‘We have,’ said Alexa touched by Peggy’s words.  ‘I enjoy the time that we spend together Peggy.’

‘As do I, what I’m trying to say is, oh blast these lifetime moments aren’t my forte…..’

Alexa looked confused.  ‘Look Alexa,’ Peggy tried again.  ‘The facts are you and I know you’re going to go out there and try to forget everything that your ghastly mother said to you but deep down it will still hurt anyway.  But what you must know is that even though it doesn’t make up what you feel you’ve lost you are a part of this family Alexa. From this day forth I think of you as a Peabody, in fact as a daughter.’

Alexa hugged Peggy to her for a long moment.  ‘This is an Armani suit dear,’ Peggy said but smiled and hugged her back.  ‘Now come along, Helena is going to think I’ve talked you out of it.’

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Before Alexa walked out she felt flutters of nervousness, even standing in front of this small group of friends and a few of Helena’s colleagues and family members she felt she would trip up and sound foolish saying her vows.  But when Alexa saw Helena and they walked out from their opposite sides of the beach towards each other, she wasn’t nervous anymore because Helena was all she could see.

Helena had been nervous that morning too, not for the thought of public speaking but of marriage itself.  Would they become what all the marriages around her had: bland, bickering, trapped?  But when Helena saw Alexa she wasn’t nervous because her exquisite, young bride gave her a wink and that shy sideways smile and something in that single glance told her that they would be different from the rest, that this was the start the ride of a lifetime.

When it came time to say her vows Helena said what she’d been planning for days, had written and re-written until she’d found the words she felt fit.

‘Alexa, I never knew how empty my life was until you came and filled every second of it with joy and laughter. The first time I kissed you a part of me knew we’d be standing here someday.  My love for you is endless sweetheart and I want to spend my life making you as happy as you’ve made me.’