"You don't marry someone you can live with – you marry someone you cannot live without." – Unknown
December 4, 1939
"Come on, Peter! We are going to be late if you don't hurry up," Lilian said as she stepped into the bedroom, seeing how her husband still stood in front of the full-length mirror and fiddled with his blue tie.
"Just one more minute. Ya took an eternity to get ready."
"Yeah, with your constant nagging in my ear to hurry up." Lilian walked over to Peter and turned him away from the mirror. She grabbed his tie and began to tie it while saying, "I thought the military had taught you by now how to tie your tie."
"I can tie me tie!" Peter exclaimed. "M'just excited for Mavis' weddin'." As Lilian put the finishing touches to his tie and stepped back from him, he whistled. "Me god, ya look beautiful!"
Lilian wore the light blue dress with the white pin-striped skirt Peter had bought for her on his last home leave. She had combined the dress with white shoes, small silver earrings and the bracelet he had bought along with the dress; it was made out of aquamarine blue gems in silver rectangular settings. Peter knew that the gems were fake considering that he could actually afford the bracelet, but it looked beautiful nonetheless. Especially if it was on his gorgeous wife's wrist. Although it did not match the rest of the outfit, Lilian also wore the golden necklace he had given her on their first Christmas they celebrated as a couple. Their wedding day was the only day she had taken it off; it was a sign of the beginning of their relationship.
"You're not too far behind, mister," Lilian answered while she took a good look at her husband.
Peter wore his RAF service dress, which consisted of a blue shirt and tie and a blue-grey suit.
"The wedding is going to be a treat to the eyes. All those men in sharp uniforms," Lilian smirked.
" 'ey! Remember, ya can look all ya want, but at the end of the day, I'm the one who will take ya 'ome," Peter answered with fake jealousy.
"Oh, really?" Lilian laughed. She wanted to tease her husband a bit and said, "And I was looking forward to picking up someone. Maybe Henry with his sailor uniform?"
" 'at wanker?"
Lilian grabbed Peter's suit jacket from the bed and helped her husband in it. "Your right, Henry's much too old for me. But what about Alexander? I'm sure he'll look dashing in his Army uniform."
After he had buttoned up his jacket and closed his belt, Peter turned around to face his wife. The sparkle in her husband's eyes showed Lilian how proud he was to wear his flying wings which were on his left chest.
Peter stepped closer to Lilian and placed his hands on her hips. " 'e might look good, but I'm sure 'e can't do this," he said and leaned down, pressing his lips softly on hers.
Lilian put her arms around his neck while Peter pulled her tightly against his body. He let his tongue travel over her soft lips before gently nibbling on her bottom lips. A quiet moan Lilian's lips, and Peter used the opportunity to sneak his tongue into his wife's mouth. After a sweet game of tug o' war, they broke apart but stayed in each other's arms.
Lilian smiled at her husband and said, "You're right; Alexander couldn't do that."
"I knew ya would say 'at."
Peter kissed Lilian on the cheek before stepping away from her. Lilian went to the bed and put on her winter coat and took her handbag before following her husband to the hallway. After they left the building their flat was in, Peter grabbed Lilian's hand as they made their way to the church where they had tied the knot almost one year and six months ago.
When they entered the church, Peter said, "Go find us a place. I'm goin' to pop me 'ead into Mavis' room to see 'ow she is doin'."
Peter pressed his lips shortly on his wife's cheek before heading to the backrooms. Lilian entered the church's main room, seeing how it was already packed with family and friends of Mavis and Jonathan. She walked down the aisle until she reached the front rows on the right side where her in-laws sat.
"There ya are!" Mary, who also sat in the second row, exclaimed. "Where's Peter?"
"Sorry for being late," Lilian said while she sat down in the second row, right next to the aisle. "Peter went to check on Mavis." Since it was warmer in the church than it was on the streets, Lilian buttoned up her winter coat and put it on the bench's backrest.
"What a gorgeous dress," Emma complimented. She sat together with her family in the first row.
Lilian smiled shyly. "Thank you. Peter bought it for me on his last home leave."
"Well, me brother definitely 'as taste," Emma said. Her eyes focused on something behind Lilian. " 'ey, Peter. 'ow's our little sister doin'?"
Peter sat down to Lilian's right. "She's doin' fine; nervous but fine."
"Well, who wasn't nervous on their weddin' day?" Mary asked with a laugh.
"I wasn't," Henry chipped in, who sat behind Lilian and Peter in the third row.
