Love Me Tender

Chapter 22

Today was the day, she was getting married to her one true love. Emma glanced over at her fancy wedding dress, she was going to be beautiful. Rachel was putting her hair up in a cascade of ringlets, with tiny white flowers added for effect. She was nervous but happy in the same moment, she was to be the happiest bride alive today.

Rebecca was dressing a toddling Carrie, which it wasn't the easiest job. Carrie wasn't that steady on her feet yet, but she tried. Grace was guarding the door so that the groom couldn't enter before he was suppose too. Besides it was a job that she could get off her feet for.

Grayson was getting ready with the guys and they were heading to the church. Rebecca walked up to Emma," I am so happy that you are here, for so long I worried about you. I know that life hasn't been fair to you. Please know that if we knew what was happening or going to happen, you would have came with us."

Emma teared up," I know you had no idea, but that is finally laid to rest in the past where it belongs. You have rescued me from a fate that I couldn't see my way out. I am proud to call all of you, my family. I will not think of them not a second of the day, ya'll are my family."

Grace listened in and was confused about what they were talking about. Since she wasn't there for their conversation yesterday. " I can't believe you wouldn't think of your parents as family. Even after they gave to you when you were a young child. All those fancy dresses, and that room."

Emma smiled" I need to tell you exactly what was actually going on there. That was just a ruse, that room was not mine. Those dresses that you thought came from France? My mammy made those for me, in fact I was told that I was worse than a slave. Oh yeah, my mother for punishment for looking at her a second to long was to be shoved across a room. There was one time to prove a threat she had me locked in the cellar for three days. There was no food or water, and don't get me started on the rats." 

Grace stared in horror," But your mother always seemed so nice when I was there. It's to hard to believe she would do that to her own flesh and blood."

Emma nodded," I know, it is hard to fathom that she would do something so opposite of what she did when we had company. In fact she would tell me every time she had to lay eyes on me " I wish I would have killed you when I had a chance to."

Rebecca shook her head," Stop Grace, this is suppose to be a happy day. Not one of old memories, let it go Emma. She is not ruling your life anymore, besides we have saved you from your ill fate."

Grace was horror stricken and Emma smiled" Yes ya'll did and I am so grateful to you, that I plan on repaying you for everything you have done for me."

Rebecca smiled at Carrie, then looked at Emma," you already have by bringing this precious baby into our lives and of course making Peter very happy."

Rachel smiled" I am going to ask that the bride needs to finish getting ready. so no more of this sad talk in here. I am going to start to cry if you continue, and Grace I will fill you in when we get back."

As the preparations for the wedding to go smoothly continued, that Rebecca and Grace went to make sure that the guys had already left. Rachel smiled at her new sister," I am so happy for you and Peter, he deserves to be happy. The way that Mary was, she would have made him miserable. She would have made us all miserable." 

They both started to laugh, Emma giggled" I can see that, especially when something doesn't go her way. She gets her foot a stomping and I have never seen anyone turn that shade of red before."

As they slipped her dress on, Rachel buttoned it up. They continued to laugh at Mary's antics, well how funny she looked when she threw a tantrum. When Rebecca returned to get them, she sucked in her breath when she saw Emma. " My darling girl, you are so beautiful and my son is a lucky man."

Rachel picked up the back of the dress and they climbed into the wagon. Today was a beautiful sunny day, the perfect day to be getting married on. They weren't going to be having many warm days like this soon. Fall was just right around the corner and soon the men would be harvesting the fields.

Emma smiled at the sight of the church, inside was the love of her life. She was going to be his wife, he was going to be her companion. They were going to grow old, and have many grandchildren  around their feet. Her dreams were finally coming true, she was so loved. 

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Peter patiently waited beside his brothers, he was waiting for the woman of his dreams. The church was completely full of everyone in town. There was only standing room only, and he was happy that Mary wasn't here to ruin everything.

The organist started to play, he felt the butterflies start fluttering in the pit of his stomach. His mother came down the isle carrying Carrie and Grayson was walking beside them. Followed by Grace and then Rachel. The music changed and then there was his bride in all of her glory. His father had agreed to give her away, which he knew meant the world to Emma.

As Emma floated down the isle towards him, he had never seen her look so beautiful. She was his life, he couldn't even think of what he would have done if she said no. He couldn't live without her, and Carrie who was now calling him Daddy.

As she stood next to him, he turned with her towards the preacher. They were getting married and going to live happily ever after. No one was going to ruin anything, he wanted to be with this one woman for the rest of her life. 

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The church bells rang as they excited the church. They were now man and wife, now they were to live in peace and happiness. He lifted her up onto the back of the wagon, and then he hauled his lithe frame next to hers. 

He pulled her tight against him, he was not going to let her go. She was his and he was hers, they were a family. Now they were off to the farm for refreshments and dancing. Then they would have supper and dance some more then it was off for the night.

They reached the farm and found that most everyone had already gotten there. They had taken the long way home, so that it would give them a chance to be alone. Well except for the fact that Adam was driving the wagon and Rachel was next to him.

Everyone clapped as they arrived, when the wagon stopped Peter jumped down and swung Emma down. She let out a giggle as he swung her with ease, she kissed him the cheek. He of course wouldn't  accept that, he kissed her full on the mouth in front of the crowd. 

Of course this made Emma blush from head to toe, but she didn't mind. The men in the crowd of course whistled and there was even a catcall whistle in there. They made their way through the crowd and went to the table for the bride and Groom. 

"Let the Festivities begin!" Shouted Nick.

From somewhere someone produced a fiddle, and started to play a song.   Peter pulled Emma out in the middle of the yard and began to dance with her. Emma was so in love with him, she loved to be in his arms. 

Peter grinned" I love you Mrs. Richardson, I will never let you go."

Emma laughed" I love you Mr. Richardson, and you won't ever have too."

They kissed to seal their pledge and danced as if no one was watching them. They were in love and no one was going to ruin this moment for them. They had their whole life ahead of them, and wouldn't take anything for granted. Here's to life and the next part of it!