A car pulled into the small car park and three people got out. Carol walked into the church between her sons. With a new dress and a touch of makeup, she looked years younger than just a few months ago. She was happier too, her face aglow with love and pride as she looked from one of her sons to the other.
People found it easy to tell Justin and Ben apart now. The scars on Justin’s hands were fading, but the twins would never be identical again. They were both still handsome men, particularly today, as they escorted their mother to her seat at the front of the church. They sat with her for a while, talking softly as the church behind them filled with people.
The congregation had all settled into their pews when a priest came to speak to Justin. He and Ben stood and moved to their positions in front of the altar. Ben shuffled his feet a little, but Justin didn’t look nervous at all. He stood calmly, a look of joy and contentment on his face.
Outside the church, two cars pulled up directly in front of the front steps. White ribbons adorned the vehicles. The driver of the first got out and opened the rear door for an older man, who was looking very distinguished in a dark suit. They went around the vehicle to open the other door.
Two figures emerged from the second car. Bree looked lovely in a simple blue dress, a few flowers scattered through her long, wavy hair. Beside her, seven-year-old Vicki was almost exploding with excitement in a flower girl dress of perfect pink.
Anna slowly stepped out of the bridal car, holding her father’s hand. The jewels on her ivory dress sparkled in the sunlight and pearls glowed in her hair. A veil hung down her back to her waist. Anyone looking carefully would have seen the scar on her shoulder, just exposed by the neckline of the dress. Anna had told the dressmaker not to try too hard to hide the scars on her body. The makeup artist had received similar instructions. The scar on her face was easy to see, but still Anna had a soft glow with a gentle pink shine on her lips, and a touch of smoky blue to highlight her eyes.
Bree straightened Anna’s dress where it had creased in the car and took the ends of the veil, intending to lay it over Anna’s face. But Anna touched her hand to stop her and shook her head. She didn’t need the veil. She had no reason to hide her face. Bree smiled and motioned for Vicki to lead the way into the church.
Anna’s father held out his arm. ‘Well, I’m ready to walk my beautiful daughter down the aisle.’
Anna slid her arm through his and nodded, and her father kissed her softly on the cheek.
The music started playing and Justin turned around to watch as Vicki skipped through the door. She held a basket of rose petals, some of which fell to the floor around her feet as she moved down the aisle. Behind her, Bree walked calmly, remembering her own journey down this very aisle not so long ago. Her eyes sought out Matt, where he sat with Lou and Jake. His eyes met hers and the look that passed between them would have lit any other room. But this room, this community, had come for Justin and Anna.
Anna walked slowly, feeling as if her feet were barely touching the ground. Her hand was on her father’s arm, but her eyes never left the man waiting for her by the altar. As she reached Justin, she saw the tears in his eyes. Their hands clasped and they turned to face the priest.
‘On this day, we bid welcome to the friends, the family, the heart that is Wagtail Ridge, here to witness Justin and Anna’s happiness …’
