Your daily chapter. Due to short notice (I just got done writing it) completely unedited. So all mistakes are my own. ;) And no, this is not the last one just yet.

Chapter 38: Wild Wine

The guest chattered along with the whispering wind in the trees. A few confused bees hummed through their usual territory, wondering if there was any nectar hidden in the colourful dresses. Uncle Walter was chasing a happily screeching Lizzy around a tree in a very ungentlemanlike manner. Vicar Bailey whispered something with the best man, apparently involving the rings. The only thing Jack Robinson could hear was his own heartbeat in his ears. Once again he glanced at his watch. She was late now. Two minutes to be exact. Jack felt sweat pouring down his back; it was hard to tell if caused by the bright sun or the thoughts invading his brain. Horrible scenarios played in his mind, from Phryne running for the hills already donning her bridal gown to Barton escaping from his cell. The soft breeze loosened a dark red wine leaf from the Inspector's oak, causing it to sail down onto his shoulder. Jack picked it up, twirling it between his fingers, then swept his eyes up the tree. Entangled beyond separation. He straightened his shoulder's, feeling calmness returning to his soul. She would come. Nothing would stop her. He turned, and there she was.

He didn't hear the music either, not the "Ahhs" and "Ohhs" around him regarding the bride, not the cheeky comment of his brother. All he heard was her heels on the grass, the swish of her skirt. All he saw was the silk swirling around her legs, the glittering gems embroidered to her dress, the sun on her black hair, her glowing cheeks and her smile, as she walked down the aisle composed of trees and chairs. Jack forgot to breath - it seemed rather unnecessary. He just needed to look at her, photograph this moment for his memories, for the days when he would be old and grey and wondering what he had had in his life.

Phryne felt like she was floating. The people around her were blurry. Somewhere in the back of her mind it registered with some surprise, who was standing beside Jack and Will. She had known who was to be the best man, but the other two groomsmen Jack had picked, touched and surprised her equally. Hugh looked like he was going to burst with pride, while Mr. Butler's eyes showed the faint idea of tears already. But none of this held her attention. She felt her trembling fingers firmly wrapped around the bunch of sunflowers that Dot had shoved into her hands a minute ago with little ceremony. Phryne had no idea, why it was to be sunflowers. She should probably have asked. But then again, it didn't really matter. All that mattered was Jack, who was staring at her as if she was the 8th wonder of the world. It made her feel like she was in fact a miracle. Every woman should once in her life be looked at like that, Phryne found herself thinking, as she straightened her back and kept walking, a smile creeping on her red lips. The aisle suddenly seemed to stretch into eternity, as she followed Mac down to Jack's oak, where Vicar Bailey was waiting, a big grin spread over his features. He had gotten over the shock of the Archbishop's involvement rather quickly. Of course, the blow had been softened somewhat by the surprising appearance of enough money to fix the mouldering staircase in the tower – and the leaking roof of the Vicarage.

"Breath, Jack," the groom heard Will whisper and finally remembered to draw some air into his lungs, just as Dot and Jane arrived beside Father Bailey. The priest didn't seem to be bothered in the slightest by the fact that the Maid of Honour wore a dinner jacket rather than a pretty dress. The Lord indeed looked down with mercy on the people willing to spend enough money to fix a dripping roof.

Mac turned, searching the crowd for Hazel's light blue dress. She found her lover seconds later, flanked by Iris and Rupert and smiling proudly. Then a shadow ghosted over the Doctor's face, as she spotted Mrs. Morgan in something bright red, sneaking through the rows of chairs to sit with her daughters. The older woman didn't look over, but Hazel's angry expression softened, after her mother had whispered something into her ear. The daughter nodded lightly, responding with a few words, before locking her eyes with Mac again. The smile returned to her lips and Elizabeth dared to breath a sigh of relief. Things might never be great for them. But they would be all right.

Phryne was oblivious to all of this. Her shaky fingers grasped for Jack's, which to her relief were equally sweaty, accompanied by a tiny smile on both of their lips.

He didn't say anything, but his dark eyes told her in clear language that he thought her breathtaking and Phryne had to resist the urge to reach out and run her finger's over his rough cheek; tell him with her hands what her lips couldn't say. Her heart was aching with love for him in this moment. Their moment.

The crowd went utterly silent. The whispers about the beautiful bride and the handsome groom had trailed off, the last chattering about the mixed bridal party quietened. A magpie somewhere in a tree took the chance to make itself heard and caused some giggles from a tense Esmeralda. She felt almost as if she was getting married herself all over and grabbed for her husband, who wrapped an arm around her shoulder, smiling to himself. He knew his wife well.

