The next chapter (the last one which includes the epilogue) will have adult content in it. However, I have done my best to handle it with care.

Chapter Twenty One

Audra sighed as she heard the music that was playing in the chapel float up the stairs and into the room her mother had used to dress. While McColl had said he saw no reason for Victoria not to wear white, he'd also told her he wouldn't argue with whatever she chose to wear. He'd whispered something else to Victoria. While the family didn't know exactly what they'd said, they could pretty well guess when Victoria shot him a playful glare and slapped his upper arm. Naturally, it had only served to make him and the family laugh.

Victoria now stood in front of the full length mirror and looked, turning from left to right. The full length dress was a winter white with a sheer organza over dress layered with three frilled hems. The skirt was not as full as the one Victoria wore years ago with its large hooped petticoat. Instead this dress formed the lines of the new fashion and fell from the waist with fullness coming from the petticoats she wore underneath. The entire dress was embodied with tiny roses, reminding Victoria of the many beautiful springs she had seen in her Valley, and the rows of roses she insisted she cultivate in her gardens. It also bought a smile to her face, finding the symbolism of a new spring about to enter her life ironic. The neck line was modest, forming a heart shape above her breast and complementing her still tiny waist and firm figure. The sleeves were fitting and framed with a frill matching the layers of her dress. At the elbow however the flared, like beautiful transparent and wispy bells that announced the occasion. .

Audra couldn't but smile wide as she looked upon the dress her mother was wearing. "You look beautiful mother. I'm so happy for you, really." Audra, who had traveled Colorado to California for the wedding, walked up to her mother and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Really, I am. Duke McColl is a wonderful man; I'm glad you're getting a second chance."

"I am too." Victoria said and then gave Audra a sympathetic smile. "I hope someday you will have one too."

Audra chuckled as it felt great to look at her mother and honestly say, "You know, mother. That's not as important to me as I once thought it was. I mean, I have Adam Carl and he's a wonderful child. I love Carl's grandmother and, from our visits to Aunt Clara, I know I like Colorado; I just might stay with Grandmother Wheeler longer than a few months. Or," she smiled wider, "I just might run all the way back here. It doesn't matter right now. " She gave her mother another hug just as Nick appeared in the doorway and let out a low whistle.

"McColl better know how lucky he is." Nick said as Audra excused herself and made her way down to the living room and to the guests.

"We both are." Victoria gave Nick a huge bear hug and stepped away, smiling up at her as she did so. "Thanks for giving him the push he needed."

Nick rubbed the back of his neck and then put his hand on his hip. However, before he could say anything, Jarrod stepped into the room. "Everyone's ready, though Mac's wondering where his best man is." Jarrod chuckled as he looked at Nick while he made the statement. That only served to get a chuckle from their mother while Nick threw a quick peck on her forehead and hurried out of the room.

"Well," Jarrod gazed at his mother, "you make a beautiful bride." He laid his hand upon her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, "I hope you know you always have a place to go if you should need it." Not that he though McColl would give her a reason to leave him.

"Of course, I do and," Victoria said as she continued radiating with happiness, "I want to thank you for dropping the hostile attitude towards Duke. It was rather unbecoming to you."

Jarrod nodded in agreement, "Never knew one could get caught up on past events so bad," he said remembering once more how he'd treated Duke McColl while Tom was away, "and not even know it.'

"I know. Now, let's stop talking about it." Victoria's eyes were simply beaming with joy as she took a hold of Jarrod's arm. "We need to get going. Duke and the others are waiting."

Jarrod couldn't help but chuckle. It had been ages since he saw his mother this excited. It felt good. He took her arm and led her out of the room, down the hall and to doorway that led to the chapel.

~oOo~

McColl and Nick, who were whispering stopped immediately, as Jarrod and his mother appeared. The music changed to the wedding march, and mother and son started walking down the aisle. At that moment, McColl was extremely grateful he had backed Victoria up on wearing the dress she'd chosen, even if the gossipy women at the dress shop had tried to say it was too fancy to wear for a second marriage. As far as he was concerned those women could go jump in a lake. Then again, that wouldn't be nice to the lake.

"We are gathered together…" McColl and Victoria barely heard Reverend Stacy speaking, though they did manage to repeat their vows without missing a beat. "…now pronounce you man and wife." The moment the reverend finished the music started playing again while McColl escorted his bride outside to the buggy that was waiting outside for them. As McColl helped Victoria up into the buggy the young children and many adults started throwing rice while shouting their congratulations.

As the buggy started down the road Victoria looked back and smiled. Jarrod stood with three year old Zebulon in his arms while Georgia, who could no longer hide the fact that she and Jarrod would soon be parents a second time around, sat in her wheelchair next to him. Heath and Marie stood close by with William in between them. While Nick, Eugene, Audra, and young Adam Carl stood near the steps leading up into the church; Audra had traveled out from Colorado for the wedding, but would be going back in a few weeks. All of them were waving at the newly married couple. Victoria smiled wide, waved back and then turned forward, linking her arm around her husband's. They were heading for the train that would carry them to the first of three destinations they planned on visiting during their honeymoon.

"They'll be all right." McColl turned his head for a quick moment and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. "They all will."

Victoria let out a soft chuckle while her eyes showed that her mind, for a small moment, was going back into time. "I know." She gave his arm a squeeze. "It just, it seems like just yesterday they were all so young."

McColl started laughing, "I have news for you; they still are!" That earned him a playful slap, even if Victoria was laughing too.