and listening to a minister talk about their marriage? The minister continued, “And after speaking with Anthony and Claire, I believe they are fully aware of the commitment which they are about to make, a commitment to God, to friends and family, and to each other. So to you, the intimate group of friends that Anthony and Claire have chosen to