Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire
August 25th
William was in full mess dress uniform, nervously awaiting his bride-to-be in Fenny Stratford's Catholic church's chapel. Hot as it was, he wanted to look his best for Julia. He just hoped she wouldn't leave him waiting much longer, or worse yet, have changed her mind.
He used all of his self control not to pull at his bow tie, forcing himself to stand with his hands at his sides.
As soon as he had left Brackenreid's office that day in July, he'd immediately bought her a proper engagement ring to replace the gasket. It was a beautiful, but simple diamond solitaire, and it seemed Julia's style.
That night over dinner he'd gotten down on one knee and proposed properly. After saying yes, they'd finally made love again and spent the next several days of their recuperation in bed.
One week after that, Julia finally received the signed and notarized court documents that decreed her marriage annulled. It turned out Donald Garland's father-in-law-to-be was well placed in the courts to expedite the proceedings, for which all parties were grateful. The rest of the month was a whirlwind. William and Julia contacted his priest for permission to marry in the Church; after some negotiation - mostly William convincing the man that he wasn't foolishly running into anything - the priest finally agreed for the banns to be read. Julia submitted the paperwork to her superiors, notifying the Royal Army that she was no longer married. A new marriage license was tucked in his breast pocket, and a white-gold band rested in his trouser pocket. There were no impediments any more!
He re-straightened his jacket, and looked down the chapel's short light-filled centre aisle. When her glowing silhouette appeared in the open door his heart leapt with joy. Here she comes…and she is magnificent!
Julia smiled the minute she saw William waiting for her; all her nervousness evaporated. Standing there in a scarlet jacket with gold lapels and cuffs over a midnight blue waistcoat with same colored trousers that suited his coloring and physique to perfection, he looked incredible. She couldn't wait until later when she would enjoy him as her husband.
She adjusted her skirt in preparation for walking down the aisle to meet him. Wearing her uniform had been an option, but Julia wanted to be feminine on this day, of all days. The dress was a far cry from the formal number worn for her first wedding, but the boys of the Liberty Belle donated part of an old parachute to be used as silk for her wedding gown, and she'd had a tailor in town fashion it into a chic, but simple calf-length, princess-seamed garment, including the illusion silk provided by Ruby for the neckline and capped sleeves. It was the perfect material for a hot August day. In her hands were white hydrangea, gypsophila, and a few ferns for contrast, wrapped with blue silk ribbon. Her hair was worn in soft waves, with a white gardenia pinned behind her left ear.
Now she was at the threshold of the church; finally, there was only fifty feet and a short ceremony keeping them apart. A small collection of their friends stood as she walked down the aisle towards William. Julia felt a glow of pride at her man. She agreed to marry him - no best man or matron of honour, no one to walk her down the aisle. Just the two of them as equals. She had his wedding ring secured in a loop of ribbon from her bouquet.
Reaching his side, Julia knew she was making the right decision as he winked at her.
Her smile and presence was an immediate balm to his nerves. Though they hadn't known each other long, he knew she was the one for him.
Kneeling at the altar with him, he squeezed her hand. Looking at the priest, she nodded at his benediction. This was forever
Julia giggled to herself. At least the priest omitted the word 'obey' at our request.
For William it was over before he realized it, and soon they rose, the priest proclaiming them as man and wife.
William saw Julia frown at the priest's use of man and wife. "I promise I'll make it up to you later," he murmured as they faced their friends and family.
"Give her a kiss!" shouted one of the boys from the Liberty Belle. "It's not a proper wedding until you kiss the bride," another added.
Amid laughter from everyone, the silent tension had been broken. William turned to Julia, who laughed. "What are you waiting for, Captain?"
If the Americans wanted a display, he'd give it to them. Pulling her to him, he cupped her face with his hand and kissed deeply, and to her own credit, she kissed back.
The church was filled with applause as they walked back down the aisle. Members from William's regiment were already positioned with their sabre's raised as the church doors opened and they sailed through laughing, eager to begin the night's festivities as they walked towards the community hall.
"I must admit there is some trepidation on my part," William mentioned as they walked across the lawn in the late afternoon sun. "Colonel Brackenreid has insisted on giving a speech later, and knowing how he drinks, I'm afraid of what he'll say."
"Perhaps it will be the evening's entertainment," Julia laughed in response.
"I thought that's what your sister and the Americans were for," William poked back.
"No, they're the ones who brought a lot of booze and supplied some of this evening's delicacies with their rations," Julia reminded him. "Regardless of what happens, this is bound to be an interesting night. Are you ready for it?" she asked.
Stopping in front of the door, they turned to each other. "It's going to be an interesting life, Mrs. Murdoch, why should tonight be any different?"
"Indeed," she replied, with a sly, teasing smile. "But it is still Dr. Ogden…only you may call me Mrs. Murdoch when we're alone."
"As you like, Mrs. Murdoch," he agreed, swooping her up into his arms and carrying her into the hall to the raucous cheers of all.
-END-
A/N: Dear Reader - We hope you liked the adventure and thanks for coming along for the ride! Reviews are appreciated (our reward for bloody fingers from typing and late nites! :)) We tried for touches of authenticity (the 'internet is a wonderful thing' as rg is fond of saying) but please do not use this one as any kind of actual history lesson (mostly because rg bent a lot of facts to fit the story, despite FallenBelle trying so hard to curb her enthusiasm like the mean History teacher she is!) We hope you got the 'mash'-up story references (Pun intended).*****see below
rg wants to thank FallenBelle for inviting her on this adventure-it was a blast! We make a good team. Thanx also to RomanticNerd for sending along helpful tips on plotting a story - we tried to follow them as best we could. Also thanx to 'Dutch' for suggestions and beta read.
FallenBelle wants to thank rg for indulging her on this idea of what might happen with our characters in a different time and setting. Thanks to Dutch for the beta and suggestions, Big Red for helping out, and to little E for "helping".
** More Hints:
St. Taw is Watts spelled backwards
Col. Rettop is Col. Potter
Col. Henry E. Kalb is Henry Blake