Chapter 30 #4
As to what Nessa was getting ready for? And why this day was so important? It was her wedding day, which was why, and in Nessa’s mind, it was long overdue.
“There you are!” Morag waited for Nessa in her room. “I was about to come looking for you!”
“I was with my mother,” Nessa said.
“I am pleased to see that she is here, and that you have made up, but now is not the time!” Morag was frantic. “We need to get you ready, Nessa. And quickly!”
Nessa spent the next several hours getting ready for the ceremony. As she did, she had reflected much on the past three weeks and what had led her to this moment.
When Alaric asked her to stay, Nessa had not allowed her imagination to run away so that she wondered if they might one day wed. At the time, she was simply happy that he was giving her a second chance, and that finally they might have an opportunity to prove what they both already knew …
It took one week exactly before Alaric proposed.
When he did, Nessa was not at all surprised.
It had been a most perfect week until that moment, and every minute spent with Alaric further proved that her feelings for him from the beginning were justified and real.
She loved him with all her heart; he loved her, and together, the world just seemed a brighter place.
Forever, I searched for a place that I belonged, never realizing that it was the person who would make the difference. Not a location, not a place, but a soul that completes me …
But it was not all so simple, and there was much chaos left in the wake of all that had happened.
Lady Verity was sent to an asylum where she would likely spend the rest of her days.
And Crispin, although forgiven by Alaric, elected not to stay behind.
He claimed there were too many sad memories here, and he wished to start afresh where he might find his own peace.
And always, the memory of Aisling hung in the air, forever a reminder of her role in Nessa and Alaric’s life, and how she had brought them together.
Nessa did not mind this fact, however. She wanted Aisling’s memory to remain, as she wanted to do right by her late sister because she felt she owed her that.
“There!” Morag announced once Nessa’s gown was finished and she was ready. “Perfect – oh, you look beautiful, Nessa.” She sniffed and wiped her nose. “I still cannot believe it.”
“I can,” Nessa said as she looked at her gown; it was multicolored, designed specifically to look like wildflowers blooming in spring. “Not so long ago, perhaps I would have felt differently. But after these last few weeks, this feels right, Morag. It feels like fate.”
Morag left her then and hurried through the castle toward the chapel where Lady Honora’s funeral had been held so many months ago. She did so to check that the ceremony was ready to begin, and to alert Alaric and the others that Nessa was ready.
Once Morag returned, she took Nessa by the hand and led her through the castle and into the chapel. It was early evening; the red sun set gently on the horizon, clear skies stretched as far as the eye could see, and never had Nessa seen such a perfect day as this.
The storm had cleared, and it would be nothing but beautiful weather from here on out.
When Nessa entered the chapel, she did not waste time taking in the decorated setting; it was styled with an eye toward the theme of spring, colorful flowers about, their scent aromatic and intoxicating.
Nor did she look at the crowd, double-checking who was there, seeing their smiles and their tears of joy. Even the music, a gentle orchestra humming across the small space, hardly caught her attention.
Nessa had eyes only for the man who awaited her at the altar.
When she walked through the doors, his smile was one that split his face into two halves.
He stood taller. He seemed to float; such was the happiness and love that grew from him.
In those dark eyes, Nessa saw the truth that she knew in her heart and felt in her soul: that he loved her, and so long as they were together, their lives would be complete.
She started down the aisle, not once looking away from Alaric. She walked with poise and confidence. She walked as if she belonged. This was her home now, this was her world, and nobody deserved it more.
For so long, Nessa had searched for her place, and to have finally found it was a feeling she could not describe, nor did she waste time trying.
It was simply right; the hole in her heart filled to completion, and Nessa planned to covet every moment from this one onwards, to appreciate every breath, and to live fully in every waking hour.
Finally, after so many years, Nessa was home.
THE END