A/N: Sorry for the delay! The last few days were a bit busy and I was being a bit lazy. I've decided to break this last bit into two chapters because it was getting VERY long. I will have the last bit posted today as well. Anyway, hope you enjoy!
Chapter 28: A Garden Wedding
The sun was shining gloriously and a light breeze kept the warm air from growing stale. After a few days of pruning and a little clean up, the garden had blossomed into a beautiful array of colors and textures. The plants were full of flowers and the grass was the most beautiful bright green. The day couldn't have been any more perfect if it had come straight out of a children's fairy tale.
Caroline looked out the bedroom window with a smile as she watched her mother and Gillian doing the last minute touches on the seating in the garden. She and Fiona had chosen to have the wedding at home, in the garden, feeling it was the perfect place for a small and intimate affair. Looking out the window and seeing how beautiful the day was made her heart fill with love, feeling as if the heavens had created the perfect day, displaying their approval of her and Fiona's union.
Two arms slipped around her waist from behind, pulling her close, as a pair of warm lips planted a kiss just below her ear. She wrapped her arms instinctively around Fiona's, leaning her head back onto her shoulder.
"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready now?" Fiona says teasingly.
"I should say the same for you," Caroline turns around in Fiona's arms, wrapping her arms leisurely around Fiona's neck. The two lock eyes and smile, a bit giddily, at each other.
"Can you believe in 3 hours I will be Mrs. Fiona Dawson?" She says, biting her bottom lip in excitement.
"Mmm, I like the sound of that." Caroline flashes a wide smile, looking lovingly into Fiona's eyes. Her eyes wander down to Fiona's lips and she leans forward, planting a slow, deep kiss on Fiona's mouth. She pulls away and Fiona smiles, standing a moment longer embracing her wife to be.
"Caroline, I love you and I am so happy. Thank you for loving me." Fiona smiles with appreciation at Caroline, giving a gentle squeeze to her hips as she holds her.
"Thank you for loving me and Flora, for taking us into your life and loving us unconditionally. I love you Fiona." She kisses Fiona again, conveying all of her love and gratitude to the beautiful woman before her. When the kiss finally breaks, Fiona steps back, releasing Caroline's waist.
"Alright, I need to go get ready. I'll see you downstairs in just a bit." She plants another quick kiss on Caroline's lips.
"Wear something pretty," Caroline says with a wink as she waves to Fiona, who laughs in response, when she walks out the door.
oOo
Caroline sits at the vanity applying her lipstick when there is a soft knock at the door.
"Come in," she says, taking a break before applying a swipe of the soft pink across her bottom lip.
Celia, Ginika and Flora step into the room, Flora running straight for her mother. She's wearing a sleeveless pale yellow dress with a white satin sash tied into a big bow at the back around her waist. Her little white sandals have a small yellow flower on the top of each foot. Ginika has pulled her hair into two neat puffs of curls on either side of her head with little white flower pins at their base for decoration. Caroline tears up at the sight of her beautiful daughter.
"Mummy, look at my dress. It's so pretty!" She says excitedly as she spins around at Caroline's knees.
"Oh sweetheart, you look absolutely beautiful," Caroline coos as she scoops her up onto her lap for a loving embrace.
"Alright love, are you ready? Everyone is here and seated." Celia says, smiling warmly at her daughter.
"Yea, I think so. How do I look?" Caroline puts Flora down, the little girl running to Ginika with a smile. She stands and brushes the front of her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles across her lap. Her dress is white lace, snuggly fit, falling just below the knee. The wide boat neck dips below her collarbone in soft scallops and the sheer lace sleeves end just below her elbows. She wears nude colored heels and simple, yet very pretty make up that brings out her brilliant blue eyes.
"You look beautiful Caroline." Ginika says, Celia nodding in agreement, tears beginning to well in her eyes. Caroline moves to them, taking each into her arms for a warm hug. Celia kisses her daughters cheek and then quickly wipes away the lipstick left behind with a laugh. Caroline takes her mother's hand and they leave the room, heading downstairs where she is to meet Fiona before they walk together to the garden.
oOo
Fiona stands before the floor length mirror in the guest bedroom making last minute adjustments to her appearance. She had chosen a soft blush colored chiffon dress that also fell just below her knees. It is sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline and dips into a deep v in the back, where it gathers at the waist with a small chiffon flower. The top of the dress fits perfectly to her curves and then falls loose around her hips at her natural waist. She wears a pair of strappy gold sandals that she knew Caroline would love. Her hair is pulled back into a messy bun of soft waves, her make up elegant, yet simple.
