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“You know what I reckon we ought to do today?” Jamie murmured, propping her head up by a single hand, using the other to stroke Dani’s cheek.
“Hm?” Dani whispered back, feeling shivers go down her spine just from the simple touch.
“Think we should get married.” Jamie said casually. “I’ll write the postcard for your mum,” she offered with a laugh when Dani swatted at her shoulder.
“What? We can go to Vegas right now, Dani! It’ll be great. You can dress up as Elvis—“ Jamie only stopped because Dani climbed on top of her, kissing the brunette playfully to shut her up.
Dani grinned. “Think we should get married here, in the backyard.” She countered. “Today, yeah? After all, Mom’s visiting and so is Flora.” And if Dani got a little misty eyed at the mention of her six year old, that was no one’s business but her own.
“Sounds good to me, babe.” Jamie conceded, sporting an identical grin as she leaned up, kissing Dani on the mouth. “Suppose that means I have to let go, hm?” Dani nodded, albeit reluctantly.
“Probably so.” Dani agreed, pulling her fiancé close into a hug before releasing. “C’mon then, love. Flora’s probably bouncing off the walls with excitement.” she laughed.
“Most likely so, yes.” Jamie said with a returning laugh. “I’ll get ready for the day, then bring Flora in for you. Sounds good, baby?” Jamie checked. Dani nodded happily..
“See you at the altar, princess.” Jamie whispered against Dani’s lips. She placed a hand on Dani’s shoulder, eyes glinting with amusement as she added, “And hey? You’ve got great shoulders.”
“I regret so much in my life,” Dani said playfully. “Nothing quite as much as telling you that though.” she rolled her eyes as Jamie got dressed into a simple outfit. They’d be changing into wedding garments soon enough. But for now, the fun of playing dress up would begin shortly.
“See you soon.” Jamie dropped a kiss to Dani’s head before leaving, barely coming out of the room before Flora barged in.
“Mama! Mommy, it’s nearly time. This is going to be perfectly splendid! Don’t you think?” Flora shouted, first to Jamie’s retreating figure, then to Dani herself.
“The very most splendid thing ever!” Jamie replied with a laugh, picking Flora up and spinning the six year old around with ease. “Now Flora, you have an important job this morning. You hear?” She made eye contact. Dani felt her heart constrict at the sight of the two loves of her life interacting so effortlessly.
“Throw flowers!” Flora nodded, giggling in the air when she was spun.
“Nope! Even more important. But yes, flowers too.” Jamie corrected.
“What then?” Flora’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“You have to keep your Mommy company whilst Mama’s getting ready, duh!” Jamie said, playfully tapping the girl’s nose. “Make sure she feels like an absolute queen till she walks down the aisle, okay? Then it’s my turn.”
“I can do that.” Flora said quite seriously. “See you at the end, right Mama?” The girl held out her pinky as she was placed down on the floor.
“Absolutely, you will.” Jamie looped her pinky with Flora’s. “End of the aisle, let’s meet there in half an hour.”
“See you in half an hour!” Flora grinned before rushing into the room where her other mother was getting ready.
Jamie went down the hallway into a room for herself, where there was only one other person waiting for her, or so she thought. Her eyes immediately filled with tears as she noticed a second figure beside the door.
“Mikey?”
“You really think Mrs. Grose here was gonna let me miss your wedding day?” Mikey pulled his sister into a tight hug.
“How— How did she find you?” Jamie managed to ask through tears as she squeezed him even tighter. She reached out blindly for the Mrs. Grose’s hand.
“I did a lot of research. Six months is a long time, Jamie.” Mrs. Grose shrugged. “I hope you don’t mind that I brought another guest.” she chuckled.
“Not even a little bit.” Jamie whispered in her brother’s neck before releasing him. “Okay. Alright. Time to get me ready, then. Enough crying, methinks.” She grumbled. “Try and have a tearless wedding, Dani says. It’ll be easy, she goes. As if.”
“I’ll get out of your hair then, let you get ready.” Mikey stated, moving as if to leave.
“Wait, Mikey I….” Jamie started to say. Mikey paused. “Come stand beside me, when it’s time. At the aisle, yeah?” she breathed out a sigh of relief at his easy nod.
