Epilogue
Many moons later . . .
Diana stood in front of the audience. She looked down the long line of girls she stood at the head of. It was the largest bridal party she had ever seen. Of course, there were just as many groomsmen. The field they had chosen had to be the most beautiful shade of green in Ireland, almost the color of a peridot.
She played with the one on her silver chain around her neck. All the girls were wearing white dresses with the iridescence of their working color. Even though her working color was white, her own dress glimmered a vibrant opal under the shining sun. Faye's turned a beautiful scarlet when the light hit it just right. Cassie's was a silvery blue. Tears came to her eyes looking at her best friend, her sister. She was so happy to be standing right next to her.
Turning her head back to the ceremony, Mrs. Burke was finishing. "I now pronounce you, Mister and Missus Nicholas Armstrong."
Diana clapped, ignoring her bouquet of lilies. Tears were falling down her cheek as Katherine and Nick shared their first kiss as a wedded couple.
As the wedding party made their way back up the aisle, she joined hands with Aidan. He had stood next to Nick as his Best Man.
The whole mass of people walked their way back to the Smith house. Upon entering the first living room, a twelve tier cake sat in the center. Streamers and balloons were everywhere, and in the corner, a small string quartet was playing.
The evening was beautiful. Both Diana and Aidan had given there speeches eloquently. While dancing, he smiled at her. "Just think. Some day, you'll be Diana Smith."
She felt a playful smile grow on her face. "Gee, how . . . puritan."
"Come here, you," he laughed, pulling her closer and kissing her.
Diana and Cassie danced together as well, the guys just standing back and chatting. "I had an idea," Cassie said, her face gleaming with happiness.
"What's that?"
"Why don't we get married together? Adam and I, Aidan and you. I mean, it's up to you, but I thought it would be so wonderful, my Maid of Honor getting married with me."
Diana giggled. "That would be the best, except you guys are already engaged," she pointed at the diamond on Cassie's finger, sharing a gold band with miniature pieces of a chalcedony rose. "You'd have to wait for him to take the big jump." She nodded her head over at Aidan.
Cassie shrugged. "I don't think it will take him that long. Besides, it would be well worth the wait."
"I'll talk to Aidan about it when the time comes."
Diana danced so much that night. She'd taken turns with all of her original coven members, plus some from her new coven. Most of the night, though, she spent in Aidan's arms.
The party continued into the early morning. While it was still dark, Aidan took her out to the field behind his home. The deep lilac of the twilight spread through the sky, promising a soon rising sun.
She sighed, looking out among the acres of green that expanded in front of her. She relaxed on a blanket Aidan had spread on the grass. Opening a bottle of champagne, he carefully poured a glass for each of them.
Raising his glass, he began a toast. "To a wonderful night."
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the sun beginning to show itself over the horizon. "And to the promise of a new day."
They clinked glasses, each taking a sip. "A little birdie told me you liked sunrises."
She smiled, looking at the slowly rising sun. "What else has Cassie told you?"
"That a sunrise would be the best time to ask you to be my wife."
Diana, coughed, turning to look at him quickly. She hadn't noticed that he had moved onto his knee.
"Diana?" he asked quietly, opening a small blue velvet box.
Lightly gasping, she was awestruck. Inside the box was a heart shaped diamond with a tear drop peridot to each side of it upon a white-gold band.
She was getting on her knees, shaking terribly. Her eyes were filling with tears for the umpteenth time that day.
He continued to speak as he took the ring from the box. "We've spent so many lifetimes together. Would you do me the honor of spending this one with me as my wife?"
The tears were spilling over as he placed the ring on her finger. She smiled at his expression of love and care. Unable to speak, she answered him with a kiss.
When she pulled away, he grinned. "Good. Now neither of you have to wait too long for a wedding."
Diana was confused. "What?" Then she heard something behind her. She turned to see Cassie running to her, arms outstretched. Adam was slowly walking behind her.
Diana stood just in time to catch her. "You little sneak," she laughed, hugging her close. "You knew about this all along. You guys had this planned."
Adam smiled, kissing her on the cheek. "I'm glad we could be a part of it."
She went back to Aidan's arms, her fiancé. Together all for of them watched the rest of the sunrise. She watched as the silver cord wrapped around them, then extended to Cassie and Adam. The girls shared a knowing smile.
"I love you," Aidan whispered.
From the center of the universe, Diana smiled.