The wedding was small, only family in attendance. Thankfully the weather was clear and though it was not exactly balmy, it was warm enough that no one would need a coat.
She smiled to herself – early September had been the perfect time for the ceremony. The leaves were starting to change, a hint of color against the mountains, and the sound of the waves on the lake just reaching their ears.
It was exactly nothing like she had imagined her wedding to be. Juliette Elizabeth Hughes Waybourne had, after all, been a child of the finest schools and clothing and in her childhood had be allowed copious amounts of time to decide what color dresses the bridesmaids would wear (cornflower), the flowers she'd carry (white tea roses) and how long a train she'd have (cathedral).
Jules sighed as she recalled how she had loved those times once, how her mother had approved of it and bought her magazines with pretty pictures she cut out. It had been the only real good interactions they'd had.
Glancing down at her shoes, she couldn't help the smile.
Hal had been good for her, though her mother had lost interest in him within a few years. He took on the role of being a father to her with no intention of failing the girl as several had before, going so far as to petition the court for adoption not too long before the divorce. While her mother had contested, at the age of 17, the judge had taken Juliette's wishes into consideration.
It had been a hard decision to make and looking back on it, she could honestly say that she knew it had broken her mother's heart. It had, however been the right decision for herself, and she'd never regretted it.
He'd helped her through college, helped her find her first home, and learn what it was to work for a living. He'd accepted Auggie's place in her life without reservation or disdain and the night her boyfriend proposed, Hal had calmed her when she grew upset with a simple statement - "He's a good man, Juliette, and he loves you."
Which led her right back to the place she stood with her platinum colored floor-length dress and ballerina flats, the bouquet of wildflowers in a vase near the door to wait until it was time.
The chairs had been set up that morning and taken down by afternoon, replaced with the wicker furniture and benches they'd all remembered. Jeff and Peter had joked it would make a good exercise for the students, putting it all back, but Juliette knew they'd be doing it themselves before nightfall.
"Jules," Peter said, reaching out to touch her shoulder gently. "You ready?"
She turned to look beside her, watching Daisy in her black gown fiddle with Ezra's hair while Sophie looked on with little Jocelyn Scarbrow in her arms and Shelby adjusting the strap of her soft pink dress while Scott laughed with David. Kat was rolling her eyes at something Hank said, juggling baby Shannon on her hip as toddler Cole ran laps around her legs; Jeff looked dizzy from watching them.
And beyond her family was Hal standing beside Auggie, both looking happy.
"Yeah, I guess so."