Bette and Tina smiled as they came to stand opposite each other. Bette took Tina’s hand tenderly, and they stared into each others’ eyes. The woman presiding over the ceremony, Marie, cleared her throat.

“And now we’ll begin” Marie started “we’re gathered here today to witness the union of these two women. It may not be conventional, or a legal union, but it is a union of true love. Bette and Tina have asked that you share this special day with them, and are most grateful for your support”

The women broke their gaze for a second to smile at their guests. Then they returned to staring at each other. Dana and Alice already had tissues in their hands, and Shane laughed and rolled her eyes.

Marie continued with her speech “for today we can dispense with legal formalities, instead we have someone who wanted to share this moment with our couple. Kit Porter, Bette’s sister, will sing for you”

Kit walked nervously to the front, her face searching for Bette’s approval. When Bette nodded and smiled, she sighed in relief and took the micraphone.

“I think this song is pretty appropraite for these two beautiful ladies, so I’d like to sing it for them, and for you” Kit turned to the pianist, who started to play.

Tina squeezed Bette’s hand and they stood watching Kit as she started to sing.

“The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
The moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and endless skies, my love
To the dark and empty skies
And the first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hands
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
That was then
And the first time ever I lay with you
And felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And would last til the end of time, my love
It would last til the end of time
The first time ever I saw your face
Your face, your face”

When she’d finished, Kit stared straight at Bette, who mouthed “thank you”. Kit nodded and stepped down. Bette and Tina then turned back to face Marie.

“And without further ado we come to the vows and exchange of rings” Marie announced “can we have the rings please?”

Alice stepped forward, and for once she didn’t even try to be funny. She placed the two gold bands in Marie’s hand before stepping back to her place.

“Tina” Marie handed Tina a ring “if you’d like to begin”

Dana hurried forward and handed Tina the vows that she’d written down. She’d pretty much committed them to memory, but the emotion of the situation was quite likely to make her forget them.

“Bette” Tina held Bette’s hand tightly and stared into her eyes “when I first met you I was aware of your beauty, your presence. Now I have come to know your heart, and with it your incredible ability to love. I used to be scared, but you made me feel safe. I thought my path was set, but you showed me a love that I could never have imagined. You make me feel complete. You’ve made me the woman I am today. I promise never to run unless you’re running with me” both women had to smile at that line “I promise to stand by you and your strong convictions, and to fight for you without question. I gave you my heart a long time ago. My body, mind and soul are all yours. Now I stand here today to give you my life” she slid the ring onto Bette’s finger “I give you this ring as a sign of the never ending love that we share”

A tear trickled down both women’s cheeks, but that was nothing compared to the rivers being cried by Alice and Dana. They stood in the front row sniffing.

“Bette?” Marie placed the other ring in Bette’s hand, and Bette pulled her vows from her jacket pocket.

“Tina” she took a deep breath and studied Tina’s face “T” she started again “I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you. Every day that I spend with you I learn to love you a little bit more, and I want that to continue for the rest of my life. With you I have no false pretences, I feel safe enough to know that I can be myself. You have taught me to fight for what I want, and so I will never stop fighting for you. I swear that I’ll protect you and respect you always. You’ve shown me that love can overcome anything, and for that I will be eternally grateful. My lover, my best friend, my soulmate, today I give myself to you forever” she slid the ring gently onto Tina’s finger and looked back into her eyes “I give you this ring as a sign of the commitment I make to always love you”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Even the infallible Shane was blinking back tears. At the back two figures shamefully wiped their eyes with tissues.

“Today you have given yourselves to each other. I, along with everyone here, wish you a lifetime of happiness. You may both now kiss the bride” a murmur of laughter travelled round the garden at Marie’s last line.

Bette and Tina turned back to face each other. Bette ran her hand softly down Tina’s cheek and gazed into her eyes, before leaning in and kissing her tenderly. Tina ran her hands through Bette’s hair and deepened the kiss, to the sounds of cheers from the guests. They held hands and walked down the aisle smiling at their friends and colleagues to the sound of soft music.

At last
A love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
At last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clovers
The night I looked at you
I found a dream
That I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own

When they reached the end of the aisle both of them froze.

At the very back stood Tina’s mother, Carol, and Bette’s father, Melvin. They’d both been crying.

“Congratulations” Carol whispered.

“All the best” Melvin added quietly.

Bette and Tina gripped each others’ hands tightly and managed a smile at their parents. Melvin and Carol nodded, and so the couple headed inside the house and walked to the bedroom to prepare themselves for the reception.

“We actually did it!” Tina turned to Bette excitedly.

“I know!” Bette hugged her tightly.

“But my Mum and your Dad…” Tina started.

“Let them do what they want. No-one’s gonna spoil our day, T”

“I love you” Tina pulled Bette to her for a long kiss.

“I love you too” Bette finally broke the kiss and whispered in Tina’s ear.

They stood there, holding each other, neither feeling the need to move.

“Hey, lovebirds!” Alice was banging on the door “your guests are waiting!”

“My wife and I will be with you in a moment” Bette called.

“I love how that sounds” Tina smiled.

“You’re my wife” Bette stroked Tina’s cheek.

“And you’re my wife” Tina kissed Bette softly “now let’s go face everyone”

Tina took Bette’s hand and led her through to the reception on the back patio.