Chapter 3

This chapter is a little more boring than the others, but I hope everyone still likes it.

January 1780

Sarah could see Philadelphia in the distance. She did not realize how much she missed the city until she saw it again. So much of her life had been spent here; her whole adolescence in fact. It felt like an eternity until the ship got close enough to the dock to start seeing people. Sarah was leaned over the railing looking for James' face.

"I don't see him, Mother! He hasn't come!"

Lady Philips took her daughter's face in her hands. "Calm yourself, Sarah. We are not even fully docked yet. Wait until you get off the ship to determine that."

Sarah looked at the crowd again, hoping to see James' familiar face. Then, there he was, standing by some stacked crates, wearing his best suit.

"There he is! I see him, Mother! He's come! He still loves me!"

"What did I tell you, Sarah?" her mother said, smiling, "Love always prevails and I knew he loved you too much not to come."

Sarah hugged her mother tightly and then ran full speed down the gangplank in James' direction. She had to elbow through the crowd, but she finally got to him. She threw herself into his arms and savoured the strength of his body. She broke down into tears, as did James.

"I-I'm so glad you're here, James. I d-didn't think you would come."

"Of course I came. I love you Sarah. I'm sorry for what I said." They both sunk to the ground then, still joined in an embrace.

"I'm sorry too, James. I love you so much!" She kissed him then with all of the passion she could muster up. Sarah needed to take a breath when they moved apart. She stared into his blue eyes and saw all the love he had for her in them. He had tears running down his face.

"I really missed having the locket around my neck while I was gone."

James had a roguish smile on his face and reached into his pocket. "I guess you want it back then."

Sarah smiled and nodded. James took the locket out of his pocket and put it back around her neck. He reached back into his pocket. "I suppose you want this back too." He held up the diamond and sapphire ring.

Sarah was too emotional to speak. She nodded her head as tears poured down her face. She extended her left hand to James and he put the ring back in its place. Sarah kissed him again.

"Ah-hem," someone said. James and Sarah broke their kiss and looked up into Lady Philips' face. In her excitement at seeing James again, Sarah had completely forgotten her mother. She was also aware that she and James were kneeling in the snow. They both stood up. "Mother, I apologize for being so rude. This is James. James, this is my mother, Lady Anne Philips."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Philips," James said and then kissed her hand. "I've heard so much about you."

"I've heard much about you too, James," she said smiling. "Shall we head to the print shop now?"

"Wait a moment!" James said suddenly, "I have a surprise for both of you." Sarah rolled her eyes.

"James, it's very cold out here. Can't we go home?"

"Not yet. Please just close your eyes." Sarah and her mother closed their eyes and waited.

"Alright, open them."

When Sarah opened her eyes, she saw her father standing in front of her. "FATHER!" she shouted. She ran to him and hugged him. Her mother joined the hug. Sarah looked up at her father. "How did you get here?"

Major Philips smiled down at his daughter. "James sent me a letter explaining that you were getting married and that it would mean the world to you if I were in attendance for it."

Sarah gasped and looked at James. He had his hands behind his back and was blushing a little. She felt a fresh flood of tears coming as she walked over to James. "You did this for me?"

"Of course I did. I just want our wedding day to be perfect," he said as he stroked her cheek.

They walked back to the print shop, arm in arm.

Later, they were all back at the print shop sitting in the parlour, drinking tea and talking about James and Sarah's wedding. It was still planned for the next day. Suddenly, Sarah sat up straight and had a worried look on her face.

"Is there something wrong, Sarah?" Lady Philips asked.

"I just realized that I have nothing to wear for the wedding tomorrow, Mother. I never had a chance to look for a dress."

Lady Philips looked worried too. "Well. We can do some quick changes to one of your existing gowns." Sarah still looked upset.

James cleared his throat. "I may have a fix to this problem," he piped up.

Sarah looked at him, eyebrows raised. "What do you mean, James?"

