Claire brought her some water. "How do you feel?"
"I'm okay." She'd had morning sickness once that day, but much of the wedding festivities had run smoothly. "You look gorgeous, Claire." Her sister was a sight in a yellow sundress, her wedding boots, and her mother's necklace she'd been given on her wedding day.
"Well, I have to admit, it's better than my wedding dress, not quite as good as my jeans though."
Tess laughed, glad Claire was able to relieve some of the tension. "Well, you look great. Alex is going to be knocked over. What about Charlotte? Where's she?"
"The girls are keeping an eye on her. I'll get her when we go back down. She's already dressed and they know not to let her where she can get dirty, don't worry. And Jodi's braiding her hair."
"Can you...?" Tess indicated the zipper that she was having trouble with.
"Sure." Claire zipped up the dress and looked at her sister. "You look great." Tess had chosen to have the wedding spring country, a little more elegancethan Claire and Alex's planned wedding was to have, but even Claire could have agreed on the dress, a white chiffon slip dress, some lace, but nothing fancy. "When we were talking about Craig and Jodi last night, it got me thinking about when the house was ransacked."
"Yeah." Tess frowned. They'd managed to get every piece of furniture back and most of her mother's jewelry, but there were still some pieces missing. "Alex and I found something..." She handed Tess the long box.
"Claire, what..." She opened it and looked at them. "Pearls?"
"I contacted the person who bought the pearls from the store that had the rest of your mom's jewelry. You remember the trip to the city?" She nodded. Alex and Claire had gone to the city about a month after Harry's death. "One of the things we did..."
"You found Mom's pearls."
Claire nodded. "I knew they were your favorite." Tess couldn't talk, just held her sister, tears in her eyes.
"I'm beginning to wish I'd paid more attention to Mom," Alex said, struggling with his tie.
Meg knocked on the door. "We're done," Nick said so she could come in.
"This is yours," she handed Nick a yellow rosebud, "and this is yours." She handed Alex his and tied his tie. "The girls are ready; Charlotte's withthe girlsuntil you or Claire get ready. I need to run the bouquets upstairs."
"I'll do it," Alex volunteered.
"Okay." He nodded, taking the flowers from Meg and going up to his room, knocking on the open door.
Claire turned and smiled at him. "Hey."
"Hey." He smiled at her, thinking how beautiful she was, even if he couldn't find the words to express it. "Meg said these go up here?"
She nodded, taking her daisy bouquet, as Tess turned around. "New dress, old pearls, blue around my flowers," she picked up the yellow rose bouquet that was tied with blue ribbon, "borrowed..."
Claire picked up the bible she'd put back in her father's trunk with her wedding dress and some of Charlotte's baby clothes that she'd wanted to save. "I know he used it with Mom, but it is still Dad's, so if you want..."
Tess started crying again, hugging her sister carefully so that neither girl got wrinkled. "How come you didn't cry all the time?" Alex asked, not sure if it was the wedding or Tess's pregnancy.
"I had to keep up with you. Didn't have time," she teased him, kissing his cheek.
"Yeah, yeah, get away." He teased, his arm around her waist.
She smiled at him. "I should go down and get Charlotte." She looked at Tess.
"We'll be right down." Claire nodded, going down the stairs, taking the bible with her.
"Thank you for doing this. It means a lot to both of us that you and Claire are here."
Alex hugged her slightly. "Of course. You're family." He paused. "Tess, don't worry about Mom. I know for a fact that the only people Nick cares about being here are here. It's her choice and who is she to say anything bad about anyone?"
Tess knew what Alex was trying to get across. "You're a good brother-in-law."
He laughed. "You're a good little sister." He gave her his arm and they walked down the stairs together and out to the tent.
Nick was already up front, waiting. Claire was holding Charlotte whose sundress and boots matched her own. The little girlwas wearing the necklace Alex had bought her when he married Claire. There were only fifty people there, but all were friends. The tent was decorated with wildflowers that had just recently begun to bloom.
As they walked up the aisle, music began to play and she couldn't keep her eyes from Nick's.
"Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself. Makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms. There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast, hope this feeling lasts the rest of my life. If you knew how lonely my life has been and how long I've been so alone. And if you know how I wanted someone to come along and change my life the way you've done. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me, it feels like I'm all the way back where I come from. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me, it feels like I'm all the way back where I belong."