"Don't talk rubbish!" Peter exclaimed without turning to face his brother. "I could see ya shakin' from me place in the second row."
Everyone chuckled except for Henry, who shot daggers at Peter. Lilian smiled at her husband as she slipped her small hand in his, revelling in the memories of her own wedding day. Getting dressed in the same backroom Mavis was currently occupying, being calmed by her brother, walking down the aisle to Peter who had looked astonishing in his suit. And of course, being pronounced husband and wife; the moment Peter and she became a family for everyone to see. Peter squeezed her hand and looked at her, a big smile on his face. His eyes were sparkling and Lilian knew he was thinking about the exact same day.
Lilian had just placed her head on Peter's shoulder when someone tapped on her shoulder. She turned her head to see that it was Nellie, Mavis' best friend and maid of honour. She was dressed in a pastel purple dress and her blonde hair was tied into a bun.
"Could ya please come with me?" Nellie asked.
"Is everythin' alright with Mavis?" Peter asked, a hint of concern evident in his voice.
"Yes, it's just 'at…," Nellie's voice trailed off, not finding the right words.
"Probably just some female problems," Lilian offered.
"Yes, 'at's it! Just didn't know 'ow to phrase it," Nellie said relieved.
Lilian squeezed Peter's hand. "I'm back in a second."
Lilian rose to her feet and followed Nellie out of the church's main room. All the while, Peter watched her, utterly confused about Nellie's behaviour.
When Lilian stepped into the bride's backroom, she was greeted by Mavis standing in front of the full-length mirror. The dress she wore was snow white and loosely in the style of a Cinderella dress. Because of the icy temperatures that the beginning of December brought to London, she wore an equally white bolero jacket on top with the sleeves ending at her wrist. The colour of the dress stood in high contrast to Mavis' raven black hair, which had been braided into a French plait.
"Hello, Mavis," Lilian said while Nellie closed the door behind her, waiting in the hallway outside of the room.
Mavis turned to look at her sister-in-law. " 'ey, Lilian."
"Is everything alright?" Lilian asked with concern. "Peter said you were a bit nervous. Is that why I should follow Nellie?"
"Not exactly." Mavis sighed and sat down at the couch in the middle of the room. She took the flower bouquet from the small table next to the couch and gazed at it. "Do ya think I do the right thin'?"
Lilian sat down next to her. "The right thing? Are you doubting your decision to marry Jonathan?"
"No, but…" Mavis closed her eyes. "I asked Nellie to get ya because ya are the last one of us who got married and because I'm sure Peter would not understand. Besides, I value yer opinion; ya're like a real sister to me."
Lilian had to swallow upon Mavis' words which moved her to tears. She placed her hand on Mavis' wrist and softly said, "You are like a real sister to me too. So let us go through this step for step. Are you doubting your love for Jonathan?"
"No!" Mavis exclaimed. " 'e's the sweetest guy I 'ave ever been with. When I look into 'is eyes, I see me future in them. With 'im. Jonathan is the only one I can picture meself growin' old with."
"That's good to hear. But what makes you think you might do the wrong thing by marrying Jonathan?"
Mavis sighed again and closed her eyes as she felt tears welling up inside her. "It's the timin'. I mean, look around us. All me brothers are dressed in a military uniform; Jonathan wears one too. 'e, Peter, and most of the others are gettin' transferred to another English town or to France in the next week. We're at war, Lilian. Who knows if all of them come back to us? What if Jonathan will not come back? I will be a widow before I even was a wife."
"I know that the time is frightening. Everyone is worried for their husband, brother, uncle, father. We're at war, Mavis, and all of us know what has happened during the last one; whether because we lived through it or because of stories we've been told. But trust me: your fear for Jonathan will not vanish if you not marry him today and if you remain girlfriend and boyfriend for the war. It's scary to think about it, but Jonathan could die no matter if you marry him or not." Lilian had to stop for a moment before she found the strength to continue. "Just like Peter could die. Or Thomas. Or Henry. Or Alexander. But don't let this frightening situation take away the joy of marrying the love of your life. Don't think about what could happen in the future. Just focus on your love for Jonathan. Enjoy every second you have with him until he ships out to France."
Mavis slowly raised her glance at Lilian, a small smile circling around her lips. "Ya're right, Lilian. Thank ya very much for lendin' me a sympathetic ear."