Clare and Emma entered the room, after knocking and being called in. Emma runs straight to Fiona, wrapping her arms eagerly around her granny's waist.
"Oh granny, you look beautiful!" Emma exclaims, looking up into Fiona's eyes with a smile.
"Thank you sweetheart and you look very pretty too." Emma wears a dress to match Flora's, the soft yellow hue a perfect complement to her fiery hair. She gives Emma a squeeze before turning around to face Clare.
"So, what do you think?" She says nervously to her daughter, smoothing her hands down her hips.
"Mum, you are beautiful." Clare smiles and crosses to Fiona embracing her tightly for a long moment.
"Is Caroline ready?" Fiona says as they break apart.
"Yes, she's downstairs waiting now. You two are going to look gorgeous together." Clare smiles and offers her hand to her mother, Emma running to grab Fiona's other hand as they exit the room and head downstairs.
oOo
Caroline stands anxiously waiting in the kitchen with Celia, Ginika and Flora by her side. As she hears two pairs of heels clicking down the hall her heart picks up speed to a fast trot. Clare and Emma enter first, smiling to the group across the room. They turn to watch Fiona as she enters behind them.
Caroline's breath catches as she lays eyes on Fiona, her mouth dropping open in awe. Fiona smiles shyly and moves into the room, her own admiration quickly registering on her face as she gets a full view of Caroline. Everyone else in the room is quiet as they watch the two women before them, inspecting each other's appearance with such love and wonder. Their love is so apparent it's almost tangible, causing the other three women in the room to smile in appreciation.
"Alright you girls, let's get you together for your big entrance. Are you ready?" Celia says as she gestures for Flora and Emma to come to her. She gives them their baskets of rose petals and she and Ginika usher them to the door. Clare kisses her mother on the cheek and heads out the door, hooking arms with Ginika, as they walk to take their seats amongst the guests. Celia takes the girls outside, guiding them to the aisle, whispering directions to them, before taking her seat next to Alan at the front. The girls make their walk up the aisle, smiling and giggling as they throw their petals. Caroline and Fiona step outside and watch the adorable scene, each feeling almost overwhelmed with love.
"You look absolutely stunning darling." Caroline takes Fiona's hand with a squeeze as they approach the last row of chairs.
Fiona looks at her and mouths "I love you", Caroline smiling and mouthing it in return.
As they make their way up the aisle all eyes are riveted on them. Each woman alone is exceptionally beautiful, but the two together are simply breathtaking, their beauty elevated higher by the sheer joy and love radiating between them.
William leads them in a short simple ceremony, having offered to be ordained just to marry them. The gesture had made Caroline cry tears of happiness when William had told her, Fiona crying as well once she learned of the news. Lawrence provided the rings at the moment they were requested and also read a short poem, again bringing tears to Caroline and Fiona's eyes. After a mostly tame, yet very passionate kiss, the two women are cheered wildly as they make their way back down the aisle.
oOo
Caroline and Fiona sit at the head table, sipping their wine and chatting with the guests that approach. Their hands never break from each other and they steal kisses every chance they can get. William and Lawrence approach the microphone that has been set up next to the DJ. Tapping his glass in front of the microphone for attention, William greets the party.
"Good evening everyone. We'd like to thank you all for coming this evening and we sincerely hope you have enjoyed yourselves and the fabulous food and wine." He begins with a smile as he scans the crowd.
"Lawrence and I would just like to say congratulations to our mum and Fiona…our new mum. It is obvious you two are perfect for each other and we are so delighted to see you so happy again, mum. To many years of health and happiness together." He raises his glass in toast, the crowd following suit. He takes a step back, allowing Lawrence access to the microphone.
"I umm, I wasn't the greatest when mum first came out to us and I was a right pillock when she married Kate." He smiles shyly, the guests laughing at his honesty.
