Appalachian Suite, Finale
by J. Pardo libguy3@yahoo.com
Where Tina and Jake survive an ambush, and turn the tables on the criminals. 

Rated R for sex and violence. 

Tina was sad to see the end of summer, as it happened for the
past four years, Jake had to leave again. She found the love of
her life in Jake, but he had to leave, his summer vacation over.
As a librarian for Penn State, he was needed there. Here she was
18, but her man was 25. She was content to stay home and tend
Granny's house, but she was very lonely. She heard a knock on
the door. When she opened it, she saw Jake on his knee with his
hand outraised. She looked in his hand and saw a small
decorative box in his hand. In the box was a diamond ring.  Tina
fainted.

"TINA!" Jake shouted, "are you okay?" He slapped her face gently
to get her to wake up.

"JAKE!" Tina yelled upon waking, "you're asking me to marry
you?"

Tina started crying. Nothing would make her life happier than
being married to Jake. "Of course, I'll marry you. I've never
been so happy," Tina said, tears of joy streaming down her face.

She slipped the ring on. "It fits perfectly," she said proudly.

"I know, Granny helped me get the right size." he said smiling.
"Remember when she tied that string around your finger, and said
it was to help her remember to go to Docs and later she removed
it whole?  We got the size from that."

"You clever things," she said grinning that she was deceived
this way.

"I wanted to commit to you this way, so that you don't go run
off and marry some handsome stranger," he said half-joking.

"Not a chance! I am totally and completely in love with you. It
will be the stranger who runs off, if he tries anything," she
said flexing her large 18-inch bicep.

Jake always reacted with lust when she did that, and she knew
it. She looked down at his growing member.

"Did Tina make you raise your flagpole?" she said cotiquesly.
She led him by the hand into the kitchen. "I better drink more
of Granny's no-birth potion, just to be sure."  She found the
bottle and poured out a large cup. She drank in one gulp. She
felt no reaction at first, but slowly the potion took effect.
She could feel her ovaries relax and her fallopian tubes
constrict, preventing any eggs from escaping. "Here, this
potion's for you."

Jake poured from a bottle that had "stayin' power" on it. He had
to get just the right amount, or he would be fully erect for
days, which made working at the library almost impossible. He
decided on just a tablespoon as he had to leave in an hour. He
sipped from the spoon, and felt his heart race.

They quickly ran into the bedroom and slammed the door. The
walls shook as the bed repeatedly smashed into it. Cries of
passion were heard repeatedly with each louder than the next. So
loud, in fact, that they did not hear the front door being
bashed down.  Ten masked men entered quickly, several with
M-16's. The "leader" directed the gunmen to shoot into the wall
where the sounds of sexual activity was heard. They hesitated as
the sounds made them respond with lust.  Angrily the "leader"
grabbed a gun and shot two of his own men in the legs.  The
others, seeing their own fate, shot the wall repeatedly.  The
bullets ricocheted as they encounted the thick headboard of the
bed. When all the rounds were fired, and the smoke cleared, the
leader saw 5 of his men were down, bleeding from the shrapnel.
He quickly pulled his knife and opened the bedroom door.  He was
hoping to find two dead lovers on the bed, instead he discovered
his error, as he was pulled into the bedroom.

Tina was sweating with fear as she grabbed the masked man. She
slammed the door with her leg, as the other intruders tried to
enter, causing them to fall backwards.  She punched him in the
stomach with her other hand as Jake jumped him from behind.
Temporary stunned, the masked man dropped to his knees. Tina
ripped off his mask and jumped back in shock. "David Lemonetti!"


David quickly jumped up and slammed his head into Tina stomach.
She doubled over in pain as David stood in a karate stance. He
saw Jake over at his side, but knew he was no threat. He
advanced on Tina, meaning to kill her with a blow to the neck,
but Tina had her own ideas. Just as David was about to strike,
she jerked her head up, right between his knees. David's voice
went up three octaves as his scrotum was hit, smashing his
testicles. He stood in a state of shock as the pain overwhelmed
him.  He made a pitiful gesture to protect his privates, but it
was much too late, finally, his legs gave out and he fell.
Assuming a fetal position, his subconscious remembering back to
pain-free days in his mothers womb, he eventually passed out.

