Days pass and Gertrude's and Henry's wedding day only came closer.
With the arrival of the day of the wedding, the Clarke household was up early, just as the sun managed to peer past the horizon.
Rushing through the hallways of the second floor were Ruth and Agath, all the while, in Tamara's room were Eileen and Tamara. Eileen helped her sister with putting on her dress, fitting it onto her body, just like her sister did to her only minutes ago.
Looking at the mirror in the open wardrobe, a smile of satisfaction on both Eileen's and Tamara's faces came about.
"It looks wonderful..." Eileen commented.
"It really does..." Tamara responded, not being able to get her eyes off the mirror that reflected her dress.
At that moment, a knock was heard before the door opened. It was Ann-Marie.
She was about to say something when she was awe-struck by the dress that was on Tamara. "Sweetheart!" She began. "It looks wonderful!!... You look wonderful...". With that, she looked at Eileen, who also had a beautiful dress on herself. "You both look so beautiful...". And then, tears began to accumulate in her eyes.
But before she managed to spill out onto her cheeks, she turned around. Knowing her daughters saw such a reaction, she decided to brush it off with a gentle laugh. "I must call your father to see you both.". With that, their mother left the room.
To that, Eileen and Tamara looked at each other, their smiles growing bigger before they looked back toward the mirror.
Chatter was heard from the hallway, but Tamara didn't give much mind to it.
And then, just like Ann-Marie said, they brought their father into their room. She maintained her position behind his broad frame as she dried the tears from her eyes.
Noah reacted similarly to Ann-Marie. He was speechless. Taking a step further toward his daughters, only then did he manage to find enough strength to succumb to his speechlessness. "You both look beautiful...".
And then, being the proud father that he was of his daughters, his hands instinctively hovered over his mouth as his eyes, too, began filling up with tears.
Seeing the reactions of their parents, both Tamara and Eileen couldn't help themselves but allow tears to flow into their eyes also.
"If you two continue like this, you will make both Eileen and me also cry," Tamara spoke out as a lump began to form in her throat.
"It's only happy tears," Noah responded. "You both look so beautiful. And you both got that from your mother..." he tried to crack a joke before beginning to laugh ever so slightly through the tears that he tried to keep at bay.
His wife chuckled behind him, before trying not to break down into tears.
But it wasn't until Ruth and Agath entered the room that their attempts turned futile.
With their dresses on them also, they came in to ask their mother something. But instead, they were both met with their parents close to tears.
And there, both Noah and Ann-Marie looked at one another. "We have beautiful children..." Noah spoke out.
And Ann-Marie nodded her head in agreement.
---
The wedding ceremony was planned to be held out in a nearby church. The ones closest to the bride and the groom were there, sitting. Looking at Henry in his black suit. They patiently awaited the arrival of Gertrude.
On the bride's side were Eileen, Abigail, Tamara, Ruth and Agath. Each held flowers in their hands. While the groomsmen had their hands interlocked with one another.
From time to time, Tamara would glance over toward the groomsmen. Each time, her gaze did not fall short of Theodore. Without her wanting, her eyes still managed to find an appeal in him.
The suit he wore. It fit him well. Very well as a matter of fact. Better than she anticipated.
It was only when her gaze managed to find his, and his hers, that she proceeded to look elsewhere. At the crowd. The lanterns patterned the ceiling of the church. Anywhere but him.
And then, just as she looked toward the back of the room, she saw him. Pavel.
She noticed the fact that his gaze was pointed her way. 'Had he been looking my way all this time?'. And there, with a small smile, she greeted him. He replied with the same. His signature smirk.
Swallowing whatever was in her mouth, her gaze led her to look down at the floor before her eyes concentrated on the flowers that she held. Their whiteness, and cleanliness. Purity.
And that was when it all hit her again. So looking toward the groom, a small smile grew on her lips. 'My younger sister is getting married...'.
And with that though, the door opened. Everyone's eyes moved to the back of the church as they all stood up.
There, by the doors were both Noah and his daughter - holding flowers, hand in hand as they slowly proceeded to walk the aisle.
With the musicians getting ready, they began to play the entrance music just as they both set foot on the red carpet of the aisle. They played the beautiful melodies of 'Canon in D'.
