by Linda Bridey
Will was careful to not pull her hair as he tied the bandana around her head. “Ok. Now just take my arm and I’ll lead you. I swear I won’t run you into anything or let you fall.”
“You better not. Where are we going?” The anticipation was delicious.
“You’ll see.”
Rachel hung onto Will’s arm for dear life. Not being able to see was both scary and yet fun. She thanked him for the second kitten and told him about how well she and Boo played together. He laughed when she told him how they’d destroyed the little Christmas tree she’d put up in her apartment.
“Ok. We’re here, but don’t take off the blindfold just yet,” Will said.
She groaned. “Fine.”
They went through a door and warmth enveloped them. Rachel caught the scents of pine and perfume, but couldn’t figure out where they were.
Will moved behind her and poised his fingers over the loose knot that held the blindfold on her head. “Rachel, will you marry me … tonight?”
The blindfold fell away to reveal that they stood in the church sanctuary, which was ablaze with light from the many candelabras that had been lit. Her mouth hung open as she looked around at all of her family and friends who were seated in the pews. Tucker stood at the altar along with Switch and Hawk. All three wore tuxedos. Hawk looked uncomfortable in the attire.
Rachel turned around and looked at Will in amazement. “You did all of this?”
“With a lot of help,” Will said. “You haven’t answered me.”
“What about my dress and my—”
“It’s all here, just waiting for you,” Will said.
“But we saw each other on our wedding day,” Rachel said.
“We’re not getting married until the stroke of midnight, so it won’t be on our wedding day, honey,” Will told her. “I want to start our new life together on the first day of the year. How can our future be anything but bright when it begins on the day when everything is fresh and new? You still haven’t answered me. Will you marry me tonight?”
Joy surged through her. “Yes! I’ll marry you tonight!” she shouted, much to the amusement of the congregation. Everyone began clapping and cheering.
Then Sammi had her around the shoulders and was guiding her away from Will and down to the church basement, where she joined her maid-of-honor, Zoe. Rachel saw Hope rushing toward her.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” she said excitedly.
“Isn’t what wonderful?” Rachel asked.
Hope’s brow furrowed. “They didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
*****
Never before in the history of Dawson had there been a double wedding performed. Those attending were struck by the high romanticism of such a thing. There had also never been a wedding performed on New Year’s Eve. Switch said that this meant that they would all have good luck the rest of their lives and Will could believe it.
Keeping the ceremony secret from Rachel had to be, as Joe put it, “The biggest, single most fantastic achievement the citizens of Dawson have ever pulled off!” Pastor John still wasn’t sure how smoothly he was going to be able to perform the ceremonies, but he was just as excited as everyone else was about the event. To make things easier, both couples had decided to share their best men, maids-of-honor, bridesmaids and groomsmen. They would simply rotate them after the first ceremony had been performed.
There was one exception– Hope wanted Mike to stand on her side, since he was the one responsible for her meeting Switch. He was pleased that she’d asked him and thought it would be fun to be on the bride’s side of the altar with the women.
The basement was filled with a party atmosphere as both women were helped to get ready by an army of women. Their laughter carried upstairs, making the guests and participants smile. Before he could be caught, Switch ran down the stairs and banged on the basement door, calling out for Hope.
“I need to see you!” he yelled.
“Get out of here!” she yelled back while several women barricaded the door.
Switch just laughed and ran back upstairs to be greeted with laughter.
Rachel looked in the mirror and smoothed her hands over her dress. Sammi came up behind her and their eyes met in the reflective glass.
“Look at you, all grown up and getting married,” Sammi said, as she put her hands on Rachel’s shoulders. “I know I didn’t give birth to you, but I’ve always thought of you as my daughter. I’m so proud of you and I know your ma and pa are, too. They’re here today, sweetheart.”
Rachel leaned back into Sammi a little. “I owe you and Mitch so much for adopting me and the boys and for loving us the way you have. You put up with a lot from me over the years, and I’m sorry for all of the trouble I caused you. And even after I hurt you both by leaving, you were right here, welcoming me back. I love you so much and I think it’s time for me to call you Ma, don’t you?”
Sammi’s eyes filled up and she came around to hug Rachel. “You’re my girl and I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. You remember that.”
“I will. I promise,” Rachel said.
Sammi released her and said, “All right. No more tears until later on. I don’t want you walking down the aisle with puffy eyes or anything.”
Rachel laughed as she wiped away her own tears. “I can’t believe that this was Will’s idea.”
“Yeah. You got a good one, Rachel. He’s not perfect, but no one is. But he’s a good man. Aren’t you glad I had him write you?” Sammi said smugly.
“Yes, I am. Thank you for that, Ma,” Rachel responded.
“You just had to say that, didn’t you? I’m going upstairs now that you’re gorgeous and all,” Sammi said and left the basement.
Maddie helped Hope with her finishing touches. “There. You’re perfect,” she said after surveying Hope critically. “Switch is going to be speechless when he sees how lovely you are.”
“Do you really think so?” Hope asked. “I want to be beautiful for him.”
“You are,” Maddie assured her.
