SPRINGTIME PROMISES *published*

CHAPTER 22: NEW BEGINNINGS

April 29, 1921. A beautiful spring day in Kingston set the scene for Harry and Eva's wedding, a day marked by both joy and underlying tension. The ceremony took place in a small, charming Methodist church on 30 Colborne Street, its stone walls holding decades of local history as though they too bore witness to the couple's union. The sun filtered through the stained glass, casting colorful patterns on the pews where family and close friends gathered in quiet anticipation.

The scent of spring flowers filled the air as the congregation gathered to witness Harry and Eva's wedding. Minnie sat near the front, her hands folded tightly in her lap, her eyes trained on her son standing at the altar. As Eva entered the sanctuary on Norman's arm, a muffled sob escaped Minnie's lips. Her face remained stoic, but her eyes shimmered with tears, and it was impossible to tell whether they were from joy or sorrow.

Lillie and Allace, seated beside each other, exchanged brief glances, their own emotions caught between empathy for Mrs. Burton and their own bittersweet feelings about Eva's marriage. They had spent their lives looking after their younger sister, and now, in a blink, that chapter was closing. Allace, in particular, felt the old familiar ache—the feeling of being overlooked, like Leah in the Bible, overshadowed by the younger, more cherished sister. Her heart tugged with both longing and resignation, but even with these emotions swirling inside her, Allace found herself distracted by the tall, blonde man standing near the back of the church. The guest pastor, Pastor Lemon had called him—Dutch, with an accent that had caught her attention last Sunday when he preached. Standing beside him was a striking woman, juggling two babies who looked like they might be twins. The woman's long, flowing dark brown hair cascaded down her back, and her iridescent green eyes captured Allace's own as she cradled the children. The contrast between the couple was mesmerizing—the man with his fair features and the woman with her dark beauty.

Minnie sat near the front, her hands nervously folded in her lap. As she glanced around the intimate gathering, her heart felt heavy with a mix of emotions. This wasn't how she had envisioned her son's wedding. She had dreamt of the Presbyterian church, the place that had anchored her family's faith for generations, yet, here she was, seated in a different sanctuary, feeling like a stranger in a place meant to welcome her on one of the most important days in her son's life.

Allace and Lillie, seated together, exchanged a glance that conveyed their shared empathy for Minnie. They, too, felt the weight of the day, not only because of the tension that had surrounded the last-minute decision to marry in the Methodist church but also because of their personal feelings of being in the shadow of their younger sister.

Despite the lingering tension, the small gathering exuded warmth. The scent of fresh blossoms filled the church and the soft sounds of the organ began to play as Eva entered on Norman's arm. Eva's veil shimmered in the sunlight as she walked slowly down the aisle, her face barely visible through the delicate lace. Norman, ever the protective older brother, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before they reached the altar where Harry stood waiting.

Harry had spent the past few days navigating his own doubts about the future, confiding in his sister Edith about the mounting pressures of marriage and work, yet, standing there with Eva, everything seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them at the center of the moment. For better or worse, they were about to embark on a life together.

As the pastor began the ceremony, Minnie's eyes filled with tears. Her gaze shifted between Harry and Eva, her emotions a whirlpool of pride, sorrow, and fear. She wiped her cheeks discreetly, but her heart clenched at the thought of what was being lost and what could have been.

Lillie, sensing Mrs. Burton's distress, felt a pang of guilt. Eva had always been the baby - the one everyone doted on, but as she glanced across the aisle, her attention was pulled once again to the back of the church, where the guest pastor, Ulrick, stood with his wife and their two babies. The sight of the young family made Lillie's heart ache with a longing she couldn't quite define.