CHAPTER 14 : FAMILY

The sun was slowly rising on Toronto. Sun was going to dominate this day of april. In the quiet house, the occupants were still asleep. The little girl was holding her doll against her, the young boy was dreaming about unbelievable worlds to discover, the young woman was sleeping peacefully, and the young man was sitting on the side of the bed, watching her tenderly.

William couldn't resist and lifted his hand to Julia's serene face, moving a few locks of her undone hair from it. She moved a bit, burrying her face in the white pillow. William smiled shyly and leaned a bit more over her, leaving a sweet kiss on her nacked shoulder, and then replaced the large strap of her nightgown.

- William, she murmured, smiling yet without opening her eyes.

The latter came even closer, let his hot breath travel on her skin and left a kiss in her neck. He moved only a few inches back and the young woman opened her eyes to dive her gaze in his.

- Good morning, William murmured, smiling.

- Good morning Inspector, Julia replied in the same way, what time is it ?

- It's still early, William replied, I just wanted to enjoy this last moment with my fiancée.

- Really ? Julia said, slipping her fingers in the Inspector's dark hair.

They smiled at each other and he put a kiss on her lips, before moving back for a few seconds, without leaving her eyes.

- I should go before somebody sees me going out of this house.

- From tomorrow, you'll have all the leasure to go in and out as you wish, Julia retorted.

- But we still have to wait one more day.

- One little day, Julia sighed, closing her eyes.

William smiled at her and kissed her one more time before getting up and moving away from the bed, still not leaving her gaze.

- Don't be late, Julia said, watching him putting on his vest, that was lying on a chair nearby.

- I won't be late, the Inspector replied.

- Don't do anything reckless, don't release any fugitive, don't go on any crime scene, don't bump into any mad man and…

- I'll be on our wedding Julia, William interrupted, leaning over her face one more time, and you, don't go near any train, or any boat because if I learn that you ran away once again, trust me, I'll follow you wherever it might be.

- Is that a threat Inspector ? She asked, laughing soflty.

- It is, William admitted in the same way before kissing her, we'll see each other at the church.

- I look forward to it.

- So do I, the young man answered, brushing lightly her cheek.

He took her hand and put a kiss on it before moving back one more time.

- See you later, he said, releasing the young woman's hand.

- See you later, Julia replied, watching him smile at her before leaving the bedroom.

She sighed deeply with contentment and let her head fall on the pillow. She looked one more time at her hand, the one with the ring William gave her a few months earlier and smiled even broadlier.

The day she would become Mrs Julia Murdoch had finally arrived. Finally.

The young man had left the house without making a sound, but yet had looked at his children who were peacefully asleep in their bedrooms. Then, he went to the station house number four to take his service. This day was a particular one but he couldn't have escaped his obligations.

They both had already taken too many liberties considering the fact that they weren't living together. William had stopped counting the amount of nights he had spent with the young woman since his proposal, a few months earlier.

They had been friends, lovers, parents, fiancés and soon husband and wife. Nothing William planned since he became a man turned as planned or followed the rules, but today, he was happy.

The day went by slowly, as slowly as possible considering the circumstances. The couple had chosen to celebrate their wedding in a little chapel, big enough to welcome all their friends and the young woman's closest family. The little chapel was crowded and they were all waiting patiently for the bride's arrival. William was standing straight and proud in front of the altar, giving a shy smile to James, who was standing near him.

- You have the rings, James ? he said shyly, the music rising in the air.

- Yes I do, Papa, the little boy simply replied, smiling proudly, I already checked three times.

The latter simply smiled silently and felt George's hand, his bestman, on his shoulder.

- It's going to be fine Sir, all you need is to stay calm. I remember, I almost fainted at my wedding, it was awful, but then I took a deep breath and when I saw Emily enter the church, pouf, everything was better.

- I remember George, William replied looking at him, I was there.

George nodded and stepped back once again, standing behind him silently. William took a deep breath and watched tirelessly the place where the one who was going to be his wife, was supposed to appear.

