"Hold very still, Beth," Julie said as she started to apply eye makeup to her sister. "This part can be tricky."
Elizabeth sat as still as a statue in the basement of the church, listening to Julie chatting with Rosemary and Faith. "I'm not used to eye makeup," she said, giggling lightly as the brush tickled her eye while Julie applied eye shadow.
"It would tickle less if you used it more," Rosemary said with a chuckle.
"What need do I have for makeup?" Elizabeth asked with a wide smile, eyes still closed. "We live on the islands. The most any of us usually wear is mascara. Even you, Rosie."
"True," Rosemary said. "But I used to wear a lot more when I was younger. Even here on the island. Especially before I met Lee."
"Elizabeth never did care for makeup," Faith chimed in. "Even when we were socialites, she would try to get away with wearing as little makeup as possible." Her grin turned cheeky. "While Julie would wear enough for all three of us."
"I wasn't exactly known for my makeup skills when I was a teenager," Julie admitted. "But I'd like to think I've come a long way since then." She stepped back, critiquing her work. "Perfect. You can open your eyes now, Beth."
Elizabeth did, then looked into the mirror Julie held up in front of her. "Wow, Julie," she said, turning her head back and forth. "You did exactly what I wanted! Thank you." Her makeup was in earthy tones that brought out her features, and was heavy enough to be noticeable while light enough to look natural. Her hair was styled in an elegant braided crown, with a few loose strands curled down her cheeks. Rosemary had slipped a pearly tiara into the braid, and that combined with the makeup made Elizabeth feel like a princess.
Rosemary clapped her hands. "Time for the dress!" she squealed. Elizabeth went behind a curtain and quickly changed into her wedding dress, loving the way it swished around her as she put it on.
"Oh, Elizabeth, you look as pretty as a picture!" Julie exclaimed as Elizabeth emerged from behind the curtain, clasping her hands in front of her with a dreamy look in her eyes.
Elizabeth laughed. "You always were the romantic in the family," she teased, giving her sister a big hug.
"Okay, it's about time!" Faith said, glancing at the clock. "Let's get to our places, ladies!"
As Rosemary and Faith hurried up the stairs, Elizabeth and Julie followed at a slower pace. "I'm glad you're here, Jules," Elizabeth said softly, squeezing Julie's arm. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," Julie replied. She looked seriously into Elizabeth's eyes. "I'm glad you've found love again, Elizabeth. I saw how brokenhearted you were when Jack died, but now you're happier than I've ever seen you. Nathan is a good man. I like him a lot."
"Thank you, Julie," Elizabeth said. "I'm glad you like him." A shadow briefly crossed her face. "Do you think Mother and Father will ever be willing to meet him?"
Julie hesitated, her silence answer enough.
"I thought not," Elizabeth said with a sigh.
"You can't let what they think dictate your happiness," Julie told her. "You are living a beautiful life here. You've made a new family with all the friends you have here, and now you're going to be starting a family of your own with Nathan. You have a full life."
Elizabeth smiled. "I do, and I'm so thankful for that," she said. "And I'm thankful that at least one of my original family members still thinks it's worthwhile to consider me a part of the family."
They stopped at the church doors, where Rosemary and Faith were waiting with Jesse and Clara. Rosemary handed Elizabeth her bouquet, a beautiful arrangement of red and white roses. She smiled, putting a hand on Elizabeth's arm. "Are you ready?"
"I've never been so ready for anything in my life," Elizabeth said truthfully. Rosemary nodded with a smile, then signaled to the pianist. The wedding music started playing, and Rosemary bent down to her children. "Remember, walk slowly. Jesse, hold the rings carefully. Clara, drop rose petals every few steps."
"Okay, Mom," the twins chorused, walking into the church and making their way down the aisle in perfect step with one another. When they reached the front of the church, Faith began to make her way down the aisle, with Rosemary following a few seconds later. Once they reached their places, the music changed. The wedding march began, and the guests all stood, facing the back of the church.
