Walking away, I shouted over my shoulder, “I’m sure that’s a complete and utter lie, Chris.” Chris winked back, then he jogged towards Billy.
They looked utterly perfect for each other as I admired their loving stares. I looked around for Lisa-Marie and Catherine. They walked up to me, each offering me an arm for support. They both smiled and that was all they needed to offer. Today was going to be perfect.
“Standing here today, I’d like to present to you Billy Reginald Tanner and Chris Thomas Makepeace for their joining as one today.” Everyone clapped and cheered as Billy and Chris bowed.
“Chris and Billy, we are all gathered here today to witness and celebrate the love and respect you have for one another. Are you entering into this marriage freely, voluntarily, and without any conditions?”
They both said, “I do,” as a little tear slid down my face.
“Then I shall spare no more time by handing you over to make your vows. Billy, you can go first.”
Billy nodded towards Terry, then focused his eyes back on Chris with a tender smile. “I, Billy Tanner, take you, Chris Makepeace, to be my life partner, my best friend, and my one true love. I will cherish our marriage and honour you until the day I leave this earth. I will trust you, respect you, laugh and cry with you through good times and in bad. I will be your shoulder to lean on, your hand to hold throughout our lives. You have my heart and my love, and it has been that way since the day I picked up that phone. I give you my all from this day forward, as long as we both shall live.”
Billy finished without too many tears and I was proud of him. He was a bag of nerves earlier, but it all just seemed to melt away the minute he looked into Chris’ eyes.
“Now your turn, Chris,” Terry said, straightening his tie. The ceremony was obviously affecting him more than he wanted to let on.
“Billy Tanner, today I join my life with yours. Not only as your partner, but as your lover, your confidant, and best friend. Let me be the place you call home, the rock upon which you rest, your companion for life. I will join hands and walk with you through life’s path. Wherever you go from now on, I will be until I leave this earth.”
Just when I thought it couldn’t get more beautiful, it did. Chris nailed it with his vows, and the crowd was sniffling. Time seemed to stand still for a moment as I closed my eyes and wished Stephen could have been here to witness this with me.
I was so engrossed in my thoughts, I didn’t realize everyone was now looking at me. “Er, Cassie—the rings?” Terry asked as I stood there like an idiot.
Snapping out of it, I shook my head. “Oh, yes—sorry!” Running towards them both, I handed over the rings. How embarrassing.
I stood back and watched as Billy leaned in for a kiss. Everyone erupted with cheers. Even people from the crowd walking by were taking photographs and cheering.
Looking at both of them, I couldn’t help but think how wrong I was to discount them marrying in the phone box. Sure, it was a little cramped, but with two people propping it open, they were able to hang half in, half out. The whole thing was kind of magically endearing.
Everyone laughed and hugged as the ceremony ended. I gave Lisa-Marie and Catherine a hug, then rushed over to do the same with Billy and Chris. The day couldn’t have been more perfect.
In no time at all, we rushed to the local church so they could get their blessing. It was booked for three o’clock, so we had no time to waste in getting ourselves over there.
The blessing was as beautiful as the actual wedding. It wasn’t as poignant, but it was still wonderful to see them being blessed in the house of God.
Once all was done, everyone left. I told Billy and Chris I would be a couple of minutes, and they both nodded, saying they would be expecting me shortly for some photographs.
Alone, I closed my eyes and relished the silence for a moment. The church calmed me just as much as the angels did. Clasping my hands together, I gripped my eyes shut and quietly prayed, “Father, please say you can hear me. I need you to grant me a wish. I know you have never liked Alexander, Father, but I love him more than life itself. He breathes my life as much as I breathe his. Without him, I am nothing. Without him, I do not exist.
“Please, find it in you to let him go. Let your daughter have the happiness she has been after all her life. If I ever ask for anything else in my life again, it will be this.
“By now, I know you have all the answers to what happened all those years ago. I know you will be mad at me. I know you will be mad at Alexander, but please…please do not punish him for something we did together. Please do not punish us for falling in love. If you have to punish one of us, let it be me. Alexander has been through enough. He was found guilty of a crime, but the only thing he was guilty of was loving me. The only thing he has ever been guilty of is loving me. He has saved me time and time again. Please give me the opportunity to save him. I’ll do whatever it takes to make him happy.”