First of all I want to apologise for my very slow update! This week was my last week of school before the holidays... and a lot of my classes decided that they would like to have assessments due in the same time! I had to do a speech for English which I hadn't even began to write until Monday last week -.- and I also had a big classics assessment that I had to hand in yesterday :L On top of all of that I had to go and find a formal dress and also attend practices for my schools stage challenge! It has been a crazy couple of weeks and I apologise once again for the delay in updating!

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Secondly I want you to all know that this is the last chapter! YAY! :D I will be putting up an epilogue in the next couple of days though... but other than that this story is pretty much done ;( I want to say a huge THANKYOU to all of you who have favourite, followed and reviewed this story, I have had such a good time writing it and reading your feedback, it is my first completed story by the way :D, but yeah, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE:

Today was the day, the day the waiting was finally over. Today was the day Rosa and James were getting married!

Diana had spoken to the priest and arranged for the couple to be wed on a Friday afternoon; she had also taken Rosa shopping as she had promised. Rosa had chosen a dress that flattered every part of her body elegantly; it was all white and had long sleeves and a high collar; as was the fashion of the time period. The sleeves were made of a thin lace material, woven into an intricate pattern, and were see-through. The bodice of the dress hugged her waist nicely and was covered in the same lacey material, but wasn't see-through, and the skirt was a plain white fabric, that flowed out from her hips straight to the floor.

Rosa was so excited that she couldn't even hold her tea cup without shaking. This was the day she had been waiting for ever since she was a little girl. When she was twelve she had planned what she had wanted her wedding to be like; she imagined that her dress would be huge and puffy like a princess's and that she would ride down the aisle on horseback to her prince charming in a beautiful forest somewhere near a waterfall. She imagined that she would have a huge bouquet of flowers, white roses to be exact, and also she imagined having thirty maids running around getting her ready and doing her hair and makeup.
What was happening around her was nothing like she had planned when she was younger. Diana and Sarah had to account for her thirty maids, doing her hair and makeup and helping her into her dress. Also, she wouldn't be riding down the aisle on a horse as the wedding was to be held in a chapel. Her dress also wasn't a big puffy princess dress and her intended wasn't a prince… he was charming though.
Never the less, Rosa was completely ecstatic and grateful for what was happening. She couldn't believe that it was actually happening though!

Sarah had just finished lacing up Rosa's dress, while Diana took Rosa's tea cup and placed it on the dresser.

"You look lovely, dear," Diana smiled happily as she looked over her daughter in law. She took Rosa's veil off her bed and placed it on top of her head. Her hair had been tied up in a half up do, thanks to Sarah.

"There, you are ready," Diana smiled and stepped back to admire Rosa; Sarah joined her and nodded approvingly.

"You look beautiful, Rosa, I'm sure you are going to take his breath away," She said. Rosa laughed nervously. The time drew nearer and nearer.

"Thank you both so much for this, I will be eternally grateful," Rosa smiled. Diana stepped closer to Rosa and hugged her.

"You are most welcome dear; just watch out for my son, he is a little mischief that one," Diana smiled, tears forming in her eyes.

"I won't let anything happen to him," Rosa reassured her soon to be mother in law. Diana nodded.

"Alright, let's get you married!" She grinned and moved out of the door, Sarah followed her; Rosa was the last to exit her bedroom. She wouldn't be sleeping in it ever again.

"Excited Captain?" Charlie asked as he stood next to James. James turned to look at his friend.

"Very," He said simply with a grin. Charlie had kindly agreed to be James' best man, as Major Stewart had war business to attend to and didn't know if he would be able to make it to the wedding. Thankfully, or not so thankfully, Charlie had sustained a few big injuries in the cavalry charge in France all those weeks ago and was still recovering somewhat. He had gotten a bullet wound to the leg and was forced to hobble around on crutches for a while.

James stood nervously at the end of the aisle, waiting for Rosa. He was excited to finally marry her; he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the woman and couldn't wait for it to begin. In the meantime, he looked over the faces of the few people who had been able to attend. It was far more than he expected. Most of the people James had met at his parent's house parties and at events in town; the others were members of his family, like aunts and uncles who had been able to attend.

All of a sudden music began to play from the large organ behind him. He looked eagerly to the door; everyone in the chapel turned their heads to get a glimpse of Rosa as she walked in.

James' jaw dropped when he saw Rosa. She looked beautiful in her dress. However, he couldn't see her face clearly as it was covered by a large veil. He wanted to do nothing but remove it so that he could see her face.

