The Song

Part 4

Melody giggled as she twirled in her dress. It was summer now. Only a few months down the road. "That is beautiful Mel!" Phoenix, Melody's cousin, told her. Phoenix often came to visit the Richards in the summer. Melody and Phoenix always had that special bond between them. Though Peter John was Melody's best friend, Phoenix was a close second.

"Thank you," Melody answered.

"Alright, it is time." Mr. Richards says with tears in his eyes. Melody mouthed okay, afraid to speak. She had never seen her father cry. It caused her eyes to tear up too. She grabs his arm and he kisses her forehead. "Ready?" He asks her. She nods. Then they walk.

Everyone is standing, all eyes on Melody. She looks straight ahead and sees Peter John up at the altar. He has a huge smile on his face. He felt that pure joy in him. It surged through his veins. Melody smiled at him. He raises his eyebrows at her and she suppresses a laugh. The rest of the ceremony seems to fly until they are ready for the vows. Melody goes first.

"I, Melody Richards, take you, Peter John Summer, to be my husband. With the greatest joy, I come into my new life with you. Today I am reminded of James l:17 which says, "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." Besides the gift of salvation, you are the most precious gift God has given me. I know that along with the new joys God has given me, I face new responsibilities that I cannot fulfill in my own strength." Melody gave a nervous laugh as her vison blurs. She blinks a few times before going on.

"However, by God's grace and power working within me, I desire to be trustworthy as your wife, to serve and love you in all circumstances, to obey you, to allow God to use you to build His qualities in me, as long as God give us life on this earth. I praise God continually for you, Peter John, and for your love and friendship. I love you. You are my best friend. So today, I commit to give my life to you in marriage. I promise to always protect your life with mine. I will celebrate with you in times of great happiness and I will not just stand by you, but carry you during times of life's greatest sorrows." Melody's voice breaks on the last word. She takes a deep breath and goes on.

"I will cherish your health, but one day when it fades I will be with you in any sickness or weakness you face, from now until the day that I die. I will never give up on our love. I prayed for you before I ever met you. You are the answer to every prayer I have ever prayed. You are the only one for me, and from this day forth, I will forsake all others and be bound only to you. I love you, and now I get to spend the rest of my life proving it to you."

It seemed to Peter John like the only thing in the world was Melody. No one else seemed to be there. Like his whole world was this beautiful girl. With that thought in his mind, he started his vow. "Where there has been cold, you have brought warmth; where my life was dark, you have brought light. You are my song that leads me home. Melody, I pledge before this assembled company to be your husband from this day forward. Let us make of our two lives, one life, and let us always honor and respect each other. Forever and Always. I love you."

As the ceremony continued Melody's heart felt so full it seemed as if it would burst. She had not felt this much joy since her name was added to the book of life. It was blissful. It was perfect. It seemed like nothing could erase this happiness. However, like I said... It seemed.

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