Tina ran over to him, to make sure he wasn't dead. He was
breathing raggedly, and she knew that he soon would be. She
scooped him up, while Jake fearlessly opened the door. He
expected a rush of intruders, but saw nothing, then he saw
Granny.

"Landsakes!" she cried, "I thought ya was dead." She ran over to
the couple, stepping on the fallen intruders to get to them.
Granny had earlier heard the commotion and ran in with a large
tree trunk, swinging it around and knocking down anyone who had
remained standing.

"I got to get him to the hospital," Tina said frantically, "this
is Mr. Lemonetti's son, and I don't want him to die."

"Just throw him in the cart and give Bessie some soup, I have in
the canteen on the cart, and she'll get you there in no time.
I'll see to the others," Granny ordered.

Tina quickly kissed Granny, and ran out with Jake ahead of her
opening the door. She did as Granny instructed as was on her way
. Jake stayed behind helping Granny. They loaded everyone in his
car, dumping the dead in his trunk, and they too rushed to the
hospital. It was ironic that David would be one of the first to
use the hospital his father had built and staffed.

By the time Granny and Jake had arrived, David was in surgery.
Tina met them outside the emergency room and help them bring in
the wounded and dead. The medical staff were very effecient, and
had the situation under control within a few minutes.

With all the commotion, no one asked Tina and Jake why they were
naked. Granny simply suggested that they grab some hospital
gowns, "so ya wouldn't be a distraction." 

Looking down, the lovers realized their predicament and rushed
to find some clothes. Smiling and holding hands as they headed
out the door.

When they got home, they surveyed the damage. Jake, however, put
aside his anger and called Mr. Lemonetti.  He sadly explained
what had happened, and was told that Mr. Lemonetti would meet
them at the hospital in half an hour. 

They decided to quickly shower and dress, getting to the
hospital just as Lemonetti's helicopter landed in the its
heliport.

Tina ran to Mr. Lemonetti, hugging him. She burst into tears as
she apologized.

"He was going to kill me! I had to do it," she said, crying into
his shoulder. 

Lemonetti made soothing sounds, and explained, "I know it was
self-defence, and you didn't kill him, you actually saved his
life. I've been in radio contact with his doctors, and they have
him stablized. He will recover, he just won't be able to have
children, which is just as well.  Anyone willing to kill, just
because his pride was hurt, doesn't deserve children."

Jake stood by, quietly looking down as if in shame. Lemonetti
walked over to him and hugged him. "I know you think this is
somehow your fault, it's not. the fault is all mine.  If I was a
better father to him, and spent more time with him, he might
have turned out differently.  So don't worry about it."
Jake smiled, knowing that things would be alright.

They all went into the hospital's waiting room. Granny was there
waiting for any word about the injured.  She got up to meet the
others as they approached.

Tina and Jake both hugged her, and Lemonetti shook her hand
solemnly. "I've been told that my boy and his gang shot your
place up pretty good. I'll fix it up for you, better than new."

"That's a kind offer, Mr. Lemonetti. I always did want one of
those fancy Jack Cuzzis. That Mr. Cuzzi knew what he was doin'
when he built them big tubs," Granny said.

Everyone smiled, but said nothing. Suddenly, the doctors
appeared with the news.

Five of the boys died from multiple gunshots and wood shrapnel,
two had their legs amputated, and the rest had concussions, but
were expected to survive. David would recover but he will have
to have testosterone shots for the rest of his life as his
testicles were destroyed.

They were all saddened by the news. so much death and
destruction caused by such a prideful act. Mr. Lemonetti took
the news the hardest, because his son was the ringleader. 

"I'm going to disown him!" he said, "he's not my son anymore."

"Wait," Granny said, "why don't ya just love him instead. He's
gonna need ya now, more than ever."

Lemonetti looked down, realizing the truth of Granny's words. He
left them hurridly, not wanting the rest to see him cry, and ran
to David's room. 

David was just now coming through, his hospital gown covering
the evidence of his operation.  His father rushed to him and
squeezed his hand.

"I'm here, son!" he said quietly.