Rosa walked at an even pace down the aisle, towards James. His mouth was hanging open slightly, but he eventually shut it when he had realized. He looked amazing in his black suit his hair was slicked back and he had a white rose in his lapel that matched Rosa's bouquet of white Roses; she had always loved white roses, which is why she wanted them in her childhood imagined wedding.

Rosa took a few steps up to stand next to James at the altar, he gently took her hand to help her up and he didn't let go of them.

"We are gathered here today…" The priest began. Rosa didn't pay much attention to him; she couldn't take her eyes off James. His eyes looked so much more peaceful and happy than they did when he was in the hospital ward. Rosa could tell that he was as nervous and excited as she was, his beautiful eyes gave away everything in those few moments, it seemed; that they stood there hand in hand.

The next words Rosa heard were those coming from James.

"I, James Nicholls, take you, Rosa Miller, to be my lawfully wedded wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner, and my love from this day forward," He said, sliding a gold ring onto her finger.

Rosa smiled and took a deep breath before stating her vows.

"I, Rosa Miller, take you, James Nicholls, to be my lawfully wedded husband; I commit to never leave you, to follow you. For where you go, I shall go, and where you remain, I shall remain, I promise to be forever faithful to you and to love you even after death do us part," Rosa said, tears welling in her eyes. She gave James' hands a gentle squeeze before the priest spoke again.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride," He said. James didn't hesitate for a moment. He immediately lifted the veil off Rosa's face and gazed into her eyes.

"I love you," He whispered. Rosa smiled, her cheeks tinting red.

"I love you too," She said. James leaned down slightly and pressed his lips to hers, tenderly. An eruption of clapping and cheers came from the crowd the moment their lips touched.

Rosa smiled against James' lips. Someone from the crowd yelled out across the chapel.

"Alright, that's enough you two!" It was a man's voice. Rosa and James pulled away from each other to look for this person. James' eyes immediately focused on the back of the room by the door.

There, standing in his uniform, was Major Stewart. So he had been able to come after all Rosa thought to herself. People had begun to move outside to line the path leading from the chapel entrance to a carriage that was waiting for the newlyweds.

James gave a nod to Jamie as he and Rosa made their way hand in hand down the aisle together. As they walked between the rows of guests, rice was thrown on them and congratulations and thanks exchanged quickly.

Rosa and James were heading back to James' parents' house. From there they would change clothing and prepare to take Joey back home to Albert. They would first say goodbye to all of their friends in this time period before finally disappearing back to the future.

Sarah helped Rosa out of her wedding dress when she and James' parents arrived home. Rosa changed into a light blue dress that was comfortable enough to ride in. She would miss being able to dress like this… but then again, jeans and a t-shirt sounded pretty comfortable…

Rosa left her hair up but took her veil off. She set it on the bed as James poked his head around the door frame.

"You look lovely, Mrs. Nicholls," He smirked as he crossed the room and hugged Rosa.

"Why thank you, my husband," Rosa giggled and wrapped her arms around James' waist. He had changed into a simple pair of grey pants and a light blue shirt.

"Are you almost ready?" He asked, looking down at her. Rosa nodded.

"Almost, I think all that is left is to say goodbye to everyone," She sighed "Are you one hundred percent sure that you want to do this?" She asked him. James nodded.

"I am sure," He smiled and placed a small kiss on the end of her nose "Now, let's go then," He said and led her out of the room.

"So, you are going to take Joey back… and stay… where?" Diana asked, confused.

"We will take Joey back to Albert, and will stay overnight in an inn somewhere in town," James explained "From there we are going to travel North until we find a house we like," He said.

"What if you don't find a house soon? What if there are none you like? You can't stay at the inns until you have found a house," Diana protested.

"It's fine, James and Rosa are welcome to stay with my parents in Somerset, it is close to Devon," Charlie interrupted.

Diana sighed and nodded.

"Alright, I just don't want to see my baby boy leave!" Diana sobbed as she brought James into a loving hug.

"I have to move out one day, mother, I have a beautiful wife to take care of now," James smiled and took a step back. Diana smiled and pulled Rosa into a hug.

"You both will be missed dearly! You must write to me constantly!" She smiled and stepped back.

"We will, mother," James smiled.

Everybody went outside to say goodbye. James' step father had brought Joey and Strider out from the stables. They were saddled up and ready to go as soon as Rosa and James had said goodbye to everyone.

"Sarah, please don't cry! You have been the most caring friend I have ever had," Rosa smiled and hugged Sarah.

"I will miss you, Rosa; you also have been a great friend!" Sarah sobbed "You must write to me when you get the chance," She said. Rosa nodded and then turned to say goodbye to the next person. It was Charlie.