Slowly, step by step, Gertrude looked at Henry and Henry at Gertrude. She walked closer and closer to him, her hand still on her father.
It was only when she reached the priest did she let go of her father. And with that, Noah went back to sit down with his wife, who immediately clutched onto him as more tears filled her eyes.
The music slowly began to quieten down as the priest took a step closer to the youthful couple. And by the time he began speaking, the music ceased out of existence.
"We have gathered to commemorate the happening of something so beautiful. The marriage of Henry Bishop and Gertrude Clarke..." The Priest spoke. He continued the ceremony as everyone there kept their eyes on them. Gertrude tried her best to hold her tears at bay. And Henry, who wanted to do very much the same.
Gertrude and Henry both exchanged their vows, and with that, the two rings were brought up to the altar.
"Will you, Gertrude Clarke, take me as your loving husband?".
A majestic smile stretched across Gertrude's face as a couple of tears managed to escape her eyes and fall down her face. "Yes. I do.". The cheer was heard throughout the church, but it was slight so as to not disturb the ceremony all too much. With that, gently, Henry took Gertrude's hand into his before putting the ring on her finger.
And then, Gertrude took a deep breath. "Will you, Henry Bishop, take me as your loving wife?".
Henry has a similar reaction to Gertrude, a smile appeared on his lips. "Yes.".
With that, cheer erupted throughout the hall as Gertrude put the last ring onto Henry's ring finger.
"You may kiss your bride.".
---
Following the wedding ceremony, everyone slowly made their way toward the Bishop's residency. Arriving, the Clarke sisters all followed Gertrude up and into a room. It was her bedroom in this new house of hers.
Abigail led Gertrude to her bed, whilst the rest of the sisters huddled up into a group, them all facing Gertrude and Abigail.
"I still cannot believe it..." Ruth began, a smile growing only bigger on her lips. "You are married, Gertrude...".
She saw the way that Gertrude turned ever so slightly. But then broke into tears as she stood up.
Immediately, the sisters approached Gertrude.
"Sister?" Eileen began. "What's wrong? Why are you crying? You know you shouldn't be crying on such a joyous day.".
"My sisters..." Gertrude began, her tears managing to beat her to it before she managed to take in a deep breath. "I am heartbroken... for I am no longer a Clarke sister.".
The sisters all froze as they looked at one another. "What are you talking about?" Agath spoke out, sitting beside Gertrude. The rest of the sisters joined Agath.
"Don't speak of such nonsense, Gertrude," Abigail began. "Even if you are a Bishop now, you will forever and ever remain a Clarke sister. Our dear, dear Clarke sister.".
And with that, all the sisters hurdled into a hug, that familiar, warm hug that they all used to share when they were smaller.
---
Rushing out of the room to the sound of chatter, Tamara stood by the railing, looking out at all the people who scattered the floor of the hall. In return, she got a few gazes back, from those who noticed her figure.
A smile of delight grew on her face. 'Tonight is going to be magical, I can feel it,' she thought to herself as she took a step back.
Turning around, she walked back into the room where the sisters all helped each other get ready.
"Who is out there, Tamara?" Gertrude asked, noticing her absence followed by her return into the room.
"Guests and guests and even more guests!!" Tamara responded as the smile that was on her lips only proceeded to grow more.
Hearing Tamara's words, Agath and Ruth turned their heard toward Tamara. "Guests??". And with that, they both rushed out and looked over the metal barrier.
Seeing such a reaction, though sadness still lingered on Gertrude's chest, she still allowed a slight smile to form on her lips. "Only a little bit more before we can join them downstairs.".
And just as per Gertrude's words, it was only a little while later before the sisters stood alongside their sister as they descended the stairs.
Upon reaching the marbled floor of the beautiful, broad hall, only then did everyone freeze as they took a step back, making way for the sisters.
Advancing further into the hall, it took a mere few seconds for Henry to find his wife. And once he did, a broad smile grew on his lips.
As if it was his turn now, he too advanced toward Gertrude and only when reaching her did he offer a hand. "May I have the honour of dancing with the most beautiful woman in this house?".
His words caused tears to accumulate in Gertrude's eyes.
