Oliver slowly opened his eyes. A sliver of light was showing through a crack in the curtain. He glanced at the clock. 6:28. His alarm would go off in two minutes. He shut it off and picked up the photograph off his nightstand. He smiled, thinking of what it would be like waking up next to Shane.

Still grinning, he jumped out of bed, walked over to the window, and threw the curtains open. They were getting married today. It was a gorgeous morning, as if heaven itself knew something significant was taking place.

Oliver quickly showered and got ready for the day, taking an extra few minutes to look his best. He found himself whistling. He had already carefully placed all of his items to take to the church near the front door the night before. He double checked everything, making sure his tuxedo had not wrinkled and that he had the correct socks and tie.

He next went to the kitchen to start breakfast. He glanced at the clock once again, 7:47. Time was crawling. He was itching to talk with Shane, but knew he had to wait. With coffee in hand he grabbed his Bible and went out onto the back porch to sit in the morning sun. He flipped through verses he'd marked on love and marriage.

He then set everything down and closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply. He thought of Shane, of being married to her and a strong wave of gratitude washed over him. So much could have prevented this day from happening, but here they were. Almost as if joining together was a part of some greater design. This was right. He could feel it.


Shane's phone alarm started playing the wedding march theme at 7:00AM. She rolled over and smiled. Alex must have switched it when she wasn't paying attention. Her smile broadened as she thought of Oliver. She stretched and sat up, rubbing her left leg. "I'm going to need you to work for me today."

She put on her brace, grabbed her walker, and attempted to stand. She made it to the bathroom, but the pain began by the time she got to the door. She sighed. She looked down at her leg again with a determined look on her face.

After her shower, Alex and Heather came bursting through the door.

"You're getting married in the morning! Ding-dong the bells are going to chime!" sang Alex dramatically.

Heather was carrying a breakfast tray. "Good morning, honey. I figured you could eat while we start your hair and make up! Unless you are feeling too anxious to eat? I almost threw up right before I married your dad."

"I'm actually feeling really calm." said Shane, "Not a bit nervous. Just so happy!" Shane laughed. "I wonder how Oliver is feeling…"

"Probably nervous." laughed Alex.

"Hmm, I don't know." said Heather, "This day has been a long time coming, for both of you. I think he's probably just as excited as you are this morning."

Heather and Alex helped Shane get ready and before they knew it it was time to head out the door.

"Everything is loaded! We better hurry or you'll end up getting there the same time as Oliver. We know he'll be punctual!" exclaimed Heather.

Shane laughed and turned toward Alex, "Didn't you have my keys last?"

"Oh shoot." said Alex, "I hope they didn't fall out of my pocket in Ramon's car!" She started to check her pockets as Heather and Shane stared at her in disbelief. She suddenly started laughing and held up the keys. "Just kidding! Have them right here!"

Shane shook her head.

Heather narrowed her eyes, "Alex Suzanne, I am already a blubbering mess with your sister getting married today, please do not give me a heart attack as well!"

Alex tried to look apologetic, even though her eyes were still laughing, "Yes, ma'am. Wow, we really need to go!" she said, as if she wasn't the one delaying their departure.


Heather pulled the car into the church parking lot. Shane felt her heart start to race when she saw the church. She was getting married. Today. This was her wedding.

Heather went around to help Shane into her chair.

Alex looked at Shane with her head cocked to the side, "Are you okay Shane?"

Heather shifted her gaze to Shane's face. "Are you feeling alright, honey?"

Shane took a deep breath. "Yes, um, just my nerves are starting to kick in a little. I'm fine."

Alex didn't look convinced. "If you're going to vomit, do so before you put on your dress."

Heather gave Alex a look that said 'you are really not being helpful.'

"Well, she did throw up before that dance in 9th grade..." mumbled Alex.

Shane was about to respond when Rita came out of the church doors, "Shane, you're here!" She was wearing a pastel yellow gown that matched the rose on Norman's lapel. He came out right after her.

"You look beautiful!" said Rita. She leaned down and gave Shane a tight hug.

"No, you look beautiful!" replied Shane. "That dress looks great on you!"

Norman smiled at Rita affectionately.

"Hey Rita, cool outfit." said Alex with a smile. Alex's dress matched Rita's, besides the color, hers was a coral pink.

Rita giggled, "Yours too! Told you Shane has great taste!"

