In the Shadow: Day 13

Word Count: 78,008

Summary of Events:

Parker came upon a senile man panning for gold who believed it was still 1863 and was too busy scoffing at Parker's claims it was 1903 to tell Parker if he'd seen Osborne and Parthenia. Rowynna and Della got up early and went to the train station to meet the train, as well as Parker's Uncle Garfield, and make the journey to Fernie for the elopement of sorts.

Excerpt of the Day:

Clutching Della’s hands in his, Parker wondered if her heart was pounding as much as his was to be standing here at the front of the little church, Linwood, Tina, their children, Rowynna, and Uncle Garfield — whose presence was a pleasant surprise to him — as well as a couple other fellow officers the only people in the pews.

Della wasn’t wearing white, as had become the fashion since Queen Victoria had been married in white something like sixty years before, but she didn’t need to be wearing white in order to be beautiful, she was resplendent in her light blue dress that brought out her eyes gorgeously, her hair done beautifully.

Parker somewhat wished he wasn’t wearing wool, but since that was what his red serge uniform coat was made of, that was what he had to wear — after all, he had no other clothes with him.

After exchanging vows, and giving Della the ring he’d gone to Calgary and bought for her as soon as Mr. Price had allowed him to have her hand in marriage, Parker and Della went to sign the papers that would cause the government to know and recognise their marriage. Parker felt like his signature was shaky, but he couldn’t redo it.

Corporal Davies and Tina signed as witnesses and then came the moment Parker had been waiting for since he’d first laid eyes on Della: the moment where the minister said they could kiss.

Slowly Parker bent down to where Della — a full head shorter than he was — was waiting. He pressed his mouth against hers and felt a thrill unlike anything else he’d ever known race through him like he’d been struck by lightning.

He clutched her against himself, seeking to chase the sensation all the way to its fruition. He felt Della’s hands against his chest, at first calm, but then after not long enough they pressed against his chest and he was forced to pull his lips away.

Della’s face was flushed red, obviously she’d been embarrassed by the passion that had thrilled him. Parker snatched her into an embrace and squeezed her tightly. They were married and there was none of the pompous nonsense her mother had wanted. Parker couldn’t be happier, except that he wouldn’t be able to spend the night with his wife and bring their marriage to consummation.

“Constable and Mrs. Parker Duncan,” the minister said quietly.

“Mrs. Parker Duncan,” Parker whispered. He liked how that sounded.

They made their way to the doors and stood while all the women hugged Della — and Linwood, who was about the only man Parker was going to let hug his wife, and that only because Linwood was her brother — while the men shook hands with Parker — except Uncle Garfield, who hugged him.

“Now the rest of you lot, let’s get back to work,” Corporal Davies commanded.

“The rest?” Parker asked.

“You just got married,” Corporal Davies replied. “Do you think I’m going to make you work when your mind is filled with thoughts of your wife? You have the day off. Enjoy it.”