Life Support: Escape to the Country (28 page)

“You know how I wanted to sleep in a swag under the stars?” she asked.

Tom nodded.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

He laughed.

“I’m wet, cold, hungry and I’d much rather be home in bed.”

His eyes narrowed and glassed over, turning from blue to navy. “With me?”

“Who else?”

The minute his arms went around her, everything faded away except the sweet scent of his aftershave and the feel of his back muscles on her fingertips. When she felt his lips brush her neck and hold there for the sweetest of seconds, that’s when she melted, turning into a puddle of longing. She wasn’t sure she would be able to pull away. Nor did she want to.

It was a gloriously mild autumn day in early April. Family and friends had gathered in the orchard at Lexton Downs and were enjoying an old-fashioned-style high tea in celebration of Tom and Emma’s engagement. The late afternoon sun shone against a cloudless pale blue backdrop. There was enough warmth in the sun that no one needed coats. Leaves sprinkled down from the trees, covering the ground in a crunchy layer of golden confetti. Plates of sandwiches and scones slathered with homemade jam and fresh whipped cream were passed around as the small group of guests stood in the pale sunlight sipping champagne.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tom whispered. His breath tickled her cheek like a butterfly’s kiss.

“Of course I’m sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” She wasn’t nervous and had no doubts about their decision.

“You’re the one who doesn’t like secrets, yet you have to admit this is a pretty big one.”

“It’s a surprise, not a secret.”

“Is there a difference?”

“Of course there is. Anyway, it’s not a secret between us so that’s all that matters.”

Tom pulled her close and kissed her. “Go and get ready then and I’ll get this party started.”

Emma searched for her mum and found her on the other side of the garden. Lorraine looked up and mother and daughter shared a small smile. With a nod, Emma snuck away from the crowd and onto the veranda of the homestead where she could see and hear what was happening on the other side of the hedged orchard, but not be seen by the guests. Her mum found her a few minutes later, shortly followed by her dad.

“Are you ready love?” Sean asked.

“Absolutely.”

“Tom’s going to get everyone lined up in position in the orchard now,” Lorraine said.

“Does he have the flowers?”

Lorraine nodded. “Relax, love. It’s all sorted.”

Emma pulled out a small lipstick and retouched her lips. With her mum’s help, she brushed her hair and pulled half of it up and away from her face, leaving the rest hanging in loose curls down her back.

“Are you sure you don’t mind me doing this?” she asked her parents.

Sean squeezed Emma tight. “Not at all, love. We understand why you both want to keep this simple.”

Tom clapped his hands together to get everyone’s attention. Her stomach knotted with nerves as she smoothed the front of her dress with sweaty palms. Nothing else could be done now except pray their plan worked. She crossed her fingers behind her back and hoped Tom wouldn’t mind that she had another secret in store for him.

“Thanks for coming,” Tom said. His voice was loud and clear and carried easily to where Emma and her parents remained hidden from view. “While Emma is inside, I’d like to ask you all to help me carry out a special surprise for her today.”

The guests went silent.

“As most of you know, the day after I asked Emma to marry me she was involved in a serious car accident. I never had the chance to get down on one knee, propose properly, and give her the ring I want to give her. I’d like to do that today.”

There were oohs and aahs from the group and Emma smiled. They were in for a bigger surprise than she supposedly was. Lorraine squeezed her hand as Tom continued.

“Emma’s parents are in on the surprise and her dad is going to walk her down this aisle of fruit trees and present her to me. That’s my chance to get down on bended knee and ask her to marry me again in front of all of you.”

“That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” someone gushed. It sounded like one of Emma’s friends from work.

“The way it’s going to work, I’m going to give each of you a flower and ask you to line the aisle and present her with a flower to complete a special bouquet.”

“When did you become such a romantic Tommy boy?” a man’s voice called out. There was raucous laughter.

Emma and her parents waited nervously. Emma pictured Tom with his basket of flowers, handing out the assorted blooms to their family and friends.

“Are you sure you told Tom he has to keep one flower for himself?” Emma asked.

“It’s fine love, it’s all sorted. He knows which one to give you.”

Emma drew in a deep breath. It would be okay. It would work out. The sounds of violins flooded the orchard through the speakers they’d set up earlier.

It was time.

