Betty laughs, dodging streetcars as she runs across the street to meet Kate. Snow crunching under her boots. There were far too many people around for her liking, the shops and the Eaton's centre full of last-minute shoppers and carolers standing on street corners were getting in her way.
"Where were you?" Kate exclaims looking her over, "I've been waiting for you."
"I had to run home. But I'm ready to go now," Betty stops herself from swooning at Kate, her cheeks pink from cold, snowflakes stuck to her hat and gloves.
"The wedding is at 5 - we have time. Where's Gladys?" Betty glances around.
Kate shrugs, "She said she had something to take care of for Vera."
"Ah, she's probably already there then."
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Kate asks, pausing to absentmindedly brush snowflakes off Betty's hat.
"Yeah I checked with Marco, St. John's," Betty pauses, "The church is on Kingston."
Kate bites her lip, before they hop the appropriate streetcar, not wanting to be late.
The church is decked for Christmas with wreathes and poinsettias. Few guests line the first few pews. Some looking uncomfortable with the idea of being in a Catholic church.
"Doesn't seem that different." Kate comments in a whisper, though her eyes go to the cross. Gladys waves them over to the front pew on the left side of the church, she's dressed more a little more modestly than usual, a deep blue suit under her wool coat.
"Gladys!" Kate exclaims, "Did you get the flowers?"
Gladys only smiles, "A corsage, yes, I couldn't let Vera get married without flowers, even if it is December 23rd."
"Saves on the decorations," Marco has walked over to join them, "You should have seen the relief on my mother's face when Vera assured her that her family was Catholic, makes things simpler."
"Isn't Burr English?" Gladys turns to Marco.
"Scottish." Marco responded shrugging, "He doesn't care, long as Vera's Catholic." He points at the priest.
"Is it that different?" Betty turns her head, "Doesn't seem that different." Betty guides herself into a pew. Vera's side largely occupied by a few Vic Mu employees and a couple girls from the rooming house. Her family, a no-show, as expected. Marco's side seemed to be mostly his family, his mother and sisters sitting proudly in the front row. A few friends and neighbours sit behind them.
"They won't do a mass this close to Christmas, so just look prayerful. And don't worry about the Latin thing." Marco advises quickly moving back to his position at the front of the church.
"Latin?" Kate looks up in surprise.
"Vera told me she didn't care if they married at City Hall." Betty smiles, "Though Marco's mother looks happy."
"So does Marco." Gladys smiles, looking at the delighted groom. Two young boys move around the altar lighting candles.
All eyes move to the back of the church when the organ begins to play, Vera walks gracefully toward the altar smiling, dressed in a cream coloured suit with a large floral pink corsage pinned to her lapel. The perfect image of a war-time bride.
Vera is beaming as she reaches the altar, standing next to Marco.
The priest speaks, "Marco, wilt thou take Vera, here present, for thy lawful wife, according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church?"
"I will." Marco answers, attempting to look solemn despite his excitement.
"Vera, wilt thou take Marco, here present, for thy lawful husband, according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church?"
Vera's unable to keep from smiling as she answers, "I will."
The priest speaks again, "Marco take Vera's right hand, and repeat after me"
Repeating after the priest, Marco begins, "I, Marco Moretti, take thee, Vera Burr, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."
Vera repeats after the priest, eyes watering noticeably, "I, Vera Burr, take thee, Marco Moretti, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."
The priest switches to Latin. "Ego conjugo vos in matrimonium, in nomine Patris, + et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen."
The priest then begins to sprinkle the Marco and Vera liberally with water.
Betty looks over to Gladys who shakes her head. Gladys and Kate both look puzzled, Betty can't make out anything that the priest says after that, so they look solemn and try not to giggle in the front pew. Why did they have to sit in the front pew?
The priest launches into Latin again, a couple Vic Mu girls and Marco's entire family respond in Latin, memorized form years of practice. The ring is finally produced from Marco's jacket pocket.
"Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, this ring, which we bless in Thy name, that she who shall wear it, keeping true faith unto her spouse, may abide in Thy peace and in obedience to Thy will, and ever live in mutual love. Through Christ our Lord." The priest switches back to English briefly before sprinkling the ring with more water and handing it to Marco.
Marco slides the ring onto Vera's finger, repeating after the priest again, "With this ring I thee wed; this gold and silver I thee give; with my body I thee worship; and with all my worldly goods I thee endow."
"Oh the ring, this part I understand." Betty mutters conspiratorially to Kate, who shushes her.
Gladys giggles slightly besides them.
The ceremony moves back into Latin to their great confusion. There seems to be some kind of response none of them are able to participate in. Finally, the priest moves back into English, "Let us pray. Look down with favor, O Lord, we beseech Thee, upon these Thy servants, and graciously protect this, Thine ordinance, whereby Thou hast provided for the propagation of mankind; that they who are joined together by Thy authority may be preserved by Thy help; through Christ our Lord. Amen."
"Amen, so it's over right?" Gladys whispers just loud enough to hear.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Princess." Betty responds.
They file out of the church cheering slightly, Marco pausing to kiss Vera in full view of the church. Betty is unsure she's ever seen a happier couple, she looks guiltily at Kate - who would have married last winter if not for... Least that's behind them now, both names cleared for lack of evidence. Ivan had never returned from Winnipeg, and it lay mostly forgotten, other than some pitying looks shot in Kate's direction during the reception. Kate, for her part, pretended not to notice and gushed happily over the newlyweds anytime anyone engaged her in conversation.
"Well, that's taken care of." Vera grins happily, "And no Latin mass."
"Wasn't that the mass?" Kate asks curiously.
"No," Vera assures her, "Mass and you'd be here over an hour. They won't do it this close to Christmas. It's why we decided on the 23rd," she adds in a conspiratorial whisper to Gladys who cannot help herself from laughing.
"Punch and cake anyone?" Marco gestures towards the church hall, they move quickly, eager to get out of the cold and snow. Already prepared, punch and cake sits on a table.
They help themselves, and the groom happily cuts the cake, offering the first slice to his bride. Vic Mu sticks to itself, Marco's family talking loudly and happily in Italian.
"It's very good." Gladys is impressed.
"Marco's mother made it, you should try the cannoli too," Vera beams, fingers entwined with Marco's, admiring the plain gold band that now adorns her ring finger.
"I will, thank you." Gladys helps herself.
"What are you doing for the honeymoon?" Kate asks politely
"Marco's taking me for a long weekend in Niagara Falls." Vera gushes happily, "Aikens actually have us 2 days, plus Christmas!"
Betty smiles at Gladys before banging her spoon against her glass loudly, the sound echoing through the church hall as others join in, until the bride and groom stand up and kiss.
"Just make sure you come back!" Betty shouts over the noise.
"Oh we'll be back Monday morning." Vera promises, "Back to the office for me!"
There's not much time for dancing, not with an early shift hanging over the heads of many of the guests. Eventually most wander off, back home, eager to sleep before their last shift before Christmas. Betty and Kate leave arm in arm, headed to catch the streetcar, "I'm sorry it's so late."
"It's a wedding, Betty, we should enjoy ourselves." Kate giggles slightly, not as steady on her feet as usual.
"I think you had quite a lot of punch," Betty wraps an arm around her waist to steady Kate.
They stumble their way home, the small two bedroom house that they now both pay the mortgage on - though Gladys pitches in where necessary - and spends far too much time there.
They fall into bed, exhausted and giggly, sleep claiming them both quickly.
Author's note: I researched Catholic weddings in the 40s for this fanfic, any errors are my own - Mass would be in Latin though vows were sometimes in English (or other languages), Mass would not be done too close to Christmas...
This fic was written (today!) as a gift for my sister who wanted it; there will be three chapters.