After Elizabeth had talked to Lucky the door was opened again, and Emily came in. She was Eliabeth's maid of honor, and her only attendant. ''Here's your bouquet. Your mom went to sit down with your dad. Do you think his feelings are hurt that he's not walking you down the aisle?''
''I don't know. Probably not.'' Elizabeth shook her head. ''I think he understands that I already asked Luke to do it. He's been more of a father to me this last year than my own father was my whole life. I love my dad, but, things are just the way they are.'' She smiled and changed the subject. ''Well, how do I look?''
''You look beautiful. I can't believe this is really happening, Elizabeth. I'm so happy for you and Lucky.'' Her voice broke a little and she wiped away a tear.
''Don't start crying, you'll get me going,'' laughed Liz. ''Thank you so much, Emily. You've been such a great friend to me this last year. I don't know how I could have gotten through without you,'' She said, leaning over to hug her.
Suddenly, there was a tap on the door, followed by Laura's face peeking in. ''It's almost time, Elizabeth.'' The girls follwed her to the back of the church to wait for Luke who was still with Lucky.
''Well, Cowboy, this is it, then end of your bachelor life.'' He grinned at him, but then his expression sobered. ''I just wanted to tell you that I'm really proud of you, son. You've grown up into a man that any dad would be proud to call his son.'' He hugged Lucky to him quickly, and blinked, not wanting him to see the tears that were forming in his eyes.
''Thanks, Dad. I've learned from the best.'' He hesitated, then, not wanting to intrude into something that wasn't really his business, but decided to speak up anyway. ''I learned about love from you and mom. Watching you two through the years showed me what a marraige is supposed to look like. I know things haven't been right with you two for awhile, but, I've been seeing stuff between you lately that I haven't seen in a long time.'' He looked at Luke earnestly. ''I just wanted to say, that, if there's something still there, that I hope you guys can work things out.''
Luke smiled at him. ''I hope so too, Cowboy. Are you ready?''
At Lucky's nod, Luke slapped him on the back. ''Well, let's do it then!'' He winked, then went to take his place with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth watched Lulu walking down the aisle with a basket of rose petals, sprinkling them carefully. She took her job as flower girl almost as seriously as Lucas was taking his as ring bearer. Next, Emily walked down the aisle with Sly, who had come to town to be Lucky's best man. Then Luke was next to her, taking her arm and smiling down at her. ''Are you ready, sweetheart?'' She nodded and kissed his cheek. ''Thank you, Luke. For everything,'' she whispered, then she heard the wedding march start and it was time to walk down the aisle. They began the sedate step-together, step-together pace, and Elizabeth saw all the people she cared about stand up and watch them, some dabbing at tears. She saw her parents smiling encouragingly at her, and Laura and Leslie standing together on the other side. Laura was already crying as she had said she would for the whole ceremony. Then everyone else disappeared and her heart jumped in her breast as she caught sight of him standing up front waiting for her. He looked beautiful, she thought, in his tuxedo with the white rose-bud in the lapel to match the roses she carried His hands were folded in front of him and he was standing perfectly still, but when their gazes locked she could almost feel his arms around her as his eyes caressed her lovingly. She gave him a smile that was just for him, forgetting the presence of all the people assembled there, and he gave her a dazzling one in return. Soon she was standing next to him and ready to become his wife.
When Lucky saw Elizabeth walking down the aisle toward him he was sure that his heart stopped beating for a second, only to start back up at twice the pace. She looked like an angel in her white dress, the gauzy veil floating around her face as she got closer and smiled at him. He wanted to hold her right now, but he couldn't, so his eyes reached out to her and communicated how much he loved her. After what seemed like an eternity, she was standing next to him and the minister was starting to speak.
''Dearly Beloved,'' began the minister in the time-honored ceremony, ''We are gathered here today in the presence of God and these witnesses to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.'' Both Lucky and Liz's hearts were pounding so loudly in their ears that they barely heard the first words that were said. He spoke about the seriousness of marriage, the commitment that a couple must make to each other in order for a marriage to be successful. Finally, it was time for Elizabeth to hand Emily her bouquet and face Lucky, her hands in his.
They had both memorized their lines beforehand and Lucky went first. ''I, Lucas, take thee, Elizabeth, to be my lawfully wedded wife. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live. He was trying mightily to hold back the tears that were filling his eyes, but one escaped anyway, and Elizabeth reached up to brush it off, even as her own started to fall.
''I, Elizabeth, take thee, Lucas, to be my lawfully wedded husband. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live. And the day after that, if possible,'' she added, smiling through her tears.
The minister asked for the rings, and Lucky placed the gold band on Elizabeth's finger. ''With this ring I thee wed. The ring is a circle; a symbol of my neverending love for you.'' Then, she repeated the vow as she placed the ring on Lucky's finger.
''Then by the power invested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. What God has joined together let no man put assunder.'' Lucky and Elizabeth stared into each others' eyes, hardly daring to believe it was true. The minister cleared his throat. ''You may kiss your bride, Lucky.''
Lucky pulled Elizabeth to him and kissed her joyfully. ''I love you,'' he whispered, as their tears mingled on their cheeks. They turned and faced the people in the church who stood up and applauded when the minister said, ''Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Lorenzo Spencer Jr.''