The local police cruisers pulled up right alongside the cathedral curb.
Two officers stepped out with bright badges shining in the light.
Sarah handed the forged estate documents directly to the lead officer.
Police Officer: What seems to be the trouble here today, folks?
Sarah: This man forged land documents to steal a mother's property.
Marcus: This is a simple family dispute, officer!
David: He kept my mother hidden and broke legal custody laws.
The officer read through the yellowed court papers with a frown.
He checked the official identification card inside Marcus's leather wallet.
Police Officer: Mr. Marcus, you need to step over here right now.
Marcus: You cannot arrest me on my nephew's wedding day!
Police Officer: The signatures on these official deeds do not match at all.
The second officer placed silver handcuffs firmly on Marcus's wrists.
The wedding guests clapped their hands as Marcus was led away.
David watched his uncle get pushed into the back of the car.
He took a long deep breath of fresh afternoon air.
The heavy weight of twenty years of lies suddenly lifted off him.
He turned back to face Mary, who was crying quiet tears.
David: You do not have to sleep on the streets anymore.
Mary: I only wanted to see you get married today, David.
Sarah: You are going to sit in the front row, Mary.
Mary: But my clothes are dirty and ruined, sweet girl.
Sarah: Love matters way more than clean clothes on this day.
Sarah took off her soft silk wedding shawl carefully.
She wrapped the warm white fabric around Mary's thin shoulders.
Mary smiled as tears of happiness ran down her hollow cheeks.
David hugged both women tightly in front of the cathedral doors.