James Hickok couldn’t believe that he was actually standing in front of the church waiting for the doors in back to open for his soon to be wife to enter. Never before had his stomach felt so knotted and full of butterflies, but there was no way he would have wished to be anywhere else at that moment. As the music began to play, he turned with the others in the little church as the doors opened and Abby stepped inside. She was a vision to behold dressed all in white with a wispy veil over her face. In her hands was a bouquet of white roses. His heart stopped a beat as he watched her walk down the aisle. For a moment he was overwhelmed by the love he had for the woman in front of him and felt his eyes begin to tear. Giving himself a mental shake, knowing that if any of the others were to see him cry he’d never hear the end of it, Jimmy gave Abby a huge smile as he took a step forward and held out his arm to her. The smile Abby gave him as she took his arm and stepped to the altar with him couldn’t have held more love in it. This was the day she’d been waiting for for so long. The last week had been hectic from the moment Emma had carried on about how it would be impossible to put on a wedding in only five days. She insisted that there were lists of things that HAD to be done and there was no way they could get married the following Saturday after Abby’s return from selling her home back east. But Abby stood her ground and insisted that she would marry Jimmy on Saturday no matter what anyone else said. When Emma had looked to Jimmy for help, he shrugged telling her, “Emma, this is Abby’s day. If she says we are getting married this Saturday then this Saturday it is.” And now, here she was, in front of family and friends marrying the man of her dreams. Handing her bouquet to Emma who stood next to her, Abby lifted the veil so that she could see Jimmy more clearly as Teaspoon began the ceremony. Abby’s smile grew when Jimmy’s voice faltered when it came time to recite his vows. She could tell he was nervous by the look in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, Jimmy glanced up at Abby’s smiling face and felt his nerves calm immediately. With a much steadier voice then he had expected, Jimmy pledged his love to Abby. When her turn came, Jimmy couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her gaze never faltered from his and her voice was low and clear as she offered to love him for the rest of their days. He’d never heard such beautiful words before in his life. Lost in the moment, he’d not heard Teaspoon ask for the rings and was surprised when he felt a nudge in his side as Kid tried to get his attention. Turning to his best man he whispered, “Not now Kid!” causing the congregation to laugh. “But Jimmy! The ring…” Kid insisted as he held the ring out to his friend who blushed deep red with embarrassment. “Thanks,” Jimmy mumbled taking the ring and handing it to Teaspoon who grinned. The corners of Abby’s mouth were curled in silent laughter as she handed her ring for Jimmy to the man in front of them. Abby’s hand was shaking as Jimmy took it in his own when Teaspoon handed him back the ring to slip on her finger. “With this ring…” he said feeling overwhelmed once more by the love he felt for the woman he was joining his life with. The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur. The one thing he would never forget was when Teaspoon looked at the couple and announced loudly, “You may kiss the bride,” which he proceeded to do with great enthusiasm. The couple walked down the aisle arm in arm to wait outside the church to greet the well wishers before everyone adjourned to the town hall for the reception. A buffet dinner of ham and various other delectable foods were laid out for the guests put together by Emma and other women of Sweetwater. The main attraction was the three-tier cake sitting on a table in the corner. The cake had delicate looking roses made of icing on the top and cascading down the sides were little designs of icing that looked like lace. After dinner was over, the men who usually provided the music for the town’s dances set up at the far end of the hall and began to play. Jimmy whirled Abby out onto the floor with such a flourish that even Cody was impressed. The two were lost in their own little world as the music played and they danced around the floor. When the song ended and another began, other dancers joined the pair. Jimmy didn’t have long with his new wife before his friends were cutting in for a turn around the floor with her. Reluctantly, he handed her off to her new partner, knowing that soon, it would be just the two of them with no one to interrupt. After about an hour of sharing her with the guests, Jimmy tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and secreted her out the side door when no one was looking. Pulling her into his arms he kissed her deeply. “Mmmm, I love you Mrs. Hickok,” he grinned as he moved back slightly so he could look down at her. “And I love you Mr. Hickok,” she said breathlessly back. Looking around to make sure they were still alone, Jimmy grinned conspiratorially back at her. “What do you say we get out of here?” “I thought you’d never suggest it…” she told him as he took her hand in his and the two made a dash for the hotel down the street before anyone from inside the hall spotted them. Having signed in earlier, Jimmy led Abby up the stairs to the room he’d rented for them. Unlocking the room, he opened the door and turned to her. Even though it wasn’t the threshold of their house, Jimmy leaned down slightly and lifted Abby in his arms, walked her through the door and kicked it shut. Leaning over, Abby locked it with a grin. “I’m not taking any chances,” she said remembering how Cody and the others had teased that they’d stop by after the reception to see how they were doing. “Good thinking!” He said setting her on her feet. His hands came up to cradle her face as his lips found hers once more. “I’ve been waiting for this moment…” he murmured as his hands moved over her shoulders and down her back where they began undoing the row of tiny buttons.

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