A Woodchuck Wedding: Ch. 1
Back at it on a Tuesday... and what better way to start a NEW story line than with my 400th Post!!!
So Will finally popped the question to Val, and of course she said YES (as well as 'what took you so long?') so it's time for another celebration for our Mobian friends! But of course you know we can't have a gathering of this magnitude without a little drama or adventure... and frankly I don't think Will and Val would have it any other way. So please enjoy the tales leading up to a Woodchuck Wedding!
Story Teaser: Will and Val visit both The Farmhouse Trio and the Chase Township Judge to make arrangements for their upcoming wedding... and run into a couple unexpected surprises.
“Engaged?” exclaimed a suddenly jubilant raccoon, his face beaming. “That’s AWESOME news, y’all! Congrats!” An oversized grizzly looked at his long-time woodchuck buddy discerningly from a similarly oversized easy chair, leaning forward: “What took you so long, anyway?” Will laughed: “I’m getting a lot of that lately, Barthol… literally from everyone.” He turned to kiss his fiancee Valerie as they sat together on the well-worn couch in Coy’s cozy but cluttered living room.
The rangy coyote was similarly excited: “So has y’all settsed a date for the nup-i-tahlls?” “We’re kicking around a few possibilities,” smiled Val. “Looking at maybe late Summer or early Fall after the heat breaks but before it gets too cold.” “Well if y’all’s havin’ it at yer new fancy-schmancy hotel it shouldn’t matter, right?” snarked Royyer, shifting his beret from one side to the other. Will shook his head: “Actually we were planning to have the ceremony in the Garden. We met there, it only seems right that we get married there.” “Greats ah-deeyer!” drawled Coy. “Gotta keep it country even if ya have become a City Slicker!”
“Anyway,” continued Will, chuckling at his Coyote friend’s sentiment. “Since you all have always been my closest friends, I’d like to do more than just invite you… I’d like you to be my groomsmen.” Barthol smiled warmly: “That’s a big honor, Will… thank you… but who will be playing the music?” Val looked a bit surprised at the big bear’s question: “We… hadn’t gotten that far yet…” she started. “Say no more,” rumbled Barthol. “We’ll be your personal band! We can compose original tunes just for the occasion… make it super special for a super special couple!” Will looked concerned: “But… that’d be a lot of jumping around for you to be up with us and then heading back to play…” “Nah,” interjected Coy. “We’ll do da music. Y’all go ahead n’ ask yer more fancy folks to stand wid yah.” “Are you sure?” replied Val. “You’re our oldest friends. We don’t want you to feel slighted…” “Pffttt…” interrupted Royyer, waving his hands towards Val. “We ain’t the formal tuxxy stand-in-front- of-everyone type folks anyhoo. It’s our style to be in the background… the ‘wind beneath y’all’s wings’ kinda thing.”
Will and Val rose from the couch, with the Farmhouse Trio also rising to hug their friends. “Thank you so much,” beamed Valerie. “It will really add a… special touch to have you all serenading us and our guests.” “It’s our special gift to you,” replied Barthol, giving her an extra warm bear hug. “We helped get y’all together… it’s only right we help make it permanent.”
Later that week, William and Valerie arrived at the Chase Township City Hall to meet with Judge G. Winston Groundhog. Winston was the local Justice of the Peace, but was also a friend of William’s and (from Will’s assessment) a distant cousin, although because of Winston’s official position they kept their relationship mostly professional. After a short wait in the comfortable lobby outside his office, the dapperly dressed Judge emerged from his office, smiling broadly at William and vigorously shaking his hand: “William! It’s been far too long… so good to see you!” “And you as well, Judge Groundhog!” returned Will with the same warmth. The Judge clapped Will on the back: “Oh come now… we’ve known each other since we were cubs… no need to be so formal. ‘Winston’ is fine.” He turned his attention to Valerie: “And this must be the lovely lady I’ve been hearing so much about?” Val blushed and extended her hand: “Valerie Braun. So good to meet you, Judge.” Winston shook her hand gently but firmly: “And you as well, Ms. Braun… but please do call me Winston.” He motioned to both of them: “Please, come in… sit and be comfortable!”