Lorraine kissed Emma on the cheek and whizzed off to stand near Tom.

Emma looped her arm through her dad’s and they started their slow walk down the front steps of Lexton Downs toward the hedged entrance to the orchard. Sean unlatched the iron gate, swinging it inward. Emma gasped. Everyone was doing exactly as she and Tom had planned, forming an aisle between the rows of fruit trees. Each person held a single flower and a broad smile.

“Give me a minute,” she whispered as she wiped at a small tear which had formed in the corner of her eye.

She stood for a second gazing at the orchard, all set up for their surprise engagement party. She and Tom had spent the morning draping fairy lights in the trees for later that afternoon when dusk announced its arrival. She inhaled deeply, filling her nostrils with the smell of freshly mown grass, now mostly blanketed in the covering of dry leaves. The effect was more magical and more perfect and more beautiful than anything she’d ever dreamed or imagined or asked for.

Emma felt a sudden pain in her heart as she thought of Judy. She wished Tom’s mum could see them today. She would have been so happy.

Unexpected nerves fluttered low in her belly and she looked up to see Tom standing patiently waiting for her, a broad grin across his handsome face. His eyes beckoned her and as the music built and swelled, she took another tentative step forward.

Kate and Joel stood first in line, each with a sleeping baby in their arms. Their twins, Oscar and Angus, were only four weeks old.

“Your fiancé is the most romantic man in the world,” Kate said as she gave Emma a kiss and handed her a flower.

Joel coughed. “Hey, I’m standing right here, you know,” he said with a chuckle as he nudged Kate with his hip. He handed Emma a single rose. “He’s a good man, sis, and I’m happy for you.” He turned back to Kate. “I thought you said
I
was the most romantic man in the world.”

Kate giggled. “You are, but today the prize goes to Tom.”

Emma’s work colleagues were next then Nathan and Mackenzie. Mackenzie handed Emma two flowers. “One from me and one from this little princess,” she said, stroking her belly.

“A girl?”

Mackenzie nodded. “We had the twenty week ultrasound the other day.”

Emma moved on and the next person to hand her a flower was Andrew. “Congratulations Emma. You deserve this happiness,” he said as he brushed his lips across her cheek.

“Thanks for everything Andrew. I hope you find love again one day too.”

Liam stood at the end of the aisle, near Tom, beaming. Annabel fidgeted beside Ruby. Christine and Rick stood nearby, keeping an eye on the girls. Rick was working overtime trying to restrain Noah and stop him from scooping up the dry leaves and tossing them in the air. Christine cradled Levi, her new baby, on her hip, her eyes filled with warmth and flourishing friendship.

Emma looked up and saw Tom grinning, Ruby now glued to his side with a confused look on her face. Emma’s stomach chased itself around in circles like a puppy chasing its tail. It was almost time for
her
surprise.

“Hi,” she said shyly when she finally stood in front of Tom.

Their friends gathered close, forming a semi-circle around them.

“Hi yourself,” he whispered. “Are you ready?”

She gave a tiny nod and Tom dropped to one knee, his hand extended, holding a small sprig of baby’s breath toward her.

“Emma O’Connor, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? And will you accept these flowers to complete your bouquet?”

Emma nodded, suddenly speechless. They had planned every part of this day, this moment, this surprise together, but it still took her breath away.

She added the tiny white flowers to the center of her little posy before placing her hand in his. He stood then and kissed her on the lips before holding her tight, crushing her to his chest. Their friends and family clapped and cheered and whistled. They broke apart and grinned at everyone. Now for the next part of the surprise. Emma was giddy with excitement.

“Emma and I have another surprise,” Tom announced.

In the crowd, Kate gasped.

“Today we’re going to get married.”

It took several moments to get everyone’s attention again. Tom was about to say something when Emma placed a finger to his lips. “Actually Tom, before we get married, I have a surprise for you.”

Confusion crossed his face.

“Don’t worry, it’s a surprise, not a secret,” she murmured, reaching up to kiss him on the cheek. “Today is a special day and I know how hard it is that your mum isn’t here to share it. But it wouldn’t be right to celebrate without your family.”

Sophie and Alex appeared then, making their way toward him. Tom’s eyes widened. Little Lily toddled on unsteady legs between them, her hands in theirs. Tom hugged his sister tenderly and tears filled their eyes. After a long embrace, he let her go and hugged Alex, slapping him twice on the back.

