by Clare Revell
She turned away from the snow-covered landscape, and heaved a sigh. “Nate will think I’m not coming.”
“I already rang Mum. She’ll tell him what happened and that we’ll get there.”
She ran her hands over her white velvet gown. Her tiara of roses and diamonds lay flat against her blonde hair, the veil cascading over her shoulders. On her lap lay her bouquet of red and white roses. They had cost a fortune for a February wedding, but one she deemed worth it.
Ben sat next to her, a red velvet collar around his neck. He licked her fingers, and she petted him. “What if she doesn’t tell him? What if we never make it?”
Mark gave her a smile. “You worry far too much. You’ll get there. Do you want me to ring the church again and tell them we are still coming?”
“No.” She signed emphatically as she spoke. “Why keep calling?”
“Pfft, woman. He’ll be out of his mind with worry. How much longer?” he asked the driver, receiving a shrug in response. Mark touched Adeline’s hand. “Back in a tick, going to ring the church.” He exited the car and pulled out his phone.
Adeline shook her head and looked down at Ben. “If he thinks pacing in the snow will help, it won’t. It’ll just ruin his suit. Why did it have to snow last night? It could have held off for one more day.”
She gazed out of the window at the snow. Lord, you know how much I want to marry Nate. We’ve come through so much to get this far. Please, let me get there.
Four minutes later Mark climbed back into the car, bringing a blast of frigid air in with him. “I called the church. Pastor Jack said he’d let Nate know.” He grinned. “He doesn’t have his phone on him, either.”
Adeline rolled her eyes. “And where am I supposed to put a phone? I don’t have a handbag. At least he has a pocket in his jacket.” She smirked at him. “I suppose I could have stuck it inside my bra along with my purse and my tissues.”
“There’s no need for that, sis. ‘Sides, I called the cavalry. We’ll be out of here in no time.”
Adeline looked at him wondering what he had planned. “Mark?” He shook his head. She wrapped her arms round herself, shivering. “I should have worn a coat.”
Mark slid out of his frock coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.
She closed her eyes, tears forming behind her lashes. “I’m sorry, Nate.” She loved him so much, wanted so desperately to be his wife, and it was not going to happen.
A few minutes later, Mark tapped her arm. She opened her eyes and looked at him, then past him to the window. Her eyes widened as she saw a huge Humvee parked next to the limo.
“Mark, what have you done?”
Mark smiled. “I told you we’d get there.” He picked her up as she got out of the car and lifted her into the Humvee. “I simply pulled in a few favors at work and told them that my sister was stuck in the snow and going to be late to her own wedding. The boys were all too happy to help.” He climbed in behind her. “Wish I could see Nate’s face when this pulls up outside the church.”
****
Nate kept pacing. He’d tried sitting and praying, sitting and reading the order of service. He’d even tried talking to his parents and parents-in-law to be, but nothing calmed his nerves. Since he’d got Mark’s message that everything was under control, his heart had lightened. Although worried about his bride stuck in the snow, he knew she’d be here eventually. But still he couldn’t settle.
Loud engine sounds echoed through the church. He turned, half wanting to see what was happening, the other half of him reasoning people would think he was leaving if he did.
Pastor Jack stuck his head into the chapel and gave Nate the thumbs up. “She’s here,” he mouthed.
No longer caring what anyone thought, Nate ran down the aisle. He burst through the doors and skidded to a halt on the steps. His jaw dropped at the sight of the Humvee parked outside the church. “What?”
“It’s something,” Pastor Jack said.
Nate saw Adeline being lifted bodily from the Humvee and carried up the path to the church doors by a soldier in uniform. The photographer caught every moment.
Adeline smiled at the soldier, not letting go. Her train was slung over her arm so it wouldn’t drag in the snow. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. Anything for the Colonel’s sister.”
Another soldier put Ben on the steps beside her.
Nate moved to her side. “Adeline, what happened? Are you all right?” he asked, looking in amazement at the Humvee.
