Author's note: The wedding march – "Here Comes the Bride" was first played in 1850, in the Wagner opera Lohengrin. Queen Victoria's eldest daughter used it for her wedding to the Crown Prince of Prussia in 1858, which made it the popular choice for brides from that time on.
Special thanks to the Big Valley Chat Room members, who helped with the reception! You know who you are, and you are a joy!
Chapter Thirty-Four
Nick and Jarrod exited the vestry, and were met by Heath and Reverend Thompson. Jarrod excused himself, to go find his mother. He knew that while Nick would welcome him to stand up by with him, Jarrod didn't feel right about it. Heath had been by Nick's side the last month, in the run-up to the wedding, while Jarrod had been off doing his own thing. It hurt him not to be standing with Nick, but understood all too well that he had done it to himself.
"Lovely Lady, I think you need an escort down the aisle?" Jarrod had made his way to the vestibule, where his mother, Audra, and Melissa were standing. He noticed that Melissa was dressed in pink also, but hers was trimmed with deeper pink ribbons. Her honey blonde hair was crowned by a wreath of small pink roses, intertwined with pink satin ribbon that fluttered down her back. She looked like the goddess of spring, and Jarrod found himself envying Heath. His brothers' lives were moving on, while he was rebuilding his; at the back of his mind he wondered how much rebuilding he was going to have to endure!
Jarrod saw that his mother and Audra had corsages of the small pink roses, baby's breath, and pink ribbon bows. He remembered the boutonnieres that Heath and Nick had been sporting, of a single pink rose. Clearly seeing the theme, he was once again reminded of his reaction about Nick and Edwina. It caused him to sigh, while privately thinking that he could now look at pink roses without malice. Jarrod started to ponder what flowers would suit Madeline, when his sister's voice broke into his thoughts.
"Jarrod, we have a boutonniere for you!" Audra turned to him, and picked the small floral arrangement up from a table off to the side. She giggled as she said "Nick and Edwina were hopeful you would show up!" He smiled with appreciation, realizing that his brother – and his soon to be sister-in-law – had been thinking about him the whole time. It made him feel happy and warm; he might have forsaken his family, but they had not forsaken him.
Audra pinned the pink rose on his lapel, as she looked at him with love and caring. Jarrod now felt even worse that he had shut himself off from his family. They had always found strength in each other, but for the last month he had turned his back on them. He knew that his mother, in the rush of the wedding day festivities had given him a pass for his behavior, but tomorrow the reckoning would come. His thoughts were interrupted by the stirrings of the organ, installed in the last year with a generous donation from the Barkley's.
"Ok, that is the cue! I'm going down the pew, and then Jarrod." Audra turned to her oldest brother "You need to escort mother down. It is a small ceremony." Jarrod watched his sister enter the church, and when the organist started to play the Pachelbel Canon he felt his mother squeeze his arm. He smiled at her, and they entered the small church, as Jarrod noticed who was in attendance.
Silas and Eliza were sitting together, holding hands; also on the Barkley side were McColl, Soo Lin, and the house servants, along with the senior ranch hands and their families. The staff from the house Edwina was living in was there, along with Phil Archer, the District Attorney. Sheriff Madden and his wife, Dr. Merar and his wife, along with three other couples – all close friends of the Barkley's were there, along with Melissa's parents.
Jarrod was surprised that Uncle Samuel, resplendent in English tailoring of a pearl grey suit, with a pink vest and boutonniere just like Jarrod's was on the bride's side of the church. Since the older man was known for never leaving the city, Jarrod knew that high regard the man held Edwina in was the cause. He remembered that long ago day, when Uncle Samuel had swept into his office, to take her out to lunch, and the comment she'd made about her grandfather and the actress.
The older man's laughter had rang around the office, a sound not too often heard from the dandy. Edwina had laughed too, and Jarrod now realized that she had never laughed wholeheartedly, or giggled, in his company, in any of the times they were together. Polite chuckles, but nothing else, and he now found himself looking forward to getting to know that side of her.
He helped his mother into the pew, next to Audra, and then sat down by her. Jarrod smiled when he saw Victoria pulling out a lace trimmed hankie. "Are you going to cry?" He asked rhetorically, and was rewarded with a playful slap on his arm. The tempo of the music changed, and Jarrod settled back to watch the wedding.
Nick was standing next to Heath at the altar, feeling happy and calm, but excited also. He was so relieved that Jarrod had come to the wedding, and that things were good between them again. The last month, worrying that his older brother would never forgive him, had been the only thing marring his happiness. Now, everything was right and he was marrying Teddy with all of his family present.
