Candles cast a warm, hazy glow throughout the small church and school building. Light from the flames danced against the glass windows on either side of the small white building. The sun was almost fully set, faint hues of pink and blue and orange were scattered across the sky. The large pond in the distance reflected the landscape like a Monet or Degas, or one of Jack's pastel paintings. Elizabeth didn't even notice. Her eyes were transfixed on the dashing young Mountie in his red serge waiting patiently at the end of the aisle.
Pastor Frank Hogan stood with him in the center of the aisle, bible in hand, ready to perform the impromptu wedding ceremony. Lee Coulter stood just off to the side, smiling at Elizabeth and Jack, his eyes glancing every so often to his wife, the memories of their own wedding dancing just behind his eyes.
Rosemary stood to the left of the men, eyes filled with joyous tears and a gentle smile dancing across her face; the kind of smile reserved only for cherished friends and family. Her gaze flittered between her dear friends and her husband, the memory of her own wedding still fresh in her mind.
And Jack, good heavens, Jack, stood in front of her, his red serge burned brightly, like its own flame against the candles around the church, his conduct medal shining in the light. His sergeant and rough rider patches a new addition to his uniform. Dear God, how could one man be so beautiful? Tears filled her eyes and Elizabeth could scarcely breathe, ever fearful that this was all a dream, that with one wrong move she would wake up in a big house in Hamilton, surrounded by servants and completely alone. And then Jack smiled that gorgeous dimpled grin. Dear God, how could one man be so perfectly made for her?
Jack wished he could sketch her in this moment. He wished he had the pastel and oil paint kits that Elizabeth had given him for Christmas last year so he could paint this moment to hold and to keep long after his hair turned gray and his eyesight dimmed. The pale blue of her dress made her sapphire eyes illuminate and sparkle in the warm candlelight. She walked with a steady, confident step that was as graceful as it was determined. Jack couldn't help but smile a wide, gaping grin. Dear God, how could one woman be so beautiful?
He couldn't stop smiling, could scarcely breath, ever fearful that this was all a dream, that he would wake up in a jailhouse in Cape Fullerton, surrounded by fellow mounties and criminals sitting in jail cells, completely surrounded and completely alone. And then Elizabeth smiled that mischievous, brilliant, captivating smirk that made his heart skip a beat. Dear God, how could one woman be so perfectly made for him?
And Abigail, sweet, wonderful, Abigail, stood by Elizabeth's side, walking her down the like she was born to. As if this was always how Jack and Elizabeth's love story was meant to play out.
Elizabeth sidled up to Jack as he offered her his arm, handing her bouquet of wildflowers and baby's breath to Rosemary. The school teacher and the mountie turned to face the pastor, every so often glancing over at one another with a soft, joyful grin.
Frank took a deep breath and smiled, chuckling softly at the sight before him. He caught Abigail's tear eyes, a moment passing between them, before he began the ceremony.
"This day is not about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements and recessional marches. This day is about love. If love is not all, then it is nothing. But we do not believe that. We believe its opposite that if love is all, then it is everything And this truth will be the basis of every aspect of your relationship. All you have to do is simply love one another and that love shows through in everything you do for one another, how you treat each other, in good times and bad."
Rosemary began to cry and Abigail wrapped her arm around her. Frank chanced a look at the two of them and was rewarded with a smile from Abigail, who was so obviously trying desperately not to cry.
Lee couldn't hide his grin at the sight of his dramatic wife. He couldn't hide his grin at the sight of his best friend marrying the love of his life. He couldn't hide his grin at the thought that he had been given the honor to stand beside Jack as his best man. Rosemary looked over at her husband, a teary smile dancing on her lips as she mouthed "I love you," to him. Lee smiled and did the same.
"Love isn't just a word; it's an action. Love isn't something you say, it's something you do. Love is genuine, honest, and open, compassionate and kind, passionate and blind, love doesn't know space or time. 'Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.'"
Jack and Elizabeth turned to one another as Jack placed his free hand atop of hers that rested in the crook of his arm. As Frank continued to read from Jack's favorite passage, all the mountie could do was hold back the sudden urge to kiss Elizabeth and wipe the silent tears from her face. As Jack looked at her and swept a calloused thumb to catch a falling tear from her cheek, all Elizabeth could do was hold back the desperate urge to kiss him breathless.
