Emma

Emma stood up and gazed at the beautiful stained-glass window she'd been praying in front of. She took a deep breath, with a smile, and felt herself calm down. Much moreso than she had been a few minutes ago.

"Emma?"

She heard the voice of Sister Mary, her voice cutting through the calm she'd created, and her smile faltered, but she forced herself to make it again as she turned around to face her. "Yes?"

"How many times do I have to tell you to call Mr. Sparks? If he doesn't confirm he's available for the ceremony, then we'll have to find a substitute. And since it's only a few days away, time is running-"

"I already called him. He said he'd be here." Sister Mary's face changed to shock for a moment before returning to it's angry state.

"Then why didn't you tell me? I've been worried sick for days, thinking about what to do if he couldn't come!"

Emma felt herself shake slightly, but she forced the patient smile to hold. It wasn't her fault after all. "I'm sorry that you've been worried. He called a couple days ago, and I thought you knew about it. Like I said, he'll be here, so you don't need to worry any more." Now the smile was genuine, but a bit more pitying than she meant. Fortunately, Mary didn't seem to notice.

Mary took a deep breath and Emma saw her calm. "Alright. He's going to be here and that's what matters. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go back to work."

Emma nodded and Mary turned to walk back down the hall. After she'd turned the corner, Emma breathed a sigh of relief. Mary's condition was getting worse, and it was getting harder to stay strong through it. But, Mary didn't have any family, and didn't have any where else to go. What kind of a church would they be if they made her leave? No, that wasn't an option.

Emma turned back to the window, and prayed again.