CHAPTER 15

The school, which was also a church, which, was built with Jack's donation and many vigorous hammerings from him, made for the community, but everyone knew it was for Elizabeth. Jack wanted the teacher to have a proper place for her classes, he didn't want her to be in the bar, however much the bar owner allowed it and during that time that she and the children were there, there was no bar service or selling drinks to help the miners' children study, but there were always funny people, drunks from other regions, players or miners new to neighboring towns and whenever they saw that beautiful teacher, they tried to be funny for her. Jack was more than right to protect her and her students. But today the church was, a fairy tale, full of roses and aster, white and lilac, Elizabeth's favorite flowers, there were flowers in the aisle besides a beautiful green carpet and on the altar a decoration all roses and aster, it was a flower garden. Jack, entering the church with Bill and Henry, had to tell the two friends how much he was amazed at the beauty of the church's decoration, and that it was a miracle what they had done in so few hours. Henry laughed saying that the mountie should hire Rose's team as they were very smart and great strategists. Bill even said that the children picked the flowers and helped with the decoration, everyone wanted to do something for their dear teacher.

Bill noticed that guests were arriving and everyone was taking their seats. Frank, the pastor, noticing that Jack was nervous, asked:

- Any questions daughter? Are you sure of this step you are taking?

"No doubt, Pastor Frank. And never in my life have I been as sure as I am about that, just nervous about marrying the woman I love, I thought I was no match for Hamilton's luxury.

-She never wanted lucho Jack and just wants you and your love, never forget that.

"I know, Frank. I love that woman so much...

Robert and Gabi were the ceremonialists, they welcomed all the guests at the church door. Lee was in charge of the songs, Emily came in with Cody throwing flowers. They were beautifully dressed. Right behind came Opall, with a smile on her face and a light in her eyes, which showed everyone that girl's love for Jack and Elizabeth, she was carrying a pillow with the rings in her hands... they were the rings of Jack's parents, a few years ago he received the two pieces from his mother, having promised him that he would only give them to someone, when he really found a love equal to hers and her father's. Jack was anxious at the altar. Henry had to squeeze his shoulder, reminding him to breathe.

Henry and Lee were Jack's godparents, and Rose and Faith were Elizabeth's godparents. Abigail and Bill were going to give Elizabeth's hand as her foster parents, as Abigail said that if she didn't have a mother on that special day or the presence of her mother-in-law, then she was entitled to claim that honor for herself.

Jack was speechless when the wedding march was played on the piano, which Lee had arranged and placed in a corner of the church and someone Jack didn't know played beautifully.

The church doors opened and from there with a light of its own, Bill walked in with Elizabeth in his arms. Jack couldn't take his eyes off her. That woman was his bride, she was more beautiful than he had ever seen her. That dress made her exuberant, it was simple but classy, it was reserved but had a Q of provocation, it molded her body showing how perfect she was. Everyone in the church was on their feet, watching Elizabeth walk in, everyone was gaping like Jack. Bill smiled, knowing very well the effect that Elizabeth was having on everyone present, because when he saw her, he was breathless and speechless, he had a beautiful daughter.

Henry had to hold Jack, he was so absorbed in his world, lost in the beauty of that woman walking down the church aisle, and even more he seemed lost in those deep blue eyes, which seemed to mesmerize him, he almost ran to his bride. Henry smiled and I shared a secret look with Bill, they understood what Jack was feeling.

HE WAS STRIPPED, AND HE STILL DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS FOR... LOVE...

Jack heard the children speak to Abigail:

"She looks like a princess!" Opall spoke with eyes wide with emotion.

— The kind from fairy tales... Emily commented, and everyone knew that Emily meant everything from princess...

Jack from above the altar, laughed and spoke softly:

-She is my princess Opal...from my most beautiful fairy tale.

As soon as she got to the altar, which for Jack took forever. He held her hands, kissed her forehead and looking deep into those eyes, was saying I love you.

"My friends, today we are here to celebrate the union of our mountie Jack Thorton and our teacher Elizabeth Thatcher. They had a story like a fairy tale. But a princess like her, we knew they would be like that. And Frank continued after some laughter in church...

"He, a very honorable mountie, a very brave man, but he had it as his motto never to marry, because if the mountie wanted us to marry, they would give us a wife... Well, my friends... But that motto fell to the ground when he met a beautiful and headstrong teacher, she had the Thatcher motto and drive, and warned him in a defiant tone, with her best teacher's eye, that she was not a princess of Hamilton and would not give up on her. her teaching position at Hope Valle, and that Jack should be prepared to eat a lot of coal dust, after all, a Thatcher never backs down from a battle.

At that time Jack, looking between the floor and Elizabeth, his smile showed that he remembered it very well, but that he was very happy to be with her...

Everyone in the church had a fit of laughter, they knew these bits of life in that house very well, they had been rooting for them for a long time.

Jack wrote a quote, something he always heard from his parents, and since his parents couldn't be there today, he wanted to share it with Elizabeth as it's something he believes...

"... There were two hearts, two lives offered to God... They are two minds united for the same decision. Two wills formed a strong bond... Two workers of good, building a faith and two voices praying and thanking God, with a shared hope... That's a marriage.

Elizabeth, heard those words, and loved this man even more. He was a young man raised by a family with principles and with a lot of love between them. Tears rolled down her face. Jack lifted his finger and with extreme affection wiped away those tears. She took his hand that was on her face and gently kissed it.

There were few dry eyes among the guest. Frank as a pastor had not yet witnessed such love. He cleared his throat and struggled to make his voice come out as he fought back tears.

As the bible says chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians...

— Love is not impatient or cruel, love is not envious or arrogant or proud. Love is not rude or selfish, it is not easily angered. Love doesn't keep a number of hits or misses. Love does not rejoice over evil. He is not just a feeling. Love is something you make. Love always protects, it always trusts, it hopes and preserves the other. We have to make a daily choice when you love...