"I forbid it to rain today."
"Humph, you're not a god."
"On Maple Grove, I bloody well am."
All this fuss. It doesn't seem real. No one else seems to need all this fuss just to get married. Well, apart from Piper and Bethany, but that was different. We'd been waiting for Piper and Des to get married for ages, it just seemed right to make it a spectacular show. But for me" I don't know.
I've been shy, quiet Gabi all my life. Always shunning the limelight, always in the shadows. Even when I had the boys, I managed to be the background to their performance. But I can't do that today. So many people have put so much into this, I can't possibly let them down. Miranda wants everything to be perfect, and that includes me. So here I am, waiting nervously just inside the big house, so dressed up, I hardly recognize myself. The dress is perfect, exactly as we planned it. The bridesmaids are giggling like little girls - how often do grown women get to play at dress up, after all" Between them, Bethany, Kaylee, and Lisbeth have control over Lila, Zahan, Jacob, and Theodore, although it remains to be seen if any control can be kept over the boys once they make it out onto the lawn. The sun is shining, and I can hear our guests just outside, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Why did I insist on a family wedding"
"Baby!"
"Yes, Em, Nicholas is still a baby. No, don't - I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Snot's his color, anyway."
~~~~~~~
"So, how does it feel to be getting married?"
"It feels like a dream."
"A good dream, I hope."
"A very good dream. One I hope I never awaken from."
Fate is a funny thing.
When I was in France during the Great War, there wasn't much time to think about romance. There wasn't time for much of anything, but eating, sleeping, and stitching men up. Sometimes there wasn't even time for eating and sleeping. Letters home were quickly scribbled and sent off in hopes someone would receive them on the other end.
Dear Mum and Dad, Doing well. Miss you terribly. Will write again soon. Your dutiful son ...
Of course, I wasn't doing well. Nothing could be further from the truth, but somehow, by the grace of God, I made it through the war - or almost made it - until Fate decided to intervene and brought me here to Rhy'Din. I'm told there's a way back if I want it, but I've read the history books, and I don't want to go back. What's the point of going back only to go to war again? Would my being there have made any difference"
No, Rhy'Din is my home now. This is where I belong, but I digress.
The day I met Gabrielle, my whole life changed. She brought the sunshine back into my life that I'd been missing for so long. And now, we are about to be married. Today is, without doubt, the happiest day of my life.
"I can't see!"
"Sit on my lap, then."
"But then Maria can't see!"
"She can sit on Dad."
~~~~~~~
"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats."
"What does that mean?"
"It means the wedding is about to start. Give Ro back to Rufus and sit down."
This is it. The point of no return.
Not that I want to back out. Of course I don't. George is ....I don't have any words for what George means to me. My knight in shining armor" Or perhaps the broken man I have somehow been able to help heal" Cliches and platitudes don't do him justice. He is, quite simply, the man I love. The man I have been lucky enough to have love me in return. The man about to marry me.
Dad looks so dapper in his suit. After all the complaining about the tie and the jacket, he looks absolutely at home in his formalwear. I can see tears in his eyes, and for a moment, there are tears in mine, too. We're both thinking of the people who should have been here to witness this today. Mom, who would have rivaled Miranda in her enthusiasm and excitement, and who would have spent the whole morning getting my hair just right. And Frank, who would have been happy for me, despite whatever he did or said on the outside. I'm glad I knew the real Frank, the one who was hidden away, the man who gave up everything for his brother. And I'm glad to know that they're together, watching us from somewhere indescribable.
Dad holds out his arm, and I take it, barely aware that I'm about to walk out of my life as I know it and into a new one. I kiss his cheek as the music begins, as Lila and Zahan skip out of the house and down the aisle set up between the rows of chairs. Jake and Theo are next, toddling excitedly after their cousins, waving to Ennis as they go by with their identical ring pillows. Then Kaylee and Lisbeth, one hyperactive, the other dignified, walking a little faster than they should to try and get to the altar in time to catch the boys before they destroy the floral arrangements. Bethany, who is still complaining about walking alone down the aisle at all.
Now it's my turn.
"Aww, they're adorable!"
"Would you like the hanky now or later?"
~~~~~~~
"He had better deserve you."
"Dad, now is not the time to start making belated threats."
"Just making sure you're paying attention."
So, this is it. I'm getting married.
I thought I'd be nervous, but I feel strangely calm. It seems so strange to think about how we met. It was not exactly love at first sight. One of the boys had bumped into me in the hospital cafeteria and then wrapped himself around my leg and wouldn't let go. It was Gabrielle who came to my rescue. One thing led to another after that, and here we are.
No, I'm not nervous. In fact, I feel as if my whole life has led to this moment. As if God had chosen this path for me all along. Perhaps it's some kind of reward for all the suffering in France. Whatever I did to deserve this life, I do not know, but I also do not take it for granted.
Gabrielle is my everything, and I could not love the boys more if they were my own. Of course, they are not. They have a father of their own, and perhaps in time, we will become friends. Perhaps in time, we will be blessed with children of our own. But for now, I am happy and content simply to be with Gabrielle and to give her all the love and devotion that she deserves.
