Page 39 of Landing Love

“Nonsense. Consider it a wedding present.”

Ann sat silent with her eyes downcast, Junior in her lap, grabbing at the buttons of her shirtwaist.

“Ann, can I take Junior while you go upstairs to change?” he asked. “I’ve had your dress from last night cleaned in case you’d like to wear it again.”

She nodded and looked into his eyes. Her lip quivered for a moment, but she stiffened it and straightened her back. There was the steel he admired so much in her. He wished she didn’t need to brace herself for battle just to look at him, but he couldn’t help admiring her strength in such a difficult moment. He watched every movement as she scooped up the dress and several of the packages and disappeared up the stairs.

“Poor girl,” his mother said as soon as Ann was gone. “She hasn’t recovered from the shock yet. It’s going to take some time, I think. Be gentle with her tonight. You may want to wait before pressing her about…wifely duties.”

Blood rushed to his face at his mother’s words. That was not a conversation he wanted to have with Mum. “I have no intention of pressing her. I only want to put a roof over her head.”

Junior began to cry, and Mrs. O’Donnell came rushing over. “As I thought,” she said, picking him up. “He needs his nappy changed. Why don’t you go get dressed while I take care of Junior?”

He nodded and slipped into his parents’ bedroom to change. This was it—the big day. It wasn’t the big society affair Hank and Rory had, but in some ways, he preferred it this way. All he wanted was his family and Ann. They didn’t need a big fancy party with hundreds of guests. It might have been nice to invite his friends, but Hank was on his honeymoon, and Jack and Ernie were scheduled to fly. And under the circumstances, he didn’t think he had the patience for their inevitable teasing and wisecracks. No, it was better to keep things as small as possible.

Straightening his tie, he headed back into the dining room. Mary was chatting with Mum, and Adelaide and Connor were whizzing around the room, creating havoc. As soon as she saw him, Mary came running over and hugged him.

“I’m so happy for you, Bill. I know these aren’t ideal circumstances, but I just know you two will be very happy together. And, may I say, you look very dapper,” she said, stepping back to look at him.

At that moment, Ann came in wearing her dress from last night, her hair in a loose bun. She was every bit as achingly beautiful as she was last night, but today, there was a fragility to her beauty, a sadness behind her eyes that made her loveliness all the more affecting.

“Shall we all go together?” his mother asked. “I don’t think any of us want to miss it.”

“Absolutely,” said Mary.

Bill took Ann’s hand and folded it into the crook of his arm and led the way down the stairs and out of the house. Mum followed with Junior in her arms, and Mary came last with her two little ones. His father put a “Closed” sign on the shop and handed Ann a bouquet of his very finest pink and white roses. That bouquet was a work of art, and for a moment, Ann’s steely gaze softened.

“Thank you.” She reached for the bouquet and raised it to smell the fragrant blooms. This might have been a rushed affair, but he hoped they could make it special for her.

They walked together in a solemn procession to City Hall and went to the desk of the City Clerk. Bill filled out the necessary forms, only asking for Ann when her signature was needed. Her hand shook a little as she signed, but her posture was unyielding. Bill paid the fee, and then they stood together in front of the desk for the ceremony.

“Are you ready?” asked the clerk.

“Yes,” they said at the same time. Bill’s heart skipped a beat.

The clerk went to another room and came back with a judge, who stood beside the desk and began, “We are gathered here today to witness the joining in the legal state of matrimony of Bill O’Donnell and Ann Prince.”

Bill took her hand and squeezed as the judge continued to recite the ceremony in a monotone from a book. She squeezed back and held on tightly as if she needed his support to remain standing. He listened to the familiar words, hearing them in a new way now that they applied to him. How different this must be from the last time she married, he thought to himself. Whatever the circumstances, though, he was grateful she was his.

“Please face each other to say your vows,” said the judge.

They turned, and Bill took her other hand. Her eyes rose slowly to meet his. He smiled at her, and he watched her force a sad smile in return. Oh, how he ached for her! He wanted to fold her in his arms and never let her go.

“Repeat after me,” he said to Bill. “I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, Bill O’Donnell, do take you, Ann Prince, to be my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part.”

Bill said his vows in a clear voice, holding her gaze.

Before saying her vows, Ann took a deep breath and blinked back tears. Her voice shook as she spoke, but she didn’t hesitate or turn away.

Then it was time to exchange rings, and Bill watched as she turned red and discreetly moved Roger’s wedding ring to her other hand. Oh God. Was he making a terrible mistake? If ever there was a sign that she wasn’t ready, it was this. But it was too late now. They’d both committed to this course. He slipped his ring on her finger, pretending he hadn’t noticed, and fortunately, it fit.

“By the power vested in me by the City of Mineola, I do hereby declare you man and wife.”

It was done. Everyone looked on expectantly, waiting for a kiss. Bill leaned in and touched his lips to hers. Though she accepted his soft, gentle kiss, she barely moved her lips. He folded her in his arms and cradled her head with his hand. Slowly, she relaxed and melted against him, returning his embrace. It was as much as he could reasonably hope for, and he said a silent prayer of thanks for his new wife.

15

Ann fiddled with her two rings as Mrs. O’Donnell bustled around, serving a lavish luncheon. Her mind spiraled with endless questions, none of which she could stand to think about. She and Junior were safe. They had a roof over their heads, a warm and welcoming family. She was married to a good and kind man who would be an excellent father to Junior. Did anything else matter?