Julie held out her arm to Elizabeth. "Ready?"
Elizabeth nodded, squeezing Julie's arm affectionately. "Thank you for walking me down the aisle, Julie. I know it's not traditional, but I'm glad you're giving me away."
Julie blinked back happy tears. "Anything for you, Elizabeth." She smiled. "Now let's go get you married to the love of your life."
Nathan stood with Fr. Frank, Lee, and Carson near the altar. He smiled as the Coulter twins walked down the aisle, looking adorable and on their best behavior. Faith and Rosemary followed soon after, and he glanced back to see Carson and Lee looking enamored with their women. And he didn't blame them. Both women looked beautiful in their blue bridesmaid dresses and their smiles. His eyes focused on the back of the church, waiting for a glimpse of Elizabeth.
He didn't have to wait long.
As the music changed, Elizabeth appeared in the doorway on Julie's arm. His mouth dropped and his breath left his lungs.
She was stunning. A radiant smile spread across her face, and her eyes locked with his even from the distance between them. The people in the church seemed to fade away with every step Elizabeth took. By the time she reached the front of the church, Nathan felt breathless. She hugged Julie, then climbed the steps to join Nathan in front of Fr. Frank. She handed Rosemary her bouquet and then turned to him. He clasped her hands in his, feeling rare tears sting his eyes. She was his one true love, and he wondered how he had been so blessed to be able to marry her.
Fr. Frank looked between them as the congregation sat. "Holy matrimony is a sacrament, and not one to be entered lightly. Nathan and Elizabeth have come together today to be joined in marriage. Their love is deep and true, and now I ask: Nathan and Elizabeth, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?"
"We have," they answered together.
"Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?"
"We are."
"Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"
"We are." Nathan squeezed Elizabeth's hands, loving that they were able to answer together, and his heart skipped a beat at the thought of having children with her. He knew without a doubt that she would be an excellent mother.
Fr. Frank smiled. "Since it is your intention to enter into the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church." He looked at Nathan. "Nathan, do you take Elizabeth to be your wife? Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life?"
"I do," Nathan said, meaning those two small words with every fiber of his being.
Fr. Frank turned to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, do you take Nathan to be your husband? Do you promise to be faithful to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and to honor him all the days of your life?"
Nathan felt a thrill pass through him as Elizabeth responded with her own "I do." They grinned at each other, and Fr. Frank had to clear his throat to get their attention, drawing laughs from the assembled guests. Elizabeth blushed prettily while Nathan's smile turned tender. He broke eye contact as Jesse presented Fr. Frank with the rings. The priest said the blessing over the rings, then handed Elizabeth's to Nathan. He slid the ring onto her finger as he recited the traditional words for the exchange of rings: "Elizabeth, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Elizabeth smiled at him with a tilt of her head, then took the ring that Fr. Frank handed her. Sliding the ring on his finger, she repeated the same words. "Nathan, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Fr. Frank raised his hands over them in a blessing. "You have declared your vows and exchanged rings as a sign of your covenant with one another. What God has joined together, let no one put asunder." A grin crossed his face as he looked between them. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Nathan, you may kiss your bride."
Nathan stepped forward, kissing Elizabeth tenderly. His heart was full to bursting as he pulled back, caressing her cheek gently. "I love you," he whispered, unable to resist pressing his lips to hers once more.
Elizabeth smiled back, joy shining from her eyes. "I love you, too."
Fr. Frank grinned at them, and then he turned them to face their family and friends. "I present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Grant!"
The tinkling of a champagne glass caught Elizabeth's attention. Lee had stood from his spot at the bridal table and was clinking his fork against the glass, announcing his impending best man's speech.
Elizabeth leaned against Nathan, smiling at him. "I don't suppose Lee has any embarrassing stories to tell about you?" she asked in a low voice.
Nathan chuckled and shook his head. "I doubt it."
