The wedding reception felt very relaxed, as members of the wedding party mingled with the guests, the bride took turns dancing with family members, and tending to her own son - barely a week old. This wasn't exactly the 'princess' wedding Colleen, the young rabbit woman, had wanted; but when her son decided to show up a week early, the day before her 'original' wedding date - there was little choice her fiancé or she had in the matter. What was to be an ornate church wedding was now a community church affair - the minister replaced by a judge her father knew and the catered food meant for a fancy banquet hall was hastily pushed into the basement of the same community church where she had said her vows and became Mrs. Colleen Meer a short hour ago. Despite all the things that had to change when the original plans couldn't be kept, she couldn't think of anything wrong with her new choice in a band.
Kyle's fingers strummed across the face of the blonde wood guitar, with a certain elegance practiced by experienced performers. 'Serendipity' sung under his practiced fingering, as it had for his father, and its previous owners before him. It made Kyle feel connected to them all as he played. Behind him, Joy and Sarah were dressed in beautifully pink formal dresses, sharing a single microphone as the hippo and fennec sang their parts of the music. Although he saw them every day at work, they allowed their elegant maturity show in this venue - and he knew that if they had not agreed to help him with Colleen's request, he might not have found the nerve. Their lilac perfumes were also a nice change, not overpowering - but providing enough of a note to be present. His own voice added to theirs in a certain 'folksie' harmony as they played the musical set list, headed by a very beautiful performance of 'The Wedding Song' just after the wedding while still within the chapel area. Their musical performance of the folk music of the 60s and 70s gave a certain...older style to the whole affair - much appreciated by the more mature crowd amongst the party guests.
As the last song wrapped up, and some recorded music filled in to give them a break, a red fox lady - undoubtedly a friend of the bride or groom, came to stage and talked to Kyle, "Your all really great, do you have a website or something - since I would love you guys to play at my wedding!" she exclaimed, as she looked at the trio.
"Ummm, we usually...don't play weddings." Kyle started, trying to choose the right words, as Sarah injected , "...or any event, really." Joy simply nodded, looking surprised.
"Awww, you guys are the greatest live band I've heard in a long time... anyone who can play Simon and Garfunkel songs like that HAS to be professional" the red fox woman offered.
Joy managed to summon, "...we're professionals - that's for sure.." with a smile, as the red fox woman looked confused. Kyle chuckled, the insides of his ears blushed as he couldn't manage to speak. Colleen came over with her son in her arms, noticing the conversation, "Hey there! What's so funny, gang?"
The red fox woman, looking remarkably frustrated, ears splayed as she said, "They...I...I'm looking for a wedding band. All of the ones I've heard really suck... and these guys are awesome. Where did you find them and how might I hire them since they aren't really saying..."
Sarah offered, "Here's the thing, there is a reason for that" rubbing the back of her neck, behind her waist-length braided hair.
"They aren't professional musicians... I asked them to play my wedding and they agreed if I paid their fees to charity... minus the cover music fees for playing the songs of course..." Colleen explained, her son remained asleep in her arms.
"Fees? They aren't musicians, you said - what fees?" the red fox woman stated, crossing her arms in frustration, akin to a child who had been told they couldn't have a toy or candy at the store during a shopping trip.
Colleen looked at Joy, who nodded and shrugged, if to silently give permission. Colleen said, "When my original wedding went south... you know...when little Joey decided to come early? Joy...and Sarah..." she paused, looking at Kyle before the rabbit woman continued, "They are my midwives. I'm paying their professional fees to have them play music...versus..."
Kyle offered an interjection, "...catching babies. Midwifery. The second or first oldest profession, depending on which of the two you ask. Professional baby delivering..." with a blushing smile. Joy said, "All true. We're CNMs, not musicians..." as the lady looked at them, then Kyle - who merely nodded and offered, "...also a baby catcher... guilty as charged"
The red fox woman stood flabbergasted, as Colleen chuckled - unable to have explained it any more elegantly or to the point than that.
