Chapter fifty-four: You're the one


Kate inhaled and exhaled deeply as Polly and Ada fussed over her veil. Polly laughed. "You don't need to be nervous Kate, you already have the man."

"I know but," she shakes her head. "I can't believe this. Pre-wedding jitters."

"You haven't seen him today, have you?" Ada asks.

"No." she sighs. "If he ever goes away on weeklong business trips, I'm going to have to go with him. I hate being separated."

"Well, part of that is pregnancy hormones." Polly explains with a smile. "The other half is you two are just head over heels." Polly steps back and studies Kate's reflection. "Are you sure you don't want to put your hair up?"

"I'm positive. Thomas loves it down and…I've grown used to it being down."

"You look lovely." Ada sighs and steps back. "I'm very happy for you."

Kate smiles. "Your day will come soon Ada, I can feel it."

"Well, if you think of someone, let me know. Noni and Arthur, they're a cute couple. If only Linda will let him go, those two can find their happily ever after."

"Do you think she will?" Kate asks.

Polly snorts. "God knows. But no gloomy thoughts, today's your wedding day."

"Where is Noni?" Kate asks. "I'd have expected her to be here."

On cue, the door to her room flies open and Noni enters the room. Kate's eyes narrow, Noni looks a little pale, but it could be because of the silver dress that she's wearing. "I am so sorry. I had to run into town to get something. You look lovely."

"Thank you very much."

Noni exhales and smiles. "So, what's your something old, new, borrowed and blue?"

"Well, the dress is new, but the sash is from Ada's wedding dress. And Polly is lending me some diamond earrings of hers."

"And, the something blue?" Noni inquires.

Kate, Ada and Polly all laugh. "Oh," Kate reaches for her gardenia perfume and spritzes herself. "that is all for my husband to see."

"Come on, give us a hint."


"Why the hell are you two getting married all the way out in the stables?" Arthur mumbles as he pulls his coat around him.

"Because," Thomas explains. "this was where it all began. Kate's sentimental."

Arthur snorts. "Yeah right. She did a good job though of making the stables good."

Kate had instructed her decorating team to do a beautiful job. White chiffon material hung from the rafters, candles had been lit and branches of pine were placed all around the stables, giving the stalls a rich scent of pine.

"Still smells like horses." Her father adds with a nose wrinkle. "You couldn't have met somewhere else, like in a rose scented garden?"

Arthur and Thomas chuckle, however, a violinist playing 'Embraceable You' causes them to stop chuckling. "Here we go again." Arthur says with a grin. "Third time's the charm."

Thomas inhales as he turns to watch Ruby and Charlie walk up the makeshift aisle. Ruby was scattering primroses and crocuses and Charlie held tightly onto Kate's ring. Then, Polly went up the aisle in silver dress that caused Kate's father to flash her a smile. He personally wasn't sure what was going on there, but nothing would most likely come of it. After all, Polly would then become Kate's stepmother and her father would become his uncle. What would that make him and Kate? Cousins? Either way, Polly wouldn't give him the time of day…or would she? He shrugged; he didn't want to think about it.

Noni came walking up the aisle; her expression for once looked demure. However, as she moved to her spot to the right of him, she winked at Arthur, causing him to chuckle. Then, Kate came into view and Thomas was sure his heart would stop beating. She was always beautiful to him, but just when he thought she couldn't be any more beautiful, she proved him wrong.

Kate walked smoothly towards him in this beautiful white satin sheath dress. It was slightly loose around her waist he noted, to accommodate her growing stomach. The sparkling, webbed, beaded design went from her shoulders to her waist. She'd left her hair down just the way he loved to see it and she wore the opal necklace he'd given her for Christmas. She carried branches of holly with a few red roses from the hot house. Her green eyes were shining brightly as she walked towards him and even her skin seemed to be glowing.

She stopped in front of him and smiled at him. "Will I do, Mr. Shelby?"

"Mrs. Shelby…you're a vision." he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll do you as soon as I have a moment in private."

She blushed and playfully pushed at him. "Thomas!" He laughed and kissed her on the mouth. She touched her mouth, a bemused expression on her face. "You're supposed to kiss me after the ceremony."

"If this was our first marriage, I'd have kissed you before anyway." He reached for her hands and held them tightly. "You look so beautiful."

"Thank you." Kate pulls one hand free to adjust his tie, making it straight. "There you go."

"Wait a minute." All eyes went towards her father as he stood up. "I didn't get to give, my daughter away on her first marriage to Mr. Shelby. So, before these witnesses, I wish to give my consent and blessing." She held tightly onto Thomas's waist as he acknowledged her father. "I did not approve of this marriage, until…this moment. I have not seen her smile, or her face glow like that in years. Emmett, he got her close to being this happy, but…not like this. Never, I have seen her this happy or this much in love and it's what I always wished for her." Kate grips Thomas's waist tighter and Thomas presses a reassuring kiss to her brow. "I do not like you yet, Mr. Shelby, but I like," tears gathered in her father's eyes. "that you…have brought the sunshine, back into her heart. Keep her…this happy always, I beg of you.

"I give you my word, I will." He said solemnly. "I will do everything within my power to keep her this happy and this in love with me."

"Then God has answered my prayers. You're not…as good a man as I wanted for her…but you love her. She'll live long and happy, and hopefully give you plenty of children." Everyone laughed as her father sat back down. "This is all I had to say on this matter, now, please continue with the ceremony and let these two moved forward with their lives. You're the one for my daughter."

Kate smiles as Thomas turns her back towards Jeremiah. "Don't I know it."


Shariebery: Well, you'll be glad to know I try to update at least once a day.

: I am so glad you've been enjoying it. I too prefer when Kate calls him Thomas over Tommy. She mostly calls him Tommy when she's teasing him or being flirtatious.

Idcam: Yes, her hormones are crazy. As to Polly and Kate's father, I don't think we can expect anything to happen aside from some flirting. Noni and Arthur, you'll get an update in the next chapter. Well, I've started typing up a few ideas to see if I can put together writing 'Among Angels'. I'll know in a few weeks if it'll be any good.