“Thank you so much for helping me and for being so kind to me. The only regret I have is that my mother isn’t here, but having your support makes up for her absence,” Hope said.
Maddie hugged her carefully. “I’m honored that you asked me to stand in for her and I know Seth is so proud that you asked him to give you away.”
“He is such a wonderful man. You’re a very lucky woman,” Hope said. “I wish my father were like him.”
Maddie said, “I am very fortunate to have Seth as my husband. I almost didn’t because I was foolish and let fear get in the way. I came to my senses, though, and so here I am. You are so brave, Hope. It’s not every woman who would take such a leap of faith.”
“Switch makes me feel alive and like life is an adventure. I know he’ll never try to keep me caged up. He believes in me as much as I believe in him,” Hope said.
“That’s as it should be,” Maddie said. “I know that you’ll be very happy together.”
“Thank you,” Hope said with a smile.
*****
“I still think we should have had a double honeymoon,” Switch said. “It would have been fun for all of us to go to Chicago together. Mike and Hope could show us the city and all. You could still change your mind. I’ll cover your train tickets. Speaking of trains, I can’t wait to ride one again. I told Mike I want a luxury car, not one of those cramped ones with the food that stinks. Nope. Speaking of food, wasn’t it nice for Joe to get his staff to cook for the reception?”
“Switch, slow down,” Will said with a chuckle. “We’re perfectly fine to wait until the spring to go on a honeymoon. There’s too much work at the store for me to leave. The business is still new and we’ve got to keep it going.”
Switch nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. Especially without me here to help you and Hawk. You’re gonna have to work long hours. Speaking of long hours, we’re gonna be on the train for a lot of hours, which is fine by me. Especial
ly at night,” he said, with a nudge to Will’s ribs.
Tucker leaned over and said, “Switch, shut up about that. We’re in church.”
Switch looked at him and whispered, “So? I don’t think God has a problem with married people making love on a train.”
“Shh!” Will said loudly.
Switch just grinned at him. “You’re just jealous because that’s more exciting than—”
Jack had clapped a hand over his mouth. “If you don’t shut up and behave yourself, I’m gonna stuff one of my socks in your mouth and gag you with my tie and you can say your vows through a smelly sock. Understand?”
Switch nodded and Jack took his hand away. Switch promptly said, “Speaking of socks, mine match tonight for a change.”
Will put a hand to his forehead and laughed along with the rest of the men up at the altar.
When Sammi came into the sanctuary, she nodded at Pastor John, who in turn gave Mitch and Seth the signal to go downstairs to collect the brides.
Mitch found Rachel and said, “Let me look at you. You’re beautiful, honey. Will’s a lucky man. This is a hard day for me in a way. I’m giving you away, and I haven’t had you all that long.”
She smiled up at him. “I’ll still be your little girl, the same as I would be if my biological father were here. You’re not losing me.”
“You promise?” Mitch asked as he hugged her.
“I promise, Pa,” Rachel said.
Mitch hugged her tighter. “You’ve never called me that before.”
“I should have. After all, you’ve been my father a long time now,” Rachel said.
“Thank you, honey,” Mitch said. “Are you ready?”
“I am,” Rachel said happily.
Seth was having much the same conversation with Hope.
“I’ll never be able to thank you enough for doing this for me,” Hope said to him.
“You’re the one doin’ me a favor. This is good practice for when Kayla gets married. Maybe I won’t be such a wreck if I have a little practice,” Seth said.
Hope said, “Do you really believe that?” as she grinned.
“Not for one second,” Seth said. “Your parents should be proud of you. I am. You’re a special girl to be marrying Switch, and I don’t mean anything bad about the boy. It’s not everyone who would have been able to help him the way you have.”
“He helps me as much as I help him, Seth,” Hope said.
“I know it. He’s a good man and he’ll be a good husband to you,” Seth said.
Mitch walked over to them. “It’s time, folks. We want to be on time.”
“Yes, sheriff,” Seth said with a grin.
*****
When both brides walked down the aisle, each of their respective groom’s attention became riveted on the woman they were marrying. Will was entranced by the loving light in Rachel’s eyes. Never had he seen anyone so beautiful and pride that she was his swept through him. She smiled brightly at him the whole time she walked to meet him and he returned that smile full force.
Rachel could hardly believe that she was getting married to the man of her dreams on such a magical night. All of the thought and work he had put into creating such a special wedding told her how deeply he loved her and assured her that he would put the same amount of effort into creating a beautiful life with her.
When Pastor John asked, “Who gives this woman to be married?” Mitch was proud to say, “Her mother and I do.”
Mitch gave Rachel’s hand to Will, along with a hard stare that warned him to treat her well. Will nodded to him and Mitch smiled back. He kissed Rachel and went to sit down.
Switch suddenly had an attack of nerves as he watched Hope come down the aisle on Seth’s arm. Her luminous blue eyes reflected her happiness and he vowed to never do anything that would dampen it. Those watching Switch had never seen him so serious.
Upon reaching the altar, Hope’s sweet smile dispelled Switch’s fears and he smiled back at her. When he took Hope’s hands, Seth leaned over and whispered, “Do right by her, son, or I’ll put my foot up your rear end.”
