Page 282 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

Once given the go ahead, Mavis jumped into action. She called the church and spoke to Reverend Schultz, who didn’t seem the least bit surprised to hear her request. Hanging up the phone, she turned to the three. “Goodness, he’s already getting calls about wedding dates but since ours is so quick, we have the church at 3:00 p.m. a week from Saturday. Oh, he said to tell you that Vicky Kemp beat you by a half hour. Her wedding is this Saturday.” She gave a soft laugh. “This is so exciting. Several of our young women have waited so long for their men to come home, I’m sure every church will be busy for the next several weeks. Oh, he also said we can hold the reception in the fellowship hall.” It appeared she was in her element and wasn’t near done. Passing the phone to Jack, she said, “You call your momma while Betsy and I go upstairs. Don, would you please find my trunk in the attic and bring it down to our room?”

Betsy reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled up from the couch and followed her mom, who was rattling off names of people who would need to be called and invited as the timing didn’t allow invitations to be mailed. She just nodded her head in agreement but warned that she wasn’t expecting a huge turnout on such short notice.

“Nonsense, my girl,” Mavis said, shooing Don toward the attic stairs. “Everyone adores you. You’re always volunteering, helping with the elderly and, of course, your little students love you. Oh, will you continue to teach next year?”

Betsy shook her head. “Mom, I’m marrying an Army officer. I’ll be going wherever Jack is posted. Though I’d love to continue teaching, I suppose that will depend on if there is a need for teachers wherever he is assigned. I’ll need to inform Principal Wentz that I won’t be returning.”

“Another person to invite, along with your fellow teachers.”

Laughing, Betsy threw her hands up in the air. “Don’t forget, Jack has a huge family. If they all come, as well as half the town, we won’t have room!”

“Nonsense. People can squeeze in along the pews,” Mavis said, totally unconcerned about the growing list of people who would have to be called and invited. “We won’t have time to plan a major sit-down dinner, but we can have a nice ham, and I’ll bake a turkey. Oh, I hope I have enough sugar coupons to make a large cake. Never mind, I’m sure I can trade for some. We must have a cake! Oh, thank you, honey,” she said as Don entered with a small trunk. “Just set it over there.”

Betsy forgot all about invitations, ham, turkey, sugar and cakes the moment her mother opened the lid of the trunk. She watched as layers of tissue paper were gently pushed aside and gasped as her mother reached in and lifted a dress from its protective layers.

“Oh, Mom,” she said, realizing the dress was one she’d seen in photographs in the family album. “If you are thinking I’ll be wearing that—”

“I’ve always dreamed of my daughter wearing my wedding dress,” Mavis said, running a hand down the satin gown. “I know it’s not the latest fashion, but…”

“It’s not that, Mom. It’s a beautiful gown, but I can’t possibly fit into it, and I don’t think I’d have time to alter it even if there is enough fabric left in the seams.”

Mavis smiled, laid the dress across the bed, took her daughter by the hand and led her to where a cheval mirror stood in the corner. “Look,” she instructed when the two stood side by side. “Darling, you look almost exactly like I did when I married your father.”

Betsy spoke to the reflection in the mirror. “We both have chestnut hair and blue eyes but, Mom, I am far chubbier than you were when you got married.”

Mavis shook her head. “I don’t think you realize how much weight you lost while waiting for news of Jack being found. Would you at least try it on? If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to wear it.”

Deciding that arguing would do her no good, Betsy nodded and was soon stripped down to her slip. She felt horrid at knowing the disappointment she’d bring to her mom but at least she’d be able to state she had tried. Ducking her head, she allowed the dress to be dropped over her curls, expecting it to go no further as her arms were guided through the sleeves. She sucked in her breath as the dress slid down and, when she lifted her head, her expression told of her absolute shock.

“Oh, honey, you look so beautiful,” Mavis said, twirling her around in order to button the dress. “I knew it would fit you perfectly even though you aren’t wearing your girdle.”

Betsy rolled her eyes but said, “I promise to wear one for the wedding.”

Once the dress was on, Mavis said, “Oh wait, I forgot the veil!”

When the two stood side by side, admiring the lacy veil that flowed over Betsy’s curls, down her back to the floor, both had tears in their eyes. “Mom, thank you so much. It’s just… just perfect.”

Carefully packing the veil back in tissue and hanging the dress so that it could be steamed to remove the wrinkles, Mavis took Betsy’s hand and led her to sit on the edge of her bed. “Are there any… um, questions you’d like to ask?”

Betsy laughed. “Mom, I’m sure I’ll think of some, but for now, it seems like you’ve got everything under control.”

“I wasn’t talking about the wedding, sweetheart, I was talking about your… wedding night.”

Her face heated and Betsy honestly didn’t know what to say. She’d never once considered asking her mother anything about sex. Seeing her mother’s blush, she smiled. “I’m sure I’ll be fine, Mom.”

“Oh, I have no doubt that Jack will teach you all you need to know, but… well, just relax and…” Mavis paused and looked toward the door as if to make sure it was still closed. Evidently assured they had privacy, she turned back to look at her daughter. “I just want to say that while some people insist that it is a wife’s duty to submit her body to her husband, I want to say that it isn’t a duty, it has always been a pleasure.”

“Mom!” Betsy said, unable to stop the small giggle that escaped.

“Oh, don’t you Mom me,” Mavis said, giving her own giggle. “With the right man, sex can be the most beautiful thing a couple can share. And, watching Jack watching you, I know you will discover that for yourself.” Her pause was longer this time and Betsy thought their conversation was done until her mother gave her fingers a squeeze. “Your young man reminds me so much of my Don. Your father is a good man, Betsy, but… well, he is also a stern man.”

Betsy was certain that her earlier suspicions had just been confirmed. Though she did wonder why her mother had no problem speaking about the intimacies of what happened in a marriage bed but seemed to be having difficulty talking about what occurred when a stern man had to address his wife in a different manner. “It’s all right, Mom. Jack has already spoken to me about his expectations. Like I said, I’m positive he will teach me everything he desires, and I know that whatever happens, it will be done with love.” The two women looked at each other, understanding without needing to discuss it further.

“Oh, my darling girl. I’m going to miss you so much,” Mavis said, pulling Betsy into her arms.

“I’ll miss you too, but remember, I am quite familiar with how to write and post a letter.” The two laughed and, after a long hug, they left the room to rejoin their men.

Betsy called Jane, who immediately came over. It was her turn to squeal and cry as they shared the news of their engagement. Lifting Betsy’s hand to look at the ring, she smiled. “You did good, Major.”

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