The smile that remained on his face only grew more when he felt Gertrude's touch. Before beginning to dance, gently, he lifted her hands to let his lips meet them as he looked into her eyes. His gaze was as soft as cotton and as sweet as honey.
And with that, holding his wife a bit closer to him, they began dancing.
---
Tamara and Eileen strolled through all the couples who danced throughout the hall. And it wasn't long before a suitor came up to the two women.
"Excuse me, Miss..." his voice boomed from their left. Turning, Tamara noticed the way he looked at Eileen. "May I ask for a dance?".
Surprised, Eileen looked at her sister, a smile growing on her lips.
As some sort of smile of approval from Tamara, she smiled back. To that, Eileen accepted the gentleman's hand before she was pulled, gently, toward him and into the vast crowd.
Tamara was left alone, wandering the hall that was filled with people dancing. The ones who were alone, just like Tamara, were sat in chairs by tables, either making food for their company or looking out at others.
Her lonesome wander didn't last long, as a voice caught her attention. "Ms Tamara...".
She turned to the voice, only to be greeted by Pavel's gaze. "Mr Pavel!". With such, she furthermore greeted him with a curtsy.
"Are you here by yourself?" He proceeded on asking.
"Oh, no, no. I am here with my family," Tamara started. "They are scattered all around," she added with a giggle, lowering her eyes to the ground for a mere second before raising her gaze back to meet his.
"And left you all alone here?... Why I must say that a lady as beautiful as yourself, all alone, is never a good thing.". And with such being said, Pavel extended his hand out, offering Tamara a dance. "If you'd allow me, I'd like to make your company.".
The smile that evolved on her lips told him the answer he was looking for, her words further concreting his thoughts. "Yes.".
And with that, with him taking a hold of her hand and her body, and she of his, they slowly began dancing, twirling in circles, just like all the other couples that surrounded them.
The percussion played on as everyone tried to synchronise themselves to the melody of the music played. Most succeeded while others failed, but not that it stopped the cheer.
Unlike their first dance, this dance felt much more different on both Tamara's and Pavel's behalf. It felt more intimate, they were better acquainted with one another now.
And then, through the melodies played, Pavel's voice caught Tamara's attention. "If I may say so myself, Ms Tamara, you do look rather ravishing in that dress.".
His compliment hit Tamara like a bag of bricks. It left her speechless.
Seeing such on her face, the slight smile that was on his lips receded to mere nothing. "Have I crossed the line with that one?".
"No, no..." she replied almost too quickly. "I- I was really just caught off guard. But I do thank you for the compliment.".
"I see," Pavel began. "I do apologise for catching you off guard.". And with that, they danced for a mere few more seconds before the music faded out to nothing, marking the end of the composition.
There, where neither noticed, a pair of eyes was specifically on them. Pavel and Tamara. Theodore looked their way, only turning away when he saw that they both split up and went their own ways.
With the parting of both Pavel and Tamara, it didn't take long for Tamara to run into Eileen. "Done?" Tamara asked.
In reply, Eileen only gave her a nod.
And at that moment, a servant strolled across the hall, holding up snacks. "Ma'ams..." he spoke out, offering the food to both Eileen and Tamara. Each looking at the other, a smile broke on their lips before they both took a snack.
"Thank you!" Eileen thanked the server for both herself and Tamara. And with that, the two sisters began to stroll through the hall. Hand in hand and they snack by their mouths.
"A lot of amiable men around tonight..." Tamara spoke out just as she lowered her head toward her sister so that she can only hear her words.
With that, Eileen broke into chuckles. Seconds later, Tamara followed.
"While on amiable... you wouldn't believe who I saw, Tam..." Eileen began.
"Who?".
"Mr Baraville...".
"Unbelievable of you hinting that Mr Baraville is amiable..." Tamara replied, giggling at her own words that carried no vile intent.
"Still so harsh on him I see..." Eileen responded, a smile growing on her lips. "Even after he dropped you off home on his horse," she teased furthermore.
To her words, Tamara proceeded on quieting down, her gaze remaining on the floor as her smile began to retreat. "Well... it would be lying if I said it wasn't a nice gesture of his...".
To her words, Eileen raised a brow ever so slightly. "Huh?... Is that a change of heart I am sensing, dear sister?".
"I am still trying to figure that out myself..." she replied, more so under her own breath.