The bouquet of amethyst lilacs quivers between rigid fingers. Flickering lanterns cast a warm glow like a crown in my hair, and a gulp of uncertainty travels down my throat as Nate looks up the aisle. But the expression, of his changing his mind that I expected, does not surface. Sharp eyes of diamond scour over the form of my wedding gown, and I see it in him. An essence, as if he were complete. He is half of myself that I never even knew was missing.
Lee grasps my hand and exhales. "Are you ready for this?" He whispers, his arm about to lead me down the starry aisle. I make contact with the tears in Nathan's eyes, and I answer, "I want to spend the rest of my life with him; I'm ready."
Opal casts crimson petals across the moss carpet of the mountain woods. Lanterns and torches light the edges, illuminating faces in the audience. There, I see Lucas and Elizabeth with their hands laced together. Little Jack in Elizabeth's lap, I smile at the future little family. Clara goes in first as the maid of honor, followed by Rosemary, and Allie. I asked my future daughter to be a junior bridesmaid, which was an odd concept for people to grasp, but they didn't question it. This is truly the first day I have lived in freedom. I focus on my husband-to-be, my daughter, and a fresh future. I don't even notice the crowd rising from their seats. Burden of the past fades away in this perfect pause in time. The moment where Lee gives me away and my quivering hand is embraced by Nate's steady fingers. The night air is clean, but the breeze is a comforting warmth around us as Pastor Canfield recites the commencement of the ceremony. Stars twinkle like thousands of rhinestones in delicate fabric, rippling and waving in the sky.
Nathan gently squeezes my palm, rubbing circles with his thumb across the knuckles. I bite my lip, but cannot seem to relieve my mouth from smiling so wide.
"You may be seated." Pastor Canfield nods, and continues,"We are gathered here today in the sight of God, to bring together this man and this woman in the ordinance of holy matrimony. If there are any objections as to why this couple should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace." The silence is golden as no one pipes up to offer any argument. Nyrah had feared that Jude would show up, but there is no sight of him. "Nathan Grant, you may take the ring and offer your vows."
The silver band is simple, but it was never about the ring. It slides from the ribbon attached to a small pillow, and the band is less than an inch away from the tip of my ring finger. "I, Nathan Grant, take you, Nyrah Sutton, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life." A tear trickles down to my chin as Nate adds, "Nyrah, you are the reason I want to wake up everyday, and I offer all I can possibly give, but most of all, my heart. You are deeply cherished and loved."
As it is my turn, I remove his ring from the pillow as well, wondering if the heart in my chest will burst. Without any doubt, the words glide from my mouth. "I, Nyrah Sutton, take you, Nathan Grant, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life." I suck in my lips. "Nathan, the love that I have for you is different than anything I've ever known. It is constant. It is enduring. It is forever. I give you the light in my eyes. After all, you are the one who put it there in the first place."
Rosemary awes over each word in complete investment. Clara winks at me when the ring is finally on Nathan's finger. Allie is containing a massive squeal.
"Having heard your vows to one another, and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you as Nathan and Nyrah Grant, husband and wife. You may...now kiss the bride."
He closes in gently as his arms hold my waist. The applause is barely audible as Nate kisses me for the first time as my husband. His are lips soft and slightly chapped. When we pull away, I bury my face in his shoulder with my arms around his neck and he returns it. His red serge will be soaked by the time all of the tears of joy have escaped, but they don't have enough time as we walk hand in hand back up the aisle as husband and wife.
The dream ripples into a void when I wake to a thud against glass. A pigeon, dazed and clueless, tackles the next line of flight and skips on its merry way back into the pale sky.
Slipping out of papery sheets, I pull Allie out of slumber, then dress for the day so we can meet Lee downstairs. Allie visits her uncle every weekend, and we found out yesterday that Nate is well enough to return home.
When we check out from the hospital with Nathan, we all clamber into Mr. Coulter's car.
After a couple of weeks with a few complications of mild infection, Allie, Nate, and I are on our way to purchase a dessert. Mr. Coulter is smiling, for I know that he has finally made amends with his long estranged sister. I met her briefly before I brought Allie to the hospital. Lee is driving, obviously because I cannot drive this old machinery very well. I have tried, as Fiona braved the feat to teach me once. It ended with repair to the left headlight.
Nate reaches for my hand, and I make no move to stop him. Nate got in last so we would not squish him as we fit into one big seat. Not that it isn't already cramped. He doesn't appear to mind the tight space at all. In fact, he is happier than ever. The hospital provided some crutches until he can get strength back into his leg, and hopefully, with time, he will transfer to a cane, then total independence. I promised I would check up on him and Allie, and help with some housework. I've heard from Nathan that she is very helpful and good at housework, but still has school everyday.
