CHAPTER 80
Nathan locked the front door and turned to see Bea with a huge teary smile on her face,
"You alright Bea?"
"Oh yes, I am fine, better than fine. I was just thinking how we have some huge life-changing events going on, all so exciting but the little ones like leaving home and walking to church together as man and wife for the first time is just as exciting."
"Well, it is one I dreamt of princess."
Walking hand in hand they turned the corner and could see people waiting to go up the steps into the church. The doors were open so why the queue?
Colin was stood outside waiting for them. "Is there something wrong Colin?"
"No, only your tribute left in the doorway, not a dry eye in the place. Everyone wants to read it and read it again and the scent coming from it is filling the place. It smells like you sis."
"Oh the sandalwood, now everyone can smell it."
"I have to say even I got a bit teary-eyed reading it, what a lovely thing to do."
They waited until everyone had actually gone in before entering themselves, everyone turned as the three of them walked in. Colin was right there weren't many dry eyes.
Joseph was back and as he stood in front of everyone the chatter stopped.
"Good morning everyone, I can't tell you how happy I am to be back home and to be stood here in front of you all today. I understand that while I was away I missed a very big event, one that was supposed to be a quiet affair but one everyone here in Hope Valley wanted to share, had I been here I would too. I can not let today go without mentioning the newlyweds and offering a blessing on their marriage. Their story and the love they share are beyond compare. We as a community are blessed to have them both here in our lives and hearts, and so on behalf of everyone here
"Constable and Mrs. Grant, Nathan and Bea, we pray that God guides you in your new adventure, and may he pour out blessings on you both. Rejoice in your love for each other! God bless you now and always."
The whole congregation responded with "Amen".
Nathan could see more Happy Tears and squeezed her hand, she turned to look at him,
"Love you Mrs. Grant " he mouthed.
The hymn Joseph had chosen was Love Divine, All Loves Excelling one of Bea's faves, she couldn't have sung even if she wanted to, the lump in her throat was too big.
They were the first to leave and had to thank Joseph, without his help they would not be here today. He seemed very moved by their union, and maybe he more than anyone else really understood the special love they had. He welcomed Colin to the town and church and wished him every success with the forge.
They were holding everyone else up so moved and as people left Bea handed them the thank you cards she had made. They waited for Lee and Rosemary, to say they were excited was an understatement.
"Oh wait until you see, oh just wait. I was crying as Ned was developing the pictures, they are so good. Look, I am at it again."
"I have had this on and off all night," said Lee " mind she is right, you are going to love them. That camera of yours is a good one Nathan, I will bring it back tonight, going to get myself one I think."
"I am excited now, I can't wait. I will have dinner ready for about five but come over when you feel like it. We have champagne so we can open that and relive the day after dinner."
"Oh, Colin can you catch Faith there and let her know 5 too, before if she wants."
"Will do and I will get changed and be back soon, looking forward to this fishing, it has been ages since I had a rod in my hands. See you both soon."
The two couples headed off home, both as excited as each other about the big reveal of the photographs tonight.
Nathan went and changed then got the fishing gear out. "You sure you don't need a hand with anything Bea?"
"No I can manage honestly, you go and do boy things, the pair of you need to relax."
"Well leave anything you can't manage until we get back, promise."
She just gave him one of those looks, "OK " he laughed.
After the boys headed off she made herself a pot of coffee and having put the beef in to cook slowly she sat on the step lost in thought. It was the first time in a few days she had actually had time alone, time to let those thoughts, visions, flow. She saw the paddocks at the Jamieson's with horses running around, she saw the house full of happy smiling friends, she saw the front pasture with some kind of party happening, she saw Jed and Mary working in the veg garden, she saw Vic in his element working in the livery, if she was questioning the decisions they had made were the right ones then those fears were laid to rest. She did however get the feeling that whilst they were following their path there was another big decision on the horizon. It wasn't clear what it was but it was there. That they would face when it appeared and she was forewarned now.
Dinner was under control, the table was all set with the new tablecloth and napkins they had received as wedding presents. The boys came back laughing around half 3 having had a successful day they said. They stored everything away and after cleaning the catch they came into the most wonderful smell.
"Bea it smells like my Grandmother's house on a Sunday, what a memory. We would all meet there for Sunday dinner, happy days."
"Well let's hope it tastes half as good bro, grannies was always the best."
It did, and even she was impressed with the Yorkshire's, they were huge, and the extra ones didn't last long. The three men soon finished those and the extra roast potatoes.
"I have to say sis that was as good as Grandmas, and maybe you have started a new tradition, thank you."
Everyone liked that idea, maybe once a month they could all sit down to a wonderful Sunday dinner like that and just catch up with each other.
"Well now if everyone has finished let me make a start on the dishes, Bea cooks, I wash up, ladies you go and sit for 15 mins then we can have a look at these photographs."
