The Wedding Day
Rosemary stretched her arms above her shoulders and then rolled over against her husband's warm back as the first rays of the morning sun reached into their cozy bedroom.
The room was slightly chilly and she nuzzled closely to him, burrowing her face into his neck. He smelled wonderful and she breathed his scent in as a warm happiness flowed through her. She worked her arms around his thick chest to squeeze him closer.
"Mornin' Sweetheart…"He mumbled as his own arm snaked up to hers and he covered her hand and laced his big fingers through her small ones.
Behind him, Rosemary stretched her lower extremities a bit and then returned the favor by intertwining her legs with his.
Lee let a satisfied smile cross his own face. "You feel so good."
"So do you." Rosemary nipped his shoulder with a tiny kiss.
"I guess I better get up and get at it." Lee sighed but made no move to get up.
Rosemary's head popped up. "Lee! Surely you're not going into work today!"
Lee lifted his head from the pillow and craned his neck to see her. She was blurry to his sleepy eyes but he hid his amusement at the way her hair was disheveled. She never liked to think she looked anything other than perfect. And besides, he secretly loved her 'less than perfect' look –especially in his bed.
So…he gave into his constant temptation to tease her. "Sweetheart, the mill isn't going to run itself."
Rosemary made an awkward aghast noise that made Lee fight back a chuckle.
Then, he felt the light sting of her smack on his arm.
"Lee Coulter! Two of our best friends are getting married today!"
Lee made a show of scratching his head. "Was that today?"
"Lee! Surely you didn't forget! You are the best man after all!" Rosemary was fully awake now and sitting half up in the bed glaring down at him. "No, no you simply cannot work today! It will take all morning to prepare. There are the flowers to help get arranged and then Abigail will need help with the tables and then we have to get dressed and..."
Lee stopped her stream of words with a finger to her lips. He leaned over to her, looking down at the pretty pink, sheer nightgown she wore and then back up at her. Leaning down, without removing his finger, he placed his lips just beneath her ear and gave a small, soft, open-mouthed kiss.
He smiled as he felt her shudder slightly. He knew her weak spots. Then, he moved his mouth to her ear. "I could be persuaded, I suppose, to forgo work for today with the …" He kissed her neck again. "proper motivation?"
Rosemary leaned her neck back ever so slightly with a sigh. "But Lee…we have so much to do."
Lee smiled wider as he knew he had her with just the slightest nudge. He loved this woman. He moved his finger and brought his mouth to the edge of hers and gave a whisper of a kiss.
"And I can't think of a more important chore than this to get an important wedding day started."
He gently pushed her back onto the soft, warm bedding and she gave him a small smile back, and opened her arms.
###############
The bright morning sun was just getting up from the horizon into the sky as Jack rode atop the final peak. He paused his horse to gaze down into the beautiful valley he called 'home'. He had finally made it. And down there, he would be married today and begin his new life with his new family.
It felt…rather perfect.
Jack took just a moment's rest to soak it all in. He closed his eyes briefly and turned his face toward the sun giving a moment's thanks for his blessings.
His mind's eye flashed back a just a few weeks before- to the day he'd ridden across this same ridge into town after being away fighting so very long.
The sun had just been setting in the early evening sky that day. The spring air had been a bit cooler that day. He'd led his horse down the road into town and he remembered catching his breath as he'd first gotten sight of Hope Valley up ahead.
He suddenly had wanted to gallop faster. Yet, he also wanted to stop. Would it be the same? Would she still feel the same as when he'd left? Was she hurt? Upset with him? Disappointed in him? Could they pick up where they had the night before he'd left. The night he'd ask her to marry him? He knew his own feelings and they remained true and steadfast but then, he hadn't been the one asked to wait behind. Elizabeth's letters always pledged devotion and love to him. But she had waited so long on him-too long than he'd had a right to ask? He tried to push away the guilt and sadness he'd always felt when he thought of his time away.
Yes, he'd left the woman he loved more than anything in this world behind.
He'd done what had to be done for his country; he had answered the call.
It hadn't been easy but the most difficult decision and action he'd ever taken in his life.
And now, he was coming home to where his heart resided.