Before she knew it, she was beside Nick and Alex was standing beside Claire and their daughter. The same officiate who had married Claire and Alex began to speak. "We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. Will you please, as an expression that your hearts are joined together in love, now join hands?" The hands that had brushed up against each other alread now intwined together. "Nicholas Gary Ryan, do you take Teresa Charlotte Silverman McLeod to be your wedded wife, to live together in mariage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her so long as you both shall live?"
Nick looked at Tess, smiled, and said, "I do."
"Teresa Charlotte Silverman McLeod, do you take Nicholas Gary Ryan to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?"
Tess didn't have to think twice. "I do."
"Who blesses this marriage?"
Alex looked at his wife and, together, they said, "We do."
"Ruth 1:16 says 'Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God'." Nick squeezed Tess's hand gently. The same words that were read at Alex and Claire's wedding were now read again. "'Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails'." Tess squeezed Nick's hand back, the same gentle, loving squeeze he'd had before. "Love is always ready to excuse, to truth, to hope, and to endure whatever comes." Alex moved a little closer to his wife and daughter. "Love does not come to an end. The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It is a seal of the vows Nick and Tess have made to one another. Bless these rings, those who give them and who wear them, may they ever abide in peace, living together in unity, love, and happiness for the rest of their lives."
Nick looked at Tess, taking the small gold band from his brother. "I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. With this ring, I thee wed." He slipped it on her finger.
Tess took the other ring from Alex and looked into Nick's eyes, no longer nervous or scared. "I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. With this ring, I thee wed." She put his matching ring on Nick's finger.
"In as much as you have each pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love, and devotion, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride!" Nick cupped Tess's cheek gently and kissed her, both oblivious to anyone else in the room.
After the kiss, they walked down the aisle again, this time together.
"Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me and how long I've waited for your touch. And if you knew how happy you are making me, I never thought I'd love anyone this much. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me, it feels like I'm all the way back where I come from. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me, it feels like I'm all the way back where I belong. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong."
As they left the church, Claire gave Charlotte the bell and she rang it until Alex finally picked her up, kissing her forehead and holding her up high.
The boys went inside to change quickly, both Claire and Tess knowing exactly how long they could make Alex wear a tux. Claire and Tess lead the guests to the tennis court where the cakes were out on a table, a butter cake with white icing and fresh yellow rosebuds for Tess and chocolate cupcakes with white frosting for Nick. Two candles were sitting out with ivy around them, nestled between three pictures, a picture of Harry with his sons, a picture of Jack with the girls when they were little, and a picture of Tess and her mother. Around the tennis court were the tables from earlier covered in yellow gingham tablecloths. The iced tea and coffee bar was back with white grape juice for the toasts.
When the boys came back out, a song started to play for the first dance. Alex wrapped his arms loosely around Claire, his chin on her shoulder, head next to hers, watching their brother and sister.
"I must be crazy now. Maybe I dream too much, but when I think of you, I long to feel your touch, to whisper in your ear, words that are old as time, worlds only you would hear, if only you were mine. I wish I could go back to the very first day I saw you. Should've made my move when you looked in my eyes. 'Cause by now I know that you'd feel the way I do and you'd whisper these words as you'd lay here by my side. I love you. Please say you love me too. These three words, they could change our lives forever and I promise you that we will always be together 'til the end of time. So today I finally find the courage deep inside just to walk right up to your door, but my body can't move when I finally get to it like a thousand times before. Then without a word you handed me this letter read I hope this finds the way into your heart. It said I love you, please say you love me too 'til the end of time. Well maybe I, I need a little love, yeah. Maybe I, I need a little care. Maybe you, maybe you need somebody just to hold you. If you do, just reach out, I'll be there. I love you. Please say you love me, please say you love me too. These three words, they could change our lives forever and I promise you that we will always be together. Oh, I love you. Please say you love me, please say you love me too 'til the end of time. Oh baby, my baby, together forever, I love you, I will be your light shining through your eyes."
The dance was over and the other couples joined them out on the floor. The cake was eaten, Claire and Alex managed to make it through their toasts, and Tess and Nick managed to pull their family aside on the guise of getting ready to go. Without a word, each handed their sibling a photo album. Claire looked at Tess, but opened hers first. On the very first page, she saw the picture they both loved of them as little girls.
"It's every picture I could get my hands on from that picture and the one with Jack to the wedding pictures Meg's helping me get." Claire hugged her sister.
