The walk down the aisle seemed to take forever, yet went by in a flash. My legs felt weak from nervousness and I was so afraid that I would stumble. To keep myself grounded, I kept my eyes on Doc at the front of the church, advice given to me by Alex. In my peripheral vision I could see that the decorator had done an awesome job. We had hired someone Deanna knew and I was glad we'd done so. The colour scheme we chose was burgundy and white. My attendants were dressed in burgundy off the shoulder dresses with white shawls, Doc's wore black suits with burgundy ties. He doesn't like bow ties, so he did not want to wear one. The bridal attendants carried bouquets of burgundy and white and there were bows at the ends of the pews in alternating colours.

We got to the front of the church and Walt handed me over to Doc. As I took Julian's left arm, I heard Walt say to him “You take care of her, Julian.” He bent down and kissed me on the cheek, whispering “And you take care of him.” I smiled. He went and took his seat beside Martha.

Father Stevens, standing in front of us, said “Ladies and gentlemen, before we begin the ceremony, Meredith has requested that she be allowed to sing a song. Normally, I require the bride AND groom to be in agreement on everything, but she wanted this to be a surprise so I'm bending my own rule.” Doc had a puzzled look on his face. Charlotte handed me my guitar and Father pinned a microphone to my dress. Someone started the music. I put my arm through the guitar strap and pulled it onto my shoulder, then took a step ahead and turned to face Doc. My nervousness rose. Other than sitting around a campfire, I'd never sung in front of an audience before and I don't think I have a great voice, but Doc likes it and loves to hear me sing. I began to sing The Battle Hymn of Love, which I thought was perfect for our wedding:

I will pledge my heart to the love we share

Through the good and the bad times too

I'll forsake my rest for your happiness

Till my death I will stand by you

With God as my witness, this vow I will make

To have and to hold you, no other to take

For richer, for poorer, under skies gray or blue

Till my death I will stand by you

As I sang, I forgot about my nervousness and my sore knees and concentrated on the words I was singing to Doc. In my mind, there was no one else there, only the love of my life. He was smiling from ear to ear. I had worried that maybe he'd be pissed at me for singing at a solemn ceremony but he seemed to like it. When I was finished, I handed my guitar and microphone back and took my place beside my husband-to-be again.

Father Stevens began the ceremony in the tradition of the Anglican Church of Canada. When he got to the part about if anyone had knowledge of a reason why we should not be joined in marriage to speak now or forever hold their peace, I held my breath - half expecting one of Jane's minions to have snuck in and to stand up and cause trouble. No such thing happened, to my relief.

Before we said our vows, Julian and I had written up something to say to each other. I went first. Charlotte handed me the piece of paper on which I'd printed out my part. I took a deep breath, hoping that my voice would not fail and that my words were adequate:

“Julian, when you asked me to marry you, I hesitated. After being widowed, I had no intention of re-marrying. In fact, I had no intention of falling in love again. But it happened, I did fall in love again and deeper than I ever thought possible. Before we became involved, when you'd tell me about the lady you had your eye on, at first I had no idea you were talking about me. It couldn't have been. I was so out of your league. You were so cultured and refined and I, just an ordinary farm girl. We were and still are such polar opposites, but they say opposites attract. Then it started to dawn on me that maybe I was Ms H (I didn't want to say Hottie in church). I wondered how we could ever make it happen, but I found myself falling for you. I couldn't stop, even if I wanted to. There's a saying 'Where there's a will, there's a way.' We had the will and we found the way.

Even though I was so very deeply in love with you, I wasn't sure about marriage. I was afraid of losing you. Of having to bury another husband. I couldn't bear the thought of that. But then I realized that life is full of risks, and if I didn't take the chance, I'd not only be denying myself something good and wonderful, but I'd be denying it to you as well. And I couldn't do that. So I said 'yes'.

