AN: Yes, it is Easter and I am still trying to finish my Christmas story. Bear with me, I am almost there. Thanks for all your support! Thank-you Katie for rearranging that paragraph to make it read better!


Gabriel sat at the table in his apartment behind the mounted police office staring into his coffee cup. The one thing he had learned these past couple of days had been how much he needed his right hand. Every time he went to use it, he was reminded of the knife wound - both by the pain and by Carson watching him like a hawk. Though he would never admit it to the doctor, the sling that he had finally relented to was helping the pain - both giving his arm a place to rest as well as reminding him not to use it.

"Come in," Gabriel called when a knock sounded on the door. As it was Nathan, the other Mountie was on his way through the door even as the instruction was given.

"Good morning," Nathan said cheerfully. "I see you are most of the way dressed," he commented, taking in his friend's appearance which consisted of no shoes, black socks, black slacks, and a white dress shirt but no tie. At the sink, Carson was taking care of the rest of the breakfast dishes.

"I couldn't figure out how to tie the shoes or the tie with one hand," Gabriel replied. "I figured it could be best man duty today."

"I would be happy to help," Nathan replied shutting the door behind him.

"I contemplated just bypassing the tie. Do you think Lillian would mind?"

Nathan laughed. "I think by her reaction last night when she wouldn't leave your side that you could show up in your night shirt and she wouldn't bat an eye. Rosemary, on the other hand, would berate the best man for allowing the groom to show up in such disarray, so you are wearing the tie. Besides, you don't usually have an issue with them."

Gabriel sighed but it was Carson who replied.

"I don't think the tie is the problem. The constant reminder of the things he can't do with one hand has been," Carson replied. "He was going to attempt to shave left-handed this morning until I pointed out that stitches on his face would not be a good look for his wedding day."

Nathan chuckled. "I know that feeling," he said sympathetically. "So, how about you let the best man do his job and get the groom to the altar in presentable condition? Then you can have your new wife scolding you about what you should and shouldn't be doing. They are good at that," he said lightly.

The comment had the intended effect as a smile found its way to Gabriel's face. "Should I tell Elizabeth that you said that?"

"You don't want to," Nathan replied, reaching out for the necktie. "I have plenty of stories about you that I can relay to your new wife as well."

"I guess that is why we are such good friends. We know too much about each other to risk making the other mad," Gabriel quipped.

"Well, now that there is someone who can help make sure I don't need to do any sewing before the wedding, I am going to go check in with Joe and see if I can find some fresh clothes to wear. I wasn't expecting to be attending a wedding when I escorted my patient home."

"As long as you are wearing clothes, you'll be allowed to attend," Gabriel quipped as Carson headed for the door Nathan had come through. Nathan was already working on the tie.

The doctor chuckled. "That is good to know," he countered as he left the apartment.


Lillian slipped the dress over her head and closed her eyes for a moment, not quite ready to see herself in the mirror until the buttons in the back were done up. Though Rosemary had her try the dress on to make sure it fit, Lillian had yet to see herself in a mirror. Though it seemed silly, she wanted that first look to be when everything was done. As her hair and the small touch of make-up she planned on wearing were already complete, the veil was the only thing to don after the dress. Elizabeth was doing up the buttons on the back of the gown and Lillian found herself keeping track of the buttons. As silly as it seemed, she wanted only to see the finished product.

"Rosemary did a wonderful job making this dress yours," Elizabeth said as she worked. "You are going to take Gabriel's breath away."

"Oh, I hope not," Lillian said, opening her eyes. As she currently had her back to the mirror, she didn't try to look back at her friend. "The last thing I want to do is add to his injuries."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Nathan will catch him if he faints," she said reassuringly as she slipped the last button through its hole. Turning, she moved to retrieve the veil from the hotel bed. Rather than get ready at the orphanage and then have to worry about getting to the Royal Brookfield without soiling the dress or messing up her hair, the women had elected to get ready at the hotel.

"One final touch," Elizabeth said softly, as she approached Lillian with the veil. She carefully put it in place, making sure that it draped perfectly. Once it was in place, she placed her arms on Lillian's shoulders and gently turned her friend toward a mirror. "You look beautiful," Elizabeth told her.

Looking at her reflection, Lillian had to agree with the assessment. She did look beautiful.

