A/N: Since Michelle had Jarrod legally change her name, she will be referred to as Shelly in this last chapter.

Chapter Twenty Seven

The noise throughout the churchyard was almost deafening as the guests began arriving, all were excited to see Jarrod and Shelly get married. Everything from balloons to ribbons had been hung in the church's backyard where the reception would be held after the service. However, inside the noise level surmounted to a quiet sacred lull.

"You're beautiful."Audra said as she stepped away from Shelly and looked at her. She and Shelly were using a room in the back of the church as Shelly got ready for her wedding. The dress Shelly wore was a full white gown, reminiscent of those of the south; however, it had some modern alterations. Instead of the over large hoped skirts, Shelly's gown was a full A line that fell from the petite peaked waist of the bodice. The bodice was beautifully decorated with an appliqué of leaves and small flowers spotted here and there with tine pearls that seem to give life to the floral appliqué. A centre panel of crossed Saturn ribbons encased the beautiful pattern, almost like a delicate bird cage and again accentuated Shelly's petite figure. The love heart neck line of the bodice gave a hint of a refined feminine form and the daring half moon shoulders of the sleeves that sat snug on her shoulders was very modern in style. The full bell cuts of the lace sleeves were subtle and made the gown appear more airy rather than the cumbersome amounts of material used by the high society women of Boston or the over stated belles of the south. But, it was Shelly's shy smile, her nervousness, and the spark in her eyes that made her appear as the most gorgeous bride that Audra had ever seen.

"Thanks, I can't wait for Jarrod to see it. I hope he will like it." Shelly told her as she thought on the past six months. Her father had had to sit in a jail cell for over a month before a trial date could even be set, due to the judge being out of town on a family emergency. And then, he and the gentleman he'd hired to kill Jarrod had both been given twenty years. She had felt sad for what might have been, but that was it. Her mind then turned to Jarrod.

Jarrod's outward injuries had healed easily enough; however, the head injury had slowed his speech down for quite a while. Not that he stammered or something like that, he just talked tons slower than he used to. That is, he had for a few months. The thing that had everyone greatly concerned was the fact that Jarrod would simply nod off and go to sleep…even in the middle of working on papers. That had been the hardest thing for him to deal with…as he didn't dare take a chance of falling asleep in a court room. Thank goodness though he hadn't had an episode like that for a solid month. When they'd asked, Dr. Merar said all they could do was hope the spells had stopped for good as the medical field didn't know enough about head injuries to give them the answers they sought.

"Oh," Audra smiled from ear to ear as she thought on her eldest brother. "He's not going to have a problem with the dress, believe me." She would have said more only she heard the door to the room she and Shelly were using. Neither one was surprised to see Victoria standing in the doorway.

"Is it time?" Shelly asked confused; she was sure they had at least fifteen minutes.

"Not quite yet," Victoria answered as he stepped into the room and sent her future daughter-in-law a wide smile. "I just figured I'd pop in and see how you were doing." Truth was, she'd seen how nervous Shelly was the day before and a small part of her was afraid the young woman was going to change her mind. Victoria hated the idea of that happening, as it was bad enough knowing just how badly Nick had really been hurt-even if Shelly had handled the situation the best she could. Victoria didn't want to see Jarrod, who had already been through so much…with the loss of Beth, hurt as well.

Shelly, who had seen the look of concern in her future mother in law's eyes, smiled back. "I've never been better." She, Audra and Victoria continued talking until Heath poked his head in and told them it was time for the wedding to start. Victoria and Audra quickly left the room while Heath, who was giving the bride away, held out his arm. Soon the two were standing just outside the chapel doors as the music began to play.

From where he stood next to Nick, Jarrod watched as Heath began leading Shelly up the aisle. His heart beat a little bit fast and he began praying like mad the sleeping spells that had hit without warning in the past would indeed stay away. He wanted nothing more to spend every possible moment wide awake as he and Shelly began their lives together.

"We are gathered here together…" Reverend Stacy began talking once Heath had handed Shelly off to Jarrod and sat down. The words he spoke were barely heard by Jarrod and his bride as they gazed into each other's eyes. Of course, they heard the words "you may kiss the bride' loud and clear.

"Congratulations!" and "Best wishes!" were rang out more than once as they exited the building, and would repeat t themselves multiple times during the reception.

Epilogue

The wind was blowing gently through the air as William and Ester Barkley sat on the front lawn listening to their great grandmother finish the story she'd been telling them. The story she'd promised them the day before…when they'd asked her to tell them how each member of the Barkley family had met their spouses. By the way the two children had sat still from the beginning to the end, the old woman knew they had enjoyed the tale she'd told.

William, the ever observant child, knelt up on his knees and said, "Everyone always talks about how close Jarrod and Shelly were, but Great Grandpa Nick shouldn't have said he'd remain alone the rest of his life. It's obvious he didn't really mean it." He was shocked when a look that said he'd spoken too soon appeared in the old woman's eyes.

"Your great grandfather might have lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and, yes; we had a good number of years together. However," her voice grew soft as she said, "Don't answer these next questions I have for you out loud, only think about it." Her eyes and voice gave the young boy a gentle rebuke. "How old was your great grandfather Nick when his elder brother and Shelly got married? Just how many years were between us, and how old was your great grandfather when he and I got married?"

William had no problem coming up with the answers to the questions his great grandmother asked and his eyes widened as he sank back down into a sitting position. "He really did mean it." He said barely above a whisper.

"Yes, he meant every word." His great grandmother glanced at the mansion she'd shared with her husband for many years, a mixture of love and longing in her gaze.

Ester spoke up. "We've been so busy wanting to know about everyone else that I just realized…we never asked how you and great grandpa Nick met. Now, with everything you've told us today, you just have to tell us yours and great grandpa's story, especially since he was so much older than you! I want to know how on earth the two of you got together in the first place!"

"Yes, please!" William begged.

Their great grandmother looked up at the sky and could tell it would soon be dark. "Not tonight," she stood up and turned back towards the house she now shared with her youngest son and his family. "We have all day before your parents come to pick you up tomorrow. I will tell you then."

"Promise?" William asked as he and his sister started walking with their great grandmother.

"I promise" came the reply.

Author's Note: This A/U is continued in "May I Have This Dance" which will be posted next. It's a story based on the many, many couples I either know, have known or simply heard about that have huge age differences between them. So, if May/December relationships bother you, don't read it.