"Now that I've grown, and hopefully matured, I am able to see how much Fiona loves my mum and how much my mum truly loves Fiona. I am so glad to see them so happy and I wish them nothing but happiness in the future. It also makes me very happy to see how much Fiona and Flora love each other. I'm glad to know that she will help raise my little sister in such a loving home with mum. Here's to you two." He raises his glass, toasting with a hearty applause from the crowd.
"Alright now, it's time to work off some of that delicious food!" William exclaims in the mic before gesturing to the DJ to start the music. The music starts and William and Lawrence cross the garden, offering a dance to Fiona and Caroline. William ushers Caroline to the grass, Lawrence and Fiona following behind them.
"William, thank you so much for such a beautiful day. It meant the world to Fiona and I to have you do the vows. I love you so much and am so very proud of the man you have become." She kisses his cheek warmly, tears welling in her eyes. William wipes one away as it breaks and slides down her cheek.
"Well, I had a good mum that raised me properly." He smiles in return.
"Well, your dad did an ok job, at times, as well."
"Yea, teaching us by example what NOT to do in life." He grins cheekily and Caroline laughs heartily in return.
"Fiona, I am so glad you and mum found each other. You have made her happy again and I am grateful to you for that and for how well you take care of Flora." Lawrence smiles at Fiona, who blushes slightly, again taken aback by his somewhat out of character candor.
"She makes me very happy as well Lawrence, and I love you all very dearly. Thank you for being so kind and accepting, for being such a fine young man." She kisses his cheek and pulls away with a warm smile.
oOo
Caroline and Fiona stand next to the Jeep, preparing to leave for their short honeymoon weekend at The Ritz. Plans had already been made and flights booked for a proper trip to Greece in June, at the start of summer break. That trip would be a family affair, with Flora coming along as well, so this little weekend was the newlyweds get away.
William and Lawrence placed the overnight bags Caroline and Fiona had packed in the Jeep while the two women said their goodbyes to the rest of the family, all other guests having finally made their departure.
"You two have a wonderful weekend and we'll see you back here Monday afternoon." Celia hugs each woman tightly, planting a kiss on their cheeks as she does. Alan steps up and hugs them next, kissing their cheeks and smiling his approval.
"Caroline, I am so happy for you and I am so pleased that Fiona will be here for you and Flora. She's a lovely woman and I think she's wonderful for the both of you." Ginika smiles her wide grin, pulling Caroline in for a warm hug and kiss on the cheek, before stepping to do the same to Fiona. Flora stands at her side and waits eagerly to hug her mother and Fiona. Fiona picks her up, turning to Caroline and they each kiss her cheek, the little girl giggling with delight. She wiggles from Fiona's arms before returning to Ginika's side.
"I love you mummy and Fi!" She calls happily, taking Ginika's hand.
"Congratulations mum, I'm so happy for you." Clare hugs Fiona, a silent tear falling down her cheek. Ian steps forward and kisses Fiona's cheek, giving her a warm hug as well. Emma wraps her arms around Fiona's legs, squeezing tightly before running to do the same to Caroline. Once she's done, she runs to Flora's side, grabbing her hand as the two bounce excitedly.
"Caroline, congratulations and welcome to the family." Clare says, taking Caroline into her embrace. Ian kisses her cheek and offers a hug as well.
Gillian steps forward last, taking Caroline in for a warm hug, Fiona standing next to her, looking on at their exchange.
"Congratulations sis, you've got yourself quite a catch. Oh, here's a little something from me, for later. Open it tonight, once you get settled." She pulls away with a smile and a devilish wink, Fiona smiling cheekily at the gesture. She hugs Fiona as well, before stepping back to Robbie, who smiles and waves to the women.
"Right you two, time to be off. Your reservations are under Dawson, and there's a few things waiting for your arrival. Have a wonderful weekend." William steps forward, handing Caroline the keys as she pulls him in for another hug and kiss. Lawrence opens the door for Fiona, kissing her cheek as she steps into the car.
The extended family stands waving in the drive as Caroline and Fiona pull onto the road, holding hands and sharing an excited glance between them.