"I never dreamed about this day like so many young women do," Lillian confessed softly. "I have been caring for people for so long. First it was mother, when her health failed her. Then I had to prove I could look after myself after the bridge accident and father had to go far to look for work. Yes, I had Eleanor, but I still didn't want my father to worry. When he passed, I started my search for Grace. I so desperately wanted a family member that it was all I could focus on. I took Eleanor for granted then, not realizing that she was family even if we weren't related by blood."

Elizabeth carefully put and arm around Lillian, not wanting to put wrinkles into the dress or mess up her friend's hair. "You were so young, Lillian. You can't blame yourself for that. Besides we all want family."

"I had given up on the notion of getting married. It took me so long to find my sister, and I couldn't save Grace from her bad experiences with orphanages, but at least I could make the experience better for the children in my care. I always figure no man would want to take on that responsibility. Ironically, now that I've found both of them, Grace won't be here to share this day with me.

"My mother always told me there was someone out there for all of us and life will take us on the path to meet them. You and Gabriel were meant to be. He loves those kids as much as he loves you, I could see that last night. And even if she's not here in person, you know Grace is sending all her love to you and Gabriel."

"I still can't believe I am getting married," Lillian whispered.

"You are," Elizabeth told her, a smile coming to her face. "And I have no doubt that all four of your parents are watching from above, grateful that you've found the same type of love that they did."

"I like that thought," Lillian whispered, leaning the side of her head against Elizabeth's.

The two stood like that, staring at their reflections for a few moments before there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Elizabeth called, releasing Lillian and taking a step away.

"It's Joe," came the reply through the door. "Rosemary sent me up to tell you that whenever the bride is ready, they are ready to begin."

"Come in," Elizabeth called, taking a few moments to gather some items scattered about.

The room door opened, and Joe stepped into the doorway. He stopped, admiring Lillian with a father-like pride. "Your parents, all four of them, would be so happy for you today and I know they would be proud of the poised young woman you have become," the store owner said.

Lillian drew in a breath at the compliment. After letting it out she asked softly, "do you really think so."

"I know so," Joe told her. "What you are doing for those children is what your adoptive parents did for you. Give an orphan a loving home where they can find their potential. I know they had plans to adopt other children as well. They wanted to allow for an adjustment for you and to being parents before following through. Then your mother's health started failing. They always wanted a big family, that is why your father built such a large house. They are probably ecstatic that you managed to fill it with children's laughter and are about to start a family of your own."

"Thank you," Lillian said softly. Having someone validate what she was doing with the home she had inherited did wonders for her soul. Especially after the resistance she had met by the town folks with her endeavor at first.

"Are you ready to go make our town Mountie a happy man?" Joe asked.

Lillian blushed. Knowing the friendship that existed between the two of them, she had a feeling she had been the subject of conversation on more than one occasion.

"I am," the redhead replied.

Joe offered her his arm and Lillian slipped hers through it. Elizabeth handed the bride her bouquet of flowers, picked up her own bouquet, and the group left the room. Abigail was standing in the hallway.

"Vincent is waiting at the foot of the stairs to give the signal to Rosemary to play the music. Everyone is just waiting for the bride," Abigail instructed.

"Are you ready, Lillian?" Joe asked softly beside the bride.

"I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my entire life. Not even when we were being inspected by the Children's Society, and I was a nervous wreck then."

"Nerves are just a part of the process," Elizabeth said. "I was nervous for both my weddings, but I'll tell you the secret." Elizabeth lowered her voice a little as she continued. "Once you are there standing next to Gabriel, he and the vows you are making will be the only thoughts in your mind."

"She's right," Abigail said.

"And the other thing to keep in mind is that though he is probably down there appearing calm and confident, your groom is a bundle of nerves as well," Joe said beside her. "Until I actually saw Lisset appear in the church, I thought for sure she was going to leave me standing at the altar."

"Well, I don't intend to do that," Lillian said, the shared information making her smile. At least this was normal and though none of her parents were here to assure her of that, God had put people in her life that could fill that void in this moment. "I'm ready."

With that, Elizabeth stepped in front of Lillian as she would enter first. With Joe at her side, and Abigail making sure the dress didn't trip anyone up, Lillian followed her matron of honor down the steps toward her future.