“The car got stuck in a snow drift. Mark called the base, and this is the rescue team. I had to get here. I love you.”
He pulled her into his arms, lifted her veil and kissed her soundly. “And I love you. You look amazing.”
Pastor Jack coughed. “Shall we make a start?”
Nate reluctantly let go of Adeline. He kissed her cheek and winked. “I’ll see you in a minute,” he signed. “Don’t be late.”
Adeline’s laugh filled him with joy. “Oh, I think I’m way beyond late. I could always race you up the aisle. Or walk up it with you.”
“Don’t you dare. Give me two minute’s head start.” He turned to find a crowd of family and friends gaping at the Humvee. “We’re ready now,” He announced.
Everyone rushed back to their seats.
Nate followed them into the church. He grinned at Dane who’d stayed in the church with the girls. “The army rescued her, brought her here in a Humvee.”
“Wow. That girl of yours knows how to make an entrance.”
“She sure does.” He moved over to David. “She’s here. Are you ready?”
“You treat her right,” he signed slowly.
“I promise,” Nate signed back.
“Then I’m ready.”
“Let’s get you down there.” He wheeled David to the bottom of the aisle, leaving him just inside the door, where Adeline wouldn’t see him until the last minute.
Returning to the front of the church, he stood by the platform. The organ started playing Saint Saëns’s Organ Concerto in C Major. Adeline had chosen it because it was Nate’s favorite piece of classical music.
Vianne and Ben walked the aisle together, followed by Dane’s girls, scattering rose petals on the way.
****
Adeline smoothed down her dress. She could feel the vibrations of the organ increase and knew it was time for her entrance.
Mark grinned at her. “Ready?”
She nodded and tried to take his arm
“No, sis.” He took her hand and led her to the door. “Dad wanted to do it. I’m pushing him, he’s holding your hand.”
Tears filled her eyes and her heart leapt into her throat. “Oh…”
David beamed up at her, his shaking hand extended towards her.
She knelt beside the chair. “Dad,” she signed. “I had no idea.”
“I want to do this,” he signed slowly. “Shall we?”
She kissed his cheek and stood up, tears streaming down her face. Transferring her flowers to her left hand, she gripped her father’s hand tightly with her right. She glanced back at Mark, standing behind the wheelchair and he nodded to her.
Adeline smiled through the tears and took her first step towards her new life.
****
As the music grew louder, Nate’s nerves grew. He risked a glance over his shoulder and his heart swelled with pride.
Adeline, her father, and brother slowly made their way to the front of the church. She kept her eyes on Nate the whole time, a huge grin on her face, despite the way her shoulders shook and tears streamed down her face.
He had never seen her look so radiant. Thank you, Lord, for bringing us safely to this day. Be with us now and in the years to come.
“Did you know about this?” she asked, taking her place.
“Mark, David, and I planned it several weeks ago. Your Dad wanted to do this so very much.”
“Thank you.”
Pastor Jack led them th
rough the legal bits they had to say, then smiled at David. Slowly he signed the words he’d been taught as he spoke them aloud. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
David beamed at him and raised a thumb’s up before signing back, “I do.” He then put Adeline’s hand into Nate’s.
“Nate and Adeline have written their own vows,” Pastor Jack said.
Nate took her hand and turned to face her. He let go of her hand and slowly signed, speaking at the same time. “I, Nathaniel James Holmes, take you Adeline Stacey Monroe to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep.”
Adeline smiled at him. She also signed and spoke. “I, Adeline Stacey Monroe, take you Nathaniel James Holmes, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep.”
They exchanged rings, and Nate pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Once the applause from the congregation ended, he broke the kiss. “Hello, Mrs. Holmes.” He signed as he spoke.
She smiled and signed back. “I like the way that looks.” She changed to speech. “Just do me one favor. Please, promise me that you won’t call our first son Sherlock. No matter who begs you to? He won’t thank you for it, and neither will I.”
Nate paused for a moment and then laughed. “No fear of that.” His eyes twinkled with love before turning to face their friends and family—his wife at his side.
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