I asked Nathan about what happened and how he got his injuries, since I never mentioned that in my journal. He had not known what would occur.
"It's strange," he said, "I felt something push me. People probably thought I only jumped in the way to save that other Mountie, but it didn't feel that way at the time. I would have done it." The convict's sister had shot Nate in the leg trying to break her brother free from the NWMP transport wagon. Nate tried to calm her down. To see reason. Just like he does in the television series, and like he always does, because he is a good man and Mountie. As for the other injury, that is still under investigation. (Bill came to visit.) Another bullet sprang from the thick brush and trees, but there was no sign of any firearm or indication that anyone had been there.
I nuzzle Nate's shoulder with my cheek, exhausted. I had suggested we all get a treat to celebrate, and everyone agreed if Nathan was up to it. He stated he was, and here we are, traveling to a simple stand in the main square of town, which is shaped more like a pentagon.
I catch Allie watching Nathan and I once and a while. Lee too. They know something is up, but I'm surprised they have yet to bring up the subject. My eyes flutter downward, my brain tired from thinking. I did not get much sleep last night. I was too alive with excitement for today and didn't doze off until well after three in the morning.
It will be time for Nathan's next dose of pain. relief in a couple of hours, I think right before gently slipping away.
It is not long before the car jostles and crawls, and my mind lifts from its rest.
"Does she not want ice cream anymore uncle Nathan?" I hear Allie say, and I rub my eyes.
"Yes, I do." I yawn into my hand. "Sorry." In my own mind, I yelp in attack. Jude shifts into view in the distance beside a newspaper booth. He is wearing a smirk, designated for me to see as his finger touches his lips as if divulginga secret. "Stop the car!" I shout.
"It is stopped," Lee is startled, but amused as I blink rapidly.
"Oh, good!" I scramble out of the car, since Lee and Allie have climbed put already. "Stay here and don't move!" Lifting up my skirts, I bolt down the street as fast as humanly possible. Horns honk in rage as I weave in and out of traffic. Two children with their jump rope wave in greeting before my ankle hooks onto a flowerpot, skidding my knees against the gravel. Jude is still no where to be seen and mature women glaring in their bonnets gossip about the lady with scraped knees and exposed bloomers. The guard standing near the gate of a cemetery spits into the dirt, but then notices me brush rocks away. As he is close by, I ask him if he has seen anyone. A man with sandy hair, glasses, holding a child...
I gulp in fright. Perhaps I was seeing things again, but I promise I saw Jude Wesley holding baby Jack. I need to call Elizabeth immediately.
Everyone back in the car is silent with a worried expression on their faces. Not for baby Jack, as they didn't see Jude at all, but for me. I probably look stupid. Crazy. I make a quick call to Hope Valley and Elizabeth and Little Jack are together, unharmed, and secure.
Allie and Lee venture on a small walk before we travel again, and the vanilla ice-cream they purchased for me remains untasted in a small cup.
"I saw him, Nathan." A tear slides down my cheek. "I know I saw him."
Nathan takes a deep breath, treading carefully. "It rained on Jesse and Clara's wedding." He is referencing the entry I jotted in my journal. He stares out the window at a dog swiping meat from a burger station, before returning his attention fully on me.
"You're point?" I cross my bony arms.
"I believe you." He grasps my hand for what seems like the hundredth time this morning, but I have not been keeping tally. I don't want him to let go. I gift Nate a smile and go back to worrying. "But you still need to be open to the fact that it may have just been someone who looked very similar."
"You're right." I squeeze his hand gently. "Maybe it was his twin."
Nate tilts his head, rolling his eyes at my joke. "Only you would suggest such a thing."
"I thought you said you believed me," I say, raising an eyebrow.
"I'd probably believe in pumpkins with toes if you asked me to," he chuckles.
I chuckle, content with the growth our friendship has endured. I have a feeling that there will be many more trials to come. I shake my head at Nate's comment and say, "Let's not be too unreasonable."
I had written the wedding scene already, and was going to wait, but I had this idea...so...there is a reason she has this dream. I hope this chapter was enjoyable for all of you. Thank you for all the sweet comments! I appreciate all of you, even those who maybe don't ship Nathan And Nyrah, or maybe are not as invested in the story than others. I appreciate the time you have given to read what content I have posted on here, and I am truly grateful. Thank you for your support even with my struggle through depression and being patient with me. I want to continue this book to the end. I will.