We have been through so very much in a relatively short time. Things that many people would have broken up over. For months, I kept expecting you to walk away, yet you didn't. We stood – figuratively speaking, as I couldn't stand for part of that time – and faced everything together. And now we are standing – literally – together, about to become husband and wife. I couldn't be prouder than I am to take these vows with you. I love you, Julian. With all my heart and soul.”

Doc went next:

“Meredith, I was not supposed to fall in love with you. Not only was it forbidden, but I had been hurt in the past and did not want to become involved with anyone. But it happened. I fell and I fell hard for you. I was willing to give up my beloved career and find another one to be with you. Fortunately, I did not have to. I was so afraid you wouldn't want to be with me, given my baggage, but you didn't blink an eye about it when I told you. You told me it didn't matter and your actions have shown that to be true.

When I told you about another event that I thought you needed to know about, you reacted the same way – you said it didn't matter. Even when that event came back to haunt me and you were subjected to assaults, threats, attempts on your life …. you still stayed. I would not have blamed you had you chosen to leave.

I knew long before I proposed that I wanted to marry you but I had to find the right time to do it. It would have devastated me if you had said no. When you said yes, it made me the happiest man in the world. I still have not come down from that cloud. You have brought so much to my life. I was just existing before you. Now, I'm really living.

We've had to deal with some very troublesome events and have been to Hell and back – figuratively speaking, Father.” He looked at Father Stevens. A few chuckles could be heard from the pews. “But we've come through that with our love for each other stronger than ever. I know we can surmount any problem that is put before us.

Meredith, I told you in the beginning that you are feisty, obstinate, headstrong, stubborn, sarcastic and self destructive at times. You are. But you are also sweet, kind and caring and I love you so very much. I am proud and happy to stand with you today and pledge myself to you for the rest of my life.” I couldn't help it, there was a tear or two in my eyes. I had to check myself, though – I didn't want to ruin my makeup before the pictures were taken.

After that was the vows. Julie Anne had been quiet up until then but she decided at that moment that she wanted Julian to hold her. She reached her arms out to him, saying “Uh JuJu” which was how she said “Uncle Julian” at the time. Charlotte told me that Ben had his nose out of joint because she'd not even tried to say “mama” or “daddy”.

Charlotte tried to settle her down, but she insisted on being with Julian. He looked at me and I nodded, giving my consent for him to take her. He went over to the stroller, said something to Charlotte, and pushed it back to where we were. He squatted down and talked to Julie Anne, telling her it was very important for her to be quiet now and that he'd pick her up in a few minutes. He stood up and I held my breath. The child was so quiet, I wondered if she was even breathing. The ceremony resumed. Julian and I faced each other and he took my right hand in his and said:

“I, Julian, take you, Meredith, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

Then I took his right hand in mine and said:

“I, Meredith, take you, Julian, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

Father Stevens blessed the rings and David, one of the ring bearers, held the ring pillow out to Doc, who took my ring and slipped it on my ring finger as he said:

“With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”

My heart pounding with a mixture of nervousness and excitement, I took the ring I'd had made for Doc from Michael and said the same vows to him, then Father Stevens put his (Doc's) and my right hands together and said:

“Now that Julian and Meredith have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.”

Let no one put asunder. I fervently hoped that Jane wouldn't even try to break us up again.

The priest looked at Doc and said “You may kiss your bride.”

After Julian kissed me, the priest said some prayers and blessed the marriage before concluding the ceremony with The Peace, then Doc and I led the wedding party down the aisle. He held Julie Anne in one arm and I took the other. No more nervousness, the ceremony was over and I was now Doc's wife. I walked proudly arm in arm with my husband, all thoughts of Jane gone from my mind.

After the guests had left the church, the wedding party stayed for pictures. If it had been a warm weather wedding, I'd have chosen an outdoor location, but it was too cold for that, even though there was no snow on the ground. Our photographer had also videotaped the ceremony with a few cameras at different spots. He was going to use them to make a professional recording of the whole thing.