David had trouble speaking, having had the hospital's traceal
tube down his throat for the operation, so he sat quietly and
cried. David lost his manlihood, but he found his father.

Mr. Lemonetti stayed by David's side continuously until David
was well enough to leave the hospital.  When that day came,
David's father had arranged for his whole family to greet him at
the hospital entrance. He looked thinner and paler as he exited
the hospital, but his spirits rose when he saw his family.
Slowly he rose from his wheelchair and was about to enter his
father's limo, when he spotted Tina and Jake.

He looked at them with doleful eyes for a minute, then waved
them over. They walked solemnly over to him and stood quietly.
David tried to speak but was overcome with emotion, so he
dropped to his knees in front of Tina and grabbed her hands,
crying profusely. Tina felt compassion for him and dropped to
her knees hugging him gently until his crying stopped.

"I'm sorry!" he squeeked, "I feel so bad."

"It's over, you can't change the past, but you can make the
future better," she said sagely.

"I will!" he said confidently. He was struggling to get up when
Tina effortlessly lifted him to his feet. He walked to the car
and climbed in. Mr. Lemonetti walked over to Tina and gently
embraced her. 

"Thanks for your kind words, David will turn his life around,
and I will be there to help him," he said sincerely.

"Tell him that I forgive him," she said with compassion.

"That will mean a lot to him," he said. He shook Jake's hand
then walked to the limo, waving as he got in. The limo drove off
slowly.

Jake took Tina's hand as they walked to the car.  They drove
home silently, Jake in deep thought.  Inside the house, Granny
was picking the bullets out of the wall.  

"Landsakes, there must be more than 200 bullets in there," she
said, carefully prying a bullet out. "If I dig too deep, the
wall will fall in." Suddenly she heard a loud truck, then
another, and still more. They all ran out as the construction
workers parked and walked to the cabin.  

"Mr. Lemonetti said this was a rush job," the foreman said.
"where do you want the new house?" 

"THE NEW HOUSE?" Granny yelled.

"Yep, we have enough material here for a 4,000 square foot
house, we just need to know where it goes," he explained.

"Lordy, I don't need that much. Can you make one that's 1,000
and one that's 3,000?" she asked.

"No problem, we can build them next to each other, that way if
you want to combine them in the future, it'll be easy," he said,
cheerfully.

"Good, I'll live in the smaller house with Elmer, and the
lovebirds can take the bigger house," Granny decided, without
fear of contradiction. "Since Elmer's already got the satellite
set up, we should build there."  

"Sure, the boss said to do ANYTHING you asked. Do you need to
clear anything out?" the foreman asked.

"How long will it take for you ta build the other houses?"
Granny inquired.

"With clearing the land and putting up the structures, I'd say 3
full days," he said with authority.

"We'll have everything ready in two days," Granny said. 

"That'll be cutting it close," Fred, the foreman said, "we
probably won't be done."

"Let me worry about that," Granny said confidently.

Granny drove over to Elmer's to explain what was to happen.
Elmer was a bit taken aback at the announcement, but if Granny
said it, then it must be for the best.

"They're gonna build the big house next ta your cabin, then when
it's done, we'll move inta the big house, while the smaller one
is built. I'll salvage what I can from my cabin and bring it
over here," Granny said with authority.

"Yes'm," the rest said at once. Jake used his car to help
transport the smaller things, while the foreman offered his big
truck for the furniture.

"You don't have to bring much furniture," Fred said, "Mr. L is
buying you all new stuff.  He said it was a 'thank you' for what
you said. He also said that he's coming next week with a
surprise."

As the workers started to unload, Granny brought them all
something to drink.

"Here's some refreshment," Granny said, passing out cups, "its
something I brewed up meself. It'll perk you up."

Thinking it was coffee, they drank eagerly. It didn't taste like
coffee, but had a sweet, unusual flavor.

As they grabbed the wood from the truck, the workers felt much
stronger. One was able to pick up four 2 by 6's and easily carry
then to the worksite. 

"I've never been able to do THAT before," Charlie said, "I feel
fantastic."

