Title: Easter Service
Author: Kate
Summary: He isn't sure why he is here. He knows it is because she asked him to come.
Disclaimer: The story is mine. Everything else belongs to other people.
He accepts the book handed to him at the door and follows her into the building, not quite sure why he is here, knowing it is because she asked him to come. They slide into one of the back pews as the congregation stands.
Christ the Lord is risen today:
Hallelujah
Let the whole creation say:
Hallelujah
Kate opens the book to the right page and begins to sing along. After a moment, she holds the book out so they can both read the words. A former choirboy, he clears his throat.
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal:
Hallelujah
Christ has burst the gates of hell.
Hallelujah
Later, the ritual washes over him, and he responds automatically to the priest's commands, his mind comforted by old routines. He doesn't listen during the prayers but neither does he let himself fall asleep, his eyes harder and harder to open once closed, his body begging for rest after a two day case.
She sits beside him quietly, going through the practices of the faith that he gave up before she was born but that she keeps.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy and Immortal,
Hear our prayer
She leaves him to take communion, wordlessly accepting his absence from this part of the service. She doesn't ask him and he doesn't feel the need to explain.
Alone, he watches one congregation and remembers another.
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen
He shakes the hand of the priest but doesn't speak, Kate filling his silence with the appropriate words. Refreshments are offered and they both take their coffee black, the caffeine needed to sustain their tired minds and weary bodies until rest can be sought out and found.
The spire of the red brick church towers above them and he remembers playing in the shadows of one similar. He gulps down the last of his coffee and turns to leave the church, this time different from the last. This time a beautiful woman he might just be falling in love with at his side.
Fin