A/N: Just want to give a heads up that this story involves religion and discussion on the ways the Church can hurt queer people and what it's like to navigate being both queer and Christian. I understand that might not be everyone's cup of tea, so I just wanted to let y'all know. However, I feel I portrayed it well as I personally identify as a queer Christian and tried to make it relatable to others out there like me.

Chapter One

Present Day

As they got into the car after their night out and buckled their seatbelts, Mary watched as Anna did her usual routine. She turned the volume down on the radio and muttered a small prayer under her breath. Driving always made Anna anxious, but she trusted God to keep her safe behind the wheel. Mary knew her wife's worries though and tried to take on the responsibility of driving as often as she could. Tonight however, they had made the decision that Anna should drive because Mary wanted to have a drink or two. She wasn't drunk, or even tipsy, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Anna heard a song that she liked being played on the radio and smiled.

"You can turn it up, you know." Mary urged softly. "I know this is one of your favorites."

"Love, I'm not going to do that to you. I know you don't like this station. We can listen to something else if you want."

"Anna, I like listening to you sing. It makes me happy. You being happy makes me happy."

Anna didn't respond but gave her wife a tender smile and squeezed her hand gently before putting the car into drive. As much as Mary said she didn't mind, Anna knew Christian radio was nowhere near her wife's first choice, so she always kept the volume super low and made sure her wife knew she was allowed to change the station if she wanted. But Mary never did; she truly did enjoy seeing her wife happy and listening to her sing softly along with the songs.

Mary had a complicated relationship with her faith. She had never liked church or believed much in God as a child, which was well before she found her sexuality. She wanted to believe, truly she did, but there was something off putting about Christianity that she couldn't quite let go of. It seemed to hurt too many people in her community, and she didn't understand how Anna still believed after it hurt her too. But she loved her wife more than anything, and she would never intentionally do anything that let their differing faiths get in the way of their relationship.

Two years ago

"It's not the faith that's the problem, it's the people of the faith," Anna had said time and time again. Deep down Mary knew her fiancee was right, but she couldn't bring herself to admit it. Some wounds just cut too deep. This time Anna said it they were in the middle of discussing whether or not to have a church wedding. Anna had found a pastor willing to perform the ceremony, but Mary said she would prefer a courthouse wedding.

"I know we don't see eye to eye on this, Anna," Mary said in a soft, gentle tone, "but I love you. And I don't want us to start our marriage off on the wrong foot, so if you want a traditional ceremony, we will have one."

"I didn't say traditional; I just said in a church," Anna said, "But I want us to both be completely comfortable, so I'm leaning more towards the courthouse, actually."

"Really? You don't have to do that just for me, love."

"I know, but I want us to both enjoy the day fully, which I don't think will happen in a church."

"You promise this is what you want?"

"Yes, love, I promise." Anna assured her wife. Neither woman wanted to upset the other, and they both knew that the best way to have a healthy marriage would be to not let this divide come between them.

The wedding was beautiful. Both brides had simple yet elegant gowns for the ceremony in the courthouse, and the select few they wanted to share that intimate moment with were there: Mary's family, their best friends Thomas and Gwen, and the couple Anna had grown to love like parents, Charles and Elsie Carson.

As they changed into their outfits for the reception, there were stolen kisses and lingering hand holds. And as they sat in the back seat together on the way, they reflected on the ceremony.

"I think we made the right call." Anna said. "It was perfect. Just our family and a few friends that are practically like our family. No judgment whatsoever in the atmosphere."

"I agree. It was lovely." Mary responded before giving her wife a gentle peck on the cheek. "And how adorable was Siobhan?"

"She was the cutest flower girl ever." Anna gushed. "I can't believe she's three already."

"I know. It's crazy how fast they grow. Tom and Sybil said they think she's ready for a sibling."

"Oh, I just know she'll be the best big sister. Do you think that means Sybil's pregnant?"

"I don't think so. It sounded like they were just talking about starting to try again."

"Oh. I guess I got a little ahead of myself there." Anna chuckled. "I just love being an aunt."

"Anna?" Mary paused, thinking carefully about whether or not she should ask this, "Do you want to be more than an aunt someday? A mum, I mean?"

"Yes, I do," Anna answered. "Do you?"

"Yes. I really do. Being with you these past four years has shown me how important family is. You're my family, Anna. And I want our family to grow."

"I do too. But would it be okay if we gave it a little time? I want to make sure we get plenty of alone time before a baby joins us."

Mary smirked. "Of course that's okay," she said as the car pulled up in front of the reception hall. Some other friends and work colleagues had been invited to join them, but their numbers were still quite small. As they walked in, Anna looked immediately to Elsie and Mary looked to Cora for their reactions to their outfits. The couple had allowed input from them regarding their dresses but decided to surprise them with their reception looks. Both women let out small gasps, glowing with pride for the younger women. Anna wore a white pantsuit with white heels while Mary had on a midnight blue suit and white Air Force 1 sneakers.

They ate their meal and then the dancing started. The DJ announced it was time for them to kick things off with the mother-daughter dance. Mary and Cora made their way to the dance floor as well as Anna and Elsie. They took their positions, and, as they danced to "You'll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan, tears welled up in Anna's eyes.

"What's the matter, my dear girl?" Elsie asked.

"Nothing," Anna said, "I'm just really glad you're here and you agreed to do this."

"Well how could I refuse when you said I was the closest thing you had to a mum?" Elsie asked rhetorically. "You make me so proud, Anna. I've got plenty of love to go around."

"You always make me feel just like one of your kids, Elsie. Thank you."

"I love you just as much as I love Sarah and Sean. And Charles does, too. We were glad when you made us a family of five instead of a family of four."

"Even though I was 25 when I became part of your family?"

"Absolutely." Elsie said reassuringly. They danced to the rest of the song and the one after it before Mary came up to them.

"Mrs. Carson, I hate to steal you away from Anna. But I think your husband may want a dance for himself."

"Oh, yes, he probably does." she responded. "And I should let you dance with your wife," she winked and let the two lovebirds have their time alone.

A/N: Joanne and Michelle in pantsuits will be the death of me, I swear. I'm a total simp lol. But I just had to include specifics about Mary and Anna's looks because, um hello, they're gorgeous.