The tempo of the music changed, and he felt Heath stand up very straight; Nick turned to see Melissa coming down the aisle. She looked pretty and soft, the pink dress giving her a warm glow. Heath was agog at how good she looked, Nick noticed and before he could help himself he whispered in Heath's ear. "Mmm, too bad you have a whole another month to wait!"
Heath could tell that Nick was chomping at the bit, and feeling his oats at the same time. The remark he just made was proof of that, even as Heath sighed inwardly with anguish. Melly looked adorable, and he found himself wishing they were going to the lodge that afternoon. Reverend Peterson clearing his throat brought Heath back to the present, and he decided that lustful thoughts while standing at the altar were really not a good idea.
Suddenly the music segued into soaring chords, and Nick recognized it as the wedding march, signaling that Teddy was coming down the aisle. Everyone stood, as he and Heath turned to face the double doors at the back of the church. The wooden doors opened and he saw Teddy standing there, in a pink cloud; everyone else disappeared in his mind, as he only saw her.
Standing at the back of the church, waiting for the music to start, Teddy was clutching Darcy's arm, as she thought about her last wedding. It had taken place at candle lighting time, as was tradition in the south. She had walked down the sweeping staircase, all decorated with white flowers and ribbon, of Boone Hall and into the front parlor. Teddy recalled how she had cried that morning, when she'd found Nate's note to her. The ceremony had been a blur to her, because she was numb with sadness and despair. The difference between then, and now, was night and day – she was filled with happiness and love, the way a bride should be. When the wedding march started, the doors were opened and she saw Nick at the altar, which wiped out thoughts of anything else.
He watched her come down the aisle, and when she drew up next to him he took her hand from Darcy's and brought it to his lips. She had on white kid gloves, reminding Nick to behave himself, even as his eyes were sending her a message of love and longing. Teddy turned to look at him, as she felt the warmth of his hand through her glove. His hazel eyes, the green flecks almost glowing, were full of love and admiration as he looked at her. "Teddy, you are so beautiful! I am a lucky man." Nick whispered to her, as she smiled up at him.
"Nick, we are both lucky, because we will always have each other." Teddy replied in a low voice, thinking of everything they'd gone through, and how long they had waited, as she looked at the handsome man standing next to her. He was strong, proud, honorable, and upright – everything a man should be, and Teddy felt herself moving closer to him, wanting his touch.
"Shall we go say our vows so we can get onto other things?" Nick whispered in a teasing voice, and Teddy turned slightly pink as she saw the grin on his face. She knew exactly what he wanted to get on with, and she didn't blame him one bit.
"Let's go! I don't think it is good form to keep the minister waiting." She giggled, and Nick smiled at her, liking her giggle. They turned to face the altar, and Teddy used Nick's arm to steady her as they genuflected in front of Reverend Thompson.
Jarrod had watched the exchange at the altar, and had had no problems reading the body language between the two. He had noticed Edwina giggling, which was still off putting to him, even as she blushed in reply to what Nick had said to her. Mentally sighing at how Nick could behave in the house of the Lord, he couldn't help but stifle a rueful laugh. Nick was Nick, and nothing was going to change it; it made him glad that Edwina seemed to understand that. His silent laughter was interrupted when he heard his brother's voice.
"I, Nicholas Jonathan, take thee Edwina Ashley, to be my lawful wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us to part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
Jarrod heard the firmness and strength in his brother's voice, as he said the vow; it filled him with pride. Nick would make Edwina a good husband, and he would give her everything she should have. He was intrigued to learn that her middle name was Ashley, even as he was surprised that Nick didn't use Teddy in the vows. Maybe something sacred about Church had permeated into his brother's head, Jarrod mused.
"I, Edwina Ashley, take thee, Nicholas Jonathan, to be my lawful wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."
Edwina's voice was filled with happiness and love, Jarrod understood, as she said her vow. He heard the minister ask for the ring, and watched as Heath placed it on the silver plate Reverend Peterson was holding out. The ring, Jarrod was sure, was made from a nugget of gold from the first Barkley mine. He still had his nugget, since he'd never had the chance to get a ring made for Beth. After Heath had joined the family, Jarrod had given him a nugget, as their father had given to his two other sons.
"With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen"
Nick felt both honored and humbled as he slid the ring on Teddy's finger after saying the vow. She was his from now on, and he would never have to leave her again. The emotion of love and passion over took him, and he grasped both of her hands tightly. Reverend Peterson saw the way Nick was looking at Teddy, and decided to get on with the final blessing.
