Momentary Marriage(47)

“For you, too!” Amy exclaimed, resuming her buoyant progress around the small room. “You’re getting married to the man of your dreams tomorrow and the man of my dreams is finally getting a clue. We’re both gonna be so happy!”

“Yes,” Kelsey confirmed, ignoring the flutters in her midsection. “We’re going to be very happy.”





CHAPTER TEN

Kelsey stood at the altar, heart racing, her hand in Jared’s. The minister read from a small book, his face serious.

“We are gathered here to celebrate the union     of Jared and Kelsey….”

The man’s words faded and ran together. She was conscious of the oddity, standing here where she’d seen her mother so many times. Only this time it was her wedding, her groom standing darkly confident beside her.

Behind them sat a chapel full of friends and co-workers. Chloe sat sobbing quietly in the second pew. Somewhere in the church, she’d seen Doug sitting next to Amy.

All the times she’d watched her mother participate in this same ceremony hadn’t prepared Kelsey for her own. Regardless of the reality that few marriages amounted to little more than side-trips, it still felt monumental, life-changing. She hadn’t expected the moment to feel so meaningful.

She’d walked down the aisle alone over Amy and Jared’s protests. He’d actually wanted her to contact her father to do the job, which was at odds with Jared’s own professed desire to rough the man up.

Tom Barrett, Jared’s father, had offered to escort her down the aisle, sweet man that he was. But she’d gently declined. She was entering into this thing with her eyes open, and though she was woman enough to enjoy the spectacle of a modern wedding, she didn’t feel the need of borrowed fatherly support. Until she’d heard the bridal march and every eye in the church turned in her direction. That had been different, certainly more daunting than she’d expected.

Walking down the flower-bedecked aisle, she’d pushed aside the unusual moment of self-consciousness and focused on Jared, standing tall and relaxed as he waited for her.

Handsome in his black tuxedo, he’d seemed completely calm when he took her hand. His touch had a settling effect on her, calming the jitters somewhat.

As the minister droned on, stressing the significance of marriage, Kelsey’s thoughts were drawn to Jared. He’d stepped forward into the breach just when she needed him, as fascinating and sexy a groom as she could have hoped for.

The minister read from his book, quoting Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s, “How Do I Love Thee?”

Kelsey felt the words roll over her, sweet and full of idealism. When they’d met with the reverend, he’d explained the order of service, how he’d start with opening remarks, read some sort of poetry and then move to the question of intent.

This part, he’d said, was a public statement, a promise of commitment to each other in front of witnesses. The vows that came later would be their promises to each other.

“Kelsey,” the minister said, “will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him….”

Listening to the familiar words, Kelsey couldn’t help wondering if her mother knew them by heart…couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to be able to really believe in them.

When the preacher stopped speaking, she said, “I will.”

Her voice sounded uneven to her own ears and Kelsey was relieved when the man turned to Jared.

“…comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her….”

“I will,” Jared said, his words deep and calm.

“These promises you make to the community,” the pastor said, “and they are important, but most significant are your vows to each other.”

The jewel-toned stained glass window behind the man glowed.

“Repeat after me,” the reverend intoned, looking at Kelsey.

She turned to face Jared, an echo of the official’s words coming off her tongue with surprising ease.

“I, Kelsey Alden Layton, take you, Jared Michael Barrett…to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward…for better for worse, for richer, for poorer…in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish…until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

Her words seemed to echo in her head, surprising her with their strength. In all her anticipation of this moment, she’d never expected to be moved by it, never thought her own promises would draw forth such a wave of longing.

She then put on the wedding band Jared had insisted on wearing, his hand strong and warm as she slid the circle of silver over his knuckle.