Everyone thanked Bea before leaving the table, and they did sit in the garden while the men did the dishes.
"Bea you really do seem to be able to turn your hand to so many things, I can just say boil an egg, how on earth did you find time to learn."
"By bugging poor old Ethel back at Bramble, to distraction. Well everyone really, I always needed to know "what are you doing" "how do you do that" they would just show me, in the end, it was the easiest way to keep me quiet. Comes of being an only child I guess, I surprise myself at times with the things I actually remember."
"You two ladies really are trailblazers, female doctors, and vets, so many will follow you, I never really had any other ambition other than a career on the stage, even then I didn't know what. Then I came here and met Lee and my priorities changed. Not sure I have a clear vision even now but don't tell Lee that."
They all laughed, then laughed even louder when Lee appeared at the back door.
"What is the joke?"
"Oh nothing dearest, just a girl thing."
Faith and Bea were in stitches.
"I have come to ask if you would all like a glass of champagne, I presume the answer is yes."
"That would be a yes Lee, thank you, I will come and get the glasses for you."
Everything had been washed and put back in its place, "Bea the veg that was left I have put in the chiller, didn't you say you would make something with it tomorrow?"
"Thank you sweetie I did, tomorrow you can taste the delight that is bubble and squeak."
"Delight? It doesn't sound like it."
"Just wait, you will see, and thank you for doing this."
He kissed her on the brow, "teamwork remember."
"Right I can't wait any longer, photographs it is. "
"Oh before we start does anyone want dessert, that would be a no then" she laughed
Champagne popped and glasses filled, they all sat around the table waiting.
Lee brought the box out that the photographs were in "Now here is what we have done, I have mine and Rosemary has hers, we have each picked what we think is the best one of our own and will leave that one to last, then you have to pick your very favourite. Actually, I think Colin and Faith get that say as you are going to love them all."
Bea had butterflies " This really is like reliving the day again,"
Nathan pulled his chair closer to hers and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, he had to admit he had them too.
One by one the photographs were shown, from the pair of them getting ready to them cutting the cake. They were incredible. They had told Lee and Rosemary that they wanted natural shots, not posed and these were already exceeding what they had hoped for.
Lee had one of the boys crossing the street with the crowd outside while Rosemary had one of Bea and Henry walking along the boardwalk with the crowd standing waiting.
There was one showing everyone inside the office, then one Nathan had hoped for, Bea and Henry stood in the doorway, that was the way he remembered her, that was his angel.
Bea felt him shake, "Oh darling" She got up and sat on his knee, he cuddled her in so tight.
"Whoever took that one I can't thank you enough, that is my overriding memory of the day, that was the most breathtaking moment of my life and you have captured it. I am sorry but that one pulls at my heartstrings."
There was one of the kiss when Bea had stood beside him, then of them holding hands and looking into each other's eyes as they made their vows. A full-length one of them kissing when Bill had said "you can kiss the bride." One of them signing the papers, then one of everyone stood around the desk as they did that too.
The next couple brought tears to everyone's eyes, the pair of them outside the office, he had his arms around her waist, hers were on his chest and her wedding ring was plain to see, the look that was passing between them said everything, the other one was similar but Nathan was behind her, both were beautiful.
One that Bea had hoped for, her, Nathan and Colin, her and her guardians, that would always be a special one. Colin and Nathan had the same thought, they both looked at her, yes that one was a treasure.
The last couple were of them cutting the cake and standing hand in hand before they both made their little speeches.
"Right now the big two," said Rosemary. The one I picked as my best one, and the one Lee did."
"I really don't know how you will beat some of those, honestly these are more than we ever dreamed of. Bea and I nearly didn't bother with photographs, but I am so glad we did now, thank you again."
"Well in our eyes the best is yet to come, we know that you will love one and Bea the other so Colin, Faith the overall winner is down to you."
"Great, " said Colin, " can I pass the buck to Faith?"
"No you can't," said Faith, " I have never seen wedding photographs like these before and they are breathtaking, joint decision Colin."
"Well mine I have to admit was suggested by Rosemary, she told me to concentrate on you Nathan when they opened the doors and you saw Bea for the first time" he turned the photograph over and Bea just burst into tears, that was the look she saw, that was the reaction she had waited for. It was the most incredible close-up picture of his face. So handsome, so beautiful, the look in his eyes.
"Princess, don't, I hope they are happy tears, oh my."
Through sobs, she managed " You caught a moment in time there for me too, one I will never ever forget, that was the reaction I had hoped for, it is just my Nathan."
He was close to tears now. When Rosemary turned her photograph his tears did flow. Well everyone's did, there was Bea standing sideways in front of the window in her room but turning to look at the camera, her bouquet in her hand and you could actually see the sunlight reflecting off the crystals on her dress. It really was like a photograph from a magazine, she looked like a film star, so simple of an image but so powerful.