"Not only do Jack and Elizabeth love one another romantically – and they do, you can see it in every look, every touch, every moment they are together – they also love one another as friends. They are best friends, constantly taunting and teasing and very plainly enjoying the simple pleasure of having fun together. That love and enjoyment of each other as best friends will sustain them through this marriage."
Frank looked out at the five people in front of him. Elizabeth, Abigail, and Rosemary were in tears and it amused Frank to see that even Lee was crying. Jack, stoic as ever, had not let a tear fall, though his eyes were glassy and it was plain to see how desperately he was fighting the urge to cry.
"In addition, the love collectively in this room, from friends, from family, will help sustain and support the promises they make today. All of us here will help solidify this bond, as these two are joined as husband and wife. This new journey will be at times richly rewarding and extremely difficult, but, most importantly, it will be a journey you take together."
Frank nodded to Jack and Elizabeth as he motioned for them to turn and face each other. Jack grasped Elizabeth's hands and held them between what little space lay between the Mountie and the teacher.
"Jack," Frank began, "please repeat after me: In the name of God, I, John Andrew Thornton,"
Jack's smile was brilliant and bright as he echoed Frank's words, a single tear spilling down his cheek as he took in Elizabeth's face, "In the name of God, I, John Andrew Thornton,"
"Take you, Elizabeth Grace Thatcher, to be my wife,"
"Take you, Elizabeth Grace Thatcher, to be my wife," Jack whispered the words like a prayer. Elizabeth smiled at the word, wife.
"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer," Jack lifted his hand to wipe yet another tear from Elizabeth's face. She kissed his palm as it ghosted over her cheek.
"In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Jack held Elizabeth's gaze, "In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Frank smiled. "Elizabeth, repeat after me: In the name of God, I, Elizabeth Grace Thatcher,"
She couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't see anything but the handsome, strong, gentle Mountie in front of her, "In the name of God, I, Elizabeth Grace Thatcher,"
"Take you, John Andrew Thornton, to be my husband,"
"Take you, John Andrew Thornton, to be my husband," Elizabeth's voice caught on the word, husband, and Jack began to cry.
"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer," Elizabeth lifted her hand to wipe yet another tear from Jack's face. He kissed her palm as it ghosted over his smooth, shaved cheek.
"In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Elizabeth held Jack's gaze, "In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Rosemary let out what could only be called a wail, tears falling down her face. Lee, Abigail, Jack, Elizabeth, and Frank looked around at one another and laughed. Rosemary pouted at the laughter, which only caused more. Abigail gave her a small hug and nodded at Frank to continue. Frank looked to Lee, "May I have the rings?"
Elizabeth's brow furrowed in confusion. They didn't have rings. The time it would have taken to order and deliver them would have been several months. She looked up at Jack for an answer, only to find him smiling at her so tenderly that it nearly broke her heart. "They were my mom and dad's rings," he said softly, meant only for her to hear, "at least until we can get our own."
Elizabeth began to cry again at the wonder of how God could create such a man. She shook her head, "These will be our own rings."
Jack smiled at her like she had given him the world. He simply nodded and bowed his head, like a shy school boy caught leaving an apple on his teacher's desk.
"Jack," Frank said, capturing Jack's attention once more, "as you place this ring on Elizabeth's finger, please repeat after me: I offer my vow to you in the form of this ring,"
Jack smiled at Elizabeth as he slipped the simple white gold band onto Elizabeth's slim finger. It fit perfectly, as if it was always meant for her hand, "I offer my vow to you in the form of this ring."
"So that my word and my love, will always be with you. Close to your heart."
"So that my word and my love, will always be with you. Close to your heart," Jack placed a kiss over the ring as he finished.
"Elizabeth," Frank said, a teasing, playful tone in his words, "as you place this ring on Jack's finger, please repeat after me: I offer my vow to you in the form of this ring,"
Elizabeth smiled at Jack as she slipped the simple white gold onto Jack's sturdy finger. It fit perfectly, as if it was always meant for his hand, "I offer my vow to you in the form of this ring."
"So that my word and my love, will always be with you. Close to your heart."
