Alistair with Lucy & Andy

Andy swallowed hard as Lucy parked the car by the old mill. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life with Lucy, he loved her above all, it was the actual marrying part that had him sweating. For Lucy’s part, she’d had enough of his procrastinating and made the appointment with Alistair, told Andy what time it was and picked him up from the restaurant and brought him here.

She reached across the seat and squeezed his hand, “It’s going to be all right Andy, relax.”

Andy turned his azure eyes on her followed by a weak smile, “Let’s get this over with.”

They got out of the vehicle and walked hand in hand to the door and knocked.

Alistair opened the door with a smile. "Welcome," he said, looking from Lucy's determined face to Andy's forced smile. "Is there something you two would like to speak with me about?"

Andy cleared his throat looking for his voice, “Yes sir, we ah, er...”

“Want to get married,” Lucy finished for him.

Alistair's smile widened and he locked his friendly gaze on Andy. "You're quite sure about that, are you?"

Andy took a breath, “Yes sir um,” he looked over at Lucy, his eyes soft, “I am, I’m sure.” He was sure he loved Lucy.

"And you, Lucy, you're sure, too?"  He could see by her expression she was, but he decided to ask anyway.

Lucy’s face lit up with a wide smile, “Oh yes, I’m sure.” Lucy was sure from the first time she’d ever gone out with Andy back in Sydney when they both worked at the same restaurant. She’d always dismissed his claims that he’d never get married and over the past year since they came to The Glen he’d settled down and she was there waiting for him. He surprised her with an engagement ring but getting him to the altar had been a chore.

"All right, then. Why don't the two of you come inside and we can talk about this, see just what it is you have in mind?" He opened the door wider and guided them to the table in the kitchen, putting the tea kettle on to boil. "Ahnna's over at Joimus' right now, so it will just be the three of us."

Andy held Lucy’s chair and sat down beside her watching as Alistair put the kettle on. “I don’t think we want a real wedding…” Andy began.

“Andy,” Lucy poked him in the ribs. “What he means Reverend is that we don’t want a big ceremony. We actually thought after service on Sunday if we could just walk in and you could marry us. Steve and Millie are going to stand for us, and Jeff is going to give me away.”

"I am a firm believer," his lips twitched just slightly, "that a couple should be able to have whatever sort of wedding they want, what works for them, is right for them." He felt a surge of fondness for the two sitting across from him. "Do you mean this Sunday?"

“Well…” Andy began.

“Yes, this Sunday if it will work for you,” Lucy answered her eyes wide.

"I do believe this Sunday will be quite fine. Will anyone be attending other than Steve, Millie, and Jeff?"

Lucy and Andy looked at each other and grinned.

“Reverend Harris, ya might have a pretty big congregation on Sunday, sir.” Andy looked at him smiling.

“All our friends know we’re getting married and we told them they were welcome to come to church and stay.” Lucy felt her hand being taken by Andy.

“You know we didn’t want a big wedding or anything but everybody said they wanted to come, and then Lucy got this dress and I had to buy a suit, and Jeff and Stevo got matching outfits, it just got…big so we said come to church, hope it’s okay.” Andy thought maybe he should have asked Alistair first, now he was a little worried.

"Well, now," Alistair said, looking thoughtfully out the window a moment, "so you told your friends they were welcome to come to church, did you? And now," he gazed directly at Andy, "you're worried I might have a problem with that?"  He tipped his chair back a bit. "I'll tell you what, Andy." He grinned. "I think I just may be able to handle the concept of that. Sounds great to me!"

Andy breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Lucy, “So we’re on for Sunday?”

She could barely contain herself, “Yes and Rev. Alistair you will never want for blueberry muffins again.” She jumped up and ran around the table and hugged Alistair and then hugged Andy.”

“Hey Lucy, maybe he don’t like blueberry muffins,” Andy laughed, he felt so much better now.

"I do like blueberry muffins," Alistair added, pleased at their happiness. "I just may hold you to that, Lucy!"

“Thanks so much Reverend, I guess we’ll see ya on Sunday,” Andy stood up to leave and grabbed Lucy by the hand bringing her to his side. 

"See you Sunday then." Alistair walked them to the door. "I'm glad you stopped by. It will be a happy day, always is. And you two will make it especially so."