He'd ridden that day down this same steep trail and onto the main road. It had been nearing dusk and the streets were relatively empty from the hubbub of the day's activities; most the businesses closed. He'd had not a thought of stopping by the jail or greeting anyone in town so he'd removed his red jacket and taken the side road around town to approach the row houses. He would greet everyone else later. There was only one place he had wanted to be at that moment.
As he'd stopped at the door, he'd taken a deep breath and knocked. But he'd heard no sound. Elizabeth never went to bed this early. She was always awake well past dusk reading or writing or preparing her lessons. He'd knocked again but again all he'd heard was silence. He remembered thinking perhaps she was at Abigail's.
He was just about to untie his horse and go into town to find her when he heard a sound around back.
It sounded like…
'Oh Danny Boy…'
Her sweet singing voice had filtered to his ears as an instant balm to his soul. He had slowly moved around back of the house to find her turned away from him, still humming as she removed the clothing items from the line before the evening dew dampened them.
She continued to hum softly as she removed the last remaining wash from the clothesline, her long arms reaching up and her slender form stretching. He'd watched her, mesmerized for a long moment. Unable to move. Unable to breath. He'd feared if he broke the moment, she might disappear like she had in so many of his dreams.
She'd never been more beautiful to him than she had been at that moment. He waited on her pick up the basket, to turn, to finally see him.
And then, she did.
And the humming…stopped.
He remembered vaguely that the clothesbasket was dropped with no more thought of it. But he hadn't seen it dropped because he'd never taken his eyes from her face. All he knew to do was hold out his arms to her. He hadn't trusted his legs to carry him in that moment.
He remembered her gasp of surprise. "Jack!"
He couldn't recall how they had moved together. Only that they did.
And then she was in his arms. And they'd fallen together to their knees on the soft ground. Her lips instantly met his and they'd fallen to their knees as their hands touched seemingly everywhere they could reach. Her hair through his fingers had felt incredible. Her skin was softer than silk beneath his fingertips.
He could still feel his own back against the dewy grass and then he remembered turning her and looking down into her beautiful face and kissing her over and over and over. The only thing he remembered after that was the feel of her in his arms for the first time in a long time.
They hadn't breathed for what seemed like hours. Just touched and kissed and hugged and held.
Perfect.
Jack shook himself back to the present.
It had been that kind of a moment in his life-a flawless moment in time that you can never forget.
He looked to the sky and smiled again at the sun as it warmed his face.
And this day –their long-awaited wedding day-was going to be a perfect day to join alongside that memory.
He began to whistle 'Danny Boy' as he guided his mount down the trail toward home.
######
"Knock! Knock!"
Elizabeth looked up from her coffee to see Abigail's head poking around the corner of the doorway.
Her hands held a box of wedding paraphernalia. Elizabeth instantly rose and crossed over to her. "Good Morning!"
Abigail's smile was as bright as the sun as Elizabeth approached. "I just ran into Bill and guess who just rode into town this morning right on schedule?"
"OH! Is he over at the jail? I have to go over and see him!" She squealed and hugged Abigail as best she could around the box.
"You will do no such thing!" Rosemary's voice filtered in the room behind them as she trailed in holding yet another box. "It's terrible luck to see the groom before the wedding!"
Elizabeth made a sad, pleading face. "But I haven't seen Jack in days!"
Rosemary made a face back. "And after this wedding, you two will have plenty of time to get…reacquainted."
She cast Abigail a knowing glance and winked at her.
Abigail gave a small wink back and made no move to suggest differently and Elizabeth felt a bit exasperated.
"I don't think a few minutes to say hello will shake the world." She looked to Abigail for help but she just shrugged as if to say Rosemary was right.
Rosemary made a tsking sound. "Even if we had time for you two to visit, which we do not, it simply isn't done."
She dismissed Elizabeth's protest and turned back to Abigail. "Did you bring the undergarments to leave at the church?"
Abigail smiled at Rosemary's amusing question; certain Rosemary never realized how absurd it sounded. "I did as well as the shoes and the flower vases."
