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she got distracted by Mum.  Scout hated the carrier and would be quite vocal in letting the wedding guests know.
    “Katz, love, I’m going downstairs,” Mum said.  “I’ll meet you at the bottom landing, as rehearsed.  Oh, and Colleen, with those spikey heels, hang on to the handrail.  Be careful coming down.”
    Colleen rolled her eyes, “Yes, Mum.”
    After Mum left, Katherine said to Colleen.  “I’m a nervous wreck, but when I see Jake, I’ll know that everything will be okay.”
    Colleen pinched her on the arm, “Aren’t you glad you moved out here to find the perfect man?”
    Katherine grinnedear-to-ear.  She grabbed her beaded purse and extracted her cell phone.  She sent a text to the judge to begin.  Also, she asked her to signal Tommy to begin the Wedding March.  Muting her phone, she took Colleen by the arm.  “Age before beauty,” she joked.
    Colleen tossed back her hair and quipped, “We’re two months apart.  And, Miss Katz, you’re older.”
    The sound of the cats in the playroom had become very loud.  Katherine wondered if Elsa had them playing with the laser pointer toy.
    Colleen whispered, “Shouldn’t Elsa be trying to calm them down, instead of getting them all riled up?”
    “I’ll poke my head in, and see what’s going on.” Katherine slowly opened the door, and tried to peek in.  Iris squeezed through the tiny opening, and bolted down the stairs.  Katherine hastened after her.  Iris stopped abruptly on the second landing.
    Katherine called, “Come here, Miss Siam.”  Iris craned her neck, and tried to push her head through the balusters.  Taking one look at the gathering, she hissed, and hiked it back upstairs.  Katherine grabbed her and held her close.  She whispered, “I promise to check on you later.”  Katherine could hear loud laughter from the guests below.  “Wish me luck, my treasures,” she said to her cats.
    Iris yowled, Abby chirped, and Lilac me-yowled.  Abra cried a sweet “raw.”  But Scout cried a loud “waugh,” which seem to say to the other cats, “Shut up already, and move away from the door.”
    “Thanks, Scout.  I’ll see you in a minute,” Katherine said, closing the door.
    “Wait,” Elsa said, following after her.  “I’m sorry.  I promise not to open the door until I hear the word.  I’ll stay right here.”
    After the laughter died down, Tommy fired up the CD player, and the Wedding March began — again.
    Colleen said, “Let’s get this show on the road.”  She descended two steps and nearly tripped.  Looking back at Katz, she said, “I meant to do that.”
    Katherine waited until Colleen had gone down the second landing, then slowly made her descent.  When she turned the corner, all she could see was Jake — the love of her life — waiting for her.  Her brown-haired, brown-eyed handsome man looked dashing in his tuxedo.  She never felt so happy. 
    The feeling was mutual.  Jake’s adoring eyes locked onto hers. 
    Mum met her at the foot of the stairs and took her hand.  She led Katherine over to where Jake was standing.  Katherine scanned the room and smiled at each of the guests.  Grandpa Cokenberger blew her a kiss while Grandma nudged him in the ribs. 
    Judge Hartman stood in parlor doorway, behind a podium.  She nodded at Tommy to stop the music, which he did without a hitch.  She said to the small audience, “Who presents this woman to be married to this man?”
    Mum answered in her Irish brogue, “On behalf of those who are with us, and those who have gone before, I give my blessin’ to this union.”  She placed Katherine’s hand in Jake’s. 
    The couple stepped closer to the podium, with best man, Daryl, and maid of honor, Colleen, flanked on Jake’s and Katherine’s sides.
    “Katherine Orvenia Kendall, do you take Jake Johnny Cokenberger as your lawfully wedded husband?”
    “I do,” Katherine said, glowing.
    “Jake, do you take Katherine to be your legal wedded wife,