"By the power invested in me, I pronounce you man and wife." The Reverend intoned loudly, and then added with a smile. "Nicholas, you may kiss your bride." He thought about adding the word discretely, but knew it would be meaningless to the man. Jarrod watched Nick put his arms around Edwina, and said a silent prayer that it wouldn't be a repeat of the night in his bedroom.
When the minister made his announcement Teddy saw Nick's face explode into an infectious grin, as he looked at her. She felt him take her in his arms, and suddenly all she could think about was him. His lips touched hers, slowly and sensually, making her melt. It took her by surprise when he broke off the kiss, before he whispered in her ear.
"Sugar, I'm behaving myself for now, because it is church; however, once we get to the lodge I'm going to really kiss you, and then." The laughter was apparent in Nick's voice, as he told her what he had in mind. His lips barely brushed her ear, sending tingles all over her body. Teddy felt herself getting pink, with what he was saying, and was glad that only her profile was shown to the congregation.
Jarrod was relieved that the newly wedded couple acted appropriately, but he had to work not to dwell on what was said in the whispered conversation. Reverend Peterson announcing the couple for the first time distracted him, as he rose up alongside his mother and the rest of congregation. Nick and Edwina proceeded back up the aisle, happy smiles on their faces. Jarrod knew that it was time for the wedding breakfast, which held the promise of a stiff drink or two; which he was more than ready before. Heath and Melissa came next, and then Darcy came over the pew, giving Audra an expectant look. Since she was the third one in, Jarrod exited the pew, and then stood there while his mother and Audra walked out. He brought up the rear, and then the rest of the guests followed.
Later that morning..
Heath was coming back from the washroom, planning on joining his brothers, and the other men, on the terrace, for a cigar. The wedding breakfast was held at the townhouse Edwina had been renting, which Darcy was going to take over the lease on. Diego, the grand butler and his wife Carmen had insisted on their right to host the breakfast, even as Silas said he would oversee the wedding cake, to make sure it was a proper southern cake.
Diego had been very willing to accommodate Senor Nick's request for beef, because a true macho man wanted real food. The butler he'd trained under, at the Alcalde of Sonora's household, had explained what a man expected in his household. Carmen had taken care of the rest of the meal, assisted by several women, who all rolled their eyes behind Diego's back. The butler thought Senor Nick walked on water, especially because he had swept the bello Senora Edwina from under his brother's nose. The women tittered because of course the Senora had held all the cards, as a woman always did.
"Melissa, hello!" Heath was coming down the hall, and saw her walking towards the dining room. She looked so pretty and soft, in the pink dress which was fluffy with lots of ribbons and bows. It was much more lavish than what she normally wore, but Heath loved it; he planned on taking her on a great shopping trip, for the second half of their honeymoon.
"Heath, why aren't you on the terrace, with the other men?" Melissa looked at him, noticing how handsome he looked in is finely tailored blue suit. The shirt was bright white, with a black string tie that complimented his fine leather boots. A bright spot of color was provided by the pink rose boutonniere on his lapel. It had been hard to constrain herself, as she walked down the aisle, seeing him waiting at the altar. Her wedding was less than a month away, but suddenly it seemed so long until it happened.
"Melly, I would rather spend time with you! Here, let's step in here." Heath took two giant steps toward her, as he took her in his arms. He saw a door off to his left, and backed up to it, while keeping Melissa in his arms. He loosened one of his arms long enough to open the door, and they fell into the room. Heath's weight caused her to start to topple over, and he tried to steady her.
Unfortunately, Heath had drunk several glasses of wine during the wedding breakfast, but he had not eaten anything before that. In order to give Nick the morning off, he'd gotten up extra early, so Silas had not had anything ready for him to grab and go. Heath had made do with a cup of a coffee and a cigarette, and later one hard biscuit left in the kitchen, since Silas had left to go over to the townhouse, to oversee the wedding cake.
Once the ceremony was over with, he had sat down with a plate of food, and managed to grab several bites of the wonderful meal. However, before it was served to him his wine glass had been filled, and then refilled, as he drank without realizing what he was consuming. The food had been good, but the third glass of wine that had gone with it had been enough to give him a good buzz.
Seeing Melissa walking down the aisle, in her cloud of pink tulle, with her big blue eyes and honey colored hair had stirred his senses. Nick, with his good natured teasing had not helped in the least, as Heath had regarded his bride to be. Now, having her in his arms, all warm and soft, was too much for him, as the wine caused him to be unbalanced.
The next thing he knew, they were on the floor in a small sitting room, with Melissa snugly under him. The door was within reach of his booted foot, and he kicked it closed with a resounding thud. Heath's blue eyes regarded Melissa beneath them, noticing her pink lips, softly parted. It was beyond easy to bring his lips to hers, before his tongue plunged into her sweet, warm mouth.