Once the photographer was finished taking pictures, we got in our cars for the drive to Rick's for the reception and dance. Curt was driving Doc and I in Doc's Beemer. When we got outside, we saw that someone had decorated it. As we pulled out, we heard the noise of tin cans dragging on the pavement. The look on Doc's face was priceless. “Are you responsible for that, Curt?” he asked his best friend.

“I had help from Oliver and Alex.”

“You wanted a traditional wedding, Doc”, I said to him. “It's traditional for this to be done to the bride and groom's car.”

“I guess I can't argue with that, hon.”

When we got to Rick's, he met us at the door. “That was such a lovely ceremony”, he said to us. We had invited him, though we weren't sure if he would go as he was doing the dinner. Evidently, he had made it to the church. “You two are just positively glowing!”

“Thank you, Rick”, I replied. “We are so happy.”

“Who is the little girl you carried down the aisle?” he asked Doc.

“That's Julie Anne, our god daughter.”

“She absolutely adores Julian”, I told him. “He delivered her at our Christmas party last year and they have such a bond. I'm almost jealous.” I winked at him.

Rick laughed. “You have nothing to be jealous of, my dear. You are number one in Julian's life.” Changing topics, he said “I hope everything here at the reception and dinner is to your satisfaction.”

“I'm sure it will be”, I replied. And it was. Everything was just perfect. Doc and I stood at the door and greeted each guest as they arrived. Everything was a bit late because of the delay we'd had, but you would have never known it by the dinner. The food was delicious. The cake was gorgeous, with a bride, groom and horse on top. Doc and I had agreed that we would not do that thing of smashing cake into each other's face as we both felt it silly and undignified.

The dance was fun. We'd hired a local band that played different genres of music. We requested a mix of country, easy listening, oldies, and jazz. As is the custom at wedding dances, Doc and I had the first dance - we'd chosen Could I Have This Dance as the song. Then Walt and I, as he was standing in as father of the bride. Since both my parents were deceased and I didn't have a mother figure, Doc sat this one out. Next was me dancing with each of the groomsmen and Doc with each of the bridesmaids. When I had my turn with Oliver, he asked me how I was feeling. “I'm fine”, I replied.

“You look tired, Meredith.”

“It's been a long day, Oliver.”

“I know, but I'm concerned. I'm going to ask Julian to check your vitals when you get to your hotel room.”

“I doubt he has his bag with him.”

“He *always* has it with him. And I'm going to be watching you. I don't want you overdoing it out here on the dance floor.”

“I've never seen you so happy”, Alex said to me when it was his turn. “But I can tell you're in pain.”

“I'm okay, Alex.”

“Bullshit, Meredith. You're hurting. You probably have been since before you got to the church.”

“You're as bad as Doc.”

“We both know you. I know that these initial dances were planned out ahead of time, but after they are finished, you sit down for a while. Only dance slow dances tonight.”

I'll dance whatever dances I want, I thought to myself, but chose to keep quiet. I didn't want to make a scene. I did sneak in a few fast ones when Alex wasn't looking. It was my wedding day, I had to let loose and have some fun.

When he wasn't dancing, Julie Anne was in Doc's arms or on his lap. He even danced with her for a short while. He held her hands while she stood and kind of swayed with the music. At one point, she was standing on his shoes. She wasn't walking on her own, just with someone holding her hands and even at that, not for very far. I knew it was only a matter of months before she'd be tearing around like the dickens. Charlotte was planning on cutting down on nursing her so that she could have a break. Doc suggested to her that she pump and put the milk in a sippy cup if the child wouldn't take a bottle. He was so eager to have her for a weekend.

