Rivals: When Twins Meet

Chapter 1: Aurora's Journal: The Wedding

Saturday arrived. Since most of the wedding had already been planned, there was little I could do as a Maid of Honor. Molly helped me with a few things, but Biddie Cloom had already set the event in motion. She was always making plans for parties, get togethers etc.… I had only to make sure that Candy would be at the church on time, which I did. The week had been a bit rainy so there were puddles everywhere. I asked Candy if she had planned to walk to the church from the dormitory. She said no, she would go to the church and dress and be ready for the ceremony there. A Reverend Gadding was asked to officiate in their wedding, and he had gladly agreed. It seems he was the reverend here when the brides were first in Seattle and he married one of the brides, her name was Miss Polly. They came along with their three children, the oldest who had been her son from a first marriage ad two more, a set of twins, one girl Hannah, and one boy, Samuel. Both were about 2 years old.

We got Candy to the church on time. We had stayed overnight in the Reverend's rooms attached to the church. Reverend Gadding and family stayed at the saloon. Miss Lottie had a room that would accommodate the family. The reverend who was officiating at the time had said he was going to go do some visiting of the outlaying families and would be gone for a week so we were able to use the rooms. We had Candy dressed and ready. Jason came to get her and took her to the front after everyone had come in and were seated. Jeremy was standing at the altar ready and nervous. Miss Essie, played the piano and we started our procession. First Molly, who also doubled as the flower girl, our brother Christopher who carried the rings. I followed, with two of the other brides, Biddie, and Anna. Finally, it was Candy's turn. Jason brought her out of the alcove, and she stood waiting for the music to start her walk to the altar.

She wore a gown of ivory, laced with blue ribbons. Her veil was of ivory lace with blue flowers. Her auburn hair underneath made a pretty backdrop that showed off the blue flowers. They walked towards the altar. Jason walking as straight and tall as if he were one of the trees that stood outside on the mountain. I glanced at Jeremy. There was a pang in my heart, knowing that his love for her would never be quenched. I would never have him as my own, nor would he look at me in the same way. I let out a sigh silently hoping that no one would notice.

She got up to the altar and Jason handed her to Jeremy. When the Reverend came to the part that asks for anyone that knows of a reason why those two should not be married I took a deep breath and held the lump in my throat, again hoping that no one would notice. Oh, how I wished I could have said something. But what was there to say? My stepfather had done all he could, there was no way that Jeremy would hear my voice anymore. He was not drugged; he was not confused. How could he hear me calling him? Singing to him?

I digress, the wedding went wonderfully. After the sermon and thanking God, we all went outside, and Candy tossed the bouquet. Biddie Cloom caught it. I did not try, knowing that it would not be a good thing if I had caught the bouquet that day. My time would come, and I would have what I wanted someday. Patience is a virtue and I have that virtue. I will bide my time!

The reception was great. Thanks to Miss Lottie and some of the other ladies, we had good food, and a good time. Candy and Jeremy went up and changed clothes. When they came down, Joshua had the wagon ready for them. He would take them to Captain Clancy's ship, and they would sail out later when the tides were good. At least that is what the Captain had said.

We all wished them well and Joshua drove them to the ship, a short ride, but they had to get their bags to the ship as well. They would be going to San Francisco for their honeymoon. We all wished them well and saw them get on the ship. Everyone headed back to the saloon, the ladies went to clean the church and the saloon. Everyone had said goodbye and went back to what they were doing. The Reverend and his family stayed overnight to have the church meeting on Sunday and then they were leaving to go back to their church in little town called Yelm…

She heard a door open and close. She stopped writing to listen.

"Aurora?" Molly called up the stairs in the dormitory

"Aurora? Are you up there?"

"Yes, Molly, I am what do you need?"
"Miss Essie says that we need to clean the rooms at the church, Our reverend will be coming home tomorrow. I think we left a bit of a mess!"

"Okay, I will be down in a moment." Aurora, reread some of what she had written, she stopped when she came to the part about her voice and Jeremy's love

"…Singing? I will have to think on that some more?" She closed her diary and went down to help Molly with the clean-up.

Jeremy carried Candy over the threshold of the doorway into their cabin. Captain Clancy called down to them:

"I suggest ye don't stay too long down there, I still need help steering this ship!" "Ha! Ha!" he laughed good naturedly.

"Well, Mrs. Bolt, what do you think?"

"Please put me down, Mr. Bolt and I will tell you what I think!" Jeremy looked at her, his face was beaming. He did not remember a time that had ever been this happy, this joyful.

"Mr. Jeremy Bolt, I am pleased to meet you, I am Mrs. Jeremy Bolt!" She smiled with a twinkling in her eyes. He saw that twinkle and knew that he was going to be very happy forever. They hugged each other and then began the longest kiss in the world. Captain Clancy opened the door and saw them kissing, he shut the door and went back up to the top. He would have their help later when they were ready to separate. They needed their 'honeymoon' ! He too was very happy and sang as he steered the ship out of the harbor!