"I hope you don't mind dear, I took the liberty of setting up an appointment at a boutique, to look at dresses. Even though you and Thomas want a small ceremony, I couldn't resist." The old woman took a sip of her water and Jude looked at her in awe.

"Anna, you really didn't have to do that."

"Oh I know, but I wanted too. I figured since we were out anyways, I could get you to go and try on a few dresses. It shouldn't take that long." She reached out and patted the younger girl's hand that rested against the wrought iron table they were sitting at.

It had been a relatively lengthy day of getting flowers ordered and taking to the priest who was going to marry the two. They had stopped at a small café for lunch before heading back to the apartment to pack to go back to the estate.

Anna glanced at her watch, "Oh dear, we should get moving, I'd hate to miss our appointment." Jude put enough money to cover the bill and tip on the table before the pair headed out. They strolled along the side walk with Anna leading the way to the boutique she had found and called for their appointment.

Mannequins could be seen in the display window of the small boutique. They were draped in elegant layers of silks and detailed lace overlays, an occasional splash of color would be tied around the tiny waist in the form of wide ribbons.

The two stepped inside and the perfumed air enveloped them; a light smell of roses floated through the air and Jude looked around at the beautiful gowns in awe. She had no intentions of anything other than a simple white dress but everywhere she turned was another stunning creation.

"Oh Anna! It's been so long!" A woman around the age of Anna appeared before them and the two older women embraced before Jude was acknowledged. "Oh and this must be the bride." She smiled brightly at Jude before pulling her into a hug.

"Yes, yes, this is my grandson's fiancé. Claudia, this is Jude. Jude, Claudia."

The woman's eyes widened, "Thomas, little Thomas is getting married?" Anna nodded proudly and Jude couldn't help but to smirk as the women chattered on about Tommy. They continued to talk animatedly with each other and Jude politely excused herself to look at the dresses set out.

Jude reached out and carefully touched the fabric of the dress before her, it seemed to be made of a ethereal fabric as it glided under her fingertips. The tea length dress was a simple strapless dress adorned only with a gold velvet ribbon around the waist. She continued to walk along the wall of the boutique and stopped at another dress. She smiled as she looked back, seeing the two older women catch up with one another.

The next dress was a sleek floor length gown pieced together from a silverish white silk, the simple lines of the dress decorated only with a cowl neck that dipped down from the modest straps of the dress.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Jude turned quickly, startled at the voice of Claudia.

"They all are. I can't imagine picking one, much less wearing it."

"Well dear, I have a few already in a fitting room if you'd like to go back. We can start from there." Jude nodded appreciatively. The three women went into the back of the boutique which was plushly decorated in rich creams in pinks. Ornate furniture sat off to the side of the room and in front of a large tri-fold mirror was a platform. As Jude was ushered into the room she began to try on the dresses with the help of Claudia.

An hour later they still hadn't found anything that spoke to Jude. They were all beautiful but something wasn't right about each one. Getting slightly apprehensive at the dwindling stack of dresses, they were down to three more. Dejectedly going back into the room yet again, she slid the rich fabric off of her body and carefully put on another dress. Claudia fastened the back of the dress and nodded approvingly.

Jude carefully picked up the hem before walking out of the fitting room and Anna gasped when she saw her. "Oh Jude, you look beautiful." She smiled shyly as she made her way over to the platform, stepping up on it and letting down the hem of the dress. It kissed her bare free and hugged her curves perfectly.

"I think you finally found it dear." Claudia smiled behind her, her eyes meeting Jude's in the mirror.

"Yeah. I think I did."

"Jude, you're going to be late." Mason flopped down on the large bed in the center of the room as Sadie helped her put the finishing touches on her hair and make up.

"I can't be late to my own wedding, considering half of the witnesses are here with me."

"Tommy's probably wondering if you changed your mind on him." Mason laughed.

"So not funny! Not after everything that happened." Mason quickly stopped his laughter and looked like a sad puppy that had been scolded. "Oh don't give me that look, I'm just glad that we're finally doing this."

"Hold still Jude, or else I'm never going to finish your hair and you'll never get down there." Jude rolled her eyes and looked straight forward in the mirror. She hardly recognized herself as her eyes scanned over her face. Her make up was flawless and light, giving off the impression of a perfect porcelain complexion.

Sadie fixed her hair in lose curls pinned a top her head and they naturally cascaded down around her face framing it perfectly. As Sadie carefully placed the last bobby pin, she smiled at her sister through the reflection of the mirror, "I think that's it, sis." She gently squeezed Jude's shoulders and smiled at her, blinking away tears.

"Oh Sades, don't cry."

"My little sister is getting married, I'm going to cry, alright?" She laughed lightly trying to keep her composure.

"If you start, I'll start, and then Mason will and I'll be a mess before I even see Tommy." She sniffled and felt the tears pricking at her eyes.

"Oh no, no!" Mason sprang up from the bed and pulled out a small packet of Kleenex, handing one to Jude and giving the rest of the packet to Sadie. "Dab and don't ruin your makeup." He instructed and she laughed at her best friend.

"Let's get you two downstairs before you're both a blubbering mess."

