Epilogue - Heaven

EPILOGUE- (HEAVEN)

Heavenly moments later…

 Numerous hosts of heaven gathered for the wedding. Not only were the bride and groom adorned in glorious glowing white, but all of those in attendance. Each member of Emma’s above-team were present as well as ancestors who lived on earth throughout many dispensations representing both sides of the elated couple. Nuptials were a rare event in this realm and a time for grand celebration. 

Pearl was humbled to have been asked to be the beautiful bride’s attendant. The honor was usually reserved for a family member, but she was related to the groom’s line so was suitable. The celestial space echoed with heavenly strains as the groom’s guests aligned on the right side of the cavernous room and the bride’s on the left. 

In the front near an alter stood the entwined twosome, not only holding hands, but holding each other’s gaze as if no one else were present. A senior Patriarch from Lewis’s line was to perform the ceremony that would eternally join them in matrimony. Lily was radiant and Lewis felt like he could finally breath. The weight (and wait) of nearly two centuries fell from his broad shoulders and there had never been a more beaming bride. Lily felt like she had been inside a dream since her death and ultimate arrival.  

Her last winter on earth was bleak.  Lily’s effervescent will to carry on evaporated along with the presence that was no longer present. She had never felt so alone. When she caught a cold that turned into pneumonia , at first she did not have the desire to go to a doctor and then not the energy. Hemingway, that dear beast, tried to rouse her, but by then it was too late. Lily could have fought a little harder to hold on she supposed, but when she saw her dear Aunt Mary and Uncle David along with a few others enter the room to escort her on, she let go and passed with them through the portal. 

Later she was relieved to learn the fireman who found her body adored and adopted her dog, even though she always thought Hemingway would end up with Emma. It was comforting that Emma would now be family and that she would get to see Hemingway again one day when he came to romp and roam the hills of heaven. 

Dying was actually such a peaceful journey. It felt like going home. Her aunt and uncle took her hands and gently lifted Lily out of her inert physical shell still lying on the roughly hewn wood floor. She felt indescribably light, not only physically weightless, but brilliant as she shed the cold carcass. All three of them, she, David and Mary, appeared about the same age, like peers, and she could remember an eternity of connection with them. Knowledge that they had been near her much of her walk through the world below also came as the cloud was cleared from her memory. The love they had always felt for her emanated around them. 

A cylinder of  light rays radiated down from the ceiling and as they entered it’s circumference were transported rapidly upward through swirling colors and light. It was not like any amusement ride she had been on, more like a kaleidoscope of understanding unveiled. The experience was unmeasurably timeless. It could have been minutes or decades, but was just what Lily required to be ready to arrive in the world above.

It was a  festive entry into this domain with many deceased family members there to honor her return, but she had been distracted. There was a pull from across the expanse that she could not shake. She felt the presence that had been by her side much of those last years at Wildwood. 

Finally excusing herself from the initial welcoming team she had wandered further into the new space to seek the spirit she had missed immensely. Towards the back, almost hidden, was a striking male presence. He was not romance-novel handsome, but dignified and undeniable. She sensed he was a solid man of substance even in this world were substance was relative. 

“It is you, it has always been you…” Lily breathlessly communicated. 

Lewis raised his sky- blue eyes to meet her forrest green ones. The connection was electric and immediate. Lewis did not need to answer, but replied, “I would have waited several more centuries for you.”

Feelings were definitely mutual and it did not take long to arrange this ceremony to finally make things official.  

Lily could now make sense of many of her earth-life happenings. Things that seemed tragedies below were now merely minor inconveniences that helped get her to where she needed to be….eternally with Lewis by her side. This uniting was infinite times beyond anything the fall farm wedding, that was not, would have been. She felt so blessed and realized she had truly been watched over even, no especially, during her most painful times. The words to a song filled her head and she wondered who else could hear them, “Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a love can be, the great love story that is older than the sea…”

Reverend Michael Joseph Meyerhoeffer stood before the intended duo. This great great grandfather and Lewis had grown close though they had never crossed paths while living on earth. His love for the couple consumed them both multiplying the surrounding luminance . Lewis and Lily shared a few feelings from their now completed hearts, before Reverend Meyerhoeffer took one of their heavenly hands in each of his. 

“You two dear souls understand more than most the significance of this event.  You have both been tempered by the experiences you have endured and return more glorious than when you left. Never has a couple been united that was more desiring or suited. You are both unique, individual beings, but from this time forth you will be united as one in purpose.” He then placed their hands together and let them hold the fingers that had but briefly been apart since they officially met. “I unite you not until death do you part, but for time and all eternity….to walk through forever hand in hand and heart in heart. You are still separate, but will always also be one. Lewis you may embrace Lily as your eternal companion.” 

Even before the last words had been spoken, they were engulfed in each others arms looking like they would have to be pried apart at some point, if they ever needed to be. Lewis and Lily were undeniably a match made in heaven.