"So that my word and my love, will always be with you. Close to your heart," Elizabeth placed a kiss over the ring as she finished.
Frank chuckled to himself as he felt a lone tear slide down his scruffy cheek. His words caught in his throat at the sight of unadulterated love in front of him. It was a rare thing, he knew, the kind of love that Jack and Elizabeth had. It was always a miracle to witness two people come together like the Mountie and the teacher in front of him.
"By the power vested in me by our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Province of Alberta, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jack, kiss your bride."
Jack didn't need to be told twice. He pulled Elizabeth in close, wrapping his arms around her trim waist as she wrapped hers around his broad shoulders. He pressed his lips to hers, melding together in a slow, burning kiss. Elizabeth's fingers moved into his hair as his tongue brushed up against her lips.
They can hear hoots and hollers and clapping and laughter in the distance. Jack and Elizabeth part all too soon, though they make no move to step away from one another. Elizabeth laughs and pulls Jack in for another kiss. He bends to her willingly.
Finally.
The town throws the newlyweds an amazing reception. Champagne left over from Christmas and New Years flow around the saloon. Men are laughing, drinking whisky and slapping each other on the back. A buffet dinner prepared by Carson is dished onto plates while the women gab about how beautiful a bride Elizabeth made. Jack and Elizabeth are dancing to the music that Bill Avery is playing on the piano, oblivious to everything, save one another's presence. Lee and Rosemary are laughing at something funny Cody says. Children run about the room as Frank chases them. And Abigail stands back and takes it all in.
In times like these, she can't help but thing about Noah and Peter. Noah loved a good wedding reception. And Peter… Peter who was married but was never given the chance to be a husband. Abigail glanced over at Clara and Jesse, swaying sweetly to the romantic tune that Bill had begun to play. She smiles at the couple.
Abigail looked back to Jack and Elizabeth. Ned Yost had cut in and pulled Elizabeth into a dance. Jack had a new dance partner as well, in little Opal. Abigail smiled as he twirled the little girl around and let her stand on top of his polished boots while they danced. She notices Elizabeth staring at them. Love radiated off her, the future danced in her eyes and passion…. Jack glances up at her, his gaze mirroring her own. Abigail chuckles at the sight, remembering what it was like to be young, in love, and newly married.
She holds Jack and Elizabeth in a special place in her heart. She had been so lost and alone after the mining disaster. She had wanted to die along with her husband and son. But a young, naive, brave, beautiful school teacher from Hamilton stormed into her life and made her laugh and given her another chance to be a mother. And just when Abigail thought she couldn't be more blessed with a daughter of sorts, God saw fit to send a headstrong, kind, and brave Mountie riding in on horse like some sort of knight in shining armor to give her another son. She loves them, maybe more than she should, but Abigail can't find it in her hear to care. She loves them. Plain and simple.
Jack and Elizabeth will leave soon, back to the row house to begin their life together. And Abigail will be there for them for all of it. The fights, the laughter, the tears, the victories and defeats. Because that's what a mother does….
Jack and Elizabeth held tight to one another as the walked back to the row house in the cool air. Spring was ending and the chilly fall weather was beginning to set in. But Elizabeth couldn't feel it. She was warm from champagne and her belly was full of delicious food. And her husband was holding her handle firmly in his. She looked up at Jack Thornton, his cheeks pink from the chilly breeze and his stubble beginning to show. She doesn't even fight the urge to kiss his cheek.
Jack chuckles as he feels Elizabeth's lips on his cheek. He looks over at his wife, his wife, as she pulls away. They've reached the row house steps and Elizabeth moves to stand up on the first one. He places his hands on her hips will hers find a home cupping his face.
He can tell she is nervous. She can tell he is too. She can tell he is excited. He can tell she is ready.
"Would you like to stay the night, Corporal Thornton?"
"I would like to stay forever, Mrs. Thornton."
Elizabeth smile and kissed her husband soundly. Jack's arms wrapped around her of their own volition. Elizabeth's fingers carded through his hair instinctively. He laughs and she giggles. She breaks away and grabs his strong, calloused hand. He follows as she pulls him into the house. Jack closes the door behind them….
So sorry it has taken so long to update! I am going to try and start updating weekly!
