***
The big day had arrived and Maureen and Gwen were in Maureen’s house now getting ready. Gwen had spent the night and they had kicked Paul out to share Andre’s apartment. The men didn’t have too much to do – outside of showing up appropriately dressed. Pete Bradshaw would have the rings and he would make sure they were fit to attend the ceremony. So as far as they were concerned they had it covered. The two women on the other hand had far more to think about, starting with their hairdresser’s appointment. They were also fretting about the reception despite being told not to worry – everything was all set. The limousines should be there on time – Paul had told then that he had organized that and they were good to go. The Bridesmaids were all organized, their dresses fitted perfectly and they looked lovely in them. All in all there was nothing to worry about – but that didn’t stop them from worrying anyway. Going on the premise that something always goes awry at weddings – they were worried about Murphy putting in an appearance somewhere despite assurances to the contrary.
With only the one bathroom to share - juggling the timetable was a work of art. Thankfully their hair would be done earlier that morning and not need to be blow dried etc. One can just imagine the panic if two hair dryers were used simultaneously and the fuse blew. That never happened. When the limousines arrived everyone was ready. The groom’s limo arrived fifteen minutes before theirs and they saw it come and go. That eliminated any anxiety about whether they would show up or not.
The church itself was all set up, the organ was playing and the people were now arriving and being ushered into their places on the appropriate side of the aisle. The church bells had been ringing out that afternoon and that just added to the occasion. It all now seemed like it was an English country wedding – that is where those church bells originally came from. The weather had also cooperated and this guaranteed that the photographs would be exactly what they wanted and would now be taken in the places that they wanted. In short it should be perfect – but they still worried.
Paul and Andre were now stood at the front of the church dressed in the tuxes and looking very smart indeed. Their military bearing was evident and they sent quite a few hearts a flutter too apparently. Although they were unaware of it - both of them were in fact hunks. Damaged they may have been – but they were getting better every day and that by no means reduced their “Hunk” status.
When the organist suddenly pulled out all the stops and began playing the Wedding March all heads spun round to look at the two brides walking down the aisle side by side. The two grooms spun round too and the look on their faces was captured on dozens of devices and by the official photographer too. They were both completely mesmerized and awestricken by the visions floating down the aisle towards them. Maureen in particular looked astonishingly beautiful, even under her veil. Gwen was the picture of elegance in the gown she was wearing and it fitted her like a glove. It did not detract from Maureen’s Cinderella like gown, but it was gorgeous in its own right. Paul and Andre were just speechless. They knew their wives were beautiful – but what was approaching them down that aisle was simply off the scale. Their faces registered that fact too and sent the temperature in the church surging upwards by at least five degrees.
The ceremony went off without a hitch and so too did the photography session in the park. It was a really perfect day for taking wedding pictures and they all turned out just as they wanted them to. The photographer had done a great job, the stances he had them in; their facial expressions and the sites themselves were perfection itself. Everything was correctly focused, everyone was smiling and paying attention and they looked fabulous. Murphy had not dared to show his face at this wedding it seemed. When all of this had been done it was times to go to the golf club for the reception. As the guests walked through the front door they saw the seating chart right in front of them. They would be ushered into the bar initially until the receiving line was all set up, but that wouldn’t take too long. Having gone through that procedure everyone then took their seats and the evening then got underway. Pete Bradshaw was doing double duty that night acting as best man and also emcee for the event. He did an absolutely amazing job – and in doing so ruined the make-up jobs of half the women in the room. He had them all laughing and crying, often at the same time with some of his stories. They were hilarious tales about the exploits of both the grooms from way back when. Where he came up with this stuff neither Paul nor Andre could figure out. Some serious research had gone into this. There was no mention whatsoever about their service in Afghanistan for obvious reasons. Martin Clark was also brought up to say a few words and he too had everyone rolling in the aisles. Apparently Paul’s childhood had been something less than angelic – but all had been forgiven now. However, he jokingly pointed out, that one wall of the police station was devoted to Paul’s activities and all new recruits had to study them in order to pass their entry exams.