Scott Fletcher, the detective who had worked on the Jane case was there with his husband, Bruce. We had invited the detectives from the safe house, but they weren't able to get away, so we planned on sending them a video of the wedding. Scott asked me for a dance and I accepted. Partway through the song, his phone rang. He took it out and looked at the screen. “Sorry, I better take this”, he apologized. We stepped off the dance floor and he turned his back to me to talk to his caller. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but at one point, I heard him say in a raised voice “I'm NOT going to tell them tonight!” A chill ran up my spine.

When he was off the call, I asked “I'm sorry to be nosy, but was that about Doc and I?” He didn't say anything. “I heard you say you weren't 'going to tell them tonight'.

“No, it is about another case I'm on. News that I don't want to break to them on a Saturday night.” I wasn't convinced he was telling the truth but I let it drop.

Doc and I left the dance hall around midnight as we wanted to have some time to ourselves before going to bed. Originally, we'd planned on leaving between 11 and 11:30 but the dance started a bit later than planned. We had cut the reception short by half an hour so that the meal wouldn't be too late.

We said our goodbyes to everyone. Curt told us he was going to come and booby trap our hotel room door so that if we tried to exit it over the next couple days, alarms would sound. “Very funny, Curt”, Doc replied, “but how are we to eat if we can't order out or from room service?”

“Damn, I never thought of that.” We all laughed.

As we approached the car in the parking lot, Doc said “I'm going to get those cans off the bumper before we go.”

“With what, Doc? I don't think you carry a pocketknife. And I'm not in jeans, so I don't have mine.”

“There's scissors in the first aid kit.”

“Oh, leave them on, honey. It's our wedding day, those cans are supposed to be there. Cut them off tomorrow – or Monday if we don't go anywhere tomorrow.”

“I don't know, Meredith....”

“Come on....it will be something to tell our grandchildren.”

“We aren't having kids, hon.”

“It's an expression, Doc. We are not far from the hotel and it's not a residential neighbourhood.”

“All right, Meredith.”

At the hotel, Doc got his bag out of the trunk. “What's that for, Doc?”

“Just in case I need it.” he winked at me.

Curt and Karen had taken our luggage to the hotel so that we wouldn't have to. We registered at the front desk. “We are on our honeymoon”, Doc said to the clerk. I'm sure he can figure that out given I'm still wearing my wedding dress, I thought sarcastically. “But if there's a medical emergency and there are no other doctors here, please call our room and I'll come right away. I have my bag with me so that I won't have to waste time getting it from my car.”

“Nice cover, Doc!” I said when we were out of earshot of the clerk.

When we got to the room, Doc swiped the card to open the door, set his bag down just inside, then picked me up and carried me in. He set me down and I looked around. We were in a room with a sofa and chairs, table and chairs, big widescreen tv, small fridge and a microwave. I went into the next room, the bedroom. There was a king size bed with a night stand on each side. I could see a bottle of champagne in a bowl of ice and two glasses. There was also a small dresser, desk and closet. A doorway led to the bathroom. Our luggage was on the bed.

“I wonder why they put the champagne in here and not out there?” I mused aloud.

“Because I asked them to.”

“Oh.”

“I figured we wouldn't be spending much time out there.”

“Haha, Doc. Hey, is there a hot tub in here somewhere?”

“No. I asked for a honeymoon suite without one. People with a cardiac condition are not supposed to go in hot tubs or saunas.”

“Awww, Doc ….. it's our honeymoon!”

“And I do not want to be widowed on my honeymoon, Meredith.”

I put an exaggerated pout on my face, but said “Okay, Doc.”

“Come here, hon.” He gave me a big hug. “Today was the best day of my life. Everything was perfect.” He leaned down and kissed me.

“It was such a fabulous day, Julian. I'm so happy to be your wife.”

“Now you need to get off your feet. Let me help you out of that dress, then you are going to lie down.” He unzipped me and slid the dress off me. “I think the hanger and garment bag should be in the closet. Yes, here it is. Let me put it in for you. You get off your feet.”

“I'm fine, Doc.”

