Chapter 121. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Julia sat in the barbershop chair while Fiona finished adding the last of the tiny white flowers to her hair. She'd created a wistful and romantic up-do, with tendrils falling all around. And now, was adding in tiny white flowers here and there, to appear as if they were woven through Julia's thick tresses. The hairstyle looked even better than the day they'd experimented, and now with the flowers, it was just stunning.

To the left of Julia, Faith sat with Elle, both had hair already styled, and beautifully so. Allie and Rebecca sat on the other side of Julia, though neither one had taken their turn yet, in Fiona's chair.

When she finished Julia's hair, Fiona went directly to work on her makeup, and was about halfway through when a knock sounded at the door.

"Who could that be?" Faith asked, as she stood and went to peek behind the curtain. But as soon as she saw, she smiled and opened the door.

Rosemary and Clara entered, carrying two crates from the cafe. Rosemary sang out, "We come bearing sus-te-nance!"

The six women - Allie, Elle, Rebecca, Faith, Fiona, and Julia - all looked surprised, but grateful. Clara told them, "We brought plenty to eat, and well...coffee, too."

What a gesture. How extremely thoughtful, since this small group was sequestered to the barbershop, in an effort to avoid being seen before their walk down the aisle.

"Wow, thank you both so much!" Julia sang out.

Rosemary set down her crate, stepped forward, and inspected Julia's hair. She clasped her hands together. "Your hair, Julia. It is just splendid!"

Clara did the same, and added. "So romantic…"

Julia smiled shyly. "Thank you."

Clara looked over her makeup. "Fiona, I love the shadow you are using. So beautiful."

Fiona replied. "It's a new palette from the latest catalogue."

Clara told Julia. "It will be just perfect with your dress."

Rosemary piped in. "I agree. It's lovely, Julia."

Julia nodded, grateful for her friends' kind input.

Rosemary walked over, and from her crate, set things out on a table. Clara joined her and emptied her crate, too. Then Rosemary turned, looked the six women over, and smiled one more time. "Well, we'll just let you gals get back to your preparations." She beamed with excitement, in true Rosemary-style. "And we'll see you, Julia, when it's time to put your dress on."

Julia replied. "Thank you both so much. It was so very thoughtful of you."

Allie didn't waste any time. She stood up and walked over to the table, obviously hungry. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Coulter, Mrs. Flynn…I'm starving."

"Well, there's plenty, Allie. Enjoy, okay?" Rosemary told her happily.

Allie nodded as she looked over the offerings. She picked up a plate and started to fill it.

Rebecca told them. "Thank you both very much."

Fiona added, "Yes. Thank you, ladies."

Rosemary and Clara moved to the door. They both gave one more happy glance around the room, before exiting.

Elle looked at Julia, obviously marveling at this simple act of kindness. Julia explained with a little shrug. "This is Hope Valley. It's the way it is around here."

Elle smiled at her niece, one more reason to like Hope Valley.

Fiona went back to work on Julia's makeup. When she was finally done, had given it a good look over, and was thoroughly satisfied, Fiona called out a little. "Ta-da!"

Everyone's eyes came around to Julia, and gazed at her, in the mirror. And Julia looked…incredible. The makeup was done beautifully but not over the top. Fiona had managed to enhance Julia's natural beauty and highlight her deep blue eyes.

Elle stood, walked over, and placed her hand on Julia's shoulder. "Wow, Jules. You look so beautiful, and so much like…" She let the words trail off, though Julia knew who she was thinking of. Her mother.

Julia placed her hand on top of her aunt's, and told her. "Thanks, Elle."

Fiona, in an effort to keep things light, asked. "Well ladies, shall we eat?"

Allie looked up from her plate, she was already half-way done, and smiled sheepishly. She shrugged and told them. "Yes. Let's eat."

So the group took a break, filled plates and ate happily together.

Then, as soon as they were done, Fiona went to work on Allie's hair.

Elle thought of something. "Julia, do you have your "something old"?"

Rebecca added, "And, what about your "something borrowed"?"

Faith added, "And your "something new"?"

Julia obviously hadn't thought of any of those, and it showed on her face. "I…" She told them the truth. "I guess I…forgot about that tradition."

Elle stood, went to her bag, and retrieved something. She carried over a small rectangular box and gave it to Julia.

Julia looked at the box. "What's this?"

Elle explained. "Something old." Julia's eyes came up quick. "Very old. Belonged to your grandmother."

Julia's mouth fell slightly open as she looked down at the box in her hands. She slowly opened it. Inside was a simple but beautiful gold necklace with a single teardrop pearl. Two matching earrings lay adjacent, each consisting of a single dangling teardrop pearl. Julia's gaze came up. "Elle…" She rasped. "They are so beautiful."

"They're yours." Elle told her. "For your something old."

"Elle, I couldn't possibly. They can be my "something borrowed." She replied, as she fingered the beautiful pearls, reveling at their beauty.

Elle told her. "Jules, I insist." Julia's eyes met her aunt's resolute expression. "What am I going to do with such a set? They have been sitting in my jewelry box since Timothy…" Elle swallowed. "well… for a long time. You have your honeymoon, and that fancy hotel." She placed her hand on Julia's arm. "Make good use out of them, please. It would make your grandmother so happy."

Julia nodded, with tears in her eyes. Then she placed the box to the side, stood and hugged her beloved aunt. She held on for a long time, appreciating and relishing that sweet bond of family.

When they finally pulled back, Julia picked up the box and passed it around for all to see.

When she sat back in her chair, Rebecca went to her bag and pulled out another box, smaller this time, and handed it to Julia.

Julia, barely holding it together, for her makeup's sake, looked up at her mother-in-law.

Rebecca grinned and drawled. "Something borrowed."

Julia's mouth fell open again. She opened the box and found a beautiful bracelet, that would almost perfectly match the "something old", though without pearl or embellishment. Just a simple gold bracelet, with an intricate and delicate design, lovely all on its own. "Wow." Julia looked up and told Rebecca.

"It belonged to Grandma Rose, and then Colleen." She explained. "I guess it technically belongs to Allie now, though she doesn't know it yet."

Allie perked up from her post in the barber's chair, and looked out from under the hair Fiona was working on. "Me?" She asked.

"Yes." Rebecca answered in Allie's direction. Then she brought her eyes back to Julia. "Julia, I just know…if Colleen had been here…she would've…" And Rebecca couldn't finish. She turned her head to the side and looked at the wall.

Julia placed the box to the side and embraced Rebecca. And they embraced for a long time. Julia gave up on holding back the tears. She again found herself overwhelmed with the emotions of family, and the gift of being accepted into a very special one. She whispered to Rebecca, "I only wish…" And she couldn't finish either. How Julia wished she could have known Colleen.

"I know." Rebecca whispered. Perhaps momentary relapses into the previous stages of grief were par for the course, but Rebecca Grant was still of the opinion that Colleen should be here. She was taken way too young, and way too soon. And at times like this, Rebecca felt her absence so pointedly.

When Rebecca finally let go, Julia wiped her eyes and looked in the mirror. "I'm sorry, Fiona." Julia said low.

Fiona sniffled. "It's okay." She told her with a motion of her hand, the characteristic one she often made. "It's nothing I can't fix."

Julia sat back in the chair and looked around at these ladies. All were either crying or nearly doing so, when they were supposed to be careful with their makeup.

Faith stood and went to her bag. There was one more surprise. She handed Julia a slightly larger box. "From Fiona and I."

"Oh no. What else?" Julia asked, with a teasing smile. "Although, let's get it out now, before Fiona fixes my face again." She finished with a giggle.

Faith laughed. "This one's a little less sentimental." She told her. "But it's your something new and your something blue."

"Really?" Julia asked, as she eyed her two friends. She finally turned over the neat package and unwrapped.

Inside the box was a set of brand new handkerchiefs, embroidered in blue, with her new initials: J.G. Between the two letters of the monogram, was a pretty mayflower, the official flower and emblem of Nova Scotia.

Julia's fingers traced her new initials and then she looked up at both girls. "Thank you, Faith. Thank you, Fiona. I love them."

"You can tuck one in your corset." Faith told her. "Then you'll also have a handkerchief at the ceremony, just in case."

Julia set the box down and hugged Faith, and then Fiona. She was thankful for such amazing, thoughtful friends, and family. She panned around the room, overwhelmed with emotion.

The men gathered at Nathan's row house, though there was much less to do, to get ready. Gabe, Jake, Bill, and Archie, sat with Nathan and drank coffee. They mostly told Mountie stories, which was the tendency when so many men of the serge got together. Bill regaled them with a few tales of old, rumors the younger men had only heard of, and had assumed were only tall tales.

When it was finally time to get dressed, Jake pulled out a neatly wrapped box, and handed it to Nathan. He looked at his future brother-in-law, then around at the other guys, who all seemed to be in on it. "What's this?"

"A little gift from us…guys." Gabe told him.

Nathan gazed around at each of these men: friends, brothers, and fathers. "Having you four stand up with me, is all the gift I need." He told them.

"Maybe so, but we wanted to." Bill told him all fatherly like. "It's a special day, Nathan."

Archie piped in. "Yes it is." He drawled slow. "And you, son, deserve all the gifts you receive."

Nathan grinned even. "Well, thank you. All of you." He glanced around, one more time, and then slowly opened the wrapping paper.

Inside was a set of shiny gold cuff links, monogrammed with the letter G. They were classy and masculine and modern.

"Wow. They are so nice." He told them. "Thank you, Fellas."

Gabe smiled. "We thought we better get you something fancy, to up your game, standing next to Julia. Especially since you decided to wear a suit instead of your uniform."

"Haha." Nathan snarked at Gabe, and then chuckled. "That was a hard decision, you know. Uniform or suit. And Julia gave me the choice." He told them, more serious now. "But she said something to me, that stuck with me, and helped me decide." He looked down at the gold cufflinks. "She told me that no matter what I decided to wear, she would marry me for the man I am."

Nathan fingered the shiny gold cuff links, his heart full. "Not because of a uniform, or my profession, or the serge."

Gabe knew that meant a lot to Nathan. There were instances before, in both of their lives, where the serge had made a difference - in a good way or a bad. It had been a roadblock more than once. And Gabe could completely understand why Nathan had chosen the suit. Because Julia loved him for the man he is, he wanted to marry her that way. He desired to give himself, to her, as just a man.

Jake felt the importance of that, too. He'd been approached more than once by women only interested in the serge, attracted by the uniform. But Jake wanted to be seen, and known, and loved for who he was, not for the scarlet tunic. He imagined that to be true for any Mountie, it was important to be seen as more than the serge.

So much so, that when Jake and Gabe had heard that Nathan had made the decision to wear a suit, they followed his lead. Today was about two people who deeply loved each other, marrying each other, for who they were, and what they meant to each other. Neither profession, nor what one could offer the other, nor any other thing, factored into the equation. It was, quite simply, love between two people, and love that was meant to be.

Archie glanced at the clock. "Perhaps we should get dressed, son." Archie offered. "I'll be happy to help you with those." He motioned to the cuff links.

Nathan gently touched the shiny gold G. He smiled at his father. "I would like that, Dad."

And the men went into action - veered off into different rooms, but all with one goal: Get ready for a wedding.

The group of women at the barbershop were all ready and waiting. They had managed to be early in their timing, which was much better than running late. Allie, Elle, Faith, and Fiona all sat in chairs near the wood stove, though it wasn't lit. And Julia sat in the second barber chair, though she stood from time to time and paced. She was worried about her dress becoming wrinkled, from all the sitting.

The next time Julia stood and moved to the far side of the barbershop, Rebecca watched her future daughter-in-law. She looked incredible. Fiona had done a fantastic job on her hair, the white flowers stood out stark and beautiful against her sandy locks, tied up all loose and dreamy. The earrings, necklace, and bracelet were delicate and perfect with her dress and hair. Her makeup was flawless, and though a little heavier than usual, it was not excessive, but just enough to enhance her natural beauty. And a natural beauty she was. Rebecca had always thought so, since the first day they'd met. Of course, Rebecca had always known any woman would have to be beautiful to catch her son's attention - he just had good taste. But Julia was uncommonly beautiful. Men often turned their heads when she walked by, there was just something special about her. Her thin frame, sandy hair, deep blue eyes, and attractive features, all factored in. And then - her personality, her demeanor, and her character - enhanced it all.

Her son was a fortunate man. Though, he already knew it. However, today, when he laid eyes on his bride, Rebecca was certain he would feel it in greater measure. Yes, he definitely would.

Rebecca finally came closer, as Julia stood near the window. There was a nervousness just barely legible on her face, which made Rebecca feel motherly. "Don't be nervous, Julia. Remember it's…just Nathan." She said sweetly.

Julia smiled and tried to hide those nerves. "I know. Nathan has nothing to do with my nerves, actually. I've never been more sure of anything in my life." She paused and rubbed her sweaty palms together. "It's more the crowd. And this…wait."

Rebecca chuckled low under her breath. "Nathan would probably say the exact same thing." She tilted her head and looked at the bride reassuringly. "You are going to do just fine, Julia." She straightened one of the overlays of Julia's dress, as she spoke. Then she looked Julia in the eye. "And the most important thing, is that...at the end of the day, you and Nathan will be husband and wife."

Julia looked at her mother-in-law and found comfort in her words. She appreciated her wisdom and care. "Thank you, Rebecca."

"And you are stunning, Julia. You make a beautiful bride. You are going to knock his socks off." She told her.

Julia made a once-over of her dress, and then looked up, grateful. "I hope so. I know he's going to be stunning himself, in that fancy navy-blue suit."

"Oh, that he will be." Rebecca agreed. "He's always been handsome in blue." She smiled. "You are both beautiful people." She paused and then teased, in the form of a question. "Some sound advice? For when you see him?" Julia nodded in acceptance, so Rebecca continued just above a whisper. "Just don't forget to breathe."

Julia giggled under her breath, and replied. "That is sound advice. I'll try to remember."

Rebecca became a little more serious. "I must say, I've never met two people more suited for each other, than you and Nathan. It doesn't happen everyday."

Now it was Julia's turn to get serious. She looked Rebecca in the eye, and spoke low, so only her mother-in-law could hear. "It happens more often than you'd think. Apparently."

Rebecca straightened her head and looked at Julia, searching to discern her meaning. The look on Julia's face was intent and confident. To what was she referring?

Julia went one more. "In fact, I'm convinced that sometimes…it's possible…even twice in one lifetime."

Rebecca looked down at her hands. Her face took on its own nervous allure. "Twice? Are we still talking about you and Nathan?"

Julia smiled shy, shook her head just slightly, and kept her eyes fixed. "Though I'm sure, when a second chance comes along, it's not always easy to take that risk." She paused and gauged how Rebecca was taking her candor. "I would imagine that…it could be difficult to believe, that a second chance was…deserved."

Rebecca understood her meaning, and looked her in the eye. "It's not that easy."

Julia's expression softened. "Love worth having never is."

Rebecca tried to make a comfortable smile, but it just didn't work. "Charlie and I have a long history. We've been friends for so long."

Julia told her gently. "All the more reason, Rebecca. Relationships that have a strong friendship as foundation, are all the more sweet."

"I don't know." She scoffed. "It's a big risk."

"…a risk that is entirely worth it." Julia encouraged her.

Rebecca nodded but seemed ready to steer the conversation elsewhere. Rebecca placed her hands gently on Julia's shoulders. "Thank you for saying so. I know it comes from a heart of love." She swallowed. "But…back to you." She looked the younger woman in the eye. "Julia, you are a glowing bride. And I'm very proud of you and Nathan. You are both exceptional people, and I'm so very happy for you."

"Thank you." Julia paused and hoped her next statement wouldn't end in more smeared makeup. "Rebecca, I hope you know how much you mean to me."

Suddenly, there was a light knock on the door. Fiona rose, and looked out the window. When she saw who it was, she smiled and opened the door. The bell sounded and Jake entered.

Rebecca knew what that meant. "I guess our time is up." She smiled emotionally at her future daughter-in-law. "Julia, you mean a great deal to me, too. More than you know." She paused for a moment, but had one more thing to say. She placed her hand motherly on Julia's cheek. "Thank you for loving my Nathan so beautifully, and for taking such good care of him."

"Always." In that simple word, Julia made a promise. One she intended to keep, with all of her being. For Nathan and for Allie.

And somehow, as if spoken in a language only between women, Rebecca understood the promise. "It's so easy to entrust him, and Allie, to you." She smiled one more time, before letting her hand fall from Julia's cheek.

Then Rebecca glanced back at Jake, standing there, patient and handsome. "Passing her off to you, Jacob." She smiled back and forth between brother and sister. "Just don't let her be late." She teased.

Jake chuckled under his breath. "I'll do my best."

