Winnie stood alone in the hotel room, staring at her reflection. She looked back on those many, many nights that Mae had begged her to stay up, and plan with her. She and Mae, and even Jesse sometimes, had made sure things would go smoothly, without any hassle. They had packed and repacked, checking for any loose ends. They had traveled to all the towns they could, seeing which would best suit their needs. After they had checked and rechecked everything, tied all of the loose ends, choosing the actual day of the ceremony finally seemed inevitable. Mae wanted to wait, telling Winnie and Jesse that a summer wedding was not what they wanted. They wanted a simple winter wedding, or even spring. But Jesse told her flat out, that she could not keep them any longer than they wanted to stay. Mae had broke down into tears at that point, saying her little babies were growing up, even though each had been fully grown for many, many years now.

And finally it was decided, a cool mid-August's night wedding held at a chapel twenty or so miles west of Treegap. And in that unfamiliar town is where Winnie stood now, getting herself ready for her wedding. She slipped on her gown, a simple, sleek, sleeveless masterpiece made by Mae's particular hands. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant twist at the back of her head, with white baby's breath woven in.

And now, she was watching her reflection again. She brushed her fingertips down her face; a face that should be old, and wrinkled, but was still smooth as porcelain. She ran her hands down her waist, which had stayed the same since she was seventeen. Memories wove their way through Winnie's thoughts as she looked back on her life so far. She was awoken from her reverie when there was a knock at the door. Before she could even answer, Mae was bustling in, frenzied.

She was rambling on and on about some little mishap, when she stopped, staring at Winnie. "You are beautiful, dear," Mae said, beaming.

Winnie smiled at her. "Thank you," she said softly.

Mae, of all people, knew when something was wrong, and immediately after Winnie had spoken, she rushed forward. She grabbed both her arms as though afraid Winnie might fall over, "Winnie, honey, what's wrong?"

"Oh, Mae," Winnie said quietly. "Nothing. Everything is perfect. Thank you."

Mae watched her closely. "Winnie... If you're-- if you're having second thoughts..."

"No," Winnie said, quickly. "No, no, it's not that. It's not that at all." Mae looked greatly relieved. "It's just," Winnie said, "I miss them so much."

Mae understood right away. "Oh, honey," she said, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I know for dead certain that your Ma and Pa are watching over you right now, darling. They're here, in your heart," Mae said. "And they are glowing with joy right now, watching their little girl grow up. You know that, right?"

Winnie nodded, "I know," she said, hugging Mae tightly, "I know."

Mae pulled away and searched through the bag she had brought in with her. "Here, I'd like you to wear this," she said, handing her a small, velvet box. Winnie took it delicately in her hands, and lifted the lid. She gasped as pearl by pearl, she pulled out a dazzlingly white neckace. "It was my grandmother's and I wore it on my wedding day, many, many years ago."

"Mae..." Winnie said slowly. "It's beautiful."

Mae nodded, taking the necklace carefully and looping it around Winnie's head, clasping it at the back of her neck. "Thank you," Winnie said, slightly breathless. "Thank you."

"Now I'd better get you out there, or Jesse will start to worry," Mae smiled, placing her arm around Winnie's waist, leading her out the door. Winnie, walked along beside her, bouquet in hand, brimming with happiness as Mae led her to the wedding chapel. To Jesse. To a new beginning.

Thee End.
aah, it feels good to finally finish a fanfiction.
please let me know what you thought.
constructive critisism is always welcome.
thanks for reading!
-S.L. Gunn