�You�re beautiful,� Nickolas whispered to Jenai and she just looked at him smiling. �Just like a princess.� Jenai just continued smiling.
�Dearly beloved,� the Priest began, �we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church�� Nickolas and Jenai looked at each other smiling and all Nickolas could think about that moment was just skipping to the end where they are pronounced Husband and Wife. He didn�t want to wait anymore for Jenai to be his wife. He knew it would approach sooner than he thought, but the wait was killing him. He just wanted it to be over so he could shout it from the rooftops that Jenai Richardson was finally his wife. �Almost two years ago, Nickolas and Jenai met and fell in love. Although it was under sad circumstances and the loss of a friend they didn�t leave that pain stop them from finding one another. In fact a love was born as a loved one was lost. They are standing here before you today to share their love.� Jenai and Nickolas looked at each other and smiled. �Into this Holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.� They waited a moment and no one spoke. �I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment why you may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you do now confess it. For be you well assured, that if any persons are joined together other than as God�s Word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful.� Jenai and Nickolas looked at each other not saying anything, but just smiling at each other. �Before we get to the traditional vows, Jenai and Nickolas have a few words they would like to share with each other.�
�Ladies first,� Nickolas said.
Jenai turned to Dannika and took a piece of paper from her and said, �When I was packing up my stuff I came across some old poetry I wrote. I was reading it and this one in particular caught my attention and I wanted to share with you.� Nickolas smiled and she began to read, �I lay here in my bed, wondering what to write. I want to put into words, the feelings I hold inside. I want to share the way I feel, but the words don�t come easily. It wasn�t long ago that we met and when my life changed completely. You taught me the true way to love and got me to open my heart. Although I was petrified, I left you into my life and risked another broken heart. I tried pushing you away, but you wouldn�t go. Even though I wanted to be alone, you insisted on staying by my side until I finally saw what was deep inside. I saw the love you gave to me, also the love I had for you, and realized it wouldn�t go away.� She stopped reading and looked at Nickolas, as he just looked at her. �I wrote that when I was thirteen and I find it so ironic. My life did change when we met, you did teach me the true way to love, and you did get me to open my heart�again.� She took a deep breath. �I was terrified of falling in love again, because I didn�t want another broken heart. I pushed you away because of that and broke my own heart. You refused to go away though and I realized then that you did really care. You not only cared, but you loved me. You risked everything for me and that made me fall in love even more. I love you, Nickolas Gene, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.� She smiled and Nickolas reached over and wiped the tear from her eye.
�Nickolas,� the Priest said.
�Yeah,� Nickolas said and Jenai just looked at him. �What do I say after that?� He took a deep breath. �I always told myself that I wasn�t going to fall in love and I wasn�t going to get married and you can ask anyone that.� They all chuckled. �But I knew that one day I would and that first second I saw you I knew it was going to be to you. It just all changed and I wasn�t telling myself I wasn�t falling in love and getting married. I was telling myself I was going to marry you. I was one that didn�t believe in love at first sight, but when I saw you I fell in love. I fell completely in love. When I learned of the bond you shared with my boss it was kind of discouraging, but I didn�t leave it stop me from feeling the way I felt. Then when I learned you were my boss� sister that was even more discouraging. Kevin was very protective of you and I was afraid he wouldn�t be ok with it. He was though thank God and he encouraged me to take the next step just as long as I didn�t let it interfere with my job. I tried my best in keeping them both separate and in the end my love for you won. I told you I loved you and was relieved when you said you loved me.� They both smiled. �I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I want us to grow old and gray together. I want us to spend the next 80 years together and die in each others arms, whether it be in a nice warm bed or on top of a very cold mountain top; just as long as we�re together when it happens. That�s how much I love you and promise its forever.�
They just looked at each other a moment and then Priest said, �Now for the vows.� Nickolas and Jenai smiled. �Nickolas, wilt though have this Woman to they wedded wife, to live together after God�s ordinance in the Holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt they love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live?�
�I do,� Nickolas said.
�Jenai,� the Priest said. �Wilt thou have this Man to they wedded husband, to live together after God�s ordinance in the Holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live?�
�I do,� Jenai said.
�Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?� the Priest asked.
�Her mother and I do,� Gerald said.
The Priest took Jenai�s right hand and placed it in Nickolas� right hand and said, �Nickolas, repeat after me. I, Nickolas, take thee, Jenai, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward.�
�I, Nickolas, take thee, Jenai, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward,� Nickolas repeated.
�For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.�
�For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.�
�To love and to cherish, till death to us part, according to God�s Holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.�
�To love and to cherish, till death to us part, according to God�s Holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.�
�Now, Jenai, repeat after me,� the Priest said. �I, Jenai, take thee, Nickolas, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward.�
�I, Jenai, take thee, Nickolas, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward,� Jenai repeated.
�For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.�
�For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.�
�To love and to cherish, till death to us part, according to God�s Holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.�
�To love and to cherish, till death to us part, according to God�s Holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.�
�The rings please,� the Priest said and he took them from the best man. He handed a ring to Nickolas. �Take her left hand and repeat after me.� Nickolas took her hand and the Priest said, �With this ring I thee wed: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.�
Nickolas smiled and repeated, �With this ring I thee wed: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.� He slipped the ring on Jenai�s finger.
The Priest handed the other ring to Jenai and said, �With this ring I thee wed: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.�
�With this ring I thee wed: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen,� Jenai repeated putting the ring on Nickolas� finger.
�For as much as Nickolas and Jenai have consented together in Holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company,� the Priest began, �and therefore have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands. With the power invested in me, I now pronounce that they are Husband and Wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.� Nickolas and Jenai smiled and the Priest looked at Nickolas. �You may kiss your bride.� Nickolas and Jenai smiled and then kissed.
�I love you,� Jenai said.
�I love you even more,� Nickolas said.
�Mr. and Mrs. Nickolas Carter,� the Priest said and Nickolas and Jenai turned to the guests.
CHAPTER 37
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