The others, seeing Charlie's feats, attempted to imitate him,
with similar success. Soon all the wood was unloaded and the
framing begun.  Because of their newfound energy, they worked
continuously until mid-afternoon, when Granny brought out lunch,
her chicken soup with special herbs, and fresh made bread.
Famished, the men wolfed down the soup and bread. Fifteen
minutes later, they jumped up from the lunch table that Granny
had set up, and ran to finished the framing. Only two men were
required, which normally would have take six, at the lifted the
600 pound frame into an upright position.  They waited until all
four sides were lifted, and the structures bound together. The
exterior plywood was installed quickly.  Each man easily
carrying two from the truck to the house. With pinpoint
accuracy, the men hammered in the nails, requiring only one
swing as their strength drive the nails in up to their heads.
With this was done, they worked on the smaller house, framing
that in a fourth of the time it took to build the larger
structure. By time time they finished for the day, both houses
were ready for insulation and siding. The enitre operation was
done so fast, the foreman hadn't arranged for the insulation and
siding to be delivered. He vowed to bring the rest of the
material tomorrow.

Granny was very pleased at the progress, and brought out the
leftover soup, which she had canned, for each of the workers,
including the foreman.

"See ya tomorrow," Granny said.

"We'll be here bright and early," Fred said, waving as they
left.

The next morning, the crew arrived. Everyone looked tired, but
very happy. The foreman walked up to the house, just as Granny
was coming out.

"M'am," he said, "I don't know what you put in that soup, but me
and the men want to thank you for it. You've save some of our
marriages because of the loving we gave our wives last night.
I'm almost 50, but I had the stamina of a teenager.  Everyone
wants the recipe."

Granny smiled, knowing what had happened. "I'll make everyone a
care package with the recipe, and the herbs I use. Follow the
recipe exactly, or you won't wanna be seen outside."

"Thank you, M'am. I'll tell the men," he said excitedly, running
towards his men happily.

Granny heard the loud cheer after the announcement was made. She
looked outside and saw the men work with renewed vigor. They
worked diligently until all the insulation and siding was
installed. More trucks arrived with electricians, plumbers, and
interior carpenters. After a quick visit with the exterior
workers they, too, worked extra hard.

Granny counted the new arrivals. "I best make more soup," she
said hurrying in to the kitchen.

By mid-day, the rest of the construction workers had arrived,
the roofers, carpet-layers, and cement pourers. Granny had
called Tina and Jake to bring the extra pots and they spent the
afternoon fixing a feast for the workers. By five o'clock, the
houses were substantially completed. Granny told the foreman to
spread the word about supper. 

25 people sat around a makeshift table, eager to eat. Granny
said a grace, "Dear Lord, Thank you for gettin' us all here
without harm. Use this food for strength. Amen"

The table was silent, except for an occasional "Mmmm!" as they
enjoyed the meal.  Suddenly Fred looked up from his meal and
screamed, "WATCH OUT!"

A dump truck had slipped out of gear and was heading towards the
table.  Mass confusion reigned as they all jumped up, trying to
avoid the truck. When Tina pushed her chair back, it fell
entangling her legs and tripping her, right in front of the
truck. She put her arms up in a futile effort to stop it, but
merely managed to slow it a bit. Jake rushed over the threw his
body at the truck grill, straddling Tina while his legs dug into
the ground. The truck inched forward, but suddenly stopped, as
Jake swelled in size.  The effect of weeks of Granny's soup had
lain dormant within him, waiting for a stressful event to
trigger. Jake's heart was pumping hard and fast at his effort,
and his body responded in kind. The muscular swelling started in
his arms, up to his shoulders, down his back and onto his legs,
as he successfully pushed the wayward truck back. Fred was able
to get his wits about him and jump in the truck, applying the
emergency brakes.  Jake let out a primal scream as he bunched up
his gigantic veiny muscles in a crab position.  He had to vent
to release his energy or he would have put his fist through the
truck's grill.

Coming back to reality, he looked down at Tina, trapped between
his now massive legs. She was having difficulty breathing within
the vice-like grip.  He released his grip and she let out a deep
gasp. In a few seconds, she was breathing normally, appearing
unhurt.