Once her brother left, Jamie set to getting ready. She slid easily into her suit, navy coloured pants, suspenders, and jacket. She let out a laugh as she noticed once more the blue floral fabric that Flora had selected for the inside of the jacket. She loved that little girl so much.
Making the final tweaks, Mrs. Grose looked at Jamie proudly. “You’ve grown up so much, Jamie. Ever since Dani came along,” The woman said softly. “‘M so proud, and I know you’re going to do great up there today.” she continued.
“Mrs. Grose.” Jamie ducked her head, shy. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not. But we won’t make you cry a second time, alright? Let’s get ready for photos with Flora.” She stated.
“With Flora? Huh?” Jamie tilted her head to one side in confusion.
“A surprise from Dani, of course. She’s having mother and me photos, so she wanted you two to do that as well. The whole spiel, I’ll let her tell you. Rest assured this is what she wants, though. Would mean a whole lot to Flora as well, I’m sure.” The older woman answered as they went to another room in the building.
Flora was twirling in her floral swirl dress when she noticed Jamie coming in. “Mama!” She cheered, beaming. “Mommy said you were coming. She’s just left, and we took the most splendid pictures!”
“I’m sure you did, love.” Jamie picked Dani’s daughter up. The girl would become Jamie’s daughter too, soon enough. But for now, they had pictures to take.
“Are we taking photos too?” Flora gaped excitedly.
“We sure are! Your Mommy was behind this, we’ll have to say thank you, yeah?” Jamie replied, only putting Flora down when instructed to by the photographer.
“Alright, Ms. Clayton said you might have a few ideas as to what pictures you’d like with your daughter. Any of them spring to mind?” The photographer asked kindly.
“I have one right off bat.” Jamie agreed. “Flora, c’mere, sweetie.” She told the girl. Flora came close to Jamie as Jamie got on one knee.
“Mama, what’cha doin’?” Flora asked. Flash! The photographer took a picture of the confusion on Flora’s face.
Jamie took both Flora’s hands in hers. “You remember when we went off to propose to Mommy, right? And how I did this? Got on one knee and whatnot?” she asked. Flora nodded, smilingly. “Yeah, but you’re gonna marry Mommy now. You can’t propose to me, silly.” she said laughing.
“I’m not!” Jamie teased, tickling Flora’s stomach. “‘M making my vows to you here and now.” She pulled out a beautiful, tiny bracelet from her jacket pocket. A simple bracelet with gold beads, with a black plaque and white lettering that read off the three names of her small family, as well as the date.
“This is for you, Flora pot.” Jamie smiled, hearing the flash of the camera go off again as she placed it on the little girl’s tiny wrist. “It means no matter what, no matter where we are, no matter who you’re with, you’re our girl. Mommy and me, we love you so much and nothing’s ever changing that.” Jamie cleared her throat, tears springing to her eyes as she continued her speech.
“I think you are easily the most special, most smart, and creative six year old I have ever met. You’re so imaginative, and I love the little shows you put on for your Mommy and I. I want to always have front seat tickets to the Flora show, yeah? So this bracelet… with it, I promise to be there for you.” She was choked up, but kept going.
“I promise that I’ll be here, whenever you need me. I promise you’re gonna find me waiting at the end of whatever tunnel you’re goin’ through. Promise that no matter who you fall in love with, as long as they treat you right, they’re part of our family too. Okay? You’re always gonna have a safe place with us. I love you, Flora Clayton. Always have, always will.”
Flora beamed brighter than even Jamie had seen her do before. “I love you too Mama. But you’re wrong ‘bout one thing.” She threw her arms around Jamie’s neck. “It’s Clayton-Taylor.”
“You’re absolutely right.” Jamie agreed as she hugged her daughter. “Alright then, Miss Clayton-Taylor.” Jamie stood back up, grinning broadly. “It’s time for me to get married to Mommy, huh? It’s about time!”
“It’s time?” Flora grinned, gasping.
“It’s time.” Jamie confirmed, taking Flora’s hand. “Run out to the front yeah? Miles is probably looking everywhere for you.” Miles was the adopted son of Owen, who was their officiant and best friend, and their ring bearer for the day.