Emma had tears in her own eyes and a lump in her throat bigger than Tasmania. “I hope you don’t mind I kept this a secret,” she whispered.

Tom swallowed once then twice, unable to form words. “Thank you,” he said finally.

The wedding celebrant arrived and five minutes later, the simple ceremony commenced.

“These vows aren’t just between Tom and Emma, because not only will they be a new couple, they’ll also become a new family.”

Emma knelt so she was face to face with Ruby.

“Ruby, thank you for sharing your daddy with me. I love your daddy, as I also love you. I wasn’t there when you were born and I wasn’t there when you took your first steps but I promise from this day on I will support you in every step you take. I also promise not to try to replace your mum, but if you make a place in your heart for me, I promise I will be here for you. I hope to earn your love, your respect and your true friendship. On this day as I marry your daddy and promise to love him forever, I also promise to love you too.”

Ruby nodded, her face a mix of awe and seriousness.

“I love you Rubes,” Emma said, emotion making her voice quiver. She kissed Ruby on the cheek and stood. It was time to tell Tom how much she loved him.

“Tom, I give you my promise to be by your side forevermore. I promise to love, to honor, and to listen as you tell me your thoughts, your hopes, your dreams, your fears and your secrets. I promise to love you deeply and truly and unconditionally and hold your hands in mine until the end of our days. I also promise to commit myself to helping you, Christine and Rick guide Ruby through her life.”

Tom rubbed his eyes before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small box. “I take you Emma to be my beloved partner in life. I promise to love, honor and cherish you until the end of time.”

Emma barely heard the rest of his vows because when he opened the lid she began to cry. She recognized the simple wedding band as the one Judy had worn. He took the ring and gently slid it onto her finger then kissed her softly on the lips. “I love you.”

The celebrant turned to the guests. “Before I pronounce them husband and wife, would you join with me in repeating these words? Together we promise to support the newly created Henderson family, brought together in love. We rejoice in the happiness they have found in each other and promise to care for them as they establish new family ties which cannot be broken.”

Everyone repeated the vow and the celebrant turned to Tom.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

*

Afterward, when everyone had gone home, Tom and Emma sat on the front step of Lexton Downs wrapped in a thick blanket, watching the sun slide serenely over the horizon. The sky was a technicolor dream coat, flushed red and yellow and pink and orange and blue.

“Red sky at night, farmer’s delight,” Emma said dreamily, gazing at the magnificent sunset.

Tom nudged her softly. “Red sky at night,
my
delight.”

The first star made its appearance, followed quickly by others.

“Star light, star bright—” Tom murmured.

“The first star I see tonight.”

“I wish I may, I wish I might …”

“Have this wish I wish tonight.”

A cool breeze grazed her skin and she snuggled closer to him. He placed a protective arm across her shoulder, pulling the blanket tighter around her to ward off the chill. The sun dipped lower and a mist settled over the paddocks. In the stables, a horse whinnied and another horse answered.

“What do you wish, Em?”

“That every night we spend together will feel like this.”

“Emma.” Tom whispered her name tenderly. “Do you know how much I love you?”

Emma picked up her posy of flowers.

“Did you notice what type of flower you added to my bouquet?” she asked.

Tom chuckled. “I’m a guy. We don’t notice those things.”

She held the flowers toward him. “It was this one,” she said, pointing to the dainty white flowers in the center. “It’s called baby’s breath.”

“It’s pretty.”

“It’s in the center for a reason.”

Emma couldn’t help but laugh at the mystified look on Tom’s face.

“Are you really that slow?” she asked with a roll of her eyes. “It’s called baby’s breath,” she repeated.

The air was thick as she waited to see if Tom would grasp what she was intimating. “I used baby’s breath to represent our baby.”

“Baby?”

She nodded.

“You’re having a baby?”

“
We
are having a baby,” she corrected.

“We’re having a baby?”

“Are you going to repeat everything I say?”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Of course I’m sure.”

“And it’s not a missed period?”

She shook her head. “Definitely not. I’m nearly sixteen weeks.”

His eyes opened wide. “How did you not know?”

“I’ve never been regular and with the accident and being in hospital and everything, I lost track.”