Lilian gave her a hug, careful to not damage her sister-in-law's outfit. "No need to thank me. We're family." She backed away and said, "And now I want you to enjoy your last minutes of being an unmarried woman. Look at yourself in the mirror once more, let Nellie tell you calming words, and then you go out there, take your father's arm and walk down the aisle to Jonathan. Alright?"
"Alright."
Lilian smiled at Mavis one more time before leaving the small bridal room. As she stepped out of the room, she saw Nellie leaning against the wall across from the room.
"Everything's fine," Lilian said. "But I think she could use her maid of honour now."
Nellie's face showed her relief while she walked past Lilian into the room. Lilian closed the door behind Nellie and made her way back into the church's main room.
When she sat down next to her husband, Peter asked, "What was the problem?"
"Like I said, just some female trouble," Lilian answered with a grin on her face. "Nothing you need to worry about."
Peter wanted to say something further, but he was cut off by the organ that started to play. Everyone turned to see Nellie walking down the aisle. When she reached the front of the church where Pastor North, Jonathan, and his best man stood, Mavis and her father stepped into the main room. Everyone rose to their feet and watched how the bride slowly walked up to the groom. After William Newkirk passed over his daughter to his soon to be son-in-law, everyone sat down again. Peter slid his arm around Lilian's shoulder, prompting his wife to lean closer against him.
They listened to Pastor North's speech and eventually, he asked for the bride and groom's vows. After Mavis and Jonathan each spoke heart-melting words, they received the wedding rings from their maid of honour and best man.
Peter moved his mouth to Lilian's ear, and while Jonathan repeated the words Pastor North told him, Peter whispered the words he had said on his own wedding day.
"With this ring, I, Peter Newkirk…Take ya, Lilian Wheeler…To be me wedded wife…I promise to love and 'onour ya, through sorrows and joys, through sickness and 'ealth…Until death do us part."
He kissed his wife on the cheek and looked back at the front of the church, seeing how Jonathan slipped the wedding ring on his sister's ring finger. Then it was Lilian who moved her mouth to his ear and also whispered the words she had spoken on her wedding day.
"With this ring, I, Lilian Wheeler…Take you, Peter Newkirk…To be my wedded husband…I promise to love and honour you, through sorrows and joys, through sickness and health…Until death do us part."
She repeated her husband's actions and kissed him on his cheek before watching how Mavis slipped the wedding ring on Jonathan's finger. Lilian leaned back against Peter's shoulder while Pastor North pronounced Jonathan and Mavis husband and wife. As Jonathan kissed Mavis, everyone started to applaud the newlywed couple. When they walked down the aisle a while later, Lilian watched them, but in her mind, it was she and Peter who walked out of the church after their own wedding.
Hours later, the wedding reception was in full swing. People were dancing or mingling, talking and laughing with each other. Especially the children had a lot of fun while they were playing with each other.
Lilian sat at a table with Mavis and watched the crowd. Then the music changed to a slow song and the many couples found their way to the dancing floor.
From the right side of the hall came Jonathan, who held his hand out to Mavis while asking with a smirk on his face, "May I abduct my wife for this dance?"
"Of course," Lilian said and watched how Jonathan led Mavis to the middle of the dance floor, both staring into each other's eyes as they swayed in time with the music.
Lilian was completely wrapped up in watching the other people dance that she did not notice how someone approached her. Suddenly, she heard a voice asking, "May I 'ave this dance?"
Lilian turned her head to the left and saw Peter standing next to her, a broad smile on his face and his hand stretched out to her. She placed her hand in his and stood up from her chair. Peter manoeuvred them through the mass of dancing couples to a free spot on the dance floor. He wrapped his right arm around his wife's waist and pulled her close to his body. The other hand had a gentle grip around Lilian's small hand. Peter felt how Lilian placed her head on his shoulder, which made him lean down and place a tender kiss on her chestnut brown hair.
"I still can't believe that only last year, we were the one's getting' married," Peter said after a while.
"Feels like it has happened yesterday," Lilian answered. "You know what I cannot believe?"
"What?"
"That you leave for England's east coast to fight the Germans in a week."
"Don't think about 'at," Peter said as he kissed his wife's head again. "Let us enjoy the next week without thinkin' about me transfer."
"How should I not think about this, Peter? I'm thinking about you and Samuel every waking moment."
Peter moved Lilian's hand against his chest, placing it over his heart. "No matter where I am, I'm only a heart beat away from ya. Whenever ya feel alone or scared, just close yer eyes and I will be there. Always."