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And less than a month after she’d met Abe Devereux, Naomi took the walk to become his wife.
The walk through the hospital was happy one, with smiles and encouragement every step of the way as doctors, patients and relatives alike first stood back to let them pass, and then followed the entourage to steal a peek of this most unexpected wedding.
The music came from a speaker, but was beautiful to all ears as Naomi walked into Jobe’s room and saw Abe, standing by his father’s bed, smilingforher, encouraging her, as he always would.
He wore a charcoal-grey suit, as did Ethan.
Two brothers, who had both known privilege and hell, smiled when the bride arrived, but when he saw she was struggling Abe came over and held out his hand for her to take so he could walk his bride down their makeshift aisle.
It was then Naomi started to cry because, twenty-five years later than most, Naomi found herself loved.
And, thirty-four years later than most, Abelethimself be loved.
They kissed before the service.
This backward love they’d found, which was both instant and savoured and would be confirmed at a time of their choosing.
When her nerves had calmed somewhat, he released her from his embrace and walked her to the bedside, and Naomi found another hand waiting to hold hers.
Jobe.
He was in bed but wearing a silk dressing gown, and pinned to it was a lilac rose. He looked so happy and proud and gave her hand a squeeze.
‘You look wonderful,’ he told her.
‘Thank you,’ Naomi said, and squeezed his frail hand back.
‘Today,’ the officiant said, ‘we celebrate the union of Abe and Naomi...’ And then she smiled. ‘I have to ask if anyone has an objection.’
There were none.
‘Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?’
‘I do,’ Jobe said in a strong, clear voice that told how much this day meant to him. He gave one more squeeze of her hand, and then let her go to his son and closed his eyes and savoured their vows.
‘I will love and protect you,’ Abe said, and he meant it with every beat of his heart.
He pushed the ring onto her finger and there could be nothing more valuable to Naomi than that simple band of gold, for she belonged to another at last and in the nicest of ways.
‘You may now kiss your bride.’
He cupped her cheeks with his palms and he looked deep into her eyes, and he would not be rushed, for they had waited for this moment, neither having really expected it to arrive.
Bergamot, wood sage, juniper...and another scent she could not decipher yet it would always and for ever be his.
He kissed her lips and it was hard andjustthorough enough that she could feel its hum on her lips as she sipped champagne.
And they did not dance and make a fuss because today Jobe was tired, and that was okay, he had given enough...
Naomi to Abe.
‘Welcome to the family,’ he said as she kissed him goodbye.
And as the stand-in father of the bride he had words for Abe. ‘Take care of her.’
‘Always.’
* * *