It was Lee who spoke first, "I hope these are all happy tears, what a lot we are, I think we all need another drink."
"Phew," said Nathan "Let's open another bottle of our whisky, I think we all deserve one, you two need to start up a new business, these really are the best record of the day. Right who wants a dram?"
"If we have to choose then make our's doubles Nathan," laughed Colin.
While Colin and Faith deliberated Lee was asking Nathan where he had bought the camera. Bea stood at the back door still very teary. "Are you OK Bea, the photographs haven't upset you?"
"Oh Rosemary no, it is just strange seeing yourself as others saw you that day. I find that very moving, what an album we will have, I don't know how we can ever repay you."
"Bea listen to me, you have already paid us, just being here, bringing the joy you have to this place, the love and friendship, the laughter that is all the payment we need."
"Thank you Rosemary, now I need a sister hug please."
"OK we have a winner," said Colin, " We think that the photograph that sums up the whole day the best is the one of Nathan. That look says it all. Mind there is only a hair's breadth between them."
Lee just grinned, "I won't gloat after all I took it but it was your idea Rosie, so we share that really."
"We do, see we are a good team too Lee Coulter, just like these two."
"Now we need to decide which ones we get Ned to print more of to send to everyone, that won't be easy either. Allie and Mum will cry."
"Well Ethel will be no good for a day, poor Stan, he can't cope with tears."
As it was a beautiful evening they all went and sat in the garden chatting about this and that. Colin had spoken with the settlers and they had agreed to meet with Bea and himself in town on Thursday afternoon. They came in that day to collect groceries and run errands so it made sense.
Everyone was keen to hear how Carson was getting on in Boston, Faith didn't have much to say other than she was hoping to visit him soon. Something wasn't right there, it wasn't just Bea who picked up on that but she would make a point of calling in on Faith later in the week, just to check how she was.
Rosemary was keen to run an article about the wedding in this coming week's Valley Voice, it would have to have a photograph of course, the happy couple agreed and one of the photographs from outside the office was chosen as the one.
Talk then moved on to Colin and the opening of The Forge in the morning. Rosemary would run an article about that too, hopefully, spread the word that he was open for business. No one doubted that within a month or so he would have more than enough work to keep him in business for years to come.
"Talking about opening tomorrow I had better head back, I have a couple of things I need to sort out tonight."
"Yes I will make a move too, these sleepless nights and early rises are taking their toll on me. Thank you for a lovely evening everyone, I have so enjoyed having your company."
"Rosemary let us make a move too, let these two have the last couple of hours of honeymoon time. If you decide which photographs you want Ned has the negatives, he said just to let him know."
"We will once we decide, you have not made the choice easy though."
There were hugs all around as the four of them left, and as Colin and Faith turned the corner Nathan once again closed the door only this time he was closing it on the outside world. He turned to see Bea watching him, tears in her eyes. No words were necessary, he felt the same need. To hold her, to kiss her, just let all that emotion out.
Nathan poured them both another whisky, Bea stood looking down at all the images laid out on the table.
"Looking at these is such a strange feeling Nathan, I lived the day, I loved the day, but through my eyes, the same way you will have seen it through yours. This is like seeing it through someone else's. We know what we have is special, that our love is way and beyond what we both thought love was, many have told us they can see it. I feel it every moment of every day but I look at these and Nathan I can see it. I can see what others see now. Does that sound silly?"
He stood behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his head on her shoulder, " No it doesn't, I see can it now too. These are very, very special princess, they really are. Do you actually have a favourite? "
"I don't know if favourite is the word, this one of you Nathan, it really did capture that moment in time, this is you darling, this is my Nathan."
"Mine is the same moment Bea, the moment they opened the doors and there you were my angel. I will never ever forget that and to have it captured like this is, well I don't have the words really."
"We need to choose one to go in the frame, this isn't easy is it?"
"It isn't. Let's leave them here shall we and we can look again tomorrow, maybe then the shock of seeing them will have worn off and we can make the right choices. I do want another frame though and one of you to keep on my desk. That will brighten the darkest of days."
" You look shattered, why don't you head on up, I need to check my uniform for the morning then I will follow you up."
"I will wait for you and finish this drink. When I come in tomorrow I will get these posters and books sorted for the Check-In. If Ned can order a couple more chalkboards once those are in place it is just a case of everyone spreading the word, especially with newcomers and tourists. I want to take Hero out for an hour and will take Sergeant with us, see how he does, I won't push him though."
"Well, I will have a word with Bill to see if he has any idea about that situation, if not I will get in touch with Vic, see what he has to say."
Bea finished her drink and washed their glasses. She really was tired tonight, hopefully it was just the last few days catching up with her and nothing more than that.
"Right come on Mrs. Grant, bedtime I think."
Snuggled up in his arms she was asleep in no time. He just lay watching her, enjoying the simple pleasure of holding her like this, he needed no more. Lying here he was complete.