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A t four o’clock, Geoffrey , Lucy, and Lizzie were driven to the lookout. Colin and Davie had gone ahead earlier with Allison. Lizzie had wanted to be a flower girl and was dressed in a lovely long, pastel rainbow dress.

When they arrived, Lizzie was more than a little excited as she led the way, throwing petals at everyone she passed rather than sprinkling them on the ground. When she reached the men standing under a canopy of organza, she said sotto voce, “Look at me, Uncle Jack. I’m beautiful!”

“You most certainly are, Lizzie, as beautiful as your grandmother,” he whispered back.

She beamed at him in pleasure then threw her remaining flowers and petals over the railing and down into the valley. He pulled her back to the group, telling her to stand and watch her father and grandmother.

Colin hadn’t wanted to be in the wedding party but changed his mind at the last minute and decided he wanted to stand with the two men.

When Sebastian suggested he carry the three wedding rings, he seemed especially pleased to be given such huge responsibility. He stood seriously alongside them, frowning at his sister’s antics.

Lucy walked toward Jack, with Sebastian standing alongside him, on the arm of Geoffrey.

She wore a strapless dress with a Chantilly lace bodice and an asymmetrical skirt filled with multi-layers of gathered tulle.

Each top layer of tulle was white, but underneath was pastel rainbow tulle.

She carried a bouquet of cream, pink, and lemon roses, with blue and lilac hydrangeas as well as tuberoses, white freesias, and hints of green foliage.

Lucy was certain her heart would burst from happiness and couldn’t wipe the grin off her face.

Last month, she’d thought her life was over, yet now it was just beginning. She wasn’t sure which man had the biggest smile, maybe Jack who seemed almost laughing in delight. She thought she could see a glint of tears in Sebastian’s eyes as she reached the two of them.

Geoffrey formally gave one of her hands to each man.

Jack squeezed hers and winked. He whispered so softly only she could hear him. “You look so beautiful.”

Grandfather Jimmy stepped forward. He wore a suit but had painted his face with his totemic symbols and his position as an elder. He then surprised her by performing a smoking ceremonyas a way of spiritually binding the three of them together for life.

He turned to the listeners. “Wedding rings are lovely, but they can easily be lost. The smoke from these eucalyptus leaves will create a bond which disappears from view, but it will last forever.”

Tears poured down Lucy’s cheeks as he placed his hand over hers with Jack and Sebastian’s underneath.

Sebastian leaned down and kissed her shoulder.

Grandfather spoke in Warlpiri and all Lucy could understand was ‘Jack Jakamarra Rawling’ and ‘Sebastian Jungarrayi Daley’ with the occasional ‘Lucy Willis’ thrown in. Once she heard him say ‘Lucy Nangala Willis’ and wondered if he had given her a skin name.

He then nodded to Jack, who surprisingly replied in the same language.

When she looked at him, he gave her an exaggerated wink.

Sebastian, who was still holding Lucy’s hand after Grandfather had spoken, then placed her hand in Jack’s and spoke in Warlpiri .

Grandfather moved to stand alongside the marriage celebrant who took over the official part of the ceremony.

Lucy was so proud the wedding blended western tradition with this wonderful First Nations counterpart.

Sebastian’s First Nations relations and the guests from the Gundungurra tribe sang while one of his ‘brothers’ and Billy played didgeridoo after the official part of the ceremony had been completed, and while she and Jack signed the register.

If the native guests thought it was strange that three people were marrying, no one commented or seemed to mind in the least. They just seemed happy to know that Sebastian was happy, although they always called him by his skin name of Jungarrayi and Jack by Jakamarra .

The aunties made a big fuss over Lucy, insisting she must come to stay with them soon. They had found out she was working with Billy, and it seemed to clinch the fact that she was accepting of their traditions.

Jack and Sebastian overheard, and Sebastian told them they intended to come jukurra. Lucy had no idea when jukurra was, but she hoped it would be soon. Sebastian then rattled a long sentence to the aunties and they dissolved into laughter.

Sebastian winked then told everyone in English they wanted to show Lucy Kakadu during the wet season and then travel to Ulu?u.

When the uncles heard, they joined the women in celebrating.

Lucy was touched by their acceptance of her, especially when Sebastian’s grandfather told her with quiet dignity that when she came to visit, he would bestow her skin name officially.

Following the ceremony, they traveled the short distance to the restaurant for the reception, where Brad had outdone himself.

The restaurant had taken no bookings for the day.

If anyone dropped in and wanted a meal, they would have to be catered for outside.

The inside was given over to the wedding reception.

Tables were decorated with fresh flowers and balloons in pretty pastel shades to match the gorgeous dress Lucy had chosen.

Although Lizzie was positive the decorations were chosen to match hers.

It was lovely to see family and friends who accepted Lucy’s different decision.

There had been a few people who had said no, but most came.

Jack’s parents came down from Queensland.

It was the first time Lucy had met them.

They were confused about the relationship and could only understand that Jack was married.

They asked her if Jack and Sebastian had broken up.

Fortunately, Jack overheard and tried explaining to them what his relationship was.

Lucy didn’t think they quite got the idea that it was a three-way thing, but they wished him and Lucy the best.

Grandfather declared the spit-roasted meats ‘good tucker’ and told Lucy she should be very honored the men had paid such a handsome amount for her.

Allison confided to her mother in a quiet moment that she was overjoyed to see Lucy looking so happy.

“I’m sure the future can only get better, Mum. I sincerely hope eventually the two families will become the best of friends.”

Lucy thanked her but secretly thought her two men would find it hard to forget what had happened.

Everyone laughed, danced, and ate the evening away. About ten-thirty, the two men spirited her away after an emotional farewell to their family and friends.

Geoffrey drove them to the Carrington Hotel for the night.

Lunchtime the next day, they were flying out. Lucy still had no idea where they were going. The men had packed for her and refused to give away any hints.

Geoff drove them to the airport and at last she was able to see their destination. Sebastian had booked tickets for them to visit his family and then travel to Ulu?u for their honeymoon, but he and Jack had kept it a surprise.

“Is that what you were telling the aunties?”

Sebastian laughed. “Yes, I told them we were coming jukurra, that’s tomorrow, but said they weren’t to let on because it was a surprise.”

“A surprise? It’s beyond that and it’s just wonderful!”

Lucy felt like a kid again as they flew.

When they landed in Darwin, she was barely able to contain her excitement.

They stayed the night in the Double Tree Hilton hotel, then early the next morning the men piled her into their hired jeep.

They set off for the four-hour drive to Yuendumu where most of Sebastian’s relatives lived.

Sebastian explained that they could have flown there, as the wedding reception guests had, but he wanted the jeep so they could drive to some of the sights and visit some people in the vast area.