'By the power vested in me by God, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.' They had discussed it about a week ago-would the nuns feel uncomfortable if they kissed I'm front of them? Would Shelagh feel uncomfortable kissing him in front of the nuns? Her fervent kiss in response had told him otherwise. Now he would kiss her again. He hadn't kissed her in nearly 24 hours and he was in withdrawal. He had been just about staying okay until he had turned to see her walking down the aisle towards him. She was more beautiful than any sight he had lain eyes on, seemingly floating as she made her way closer. It had taken all he had not to dip her in a deep and extremely non chivalrous kiss that would have turned the nuns white. Now he could finally satisfy his yearn. Grinning at his beaming wife, whose eyes were glittering with unshed tears of joy, he called behind him.
'Tim.'
'On it Dad.' Tim turned to face the wall and covered his eyes causing a laugh to echoing through the church. Patrick leant down and caught her lips in his.
It was the sweetest kiss either had experienced, suffused with relief that they had finally made it to this point after too many months of heartbreak and unmitigated happiness that they were now married. Pulling back they barely registered the cheers of the gathering of their friends and family. All that mattered was the person in front of them and the boy stood behind Patrick. Shelagh beckoned Timothy towards them and wrapped him in a tight hug that was enthusiastically returned.
'I'm so glad you're my Mum now.' Tim grinned pulling back slightly to look up at her.
'I'm so proud you're my son. I love you Timothy dearest.' She kissed the top of his head as he fell back into her shoulder. Looking at her new husband her heart skipped a beat. There was a special look he reserved for seeing Shelagh and Timothy together, she had seen it several times since their engagement,especially since Christmas Eve when their lives had changed, but this was more intense than she had ever seen. It was deeper, richer, prouder. She leant forwards and kissed him again.
'Ewww. Muuuuum!' Tim groaned trying to escape her embrace but instead found himself trapped from the other side as his Dad hugged the pair chuckling at his actions. Eventually he managed to wriggle his way out from their arms though he couldn't quite bring himself to be annoyed as he saw his parents looking so happy together.
Taking his escape as a sign to move the nuns and nurses surged forwards to congratulate the couple. Shelagh was hugged more times by more people than she could remember in her life. Patrick on the other hand was on the receiving a stern talking to from Sister Evangelina with thinly veiled threats if he ever hurt Shelagh. Timothy was attempting to avoid the fussing of distant relatives of his father's who he hadn't seen in a while. The Turners were a family once more.