Sam witnessed the fond gesture between his parents and glanced at his date. Christine seemed to have forgotten her hurt feelings about his affair, ever since he had cornered her and, with flaming red ears, owned up to the truth in Miss Fisher's words. She looked radiant, he found, and couldn't help himself. He extended two fingers and gently brush it over her hand. Christine looked up for a second, questions in her eyes and Sam was almost convinced that he had made a mistake, when she firmly grasped his hand, holding on tightly. Samuel Cox-Stafford had had many adventures involving the other gender in his life. For the first time he felt like he might actually faint.

When Vicar Bailey finally started the ceremony, Jack found that it was washing over him, mostly unheard. He was lost in Phryne's eyes, which seemed of a brighter shade of blue today than usually. But a part of him registered the beautiful words the priest found for the lovers, who here in front of God and the world, would be united in holy matrimony. Edward Bailey remembered well the day, where the couple in front of him had sat on his kitchen table, desperately clutching on to each other's hands in an attempt to find comfort. His heart burst with pride and a little smugness at being able to prove his Bishop wrong. He had spent half of last night trying to find the right words, despite knowing with a truly loving couple, the ceremony was mostly for the guests.

A teary-eyed Dot sought out her husband past the bride's shoulder. Hugh beamed at her. Their own wedding hadn't been long ago and now they were to be a family. New adventures were awaiting them.

In the middle, also in the anxiety for a completely new adventure, Miss Fisher and Inspector Robinson didn't notice any of this. They were completely enthralled in themselves and each other and Vicar Bailey was almost surprised, when Jack picked up on his cue on the first attempt. The vows were simple and spoken with sincerity. The priest didn't miss the tiny wink the bride gave her groom when he reached the part about being united 'for richer or poorer' and neither the cheeky smile playing on the groom's lips. Neither of the spouses swore obedience, Walter had insisted on dropping it and the Vicar hadn't been game to argue, lest the bishop of Canterbury might send him a letter next.

A pair of golden rings were slipped over shaking fingers, signatures drawn by trembling hands and just when the bride and groom turned to share their souls in their first kiss as husband and wife, the wind picked up, showering them in dark red wine leaves.

X

"Thank you, Aunt P, you worked a miracle," Phryne laughed, when she pulled Mrs. Stanley into an inappropriately tight hug, noting the faint stains of tears on her Aunt's cheek.

"You're very welcome, my dear," Prudence said stiffly, unable to hide her sentimentality completely. "I am just glad you have finally settled," she added for good measure, while Phryne hugged her Cousin who had come all the way from Melbourne for her big day and congratulated her with sincerity. Miss Fisher had no intention to tell her Aunt P, that settling was not exactly her idea of a marriage with Jack. In fact, the main reason, why she had agreed to marry him was because he had never made any attempts to clip her wings. The Inspector hadn't wanted an obedient little wife – just Phryne Fisher. And that was why she was willing to be Phryne Robinson.

"I still rather think you should have let me walk you down the aisle though," Mrs. Stanley said, "after all I am the representative of your family in your father's absence".

"Thank you, Aunt P, but that was not necessary. I did find the way on my own," Phryne quipped, pressing a kiss to the blushing cheek of the older lady and finally moving on. She really didn't want to have this discussion yet again. She hadn't felt the need, or want for that matter, to be 'given away'. She had given herself to Jack a long time ago and completely without assistance from any members of her family.

"Congratulations," she heard right beside her ear and found herself in the tight hug of Laura Simmens-Cox-Stafford. It felt a little awkward, considering they hadn't actually shared more than ten words during their stay at Wombat Hall. But Laura looked amazing, Phryne found surprised, and she radiated happiness. Today the petite woman wore a dress in different shades of green, along with sparkling diamonds around her neck and littered through her golden hair, that seemed to have found it's former glory again. Her smiling husband was queuing behind her and he too seemed to have slipped off the cobwebs, filling his tuxedo with pride. So maybe Mrs. Simmens didn't mind having a not-so-boring husband all that much, Phryne pondered with a smile, while she moved on to Esmeralda's arms, which were stronger than they appeared. She had obviously been crying and wasn't ashamed of it in the slightest.

"You look so beautiful," she whispered into Phryne's ear, while they embraced, "Jack is a very lucky man."