Feeling resigned, Elizabeth gave up her plea and blew out a short breath and then put on her brightest smile. "OK then, what do I need to do to help this morning?"
Abigail shook her head. "I've got the reception food all but finished and Clara and Becky are putting the finishing touches on things."
Rosemary beamed. "Oh, it's all coming together! Bill, Carson and Lee are coming by in just a bit to help Frank with the decorations."
Elizabeth smiled and gave a nervous laugh. "It's an outdoor wedding, how many decorations could there be?"
Rosemary shook her head in dismay and then hastened to explain. "Oh Elizabeth, it will be simply stunning! No venue is going to be ordinary with my special touch!"
Abigail and Elizabeth snuck as smile at each other.
"Well, I guess we had better be going." Abigail announced. "We just wanted to tell you we were up and at it. We'll meet you at the church at twelve to help you get ready. You'll need help with all those buttons and layers!"
Elizabeth reached out to hug Abigail once more and then hugged Rosemary when she turned back to them. "You two are quite possibly the best friends anyone could ask for!"
They both smiled at her as tears crept into her eyes.
"Now, now, none of that!" Rosemary chastened. "You save those tears of joy for when you're walking down the aisle!"
Elizabeth faltered at her words a moment. "Oh, you know, I never thought about it but since my father isn't here to give me away, I suppose we need to tell Frank to leave that out of the ceremony."
Rosemary nodded. "Yes, Lee's nor my parents could make our wedding and it was fine. We'll just tell Frank to read a brief note of recognition on their behalf."
But Abigail's eyes danced. "No…You just leave that to me. I've got it covered."
Elizabeth and Rosemary's eyes both instantly flew to look at her. Elizabeth's narrowed in suspicion. "Abigail…what are you up to?"
But Abigail just winked at her. "Trust me."
She squeezed her friend's hand. "I do!"
"Better save that line for the ceremony darling!" Rosemary announced and then laughed at her own joke while Abigail just chuckled and shook her head. "Now we really have to go get things moving. Faith is there waiting on us and we have a thousand things to do."
They both turned and walked out the door.
"But I want to help!" Elizabeth walked to the doorway and called after them.
Abigail smiled back at her as she walked. "You just take a nice, long hot bath and relax for a bit…It's all taken care of."
Elizabeth watched them go and then her mind turned to the realization of the day.
Jack was back! And she was getting married in a matter of hours! Relaxation was far from her mind.
###########
Bill was nursing a cup of black coffee and leaning back in the desk chair looking over the end of week report when the door swung open.
"Well…well…look what the cat dragged in." His face split into a grin as he rose to greet his younger counterpart. He made his way around the desk and stuck out his hand in greeting. "Good to see you made it on time and back in one piece Jack."
Jack smiled and returned Bill's handshake. "Good to be back Bill."
Bill leaned his head back. "Mind tellin' me what happened that nearly kept you from your own wedding?"
Jack chuckled. "It's a long story Bill and one that can wait. I really need a bath and a few minutes to gather my own thoughts before I face the biggest day of my life."
Bill laughed. "You bet you do."
Jack began to place his belt and gun onto the desk.
"I'm gonna clear out of here then and head over and see if Abigail needs a hand getting things ready. I'll let everyone know you're back."
Jack gave a quick nod. "Thanks and Bill, I appreciate you taking over again for me short-term."
The older man nodded. "Not a problem my friend. This is nothing compared to the last time you were gone." He gave a huge smile.
Jack nodded. "You have that right."
Bill made his way over to the door, pausing as he looked back at Jack. "You know Jack. That woman you're marrying today is pretty special."
Jack stared at Bill a long moment, the comment unexpected coming from him.
Then, he cleared his throat as emotion unexpectedly rose.
"That she is."
Bill nodded briefly and said nothing else as he closed the door behind him.
"That she is."
Jack repeated the phrase quietly now to the empty room.
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"Oh! You're here! We're all bursting at the seams to get started." Faith hurried down the church steps to greet her as she approached and squeezed her arm. She was already in her sky blue bridesmaid dress and Elizabeth had the fleeting thought that she looked very pretty. Normally, she would have complimented her friend but her tongue seemed unable to move.
