Despite my worries the day before, the morning of my wedding day dawned bright and clear. The few white fluffy clouds were scattered across the horizon, the sky was a brilliant, deep blue, and the gentle breeze coming down the mountain smelled like the fall woods. I hurried outside to get through my chores as quickly as possible, but I found Dirk and Kana already there. They'd agreed to tend to my farm while we were away on our honeymoon, but I hadn't expected them to start until tomorrow.

"Get yourself back inside and enjoy a nice, lazy breakfast," Kana said as he and Dirk laughed at my surprised expression. "We've got everything under control out here. Go on now, shoo!"

"Yep, you just go relax and make yourself beautiful for your groom! Well, more beautiful!" Dirk added with his impudent grin as he started towards my fields. With a final wave of dismissal, Kana headed into my barn, so I shrugged and smiled as I turned and headed back into my house.

I made some herbal tea and took a long, hot bath, listening to soft music and sipping my tea as I relaxed. As I finished toweling off afterwards, there was a knock on my door. I quickly pulled on a robe and went to answer it, and found Cam on my doorstep, his arms loaded with boxes full of flowers.

"A very special delivery, ma'am," he said with a grin as he stepped in. "I haven't sorted these all out yet—they're all the flowers for the wedding party, and I wanted to be sure you liked them first before taking them over to the town hall."

I looked the flowers over, and they were beautiful—absolutely perfect. My bouquet was a loose cluster of pale peach roses, ranunculus, and white stock, accented with soft grey-green stems of eucalyptus. "Congratulations, radiance, bonds of affection, and protection," he said with a smile as I examined the bouquet. I smiled back at him and set the flowers back into their holder. The girls' bouquets were the same as mine except with pale peachy-pink stock instead of white, while the men's boutonnieres were a single pale peach rosebud and a tiny stem of eucalyptus. There was also a single rose for me to tuck into my hair, and tucked in the box alongside the bouquets was a small box full of pale peach rose petals for Ying's basket.

"They're gorgeous, Cam! Just what I'd expect from you, of course."

He smiled down at me, saying, "Then if you're happy with them, I'll take them on over." He put his arms around me and held me for a moment, then leaned in and kissed the top of my head, whispering, "You're naked under that thing, aren't you?"

I pushed him back, laughing. "Easy, big fella! There's still a few hours to go!"

He grinned at me as he said, "Yeah, and they'll be the longest few hours of my life!" Then he winked as he tipped his cap to me and headed back out the door, taking the flowers with him. I was still laughing as I closed the door behind him, then I looked around and got to work.

First, I started coffee and dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. I ate a quick breakfast and washed my dishes, then I whisked around tidying the house. I'd washed all the linens just yesterday, though the damp weather had prevented them from drying very well and they didn't smell as fresh as I liked. I looked outside and considered washing them all over again, then decided there just wasn't time. Instead, I just pulled clean bedding out of the linen closet. It would smell like dried lavender instead of fresh air, but I was okay with that. And besides, Cam loved the scent of lavender.

Just as I finished sweeping the floors, there was another knock at my door. I quickly put the broom and dustpan away, then opened the door. My mother, Yvonne, Georgia, Laney, and Eileen all came crowding in, laughing and giggling, there to escort me to the town hall for our preparations. I pulled on my shoes and coat, and we all gathered up my finery and headed over.

Ina had kindly offered the use of her apartment for our preparations, as both guest rooms in the hall were occupied. When we went up, we found Beth, Nori, Reina, Yun, and little Ying already waiting for us. My mother had provided bottles of chilled champagne, as well as a bottle of cider for Ying, and we all sipped the effervescent wine as we started to prepare ourselves. Georgia assisted Laney and Eileen with their hair and makeup, Yun did Ying's hair, and my mother and Beth both worked on me. Meanwhile, Reina tended to our flowers, and Nori helped with any last-minute adjustments to our gowns.

When Beth and my mother were done, my hair had been loosely curled, then gathered up and pinned at the back of my head, with loose waves framing my face. The single rose bloom had been pinned on one side, tucked in amongst the curls of my coiffure. My makeup was simple, mostly to emphasize my eyes, as I'd never cared to wear a lot of makeup. As I looked at my reflection somewhat uncertainly, Beth assured me it was all waterproof, to my relief. I was sure I was going to need it. The only jewelry I wore was a pair of simple teardrop-shaped pearls dangling from tiny peach roses. I had earrings to give Eileen, Laney, and Ying, too, as a thank-you for being part of my special day—tiny peach roses for Ying, and sparkling peachy-pink crystals hung from gold roses for both Eileen and Laney.

Next, I put on my lingerie. To go beneath my gown, I'd bought an ivory strapless bra with a little lacey thong and a chiffon garter belt to hold up my thigh-high ivory stockings. I pulled on my garter belt of ivory lace and sky blue ribbon, then I slid my silky slip carefully over my head. Finally, I was ready for my dress.

My mother helped me step into my gown, pulling it up carefully around me and doing up the buttons in the back. Nori had needed to make some adjustments to it, since apparently my figure was curvier than was currently the vogue. I'd had to choose between either a gown that fit my waist but was too tight across my bust and hips, or one that fit my bust and hips but was baggy around the waist. So I picked the latter and took it to Nori. Her alterations were invisible, and the dress fit perfectly over my figure. I stepped into my ivory satin pumps, and I was ready. My mother and the other women all gathered around to admire me, exclaiming over my appearance until my cheeks were rosy. Yun, who had been taking photos the whole time, took several snapshots of me in my gown with my mother, my attendants, and finally everyone all together.

