Whenever There is Love – Donna Summer/Bruce Roberts
Like the welcome of spring
Like the light that you bring
To the skies that were empty and grey
Just your breath in the night
Can make it alright
When you sigh as you're drifting away
All that is simple and good
Lives in the places you stood
The things that are pure and true
Paint a picture of you
And you are all I can think of
Whenever there is love
Whenever there is love
Whenever there is love
Like a brief desert rain
Like the air that remains
Making everything suddenly new
The light in your eyes
As if you and I
Found a world that was only for two
All that is simple and good
Lives in the places you stood
The things that are pure and true
Paint a picture of you
And you are all I can think of
Whenever there is love
Whenever there is love
Whenever there is love
Oh, if you are lost, I will find you
I'll find you, no matter where you go
If you fall, I'm here behind you
All that is simple and good
Lives in the places you stood
The things that are pure and true
Paint a picture of you
And you are all I can think of
Whenever there is love
Whenever there is love
Whenever there is love
Whenever there is love
Whenever there is love
Whenever there is love
Was every bride this nervous on her wedding day? Genevieve had done a wonderful job on her wedding dress. She felt like a princess when she had tried it on. Now here she was with her mother beside her, about to walk down the isle and she was terrified.
"Are you ready?" Portia looked the most maternal she had ever seen her. At least her mother had enjoyed organizing the wedding.
As ready as she could be. She nodded as the flower girls started down the isle. The curtains parted to reveal Colin waiting at the end of the isle for her. She anxiously glanced at her mother before starting her walk towards him. She had not realised so many people would be there. It was all very overwhelming. Coming to a stop, she didn't know if she could do this. Then Colin caught her eye, smiled at her and gave her a simple nod. It was all she needed. Smiling back, she nodded and continued down the isle. Never taking her eyes off of Colin until she reached him, and even then only long enough to hand her flowers to her mother.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and this congregation to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou forsake all others, keeping thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?" She was only half listening to the minister as she was held by Colin's gaze.
"I, Colin Bridgerton… take thee, Penelope Featherington, to be my wedded wife to have to hold." Now this she heard every syllable of. After all, they were words that she had never expected to hear uttered to her by this man.
"I, Penelope Featherington, take thee, Colin Bridgerton, to be my wedded husband to have and to hold," And she meant every word from the bottom of her heart.
"With this ring, I thee wed." The ring was cold against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of his hands.
"With my body, I thee worship." Those words had taken on a whole new meaning since they had become engaged.
"And by the joining of hands, I now pronounce that they be man and wife, together, in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." There in the church filled to the brim with family, friends and anyone else Portia Featherington had granted an invitation Penelope Bridgerton shared a first kiss with her husband.
Turning to face the congregation she felt Colin's hand brush hers as they grasped onto the other's hand. Perhaps this was overwhelming for him as well.
At the wedding breakfast they somehow ended up on opposite sides of the room. Once again on the outside of the crowd. Her mother had gone overboard but she was happy so who was Penelope to rain on her parade. "Mama you have outdone yourself."
"Do you like it?" Her mother looked so proud of herself. Though it was certainly more to her mother's taste than her own. But then she had been so sure that Colin would call off the wedding that she had not wanted to organize a big event only to have to cancel everything.
"It is truly … magnificent." Portia seemed thrilled with Penelope's words so she had managed to cover how overdone she felt it was.
"Congratulations, Penelope." This was quite the change in attitude for Prudence. Although that could be due to her wanting some sort of approval from their mother. "You do make … an exceptionally fine bride." It was a wasted effort since Portia spotted someone she wanted to gloat to and walked off.
"Would you like to say how you really feel now?" She knew her sister was feeling quite left out by her mother. Prudence's wedding after all had been a very quiet affair.
"That is how I really feel." Judging by Phillippa's expression, she found Prudence's change in attitude hard to believe as well.
"Thank you." She looked across the room at her husband. That would take some getting used to: her husband. He started to make his way over to her but was sidetracked by his sister Hyacinth.
"Penelope. Are you enjoying yourself?" Clearly her mother had enjoyed organizing the wedding, so it was interesting that she now appeared to be seeking her approval.
"Very much." No sense in informing her mother that she would prefer there to be a lot less guests. "Though it is all a little overwhelming. I…" Especially when you were waiting for the groom to call off the wedding, even after the vows had been spoken and the ring was on her finger.
"Well, weddings are never for the bride and groom," That did not seem entirely correct. "Even when things are well between the couple."
"Thank you." Her mother had been unusual in holding back her interfering in what was obviously going on between herself and Colin. "For allowing me to work it out for myself."
"Well, this wedding could not plan itself. I have not had time to meddle." That had never stopped her before. "Whatever it is, I know you will resolve it. The important part is that you are married now." Portia walked away leaving Penelope to her own thoughts.
It appeared that Colin had managed to free himself from his sister. Seizing the opportunity before anyone else could grab his attention, she walked towards him. "Could we…"
"I…" Colin seemed to be eager to speak with her also.
"Could we get away from here?" She wasn't certain where they could go, but she had just married this man and they had spent most of the wedding breakfast on opposite sides of the room. "I have spent so long clinging to walls like this. I … I do not wish to do that any longer." After all, they should be centre stage at their own wedding breakfast.
"Where do you propose we go?" He appeared a little overwhelmed by the number of people there as well.
"Perhaps … to the centre." It was the only space open in the room.
"I do not think I have it in me to greet any more guests." At least they were in agreement there.
"Perhaps we could dance." She needed to be held by her husband and with all of these people around, she was limited on options on how she could do so.
"It is a wedding breakfast." She was aware of that. "The sun is still out." He was just stating the obvious now.
"I realize that. But I should like to dance with my husband in the light of day." She still could not quite believe she was married to Colin Bridgerton. "We can dance in a church, why not here?"
Colin nodded. "Very well." When he took her in his arms and started to dance with her, the room seemed to melt away. Perhaps all would be well after all.