Lee cleared his throat. "I'd like to say a few words, everyone." He looked over at Nathan. "I've known the groom for many years. I was assigned under his leadership when I joined the force, and we've become good friends in the years since. Nathan has always been a true leader who had his head on straight. He's always had a single minded determination to be the best he can be, on the job and as a human being. He's a wonderful brother, uncle, and friend. But something was always missing. We just never knew what that was. Until he met Elizabeth." Lee's eyes traveled to her. "Rosemary and I have known Elizabeth for years as well. It never even occurred to me that she and Nathan might meet someday. And now?" He shook his head, a grin plastered on his face. "Now I can't imagine two people more perfect for each other. Nathan and Elizabeth, you were clearly meant to find one another and join your lives together. I can't wait to see your relationship grow in this marriage, and I am thrilled that two of the best people I've ever known are going to be living right next door." He raised his glass. "To Nathan and Elizabeth!"
"Here, here!" There was a general sound of glasses clinking across the room as they toasted the newly married couple. Elizabeth smiled, watching as Nathan mouthed a "thank you" to Lee, who came over and gave him a bear hug. Nathan chuckled and hugged him back, then settled once more into his chair with an arm around Elizabeth. Rosemary was the next to stand, and Elizabeth watched her friend's eyes suddenly mist over.
"I've known Elizabeth for over a decade," Rosemary began. "She was fresh from New York and didn't know a thing about island living, but she settled in and adapted faster than anyone I've ever known. I loved having her live next door. We became friends quickly. I saw Elizabeth at her highest highs and her lowest lows, and I can say one thing with absolute certainty." She took a deep breath. Elizabeth could see that she was fighting tears, something unusual for her friend. "Elizabeth has never been happier than she's been since meeting Nathan. There's a bond between them that is special and rare. Elizabeth has drawn Nathan out of his reserved nature, and Nathan has shown Elizabeth that not only is it possible to love again, it's possible to have the best love even after great tragedy." She raised her glass. "I wish you both a long and happy marriage, with lots of love, laughter, and joy. Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Elizabeth smiled at Nathan as she took a sip from her champagne glass. Music started playing, and Julie took the microphone from Rosemary. "It's time for the bride and groom to have their first dance!"
Nathan stood, holding his hand out to Elizabeth. "Will you dance with me, my dear Elizabeth?"
Her heart melted as she placed her hand in his. "Always, Nathan," she replied softly. He led her to the dance floor as From This Moment On began playing. Nathan took her in his arms, gently swaying to the music. Their friends and family joined in around them. Elizabeth looked at Colleen and Steve slowly dancing together and felt a sense of happiness for them. Steve had moved back home and was doing incredibly well. Colleen and Allie were so happy, and it gave both Elizabeth and Nathan joy to see the family reunited.
Elizabeth sighed, leaning her head against Nathan's chest. "This has been the perfect day," she said quietly.
Nathan rested a hand on the back of her head, careful not to muss her hair. "It has," he agreed. "The best day ever." As he held her close, she could feel him smile. "We belong to each other. Forever."
Forever. The word curled its way into Elizabeth's heart, giving her butterflies and a sense of joy. She knew there would be lots of ups and downs in the years ahead, but she also knew without a doubt that she and Nathan would weather anything together. Their love was strong and would see them through the storms of life, as well as the calm times.
She couldn't wait to find out what their life together would be like. As she and Nathan danced, everyone around them faded. Elizabeth felt like they were dancing in their own little world, just the two of them. She looked up at him, and Nathan smiled at her before bending to kiss her. Once again his kiss was gentle, but it held the promise of so much more. Nathan pulled back slightly, but Elizabeth's eyes remained closed and her face uplifted. He rested his forehead against hers, and they came to a near stop, swaying slightly to the song.
"I love you, Elizabeth," Nathan whispered. He'd said those words to her many times that day, but each time it somehow felt new and special. "For the rest of our lives."
Elizabeth pressed a kiss to his cheek. "And I love you from now to eternity. Forever."