Gabriel had his left arm wrapped around Lillian's waist as he swayed to the music with his bride. With his right arm in a sling, the dancing wasn't anything fancy, but he was dancing with his bride. This was a dream come true for him. A dream that he had thought at one point would be unattainable.

Though Gabriel couldn't remember much of what Bill had said during the ceremony, having been lost in Lillian's eyes, he must have replied correctly at the appropriate times. He had clearly heard the judge tell him he could kiss his bride and he had done so. Apparently, the kiss had gone on longer than he thought because Allie's, "are you going to stop kissing her so we can eat, Uncle Gabe," had finally brought it to an end with a wave of soft laughter.

Truth be told, Gabriel could have kept on kissing Lillian and be quite content.

The meal Abigail had arranged for the hotel kitchen staff to cook had been top notch. The chicken, with a mushroom gravy, had been cooked perfectly. Glazed carrots and mashed potatoes rounded out the meal, the potatoes covered with the same gravy as the chicken. The biscuits were golden and fluffy. Abigail had even arranged for the chicken on his place to come out already cut into bite size pieces, so no one had to do it for him once the plate was in front of him. Lillian had casually buttered biscuits for both of them while carrying on a conversation, so he hadn't even felt self-conscious about that.

After they had eaten, came the speeches. Joe had asked this morning if he could say something along with the traditional best man and matron of honor speeches. Given the friendship Joe had given since his arrival in Brookfield, there was no way Gabriel could tell the general store owner no. Joe had spoken first, speaking about his relationship with both the bride and the groom and wishing them a happy marriage. Elizabeth had spoken next, her speech heartfelt though brief. Knowing his best man wasn't one for speeches, Gabriel had expected Nathan's to be short like Elizabeth's. He thought wrong. Nathan's address, which included a funny story from their training at Depot, was the longest of the speeches. Looking around the room as he listened, Gabriel found that his friend was keeping the audience thoroughly engaged and entertained.

"This has been the best day of my life," Lillian said softly, her head resting on his shoulders as they swayed to the music.

"Mine too," Gabriel said. "Though I expect there will be plenty more just as joyful in our future."

"I like that thought," Lillian replied.

"Are you ready to say good night to everyone and be alone?" Gabriel asked her.

Lillian lifted her head from his shoulders. Her cheeks were flushed with a red a few shades lighter than her hair, but she smiled as she spoke. "I am."

Though the music still played, Gabriel brought them to a stop. He reached down with his left hand and took her right hand as he led her toward the first group of their guests to say thank you and farewells. By the time they were done, Nathan had the car he had borrowed parked out front of the hotel. Vincent and Cody were tying tin cans to the back of it as Nathan stood at the back door. Spotting the bride and groom exiting, Nathan opened the back door.

"Your chariot awaits," Nathan told them, with a formal bow.

Lillian giggled as Gabriel led her down the steps, Elizabeth behind her making sure the train of the dress stayed out of the snow. After helping Lillian into the car, Gabriel gave his friend a bear hug.

"I couldn't have asked for a better friend," Gabriel told him.

"That goes both ways," Nathan replied. "You two don't worry about the children. Elizabeth's experience as a schoolteacher will come in handy the next few days. Besides, Allie and Jack will have a new sibling coming sometime around June, so this will give me practice with more kids."

"What?" Gabriel said, surprised by the news. He took a step back from his friend. Nathan was beaming.

"We didn't want to upstage the bride and groom," Nathan said reaching for his wife's hand.

"Now that you and Lillian have left the gathering, I plan on going inside and making an announcement," Elizabeth said. "We wanted the two of you to know first."

"Congratulations," Lillian said, leaning her head out of the car.

"And we wanted to know if you are willing to be this child's god parents?" Nathan asked.

Gabriel glanced at his wife. He knew what his answer was, but he wanted to check with Lillian. His wife met his gaze with a nod of her head. "We would be honored."

"Thank you," Elizabeth replied. She gave Gabriel a quick hug before turning toward the car to give Lillian the best hug she could without her friend needing to get out.

As Gabriel hugged his friend again, Nathan whispered in his ear. "And perhaps there might be another little one close to this one's age after tonight."

Gabriel chuckled, but didn't reply. Deep down though, he hoped his friend was right. Though each child at the orphanage was special, he did hope Lillian and he would have at least one child of their own.