Two months had passed since Jamie and Lissa had returned and now it was Spring in Amberly.

Soon the children would be out of school for the summer and Octavia was looking forward to that, she felt lonely with the girls gone all day, and Lucas who was five her only companion. So she was glad to leave Delilah with the children and go see Kate for a bit.

Kate had a new baby Jacquiline, which now brought her up to five at home.

"I tell you Kate Delilah is on my nerves, poor Mrs. Hanson with that wedding dress must be pulling out all her red tresses," Octavia sighed.

"Sounds like the mother of the bride will need a honey moon worse then the bride," Kate sighed, she was glad Roland and Amelia had not wanted a fancy wedding. Johanna had a few callers but was no where ready to marry.

"You know that is a good idea, but I could never get Jamie to take me away, what with the children, the inn, the ranch." Octavia sighed.

"Joanna and I could watch the children, and Jack could talk to Lewis about the other things," Kate said smiling.

Octavia smiled and nodded, "That would be wonderful, but then there is Lissa to concider. Poor girl it is as if Delilah has forgotten she has a sister. Lissa must be so lonely," Octavia sighed.

The children had arrived home from school, and Annabelle and Monique had came home with Jack and Alan.

"No she isn't mommy she has a puppy, David gave her one of his dogs, Pipers granddaughter Fade," Annabelle chimed.

"Sister to Shade. Yes and we go by and see her every day after school," Monique added, "Until father has time to bring us home."

"And Todd and Philip visit her too," Annabelle said.

"Oh sissy we were not to tell that, it is a secret, Annabelle you have a big mouth," Monique scolded.

Octavia wanted to frown, but she laughed at her daughters.

"It is not proper for a man other then her husband and family to see a woman in her delicate condition, but I guess it is all right since Todd is almost like a brother to Lissa," Octavia said."Run along and see to the garden, and please Annabelle keep that to yourself.

"Yes mother." Annabelle sighed.

Monique smiled at her sister, even though she loved Annabelle dearly sometimes she talked to much. She was always in trouble at school for talking.

"Come on lets play," Alan pleaded.

The two mothers watched their children run outside.

"Those two, I think Monique has more common sense then Delilah, Annabelle is so bright," Octavia laughed.

"I can still remember Todd and Lissa skinny dipping in the pond when they were that age and the fit Jamie had, and those two looking so innocent, he is like her brother," Kate agreed, knowing Octavia felt bad about Lissa being at the inn.

"Oh I agree, after Quentin left, Lissa needed another boy to play with, she loved Quentin so much, and I think she loves Todd like a brother, and he feels the same." Octavia said.

"Do you think Lissa will ever marry again?" Kate asked.

"Mother why is not the team hitched up I have to go for a fitting and my sisters are filthy, they need to come as well," Deliah cried blowing into the room.

"You can harness them," Octavia snapped.

"Maybe father will," she said and blew out of the room.

"Hurricane Delilah," Octavia muttered.

"I would not trade shoes with you Kate sighed, glad her daughters had simpler tastes.

"I wish someone would," Octavia joked, "My feet are killing me, no I doubt if Lissa would remarry."

"That is sad, I am sorry," Kate said she felt so bad for Octavia, but there was nothing she could do but listen and be there for her friend.

"I asked Delilah to postpone the wedding for another month, so that Lissa could be there she refused, I don't understand her," Octavia sighed.

"That seems so selfish, but maybe Julius made plans for the honeymoon that they could not break." Kate said, thinking if she were Octavia she would put the brakes on the whole wedding.

It was a beautiful spring day and even though Clive Martin had done many weddings he was nervous about this one. He wished that Orphanington had decided to have it in that bigger church in Rivers Edge.

Jamie looked around the church, and saw his friends and some people he did not know.

"Stop fidgiting," Annabelle sighed.

"This dress itches," Monique complained, "I didn't want to be in Delilah's dumb old wedding anyways."

"I got the imortant jobs I got the rings," Lucas said.

"You best not loose them," Annabelle sighed.

Alan Keene grinned at her as he walked by, "You look so sweet."

"Go eat a bug Alan," Monique grumbled, and Annabelle giggled.

Jamie couldn't help but smile, Monique and Annabelle were close like Lissa and Delilah had been, but Monique was not quite the tomboy Lissa was, and Annabelle was more practical then Delilah, but yet she had a good sense of humour and was always up for some fun.

Julius was so nervous he couldn't hardly stand it.

"Is she here yet Alexander?" Julius asked his cousin. He had wanted Todd to be his best man instead of his moody cousin, but Todd was angry at Delilah for some reason. He told Julius he rather not. Julius liked Todd a lot as well as his quiet friend Philip. He also liked Paul Amberly but his father had insisted he ask his cousin to be best man.

"I don't see her mother, when I asked Mr. Warwick five minutes ago he said his wife would come down front once they arrived," Alexander sighed. He glanced at his grandfather, sometimes he wished he was his grandfathers son not Neils. Oly did not make his boys come to a wedding, they were probably out fishing or having fun.