"Do the musicians know their cue?"
"For the last time, yes! Sit down and cry on your husband, you're annoying me now."
~~~~~~~
"Is that really George?"
"Who else would it be? Just because he's not wearing scrubs today ..."
"Shut up, they're starting."
All these eyes on me. I should be panicked, I should be trying to escape. But for the first time in my life, I'm not fighting being the center of attention. Because the center of my attention is right here in front of me, holding my hands and promising me a lifetime of love and commitment.
I can see myself reflected in his eyes, and for a moment, I see myself the way George sees me. He doesn't see the fear and the worry, he doesn't see the stress behind my eyes, he doesn't even see the facade I've worked so hard to create. He just sees me, Gabi, with nothing else to hide behind. My face is actually aching with the smile I'm holding, but I can't wipe it away. Here I am, mousey Gabrielle Granger, saying my vows and promising to be true for eternity. I wouldn't change any of this for all the world.
"What're they sayin'?"
"They're promising to love and cherish each other for as long as they live. Like Daddy and I did, when we got married."
"And then they smooch, right?"
~~~~~~~
"Elle ....Elle! I just realized something."
"What?"
"Gabi's new initials ....G.B. She's going to be an honorary Brit!"
Lord, she's beautiful. What did I ever do to deserve such an angel" I ask myself this question often, but I have no answer. Perhaps after serving time in the hell that was the war, I deserve a little time in heaven. Whatever the case, I have no complaints.
Why are my hands shaking" I'm a surgeon. My hands do not shake, and yet, they are shaking. I suppose I am nervous, after all; but then, it is not every day one gets married. To say I never expected this to happen is something of an understatement. As a boy, my whole life was properly planned by my parents; at least, until I decided otherwise. This is my life now, and this is my choice.
All eyes are on her, and rightfully so. Is it any wonder she is named for an angel" My Gabrielle is the loveliest woman I have ever seen, but it is her kindness and caring and gentle nature that make her truly beautiful.
I look into her eyes, our hands clasped - mine shaking - and what do I see" Not only do I see the most beautiful woman in Rhy'Din, the woman who I love, but I see my future, and it's a good future. Despite everything, it is a future I have chosen for myself, a future to be spent with the woman of my dreams.
Do I promise to love and cherish her for all the days of my life" Yes, I do. Forever and always.
"Do you?"
"I do."
~~~~~~~
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present Doctor and Mrs. Bradford."
"Humph, you're not a god."
"On Maple Grove, I bloody well am."
All this fuss. It doesn't seem real. No one else seems to need all this fuss just to get married. Well, apart from Piper and Bethany, but that was different. We'd been waiting for Piper and Des to get married for ages, it just seemed right to make it a spectacular show. But for me" I don't know.
I've been shy, quiet Gabi all my life. Always shunning the limelight, always in the shadows. Even when I had the boys, I managed to be the background to their performance. But I can't do that today. So many people have put so much into this, I can't possibly let them down. Miranda wants everything to be perfect, and that includes me. So here I am, waiting nervously just inside the big house, so dressed up, I hardly recognize myself. The dress is perfect, exactly as we planned it. The bridesmaids are giggling like little girls - how often do grown women get to play at dress up, after all" Between them, Bethany, Kaylee, and Lisbeth have control over Lila, Zahan, Jacob, and Theodore, although it remains to be seen if any control can be kept over the boys once they make it out onto the lawn. The sun is shining, and I can hear our guests just outside, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Why did I insist on a family wedding"
"Baby!"
"Yes, Em, Nicholas is still a baby. No, don't - I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Snot's his color, anyway."
~~~~~~~
"So, how does it feel to be getting married?"
"It feels like a dream."
"A good dream, I hope."
"A very good dream. One I hope I never awaken from."
Fate is a funny thing.
When I was in France during the Great War, there wasn't much time to think about romance. There wasn't time for much of anything, but eating, sleeping, and stitching men up. Sometimes there wasn't even time for eating and sleeping. Letters home were quickly scribbled and sent off in hopes someone would receive them on the other end.
Dear Mum and Dad, Doing well. Miss you terribly. Will write again soon. Your dutiful son ...
Of course, I wasn't doing well. Nothing could be further from the truth, but somehow, by the grace of God, I made it through the war - or almost made it - until Fate decided to intervene and brought me here to Rhy'Din. I'm told there's a way back if I want it, but I've read the history books, and I don't want to go back. What's the point of going back only to go to war again? Would my being there have made any difference"
No, Rhy'Din is my home now. This is where I belong, but I digress.
The day I met Gabrielle, my whole life changed. She brought the sunshine back into my life that I'd been missing for so long. And now, we are about to be married. Today is, without doubt, the happiest day of my life.
"I can't see!"
"Sit on my lap, then."
"But then Maria can't see!"
"She can sit on Dad."
~~~~~~~
"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats."
"What does that mean?"
