33

 

Just before midday on Saturday May sixteenth, Sara stepped from the horse-drawn carriage outside Tannoch Baptist Church. She glanced at her bouquet, her long ivory bridal gown, full veil, and three-foot train. Would he like it? Was it too much?

She took a deep breath. “I’m scared. What if…”

Dave shook his head. “Nay, lassie. Nay ifs or buts. He loves ye. He’s at the top of that aisle waiting for me tae give ye tae him.”

Pastor Bruce came over to them. He smiled. “Ye look lovely, Sara. I’ll go and tell him yer here.”

Sara stood still as Carole adjusted her train and veil. She looked at the cloudless blue sky. Birds swooped and dived overhead, and for a moment she was soaring and flying with them. Luke’s love had unlocked the cage surrounding her and set her free. Dave offered his arm and she took it. “I’m ready.”

She took a deep breath as she and Dave started on the slow walk up the aisle, the strains of Pachabel’s Canon in D filling the air. Sara kept her eyes on the figure at the front of the church. He turned and smiled at her and her fear and nervousness fell away. Luke loved her and she loved him. Reaching his side she gripped his hand, never intending to let him slip from her life.

 

****

 

Luke knew she was coming. He clenched his hands into fists, his palms damp, and his throat dry. His brother, Darren, stood beside him as best man. He wanted to turn and look at Sara, but he wasn’t sure it was the proper thing. He’d do it anyway. Taking a deep breath, Luke turned.

“Wow,” he breathed, smiling at the first sight of his bride.

As she reached his side, he took her hand and raised it to his lips. “Hey, beautiful. I love you.”

Her eyes sparkled, her love for him lighting them. “I love you, too, Luke. So very much.”

Luke lifted her veil and kissed her, ignoring the fact it was too soon for that. Sara kissed him back.

Luke broke off at a cough from Pastor Bruce. He looked lovingly at Sara. “Shall we?”

 

****

 

“I, Luke Jonathan Nemec, take you, Sara Elizabeth Daniels, to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness.”

“I, Sara Elizabeth Daniels, take you, Luke Jonathan Nemec, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness.”

They slid rings onto each other’s fingers, tears running down Sara’s face as she finished making her vows of love and faithfulness.

Pastor Bruce smiled. “I now pronounce ye husband and wife. Luke, ye may kiss the bride. Again.”

Luke grinned. He pulled Sara into his arms and lowered his face to hers. “Hello, wife.”

“Hello, husband,” Sara whispered.

Luke kissed her, holding her closely.

Pastor Bruce’s voice echoed in the distance. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my great pleasure to introduce ye tae Leftenant and Mrs. Nemec.”

Rapturous applause broke out, making Sara blush as they broke the kiss.

Exiting into the bright sunlight to showers of confetti and congratulations, Luke and Sara posed happily for photographs with and without the five-month-old twins.

Mary was radiant in her new hat, with her shiny engagement ring proudly worn on her left hand. Jacob hadn’t let go of her since they got to the church. They were planning their own wedding for the autumn, much to Sara and Luke’s delight.

Just after five PM, Sara said her goodbyes to the twins.

Mary winked at her. “They’ll be fine. Jacob and I are perfectly capable of caring for them.”

“I know. I’ll miss them.”

Mary laughed. “I think you’ll have other things on your mind. They’ve been home several weeks now, and we’ve got your mobile number if we need you. Which we won’t. You’ve got a good man in that one.”

Sara smiled. “So have you.”

Luke came over. “Ready, hon?”

“Yes.” She let him lead her over to his car and climbed in as he opened the door for her. Luke started the car and drove out of the car park. Sara waved as they left.

She glanced at her husband, her stomach jumping for joy at the thought. “Luke?”

Luke grinned. “To the beach, Mrs. Nemec?”

“Please.”

 

****

 

Luke parked on the approach road, and he and Sara got out. He paused for a moment locking the car. Sara walked down towards the sea, her shoes sinking into the sand. She reached the water’s edge and stood just beyond the reach of the waves. She wrapped her arms around her, a tumult of thoughts racing through her. So much had happened since she last stood on a beach on her own.

Her life, turned upside down for a while, had gone in a direction she had never thought possible. She turned to where Luke stood. She waved at him and smiled as he waved back.

Luke made his way across the sand towards her. He wrapped his arms over hers. They stood there, neither having to say anything. Knowing the other person there was enough.

The sun set as they stood together on the beach, the rosy glow sent ripples of warmth across the white horses of the sea.

Sara leaned against her husband. “I love you, Luke Nemec.”

“And I love you, Sara Nemec.” He raised her face to his and kissed her.

Sara lost herself in his kiss, letting him lift her from her tiny piece of sky and set her soaring in the wide open spaces above.