Her arms had swelled with the truck-stopping effort, yet she was
still entangled in the chair. She sat up and reached for the
chair, grabbing on to an exposed area, and pulling forward.  The
wood encountered rock-like muscular legs and could not withstand
the pressure exerted. It suddenly split apart, and Tina's legs
went flopping to the ground, sounding like two tree trucks that
had just landed after sawing.

Jake rushed over to pick up Tina, but she turned the tables on
him and pulled him to the ground to join her. They kissed
passionately for several minutes, then realized where they were.
Standing, Tina scooped Jake in her arms and ran into the woods,
where the grunts and moans of lovemaking could be heard from an
hour.

By the time they returned, most of the workers had left. Fred,
the foreman, stayed behind to keep Granny, Elmer and the kids
appraised of the progress.

"We have the majority of things done, and will send a few
workers tomorrow to finish up," Fred said confidently.

"Thank ya," Granny said, handing him a jar of your special soup.

Fred smiled and took the soup with him as he left.  He looked
forward to the rest of the evening, after his wife ate the soup.

With both houses livable, the couples moved their stuff in. 
Tina and Jake were able to carry the large items like the
refrigerator and freezers without the aid of dollies, Granny
supervised their relocation.  Soon everything was put away and
the four sat around the table to discuss the future.

"All of this is just amazing," Jake said. "Such generosity from
such tragedy"

Tina grabbed his hand, she was silent but her eyes spoke
volumes. She knew that Jake couldn't stay, that she couldn't be
with him and her heart ached.

Granny perceived Tina's pain, and quietly walked to her, gently
placing her hand on Tina's shoulder. Tina reached up and grabbed
Granny's hand affectionately, and tried not to cry. 

"Yes, Child, you never know where life will take you," Granny
said knowingly.

They heard a rumble of noise outside. All four felt fear,
especially Tina, what if another gang had arrived, she thought.

It became deathly quiet outside, as Jake bravely opened the
door. "Mr. Lemonetti!" Jake yelled, "it's good to see you." 
Everyone sighed deeply at the news, and jumped up to greet him.

Mr. Lemonetti smiled as they all came out. Tina rushing over to
him with an affectionate hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she said, as she continued to
hug him.

He had to stand still, as he was trapped between Tina's massive
arms, then almost fell as she released him.

"I hope everything is fine," he said concerned.

"Wonderful!" Granny said, running over to him with a hearty
greeting.

Tina notice the car door opening.  David came out slowly, still
not quite recovered from his injuries.  His voice was halted,
weak from the effort of walking.  A nurse escorted him where he
walked, her name was Nancy.  Mr. Lemonetti choose her because
she was almost David's age, she had graduated ahead of her
class, and she was strong.  When David's feet were unsteady,
Nancy's arms were there for him to grab.

Tina had to look away, she knew she caused this, actually David
caused it, she reacted to him, but she felt guilty nonetheless.

Granny ran into the house, she saw David plight and thought she
could help. Within minutes, she carried a flask out for David.
"Drink this all up, it'll make you stronger," Granny said
compassionately.

David looked to his father, who nodded. "Anything Granny says,
you do!" Mr. Lemonetti said firmly.

David brought the flask to his lips, and drank timidly at first.
The salty, sweet, bitter, flavor of the drink made him pause,
but then his father's words came to him, and he drank the
contents.  His face became contorted as the effect of the potion
took effect. Suddenly he grabbed his stomach and bent over,
Nancy grabbing him before he fell.  His father rushed to him. 

"NO!" David yelled, his voice strong.

Everyone froze at his reaction.  He straightened up and walked
over to his father. "Father, I'm healed!" he exclaimed, and
hugged him. He broke away quickly as another manifestation of
his health was becoming apparent. It appeared the someone had
dropped a small log inside his pants, and it was growing. His
nurse, seeing the potential for embarrassment, ran in front of
him, blocking him from view.

Instinctively, he grabbed her around the chest and dragged her
back.  His breathing was becoming heavy as a berserker lust took
over.  The others rushed to help Nancy, but she yelled for them
to stop.

"Let me handle this!" she exclaimed, as she took control and ran
with him into the woods.  She knew with that much increase of
testosterone, he needed to release his semen or he would die.

