PART IV- SPRING
There was always that one day in spring, when the season seemed to truly awaken; in the morning the trees held only the promise of their ripening buds, and by the afternoon, lured by a day of bright sunshine and warmth, the buds were gone, replaced by tender green leaves, or heady blossoms. This was such a day.
The setting sun shone through the unfolding leaves of the oak, a golden beacon behind a veil of green lace. The earth held that deep loaming smell that only seems to fill the air when the spring is new and ready to burst forth. It was time, time for all that was bright, and fresh, and good to be born into the beckoning arms of the season.
Amanda paused for a moment in the shadows of the porch, drinking in the day, thinking about how impossible it would have been to have ever envisioned this turn in her life. She remembered sitting on this very porch, was it just a few short months ago, or was it years? How long had she been waiting for him to find her there on the threshold of tomorrow, biding her time until he would arrive on her doorstep? Now Sarek stood beneath the newly unfurled oak, waiting for her, mind reaching to where she lay hidden in shadow, calling her forward.
She stepped out into the sunlight, the gentle breeze rustling the hem of her skirt in a dance of lace around her ankles. It was a dress that held her history and she wore it proudly as her mother once wore it, and her grandmother, and generations of women before that: a simple white dress and a wreath of flowers woven in her curls. Amanda strode straight and true into a future that others might see as uncertain, but she had never been more sure of anything in her life.
As their eyes met, he spoke her name with his mind and her whole body reverberated in the recreation of his unique timbre of his voice. Amanda looked into his eyes and for that moment, the entire universe existed within the two of them. Then, gently, she felt the tendrils of Sarek's mind slip from within hers, bringing her back to the reality of a warm spring evening under a blossoming oak.
She stopped under the branches that she felt had protected her most of her life. On this day it would be the tree that was giving her away as much as any relative would. It had sheltered her throughout her childhood and into young womanhood. Sheltered and protected her for this, a future like none she had ever imagined.
He looked… resplendent. Standing tall and majestic, looking like an elven lord from a long ago realm, robed in intricately cut layers of rust and black velvet traced in gold bindings. Yes, there was no other word for it but resplendant. She laughed to herself, seeing the question on his face.
"Usually, it the bride who is all decked out in finery and the groom is fairly non-descript. We seemed to have crossed wires, " Amanda whispered low, knowing only he could hear.
" Cross wires? I have offended-"
"No, you look beautiful. I've never seen you dressed so--- so magnificently."
She could sense more than see him filling with what seemed to her like pride, "These are ceremonial robes and only worn on the most important of occasions."
"I am honored," she replied in the response he had already taught her was most appropriate, then looking up at him added her own, "Thank you."
Sarek looked at her for a moment and so softy spoke, "It is but a small reflection of the beauty I have before me in you."
His eyes then turned from her, too telling in this open place with others within sight and hearing, and he straightened, presenting the stoicism he needed to the rest of her world.
The judge cleared her throat as they turned to face her, the two of them suddenly made even more aware that there were actually other people in the universe. The woman was an old friend of the family that her grandmother had sworn to secrecy—at least until they had both been able to depart Earth for her new home, somewhere millions of miles away.
"We are gathered here today, family and friends…"
Amanda looked out of the corner of her eye. Her grandmother was softly crying. She had tried to reassure Louisa earlier that day, wanting to let her know everything really was okay. There was so much she might have told had things been different, but she was now duty-bound to keep to herself. She wanted to tell her grandmother how she was loved, loved and cherished in a way that words would not hold, to tell her what a gentle and tender lover he was to her. But all she could say was that she had no fears with him by her side and that Louisa need not ever worry for her.
"…to love, honor, and cherish from this day forward, till death do you part?"
"I do."
She had suggested that perhaps he would have liked to change the words; it was all right with her, she understood, but Sarek had been insistent. In the near future, light years from here, there would be another ceremony, another exchange of promises that Amanda would be expected to follow to the letter. They would have it both ways, no matter how many eyebrows were raised.
"It is tradition," he had said," I would have no other way."
"Do you, Amanda Grayson, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor and cherish, from this day forward, till death do you part?"
"I do," She felt the breath she had been holding release. It was done. He was now hers are much as she would be his.
" By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Turning, Amanda whispered to him, " You know don't have to."
Sarek softly replied, "But this once, I do."
He bent down and kissed her, in front of the few gathered to see for this single moment, a public declaration of the inner commitment. And when he stepped back, she felt her breath pull away for a moment.
It was more than she had ever hoped or dreamed. Her old life ended here and now and her new life had begun. They stood silent, holding the sacredness of the moment for a few beats.
From the corner of her eye, she caught a movement in the air beside her. She reached out to catch its source- an errant acorn. Whether it hung on through the winter and only now been released by the new growth of leaves, or if by some fluke had been newly minted, either way it seemed a miraculous gift, finding its way to her on this of all days. Smiling, Amanda placed it in her pocket, then took her husband's hand in hers. Maybe she could find a way to grow an oak tree in the desert…
She gently squeezed his hand.
"My wife?" He looked down at her questioning.
"Yes. I am." And with that they walked into their future, no longer alone but as one.