Norman grinned and looked around a bit, "Seems like a perfect day for a wedding!"

Shane looked around as well. The sun was shining, birds were singing. It did seem like a perfect day for a wedding. She took a deep breath. She wanted more than anything to see and talk to Oliver.

"We need to get you inside before Oliver gets here!" exclaimed Rita.

"Norman, could you help me with this box?" asked Heather.

"Oh, of course." replied Norman.

The next few minutes were a bustle of activity. The foyer and brides room were decorated beautifully. White, yellow, and coral pink roses were everywhere, just as Shane had imagined it. Everything was light and happy. She felt like she had entered a dream.

Heather and Alex once again began working on her hair and makeup while Rita took out her dress and hung it up.

"Wow, that is beautiful, Shane. I know you described it to me, but wow!" said Alex.

"Wait until you see her in it!" exclaimed Heather.

"Yes!" agreed Rita. "Oliver is likely to be rendered speechless!"

Shane looked at her dress. It was perfect, everything was perfect. She glanced at her phone, 8:55.

"Rita, will you please let me know the minute Oliver arrives." said Shane. "I know I can't see him, but I think it may help calm my nerves knowing he is at least in the church somewhere."

"Of course!" said Rita cheerily, "Norman promised to let me know the minute he arrived."

"Thank you." said Shane.


Shane sat in her chair, agitated. She was completely ready, besides putting on her dress and jewelry. It was 9:30 and there was no sign of Oliver. Some early guests had begun to arrive, but there was no groom. They didn't officially start until 11:00 o'clock, so they had time, but she had expected him to be here five minutes early. She was worried something terrible had happened.

Norman knocked on the door and Rita opened it instantly. He stood there with four pairs of eyes looking at him expectantly.

"Still no sign of Oliver. Joe decided to go look for him. He's still not answering his home phone." said Norman, looking at Shane nervously.

Shane felt her stomach tighten.

"Okay, someone explain to me again why he doesn't carry a cell phone?" asked Alex.

Heather was rubbing her temples, "I'm sure there is a perfectly good explanation for his tardiness."

"I think so too! It's so unlike Oliver, there must be a very good reason." added Rita.

Norman looked at Shane. "Neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night will keep Oliver from marrying you today, Shane. He'll be here."

"Thank you, Norman." said Shane, sincerely. She was close to tears.

Norman looked at her, unsure of what to do. "I'm going to check and make sure everything else is going smoothly. Excuse me." Norman gave Rita a quick kiss on the cheek and left the room.

"Well, I'm allowed to see him before you tie the knot, so I'm watching out the window!" declared Alex.

Rita quietly joined her. Heather bustled about adjusting Shane's hair and organizing her makeup, anything to keep busy.

9:40 came and went. Shane kept checking her phone. She had texted Joe and was waiting for a response. The knot in her stomach would not go away.

9:57. Just when she thought she may burst with worry, Rita spoke up, "I think I see him!"

"Where?!" said Alex as Heather joined them at the window.

"There!" said Rita, "And there's Joe! Wow, they are both covered in...mud?"

Shane's phone buzzed. She glanced down to see a "He's here!" message from Joe. She suddenly burst into tears, causing all three ladies to turn and look at her. The mix of wedding nerves and worrying about Oliver had been too much.

"Are you okay, Shane?" asked Rita.

"I'm... I'm just so relieved. Rita, can you find out if he's okay?" asked Shane.

Rita turned to leave and Heather stopped her. With a concerned glance in Shane's direction asked, "How about you also arrange a meeting with Oliver in half an hour?" She turned to look at Shane, "You could sit back to back, and then you still won't see each other before the ceremony, but you'll have a chance to talk."

"That's a great idea! That is actually a common wedding tradition." said Rita, encouragingly. Shane nodded in agreement and tried to smile.

"I'll be back as soon as I can!" said Rita as she left the room.

"Now," said Heather, "Let's get you ready for the happiest day of your life."

"We'll need to fix your makeup first," observed Alex. And then trying to be encouraging, "But your hair looks absolutely lovely! I love the half up style with the curls. Very flattering for your face shape!"

Shane finally smiled, "Sorry about the makeup."

"It's okay." said Alex, and then with a teasing smile, "Just don't let it happen again."

"Deal." said Shane.

