Fixing the last pin in her hair, Rachel stepped away from the mirror. She couldn't help but twirl in a circle, making the flowy turquoise skirt flare out. It was her first store-bought dress as well. It was made of voile, which meant it would be too light to wear during the cold winter months but for now it was perfect. The dress had three-quarter length puffed sleeves. The collar was a soft u-shape with a fitted bodice was covered in a floral lace pattern. Little pearl buttons went up the front of the bodice, and a flared skirt from the v-shaped waistline.
Remembering the joy she use to have at Amber's age twirl in the sunshine, Rachel giggled as she twirled again. It was a simple joy - something she had thought she forgot how to appreciate after Gilbert's death. Now, with Tyler's love and support, in sharing her burden of raising two kids, Rachel was remembering what that carefree joy of little things like twirling in a dress could feel like.
"I am glad you like that dress," Tyler said from the doorway of the room, a smile on her lips.
Even as her cheeks grew warm at being caught acting like a little girl, Rachel couldn't help but think how resplendent her husband looked in his dress uniform. Though not typical attire for their simple country church, Tyler deemed their ring exchange ceremony, which would take place after the church service, important enough to wear the uniform.
"You look lovely in it," Tyler added.
"Thank you," Rachel replied. "Though I wish, you hadn't caught me acting like a little girl."
Tyler left the doorway and closed the distance between them. As he placed his hands on her waist to draw her close to him, Rachel felt the normal wave of strength and security that she had come to associate with Tyler. Perhaps at first it had been the uniform that stirred those feelings in her, but now she felt those things in Tyler's embrace no matter what he was wearing.
"I like seeing this lighter side of you," Tyler told her. "It means you are healing."
"I guess that is one way to look at it," Rachel replied. As Tyler titled his head toward her, she stood on her tip toes to share in a kiss. "Where are the children?" she asked when they broke from the kiss.
Rachel felt a bit of amusement as she waited for Tyler's response. Her husband seemed to be in a bit of a daze after their kiss. She found she liked that she had that affect on him.
"On the settee. Autumn wanted to hold Gilbert so I had her sit there and told her not to move from the settee with her brother. We should probably go check on them though."
Rachel nodded. As Tyler's hands left her waist she reached out and took his hand in hers. Together they walked back into the main room.
"Gil sleeps a lot," Autumn commented, looking back over her shoulder as he parents approached. "Did I sleep this much when I was a baby?"
"You did," Rachel replied. "And you woke me up just as many times during the night as well."
Autumn giggled.
"Are you ready for church?" Rachel asked.
"Yes, Mama," Autumn replied. "I like that we're going to match," the girl added as she waited for Tyler to take the now sleeping infant from her lap.
Autumn had picked out a dress the same color voile as Rachel's dress. The flared skirts were practically the same, though Autumn's dress had a natural waistline, which was highlighted with a thick, white sash that tied in a bow at the back. There was no lace on the bodice of the child's dress, but like the adult version, the three-quarter puff sleeves and a simple U-shaped neckline.
As Autumn jumped to her feet, she twirled in a circle just like Rachel had been doing in the room. "I love this dress! Can I wear it on the first day of school?"
Rachel hesitated. It was a bit fancy for school but perhaps just once. "You would need to be careful at recess in it but the first day of school is a special occasion, so yes you can wear it, if you would like."
Autumn gave an exclamation of joy and then twirled again.
"All right, little ballerina," Tyler interjected. "Let's get going so I can actually chat with Pastor Zeke before he starts the service."
Rachel knew that her husband wanted to give the pastor not only the two velvet bags that he had in his serge breast pocket - the one for the bands they wore and the one with their new bands.
"Ready Papa Tyler!" the girl replied.
The Randalls headed out. Rachel had draped a light shawl over her shoulders and carried a basket of things she might need for the baby. Tyler cradled Gilbert in one arm, trying to be careful to keep the infant in the shade produced by the brim of his Stetson. Rachel's arm was looped through her husband's other arm. Autumn fluttered around them - going ahead, coming back, checking out some kind of plant or butterfly on the side of the trail and falling behind. Though it made keeping an eye on her daughter harder, it also did Rachel's heart good to see her daughter so carefree after the events of this past year. Despite knowing that her birth father was in jail, Autumn knew nothing else about James other than he was not a good man. Gilbert was the man who had filled the father role for her. The only one she had called Daddy, until bestowing 'Papa Tyler' on the man now in their lives. Eventually, Rachel knew she would need to tell Autumn that it was James that had killed Gilbert but not now. Right now, Rachel was just relieved that her daughter was recovering from the loss of her Daddy and becoming more of the child she was before that fateful day last December.