"Goodbye Charlie," Rosa smiled. Charlie kissed her hand and bowed to her in a gentlemanly fashion.

"You will be missed by many around here," He said and stepped aside to speak with James.

Rosa stood by her horse as Major Stewart made his way over.

"Well, Mrs. Nicholls, I want to congratulate you on your marriage. James is a wonderful man and I hope you take care of him well, for he revered friend of mine," the Major smiled "The two of you truly belong together, and I am happy for the both of you," He added before kissing her hand in the same gentlemanly fashion Charlie did.

James and Rosa eventually made it to their horses and were able to ride off in the direction of Devon; thankfully it wasn't too far away.

James looked a little saddened after the farewells, but he brightened up when Joey decided to pick up the pace and gallop off ahead of Rosa and Strider.

It took a few hours to get to Albert's house, but they made it there finally.

James opened the gate and let Rosa lead Strider in before closing it again behind them. Rosa was startled for a moment when a strange goose came running out from the house, squawking away. The goose was followed by an elderly man, women and finally a younger looking boy.

"Joey!" The younger boy called out, jogging up to the brown stallion. Rosa smiled as she realized who the boy must have been.

"Captain Nicholls, you were true to your word! Thank you so very, very much!" Albert said, firmly shaking James' hand.

"You wouldn't believe what I had to go through to get him back to you; but I feel a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders now that he is back with his rightful owner," James said earnestly "I trust that you got the drawings I sent before we were shipped off to France?" James asked. Albert nodded.

"Yes indeed! But, it came with a message that you had been killed in battle, I was preparing to join in the war to find Joey, until now of course," Albert explained. James nodded.

"Yes, well, I was luckily discovered by a few comrades, my injuries weren't as bad as some of the other men in my battalion," James sighed 'However, they have put me out of the war for a long time; as you can see I am still recovering from a broken arm," He added, lifting up his arm to show the white bandage.

"Thank you so very much, Captain Nicholls, I will be forever grateful to you for protecting Joey," Albert smiled and petted Joey affectionately. Rosa smiled as she watched the exchange between the men. James had moved to talk with Albert's parents.

"Excuse me ma'am, I am afraid I have not introduced myself!" Albert said, moving over to Rose, making sure to keep one hand firmly wrapped around Joey's reins.

"I am Albert Narracott," He greeted her, shaking her hand awkwardly. Rosa shook it back.

"I am Rosa Mi- Nicholls, Rosa Nicholls," Rosa smiled. Albert's eyes widened.

"You are married to Captain Nicholls?" He asked. Rosa nodded.

"As of this afternoon," She said.

"Oh! I give you congratulations, Mrs. Nicholls!" Albert grinned widely.

After a few more introductions and brief story exchanges, James and Rosa were ready to leave the Narracott farm and Joey behind.

"We must be going now, I am afraid," James said, he had taken a few moments to pet Joey one last time.

"Look after him Albert, he is truly a wonderful horse," James said. Albert nodded.

"I will sir! I promise, thank you so very much!" He grinned. Rosa thought for a moment and looked to her own horse. Strider couldn't come to the future with her and James; she didn't have any room in her small apartment to keep a horse.

"Excuse me, Albert, Mr. and Mrs. Narracott, would I be able to ask a favour of you?" Rosa asked. The trio nodded.

"Would you look after my horse? Where we are going, he cannot come, I don't want to simply give him away to a stranger though, as he was my brother's horse, my brother who has passed away in the war," Rosa explained, adding in a few white lies "I would appreciate it if you would take care of him until we return one day," Rosa said.

"I will take care of your horse, ma'am, it is the least I can do," Albert smiled.

"Thank you so much, he is very important to me and I trust you, especially after seeing how much you care for horses, especially Joey," Rosa explained. She then said goodbye to her horse as well.

James and Rosa left the Narracott farm empty handed, but with a feeling in their hearts that their horses would be greatly cared for by the Narracotts. The newlyweds strolled for a while down a lane until they came to an area of trees. It was getting dark outside; the sun had already set behind the hills.

"Do you have the music box?" Rosa asked James. He nodded and pulled out the small box from his pocket.

"Are you ready?" He asked. Rosa nodded and leaned into her husband, who in return wrapped his arms securely around her

"Yes," She said, smiling into his chest. She heard the sweet tune, drowning out all that transpired around them. Suddenly, she felt herself spinning and being dragged toward a particular spot, a spot that she could not identify with any of her five senses.

In a sudden burst of light Rosa was in a place all too familiar but yet so foreign to her.

She and James were in her apartment.

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