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Dearly Beloved
By E. Wallace
1998
The great room was filled to capacity. A private affair had turned into a social, political, diplomatic event. 'A galaxy of stars' as one wag put it.
For two people, the only guests were the handful who had received personal invitations; the only stars were in each other's eyes.
'The galaxy' believed it was only fitting that two of their finest had come together.
'The handful' knew that it was only fitting for these two people, these two hearts, these two souls to be joined. The fear and doubt that had marked their rocky path were now behind them. A future of love and joy awaited them.
*****
The ceremony had been as simple as the reception was now grand. The vows were a quiet declaration of feelings long hidden. Now they were free to be shared with all who cared to listen. The most jaded spectators heard the words as if for the first time and truly understood their meaning. Those blessed few who already understood believed anew.
From the moment she put her hand in his at the altar, they had been inseparable. No admiral or ambassador was important enough this day to draw husband away from wife, and no medical research interesting enough to lure bride away from groom.
*****
They had chosen to observe some of the ancient traditions. He led her onto the floor, willing to do it because she loved to dance, but more because it was as close to being alone as they were going to get for awhile.
Of all the decisions they had made together -- the choices, the compromises -- this was the one thing they hadn't discussed. There was no need.
He didn't even know the name of the piece. The melody was a part of her. It was the tune she hummed absently while working, the one they always danced to when alone and the one they never shared with anyone else at official functions.
Still uncomfortable with public displays, he held her at a respectable distance. She would have none of that, not when they fit together so well. Oblivious to everything but him, she moved in close, draping her arm around his shoulders. Her fingers traced whisper soft trails up and down his neck, behind his ear. She rested her cheek next to his and closed her eyes.
She sang so that only he could hear. It was the first time he knew there were lyrics to their hearts' music.
Long ago and far away,
I dreamed a dream one day,
And now that dream is here beside me.
Long the skies were overcast,
But now the clouds have passed
You're here at last.
Chills run up and down my spine,
Aladdin's lamp is mine,
The dream I dreamed was not denied me.
Just one look and then I knew,
That all I longed for long ago,
Was you.
The End
"Long Ago And Far Away"
by Jerome Kern and Ira Gershwin