"What if she leaves me here at the altar, what if she decides I am not the one," Julius sighed.

"You know what my father does when he is upset, he has some whiskey," Alexander said, wishing he was fishing with his uncles.

"Oh I don't think I could drink whiskey, wine might be nice," Julius said thinking he was thristy and hot.

"I will see if Paul will go get some and maybe he can check out the bride while he is at the pub," Alexander said, he wanted to go but he knew his father would not allow it.

"Good idea, she said she was going to take a room there to dress so her dress wouldn't get ruined on the long ride to town." Julius said looking at his parents they looked bored and on the verge of falling asleep.

Delilah and he would also spend the night there at the inn before leaving on the coach for the coast in the morning.

That was if Delilah did show up and they actually married.

Paul agreed to go fetch the wine, anything to get out of the crowded church, if he wasn't friends with Julius he would not have wasted such a beautiful spring day in church.

"Mother I will be late," Delilah cried banging at the door to Lissa's private suite.

"Well go without me then." Octavia said.

"Mother this is my wedding I will only have one." Delilah cried.

"Go mother! Naomi is here, and Kate is on her way, must not spoil Sissy's day." Lissa said in a biting tone.

"Well it is my wedding day Lissa," Delilah pouted.

"Shut up Delilah go far away from me," Lissa cried.

"Well I never," Delilah sighed, honestly Lissa could be so selfish she thought.

Downstairs Todd gave a bottle of wine to Paul.

"How is it coming with the bride?'

"Lord knows, all the screaming and yelling, I went up there but got chased out," Todd sighed.

When Octavia finally arrived Julius and Alexander were both a bit tipsy.

"Look Octavia is here." Alexander said grinning.

"Good lets get the show on the road," Julius giggled.

Oly stood up and started playing here comes the bride on his violin, it was beautiful and Octavia started to cry.

"Where is she?" Julius said when the girls and Lucas started down the isle.

No sign of her, and Oly started the song up again, looking a bit perplexed.

"She has left me," Julius said looking upset.

"Keep going Lucas," Monique sighed.

"What smells in here," Lucas said looking disgusted.

Just go Lucas," Annabelle said smiling.

"Where is she?" Julius.

"Calm down," Alexander managed to say.

"See I did not loose your rings," Lucas announced very loudly, "But something in here smells bad, maybe its the pews, girls you should throw more flowers."

Everyone laughed. But Annabelle who was mortified. Luckily neither Jamie nor Delilah heard it.

Finally Jamie and Delilah appeared.

"Oh father, I am so nervous," Deliah said looking at Julius, could she really marry him?

"It's about time, all the wine is gone," Julius giggled.

"Shhh come on straighten up you are getting wedded," Alexander said grinning slightly.

"You can do this you are a Warwick," Jamie said thinking he was nervous himself.

Octavia cried, this was the first wedding of one of her childrens she had got to attend.

Every young man in the rooms heart broke a little when they saw the bride. Alexander and Paul both gasped, she was so beautiful and she would never be theirs. Josiah looked at his parents, and tears blurred his vision, how could they have made him come here.

As Clive droned on Julius held Delilah's hand feeling a bit unsteady on his feel, also feeling way too warm.

After what seemed like ages, Clive said the words, "And now you may kiss the bride.

"Oh Delilah," Julius managed to say taking her into his arms.

They kissed and everyone sighed with relief or with envy and Annabelle and Monique giggled.

Delilah looked at Julius and said, "You have been drinking."

"Jussht a little wine," Julius said.

"Lips that touch wine, shall never touch mine," Delilah said.

"But your fasser owns a publsh howsh," Julius said, and followed her as she ran out to the carriage.

"Delilah," Julius said looking at his friends with helplessness.

"Oh my," Clive said, not knowing what to do.

"Jamie we have to get back to the inn Lissa is having the baby," Octavia said, as Jamie started to go after the couple.

"Oh the baby is early," Jamie whisphered.

Octavia nodded, and Clive shrugged as everyone started leaving the church, their was a party at the meeting house, no one would pass up even if none of the Warwicks or Julius was present.

When Jamie got to the inn, Octavia went on in to be with Lissa, Jamie saw Julius outside the door of the room Delilah had gotten for the night.

"Come on Delilah let me in, please, I love you," He crieds sounding if his heart was broken,"

"No you are drunk go away," Delilah sobbed, "You ruined my wedding."

"Come on Julius lets have a spot of tea and you will feel better," Jamie said, thinking if Delilah hadn't ran out like a silly little girl no one would have even noticed besides maybe Alexander and Paul, but they didn't mind.

"Why is she mad misser Warrick I juss had a widdle wine," Julius said putting an arm around Jamie.

"I will talk to her, say Philip could we have some tea?" Jamie asked.

"Of course, how is Lissa?" Philip asked seeing Todd slip off to put a kettle on.

"Her mother is with her," Jamie said, thinking Lewis was sharp, some customers had complained about George, but he got nothing but compliments on these two young men.