"It means the wedding is about to start. Give Ro back to Rufus and sit down."
This is it. The point of no return.
Not that I want to back out. Of course I don't. George is ....I don't have any words for what George means to me. My knight in shining armor" Or perhaps the broken man I have somehow been able to help heal" Cliches and platitudes don't do him justice. He is, quite simply, the man I love. The man I have been lucky enough to have love me in return. The man about to marry me.
Dad looks so dapper in his suit. After all the complaining about the tie and the jacket, he looks absolutely at home in his formalwear. I can see tears in his eyes, and for a moment, there are tears in mine, too. We're both thinking of the people who should have been here to witness this today. Mom, who would have rivaled Miranda in her enthusiasm and excitement, and who would have spent the whole morning getting my hair just right. And Frank, who would have been happy for me, despite whatever he did or said on the outside. I'm glad I knew the real Frank, the one who was hidden away, the man who gave up everything for his brother. And I'm glad to know that they're together, watching us from somewhere indescribable.
Dad holds out his arm, and I take it, barely aware that I'm about to walk out of my life as I know it and into a new one. I kiss his cheek as the music begins, as Lila and Zahan skip out of the house and down the aisle set up between the rows of chairs. Jake and Theo are next, toddling excitedly after their cousins, waving to Ennis as they go by with their identical ring pillows. Then Kaylee and Lisbeth, one hyperactive, the other dignified, walking a little faster than they should to try and get to the altar in time to catch the boys before they destroy the floral arrangements. Bethany, who is still complaining about walking alone down the aisle at all.
Now it's my turn.
"Aww, they're adorable!"
"Would you like the hanky now or later?"
~~~~~~~
"He had better deserve you."
"Dad, now is not the time to start making belated threats."
"Just making sure you're paying attention."
So, this is it. I'm getting married.
I thought I'd be nervous, but I feel strangely calm. It seems so strange to think about how we met. It was not exactly love at first sight. One of the boys had bumped into me in the hospital cafeteria and then wrapped himself around my leg and wouldn't let go. It was Gabrielle who came to my rescue. One thing led to another after that, and here we are.
No, I'm not nervous. In fact, I feel as if my whole life has led to this moment. As if God had chosen this path for me all along. Perhaps it's some kind of reward for all the suffering in France. Whatever I did to deserve this life, I do not know, but I also do not take it for granted.
Gabrielle is my everything, and I could not love the boys more if they were my own. Of course, they are not. They have a father of their own, and perhaps in time, we will become friends. Perhaps in time, we will be blessed with children of our own. But for now, I am happy and content simply to be with Gabrielle and to give her all the love and devotion that she deserves.
"Do the musicians know their cue?"
"For the last time, yes! Sit down and cry on your husband, you're annoying me now."
~~~~~~~
"Is that really George?"
"Who else would it be? Just because he's not wearing scrubs today ..."
"Shut up, they're starting."
All these eyes on me. I should be panicked, I should be trying to escape. But for the first time in my life, I'm not fighting being the center of attention. Because the center of my attention is right here in front of me, holding my hands and promising me a lifetime of love and commitment.
I can see myself reflected in his eyes, and for a moment, I see myself the way George sees me. He doesn't see the fear and the worry, he doesn't see the stress behind my eyes, he doesn't even see the facade I've worked so hard to create. He just sees me, Gabi, with nothing else to hide behind. My face is actually aching with the smile I'm holding, but I can't wipe it away. Here I am, mousey Gabrielle Granger, saying my vows and promising to be true for eternity. I wouldn't change any of this for all the world.
"What're they sayin'?"
"They're promising to love and cherish each other for as long as they live. Like Daddy and I did, when we got married."
"And then they smooch, right?"
~~~~~~~
"Elle ....Elle! I just realized something."
"What?"
"Gabi's new initials ....G.B. She's going to be an honorary Brit!"
Lord, she's beautiful. What did I ever do to deserve such an angel" I ask myself this question often, but I have no answer. Perhaps after serving time in the hell that was the war, I deserve a little time in heaven. Whatever the case, I have no complaints.
Why are my hands shaking" I'm a surgeon. My hands do not shake, and yet, they are shaking. I suppose I am nervous, after all; but then, it is not every day one gets married. To say I never expected this to happen is something of an understatement. As a boy, my whole life was properly planned by my parents; at least, until I decided otherwise. This is my life now, and this is my choice.
All eyes are on her, and rightfully so. Is it any wonder she is named for an angel" My Gabrielle is the loveliest woman I have ever seen, but it is her kindness and caring and gentle nature that make her truly beautiful.
I look into her eyes, our hands clasped - mine shaking - and what do I see" Not only do I see the most beautiful woman in Rhy'Din, the woman who I love, but I see my future, and it's a good future. Despite everything, it is a future I have chosen for myself, a future to be spent with the woman of my dreams.
Do I promise to love and cherish her for all the days of my life" Yes, I do. Forever and always.
"Do you?"
"I do."
~~~~~~~
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present Doctor and Mrs. Bradford."