“Kay mama. See you on the flip side!” Flora rushed away.
“Hasta la vista, baby!” Jamie called out teasingly, laughing out loud as she walked to where she needed to be.
Jamie met Mikey at the door. “Come on, I hear Dani is nearly ready to do her walk.” Mikey said. Anticipation shot through Jamie’s veins. “Let’s go then.” Jamie bit her lip anxiously as they made their way up to the end of the aisle. Sure enough, just as they were settled at the end, the beginning of Sheryl Crow’s song ‘I Shall Believe’ began to play.
”Come to me now
And lay your hands over me
Even if it's a lie
Say it will be alright
And I shall believe.”
Flora came walking down the aisle first, slow and steadily tossing the petals like she’d been practicing for weeks. The sight of the bracelet on her wrist glinting against the sun, made Jamie’s smile even wider. The proud second mother placed hands on the girl’s shoulders as they turned, facing the way for the bride — the love of Jamie’s life — to walk through.
“I do believe
That not everything is gonna be the way
You think it ought to be
It seems like every time I try to make it right
It all comes down on me
Please say honestly you won't give up on me
And I shall believe
And I shall believe.”
Blonde hair now tightly curled up in a bun, and on top of the bun lay a flower crown that Flora had made. The shoulders of her ivory coloured dress were covered with sheer lace, showing off the famous shoulders that Jamie couldn’t wait to wrap her arms around in their first dance. The A-line scoop neck had an asymmetrical length, and oh. Jamie had to remember to breathe as Dani made her way further down the aisle.
“Open the door
And show me your face tonight
I know it's true
No one heals me like you
And you hold the key.”
“Blimey, Poppins.” Jamie murmured as Dani finally reached the end of the aisle. “There aren’t words.” They were shoulder to shoulder as Owen began to recite the beginning of the martial procedure.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Taylor.” Dani whispered back, nudging her. After a few minutes of listening to Owen, it was time for the rings and vows to be made. Jamie went first, taking one of the rings off the pillow that Miles held. “Thanks, kiddo.” She whispered to Miles with a smile. He nodded solemnly.
“Dani Clayton,” Jamie began her vows as she held up the ring to show Dani. “You are someone I never expected. When I first met you, I wasn’t just unloved and unloving, I was an outright enemy of love. I didn’t think it was meant for people like me. You have changed that though, because while my walls were up so high… You came prepared with a rope and ladder and everything else too. Even a daughter,” Jamie laughed softly through her tears, looking at Flora. “You brought those walls down. You brought me home and I…” she coughed, ducking her head to avoid looking into blue eyes that she knew would be overflowing with tears.
“...I promise to never forget the distance I’ve come, the lines that have already been crossed and set in stone. I’m a different person now. And how you came to see this person inside of that one, I’ll never know. But I will never stop being grateful for it.” Jamie slid the ring home where it belonged on Dani’s finger, finally looking up and smiling at Dani’s red face.
“Jamie Taylor.” Dani’s very essence came out whenever she said Jamie’s name, and it never failed to make the brunette shiver. This was no exception. “You are my best friend, the love of my life. You taught me what it is that I want, and how to go after it. How to come after you. I was afraid to try again after everything I’ve been through, and you knew that.” She sniffled, looking down.
“But you encourage me to be a braver person.” Dani continued after a beat. “You are the love of my life, who kisses my cheek every morning before we’re off to work. You’re my best friend when we watch shows on the television every day. You’re a second mother to our daughter, when you play with her every afternoon.” She smiled tearfully.
“And I love you for it. There will never be a day I don’t, Jamie.” She finished her vows, sliding a matching ring onto Jamie’s shaking hand.
“And with that, kids, I think we’ve heard enough there need be no objections.” Owen said, a playful smile on his face as he cleared his throat — causing the lovebirds to remember they weren’t the only ones in the room. “But if there is, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
They shared a smile when nothing happened. So now they turned to Owen again, and he spoke the words they’d been waiting for.
“With the power invested in me, by the state of Vermont, I grant you two married. You may now kiss your bride.” He proudly pronounced.
So they did.
They kissed.
They came home.