In the little room next to the great room where the family and friends were sitting, Julia looked one last time at her reflection in the mirror, holding her bouquet in front of her. She sighed deeply and headed to the door. Rose was standing there, waiting for her, holding a basket with a hundred rose petals in her hands. The young woman smiled tenderly at the little girl and spoke.

- Are you ready Rose ?

- Yes.

- Then, let's go, she replied, smiling broadly.

They left the room and joined Ruby in front of the chapel's entrance. Julia walked towards her and her sister took her immediately in her arms.

- You look gorgeous, she said, before leaving a kiss on her cheek.

- Thank you, Julia replied, blushing, I'm happy to see you here Ruby.

- I'm happy that we made it up and I promise never again to interfere in your relationship.

- Thank you, Julia replied.

They exchanged one more look and music rose in the air. Ruby turned to the door, that someone opened straight away and walked to the aisle, heading to the altar standing a few meters further.

Then, Rose made a timid step, encouraged by a sign of the head of her mother. She made a few steps into the room, but became way too impressed by all the people looking at her.

And without a warning, she turned back and snuggled up against her mother.

- Rose, what is it ?

- I don't want to go there.

- Why ?

- There are too many people looking at me.

- You have to do as if they were not there, as if they weren't important, Julia said, kneeling in front of her, Rose, listen to me. You can do this.

- But I can't do as if there were not there.

- You know what you're going to do ? You are going to look at only one person standing at the end of the aisle. You are going to look at your father, walk to him and whisper something in his ear for me, would you do that for me ?

- You can't tell him by yourself ?

- Oooh no, Julia sighed, laughing, you have to do it for me.

- Alright then, the little girl grumbled, pouting, what shall I tell him ?

Julia leaned over her and whispered a few words in her ear before getting up.

- Alright, go now, they're going to start wondering what's happening.

Rose nodded and took a deep breath, turning to the opened door one more time. She went through the door frame and looked one last time at her mother, smiling tenderly at her. Then, she took her courage in both hands and walked once again down the aisle, staring at William, waiting patiently at the end of the aisle, giving her a wide smile. She got in front of him and asked him to lean towards her and whispered something to him in his ear, making him smile even more. Then, the little girl joined her aunt on the other side of the altar and all the guests got up for the bride's arrival.

The bride was standing in the door frame. When he saw her, it took his breath away. He never found her so beautiful and he was still wondering how it was possible to be more beautiful every day. In this lace and silk dress, blue yet almost grey, holding a bouquet of white roses, she was glowing. Her blond hair was falling on her cheeks, lightly blushed, and her eyes were shining like never before.

She was walking towards him, without leaving his gaze or stopping smiling. When she got beside him, he held out his hand to her, she slipped her white gloved hand in his and he swallowed with difficulty.

Not finding the words to speak, Julia handed her bouquet to Ruby and she slipped her other hand in William's, the priest began to speak with his most solemn voice.

The ceremony lasted for long minutes, but the bride and the groom seemed miles away, leaving rarely each other gaze.

When the time to exchange the rings arrived, the young woman withdrawed her glove and James stepped forward. He was standing between them when the priest asked them if they agreed to become husband and wife. Their replies were clear and loud, and then they exchanged the rings the young boy was handing to them.

- I pronounce you man and wife, the old man said, you may kiss the bride.

William smiled even broadlier, feeling as his heart filled with joy in his chest, then he made the few inches between him and the young woman, pressing his lips against hers for a tender kiss. She immediately slipped her arms around his neck and he pulled her a bit closer, closing his arms on her waist, their kiss deepening a bit more under the applause of the guests. They parted, out of breath, but remained embraced. They smiled tenderly at each other and the Inspector spoke.

- I love you Mrs Julia Murdoch.

- I love you Mr William Murdoch, she sighed on his lips before they kissed one more time, sealing the love pact that was uniting them for a long time and that today, they were able to savour completely, forever.

THE END

Thank you to your lovelies reviews. I hope that you enjoyed the story ! And thank you to my dear H. who translate the story to you ;)

Julia R.