"Tess kinda gave me the idea, but I'm not sure..." Nick wasn't as comfortable at showing emotion with Alex as Tess was with Claire. Alex opened his book and, on the very first page, saw one when they were not much older than Charlotte, with Claire and Tess, a memory he'd forgotten until he saw it in the picture again. "Mom told me where it was; it's why I wanted to finish getting our stuff last night." Manyof the pictures had them with Claire, almost none had them with their parents. Alex wasn't quite sure what to say. He hadn't wanted any of the photo albums when their parents had seperated, hadn't wanted to remember all the horrible times growing up, but he'd forgotten that there were good times too.
The girls went upstairs, Claire getting Tess's suitcase for her, Tess putting Charlotte's present, a teddy bear bigger than she was, in her room. "Did Nick like his clock?" Claire asked.
"He loved it. It's right next to the piano." Tess left the dress on, but put her hair back with a few hair sticking down in front, framing her face, and changing into regular shoes. "Did I tell you what he gave me?" Claire shook her head. "A spa."
Claire laughed, shaking her head. "Finally. You're happy."
Tess nodded. "You remember when I told you about Mum and that I didn't want this?" Claire nodded. "You remember what you told me?" Claire nodded and Tess hugged her. "You were right."
"I know," Claire said, attempting some humor, knowing the waterworks were about to start again.
"I hate leaving this place." Still she knew both couples couldn't live there, especially since they were both starting families.
"You're going to be right next door. You'll be over every day and, if you're not, I'll be over at Wilgul." Tess nodded. "Drover's is still your home, Tess. And it won't be like before." Tess nodded again, hugging her. Claire sat on the edge of the bed with her, rubbing her back, and letting her cry. "You remember when Alex moved in with us?" Tess nodded. "What'd you say?"
"That you needed some alone time together."
"That's all this is. You and Nick deserve to start a life together, alone, for a few more months anyway. I could walk to Wilgul from here. I might make a new exercise path to the horses over there. If Alex and I are over, Charlotte's going to be there..."
"Yeah." Tess wiped her eyes, fixing her makeup again, and going back down with her sister.
Tess went back to Nick and the strains of 'Chilly Woman', what Tess had chosen as the garter song, could be heard as Claire and Alex went to the car. Claire put the suitcase in the back and took the shaving cream from her husband's hand, replacing it with some of the flowers. "Get away," Alex gave her his disappointed look.
"I'll remind you of that after they leave." He went over to her and kissed her, his hands on her waist.
They were interrupted by Meg who came to help decorate the car with some of the leftover flowers. Alex took Charlotte back to the party; Meg and Claire joining them later. The new constable had caught the garter and Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman" started. Amy caught the bouquet and Meg looked relieved that her daughter hadn't.
As the sun set, the last dance started and Alex finally managed to get his wife out on the dance floor with the promise that Becky would look after Charlotte.
"I set out on a narrow way many years ago, hoping I would find true love along the broken road. But I got lost a time or two, wiped my brow and kept pushing through, I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you. Every long lost dream led me to where you are. Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars, pointing me on my way into your loving arms. This much I know is true: that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you. I think about the years I spent just passing through. I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you. But you just smile and take my hand, you've been there you understand. It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true. Every long lost dream led me to where you are. Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars, pointing me on my way into your loving arms. This much I know is true: that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you. Now I'm just rollin home into my lover's arms. This much I know is true that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you."
Tess and Nick slipped away during the song and the guests started leaving; the crew from Drover's and Killarney cleaning up.
It was dark by the time that the family made their way home. Charlotte was asleep, exhausted by the day's events, and Claire walked with Alex's arm around her, her eyes closed too. Alex kissed his wife's temple. "Go take a bath. I'll put her to bed." He gently took his daughter to her room.
The phone rang and Claire stopped by their bedroom to answer it. "Drover's."
"Claire? It's Karen. Your results are in. Both you and Alex were right. You are fine, but I did find something."
Claire's heart was in her throat. "What...what is it?"
"You're pregnant. Eight weeks." Claire couldn't speak. "Claire?"
Alex came into the room and Claire looked at him. "Ah, right, thanks." She hung up. "That was Karen."
A terrified look came on his face, sure that something was horribly wrong, having convinced himself of such. "What did she say?"
Claire took his hand, sitting with him on the side of the bed. "I'm pregnant."
"Feels Like Home" by Chantel Kreviazuk
"I Love You" by Faith Hill
"Bless The Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts