Chapter 3 – Another Wedding
Everything was ready. So at a quarter to three on Saturday, the twelfth of June in nineteen hundred twenty, people gathered at the church once more. A week ago they had been in the same little church celebrating the renewal of vows of their first beloved Mountie who had come back to them after thinking he had been dead for years. Now they were ready to celebrate the wedding of their other beloved Mountie who had come to not replace the first Mountie, but to continue his job of protecting those that he loved. Now they would do the job together, both with a wonderful woman by their side and hopefully many children between them in the years to come.
While a portion of the people were gathering at the church, Lee had taken his car and went to Nathan's house to gather Nathan and Gabe. James, Thatcher's driver, had gone to the barber shop to gather Carol and Allie. Adam was still at the hotel under the watchful eye of Mike Hickum. Bill had left under the guise that he was needed at the prayer service since he was a former Mountie.
Most of the church was full, but the most noticeable group was the Mounties all in dress uniform sitting in the front row of the church, they took up both sides of the aisle. The only Mounties not seated were obviously Nathan and Gabe as they stood by the side door. The other was the Commissioner who was in the back of the church. Bill sat in the second row with Elizabeth, JT, Lee and Rosemary who also had Goldie. Angela started playing the piano and Joseph, Nathan and Gabe stepped to the front of the church.
…. …. …. ….
At the back of the church stood a nervous Carol when the Commissioner stepped outside.
"I thought you might need an escort down the aisle." Commissioner Delaney said.
Carol smiled.
"Thank you." Carol said. "I would love that."
"Then we are ready for you." Delaney said. "Allie, Angela will start the music when you open the door. Wait a moment and then head to the front. We will be right behind you."
Allie nodded, stepped up to the doors and opened them. Minnie saw her and signaled to Angela to start playing. After a couple of moments, Allie started heading down the aisle. She smiled at her father, who smiled back. Allie was wearing a navy blue frock that matched the blue in his uniform pants. She was carrying a small bouquet of red roses mixed with wildflowers. Her hair was pulled back at her temples to the back of her head, where it was braided down. The back of her hair was down and when she would turn, Nathan would see the small daisies that were put into her braid. Once Allie got to the front of the church, she nodded to Joseph and then smiled at her father and Uncle Gabe, before taking her spot opposite her Uncle Gabe.
The music changed, so everyone stood and looked to the back of the church. Carol and Commissioner Delaney stood just inside the doors. The smile on Nathan's face grew when he caught sight of Carol. He was shocked that she was in a wedding gown. He couldn't even think where they had found such a wonderful dress and one that fit her as well. She was carrying a large bouquet of white and red roses with the sandalwood blooms. Nathan was trying to take in every detail. He didn't even notice both Fiona and Mei taking pictures. He couldn't take his eyes off of Carol.
When Jack caught sight of the dress, he gasped. He turned and looked at Elizabeth.
"She deserves to wear a wedding dress." Elizabeth whispered. "I couldn't refuse when Rosemary asked."
"I love you." Jack whispered.
"I love you, too." Elizabeth said.
…. …. …. ….
Carol and the Commissioner reached the front of the church and Joseph motioned for everyone to have a seat.
"Welcome everyone." Joseph said. "We are gathered again to celebrate two people who are in love. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"I do, on behalf of those who are here." Delaney said.
He then took Carol's hand and placed it in Nathan's hand. Nathan felt the spark from Carol's hand, so he gave it a little squeeze. They turned to face Joseph, still holding hands. Carol passed her bouquet to Allie to hold.
"Nathan and Carol." Joseph said. "The ceremony of marriage in which you come to be united is one of the first and oldest ceremonies in the entire world, celebrated in the beginning in the presence of God himself. Marriage is a gift in that we give ourselves totally to one another. I believe that marriage is a gift given to comfort the sorrows of life and to magnify life's joys. Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of two hearts, the union of two lives into one, and your marriage must stand, not by the authority of the State, nor by the seal on your wedding certificate, but by the strength and power of the faith and love you have in one another."
Joseph paused to look at the crowd gathered.
"This marriage is even more special." Joseph said. "As it is not just two hearts being joined, but three. Nathan's daughter Allie, as asked to say something."
Carol turned her back to Nathan, who wrapped his arm around her, so that they could both face Allie.
"Thank you, Pastor Joseph." Allie said. "Dad, I am so happy to see you happy. I am glad that you chose to come here and make this place our home. I know you know how much I have wanted a mother and you said we were fine, just the two of us. I agreed with you, but then Carol came into town and I saw the sparks between you right away. She might have only been here a few days, but in that time, she has come to mean something important to both of us.
Carol, thank you for being open to choosing a man who already had a family. Thank you for choosing me and loving my father. I look forward to getting to know you better and helping to learn to love my dad even more."
There were smiles and chuckles from those gathered.
"Thank you, Allie." Joseph said. "Now, can the bride and groom face each other, holding hands."
Nathan and Carol turned to face each other, and held hands.
"Nathan." Joseph said. "Please repeat after me. I, Nathan Patrick, take thee, Carol Jean, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward."
"I, Nathan Patrick, take thee, Carol Jean." Nathan said. "To be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward."
"For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." Joseph said.
"For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." Nathan said.
He finished with a lopsided smile at Carol and a squeeze of her hands.
"Carol." Joseph said. "Please repeat after me. I, Carol Jean, take thee, Nathan Patrick, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, "
"I, Carol Jean, take thee, Nathan Patrick, to be my wedded husband." Carol said. "To have and to hold from this day forward."
"For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth." Joseph said.
"For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth." Carol repeated.
She also squeezed Nathan's hands.
"Do we have rings?" Joseph asked.
Nathan turned to look at Gabe, who was patting his uniform, until Nathan glared at him and he pulled them out of his pocket.
"Here." Gabe said.
Joseph took the rings amid some chuckles and placed them on his open Bible. He made the sign of the cross over them, saying a small prayer quietly, then looked up. Nathan and Carol both watched intently. Nathan was able to catch most of what Joseph was saying and smiled. The prayer was a prayer of protection for those that wore the rings due to their jobs.
"Rings are in the shape of a circle." Joseph said. "They have no beginning and no end, like the love of God. May these rings be an outward symbol of the love that you share."
Holding out the Bible with the rings.
"Nathan, will you please take this ring and place it upon the third finger of Carol's left hand." Joseph said. "And holding her hand in yours, please repeat this promise to her saying after me: With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving husband, as God is my witness."
Nathan took the ring and slipped it just on the tip of Carol's finger.
"With this ring." Nathan said. "I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving husband, as God is my witness. Amen."
He slid the ring on her finger and as he had seen Jack do the week before, he raised Carol's hand and kissed the ring.
Joseph then held the Bible out to Carol
"Carol." Joseph said. "Will you please take this ring and place it upon the third finger of Nathan's left hand, and holding his hand in yours please repeat this promise to him saying after me: With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving wife, as God is my witness."
She did as Nathan had done and slipped the ring just over the tip of his finger
"With this ring." Carol said. "I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving wife, as God is my witness."
She finished slipped the ring on as she spoke and then did as Nathan had done and raised his hand and kissed the ring.
"Before we finish up here today." Joseph said. "Can I have all the Mounties please stand."
The front row on both sides stood up.
"Because there are people that didn't want to see this wedding happen." Joseph said. "We used the cover of a prayer service for the Mounties. So as not to be found to be liars. Let us pray for all the Mounties that have come to help here after the tragic events that unfolded a week ago as we celebrated the return of the other beloved Mountie and his reunion with his wife.
Heavenly Father, we ask that you watch over and keep these men safe. They have come from all over and each has a different background. I don't know where each one stands with You, but You love each and everyone of them and have called them by name. Help them to know the next steps that need to be taken. Help guide them so that there may be justice for those that were hurt by the crimes of those arrested. Also help them to have compassion and mercy on those accused as well. Not that they don't need to be punished, but that the punishment is just. Be with these men as they are here and when they travel back to where they came from. Draw them closer to You and let them know that they are important in Your eyes. So as we pray for these men and the two new couples, let us pray as You taught us. Our Father …."
All those gathered said the Our Father together. Once they were finished, Joseph motioned for those standing to have a seat.
"Now that we have taken care of that." Joseph said. "We can finish the real reason we are gathered. Carol and Nathan, you have come here today before us and before God and have expressed your desire to become husband and wife. You have shown your love and affection by joining hands, and have made promises of faith and devotion, each to the other, and have sealed these promises by the giving and the receiving of the rings. Therefore, it is my privilege as a minister and by the authority given to me by God and the providence of Alberta, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife. Nathan, you may kiss your wife."
Nathan didn't need to be told twice, he pulled Carol to him and kissed her as applause broke out. Finally, when Joseph cleared his throat, the couple pulled apart, both red in the face.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Joseph said. "It is my privilege to introduce to you for the first time Constable and Mrs. Grant."
Again the crowd applauded. Still red faced, they turned to face everyone. Carol took her flowers back and then the newlyweds started down the aisle, followed by Allie and Gabe and then the rest of the Mounties.
When they got to the back of the church, they shared another quick kiss before opening the doors. When they started down the steps, they were met by an angry Adam Lockland, who was standing just a few feet away at the bottom of the steps. Carol inhaled sharply, but continued down the steps. Gabe quickly moved Allie off to the side and went to stand by his best friend. The Commissioner and Chief Superintendent also were quickly by Nathan and Carol's sides.
…. …. …. ….
The rest of the Mounties filed out and started to direct people away from the confrontation that they knew was going to happen. Most people moved along to help get the rest of the reception set up. They knew that Nathan and Carol didn't need a lot of people to witness what was going to happen. Those that had agreed to provide food, headed to take care of that. It was going to be set up as mostly a potluck with contributions from the cafe as well.
As people moved off toward the hotel and the party that was once again going to be held in the street, the Mounties along with Nathan and Carol remained outside in the church yard. Adam had his hands on his hips.
"What is the meaning of this?" Adam bellowed. "I never gave permission for this to happen. I am going to have you kicked out of the Mounties and arrested."
Adam pointed his finger at Nathan. Nathan's face went from happy and joyful to angry and into Mountie mode before Adam even finished.
"I don't need your permission." Carol said. "I am an adult and I can marry whoever I want and if you don't like it, tough."
"I will cut you off." Adam yelled.
"I don't need you." Carol said. "Besides, all the money from the trust fund from you is moved to another account and you can't touch it. You also can't touch the trust fund from my mother. So you have nothing to threaten me with."
"We will see about that." Adam yelled.
"You go after her trust fund." William Thatcher said, stepping forward. "And I will go to the press and tell them exactly what you are doing and then I will hire lawyers on Nathan and Carol's behalf to fight you."
"You wouldn't." Adam huffed, turning his anger on William.
"I would and I will." William said. "You might not agree with who your daughter married, but that is not for you to say. I learned the hard way what happens when you try to dictate your daughter's future. I am glad to say that Elizabeth and I have reconciled, but I am just getting to know my grandson. So if you don't change your attitude, I have a feeling that you are going to find that you will never get to know about your grandchildren when they come along. I have learned that the life of a Mountie is not easy, but it is much better when they have a good woman and family to come home to. So, I suggest that you walk away. Because if you don't, not only will you find yourself on the outs with your daughter and new son-in-law, but you will also find yourself out of a job and without pay. After which, I will change security companies and never use the Pinkertons again. Know that if Thatcher Shipping drops the Pinkertons, many in my circle will follow."
"You are going to regret this." Adam said.
"Adam Lockland." Commissioner Delaney said, stepping forward. "We have known each other for many years. You are the only one that is going to lose if you don't drop this. Nathan and Carol are adults and can choose to do what they want. Not only that, but they have the backing of my office. Nathan is an honorable Mountie and man, who stepped up to care for his niece when her mother died, when the child was four. He has since adopted her. Not all men would have the courage to do that. To take on raising a child on his own. He has given up assignments and promotions to have a more stable life for his daughter. Getting married to a wonderful woman, only adds to the things that he has done to make a better life for him and his daughter. I will not allow you to attack this man, just as I didn't tolerate William's words in the office earlier."
Adam just huffed and walked away. The group watched him leave and then Delaney turned to Nathan and Carol.
"Don't let him ruin this lovely day." Delaney said. "Let these lovely ladies get some pictures. Take a moment and we will see you over in front of the hotel. I promise, I will keep Adam away from you. Even if I have to arrest him and put him in a cell with my own son."
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said.
"Before you all head over." Fiona said. "Can I get a couple pictures of the Mounties and one with the newlyweds surrounded by the Mounties? I was thinking the steps would be the best, that way, we can see everyone."
"We can do that." Delaney said. "As long as you make me a few copies of those photos and send them to me. Nathan and Jack will know where to send them when you get them done."
"I can do that." Fiona said.
First the Mounties lined up, with the Commissioner in the middle front, with Chief Superintendent Collins on his left and Superintendent O'Reilly on the right. Next to Collins was Nathan and next to O'Reilly was Jack. The others lined up in the back according to height so they could all be seen.
"Excellent." Fiona said.
She snapped three shots and then moved the group to put Nathan and Carol in the middle with the group surrounding them. Then she got one with the Commissioner and just the couple. She let the other Mounties go. She kept Gabe back, so she could take some with him, Nathan, Carol and Allie. The last photo that she took was of Nathan, Carol and Allie. Just like last week, the new Grant family photo was everyone's favorite.
After the pictures were done, everyone left Nathan and Carol to have a moment before heading over to the hotel. The group walked away and Nathan took Carol back to the top of the steps. He took her inside, to make sure all the candles were out and then he pulled her close.
"I love you Mrs Grant." Nathan whispered.
"I love you." Carol said. "I also love the sound of that. Sorry about Father."
"Don't let him bother you." Nathan said. "Only happy memories today."
"Okay." Carol said.
They then shared another passionate kiss before walking back down the aisle, out the doors and toward the hotel.