"Good if she needs anything please let me know I took her puppy to my room, and let her know I will take care of her," Philip said making tea after Phillip brought the water.

"Where did Julius go?" Jamie asked.

"I think he passed out," Todd laughed, "I guess we shouldn't have sold them that strong wine."

Jamie turned and saw his daughters coming in.

"Todd will you ever grow up?" Annabelle said.

"I hope not when I grow up I am going to marry him," Monique giggled, she liked Todd best of all the gentlemen callers her sister had.

Todd grinned.

"Annabelle go find Roscoe and have him drive you home . . ." Jamie sighed, he thought the girls shouldn't be here.

"We just came to see if Julius and Delilah were coming to their party," Annabelle said nudging her sister, sometimes Monique could be so silly.

"Everyone is having a nice time, and we would like to stay, uncle Jack is there with Lucas, he can take us home." Annabelle explained.

"That sounds good, no I believe they will give their party a miss, please give everyone their reguards," Jamie sighed.

"We will what happened to Julius did Deliah hit him like Lissa hit Hank Johnson that time?" Annabelle asked.

"No I think he is sea sick he looks a little green," Monique giggled.

"Run along girls," Jamie sighed.

After Jamie got some tea down Julius they sat in the public room to talk, no one was around, why would they be, when they had free eats and drinks at the reception.

"I don't understand why she is angry with me," Julius sighed.

"She doesn't like drinking, she thinks it's foolish," Jamie explained.

"I guess it was a bad idea sir, but I was so nervouse, and I was sure she was not going to show up, and when Todd wasn't there with his father, I thought maybe they ran away, she had chosen him after all," Julius sighed.

"No her sister was going into labour, and her mother did not want to leave her side, and Delilah wanted her mother with her . . ." Jamie started.

"I see could you go talk to her," Julius interupted, then he left the room he was going to be sick.

Jamie went up to Delilah's room and said, "Delilah it is I your father open this door and no nonsense." She did she was still in her wedding dress and crying. "Julius ruined my wedding." she cried angrily.

"No, if anyone did you did it, no one knew Julius had been drinking until you announced it then ran out like you were a child, now change into your party dress and go down and go with your husband to your reception, I paid good money for that event, it would be nice if someone more grown up then Annabelle and Monique would be there to host our party," Jamie said, wishing to drag her across his knee and spank her.

"Well why can't you go I am so embarrassed.

"Because Delilah your sister is having a baby and I would like to be here for her, you had your wedding and reception now please leave your poor mother alone and change," Jamie said angrily, "besides you are married it is good time for you to act as a woman not a spoiled little girl."

"What about Julius, Father do I have to . . . " Delilah sniffed

"I swear Delilah he will be sobered up and ready when you are changed, now get yourself changed and go," Jamie said he was at the end of his rope with her.

When Jamie went down stairs and sat down with Julius.

"Has your father ever talked to you about being with a woman?" Jamie said, thinking he really wanted to be closer to Lissa but he could only be here for her after the birth.

"Nobody has ever talked to me about that," Julius sighed.

"The formost thing is to remember to be gentle," Jamie sighed, what kind of family was his daughter marrying into. His parents go off leaving him drunk at the church and he knows nothing about making love.

Upstairs, Octavia had lost her patience with her third child.

"Delilah please just do as your father said, the whole inn heard him, your sister is in there having a baby, I don't have time for this," Octavia snapped.

"Mother, why is everyone angry with me?" Delilah cried, "This is supposed to be my day."

Octavia walked out without another word.

Lissa wished she would just have this baby, she was glad her mother returned.

The morning Lissa gave birth to Rafeal Warwick, she had decided to let him keep her name so that no one would tie him to his father.

It hurt her to do this, but she knew she had to, he would have enough stigma in this life without being the son of a pirate.

She had a long talk with her father about living at the inn until her baby was older and then taking a small piece of land and making a small horse farm.

Jamie wanted her close so he had agreed to it.

Philip brought her puppy Fade back and steeled himself up for the most important of all their long talks.

"Lissa please listen to me," Philip said, "I love you, and I know you don't love me, but I can love you enough . . . I want to marry you and be a father for Rafeal. I am a bast . . fatherless child and I know what it's like, I would love him as if he was my own. My father has done his best but I needed a father as a child, not when I am an adult."

"Oh Philip you are so sweet," Lissa said.

"Can I hold him? I would really like it if we could be a family," Philip said.

"Would you give me time to think about this?" Lissa asked, he was such a good friend he and Todd, but she could not picture Todd as a dad.

Phillip took Rafeal into his arms.

Lissa could see he truely loved Rafeal, he was so tender with the infant.

Philip felt like singing, she had not said no, she wanted time to think, this was good.

"Lewis is your father isn't he?" Lissa asked.

Philip nodded.

Lissa smiled, "My sister suspected it but she wasn't sure, no matter what happens Philip you will be one of my best friends."

Philip guessed he couldn't ask for more right now.