Without You I Have Nothing (53 page)

_{"Hell, I didn't
know what to do,” Andrew began grumbling, putting on his usual act. "If I
didn't know you better I'd believe that Jennifer was getting a handsome
gentleman as her husband."}

_{Hearing Andrew's
familiar teasing style, Peter felt his nerves settle. All morning he'd been
rushing and worrying about every detail and now it was far too late to worry.}

_{"What a
beautiful cathedral. The leadlight windows set in this sandstone are exquisite.
Look at the way the peppercorns and the weeping willows over-hang the slate
roof. They'd make it cool inside even on the hottest summer day. Must have
taken you ages to find this church although I don't know why you dragged us
this far.”  Ted stopped before entering the church to stroke the hand-hewn
sandstone wall. He turned to look out across the red graveled driveway.}

_{Bob laughed. "I
wouldn't travel this far even on a holiday."}

_{Quietly Ted added,
"This church has seen a lot of weddings but none as joyous as this
one."}

_{"Bet the bride
is late, and I'll double the stakes if she could have laughed at your Buck's
Night,” Bob chuckled.}

_{"I should have
taken a photograph of you and that stripper.”  Ted said, and Andrew joined in
the laughter. "You looked as though you were going to faint."}

_{"No bet,” Peter
grinned. "Our last bet got me into terrible trouble and now I would not be
brave enough to bet."}

_{Waving a fist under
Bob's, nose Peter growled at him. "Today you'll say nothing. For once in
your life you'll control yourself.”  Peter's words had a nervous bite to them. "Please
behave. Today is the most important day in my life."}

_{The two groomsmen and
the best man gathered around the groom.}

_{"We're here to
help. Don't worry,” they reassured him.}

_{Andrew's next words
brought a wry grin to Peter's face. "Dad and I sneaked back to the farm
and we hid in the shearer's quarters. Unfortunately Jennifer caught us and
demanded to know what happened at the infamous buck's night, especially when
she saw how hung over we were. Mum saved us and told Jennifer to leave us alone.
What a great night!  I haven't laughed so much for years."}

_{"I had to stay
outdoors today, so I didn't see Dad much,” he said wryly. "It's a mad
house out there with women rushing hither and thither, matron of honor,
bridesmaids, mother of the bride and the bride. Mad they are, absolutely and
utterly mad. Mum's giving orders, no one's listening and Dad's trying to help
but only getting in the way. Been like that for days."}

_{A polite cough
brought them back to the present and the Bishop led them up the long aisle
through two long lines of Gurkhas who snapped to attention as they passed.}

_{Patiently waiting,
the men of the bridal party stood on the altar steps at the right of the aisle.}

_{"Never fear I
haven't lost a groom yet,” the Bishop reassured Peter, but his words didn't do
much to quell the nerves that had been building over the weeks, especially when
he added, with a grin, "Have you got the rings?"}

_{Peter sagged and
almost fainted, but Ted grabbed him. "They're safe,” he said. "Ministers
always ask that question."}

_{Noting Peter's
extreme state of anxiety, the Bishop suggested they sit.}

_{The men looked about
as the church filled and the organist began playing some interludes. The tunes
became more and more familiar when the organist began playing them for the
third time.}

_{Bob leaned across and
whispered, "Bride's late. I won that bet."}

_{Peter's stony face
reflected his lack of humor.}

_{Before he could
reply, Jennifer's Mum appeared beside him. She bent down, kissing him on the
cheek. "Jennifer's here and she'll be proud to see you in uniform."}

_{The Bishop signaled
the men of the bridal party to stand, and Peter turned to look down the aisle
lined with Gurkhas standing at attention and facing the center of the aisle as
a guard of honor for the bride. He wasn't surprised to see Air Force Uniforms,
one Naval Uniform and some Army Uniforms scattered amongst the congregation.}

_{The two massive oak
doors at the end of the aisle remained closed, but finally, as he watched, they
creaked open and Peter could feel the throb through his feet as the opening
chords of Wagner's Bridal Chorus thundered in his ears. Framed in the doorway
were the flower girls as they began to move down the aisle. As they stepped
forward the bridesmaids with the Matron of Honor replaced them in the doorway.}

_{Peter was almost
beside himself as the vision of Jennifer, a shaft of sunlight forming a halo
around her head and her face hidden behind the filmy gauze of white lace,
beamed at him from the entrance.}

_{Suddenly aware of all
her family, friends and well-wishers filling the church pews, together with a
smattering of uniforms representing Peter's military 'family', Jennifer paused
at the door. She knew she was about to become Mrs. Peter O'Brien, but the two
lines of Gurkhas and the length of the aisle intimidated her.}

_{Her father squeezed
her arm and whispered in her ear, "Your man's waiting for you and he looks
so handsome. Let's go and join him."}

_{On the arm of her
father, she began the long walk towards Peter. His eyes were on her she could
tell he was unaware of the bridesmaids and flower girls who led the way. She
knew he could see the flowers in her hand shaking violently.}

_{As they reached
Peter's side, Eric lifted Jennifer's veil slightly and kissed her on the cheek.
She had barely a moment to register the tear that was forming in his eye but
the sight of it almost moved her to tears herself.}

_{Eric then turned and
offered Jennifer's hand to Peter. It was only a small step from her father's
side to Peter, but Jennifer believed it was as big a journey as she had ever
taken.}

_{Peter's hands felt
sweaty, and it made Jennifer glad to see that she was not the only one feeling
so jittery about this whole ceremony. As soon as he took her hand, however, he
seemed to gain strength from her and she felt his courage flow into her in the
same moment.}