"There might be a little something hanging in your wardrobe." At that moment, Sarah leaped off the sofa and ran up the stairs. Her mother went after her and James and Major Philips followed slowly behind. Sarah reached her room and tore open the door of her wardrobe. Hanging on the door was a beautiful lavender gown with pink trim and pink petticoats underneath. She could not believe it. She had pointed this dress out to James one day before they were even engaged! She had mentioned casually that it was the dress she would wear for her wedding one day. He remembered, she thought to herself. She fingered the smooth silky material and sighed to herself.

She heard her mother gasp behind her. "It's so beautiful."

Sarah turned around and looked at James leaning in the doorway. Her lip quivered and tears fell again. She was completely speechless. It had been a day full of surprises. She walked over to James and hugged him tight. "Thank you," she whispered.

He tipped her chin up to look at him. "It was all worth it so see your face and make you happy."

"You were right about one thing, James. I am spoiled, but now that's your doing."

They both laughed and went back to the parlour. Sarah knew that tomorrow would truly be the best day of her life.

Sarah woke to a lovely sunny morning. She knew that today her life would change; she would soon be Mrs. Sarah Hiller. She rolled onto her back and smiled. She was so grateful that this day had come. She thought about all that had happened over the last few months. She had doubted that she would actually marry James after their fight, but it was really happening. A knock on the door interrupted her memories.

"Come in."

Lady Philips walked in. "How did you sleep, darling?"

"Fine, Mother."

"Are you excited about today?"

"I certainly am."

"You are going to look so lovely in your wedding dress."

"Thank you, Mother."

"I have something for you."

Sarah sat up and looked at her mother. She handed Sarah a small box wrapped in light blue paper. Sarah tore off the paper and opened the box. Inside was a hair comb with a pink silk rose sewed onto it.

"It's beautiful, Mother. Thank you."

"I thought it would look lovely in your hair." Sarah smiled. "I suppose you should get up now and get ready."

Sarah hugged her mother and then got out of bed. Her mother helped her into her dress and did her hair for her. Sarah's hair was arranged with a braid wrapped around the back of her head and the rest curled in ringlets down her neck. Finally, her mother put her rose comb in her hair.

"Simply lovely!" Lady Philips exclaimed.

James and Major Philips had already arrived at the church. It was a small church at the end of the street, but it was sufficient for a wedding the size of theirs. The only people in attendance would be James and Sarah, Major and Lady Philips, Moses and Henri. Dr. Franklin was still in France. James made sure everything was fine and clean. Sarah would like it that way. Unfortunately, now all there was to do was waiting for the ladies to show up.

Twenty minutes later they heard the rumble of a carriage outside the church. Major Philips looked out the window. "It's them. Are you ready, James?"

James took a breath and nodded. He was nervous, but he did not know why. He was marrying the woman he loved today. Why be nervous about that? Major Philips went outside to help the ladies as Moses came up and stood beside James. He put his hand on James' shoulder to settle him. Henri went to the front of the church. He was going to escort Sarah's mother up the aisle. Henri and Lady Philips came up the aisle and sat in their places and then James looked up to see Sarah and her father at the doors. Sarah looked absolutely beautiful. Her dress was perfect and her hair was done in a lovely style. With every step she took, James felt some of his nervousness melted away. Soon she was beside him.

"You look so beautiful," he whispered to Sarah.

"Thank you," she whispered back.

The pastor started the ceremony, saying the usual phrases. Rings were exchanged and then came the first kiss as husband and wife. They both savoured this kiss and wished it could last forever. They were now married and neither of them could believe it.

Back at the print shop, everyone celebrated with a huge meal. Major Philips stood and started to speak: "Today is certainly a wondrous and joyous day. Every father both fears and anticipates his daughter's wedding day. It is the day that she truly becomes a woman. I am comforted by the fact that Sarah has someone like James as her husband. I could not have chosen a better husband for her." Everyone raised their glasses in the toast and Sarah hugged her father. "I also have an announcement to make," Major Philips said. "Lady Philips and I have decided to move to America. We will be buying land in Albany, New York."

Sarah was thrilled! Her parents would be living in New York; a two week journey, rather than a two month journey to England. This was truly the best day of her life. Her whole family was together in America, just like they always dreamed about, and now James was part of that family.