Jake had come early with Henry's car. He'd specifically borrowed from Henry because his car had a closed roof, and would better disclose the bride. Keep her, and Allie, hidden until the last minute. And Lee would collect the rest of the bridesmaids: Elle, Faith, and Fiona, who were still sitting in the chairs, and watching them now.

Another light knock, but Rebecca was standing just in front of the door now, so she looked out. It was Charlie, as planned, right on time to escort her down to the pond. "It's for me," she told them all with a shy smile. "I'll see you all down there." She gave them all a little wave and exited.

Jake stepped close to Julia and finally looked her over. "Wow. Jules. You clean up pretty good." He told her with a playful smile.

She smiled back. "Thanks, bro. You clean up pretty good yourself." She replied, looking him over in his handsome navy-blue suit. The color was just right for his coloring and made his green eyes pop. She glanced over his shoulder at Fiona, who had already noticed.

He watched his sister's reaction as he pulled out a pocket watch. It was on a long gold chain. She knew that watch. Julia searched his face, and realized that he had pulled it out on purpose, to show her. Her eyes filled with tears. "Dad's watch." She breathed.

Next, he pulled a delicate chain up from under his shirt, and showed her what was hanging there. "Mom's rings." She whispered. He had woven the chain through the middle of her rings, so he could wear them.

Jake told her low. "I thought it only appropriate, to have them both with me, as I walk you down the aisle."

She turned her head to the side and fought to compose herself. And she fought hard. But still, a single tear escaped. Jake instinctively wiped it. "No crying, now, Jules. I'm sure Fiona wouldn't want you to mess up her handiwork."

Julia scoffed. "Then don't tell me all that now." She teased him, with a long exhale, the kind that was meant to steady the emotions. "Plus, she's had to fix it all once already."

Jake chuckled low. "Well, I don't want to get in trouble, then." He paused and looked over at Fiona, so radiant and beautiful in the periwinkle blue Julia had requested.

Julia looked over at her beautiful friend, and exhaled again. "I don't know. She looks pretty great. Maybe you do wanna get in trouble..." She teased him and watched his reaction. "Just a little." She took note of the sparkle in his eyes, when he glanced at Fiona. The way he shifted his weight.

Julia took her Dad's pocket watch, and turned it over in her hand. "Thanks, Jake, for this." He would never know how much it meant to her.

"I wanted you to know they are with us, as I walk you." He smiled sadly. "Though, I think they are always with us, in measure, because you and I hold them in our hearts."

Julia looked up at him and nodded slowly. She glanced at her mother's rings hanging around his neck.

"They would be proud of you, Jules. And they would be proud of the man you are marrying. They would be so happy for you…" His voice broke.

Again, Julia nodded slowly. She was scared to open her mouth, for fear of crying real tears, which would indeed mess up Fiona's handiwork, all over again.

"Now I'm finished with the emotional stuff." Jake told her quickly, with a sniffle.

Julia sniffled too, and smiled at him. "You'd better be." She paused and chuckled low. "There's not much time left, and I don't wanna be late, especially not for makeup."

Jake chuckled, knew his sister all too well. She wore make up and wore it well, but it would be the last reason in the world, for which she would ever keep Nathan waiting.

She looked toward the window, inhaled and exhaled, until her emotions were calm. Jake tucked the watch back in his pocket, and the rings back in his collar.

Another knock sounded at the door, and Fiona looked out. She announced quietly. "Lee's here." That bell sounded off again, as she opened the door.

Lee stepped inside, took a good look around at all the beautiful faces, and told them. "It's time…"

Author's note:

I hope you enjoyed the preparations and special interactions, leading up to this very special wedding.

Moment of vulnerability: Jake's part in this chapter was actually inspired by my own experience. I hope you don't mind that I pulled from my own life, for this part. You see, my father passed away two months before my own wedding to my own true love. So my brother (who is younger than me) ACTUALLY DID walk me down the aisle. And for that occasion, he ACTUALLY DID show up wearing: my grandfather's wristwatch, and my father's cologne. And I actually did have to fix my make up. True story.

So, this bittersweet part of my own wedding was the inspiration for Julia and Jake's interaction, and his amazing thoughtfulness, just before her and Nathan's nuptials. I have always wanted this story to be real and honest, and for it to touch my readers, first and foremost. I hope this chapter came across with a measure of healing, for it was certainly meant to. XOXO

-Sarno