When she said nothing, Faith gave her a squeeze. "I know! You have to be feeling just overwhelmed right now but Elizabeth…everything is just so beautiful!"
Elizabeth looked around the church and then let her eyes once again wander to the spot over by the lake where she and Jack were to be married in just a couple of hours. A white trellis was set up with beautiful crimson cascade spring roses winding throughout. It was simply breathtaking. Roses, of various shades, decorated the aisles where benches and chairs had been assembled.
And the table. It was gloriously beautiful with a white rose centerpiece. She recognized instantly the beautiful handmade lace ecru tablecloth that adorned the main table. She knew how much Abigail cherished it as a wedding gift of her own and it touched her that she would use it for she and Jack's wedding. Many prepared trays were covered and waited for the after-wedding reception.
To the side, a well-trimmed, grassy area for post-wedding dancing and photography had been roped off and too was decorated beautifully with flowers.
"It is…perfect." Her own voice was breathless with emotion as she took in the scene. The mid-day sun was shining down upon the sparkling water. The temperature for late spring was divine with just a slight breeze.
She had been to many weddings as a guest or attendant in Hamilton and most were lavish with exquisite, ornate furnishings and full string quartets. It would have been what her family would have preferred for her. But this…while not lavish by those standards, was exactly what she had envisioned for she and Jack.
Faith finally pulled her into the church doors and into a room that now looked a bit empty with so many chairs and benches being used outside. A makeshift changing screen and mirror had been brought in from the dress shop and she was herded by Faith over toward them.
Rosemary popped her head out from behind the screen with an excited squeal and beaming smile. "Ohhhh! Look who has arrived! The bride herself!"
Elizabeth let out a quick breath. "I have to say I wasn't feeling nervous until now."
Rosemary gave her a big wink as she threw her arms wide to encompass the room and scene unfolding around them. "Did we not tell you it would be glorious?"
Elizabeth nodded. "It certainly surpasses anything we planned out on paper."
Rosemary's smile got impossibly larger. "It truly does doesn't it? Elizabeth, you get back here right now and Faith and I are going to spend the next hour making you so beautiful that even Jack will be shocked!"
Elizabeth giggled nervously. "I think once he sees all this, he is going to be shocked."
Faith leaned in toward the two with a conspiratorial whisper. "Well, let's just see if we can top it all with the stunning entrance of a stunning bride."
The three women chuckled as they all made their way behind the screen.
########
"Jack! Are you ready?"
Lee stuck his head inside the jail's doorway to see Jack just coming out of the other room wearing his dark suit complete with a sky blue tie and handkerchief. It was rare to see Jack so dressed up and Lee had to rib him a bit.
"Yowee! If I weren't already married, I'd marry you myself today!"
Lee's face broke into an affable smile as he walked toward his friend. Sticking out his hand, Jack quickly shook it.
"I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life." Jack then straightened his tie for what had to be the thousandth time.
Lee grinned and pulled up a solid white rose in front of him. "I come bearing gifts to make you feel more confident and calm."
Jack drew his eyebrows together as he stared at the rose that Lee reached out to pin on his suit.
"So, how is a flower going to make me feel more calm?"
Lee finished up his task and stepped back to admire his handiwork before answering.
"It's not by itself but it is a reminder that you are about to marry the woman of your dreams that you've waited far too long to make your wife."
He continued to grin and gave Jack a confident pat on the arm.
"I know how you're feeling right now Jack-I really do- but when Elizabeth walks down that aisle toward you and you hear her declared your wife, you are going to know everything in this world is right."
Jack let out a breath. "I know you're right Lee but right now, I can barely breathe."
Lee openly laughed. "Good. That means you can't argue with me when I tell you it's time to go."
The door opened again behind them and Bill stuck his head around the door. Like Lee, he too was wearing his groomsman suit and their preparedness made it all too real to Jack."
"Hey! Ladies, I know you are enjoying the mirror but if we don't go now, Jack is going to be late for his own wedding!" He pointed at the timepiece he held up.
Jack patted his rose and straightened his tie one last time. "Let's go get married."
And the three headed out in the direction of the church.
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