A/N: This is the final chapter for this story, I hope it has come to a satisfying end for all of you. Who knows, maybe there will be a sequel if there's enough interest and the Muse strikes me once again. Thanks so much for all of the reviews and encouragement. It's been fun traveling this road with Aggie and Ezra!
Maude sat tersely in the front row of the church, hands primly folded in her lap, a somewhat dour expression on her face. It wasn't quite time yet, but the church had begun to fill up with various townspeople of Four Corners. The Seven were gathered, attending to the tasks assigned to them.
Buck came up to Maude and laid his hand on her arm. "Now, a woman as pretty as you Maude ought to smile and brighten up the room. You must be just overcome with joy to see your son gettin' married. I'm sure you wouldn't want nothin' to spoil this special day."
He was smiling and his tone was light, but the look in his eyes and his firm, insistent grip on her arm let Maude know that he was going to brook no nonsense and allow her to put a damper on the festivities.
Maude shook her arm loose from his hand and brushed imaginary dirt off her sleeve. She held his gaze for a moment then smiled at him, her con job charm turned on full force.
"Well of course Mr. Wilmington, I am just beside myself with happiness."
Buck winked and went to the back of the church where his job was to watch for Ezra's arrival. Chris raised his brows at him, inclinging his head towards Maude.
"I never could stand a sourpuss at a wedding," he said by way of explanation.
"If Maude's going to be a sourpuss I'll escort her out myself," JD said, puffing his chest out like a proud rooster. "Casey's so excited about today, I don't want anything to go wrong."
Casey was Aggie's Matron of Honour and had even been convinced to wear a dress. She had been antsy all week and chased JD out of the hotel where the ladies were dressing Aggie and themselves.
"But I brought the flowers!" he protested as she propelled him backwards with her hands on his chest.
"Oh. Well give 'em here and then get," she ordered.
He hadn't even seen her in a dress yet, now he would have to wait to see her with everyone else.
"Don't bite off more than you can chew, son," Chris said, suppressing a smile.
"Are you nervous?" Mary asked, using a hot iron to twist a strand of Aggie's auburn hair into a curl. "I was nervous when I got married."
"A little, but I'm sure I'm making the right decision."
"I would never have thought of Ezra as the marrying kind, but he loves you so much I can't imagine any other way for you two. He's changed since you came along, and he's going to keep going until he's a new man. I do believe he'll be a perfect husband to you, Aggie."
"I always liked Ezra," Casey said, fondling the lace at Aggie's collar. "But I always knew he was a bit of a scoundrel. Now he's so sweet and kind, JD says he talks about you all the time and he hasn't even been up playing cards and drinking all night like he did before."
"Well, I don't mean to change him, he's already a good man. But fewer card games and less liquour suits me fine," Aggie replied.
Nettie came bustling in, dressed in a long navy blue skirt and a white blouse that made her look quite elegant.
"Are you soon finished?" she asked. "It's getting close to the time."
Mary did a few more adjustments of Aggie's hair, then set the rod down on a metal tray on the dressing table and stood back. Casey pulled Aggie's chair back and helped her get to her feet. All three women smiled brilliantly; Nettie put her hand to her mouth and for a moment tears of pride and joy shone in her eyes, Mary clasped her hands together and admired her friend. Casey gasped, then laughed. "You look so beautiful!" she exclaimed.
Nettie wiped delicately at her eyes and then became her busy, practical self again. "I'm going to check and make sure everyone's in the church and when I come back you'd better be ready to go."
"I will be," Aggie assured her.
Nettie came down the street towards Josiah's church, Buck waved his hat at her from the door and gave her a thumbs up, meaning Ezra had arrived and was in his place at the head of the church. She waved to acknowledge that she had seen him then hurried back to the hotel.
"Alright girls, lets go. Watch your dresses, dears we dont want them dirtied or torn," she instructed as she herded them, talking and giggling, down the stairs and then out into the street.
There came the sound of a horse in harness up the street and they all turned to look at who it might be. Chris was there, sitting on a pretty little buggy seat. He wore a crisp white shirt and a Texas tie around his collar, he had forgone his hat but wore his customary black pants.
He reined in the horse and jumped down off the seat, little puffs of dust rising up around his boots. He stood looking at Aggie but she couldn't tell what he was thinking, he kept his emotions too guarded. But after a short moment he walked towards the group of women and extended his hand to Aggie.
