It was Saturday and he couldn’t believe this day had finally come. So many nights over the last eighteen months, he had dreamt about this happening, never believing he would ever be standing here, in the little white church at the edge of town, waiting for the woman he loved to walk down the aisle behind him. His eyes lifted at the “oh’s” and “ah’s” of those gathered in the wooden pews to witness the joining of two lives. There she stood, on the arm of the man who had become a father to them all, looking so beautiful, it took his breath away. Seeing her dressed as she was in the ivory gown with lace and beads and her hair curling softly around her face, was such a surprise, so use to seeing her in trousers and guns was he. His heart ached with longing as he looked up into her shining eyes. Her smile melted his knees as she and Teaspoon started walking towards him, causing him to stumble as he moved towards them to escort her the rest of the way to the alter where the Preacher was waiting. His response to the question, “Do you James Butler Hickok, take Louise McCloud to be your wife?” made all who witnessed it laugh, for instead of the customary “I do” he blurted, “Hell yeah!” then had the grace to blush asking the preacher’s pardon for using such a word in church. When the preacher asked, “Do you Louise McCloud take James Butler Hickok to be your husband?” his breath caught until she smiled lovingly up at him and said loudly, “I do!” Relief washed over him at her words, causing him to gather her up in his arms and kiss her with great fervor, much to the surprise of the preacher, who cleared his throat and said a bit amused, “Ah, you may kiss the bride,” causing another round of laughter from the guests. The following celebration was lively, filled with much laughter and music, with the dancing lasting late into the night. Shortly after midnight, the groom went to gather his bride who had been dancing with one of their former Express riders. Pulling her close, he whispered, “Are you ready to leave?” Nodding her head, Louise smiled. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all evening.” With a conspiratorial whisper, she asked him, “Do you think anyone will notice?” As he spirited her away from the lingering guests, Jimmy had to laugh at her giggle when he told her, “I don’t care if they all know where we’re going, as long as we’re alone.” The happy couple rushed up the outside stairs at the hotel to the second floor where Jimmy had rented a room for the wedding night. Once opening the door, he swept Lou up into his arms and carried her into the room, pausing only to kick the door shut and to lock it, as he balanced her with one arm upon his knee. With a flourish he deposited his bride upon the bed and lay half upon her as his hands brushed the tendrils of hair from her face, his eyes drinking in the beauty that was hers as he murmured, “ I’ve dreamed of this day, the day that I would finally be able to take you…to hold you for the rest of our lives…” Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!