She nodded, knowing Ms. Hill was right and looked up the aisle to see Alex waiting for her. Mary felt the air punch from her lungs at the sight. Alex’s golden hair was combed neatly, and she was wearing a fine suit made of tawny material. Mary was sure the suit would perfectly set off the woman’s warm eyes and she smiled, taking her first step towards her soon-to-be wife.
On shaky legs Mary made her way up the aisle and to Alex who was looking at her as if she were the most important person in the world. Mary had not had such a tender expression aimed her way since her father’s passing and she hurried towards it without even a hint of the grace and poise she should have displayed after years of finishing school.
Airs and refinement had no place here. Not when her heart was beating wildly in her chest, not when Mary felt she could scarcely breathe without fainting. She had to be at Alex’s side. She must, and so she arrived with a breathy laugh and sweaty palms beside the blonde.
“You look beautiful,” Alex whispered, leaning close to Mary.
“You look dashing,” Mary offered in reply. Alex said nothing but the glow of pleasure across her features was unmistakable and Mary smiled knowing she had put it there. She would do her best to keep it so.
“Hello, you two.” The man in front of them smiled kindly. “I am Pastor Bruce, but you know that already, hmm?” Mary nodded, recognizing the man from her Sundays in church. He was a warm man who spoke frankly, and she quite enjoyed his sermons, far more than she had any in quite some time. It cheered her to have such a man conducting her wedding ceremony.
He cleared his throat and raised his bible in front of him, eyes shifting to the crowd. “I am happy you all made it out to our Alex’s wedding. Now, take a seat and mind your manners and we’ll get these two ladies hitched.”
A yell of excitement sounded from the pews and Pastor Bruce raised an eyebrow, eyes on the pages in front of him. “I said mind your manners and that means hollerin’, William Ansel.”
A round of chuckles went through the church and Mary laughed along with them. It felt good to be a part of something so light-hearted and shared. Like a good cup of tea with friends. Mary calmed beside her wife-to-be as the Pastor began their ceremony.
The ceremony was short, sweet, and to the point. Mary was thankful at that, especially knowing her mother was nearby, and in no time at all it was time to exchange their rings and ‘I do’s.’
Mary uttered hers in a rush. Alex in a measured voice.
The rings were slipped on fingers and then Mary thought she would swoon as Alex drew her close and tilted her head back. The first brush of lips was gentle and seeking, chaste as anything. But Mary nearly did swoon when Alex deepened the kiss, pulling her tight to her. The kiss was short and ended after a moment but...but...
There was a spark of passion in her touch. Something needy and hungry that left Mary gasping as they parted. Mary blinked up at her new wife and swallowed hard.
“That was some kiss,” she whispered, as she swayed on her feet.
Alex leaned in, a gentle puff of breath tickling Mary’s cheeks when the other woman chuckled, and she dropped another to her lips. “Yes, yes, it was, Minnie.”
Mary scarcely had time to collect her thoughts before Pastor Bruce was stepping forward and raising their joined hands high in the air. “Let’s welcome Missus and Missus Pierce!”
The cheers were deafening but no more so than the staccato beat of Mary’s heart.
Chapter 9
Mary sipped at her punch and glanced around the town square. The space was alive and bright with energy. If she had thought she had seen the town square at its finest for the town fair, she had been mistaken. That event had been a truly memorable night yet paled in comparison to the joyous occasion unfolding in front of her.
And it was all for her wedding.
Or rather Alex’s wedding.
She was under no illusion the happy reception was done on her account. Yes, she had married Alex and was involved by proxy, but this was done by the town for Alex. They knew Alex, loved her, wished her to be happy and content. Mary felt her chest tighten as her eyes lighted on her new wife. The other woman cut a fine form in her suit, the setting sun casting a halo of warmth around her handsome face as she laughed, head tossed back, eyes closed, full lips parted.
She dropped her eyes and took another quick swallow. It would not do to stare at her new wife like a besotted girl. Alex had married her out of kindness, the day unfolding into one of unexpected freedom---pinning lustful and longing desires on Alex was unfair. She wished for her own bit of happiness but would not force it on Alex to uphold.
Mary blew out a breath, her hand going to rest on her stomach. She would find her own happiness in their arrangement. To want more was greedy of her, especially when her life was new and her own. She was free to create a happy home for her baby and herself, even if the road to such a life lay unformed in front of her.
“Mary?”
Her reverie was broken by a familiar voice she couldn't quite place, but she knew it was not her mother and for that she turned towards the voice with a smile.
“Yes--oh, Violet!” Mary nearly dropped her glass of punch in her rush to close the space between them. She came to an ungraceful stop in front of the dark-haired woman and cleared her throat. “I, well, hello! How are you?”
Violet gave her a tentative smile. “I’m well. I’m happy to see you again...I never was able to thank you for what you did for me.”
Mary’s mouth dropped open. “What? No, I never--”
Violet held out a hand silencing her. “You did do something for us. Please do not say you didn’t. If you hadn’t intervened that day I saw you and Julian picnicking, well, I--” she paused and dropped her eyes with a little shake of her head, “I never would have considered him, or my feelings, if you had not, ah, put things in such a blunt manner.”