Melissa had been taken aback had Heath's actions, in sweeping her into the room, before he pounced with an almost animal intensity. Just as she was thinking she needed to stop him, she looked into his eyes and was lost, as the blue fire encompassed her. When his lips met hers, followed by his tongue plundering her mouth, she lost track of everything.
Heath felt Melissa move against him, as her hands started to explore the front of his body. They had hardly had any time together, and both felt an intense hunger, as their hands explored in intimate fashion. Heath heard Melly's moans, as he cupped her full breast, which only caused him to increase his attentions to her. The wedding breakfast was completely forgotten by the couple.
Darcy had enjoyed his cigar, liking how both Nick and Jarrod treated him as an equal. He was aware that the men viewed Audra as their baby sister to be protected, and not the warm hearted woman she was. Her brothers' treatment of him was important, because down the road he would have to take a stand with these men, if he married Audra as he had decided he wanted to.
The fact that they liked him would certainly help, and if he was Jarrod's law partner, it would all happen seamlessly. Darcy understood that Audra wanted someone who would stand up for her, to her strong willed brothers. A woman wanted a man for a husband, someone who would honor her, and be her knight – Darcy was more than willing to do that. He also understood that her brothers wanted that kind of man for their sister; he would just have to make them see that he was the knight.
Now he came back into the dining room with Nick and Jarrod, all laughing about Jarrod trying to figure out how to rebuild the dock at his summer cabin. They all took their places, as champagne was poured in glasses, while the wedding cake was brought out. Darcy had already been told that it was the traditional southern cake – a dark, dense fruit cake soaked in brandy and wrapped in marzipan frosting. The decorations were the bride and groom's initials, along with frosting flowers, done in pink.
The first toast went to the father of the bride, by tradition, which in this case meant Darcy. It made him laugh, because of the relationship he and Teddy had. However, he also understood that he was the last link not only to her father, but to her two older brothers, who had fallen in battle. He had known Miles and Jimmie very well, since the families visited each other frequently.
They had ridden together, and explored the low country, as well as the tidewater. Jimmie had been barely two years older than Teddy, which made him seven years older than Darcy. Miles had only been another year beyond that, but because of his position as the oldest son, it had been a gulf in their standing with each other. The weight of those relationships was on him, as he stood up, holding aloft his glass of champagne.
"I would like to propose this toast, in my role of father of the bride! I laugh because the bride is much more my sister, due to all we have in common." Darcy began, and gave Teddy a fond smile. "She and I share so much – a family history, a linage, a blood line! We have suffered loss; together and separately, but neither one of us has ever forgotten the bonds of family. To see her now, happy and in love." He went on to extol how she and Nick had found each other, including an antidote about how Darcy had wanted Nate's plumed hat, on that long ago day in the old south.
The next toast went to the best man, and after everyone had sipped from their glass, they looked to the left of the groom. The seat was empty, and the two additional staff, heeding the eagle eye from Diego, took their time refilling everyone's glass. When it became apparent that the best man wasn't coming back the small assembly started looking around the room.
Jarrod had, up until then been very happy with how everything was progressing. He had been able to get two stiff scotches, followed by two full glasses of good wine with a decent meal. Of course it had featured beef, because Nick thought that every meal had to include that. Afterwards, he, Nick, and Darcy had enjoyed cigars out on the terrace. He was finding Darcy to be very agreeable, not only about law but also about maritime matters and sailing.
The man was sound in his legal knowledge, and Jarrod sensed that he would have no problem staking his claim to Audra. In Jarrod's mind, his sister needed a husband who wasn't going to be intimidated by her brothers, or impressed by her money. So far, Darcy had held his own on all accounts, and Jarrod was quite willing to let Audra marry him. He though was smart enough to understand that he did not need to be forthcoming with is approval too soon.
Darcy had finished his toast, and Jarrod looked to where Heath should be, but only saw an empty seat. He noticed that Darcy had seen it too, even as he was drinking his champagne. The glasses were refilled, but still no Heath, and there was an awkward pause as everyone looked at some spot off in the room. It came to Jarrod that Heath was not going to show up – for whatever reason – and he, as the next brother needed to step up to the plate, so to speak.
For Jarrod it caused a sharp jab to his heart, because he knew he would need to toast the wedding couple happily, and with great joy. He had made it to a place that he was happy for Nick and Edwina, but he was still dealing with some lingering feelings for her. Having spent two years thinking he was in love with her, even as he knew he wasn't anymore, was going to take some time to work through.
