A Toast to Love

Short Fiction, by C.J. Heck

A Toast to Love
Short Fiction
by C.J. Heck

It was the day before the happiest day of Lizzie’s life. She woke to a quiet breakfast with Mom and Dad, the last as their innocent little girl.

They wanted one final assurance this is what she truly wanted. They loved Sam almost as much as Lizzie, but they were more concerned with her happiness.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

After breakfast, she made the first of many calls, so tomorrow would run smoothly. One to the florist, the band, then the bakery to make sure the cake would be delivered by noon.

One to her groom’s parents to pick up champagne for the toast; her godmother, to man the guest book; then Daddy, to pick up relatives at the airport.

Make the calls, make the calls! She was passing herself, coming and going, and it wasn’t even noon yet.

At 4:00, she had the last fitting of her dress and it was perfect. The shoes, and mantilla were in her bedroom. The hairdresser is tomorrow morning at 9:00.

7:00 p.m., Lizzie poured a glass of wine and took a sip. At last, all was nearly ready. Rose, her best friend and matron of honor, will lend her the garter --Lizzie’s something borrowed, something blue. Her sisters were maids of honor.

Lizzie took another sip of wine. At bedtime, she would make one last call. "Honey, don’t let Steve forget the rings! He’s the second best man, after all. It’s happening, Sam. It’s finally happening."

“Lizzie, tell me one more time that you’re sure …”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, Sam. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Sweetheart. This is your last night of sleeping alone.”

On the happiest day of Lizzie’s life, Daddy gave her away and she cried when she kissed his cheek at the altar. It truly was a beautiful wedding.

I guess I could end the story right here. I could tell you Lizzie and Sam had a wonderful life, like something from a dream. Sam became a surgeon, they raised four children, and they were both looking forward to Sam’s retirement.

But the lyrics from a song came to mind and stopped me. After the lyrics, I’ll tell you the rest of the story:

Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall
Song by Ella Fitzgerald and The Ink Spots

Into each life, some rain must fall
Too much is falling in mine
Into each heart, some tears must fall
Someday the sun will shine

Some folks can lose the blues in their hearts
When I think of you, another shower starts
Into each life, some rain must fall
But too much is falling in mine

Into each life, the rain will fall
But too much is fallin' on mine.

Eight months after retirement, Elizabeth Hall Wiley, the love of his life, his beloved Lizzie, died from a stroke when her MedEvac helicopter crashed, on its way to the trauma center.

There would be more happy days in Sam’s life. He now had great-grandchildren the age he was when he married Lizzie. Once a year, on their anniversary, he gives in to the memories. Time does have a way of healing, if you wait long enough.

Someone asked him a few years ago, had he known what would eventually happen, would he have made the same choices?

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life ...”

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