In the woods, David went into a catatonic state. His scrotum had
enlarged, and the stress made him unable to function.  

Nancy slapped him hard in the face. She needed to have him
focus, so that she could give him direction. Again and again,
she hit him with powerful slaps, until he finally reacted with
anger.

"YES!" she yelled, "get angry, focus on the pain."

When he focused he realized his great need.  Nancy quickly
messaged his penis, she felt its already 3-inch girth swell in
response. Applying more pressure she caused him to moan, then
suddenly he showered her with copious amounts of semen. For 2
solid minutes, she was coated from her head to feet with his
cum. Finally he collapsed to the ground.  

Nancy knew the worst was over, and let him rest while she
cleaned up.  She removed her blouse and skirt, and used them, as
best she could, to wipe her face and neck. She had never seen
anyone so large, or anyone who had recovered from such an injury
in such a way.  That potion from that Granny woman must have
marvelous healing properties.  Obviously David had overdosed,
but this medical find would help millions.

While she was contemplating this, David awoke. Seeing Nancy
nude, stimulated him again. This time, however, he was in
control, his mad lust already sated. Nancy heard him approach
and appreciated his manhood. He obviously was ready to copulate,
and she was of a mind to let him.  He massaged her arms, which
she flexed revealing a 13-inch bicep. He kissed her bicep, and
put his hands on strategic places to give her maximum pleasure.
Her fit, tight, body responded and she became a willing vessel
of his love.

The others, wanting to give them privacy, yet concerned for
their well-being listened from afar for sounds of aggression.
After hearing his initial angry growl, and her yell of "YES!"
then were pleased when sounds of rhythmic moans and grunts
eminated from the trees.  As the sounds grew louder, they
themselves were getting excited, and the couples retired to
their perspective houses, while Mr. Lemonetti drove off on an
errand.

When he returned a few hours later, everyone was outside. Each
couple snuggling together as they talked about the days events.
Lemonetti had a Man of the Cloth with him. 

"Greetings all, I'm like you to meet Father Mulcahy. It looks
like you're all in the mood to get married, and I brought the
good father here to arrange it. If you accept, I'll pay for
everything, and even arrange for a honeymoon," Lemonetti said.

"Why are you doing this?" David asked.

"Well, from the sound of it, you weren't playing Go Fish!, and I
want your children, if you should have any, to be legit. I also
want to thank everyone else here for all they did for you.  I
know without their intervention, you would have died. So what do
you say?" Lemonetti asked.

As one, all the men dropped on one knee, in the symbolic
marriage proposal pose. "Will you marry me?" they asked in
unison.

Granny took the lead and lifted Elmer up and kissed him
passionately. "Ya Betcha!" she said fervantly.

They all laughed at her enthusiam, but quickly followed suit.

Nancy dropped to her knees to match David's posture, then hugged
him. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" she yelled with gust.

Everyone wanted to get married, but Tina realised her plight.
Jake would have to live away from her to work. Sadly she shook
her head. Jake was shocked at her response, and looked away in
disgust.

Mr. Lemonetti walked over to them, he grabbed Tina's right hand
and put it in Jake's left hand, then wrapped his own hand around
the joining.  "You belong together!" 

"But..." Tina began.

"No buts, I know what the problem is, and I'm going to solve it.
I've called the contruction crew back.  Tomorrow, they're
tearing down Granny's old house and building a larger building
in its place. One that's about 20,000 square feet.  It will
house a library and museum to celebrate the area and its
culture. I'm putting Jake in charge of it - don't worry, I
already cleared it with the library at Penn State - so he
doesn't have to leave the area."

Tina's legs gave out from under her. She was so deliriously
happy. Jake dropped to his knees. "Now will you marry me?" he
said smiling.

Tina could only shake her head "yes" as she starting crying.
Jake reached out and held her as she settled in next to his
chest. When she got her composure, she stood up, grabbing Jake's
hand as he stood with her. She could not speak as she gently
hugged Mr. Lemonetti. He returned her hug inviting Jake into a
group hug.

"Okay, let's get started," Lemonetti said. "We'll have a private
ceremony tonight, then I'll arrange for a big ceremony in three
days, and you'll all be married in Philly. I'll send limos for
you all."

