Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner."
"Are ye sure ye can go through with this, Annie? Ye donna know him well and he's a cold son of a bitch." Sibeal asked for the fifth time. Annabelle O'Brady, soon to be MacManus, smiled at her protective brother. He was dressed in clothes that were neat and clean, like hers, but neither of them wore anything fancy.
"Is uaigneach an níochán nach mbíonn léine ann, a Sibeal."
"Mother'd have a fit if she knew ye were getting' married in America an' during Lent, no less! Her next letter in gonna burst into flames and carry us away to hell," he grumbled. Cuffing him lightly, she muffled her laugher so it did not echo through the empty nave.
"It's St. Patty's Day! He's Irish and Catholic, she'll be happy."
Linking arms, the two siblings started up the aisle of Gate of Heaven church. Standing by the priest was Noah MacManus, smiling at his redheaded bride. The pews held only Annabelle's few friends; Noah had invited no one. Together, the few people present knelt, rose, sang, and prayed as one. Hearing the words ebb and flow around him, carried to the ears of God on the sweet incense, Noah felt that at long last he had found peace.
"The couple has asked that a special family prayer be included in the Mass. Please rise."
Annabelle looked at Noah's face. To most, it would have appeared blank, wooden, but she could see he was moved. She knew the prayer had been passed down to him by his late father.
"And shepherds we shall be, for thee, my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from thy hand that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. So we shall flow a river forth to thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti."
The amen seemed little more than a whisper in the great space.
At last, they stood ready to take the vows that would bind them forever.
"I, Noah, take ye, Annabelle, to be my wife. I promise ta be true ta ye in good times an' in bad, in sickness an' in health. I will love ye an' honor ye all the days of my life."
She repeated it to him and kissed him fiercely, only stopping when Sibeal pointedly cleared his throat behind her. The party afterwards was full of drink and laughter, even Noah's. As Sibeal had said, he was a cold son of a bitch, but there was no better or more caring man on the face of the planet. This marriage was the beginning of something powerful. Annabelle could feel it.
"I will always love you," she whispered as he tucked a hand under her chin and raised her face for a kiss.