One of Andre’s friends stood up and gave him a roasting too, pointing out all of his childhood transgressions – and they were plentiful too apparently. The two brides got off lightly in comparison. Helen did blow the whistle on some of Maureen’s questionable activities – but it was left to the listener’s imagination as to what she had actually been up to. Some people however do indeed have fertile imaginations – and assumed the worst and then some in most cases. They were all kept fully entertained all evening. Tony got up followed by Rachel and gave an almost eulogistic description of the impact the two couples had had on the community in the short time they had been there. They were very moving and heartfelt words that brought tears to Paul and Andre’s eyes and had both women weeping. It took Paul some time to compose himself before he could get up and give his groom speech – but when he did, he too had the tissues being used at a feverish rate. This time Cathy Braxton’s make up was destroyed and Tony was wiping his eyes too as was Rachel and Debbie Curtis. Paul delivered a very powerful and heartfelt speech of gratitude for all that had been done for them and how much it meant to them all. The sincerity of that speech was self-evident and everyone present knew it too. They all knew the circumstances surrounding their arrival here in Markton and what had transpired since. Hearing the impact their welcome had had on the two couples had taken them by surprise. They knew they were four lovely people – but hearing Paul’s speech and how they felt about them for doing what they had done for these damaged people, as he put it, reduced them to tears.
“We are here today because of all of you guys and what you have done for us. You brought us into your lives, four broken souls with little or no future ahead of them. You didn’t need to do that –but you did. Tony, you gave Andre and I a job – no, let me correct that – you gave us back our self-respect. You built us up and enabled us to do that for others slowly enabling us to heal. What you have done for Andre and I cannot be quantified and neither can out admiration and gratitude for you and for Cathy- God bless you both”
There were some very powerful words delivered that night along with all the jokes. It was an evening very few people would forget – it was a joyous occasion for sure – but one with a lot of depth attached too. The dancing started right after the dinner plates had been cleared and went on until 1:00 am in the morning. The following morning the two bridal couples flew off to the Caribbean on board the Braxton corporate jet. In actual fact Tony and Cathy were themselves of board – but they were going to a different location. They too were taking a holiday and they would pick them up again on their return home. It would be a well-earned rest for them all, peaceful and relaxing and one that was very much appreciated. The harbour of Murdoch’s Cove could not compare to the soft sandy beaches and the warm clear blue waters of the Caribbean. This was paradise to the four of them and they could simply lie on the beach and soak it all up. They also did the usual touristy things like parasailing, snorkeling and going out in a glass bottomed boat to view the wrecks of years gone by. Andre and Gwen had had a similar holiday in Jamaica not too long ago,
but it didn’t compare to this. Honeymoons just seem to have that little extra pizazz – well they thought so anyway. The food was of course superb every night and those moonlight strolls on the beach just before bedtime were just priceless. The whole place just added to the romance of it all with its ambiance and the fragrant aromas that wafted on the warm gentle breeze. It was their honeymoon after all – and all four of them took full advantage of it and all the delights it offered – and it was certainly a full menu. It would only last for two weeks, but it would be a very memorable two weeks and they would all be sorry to see it come to an end.
One night after have a few drinks in the bar they were all sitting on the beach listening to the waves lap gently onto the beach and thinking back a few years. They had come a long way in a very short space of time. The wheel of fortune had been very good to them this time. They could all see their future ahead of them and now they were not afraid of it. They now had a future – whereas before they were afraid to even think about it as it was so bleak.
“I’ll be sorry to leave here Paul said Maureen, this had been so heavenly.”
“Yes it has and I feel the same way – I don’t want to go home either. It is just so peaceful here and none of the world’s troubles are with us. It’s as if they simply don’t exist here.”
“They don’t” said Andre, “that is why we don’t want to go home. The lifestyle here is so laid back; time doesn’t seem to matter here. The people probably have their problems just like we do – but we simply don’t see them and so to us this is paradise. They may go to Toronto and say that to them that is paradise. We have the things that they lack here perhaps and they most certainly have what we lack as you have said.”
“Well when you put it that way Andre I guess you are right. The other man’s grass is always greener it seems – but it never is in the end.”
“That my friend is life –we always want what we don’t have – until we get it?”
“Wow Andre, what have you been drinking, or have you been taking a philosophy course on the quiet. You are turning into quite the philosopher here – and right before our eyes too.”
“Stop teasing him Paul and besides you are just as bad, said Maureen”
“Yeah well I don’t know about all of that – but I certainly don’t want to go home. I’m having far too much fun here and I just love how quiet it is here” said Gwen. “Just look at the moon dancing on the water, where else will you feel this relaxed?”
Gwen’s comment stopped them all in their tracks as they studied the sight before them of the moon dancing on the water. She was quite right it was truly beautiful and relaxing - something that they could all use but seldom got in their everyday life. As they all sat there with their arms around each other, they began to realize the significance of Gwen’s statement and they drew just that little bit closer to each other. They were indeed fortunate to be where they were now – it hadn’t been easy getting here, but they were here now.