Others had already gathered at the little white church near the pond. Autumn ran to join Ivy as soon as she spotted the other girl. Tyler walked Rachel to where Elizabeth, Rosemary and Cat Montgomery were talking before going to find the pastor. The conversation the other women had been having was forgotten as they began to coo over Gilbert.
By the time people started filing into the church, Tyler was back at her side. They found a seat about midway up the aisle, Autumn rejoining them. The girl cuddled up to Tyler's side while Rachel held Gilbert. At one point, Gilbert started fussing. Though there was no avoiding her neighbor notice, Rachel still got to her feet and headed for the pastor's office which Zeke had assured the parents of his congregation that he was fine with them taking fussy small children to. In the privacy of the office she changed and nursed the boy, returning quietly during Zeke's sermon after Gilbert had fallen back to sleep.
Gilbert, a few other children and a father, or two, dozed peacefully through the rest of the sermon. Bringing his prayer to an end, Zeke's "Amen" was a bit louder than necessary, rousing the few adults who had dozed off.
"Before I dismiss you all today, two newer members to our congregation would like to share a special moment with us all," Zeke said, his words gaining the attention of those whose attention had wandered during his sermon. "Last month, Rachel Quinn and Constable Tyler Randall were joined in a marriage rooted in storge and pragma form of love. They committed their lives to one another and promised to raise two children in a loving home. Since joining their lives, I, along with you, have seen a new type of love bloom between the two of them. Eros love is the type of love often associated with traditional marriages and seeing them today, there is no doubt in my mind that it exists between Rachel and Tyler. With the blend of love that these two share with one another, I see a happy future for both of them."
Zeke paused and Rachel could feel eyes turn upon her as she sat next to Tyler. Though her cheeks were flushed, she found she didn't mind the attention.
"Rachel and Tyler, would you please join me up here so that you can exchange bands that the two of you have bought to celebrate the love that has blossomed."
As Rachel got to her feet, Nathan came to her side to take Gilbert from her. As she and Tyler headed toward the front of the church, Nathan sat down in the pew next to Autumn, to keep an eye on both of the children.
Following Zeke's commands, first Rachel and Tyler removed the gold bands they currently wore, from one another's fingers. Those rings were place safely in their velvet bag and Zeke tucked them in a pocket of his suit to be returned to Elizabeth. Next, Zeke removed the new bands from their bag. Holding one up, while Rachel and Tyler stood with hands joined, in front of him, Zeke spoke of its significance. He then shared the inscription of the rings with the congregation. Before leading them through exchanging rings, Zeke had all gathered bow their heads, as he led them in prayer. Rachel thought the prayer was beautiful, especially as he used the phrase 'love comes softly' in it. Opening her eyes and peeking at the man whose hands she clasped, Rachel said her own silent prayer to God for bringing Tyler into her life. The love she had for him might have started out as gratitude but it was much deeper now. She couldn't imagine facing the future without Tyler by her side.
With a heart full of love, Rachel repeated the words Zeke said while sliding the band on Tyler's finger. He then repeated the process, sliding her band on her finger. Yes, they had said their vows roughly a month ago, but there was something about this ceremony that made that commitment seem more real to Rachel.
"As only a few people got to share the moment with Rachel and Tyler when they said their vows, Bill and Abigail have prepared a buffet style meal for everyone to enjoy together at the café. Tables have been set up outside the café so there is room for all who wish to partake and share some time with Rachel, Tyler and their children. Let us have one final prayer together."
"Is that the last plate?"
Bill heard the hint of disbelief in Abigail's voice as she asked the question. He didn't blame her. It felt like they had been doing dishes forever. They had started out with help but Clara had started feeling nauseous and Jesse had walked her home. The young couple had moved into Elizabeth's old row house once the Thatchers had gone home to Hamilton, to give Abigail and Cody the apartment above the café back.
That had left Cody helping them with the dishes. At one point, Cody had sat down on the settee for a short break. The teen had soon fallen asleep leaving Bill and Abigail to finish the dishes from the buffet meal after church alone.
"I believe it is," Bill told her.
Abigail gave a sigh of relief, dropped the dish rag she held and moved to the closest chair at one of the tables in the café. "I probably should have accepted the offer from the ladies to help with the dishes. I just didn't want to keep them any later," she commented as Bill moved to the pot of coffee he had brewed a short time ago. "Thank you for staying."
Bill chuckled. "This was my idea. I wasn't about to leave you to do all the clean up alone," he replied, turning to face her. "Would you like a cup?" he asked, holding his mug up.