The words came from the heart and Phryne felt tears pricking again at her own eyes, which became worse, when Walter also gave her a bear hug, welcoming her to the family yet again and calling her his "dear girl". Sam was next in line, again somewhat to the lady-detective's astonishment and when he whispered a "Thank you, for the truth", without even trying to touch her inappropriately, Phryne almost lost it. Her eyes sought out Jack's over Dot's shoulder, who was still sobbing. He smiled, gently peeling the maid from himself and handing her over to her husband.

Quickly, before the next person could battle their way through the crowd, he stepped to his bride, taking her hand.

"Right now, I do feel the strong urge to run away with you, Miss Fisher," he whispered quietly. Phryne grinned.

"I fear it's too late for that, Jack."

The Inspector didn't get to answer, as his Uncle raised his voice.

"Thank you all, for joining us today for this very happy occasion and congratulations again to Jack and Phryne. But, as my brother-in-law has reminded me yesterday, the wedding is not all we are celebrating today."

The guests looked at each other in confusion, wondering if they had missed some anniversary. Uncle Walter grinned.

"As most of you are probably aware, the trees that are surrounding you, do have a history. The Cox-Staffords have a tradition of planting a tree for every one of their children when it it born. And while it might be a little late to do that for your birth, dear Jane, you are from this day on officially a member of our family and therefore, John insisted you deserved your own tree. And I am, in this matter at least, only to happy to agree with him."

Walter raised his glass to the blushing John Robinson, waking in Jack the suspicion that his father had not intended to be mentioned in this speech. A second later Jane threw herself with glowing cheeks around her 'grumps' neck and people applauded laughing. Jack locked eyes with John over his daughter's head, while his lips formed a silent "Thank you". The girl moved on to squeeze the air out of a proud Uncle Walter's lungs, while his gardener brought a tree sapling out into the open.

"I thought something hardy with bright flowers would be perfect for you," the Master of the House intoned, pointing at the young wattle. "Withstanding the storms of life and brightening ours with it's presence."

Phryne pulled her glowing daughter into a sideway-hug, while they watched the tree being planted near the oak, a sneaky tear running down her cheek. Jack wrapped his arms round both his women, realising with a start that he had an actual, official family now. He glanced at the gold band wrapped around his ring finger, glittering in the sun. A symbol for his marriage with Phryne and for his fatherhood to Jane. He was sure that if he had been any more happy or proud, his chest might have exploded.

But there was no time for this. A late lunch had been set and the guests collected under the pear trees to eat, drink and be merry. Speeches were held and turned out not quite as boring as expected. Phryne took the chance to glance at Mac, whose table card Dot had earlier sneaked beside Hazel's, trapping the Doctor now between Iris and her sister. The bride had been slightly worried about her decision, once she had heard of the morning's events. Especially considering that Jack's beloved cousin had stumbled over her prejudices in the past. But, Iris was as good as her word – it had been worry that had driven her to reject Miss Fisher rather than morals and while it was obvious that she knew Mac's connection with her sister, she made every attempt to get into conversation with the Redhead. Olivia Morgan glanced at the three women with some distrust, but she didn't make a scene, which at this point in time seemed about as much as could be asked from her. Her table partner John had done his best to keep her mind occupied, but was now tapping against his glass, rising to his feet. He looked rather embarrassed, when eyes turned towards him.

"Jack, Phryne, Guests" he began, then stopped, seemingly searching for words, "My son Will gave me quite the speech the other day, telling me that I was an old grump and that the pride I feel for my children really wasn't very obvious," he smiled. "I think it is time to set him straight. I am an old grump and I have no intentions to change. But I am proud of all my three children. My daughter Amanda sadly can't be with us tonight, but over there sits William."

He raised his glass toasting to them. "I am very proud of you, Son and I really can't think of a single reason why I wouldn't be. You are great at what you do, you have married a lovely woman and you fathered a beautiful daughter."

Whispers rose around the table, while John's eyes sought out Jack.

"But of course today, the focus is on Jack, my eldest, who is also great at his job. Sometimes I am worried about how good he is, since he seems to be more in the papers than at home."

John made a slight break while people laughed. Jack was holding his breath, part of him fearing the words that might come. A habit engrained in many years of arguments and disappointment.

"And today, Son, you have married a lovely woman and gained a beautiful daughter. I couldn't be any prouder if I tried. And if your mother was here, she would call me an old fool right now or cry. Possibly both."

More laughter followed, while John raised his glass with a twinkle in his eyes.

"But she would be just as proud and wish you just as much happiness."

He toasted the couple with his glass and Phryne didn't have to look over to know that there were tears glittering in Jack's eyes.