| Subject: Priority Mail 220 |
Author:
Nikita507
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: Saturday, April 23, 01:32:31pm
In reply to:
Nikita507
's message, "Priority Mail 218+" on Friday, April 22, 05:24:51pm
Nikita stood in the pew that not long ago she had sat finding it almost impossible to talk to Michael. It wasn’t that they had selected this pew. It had happened. She turned her head and willed herself to focus on Rhoda as she was beaming and walking down the aisle.
“It’s like that movie,” Adam commented from the other side of Michael. Nikita looked at him and Michael shook his head slightly. “Not now.”
“It’s The Sound of Music!” Adam continued as he looked at his father. “Rhoda has been given away by the nuns…. It’s The Sound of Music!”
Before Michael could tell his son to drop it, Rhoda got closer and smiled right at them. It brought silence to Adam and Michael was able to return his focus on Nikita. He slipped her hand into his as he was almost sure that Nikita was shaking and pale.
Soon they were focused on the minister who stood in front of all. “Dear Friends, we are gathered today to witness and to celebrate the drawing together of two separate lives. We have come so that this man, Nathaniel McCarty and this woman, Rhoda Ann Stanley, may be joined in marriage. It is not to be entered into lightly but with assurance and mutual respect. Love, the shining light of human emotion, reduces our selfishness, fulfills our need to share, and reinforces our virtues.”
Nikita tried to slow her heart down as she stood there, watching the beginning of the ceremony. She was relieved as the minister indicated that they could sit down. She felt Michael’s hand on her elbow to help her ease down. He leaned in closer. “Kita… it’s going to be fine.”
She fought against the tears that she didn’t understand. She didn’t understand why watching this happy moment was making her feel like her body was being torn apart at the seams.
The minister continued to talk, going right into the marriage prayer that had been selected. “Father in heaven, You ordained marriage for your children, and you gave us love.”
Nikita had stayed all that time in the convent but she had never attended a mass or a service. This was foreign to her and it felt like she was an imposter. It felt wrong to be sitting there right now, although Rhoda had told her over and over again that God would understand. Nikita hadn’t denied what Rhoda had said – but deep down, Nikita didn’t believe it.
“We present to You Nathaniel and Rhoda, who come this day to be married,” the minister continued as Michael wrapped an arm around Nikita’s body. He could see her struggle and he knew that she would never have skipped the ceremony because it was Rhoda, but this was too much for her right now.
“May the covenant of love they make be blessed with true devotion and spiritual commitment. We ask that You, God, will give them the ability to keep the covenant they have made. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength; when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness; if suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love. Amen,” the minister finally finished the prayer. The organ started to play and there was someone singing.
“Kita?” Michael turned to look at her. There weren’t tears on her face yet but he could see all color had been lose in her face. “We can go, Kita. They both would understand.”
Nikita shook her head slightly from side to side. She didn’t notice Walter turning backwards to look at them, concern on his face. Michael shook his head at Walter to make the man turn back around. Nikita didn’t need an audience. Michael was just relieved that Adam wasn’t trying to help also.
“Out of chaos, let us pledge our unity, never losing sight of the individuality that has spawned and rejuvenated this love. Today's celebration of human affection is the outward sign of commitment, which religion may consecrate and society may formalize, but neither of which guarantees happiness. For in this fold must exist two minds full of loving purpose, willing to grow and not recede in the face of change. Beneath the benevolent spirit of affection and sharing, these two people stand before us. Will you now clasp your right hands?” the minister continued as none of the three standing in front of all of them knew what was going on in the pew.
Nikita closed her eyes from the moment the words ‘out of chaos’ was said. That was her life. Chaos. She wasn’t sure if she had ever lived without chaos. She didn’t know if there was a way to get out of chaos, but yet, Nat and Rhoda were now there.
The tears rolled down her face now but Nikita opened her eyes as the happy bride and groom started their vows.
“Because of you, I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream again,” Rhoda spoke with a voice that was filled with peace. The words felt like bullets to Nikita’s psyche. She covered her mouth with her other hand as she squeezed Michael’s hand hard. She didn’t even hear the rest of the vows until Nat was speaking the same vows. “I look forward with great joy to spending the rest of my life with you, caring for you, nurturing you, being there for you in all life has for us, and I vow to be true and faithful for as long as we both shall live.”
“That’s my promise to you too, Kita,” Michael whispered as he stroked her cheek and wiped at the tears. “To spend the rest of my life with you… to care for you like you deserve to be cared for… to nurture you for all that you didn’t get nurtured for… and to be there for you until we both shall live.”
Nikita looked at Michael closed her eyes as she swallowed her gasp. Michael tucked Nikita’s head against his shoulder as he moved even closer to her. He caught Adam looking at them with worry in his eyes. Michael bumped his free hand in a light fist against Adam’s arm to tell him he had this under control.
But Michael wished this ceremony would go faster.
Yet, Rhoda wanted a traditional ceremony and there were passages to be read before the rings would finally be exchanged.
“The circle is the symbol of the sun, earth, and universe. It is the symbol of peace. Let this ring be the symbol of unity and peace in which your two lives are joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, return unto one another and to your togetherness,” the minister finally spoke and Nikita pulled her head up to look again.
“I give this ring in remembrance of this hour, a symbol of love that is beautiful, endless and complete,” Nat spoke first as he took the ring from his best man and slipped it onto Rhoda’s hand. Rhoda was crying now in happiness.
That didn’t compute for Nikita’s mind and heart – crying for happiness.
“I give this ring in remembrance of this hour, a symbol of love that is beautiful, endless and complete,” Rhoda’s voice was now shaky as she placed the ring on Nat’s finger.
Most of the guests leaned forward as they knew that the ceremony was almost over.
“You are mature people who have established individual patterns of living. Yet you have found not only a need for companionship, but the satisfaction of that need in each other's company. It is this love, based upon a responsible understanding that will aid you in creating out of your two lives, a marriage and a happiness you will share together. Stand fast in hope and confidence, believing in yourself and believing in each other,” The minister spoke as he laughed. “I think everyone wants me to hurry up.”
“We do too,” Nat admitted that caused most people to chuckle.
The minister lifted his hands. “Inasmuch as you two have come before your friends and family and have declared your love and devotion to each other, I now greet you with them as husband and wife. Nathaniel, you may now kiss your wife, Mrs. Rhoda Ann McCarty.”
The cheer went up and people got to their fee to celebrate. Michael didn’t move as Nikita placed her hand on the pew in front of her. She closed her eyes and then got up as the couple was starting out of the church, quickly moving after a kiss and a hug at the altar.
Then the guests started to leave and Nikita sat back down, feeling absolutely drained. Walter turned around and looked at Michael. “Hey, Adam… why don’t you ride with me to the reception?”
“That sounds fun,” Adam readily agreed as he could tell that his father had his hands full with Nikita right now. “That’s ok, right, dad?”
“We’ll see you there,” Michael nodded his head as he had a feeling that they had to sit here for a while.
Nikita wasn’t ready to move.
“Do you need anything?” Ellie asked as she was walking down the aisle with Davenport. Michael shook his head and looked to the end of the church. “We won’t be long… but please don’t wait.”
“Of course,” Davenport spoke as he moved Ellie along. She would have stayed and he knew that Ellie wanted to stay. But Nikita didn’t need an audience right now.
She needed Michael.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 