Mason grabbed his hat from the bed, placing it atop his head and offered an arm to each sister which they took giggling at his behavior. With Jude's bouquet in Sadie's hand, the three of them walked from Jude's room down to the kitchen and out the door that lead out to the winding paths of the garden. Jude lifted the delicate hem of her dress as they walked along the blossoming foliage and she squeezed Mason's arm as she heard the faint melody of the trio of violins float up and drift through the air.

The reached the last turn before Mason and Sadie would leave Jude so she could appear on her own. "Are you sure you don't want me to walk with you?" Mason asked her one last time, making sure she hadn't changed her mind.

She took a deep breath in, before shaking her head no. "I'll be okay Mase, thanks though." She gave him a hug, trying to leave all of her nerves with him in that embrace. He pulled away first and held her at arms length.

"You look beautiful, Jude. Tommy's not going to know what to do with himself when he sees you." She smiled at him blinking back tears of joy. Turning to her sister, she tilted her head to the side and studied Sadie who was on the brink of tears herself. She handed Jude the bouquet of red tulips before whispering out, "Love you, sis." Jude just nodded afraid that words would fail her at the moment.

Mason grabbed Sadie's hand and led her to the center of the garden where everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Jude. Mason and Sadie must have gotten themselves situated because the trio paused for a few seconds and the silence was deafening.

Jude felt the butterflies rise up in her stomach again and her pulse quicken as she waited for next song to begin. As she heard the opening line from the lead violin she closed her eyes tightly and took one last calming breath before she began her walk.

He stood there fighting the urge not to fidget, but was desperately failing as he rocked back on his heels waiting to see Jude for the first time. His hands were folded together in front of him, and he wrung them nervously as he waited for Jude to appear.

The music was swelling in a crescendo when he caught his first glimpse of her and his breath hitched at the sight. She wore a floor length gown that barely skimmed along the floor. A delicate lace overlay draped over the body of the dress and fanned out from her hips, floating around her with each step as she continued to close the distance between them. A modest v-neck exposed the canvas of her flawless skin. Her hair was swept back in curls and the shy smile on her lips made her look like the most beautiful creature to ever walk the earth.

He smiled at the sight of her and mouthed 'I love you' as she neared closer and closer. Reaching the end of the pathway, they stood before each other, all the nerves and butterflies suddenly gone as the music faded away into a comfortable quiet. A light breeze rustled through the rose bushes and birds could be heard chirping away in the distance.

Facing the officiate, he opened the worn leather bound book before him and started the ceremony with the traditional, "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sign of God – and in the face of this company – to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.

"Thomas and Jude have prepared their own vows that they would like to share at this time."

Neither had discussed personalized vows with each other, yet they had both done it. Sadie jumped up from the stone bench she shared with Mason and took Jude's bouquet from her. Tommy reached out for Jude's hands, encompassing them in his own. Jude bit her lip in anticipation as she waiting for Tommy to begin,

"From this day forward, I choose you, Jude, to be the one I spend the rest of my life with. I want to live and laugh with you, stand by your side, fall asleep with you in my arms, be the joy to your heart, and to be the best man I can be for you. I promise to laugh with you in good times, to struggle with you in bad, to wipe your tears with my hands, to share with you everything that I am. I will love you with all that I have until we grow old and there are no more days."

Jude's lips pressed together as she tried to keep the tears from falling. As one escaped, Tommy reached up and brushed it away as he smiled down at her. She sniffled lightly and he gently squeezed her hands to give her the strength to continue.

"Tommy, every since I met you, you have filled my world with so much meaning. Thank you for taking me as I am, loving me, and welcoming me into your heart. Our miracle lies in the path we have chosen together and I enter into this marriage with you knowing that love is not about avoiding hardships, but to navigate them successfully, together, hand in hand. I commit myself to the miracle of making each day work, together, for the rest of my life. Today is the beginning of the rest of our lives. I choose to spend today, and all of my tomorrow's, with you."

Sniffling and hiccupped crying could be heard and Jude turned her head to see Anna, Mason, and Sadie sharing the Kleenex Mason remembered to bring. She laughed lightly at the sight of them and noticed Henry sitting on the end smiling at his grandson and herself. He winked at her before she turned her attention back to the officiant.

"May I please have the rings?" Tommy reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and placed the two simple platinum bands in the man's hand.

"May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go – may they always return to one another. May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women year. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. Thomas repeat after me…"

Tommy carefully listened to the officiant while he continued to smile at Jude, the love in his eyes, unmistakable. As he began to repeat the words just spoke, he slipped the band onto her finger.

"I Thomas Joseph Quincy give you this ring to you, Jude Joanna Harrsion, as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed."

The officiant placed the second ring in the palm of Jude's hand and asked that she repeat after him. Her hands trembled as she went to put the ring on Tommy's finger, nearly missing. Hold his hands tightly, she repeated after the officiant.

"I Jude Joanna Harrsion give you this ring to you, Thomas Joseph Quincy as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed."

"And so, by the power vested in me by the province of Ontario and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife – and may your days be good and long upon the earth. You may now kiss the bride."

Tommy grinned widely as his arms circled around his wife's small waist pulling her close to him. He leaned down and was met halfway by Jude's lips as her arms wrapped around his neck. The clapping from the four spectators quickly faded away and it was as if they were the only two in the world. Breaking the kiss, Tommy's lips hovered by Jude's ear and his breath tickled the sensitive skin as he whispered out, "Welcome to the family, Mrs. Quincy."