"You won't arrive on foot if I have anything to say about it," he said.
"It's only a short ways, Chris," she said softly.
He left his hand out, insistent, until she gathered her skirts together in one hand and placed her other in his. She allowed him to lead her to the buggy and help her inside, after which everyone else felt comfortable doing the same.
"Sure is pretty in here," Casey said, running her finger over the black leather seats and the red velvet walls. "Wonder where he found it."
Mary was silent, she knew that Chris had feelings for Aggie and that for a while they had nearly been together, but she wasn't jealous or bitter. Aggie was her friend and she wouldn't allow herself to be; whatever was meant to be, would be. She had strong feelings for Chris Larabee, but she wouldn't push the situation to a level he was uncomfortable with. She told herself she would be fortunate to have him for a husband, if he could still be so kind and considerate to a woman who had turned him down and was now marrying a man he essentially didn't like.
It was scarcely a minute with the horse plodding down the street before they reached the church. Chris pulled up close to the door and helped Aggie down from the buggy onto the ground. He smiled at her, a little sadly, and took her hand in his own again. "You're pretty as a picture," he said, "Ezra is a lucky man."
Aggie flushed slightly and smiled at him. She didn't pull away when he lifted his hand and kissed its back ever so softly before directing her towards the church doorway.
Buck stepped out, grinning from ear to ear. "I've got a surprise for you," he said.
"Really, Buck, on the day of my wedding?" Aggie chided good naturedly.
"Not that kind of surprise," he said waggling his eyebrows. "There's someone here to see you."
Aggie couldn't imagine who on earth would turn up at her wedding - everyone she knew was either gathered around her or inside. "Who?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.
In reply, Buck stepped aside and clapped his hands in glee. From the doorway of the church emerged a man with dark skin and an enormous smile.
"Ben!" Aggie fairly shouted, forgetting her dress she let it fall onto the ground and ran into her old friend's arms.
"Agatha," he boomed, his voice filled with emotion. He embraced her and rocked her side to side, almost lifting her off the ground. He released her and looked her over, top to bottom.
"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, next to your Mama," he said. "She would be so proud of you, and happy. I'm happy for you, although I thought at first I might be seeing you marry this fella," he said under his breath, gesturing towards Chris.
"It could have come to pass, but Ezra has my heart," she said. "My God it's good to see you," she said. "How did you know? What are you doing her?"
"Your betrothed in there sent me a telegram and asked me to come. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'd like to ask you if I could walk you down the aisle?"
"That would make me happier than you can imagine," Aggie said.
"Well you'd best get on with it," Nettie said. She ushered Chris and Buck back inside and then Mary and Casey before going in herself.
Inside, the borrowed organ started up the bride's tune and suddenly the moment was upon them, they had to go in.
With her arm hooked through Ben's, she made her way up the aisle of the church. The church was standing room only, she hadn't realized how many people she and Ezra had come to know, but they were all there. Despite everyone being there, she only had eyes for Ezra, and judging by the way he watched her come towards him, he felt the same.
He wore a black suit coat and an impeccably clean white shirt. A bow tie perched expertly at his throat and he had obviously polished his shoes that morning, they were so shining you could see your reflection in them. He was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on and suddenly Aggie thought she might burst into tears.
Aggie's dress wasn't white, but ivory, which is a more forgiving colour to work with she had explained, and it suited her complexion better. The skirt brushed the floor and hung in pleats until it narrowed at her waist, connecting to the bodice with a row of small Mother of Pearl buttons up the back. Beautifully delicate lace formed the collar and cuffs, and ran up the front of the bodice.
It was quite the contrast next to Ben, his large size and dark suit moving alongside her up the aisle. She looked so pleased Ezra was infinitely happy the Chris had suggested he send a telegram asking him to attend. He would owe Larabee for that one, but to make Aggie happy any debt was worthwhile.
When they came together at the front of the church, each with their closest friends lined up next to them, it was the happiest moment either of them had experienced. Everyone in the church watched them but they only watched each other, reciting the vows that Josiah laid out for them there was heartfelt emotion in every word. Aggie felt the whole room swell with love, most of all in her own heart as finally Josiah announced that they were man and wife and Ezra could kiss his bride.
