Chapter Thirty-Eight

'It's finally happening,' Natalie whispered softly to herself as she stood in front of the full length mirror and put a hand on her stomach to calm her nerves. After two crazy weeks of planning and shopping, the day of the wedding had finally arrived. Her morning had been beyond hectic with hair and make-up appointments, getting dressed, and then the hundreds of photos that had been taken at Llanfair with her and her family, but now she was alone.

Mac had let her use his back office as a dressing area and Natalie found herself grateful for the lock on the door as she needed a few minutes to herself. She was very nervous, but not because of the wedding. In fact, for that Natalie was excited. This was what she and John had been working toward for years and, finally, despite everything they had made it. Taking a deep breath, she ran her hands along her sides, smoothing away the few creases that had appeared on her dress. Rather than go for something overly fancy, Natalie had opted for a simple but elegant looking A-line dress that was strapless and made out of silk with just a touch of embroidery and beads on the bodice. She had also decided against wearing a veil or having an updo and just left her red hair flowing straight around her shoulders as it normally did.

A quiet tapping on the door broke Natalie from her thoughts as she crossed the room. "Who is it?" she asked, wanting to make sure it wasn't John. Although she usually laughed at superstition, Natalie knew with all that they had been through a little extra caution couldn't hurt.

"It's Eve, Roxy and me," Vicki's voice rang out from the other side.

Unlocking the door, Natalie allowed them to enter before closing it behind them. She turned back toward them and saw as Eve gasped and raised a tissue to her eyes. "Oh Natalie, you look absolutely gorgeous."

Slightly blushing, Natalie managed a small smile. "Thanks, Eve, you look amazing too."

"I have something for you," Eve began as she opened up her purse and took out a rectangular shaped box.

"Eve, you didn't have to…"

Eve shushed her. "On the day of our wedding Thomas's mother came in and gave me this Celtic cross. She told me that it had been in the family for hundreds of years and is always passed down to the first daughter-in-law. It's yours now, Natalie." Eve opened the box to show the beautiful (gold or silver?) cross and carefully lifted it from its place. Going around, she put the cross around Natalie's neck and clasped it.

"Oh it's beautiful. Thank you Eve."

Eve smiled at her as tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. "I know how much Thomas would have loved you." She pulled Natalie into a tight embrace and whispered "Welcome to the family."

Natalie felt her own set of tears begin to form, but she quickly blinked them away as Roxy stepped forward. "I know I was never the best Momma to you Natty, but you managed to become a beautiful, kind, loving woman and you even forgave me for all the stupid mistakes I made. I may not be you biologyical mother but I am proud to have ya for a daughter and I love you." Roxy said in all seriousness as she hugged her daughter.

"I love you too Roxy." Natalie choked out, finding herself unable to stop the tears. But upon seeing them, Roxy shook her head. "You don't want Johnny hot stuff seeing you all blotchy and drippy, so stop crying!" As she began to laugh Roxy handed her a small box. "Since Eve handled the whole 'old' part of the tradition thing, I took care of the blue and the new."

Natalie carefully the box and smiled when it reveled a sexy blue garter. "Now you make sure Johnny-Mac uses his mouth to take that off."

"Roxy!" Natalie's eyes widened in shock as she looked over at Eve, a blush beginning to form on her cheeks. But Eve just laughed as Natalie gave Roxy a quick hug, and then turned to face her mother.

"You look absolutely stunning darling."

Embarrassed by all the praise, Natalie averted her eyes. "Thanks," she mumbled softly. "I decided to go with the borrowed," Vicki began as she reached into her purse.

"You guys didn't have to do this…" Natalie started to protest, but Vicki cut her off. "Nonsense dear. As you know, this bracelet was given to me by Ben just before he died. I want you to wear today." Vicki said she took off the diamond bracelet that never left her wrist.

"Oh mom, I can't…."

Vicki just smiled and fastened the bracelet around her daughter's wrist. "Of course you can. Natalie, I am so proud of you. Despite all the things you went through this year, you managed to remain strong, and in control. You are an inspiration to this whole family." More tears began to well up in Natalie's eyes as Vicki hugged her tightly. "I love you so much darling."

Natalie couldn't help but remember all the problems she and her mother had had when she first arrived in town and again had the urge to apologize. But as if sensing her daughter's thoughts, Vicki shook her head. "The past is the past. This is a day for you to look toward your future."

Steeping away from her mother, Natalie looked at the three women in front of her and smiled. "You guys are the best mothers a girl could ask for."

Before there could be any more tears, Jessica and Rex cautiously entered the room. "John and Michael just got here – Joey says the ceremony can begin at any time…" Jessica interrupted softly as she smoothed down her maid of honor's dress. It was very similar to Natalie's as it was an A-line and strapless, but hers was made of a mint green silky material that matched the tie Michael was going to be wearing.

Nodding, Natalie looked herself over once more in the mirror then turned back toward the group. "I'm ready."

As a group they went out the back exit and walked around toward the front doors where Clint and Bo were waiting for them. Both men gave Natalie a quick hug and also repeated how beautiful she looked.

Rather then have her father walk her down the aisle, Natalie had asked Rex to do the honor as her brother had always been, and always would be a very large part of her life. Clint had understood, especially when Natalie had asked that he escort Vicki down the aisle and stand to the side so they could both 'give her away.' Wanting to keep things small, both John and Natalie had opted against having a large bridal party and decided to just have Michael and Jessica respectively as the Best Man and Maid of Honor. Bo was going to take part in the ceremony by walking Eve down the aisle, and Joey had flown in from London to marry them.

Natalie stood outside with Rex as Eve and Bo, Vicki and Clint and finally Jessica made their way through the doors to Rodi's. Once it was just her and Rex alone outside, he turned and fixed her with a serious look. "So you sure about this Natty? I made sure to park out front just in case you want to bolt."

Natalie laughed and hugged her brother. Rex unsure of what to make of her reaction just continued. "I mean it Nat, you and me can head on down to Mexico and open a bar..."

"Yes, I am sure." Natalie said with a smile, "but I do appreciate the offer."

"All right then, are you ready?" he asked as he extended his arm. Taking one more deep breath, Natalie linked her arm through his and nodded. "I'm ready."

Natalie gasped in shock the second her and Rex walked through the doors. As a consolation to Jessica and Vicki she had told them they could be in charge of decorating Rodi's and they had done an amazing job. The whole bar was basked in soft lighting, most of which came from the hundreds of candles that were on all the tables, the bar area, and the shelves which normally held the alcohol and other western memorabilia. The guests were all sitting at the tables which had been covered in green table cloths and held small floral centerpieces which the candles surrounded.

It was absolutely beautiful.

Finally taking her eyes off the décor, Natalie looked up and met John's eyes. Now smiling widely, she continued her walk down the make shift aisle ready to become Natalie McBain.