Alex paused wiping Shane's cheek for a moment. "I don't think I could have picked someone better for you, Shane. He adores you." Alex blinked rapidly and then switched to humor to hide her emotions, "And he's lucky he showed up because I was planning on hunting him down and having a few words otherwise!"

Shane laughed, "I have no doubt you would have."

Heather smiled at the interchange.

Rita came quickly into the room, slightly out of breath. She sat down in a chair facing Shane.

"He was already in getting cleaned up by the time I got there, but Norman said Oliver got a flat tire about halfway to the church. He was attempting to put on the spare when Joe showed up. That apparently didn't go well and Joe ended up calling roadside assistance. Anyway, they came and picked up Oliver's car and then Joe drove him here in his truck. They arranged to have the car dropped off as soon as possible." Rita paused to breathe, hand resting on her belly.

"Hopefully they were not already in their tuxedos!" exclaimed Heather.

Rita shook her head, "No, thankfully!"

Shane sighed, "Of all the days to get a flat tire. He must have been so worried!"

"Norman said the moment he arrived he asked how you were doing." explained Rita. She glanced at the clock. "You have 26 minutes until he is planning on being in the room next door, waiting for you.

"Rita, thank you so much." said Shane.

"Of course." said Rita smiling.


Oliver sat in a small folding chair with his back facing the doorway. He was dressed for a wedding, his wedding. Besides feeling terrible for being late, he was surprisingly calm.

This was a room used for Sunday school and there were children's drawings of Bible stories covering the walls. He studied the drawings as he waited for Shane. His eyes stopped on one of a bride and groom with God drawn above their heads. The young artist had labeled each individual, leaving no room for confusion. Oliver smiled. It was a simple drawing, but also significant.

He heard the door open and quickly turned his head forward, heart beginning to pound.

"No peeking, son." said Joe as he wheeled Shane to the back of Oliver's chair. "Shane, you look beautiful."

"Thank you." said Shane, speaking for the first time. Oliver could tell she was smiling when she said it. He could also smell her perfume.

"You kids take your time. Heather will knock at the fifteen minute mark." explained Joe.

"Thank you, Dad." said Oliver. With that Joe stepped out, leaving them alone.

There was silence for a moment. Then they both chuckled awkwardly.

"Hello." said Oliver. "Fancy meeting you here."

Shane laughed, "This feels a little silly."

"I'm so sorry I was late," said Oliver sincerely.

"It's okay." said Shane, with some emotion in her voice. Oliver noticed. He resisted a strong desire to turn around.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" he asked.

"Yes," said Shane, "It's just... it's just been a bit of an emotional roller-coaster this morning."

Oliver felt a pang of guilt, knowing he was the source of Shane's distress. "Shane, may I hold your hand?" asked Oliver softly, reaching his hand behind him where Shane could see it.

"Of course," she said, sliding her hand in his. It felt warm and familiar and gave her butterflies.

"We're getting married in a few minutes." said Oliver, giving her hand a squeeze. "It's a big step for anyone, but do you know what I feel right now?"

"What?" asked Shane, trying to discern where Oliver was going with this.

"Could you close your eyes for a moment?" asked Oliver.

"Okay…" said Shane, slightly confused.

"I want you to imagine us being married," said Oliver.

"Well, that shouldn't be too hard," smiled Shane.

They sat in silence for a minute, both smiling.

"Do you feel it too, Shane?" asked Oliver softly.

"Feel what?" asked Shane.

"The peace." said Oliver simply.

Shane sat there a moment with her eyes closed, thinking about what was about to take place, and a wave of warmth washed over her, taking with it the anxieties of that morning. She felt calm to her core.

She smiled and whispered, "I do."

Oliver grinned and gently rubbed her hand with his thumb.

"Oliver, I want you to know, I've never felt this sure about anything in my entire life." said Shane.

"I know what you mean," said Oliver, swallowing hard.

"Let's always remember this. How we feel right now. No matter what comes our way. Okay?" said Shane with conviction.

Oliver smiled, "I promise."

There was a knock at the door.

"This is it." said Shane. "Are you ready?"

"I am unsure about one thing." said Oliver in a serious tone.

"What?" said Shane, eyebrows furrowing.

"Should I have worn a green tie instead of this yellow one?"

Shane laughed, "No! You promised you never would again!"

Heather walked in to hear them both chuckling, putting a smile on her face.

Oliver reluctantly let Shane's hand slip from his as Heather wheeled Shane back to the bride's room.