Switch’s eyes opened wide and he nodded at Seth. Seth clapped him on the shoulder and joined Maddie.
Pastor John, ever the expert at conducting social events, officiated the unusual wedding with aplomb. Will and Rachel said their vows to each other as if no one else existed, their gazes locked. Rachel felt as if she were floating as she and Will exchanged rings.
Switch kept from commenting on all the things that came to mind as he recited his vows to Hope. He wanted to make this the perfect wedding for her, and concentrating on her happiness helped him do that.
Hope couldn’t stop giggling here and there because she could see when Switch wanted to say something about various parts of the vows. That he exercised such control made her proud of him, and she thought again how lucky she was to be marrying him. When she’d come home with Mike, she’d never envisioned that she would get married while in Dawson.
Pastor John walked each couple through their vows at a pace that brought them perfectly to midnight, at which point, he pronounced both couples husbands and wives.
“You may now kiss your brides,” he said with a grin.
Will and Switch smiled at each other and silently counted to three before kissing their brides at the same moment. When Will and Rachel kissed, they exchanged an unspoken promise to place their hearts and their trust in each other’s hand and that both would be well taken care of.
For Hope and Switch, it was a symbol of a blossoming love that would grow and flourish as they sought a future in which they would support and encourage each other every day.
When the couples were presented to the congregation, the noise inside the church was such that it threatened to raise the roof. Once the wedding pictures were taken, they were driven to the community center in Joe’s sleigh, which was decked out with jingle bells. King and Rook, Joe’s matched pair of Standardbreds, also wore bells and their music added to the fairytale-like quality of the night.
The reception held a dreamlike quality all its own as everyone celebrated New Year’s in such a unique way with the happy newly married people. The two best men each delivered memorable speeches. Tucker’s was a touching testimonial to Will and Rachel, one that brought tears to many eyes. Will’s was a rambling, hysterical narrative told in perfect Switch-style.
By the time three o’clock in the morning rolled around, both couples decided to take their leave. They were given a noisy sendoff, while Joe drove them to their respective destinations. Rachel and Will were spending the night in their home. They wouldn’t open the store for a few days, but Hawk had agreed to keep working on their existing orders.
Rachel looked lovingly into Will’s eyes as he carried her across the threshold of the house that now belonged to them both. He carried her right upstairs and sat her on her feet.
“Do you know how happy you make me?” he asked her.
“I might have some idea,” Rachel teased him.
“There won’t ever be enough time to tell you how much I love you,” he said as he cupped her face. “You won’t ever have to doubt it.”
Rachel nodded. “I know. I trust you and I love you, husband.”
Will grinned. “Boy, do I love the sound of that, wife.”
She laughed. “Me, too. I want to have a baby right away.”
“Well, you got right to the point, huh?” Will said as he began taking off his tie. “I don’t mind, though.”
Rachel felt the air in the room change as he undid his cufflinks and put them on the dresser. She watched him unbutton his shirt and remove it. Her hunger for him grew within her.
“Turn around,” he said.
She did and he helped her out of her dress. As it slid to the floor, he said, “You must be the most beautiful bride who has ever walked down that aisle.”
His work roughened hands traveled up her arms to rest on her shoulders. He moved her rich, brown hair aside to kiss her nec
k and she shivered. The magic of the night continued as they bared themselves to one another, surrendering their hearts and souls into the other’s care. That night, they started building upon the foundation of their relationship and as time passed, they would keep working toward fulfilling their dreams.
*****
“You have to unlock the door, sweetheart,” Switch said as he held Hope in his arms outside of their suite.
“Where’s the key?” she asked.
“In my pocket,” he said.
She gave him a disbelieving look. “You want me to root around in your pants pocket for the key?”
He grinned at her. “If you wanna get in that room, you’ll have to because I’m not putting you down.”
She moved to get the key, but he stopped her. “I was just kidding. It’s in my tuxedo pocket.”
She smacked his chest and retrieved the key. Once the door was unlocked, Switch carried her into the room and swung her around in a circle while she laughed.
“Stop! You’ll make me dizzy,” she complained.
Switch sat her down and said, “Speaking of dizzy, you make me dizzy with your beauty.”
“That has to be the corniest thing I’ve ever heard,” she said.
“Speaking of heard, your voice is the sweetest I’ve ever heard.”
Hope giggled. “Knock it off.”
“Speaking of off, I’m going to take my clothes off. I’ve matched long enough, I think. At least in my birthday suit, I don’t have to worry about matching.”
“Shut up!” she said breathlessly.
“Speaking of shutting up, you need to shut up, too, so I can kiss you,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her.
Hope looked into his eyes and said, “Speaking of kissing,” before pressing her lips against his.
He quickly undid her dress and slowly ended the kiss. “Speaking of birthday suits, let’s see if yours matches mine.”
She laughed. “Ok. Let’s do that.”
When they stood naked, Switch said, “I definitely think yours is prettier than mine.”
Hope squealed as he picked her up again and fell onto the bed with her. “Speaking of making babies,” he said.
Hope looked at him. “I wasn’t speaking of making babies.”