The Judge settled behind his desk and smiled at the couple before him: “So to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? Another building permit to expand the Lodge, perhaps?” He smiled graciously, acknowledging the latest successful business Will had created in the Township. Will shook his head: “Actually, Winston… this is a more… personal request…” Val gave him a playful shove: “Oh, just get to the point, Will…” she held up her left hand, displaying the dazzling engagement ring Will had recently gifted to her. “We are planning our wedding and would like you to officiate our ceremony.”
Winston beamed back at the couple: “I would be absolutely honored! When were you thinking of having the happy occasion?” “Likely in the late Summer or early Fall,” responded Will. “We want to have the ceremony outdoors, in the Memorial Garden.” The Judge nodded, opening his calendar and turning it towards Will and Val: “I have several dates available in that time frame… is there one you would prefer?”
The lady woodchuck pointed to a weekend she had been eyeing: “Would this work?” Winston nodded, turning the calendar book back towards himself and jotting their names on the date, encircling them with a large heart. “Perfect!” he exclaimed. “I’ll make this special notation to ensure nothing else gets scheduled for that day.” He capped his pen and smiled back at the Couple as he continued: “It’s so good that you’re being married at the Homestead. I know your Uncle Walter would be so proud!” Will nodded sadly: “Agreed. I just wish he was still here to see it.” The groundhog also nodded somberly: “My father and your uncle were great friends… part of why we were so mischievous as youngsters. I know they’d both be proud of where we are today.”
Valerie looked at the name placard on the judge’s desk curiously: “Judge… if you don’t mind me asking… what is your first name? And why do you prefer the name ‘Winston?’” The groundhog smiled: “No imposition at all, Ms. Valerie… my first name is ‘Grant,’ but being a judge I prefer to be called something more… neutral. So folks don’t presume I ‘grant’ things without careful consideration…” Will and Val both laughed politely at the Judge’s punnery. “And I recall my parents calling me ‘Winston’ from time to time growing up. When I asked about it they said it was my ‘middle name.’” He smiled at the memory of his childhood: “I always liked the way it sounded, so I decided that’s what I wanted to be called.”
Will rose from his chair respectfully: “Well, I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, Winston… so we won’t take up any more of your time today.” Valerie also rose from her seat, extending her hand towards Winston: “Thank you so much, Judge. This really means a lot to us.” The groundhog returned their smiles as he rose, taking Valerie’s hand and planting a gentle kiss on the back: “It is absolutely my pleasure,” he replied, firmly and warmly shaking William’s hand and clapping him on the shoulder. “Please, feel free to drop by and visit anytime between now and then…or after!” “And after hours you’re always welcome to stop by the Lodge or the Homestead,” replied Will. “It’s always a treat to have you over.” “I’ll keep that in mind for sure,” returned the Judge as he turned back to his calendar. “See you all soon.”
As they left the Judge’s office, another look of realization crossed Valerie’s face: “Will, I can’t help but notice the resemblance between you and Winston.” She reached up to play with Will’s lopped-over ear: “Even down to the slight bend in his ear. It looks… similar to yours.” Will nodded: “The Groundhog and Woodchuck families in the Chase Meadows area have some relationships between them, but I really don’t know much about my family outside of my Uncle Walter… and Unc rarely talked about any of my other relatives, including my parents.” Will held the door for Valerie as they exited the City Hall building. “I just always presumed that Winston was a cousin from somewhere in my past and a good childhood friend who came over to play from time to time.” Despite Will’s reassurances Val didn’t look convinced, but smiled at Will, understanding that it wasn’t a concern to him. She resolved to look into William and Winston’s genealogy further, but with all the other preparations and planning to be done, she decided to file this curiosity away as something she’d check on later… definitely after their wedding.
A Woodchuck Wedding: Ch. 1 (current) | Ch. 2