"Not the way you make it I don't," Abigail commented. "I would be up all night."
"I could make you a cup of tea then?" Bill offered.
Abigail shook her head. Reaching out, she pulled a nearby chair closer and placed it beside her. "Have a seat for a few minutes before you walk home," she instructed.
Bill did as requested. As he sat down next to her, his eyes fell on Cody. "Kind of makes me feel good that I can still outwork the young guys," he quipped.
Abigail laughed. "It's all that coffee you drink," she told him.
Bill took a sip of said coffee and then lowered the mug. Looking down at the black liquid, he shrugged his shoulders. "You are probably right," he told her. "I hope Clara is going to be all right."
"Oh, I have a feeling she'll be as right as rain within the next few months," Abigail commented with a knowing smile.
"Months?" Bill asked confused.
"She said too much was going on and she didn't want to take away from other celebrations, so keep this quiet for now, but she is expecting. Carson expects her to deliver around the beginning of March. However, Clara's morning sickness has been bothering her a night instead of the mornings."
"Is that typical?" Bill asked.
"Just because it is called morning sickness doesn't mean it only bothers women in the morning. Maybe now with little Gilbert here, Ned and Florence happily married with Eric and Evelyn settling in with them, and the Randalls' ring ceremony over, Clara will start telling people her happy news."
"I hope she does. I don't want to be the one to slip and prematurely tell someone. I am horrible at keeping secrets. Why did you even tell me?"
Abigail reached out and lay a hand on his forearm. "Because I did not want you rushing over there tonight wanting to make sure she is all right and stressing her out."
"Who me?"
"Yes, you," Abigail said. "I know you, Bill Avery. You like to act all tough, but when someone you love is sick, hurt, or in trouble you can't stop yourself from helping. That soft heart under the gruff exterior is one of the things I love about you."
"One of the things?" Bill questioned. "So there are more?"
"Perhaps," Abigail told him. "I did agree to give you yet another chance, after all."
"Yes, you did," Bill agreed. "And I appreciate it. I love spending time with you," he told her, but let his eyes drift to Cody. "Helping to watch the kids a short time ago made me think I might be getting too old to raise a kid with you. I know you mentioned maybe taking in another orphan once Cody was in school."
Abigail reached out for his hand. "From what Cody said, you did a fairly good Job handling him and Timmy, even if you are, and this is a quote from Cody, 'less fun then I thought he would be'."
Bill chuckled. "I can live with that assessment."
"Cody is interested in the Mounties," Abigail said, looking to Bill. "He wants to shadow Nathan some like Robert has been doing. I use to think he would get his heart broken with his dream of playing professional baseball because so few actually make it. I think that might be preferable to the worry of him becoming a Mountie."
Bill reached out and put an arm around her. "You wouldn't need to worry about him alone. I plan to be right by your side. You also can't try to control what he does. From what I have seen, that never works out well."
Abigail nodded.
"I know I should tell Cody he can shadow Nathan some, but I don't think I am quite ready."
"Then hold off on it. Cody still has a couple of years before he is old enough to join. There is time."
Abigail nodded and rested her head on Bill's shoulder. "As for adopting another orphan after Cody goes off on his own, we can make that choice together then Bill. I am definitely ready to have a partner at my side to face life with again."
Bill placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Me too. It's the marriage thing I am having trouble with. I did that for the wrong reasons last time and it haunted me for years."
Abigail laughed. "Take your time," she told him. Lifting her head, she looked into his eyes, a mischievous glint in her own eyes. "It will give Nathan time to get the results from the background check I asked him to run on you. Make sure there are not any other wives waiting to come ambush me."
"Are you serious?"
"Well, you are not exactly an open book, Bill," Abigail said, her lips twitching into a small smile.
"I am not sure if you are serious or not, but you want your background check, fine," Bill told her. "I suppose you are justified after what happened with Nora. I have no more secrets to hide," he told her, pulling her close to him and resting his cheek against the top of her head. "At least I don't think I do. Maybe I should ask Nathan to do a background check on me, so I am aware of any surprises first," he mused out loud.
"That should probably scare me off in itself," Abigail said, watching her son sleep peacefully. "Somehow it doesn't. I know you better than I did the first time. That alone makes me less scared about a future with you."
"Good," Bill said. "Because I don't think, I truly knew what love was until I met you, Abigail."
"Maybe we'll turn you into a romantic yet, Bill Avery."
"Don't hold your breath," Bill muttered, though the fact that he was perfectly content sitting in the empty café, close together with Abigail, doing nothing, said something else entirely.