Epilogue
T he wedding was a simple affair.
Well, simple was one word. Peculiar. Eccentric. Downright strange. Those were other words, perhaps more aptly applied to this specific ceremony. There would have been more words had the couple invited the expected crowd. But they did not.
Thanks to the special license permitting them to marry in whichever location they selected, the ceremony took place in the gymnasium. The Practice Hall. Flowers abounded. Boudicca had chosen the flowers gladiolus and nasturtium to signify victory, and hyacinth to signify sports and games. Red roses were placed to represent love, and of course there were also pink peonies which happen to mean happy life.
When the couple walked down the piste, Boudicca was on her father’s arm. Humphrey had kept his handkerchief accessible, as he found himself wiping his eyes on several occasions. The first of which was when Boudicca whispered in his ear that she had reached for her destiny and found it to be more than she could ever have dreamed. He had kissed her cheek saying she looked stunning and wouldn’t her mother be proud.
Boudicca was in all white with lace trim, wearing her mother’s dress that had been altered slightly to fit her.
Points went to Boudicca for not wearing her gear for the ceremony, though she managed to hold her rapier along with her bouquet. In fact, it was the gift she presented to Wesley when she reached the end of the aisle-slash-piste. The offering had caused a few chuckles to emerge from the guests. But Wesley received it with pride and honor. And a large smile.
She meant it to convey her commitment to him. That what was hers was also his now. That they would fight together. Practice together. Win and lose together. They were a team. If one of them lost, they both lost. If one of them won, they both won.
And somewhere in the ceremony, the vicar allowed them to make such promises to each other. Boudicca had been misty eyed when she voiced them, and she was fairly sure she saw a sheen in Wesley’s eyes as well.
The three sisters were exchanging dark-trimmed handkerchiefs to wipe tears from their eyes while Wesley’s three grooms were discreetly (not so discreetly) exchanging billfolds and coins to line their pockets. It was not unexpected behavior.
The gathering was small though; only family and a few friends were invited. The size and space allowed for the intimacy Boudicca craved. This event didn’t need to be a show. She had already had that. This event needed to be about the people closest to her. And it need only be a space filled with love, not whispering or gossip.
The pronouncement of husband and wife caused a sigh to release from her. She had a husband now. A man she could trust. Finally. Yes, he had had his ulterior motives. Perhaps it was too much to ask for perfection. To ask for an angel. A man with no stains. But those stains, his failures, his weaknesses made him human. And she had fallen for him. Motives and all. And he loved her, secrets and all.
It was too easy to forgive him once she knew that he loved her. He was a man of honor and integrity and was willing to make amends for his mistakes. That’s all she could ask for in a man and a partner for life. Love. A love that was willing to fight. A love that would triumph.
After the ceremony, the guests were milling around waiting to be fed. It was the perfect moment to steal Wesley away. They wouldn’t be missed. No one would notice. Well, everyone would notice. But no one would care.
“There’s just one thing I want to do first as a married couple.”
“What’s that?”
“You’ll see.”