A cheer went up that shook the whole room when Ezra wrapped his new wife in a firm embrace and gave her a profound kiss. Both of them were flushed and laughing with joy when they broke apart. Out on the street they were pelted with rice and well wishes from what seemed like the entire town.
Aggie felt dizzy she was so happy, a constant swarm of butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Ezra wouldn't let her go for a moment, he kissed her cheek and held her arm in his.
"Well son, you've done it," Maude said, coming up to them during a lull in the congratulations.
"And I have never been happier," Ezra said pointedly. "And you, Mrs. Standish the younger?" he asked, turning to Aggie.
"Never," she agreed.
"Take care of my son, Agatha," Maude said, making no move to embrace or touch her new daughter in law. "Write sometimes. I must be going, I'm on the evening stage," she said, by way of goodbye.
"Goodbye, Mother," Ezra said coolly.
Aggie felt pained by the exchange, wondering if she had somehow caused a rift between mother and son, but Ezra turned and kissed her, giving her a look that said what had occured between him and Maude was of little to no concern to him. "My beautiful bride," he said, "You are all that matters to me."
Chris came over with Mary close behind him. He gave Aggie a light embrace and extended his hand for Ezra to shake. "Take care of her Standish. I hear any different and you're a dead man."
There was only a hint of humour in his voice, and Aggie was sure his threat was genuine. Ezra appeared to believe it as well, he shook Larabee's hand solemnly. "I have no intention otherwise, my good sir," he said.
The party lasted well on into the night and early eyes of the morning. Ezra and Aggie left after night had fallen and everyone was too well fed, drunk and jovial to notice their departure. There was not yet a house to replace the shack on Aggie's land, so they returned to Ezra's room in the hotel where they had spent their first night together. This time there was no need for secrecy or hesitation. They made love passionately and with abandon, several times, while music from their own wedding reception drifted in on the breeze.
Ezra stroked her cheek and gazed at her sleepily, full of love.
"I've never been this happy," Aggie said contentedly.
A great, masculine hoot went up outside followed by peals of laughter. Aggie guessed one of the Seven was heavily intoxicated and making an ass of himself for everyone else's entertainment. The thought amused her; they were all good men, but she knew in her heart that she had secured the best of them.
Running a hand affectionately over Ezra's chest Aggie kissed him hard and rolled over so that he was flat on his back with her on top of him. He didn't object, but busied himself running the palms of his hands over her back and cupping the cheeks of her rear. Their kissing took on a more insistent tone and she felt him grow hard beneath her, pushing against her belly.
She was deliciously sore from their previous couplings but she took him in the palm of her hand and placed him at her entrance. With absolute ease and gentleness he let himself be engulfed by her, pleasure running through every nerve in his body. They stayed that way, locked together, wanting nothing more than to embrace each other and enjoy the sensations their bodies created together. His kisses became tender, a mere brushing of his lips against her skin.
"We haven't talked about a honeymoon," he said suddenly, wrapping his leg around her and pulling her down on his full length.
She gasped in surprise and gripped his arms with both hands, breaths coming in short bursts.
"Where would you like to go?" she asked, when she could speak again.
"Anywhere, so long as it's with you," he answered, moving inside of her in a way he had already discovered she enjoyed.
When she had collapsed on his chest and was nearly overcome by sleep, he stroked her hair and dozed as the party began to die down outside.
I'm the luckiest man on earth, he thought, looking down the length of her body. Her red hair lying in damp strands on her shoulders, the pale skin, although terribly marred by burns, was still as appealing and desirable to him as the finest classical paintings of Greek goddesses and temptresses. The swell of her buttocks and the way her legs fell alongside one of his own were enough to send his heart hammering away in his chest.
"I love you," he whispered, not certain she was awake enough to hear him. Her hand snaked down and found his own free hand which she squeezed affectionately.
"Maybe I'll take you to New York," he murmured. "Or Paris? Someplace in Italy? Somewhere beautiful, somewhere you deserve to go."
"I don't care if we never leave this bed," she said, her words slurred by sleep.
Ezra smiled, his gold tooth invisible in the darkness of the night. But she knew it was there. And as she fell into true sleep she knew his love for her was there in the room with them, too. She could feel it in the steady rythm of his heart when she laid her head down on his chest. Her own heart seemed to skip and change beats, until it beat in perfect time with his.
This is happiness, they both thought, as sleep settled in over them like a warm blanket.