By the time we were done, it was time to go downstairs, so we quickly packed up everything. My mother checked to be sure all was clear—she was very superstitious about Cam seeing me in my dress before the ceremony—and as soon as she gave the all clear, we headed down. We put our bags of clothing and supplies in the ladies' cloakroom, then Reina handed us our bouquets and we settled down to wait. Very soon, Ina came in to tell us that everything was ready, and to come along so we could get started. Then she hurried away, along with Nori, Reina, and Beth, and after a tearful hug and kiss, my mother followed, leaving me alone with Eileen, Laney, Ying, and my nerves.

As I stood waiting behind Eileen and Lacey, my father came in, followed by Ash, Rob, and Rahi with his little satin pillow cushioning the pair of golden rings. "You look beautiful, baby," my dad said, looking teary-eyed despite his wide smile. I just smiled back at him, too choked up to reply, and tucked my hand into his arm and gave it a hard squeeze. A moment later, Ina called for us to begin our procession into the hall.

To be honest, the ceremony was a blur. My heart was beating so hard, I was sure everyone could hear it pounding against my ribcage. And when I saw Cam waiting for me at the altar, it suddenly seemed as though everyone else disappeared—like we were the only two people in all the world. I think I said all the right things at the right times—at least, no one scolded me or laughed, as far as I knew anyway. But it all seemed like a half-real dream, clear up until the moment he slipped the ring on my finger. I looked up at him and smiled through happy tears, then placed his ring onto his finger. Then with the pastor's blessing, he leaned down and kissed me. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him like I meant it—then jumped, startled, when the hall erupted in loud cheers and excited whoops. We turned and smiled as the pastor introduced us as the new Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Blake, then we hurried back down the aisle as the hall emptied behind us, leading the way to the reception in Bluebell.

The hall was beautiful—Cam's flowers were, as always, exquisite, and Rose and Georgia had outdone themselves in making everything festive and bridal. Howard had prepared tables full of small bites, salads, breads, cheeses, and heartier dishes such as fish and pasta. On a table to one side was Laney's creation: a four-tiered cake iced in ivory decorated with icing pearls and lace and garnished with pale peach roses and tiny ivory rosebuds. Cam, who had a strong aversion to sweets, had griped about the cake at first, and Laney had threatened him with dire consequences if he didn't "man up" and eat a slice of cake at his own wedding, warning him that if he refused, she'd make chocolate cake—which he detested most of all—and even telling him that he'd make me cry and spoil the whole day for me. That alarmed him, and he promised to eat a piece if it would make me happy. However, I stepped in and scolded Laney for her interference, reminding her that it was a special day for him, too, and telling them both that my happiness didn't depend on whether he ate cake or not. In the end, Cam decided to join me for the traditional cutting of the cake, and take a bite of the piece I fed him, but no more. And I was sure to ask Laney to make white cake, not chocolate.

After the cutting of the cake, Ash's toast, dinner, and cake, the dancing began. Rutger called for everyone to clear the floor, and Cam and I stepped out for our first dance together as husband and wife. Cam was not a particularly experienced dancer, though Laney had taken him in hand and polished his skills up a little. Still, we opted to avoid anything overly complicated, and instead chose a sweet, romantic song for a slow dance. Next, I danced with my father while he danced with my mother, then after that, we opened the dance floor to everyone.

It was traditional for all the male guests at a wedding to dance with the bride—it was considered good luck, and often at larger weddings the bride was kept dancing all night, often able to dance with her husband for only the first and sometimes the last dances. So as soon as the parents' dance was over, all the men in both towns gathered around me, jovially jostling and pushing each other in order to be first in line. To my surprise—not to mention my discomfiture—the victor turned out to be none other than Mikhail. He took my hand and solemnly asked me for the next dance—a graceful waltz. Unable to refuse by custom, and keenly aware of Cam's scowl of displeasure, I hesitantly nodded. He led me out onto the floor and the music began.

As we glided across the dance floor, he watched me, looking into my eyes unwaveringly. Finally, he said in a low voice, "I should apologize. I could not come to see you wed. I did try—in the hopes that perhaps at the last moment you might change your mind and fly into my arms. In the end, though, I could not bring myself to watch you bind yourself to him. However, I did not want to miss this one last opportunity to dance with you."

I didn't know what to say to that, and before I could think of a reply, he went on, leaning in ever so slightly. "You look divine, Alice. Absolutely beautiful. I wish it was me that you had chosen... that you were now Mrs. Rehn, not Mrs. Blake... that we could dance like this forever. And... I wish it was me who will be joining you in your bed tonight, not him."

I gasped slightly, and looked up at him anxiously. "Mikhail... I...."

He shook his head. "No, Alice. Don't say it. Wishing can't make it so, and apologies won't mend a broken heart. Nevertheless, whether you believe me or not, I do wish you well and desire your happiness. So, though it pains me to say it, I hope you have a long and happy life."

"Thank you, Mikhail. And I truly am sorry to have caused you pain, but most of all, I'm sorry I couldn't give you what you wished." He inhaled sharply, looking at me with so much pain in his eyes that I couldn't hold his gaze.

Then, as the waltz neared its end, he pulled me closer to him and in a voice so low no one but me could possibly have heard him, he replied, "As for me, more than anything... I wish that I had not resisted you that night."

I stopped and gasped, shocked that he'd say that to me at my own wedding reception, of all places. He bowed over my hand before turning on his and briskly striding out of the hall, leaving me standing stunned on the dance floor as the music ended with a triumphant crash.