"It is inappropriate of me to do the next toast, but I hope you all will indulge an old man!" Uncle Samuel's self satisfied voice rang around the room, rescuing Jarrod from his melancholy musings. The dark beady eyes darted around the room, as he stood up, holding his glass aloft. In fact he never drank alcohol, but few people knew that, not understanding the ruses he used. He had seen the hesitations Jarrod was showing, in stepping up to do the toast.
Uncle Samuel and Tom Barkley had done business together, both as friends and adversaries. When Jarrod had announced that he wanted to read law, and then later make his way in the arena of the California business community, Tom had introduced him to Samuel. There was no one better than the wiley old man to teach the ins and outs of the business world, in Tom's opinion.
While Uncle Samuel was doing his toast, Melissa and Heath were still behind the closed door, on the floor. Melissa had been totally caught off-guard both by Heath's actions, and her response to him. Now though, as his lips moved to her neck, nibbling softly, she felt his desire increase, as he positioned himself against her. It came to her that if she didn't stop it soon, she would be a wife before she was a bride. Picturing herself in her white wedding dress, standing in front of her father, gave her the strength to push him away.
"Heath, we need to stop!" Melissa panted, as she scooted away from him, and pulled herself up with the help of a chair. He was taken by surprise at her movement, and was all set to try to pull her back down, when he heard the anguish in her voice. Heath's eyes went wide as he regarded her, breathing heavily, with her clothes slightly disarrayed.
"Melly, I'm sorry! I didn't mean for things to get that out of control. I love you!" Heath's voice was filled with shame, as he thought about his behavior with her. Melissa looked down on him with a smile, wishing he wasn't so good looking. She wanted nothing more than to be with him, but understood that she was going to have to be the strong one.
"It's fine Heath – I mean it's not like I was protesting what you were doing." She giggled, partly with relief, as she walked over to a mirror on the wall, where she started to tidy herself up. "I think its good I'm going back to Ft. Ord with my parents tomorrow though." Melissa's teaching contract had not been renewed, because she was getting married. She had only stayed in Stockton to help Edwina with the wedding, but then would stay with her family until her wedding in October. Chaplain Clarkson and his wife had come down for the wedding, but were heading back tomorrow.
"You are probably right about that, but it is going to be a long month." Heath stood up, and fixed his jacket, as he walked over to her. "Why don't you go back first, and then I'll wait a bit before I come in." He kissed her tenderly on her forehead.
"Oh Heath, I love you so much!" She replied, gazing at him with awe. He was the most considerate, kind man she'd ever met, and Melissa thanked God every night for bringing him into her life. She left the room, and discretely slipped back into the dining room. When she sat down next to Edwina, the bride asked her quietly if she was all right. Melissa nodded her head and murmured something about a problem with her headpiece, hoping she wasn't looking as guilty as she felt.
Heath made it back just as Uncle Samuel was finishing up, receiving a piercing glance from Nick as he sat down. Nick could have done without Uncle Samuel making the toast, as he had always regarded the dandified old man as slimy. If he had anything to do with it, Teddy wasn't going to be having lunch with the weasel any time soon!
"It is interesting to note that a month from now, Nick and I will reverse roles, and he will be the one toasting me." Heath stood up, and holding his glass of champagne with one hand, reached into his breast pocket with the other one. "Of course I have prepared a speech, and since Nick doesn't have plans for the rest of the afternoon." He drew out a rolled up piece of paper, and then let it unroll, to reveal a yard long document, covered in writing.
The look of consternation on Nick's face was priceless, and the entire room burst into laughter. Edwina and Melissa turned pink, while Audra got busy fiddling with the silverware left at her place. Darcy noticed what she was doing out of the corner of his eye, and winked at her, which caused her to turn pink too.
Heath's toast in fact was short and to the point, and then the cake was cut and passed around. Jarrod noticed how fast Nick ate his, before he looked at Edwina expectantly. She was still working on her cake, which Jarrod noticed caused his brother to sigh. He put the thought of why Nick wanted to get going out of his mind, and made it a point to pay attention to the conversation at the table.
Edwina had in fact been enjoying the cake, and wasn't going to be rushed about eating it. She knew that Nick wanted to get going, and once she finished the last bite she stood up. Melissa went with her to help her change, and they both giggled about Heath's speech, before they hugged each other. They went downstairs, where Nick was waiting by the front door.
Saying goodbye to everyone she let Nick help her into the wagon, which had been decorated with ribbons. He planned on removing them as soon as they got out of town, which couldn't be quick enough. Teddy was cuddled next to him, and he happily released the brake, and started the two horses moving. They waved goodbye to everyone, before they headed up to the lodge, for their honeymoon.