Father Mulcahy didn't need to asked if the couples loved each
other.  Their respect and affection for each other were obvious.

They cleared the area and had the weddings in the open. Since
they were to be "married" again in a church service, they felt
they didn't have to dress up, although Nancy borrowed a dress
from Tina, while her's was in the wash.

The couples lined up in a row, Granny and Elmer, Nancy and
David, and finally, Tina and Jake.  Mulcahey gave a blessing to
them all, then individually asked the formal questions. 

"Who stands with the Bride?" he asked of Granny. "I do!" Tina
said proudly, walking over beside her and ceremoniously places
Granny's hand into Elmer's. "Who stands for the groom?" He asked
of Elmer. "I do!" Jake said, walking over to wrap a rope loosely
around the couple's hands, as a symbol of binding. "Will you,
Granny take Elmer to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the
Father said solemnly. "I do, with all my heart," she responded.
"Will you, Elmer, take Granny as your lawfully wedded wife?" the
Father asked. Elmer looked lovingly at Granny, "For always," he
said smiling.

He stepped over to Nancy and David, repeating the ceremony, with
Granny standing in for Nancy, and Mr. Lemonetti for his son.
Everyone cried, as David swept Nancy in his arms after saying "I
do!"

Tina trembled with excitement as Father Mulcahy finally got to
her. "Who stands with the Bride?" he asked. Granny walked over
to Tina, giving her a big hug, then placed Tina's hand in
Jake's. "I do, yer honor."  Being given her full history, Father
Mulcahy knew of the significance of the event, and carefully
phrased his question. "Do you, Tina, take this man, Jake, to be
your lawfully wedded husband. Will you protect him with your
strength, and honor him with your heart, as long as you both
shall live?"

The tears flowed as she quietly said, "I do."

"Who stands with the Groom?" the Father asked.

Elmer took his place next to his son, he gently hugged him, then
placed the binding cord around the young couple's hands. "It is
my honor, your honor."

"Jake, do you promise to love Tina, to appreciate the strength
she has on the inside, as well as the outside, to cherish to
selflessness, to protect her from harm, and to honor her the
rest of your days?"

Jake turned to Tina, then dropped to his knees. "Yes!" he said,
bowing to her. Like a knight giving fealty to his Queen, he
remained bowed, until she snapped the rope and lifted him up,
fiercely hugging him.

"By the power vested in me by the State of Pennsylvania, and in
front of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you all
husbands and wives."

A loud cheer was heard as all the townspeople celebrated. Even
the construction workers had returned, having parked their cars
a mile away to surprise the newlyweds.  They surrounded the
couples and as a force directed them to a park several miles
away.  Granny was surprised to see a large building that was
there earlier that week.  She was shocked when the sign on the
building said "Granny's Blessing." 

Mr. Lemonetti walked beside her as he explained.  "I had this
building built the same time as your house. This is a new
meeting hall. We've equipped it with the latest features. A full
kitchen and dining area, a dance floor which can be converted
into a sports arena, a satellite linkup for distance education
or just to watch the news in Italy (he winked), and many smaller
meeting rooms." He, then, led her outside to the well-equipped
playground, with many safety features.  She cried when she saw
the large metal pole surrounded by a tall fence. A lightning
rod! If she had had one before, Nellie would still be alive. 
Tina ran to her as she started to cry.

"Don't be sad, Granny," Tina said.

"I'm crying for joy, Child!" Granny explained. "I'm so happy,
and it's all because of you. You gave me my life back. Before
you, I was a bitter old woman, but you gave me love, and it
changed my life."

Tina stood motionless at Granny's words. She recalled her life
before she met Granny, how scared and powerless she felt. She
would have died, if not for Granny's ministrations.  When she
recovered, and remembered who nearly killed her, she was filled
with rage, until Granny's words of forgiveness hit her like a
ton of bricks.  Now, in love and married, she looked forward to
her wonderful life, all because of Granny. All her strength, and
her very life, she would give, willingly, for Granny.

"I love you, Granny," she whispered.

"I know," Granny responded, squeezing her hand.