Mattie was sitting on the couch, her legs folded underneath her, reading her book, when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye.
"Wow! Rose, That dress! It's gorgeous!"
Rose fiddled with the skirt nervously "Is it alright? I was worried it was too much. I originally bought it to wear to the hens, but Jean keeps saying she doesn't want one, so I figured I'd take my chance with it tonight" The dress was black with bright orange and yellow patterns that looked like suns and autumn leaves and the sleeves came to just below her elbows.
"Really Rose, You look great"
Rose smiled nervously at her "Thanks"
"What's this about Jean not wanting a hens night?"
"Just that. She says she's too old"
"What complete and utter rubbish!"
"I know, That's what I said. I don't think Alice will let her get away with it though"
"Alice?"
"Dr Harvey, She's maid of honour, She's a little too excited about it if you ask me" she rolled her eyes as she smiled at Mattie.
Just then Lucien appeared in the doorway "Ah there you are. Jean wants some help setting the table. Could you give her a hand please? Apparently I'm doing it wrong." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
Mattie swung her legs out from under her and stood up. "Sure. Come on Rose"
As the girls walked out of the room past Lucien, Rose turned back "Lucien, You've got lipstick smudged on your face, you might want to go wipe it off" the girls giggled as they went to help Jean.
Lucien wiped his face distractedly with a stupid grin and went to his room to clean his face.
"Mattie can you put these potatoes on the table please?" Jean called to her. "and Rose, the gravy"
The delicious aroma of roast Lamb, rosemary and garlic filled the room as Jean opened the oven door
"Let me get that Jean" Charlie offered. He bent down and removed the roast from the oven. "It smells amazing! Shall I take it to the table?"
"Yes please Charlie, Surely Alice and Matthew can't be too far away."
Charlie nodded and left Jean in the kitchen. She looked around checking she hadn't missed anything.
"We're here, We made it!" Alice's bright voice chirped from the hallway as the front door banged.
"Oh good. Perfect timing" Jean answered as Alice came in to the kitchen "We've just taken the roast out.
"It just started to rain, just as we pulled up. Matthew's just gone to get changed."
Jean raised her eyebrows at her casual use of his first name but didn't comment. She looked up at Alice "Oh dear, I had no idea everyone was getting all dressed up. I feel underdressed now." She wiped her hands on her apron.
Alice looked at her friend who was in a neat navy fitted dress covered in a bird print "Don't be silly Jean. You look lovely. Here, let me untie your apron and let's go get a drink"
As they walked out of the kitchen Lucien joined them with an impish smile.
"Lucien? What is that look for?" Jeans tone was suspicious.
Then came a voice from behind her "Surprise Auntie Jean!"
"Danny!" she spun around and threw her arms around him, bursting into tears, overcome with emotion. "What are you doing here?
Danny looked at Lucien "It was the Doc's idea. I, uh brought you some flowers." She let him go and wiped her face as he passed them to her. She lowered her nose in to the yellow roses and inhaled deeply. "I managed to get some time off work." He paused and looked at her.
"Oh Danny, It's so good to see you!"
"What's going on ?" Charlie joined them in the corridor
"Charlie!" Lucien patted him on the shoulder. "This is Danny. He's Mrs Beazley's nephew"
Danny turned and their eyes met. Charlie felt his face smile involuntarily "Hello, Good to meet you." He held out his hand and Danny shook it. Danny was blonde, slight of stature and what Charlie would call a 'pretty boy'
Mattie's face appeared around the corner of the doorframe 'Oh it's you. I thought I heard a familiar voice" She beamed at him "Guess that's another place to set at the dinner table then?"
"Hello Mattie" Danny grinned and hugged her. Over her shoulder he spied Rose, who was once again looking uncomfortably awkward. "And you must be Rose" He walked towards her and stuck out his hand. "I'm Danny. You're the boss's niece?" he questioned as they shook hands.
"I'm not your boss anymore Danny, Matthew is fine." Matthew had joined the party. "How's Melbourne treating you?"
Alice interrupted "I'm sorry, I don't mean to kill the mood, but perhaps we should move this party in to the dining room? The corridor is lovely, but the food is getting cold" She turned to Danny "Doctor Alice Harvey" She shook his hand "Lovely to finally meet you" She turned and called over her shoulder "Who's having a glass of wine?"
The party followed her back in to the dining room. Jean slipped her hand into Luciens and pulled him back.
"Jean? Is everything alright?"
Jean kissed his lips tenderly "Thank you Lucien. It means the world to me to have him here. I don't know how you and Matthew managed it. But I'm so glad you did" She wrapped her loose hand around his neck and pulled him close for another kiss.
Danny's mocking voice floated in "Are you guys gonna join us or what?"
Mattie's voice followed his "They've been like this all day Danny, Its ridiculous. I'm surprised how anything gets done around here"
Laughter reached them as they lovingly looked into each others eyes, foreheads touching
Lucien beamed at her "Shall we go in Mrs Beazley?"
"You go in, Just give me a second. I'll just put these in some water" She indicated the flowers
Lucien kissed her hand and reluctantly let go and walked toward the dining room.
After putting the roses in a glass vase of water, Jean took a deep breath and wiped her face. This family, Her family, was all together, in that room. So much love between them all, Such a special time. They were all here to celebrate her wedding. The one that Father Emery couldn't bless. She swallowed, feeling more love radiating from the dining room than she had felt from her church in the last six months. Suddenly she realised that church was not about the building or the priest. God was not contained to that building. Tonight she felt closer to God than she had felt before. Her heart was so full of joy it felt like it would burst. She thought back on the past year and what she and Lucien had endured, The in town gossip, the sidewards glances, her alienation from the church, Mei Lin, Munro, Carlyle, and Derek Alderton, and smiled. All the hard times all of a sudden seemed completely worth it, just to feel the intense happiness she felt at this moment.
Lucien stuck his head around the corner "You ready to join us?"
She looked at him and smiled softly. "Yes. I'm ready"
He held out his hand and she took it, and hugging close to his arm they went to enjoy dinner with their family.