“No, you are not fine. You're hurting. Do not argue with me on our wedding night.” I held my tongue and sat on the bed. I was not going to bicker with him tonight. “Over there on that side, hon. The champagne is on this side. I'll pour.”

He hung the dress up, then disappeared into the outer room, coming back with his medical bag and something in his hands. I was sitting on the bed in my slip with my back up against the head board. “Straighten your legs out, sweetie.” I did and he wrapped an ice pack in a towel, then put it on one knee and did the same with the second.

“Where did these come from?” I asked.

“I had the hotel put them in the freezer part of the fridge as I figured you'd be sore tonight. I know this doesn't help your hips, but it will help ease the pain in your knees. I can't give you pain medication as you have had a few drinks.”

He took his tux jacket off and poured us each a half glass of champagne. I'd told him I didn't want a lot. Sitting next to me, he turned to me and we raised our glasses in a toast. “To many happy years together”, he said.

“To a love that will never die”, I said and we each took a sip.

We talked about the day for a while. I didn't want the night to end, but I was getting sleepy. However, I had things other than sleep on my mind. I curled up against my husband and he took my glass and put it on the nightstand. “I think we should get into bed, hon, and go to sleep.”

“On our wedding night?”

“Yes, sweetie. I know we abstained for a couple weeks to make tonight even more special, but we're both tired and you are hurting. We can consummate the marriage tomorrow.”

“Julian, if you really don't want to, that's fine but don't decline on my account. I am okay.”

“It isn't that I 'really don't want to' – of course I want to, I always do – but I do not want to make love when you are hurting so much. I can't even give you some pain medication.”

“The ice packs are helping, honey. Besides, sex releases endorphins, which is a natural painkiller.”

“Hmmmm.....I can't argue with that, Meredith. Are you sure you want to?”

“Absolutely. Now, shut up and kiss me.”

He gave me a kiss, then said “Before we do that, I need to check your blood pressure and heart and lungs – I told Oliver I would. He was concerned about you having such a long day.”

“I'm fine, Julian but I never give you a hard time over doing that.”

“I know. It's one of the few things you don't give me a hard time over.”

“I like giving you a hard time. And I'm going to give you a hard time after you do that.” I winked at him.

“You already are, hon.”

As it happened, we did not leave the hotel room until Monday morning. We ate from Room Service and Rick sent over a bunch of leftovers from the wedding dinner along with a bottle of champagne. He said there was still lots left and asked if we wanted to take them home. We told him to try to donate them to a shelter, but if he couldn't due to health regulations or if the shelters didn't want them, we'd take them. Doc was going to be busy all week cooking for our Christmas party on Saturday so this would save us from having to worry about supper for a day or two, at least. I was planning on cooking our suppers on the wood cookstove to give him and Alex and Deanna a special treat, but I'd take a couple days off from doing that. Alex was hooked on having his morning toast done over an open flame, just like Doc was. Deanna had tried to get him to ease up on that, to no avail.

As it turned out, the shelters were unable to take the food so we picked it up Monday morning and took it home. There was a ton of it, so we gave some to Karen and her family.

After we picked up the food, we went to the apartment to get Scruffy. Alex and Deanna had been taking care of her for us. She sure was glad to see us. She jumped onto my shoulder and gave me squirrel kisses on my cheek, then did the same to Doc. He looked horrified at an animal 'kissing' him but didn't protest. However, after Scruffy jumped back onto my shoulder, he made a beeline for the bathroom, presumably to wash his face. Maybe some day he would not feel such a need to wash off after an animal had kissed or licked him. I doubted it, though. However, it did not and does not matter to me. I love him just as he is.

We got Scruffy into her carrier and took her to the car. It was still decorated with the “Just Married” sign on the back, but I had let Doc take the tin cans off the bumper.

Before we headed for home, we stopped at a grocery store so he could pick up some things he needed for his cooking. Then we got on the highway and drove toward the farm to start our married life together.

End of Book II