The Virgins Guide to a Happy Life

37-The Ceremony

The music played, the people stood and I was shaking not that anybody could see. My father's arm on my own was of little comfort and I had to stop myself from looking down at my steps to make sure I was stepping right. 'Breathe Gwyn, breathe.' 

I looked up at Terrance and was slightly relieved to see him looking at me the way he was looking at me. His mouth was slightly ajar and that made me a bit relieved to see. He looked almost speechless and I let out a smile to steady my nerves. When we finally made our way to the end of the isle and my father handed me over to Terrance, I almost let out a sigh of relief. I looked up at Terrance and bit my lip then we both looked at the minister and he began the service.

"Good morning, weds to be, guest and party. We are solely gathered to exchange the vows between this man, and this woman." He took a breath. "Now, matrimony is the joining of two people, two bodies, two hearts, and one soul and when they join, it's the joining of one being. Love is not just about heading in the same direction, it's about looking in the same direction.

"When you love, you love with everything you got. When you marry, you marry because it's what you want." I looked at Terrance and squeezed his hand. "As we stand before the Lord, God Almighty we join these two people." He took another breath and looked at the crowd. "Who gives this woman to this man?"

"We do." My mother said and I looked at them. She looked as though she was crying and I was considering the truth of her tears.

"Is there anyone in the crowd, of the party or of the weds who see a reason as to why this man and this man should not be joined in matrimony?" Silence in the crowd. "May I have the rings." Kyle stepped forward and handed my ring to Terrance who held my left hand in his and said his vows.

"With this ring, I promise to have and to hold and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live." I was speechless. I turned to April who handed me his ring and lined it up with the ring finger on his left hand and recited my vows.

"With this ring I promise to have and to hold, for as long as we both shall live." I slid the ring unto his finger then we looked back to the Minister.

"Do you, Terrance Matthews, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, through sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do you part?"

"I do."

"Do you, Gwyndolyn Samuels, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, through sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do you part?"

"I do." Terrance exhaled. I smiled up at him.

"I now pronounce man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Terrance raised my veil and leaned down to kiss me. I kissed him back, it was a short sweet kiss that made my stomach tighten. We pulled apart and the Minister led us, Kyle and April to the side table to sign the marriage certificate.

After signing it we walked back to the altar and turned to the crowd.

"I now pronounce Mr. and Mrs. Terrance Matthews." There was a round of applause as we made our way down the isle and out the church.

"Can I get some poses?" One of the photographers asked and I nodded my head as he ushered us into a pose and we smiled for the camera's. There was a bit of photos, some with Terrances family, some with mine and some with the entire bridal party.

"Come on, the reception awaits." Harley said giddly and I laughed at her antics.

"Okay, okay." Harley turned and led us to a white Nissan Quashqai that had a 'Just Married :)' sign on the back of it and a few steamers attached to the trunk that hung from the SUV. Terrance opened the door for me and with his help, I got in and then made room for him to climb in after.

"Are you nervous?" Terrance asked as Bruce drove away from the church. Was I nervous? What was there for me to be nervous about?

"I don't think so." I told him and he looked down at me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side.

"That's good." He kissed the side of my head and I blushed.

"Where are we honeymooning?" I asked while his mind was occupied.

"Sworn to secrecy." I rolled my eyes at him. 

"Wonderful." He kissed my cheek and I stuck my tongue out at him.

"By the way, you look stunning, amazing, beautiful." He kissed my cheek again.

"All adjectives which mean the same thing."

"And none of them fully represent how great you look." I laughed.

"My God, that's corny." I kissed his cheek.

"Well it's the truth." He brushed a finger down my cheek and then tapped it on my nose.

"We're here."