"Ciara. Come here!" Jo screeched, rushing past the open door to the bridal room. The toddler was oddly fast on her two small legs.

Inside, June stood dressed in an ivory silhouette: boat-neck lace detail bodice with corset style tie at the back and full lace sleeves, and a smooth satin, figure-hugging skirt. She looked so different. So... alone. Her hair was pinned back nicely. She wore a set of simple diamond studs, similar to what her mother once had. If her parents were alive, she knew they'd do something traditional, but she knew little more than that. At least she hoped they were looking down on her today.

"You look stunning." She heard Jo's voice behind her and turned.

Ciara was secured in one hand—a firm grip on the toddler's hand should she attempt to run again.

"You think so?"

"Think so? Have you seen what that dress does to your body, girly?" Jo cracked a smile and approached.

June glanced at her reflection and meekly smiled.

"Something the matter?" Jo asked, holding Ciara back from squirming away.

June shook her head. Even if something was wrong—not that it was, and especially not with the wedding—there was no way she was going to admit it.

She eyed her reflection again, glimpsing a bit of her mother's eyes looking back at her. "I guess it's just nerves, you know? Before I walk down that aisle—alone."

Jo stepped closer and gave June's hand a squeeze. "You're not alone. You have me, Tom, Chad, Echo, Ciara, my folks, and even Terry. You should see her date today!"

June blinked away the sudden tears. She didn't want to ruin her makeup. Echo had already popped in to warn her they would start any minute and she'd rushed off to go give the rings to the ring-bearer before she forgot. June's parents' rings. They had decided together that it would be a lovely gesture. Especially for June.

"It's just..." June swallowed in fear. "All those people out there are here for our wedding and I..."

Jo took June's hands—Ciara for a moment allowed her freedom, not that the child dashed off immediately. Seeing her soon-to-be aunt emotionally made the child stop and stare, concern lacing her angelic features.

"It's okay to miss your folks."

June nodded, suddenly the knot in her throat was painful and her eyes moistened. "It's just..." her voice cracked. "I wish they were here, with me, you know? For dad to give me away..."

Jo took out a tissue from her pocket, ever-ready for munchkin cleanup. She dabbed at the tears, but before she could say anything, someone else interrupted in the most spectacular of ways.

"Yumi-Joon Amari, I would love to walk you down the aisle today, if you'll let me. We are already family. The wedding is just a formality."

Detective Sergeant Tom Austen stood in the doorway in his midnight blue tux, looking ever the dapper man. He stepped into the room and offered June a hand. "I can be your something borrowed. You never have to walk alone."

She could not hold the tears back anymore, makeup be damned. "You would do that for me?" She squeaked.

"It would be my honour." Tom picked up Ciara into his arms and kissed her temple. "As a father to a daughter who will one day stand where you are, ready to marry the love of her life, I would love to stand in for your father. He cannot be here himself, to tell you how beautiful you look, or how proud he is of you, his daughter, so let me say it for him. Chad's one lucky man."

A sob escaped June then. "You think he's proud?"

"I think they are both proud, hun. I would be. Look how far you've come in life." Jo wiped at the corner of her own eyes as echoes of heels on the cobalt stone of the small chapel sounded.

A moment later, Echo popped her head in, surprised at the waterworks.

"What's going on? I leave the bride alone for five minutes and she's already crying? We are about to begin the ceremony."

Jo stepped away, pulling Tom out of the room with her. "I best get Ciara and myself to our seats."

"I'll be outside when you're ready." Tom gave June a nod and pulled the door to the room shut behind him.

"You okay?" Echo asked as soon as the door shut.

June nodded, wiping her tears dry and spying her face in the mirror. "I think I need a touch-up."

"Here, let me." Echo sat her down on the seat and fetched the makeup case. Her maid of honour, the one and only, looked rather elegant in a long, charcoal dress. Her usually crazy-coloured hair was a subtle dark brown. June had almost not recognised her initially.

"You look beautiful today," she said as her friend fixed her red nose and tear streaks.

"Who knew charcoal was my colour, aye?" Echo laughed, stepping away to check out her handy work.

A knock came on the door. "They are ready for you when you are." Tom's voice floated in.

"How do I look?"

"Like a goddamn princess!" Echo smiled and a hint of tears glistened in her eyes. She gave June a crushing hug. "I love you, kiddo! Now, let's go get you wed."

Echo grabbed their two bouquets, June's, a giant version of her small bunch of white roses. She handed June her one before proceeding to open the door for Tom.

"She's all yours, big man." Echo stepped out of the room and winked at June. "I'll see you soon, babe."

Tom stepped into the room, a matching white rose already pinned to his lapel. He offered June the crook of his arm. "Ready when you are, beautiful."

June pulled in a breath and slipped her arm through his. "I'm ready."

♥

Chad watched as Echo—walking to music for 'These boots are made for walking,'—reached the front and took a bow before she turned and grinned at him.

A moment later, music to 'Unchained melody' began floating out of the piano, accompanied by a violin, thanks to Echo's band manager boyfriend and his links.

The breath hitched in his throat as his heart hammered away—happy and nervous.

The door at the end of the hall opened and in stepped June, in Tom's arms. Her face, partially hidden by a net veil.

Chad let out the breath he was holding. This was it. The love of his life, whom he would never have imagined meeting, let alone fall in love with, was walking down that aisle to say I do. To him. He'd waited for this moment a long time. Now the next few minutes felt like an eternity.

He leaned into his best man—who was indeed his best mate—Terry. "Echo gave you the rings?"

Terry—also in a charcoal dress, standing in Chad's camp—gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "Don't you worry, mate. You just focus on your bride."

Chad watched his once runaway bride glide down the aisle as if she couldn't get there fast enough.

Tom placed June's hand in his and said, "Of all the idiots out there, she chose you as her life partner. I hope you know what that means."

Chad nodded. He did indeed. "If I ever hurt her, you'll lock me up?"

Tom laughed, tapping the tip of his nose. He gave June a kiss on her cheek before returning to his seat beside his wife.

Chad held June's hand in his, with the intention of never letting go. "I'm glad you made it."

June chuckled softly, whispering, "Was there any doubt?"

He gave her hand a squeeze. Of course, there was doubt, even if it was tiny. Her habit of last-minute panic-and-run was legendary in his books.

She returned his squeeze. "Just so you know, I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Chad's heart skipped a beat.

The Priest cleared his throat, and the guests hushed immediately.

Chad pulled in another breath of relief as he glanced at his wife-to-be. Within a matter of minutes, he'd get to call her his wife. Wife!

"Are you two ready?" the Priest asked.

Chad nodded. Was he ever!

June smiled beside him. "We are."

"Great. Let's begin."

♥

The End