Chapter Twenty Two
***
The honeymoon was over now and it was back to reality time once more. Both the Shelter and the Cave were full and there were plenty of problems to solve. When it boiled right down to it, very few of the actual problems were ever really solved. They were dealt with and, in general, they had a reasonable and fair conclusion. However, that is not quite the same thing as solving the problem. While one party or the other may now be out of the home and living on their own – the bully or the cheater were still bullying and cheating – but on someone else this time. It was a never ending circle and they only saw the tip of the iceberg – the vast majority of victims never came forward – they just suffered in silence. This aspect they chose to ignore – they could only help those who sought out their help and this they did. They took comfort in knowing that and they had indeed helped a large number of victims and in a variety of ways too. The police and local social services personnel spoke very highly indeed about both facilities and the community as a whole was very generous in their donations as they too respected what they were doing.
Christmas and the New Year had come and gone and the new factory out East was now just about ready to become operational. The adjacent building, where the Women’s Shelter would be, was already finished. It was time for Maureen and Paul to get their affairs in order here in Markton and prepare to move back out to Liverpool. Initially they would be living on the top floor of the Women’s Shelter in the roof top apartment. That served two purposes – they were on site in case of emergencies and it would give them time to find more suitable accommodation. They would be sorry to go and leave all of this and their friends behind – but they could always come back for visits and Tony and Cathy would be visiting them occasionally. Right now they had to think about packing up all of their stuff and moving it out to Nova Scotia. Gwen and Andre would only have to move their belongings across the yard from the coach house apartment to the gate house. That would still require effort though; the distance was irrelevant in that respect. The transition would be smooth and the Man Cave’s daily routine would not be disrupted at all as Andre was already on top of everything. The Women’s Shelter would miss Maureen and her sewing abilities, but they all wished her well in her new position out in Liverpool. They all knew she would do a great job out there – but it wouldn’t be easy initially. She had to find the right volunteers for a start. The professionals were already on board, but as yet she had yet to meet with them. She would be in for a few busy days once she got up there. It would also take a while to establish credibility with the police and social services. One can’t simply hang out a shingle and claim you are open for business. These people are in pain and suffering and the authorities need to know they are not sending them from the frying pan into the fire. Once her reputation had been established things would be fine – but that wouldn’t happen overnight.
Their belongings all packed up they were now ready to go. They would get an early start in the morning, but first they had to say their goodbyes to everyone. That proved to be a very difficult thing to do. Saying goodbye to Gwen and Andre really tore Maureen apart. She had not expected to be that upset. She knew she’d be upset – but not as much as she was. She and Gwen had been through Hell together, rescued together, worked side by side, married together and even been on honeymoon together. The thought of not having Gwen around was devastating to Maureen. It was equally traumatic for Gwen for exactly the same reasons. Their final good bye was a very tearful one. They would still be in constant touch, by phone and e-mail and they would make a point of visiting each other periodically – but today that didn’t lessen the pain. A similar scene played out when saying goodbye to Rachel and Debbie. Cathy she would see quite often so that was not so painful – but it still had them both in tears. Paul was not exactly immune either. He choked up too saying goodbye to everyone and especially Andre. They had been through Hell together, lived there for a while and then come out on the other side. They had not emerged unscathed from that experience and they had clung to each other in order to survive it. Parting after all of that was tough to do for both men. While not in tears, their eyes were most certainly misty. Even the hardened Pete Bradshaw was upset at his leaving them all behind. They had been a very close knit community; they were family for god’s sake – how does one not be upset by leaving them behind. They all felt that way – including the ones staying where they were.
***
Out in Liverpool things were now all ready to go. The building had been refitted and the assembly lines all set up. The workforce had been to school to be given the basics and they had also been run through the training program on the shop floor. They had been fully paid for all of this and they were now ready to put it all in motion and begin production. Pete Bradshaw had been very pleased indeed at what he had seen in terms of effort on the shop floor. As he told Tony –
“These guys are really busting their asses. They put in extra time without thinking about it and they don’t expect to be
paid for it. They really are so grateful for the opportunity to work. That said, I do authorize overtime pay when I consider it necessary and they most certainly appreciate it. In fact they work even harder on the strength of it so as not to let us down. I am so proud of these guys, Tony, and I think you ought to come out here to see for yourself what you have done for these guys. They will most definitely appreciate a visit from the boss – and that in itself is a rarity. In this case, Tony, they know what you have done for them and I am sure they’ll be only too happy to let you know that personally. When you get the time – a surprise visit might just be what these guys need in order to let you know how much they appreciate this opportunity.”