_{Peter knew she was as
nervous as he was.}

_{To give them
strength, Peter took her free hand in his and smiled.}

_{She leant close to
him.}

_{"I had forgotten
how you'd be dressed,” she whispered, "but when your friends opened the
car doors and saluted, I was suddenly reminded.}

_{"You're so
handsome in uniform."}

_{The strength Peter
gained from her presence made his vow, "I do,” ring from the rafters. Jennifer's
"I do” was much softer and perfectly demure.}

_{Peter did hear,
"You may kiss the bride,” and gently lifted her veil to see his mother's
diamonds in Jennifer's ears and her necklace cradled in the soft shadow of her
cleavage.}

_{His blue eyes
sparkled and danced with the joy and pride of knowing she was now his wife as
he bent to allow his lips to meld with hers.}

_{How long the kiss
lasted she didn't know, but she did know that the act was telling her how much
he loved her and how proud he was to have her beside him.}

_{The fire in her eyes
told him of her love and joy and was a sight he would never forget. It burnt
into his heart. Smiling radiantly, her eyes gleamed as she lifted her lips to
his.}

_{They were married!}

_{The sounds of
"Love Changes Everything” resounded from the cathedral's rafters while the
bridal party went into the sacristy to sign the marriage register. When the
bridal party reappeared at the top of the aisle, there were not many dry eyes
amongst the women.}

_{"May I present
Major and Mrs. Peter O'Brien?”  The bishop sounded pleased.}

_{Then the RSM stood,
demanding everyone's attention as his voice boomed out.}

_{"When the Major
and his beautiful wife leave the church they will be standing at the top of the
steps waiting for you and your cameras. They will wait so there is no rush. Please
make your way out of this magnificent cathedral through the side doors."}

_{He and his men moved
in a formal procession toward the exit.}

_{The organ throbbed
into life and together Peter and Jennifer walked into their future with the
stirring bars of the Wedding March to assist them. It was a long aisle for
Jennifer when she'd made her entry, and it was an even longer walk as the
married couple made their way back down it, their friends wanting to
congratulate them at every step. When it became too much for them, Peter swung
Jennifer into his arms and kissed her soundly. Eventually they stood at the top
of the steps and Jennifer gasped as two lines of Gurkhas flanked the red carpet
sweeping down the flight of steps to the path below, swords by their sides,
waiting to salute the bride and groom as they passed.}

_{The carillon rang its
joy to the town as the newlyweds posed for photographs.}

_{Satisfied everyone
was out of the church when the Bishop appeared, the RSM marched to the end of
the line and flicked a salute at Peter who donned his slouch hat and returned
the salute.}

_{The RSM barked an
order and the swords swept up as one to form an arch. Hand-in-hand, Peter and
Jennifer dipped their heads, slowly making their way through the archway and
giving everyone time to take photos.}

_{Surrounded by guests,
Peter and Jennifer concentrated on being together. Not even when Susie and the
Commander gave them both hugs did they stop holding hands.}

_{The Commander,
looking very official in his Royal Australian Naval Uniform saluted Peter.}

_{"You're a
devious bugger,” he said in jovial tones. "No one had the slightest clue
that you're a Major in the Gurkhas. Those poor bastards who attacked Susie
didn't stand a chance."}

_{He paused, drawing
himself to an even greater height.}

_{"Congratulations
from Susie and me. We are both very proud of you and Jennifer."}

_{Eric and Andrew
laughed and shook Peter's hand, reaching through Peter's strong hold to give
Jennifer a hug and a kiss. Both of them warned Peter that worse was to come,
but as the bridal car whisked the happy couple away from the church, Peter
didn't give their warnings a thought. Jennifer was beside him and his arm
around her waist emphasized that they were together forever. Nothing,
absolutely nothing and no one could separate them.}

_{At the riverbank with
the weeping willows and red river gums as background, the photographer seemed
to take ages before he was finished}

_{Only then did their
driver turn towards the reception. Peter made certain that Jennifer was too
involved with his kisses to notice that the car had driven into Rocky Springs -
their new home. She wasn't even aware the car had stopped until the door opened
and her beaming father was there to help her out.}

_{As Peter bent to lift
her train, Eric took the opportunity to give his daughter a hug. He swooped to
hold her tight and Peter detected tears in his eyes. His little girl had
suddenly grown up.}

_{Eric then turned to
Peter, "Welcome, son."}

_{"Hello, Mr. and
Mrs. O'Brien.”  Elizabeth rushed down the steps to cuddle her daughter and then
stepped back as Jennifer suddenly became aware of her surroundings.}

_{Unable to contain his
joy, Peter lifted her like a piece of white thistledown in a breeze and carried
her up the wide marble steps and across the threshold followed by her Mother and
Father.}

_{"Welcome Mrs.
O'Brien. I am so pleased you selected this property as your new home. Here is
your own special wedding present from me. I love you with all my heart.”  Peter
took the deeds of Rocky Springs from his father-in-law and handed them to her.}

_{Jennifer just stared
at him but then tears began to form and Peter admonished her.}

_{"No need for
tears my love,” he reassured her. "This is your home and a happy home it
is - now you're here. Come on, we'd better hurry, our guests are waiting."}

_{Jennifer lightly
punched his arm.}

_{"Peter O'Brien,
you really are incredible but God I love you so much and really your gifts just
seem to be never ending. How can I thank you?"}

_{"That's easy -
so easy my love. Just help me make this as happy a home as the one Elizabeth
and Eric gave you, and God willing, give me children to enjoy it."}

_{"Come on, you
two. Everyone's waiting. We're hungry.”  Andrew pushed them down the long
corridor out to the huge marquee and took them to the entrance. When they
appeared, the crowd stood, clapped and continued clapping as they made their
way to their seats with their Gurkha escort.}