Gwen was so happy that it was time to get going. The three of them had left together, heading out of the cottage and down the hill, toward the center of town. Gwen felt like no matter how long it really took them, it was still an eternity. When the finally had arrived to the festival, things had just gotten started. It looked great most of the shop keepers had decorated the front of the stores, the center square and surrounding areas. It was beautiful; there were a lot of people there already. They saw a few of their friends and neighbors. Angus handed Sofia a little silver coin, his wife liked to go to the trinket booths and it was only a few times a year. She kissed him goodbye and headed off to the booths that were set up down the street.

Angus headed into the blacksmith shop. Gwen waited by the fountain she wondered why he father had gone into the shop where Edwin worked helping his own father? She could not think of any reason for her father to go in there. Her father was not in there long, maybe ten minutes then she saw him leave and go to the pub. Gwen waited by the fountain to see who else would be arriving. 

When Sarah had finally made it to the fountain where Gwen was waiting for her she gave Gwen a quick hug.

"Hey Gwen" Sarah greeted her.

"Sarah I am so glad you made it finally." Gwen replied to her. Gwen looked at Sarah; she complimented her on the eggshell blue dress. Sarah also complimented Gwen on her own gown; both looked very stunning, ready for a night of fun.

"Is Edwin still coming?" Sarah asked to make conversation.

"He will be here later in the evening. Have you talked to Emily?" Gwen asked out of curiosity.

"Yes, she and James will be here after sunset." Sarah informed Gwen, adding a soft smile.

"Oh good hopefully Edwin will be here by then, too." Gwen replied to her friend.

"Would you like to show me around? I have been to a few festivals but this is my first summer festival here." Sarah suggested to Gwen.

Sarah and Gwen had been walking around the festival for quite a while. Sarah pointed out an empty bench nearby. The two young women rested there for a while, watching people come for the festivities. The two of them watched the sunset, and waited patiently for the night to get started. Then suddenly from a few yards away, Gwen saw Emily and James walking to Sarah and herself.

"Gwen! Sarah!' Emily shrieked like a child.

 She could not help it she was really happy. She would be marrying James the love of her life by the end of the week. Tonight had nothing to do with wedding plans, thank goodness Emily thought to herself. This night was about not being a nervous wreck. Tonight, this was the festival it was to be a good time with her best friends. She was glad to get away from wedding decisions for a night. She knew it would be worth it to be James' wife. She was glad that she could see Gwen for a while, and it was great that James was friends with the guy in Gwen's life. It made Emily happy to know it would not make James uncomfortable.

"Hi Gwen, Sarah. Where is Edwin?" James asked politely.

"He said he would meet me here this evening." Gwen answered James.

"Oh okay. That's cool." James replied. He smiled at Gwen and Sarah.

Then suddenly James recognized one of his good friends, Tom. James waved to him, calling him over to where they were.

"James you finally make it here?" Tom greeted his friend then his eyes wandered to the girl in the light blue dress.

"Oh forgive me Tom, let me introduce you." James offered.

"I have met Emily but not the other two." Tom commented.

"Alright well this here is Gwen, you remember Edwin? She is with him." James informed his friend.

"Oh I have met Edwin a real nice guy." Tom told her.

"This is Sarah."

"Hello, Tom it is good to meet you." She spoke with a sweet charm.

"It is good to meet you as well. So will your intended be here later too?" Tom asked the only question that was on his mind. "Father says I am only fifteen and I don't have a suitor."

"Would you like one? To be brutally honest Sarah I am only sixteen, and I find you to be very intriguing, as well as attractive." Tom had told her flat out.

Tom told the rest of them he wanted to walk with Sarah for just a few minutes as they were waiting for Edwin. No one seemed to mind it. James and Emily talked with Gwen while they waited for Tom and Sarah to return from their short walk. While the three of them were talking James spotted Edwin leaving the pub. Gwen had seen him too. She turned beet red with anger. She was more than just a little upset. When he ran to meet them, Gwen was infuriated with him. He could not have waited for the rest of them? She thought, did he need a drink that badly? He caught up to them rather quickly.

"Gwen dear, hello Emily and James." He greeted the three of them. He suddenly noticed that Gwen was very silent. After a couple of minutes he thought about it.

"Honey I was not in the pub avoiding you I would never do that, I was not drinking alone."

"Go on, then." She replied in a stern tone.

"Your pa came into the shop and convinced my pa to close early, invited my father and myself over for a couple drinks together." He explained to her.

Gwen softened her gaze at him, having a change of heart. She smiled at him, she couldn't stay angry with him, it was almost impossible.

"I guess that I can't be angry, I would not want you to defy your father or mine." Gwen replied to Edwin.

"Thank you for being so understanding." He told her gently.

"You are welcome." Gwen replied giving him a quick kiss.

"Gwen I must confess, I love you."

"I love you too." She replied, the words came to her naturally.

 She was blushing; Emily was standing with James, with a smile. She was trying to give them privacy but she had heard it, she was happy for her best friend.

"I must also tell you Gwen I spoke to your father in the pub, about you and I being serious." He began, and then he took a deep breath as she hung on his every word. "He said that he was glad to see us together, and we had his blessing whenever we are ready."

"What do you mean his blessing?" She asked slightly confused.

"I have never been so happy with my life until I met you. I am not saying marriage, but when I am ready it will be you." He proclaimed to her. She kissed him again with more force than the first one.

The four of them stood there having fun just talking. Gwen had told Edwin that they were waiting for their friend Sarah, who would be joining them with Tom. James chimed in to remind him that he knew Tom from meeting him a while ago. Edwin had nodded saying he remembered Tom. Once Sarah had returned with tom, the group of them began to tour the festival, test out some of the different foods; they brought fresh breads, meats, cakes and pies. The games were a lot of fun for all of them. The group of them had a great tie walking around to this booth or that one for hours at a time.

Tom was having a lot of fun, mostly because Sarah was there. She sparked his curiosity, and he was very glad that she did. He was glad to get to know her. She seemed so nice and sweet. He hoped that she felt the same. He was also glad to spend time with James and the others; they were a good group of people to know.

When it had started getting late in the evening, Tom offered to walk Sarah home to see that she returns safely home. Sarah started to blush. SHE took a few minutes to say goodbye to her friends before leaving with Tom. When Tom left with Sarah, Emily and Gwen began to talk about the wedding dress, and how nice the festival must have been for young Sarah.

"Hey why don't we all head over to the pub, I'll buy." James generously offered to them.

 They agreed, and the four of them headed across the center of town to the tavern. The four of them waked inside, it was pretty well packed but they found a nice table near the front of the pub. Gwen looked around the pub; she did not see her father. Good, she thought.