Come What May
As the golden sun rose over the sleepy town of Port Royal the Richards' residence was in a mad frenzy. Today was the big day, it was Will and Helen's wedding day. And the seven members of the Richards family were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. The girls had to get baths, Robert was trying to shave, Gloria was cooking and Helen was fretting.
"I can't believe it…its happening." Helen whispered aloud as her head was roughly jerked back as Lucy briskly brushed her hair. Helen tired to sit still as Lucy brushed her dark hair till it shimmered and then winded thee back into a flowing braid that raveled down her shoulders.
"I can't believe its happening either; I can't believe you're leaving." Lucy sniffled and then looked down as Helen squeezed her hand in comfort.
"I'm not going far, and Will and I will be around often enough, mother will see to that. Besides look on the bright side, you'll no longer have to share a room with me." Helen gestured to the barren room, her father had moved all of her meekly things to Will's apartment earlier that morning so that she would be fully settled with her husband.
"I doubt it; most likely Louise will bunk with me, leaving Anna and Brooke to their own devices."
Helen shrugged and looked down as she twiddled her thumbs. It was really happening, she was getting married. She heaved in a breath as Lucy placed both of her hands on her shoulders and Helen gazed at her reflection in the cracked mirror.
"You look like an angel." Lucy complimented as Helen blushed and thanked her sister. Lucy then set about to get ready for the event as Helen stood and walked to the far side of the room where he wedding attire was carefully laid out. She lightly ran her fingers over the sea blue gown that flowed so nicely.
With Lucy's help she changed into the dress and twirled like a little girl as her heart fluttered in her chest. All of a sudden the other three girls were in the room, all teary eyed and sad.
"Don't leave us sister!"
"We don't want Helen to leave!"
"It's not fair!"
They threw themselves as Helen and pawed at her waist as she tried to stay upright and still. She patted each girl on the head and hugged them tightly as she tried not to cry herself. Weddings were supposed to be a joyous occasion, so why was everyone blubbering?
"You all stop the water works, you hear? I'm supposed to be happy today and I can't be if all my little sisters are sad. So cheer up chums." she said quietly as she wiped the tears away from their faces. Suddenly Gloria was in the room and dismissed all the girls and told them that they had to go to the church now or risk the chance of being late.
"And a tardy bride is unacceptable, not get!" Gloria ordered as she patted Helen on the back. Soon enough the Richards' family was looking prim and proper as they bundled dear Helen up in a cloak and hurried to the local church. The church was nearly full with family, friends and mere acquaintances. The family went to be seated as Robert and Gloria stayed behind to have a few final moments with Helen.
Helen was pacing back and forth, never in her life had she felt so vulnerable and nervous. Her entire body was on edge, every muscle and nerve was twitching with anticipation. She jumped as her mother rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Mother, you scared me." she said aloud with a feeble smile as Gloria smiled at her daughter, knowingly.
"Nervous?" she asked even though the answer was obvious. Helen nodded and murmured, "I feel like I'm about to explode. I don't know if I can do this." she whispered as she looked down at her hands.
"You've never been one to falter with braveness."
"There's a first time for everything." Helen retorted as she ran a hand through her hair and then froze, not wanting to mess it up. Helen moved to the large stain glass windows and peered out to the empty street. Gloria moved to stand beside her daughter as she wistfully remarked.
"You know, when I first married your father I didn't love him."
Helen turned towards her mother in surprise, "You didn't?"
"No, our marriage was much the same as yours. Our parents thought we would be a suitable match for the other, I disagreed horribly. See, your father and I had grown up with each other and he had been a bit of a beast back in our childhood. He used to tease me mercilessly, and stick my braids in ink. Oh, how I loathed him back then." Gloria exclaimed affectionately as Helen watched her mother carefully.
"What changed?" she asked quietly as Gloria's smile grew and she reached for her daughter's hand.
"I became pregnant with you and everything changed. A new side came out from your father and what had started out as mutual dislike turned into love. I love your father something fierce. And I have high hopes for you and Will. It may be hard and even awkward at times, but I believe you'll find a way to each other."
Helen stared at her mother for a long moment before nodding, "I hope so." she whispered as both turned to see Robert standing before them, looking ever the part as a proud parent.
"It's time." he announced as Helen's heart lunged to her stomach. Gloria patted Helen's hand one final time and walked into the church to take her seat at the front of the congregation. Helen looked up at her father as she blinked back tears.
"Never thought we'd come this far, did you?" she jokingly asked as her father chuckled and embraced his daughter securely.
"I always knew this day would come, I just hoped against all odds it wouldn't. But you're a grown woman going on twenty; I can't hold you back anymore. Come on, he's waiting."
Helen's heart skipped a beat at the mention of…him.
She nodded and looped her arm through her father's large was as he squeezed her hand gently and the two began to walk forward. The church was nearly full as row after row stood, admiring the beautiful bride that Helen was. Helen kept her eyes to the wooden floor until they finally had to stop before the minister and Will.
Helen's father turned towards her as he kissed both of her cheeks and released her as she moved to stand in front of Will. Ever so slowly she raised her eyes as they locked with the dark ones of the blacksmith. He was so very handsome, dressed in his finest clothes. His hair neatly clean was curly from the dampness and it rolled over his shoulders splendidly. He stood tall and posed as he looked to the minister who had begun to speak to the entire audience.
"We are gathered here in the sight of God and these witnesses to unite William and Helen in holy matrimony. As followers of Jesus Christ, they believe that God created marriage. In Genesis it says, 'It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.' William and Helen, as you prepare to take these vows, give careful thought and prayer, for as you make them you are making an exclusive commitment one to the other for as long as you both shall live. Your love for each other should never be diminished by difficult circumstances, and it is to endure until death parts you.
"As God's children, your marriage is strengthened by your obedience to your Heavenly Father and His Word. As you let God be in control of your marriage, He will cause your home to be a place of joy and a testimony to the world."
The minister paused and then opened his worn and thick volume of the Bible and began to read aloud, "Heavenly Father, William and Helen are now about to vow their unending loyalty to each other. We ask you to accept the shared treasure of their life together, which they now create and offer to You. Grant them everything they need, that they may increase in their knowledge of You throughout their life together. In the name of Jesus. Amen."
"Amen." The congregation thundered back as they seated themselves and gazed up at the young couple. Helen licked her dry lips and glanced at Will from the corner of the eye as he glanced back. They both quickly looked away and blushed in embarrassment. The minister looked to Helen's family and asked of them, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
Robert Richards' stood, mouth open and ready to answer when all of his daughters called out,
"We do!" The church broke into hearty laughs as they witnessed the deflation of Robert. Helen grinned and blew a kiss to her father as he sat down once more, shoulder slump and face red. Even the minister cracked a smile as he peered down at the young couple before him and spoke solemnly.
"Let me charge you both to remember, that your future happiness is to be found in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence, and affection. William it is your duty to love Helen as yourself, provide tender leadership, and protect her from danger. Helen it is your duty to treat William with respect, support him, and create a healthy, happy home. It is the duty of each of you to find the greatest joy in the company of the other; to remember that in both interest and affection, you are to be one and undivided."
Helen stood rigid as she stared ahead, she was getting married. This had to be a dream, it couldn't be real. Will seemed to be having the same thoughts as he fidgeted from beside her. They glanced at each other again and looked away.
"William and Helen you have made a very serious and important decision in choosing to marry each other today. You are entering into a sacred covenant as life partners in God. The quality of your marriage will reflect what you put into nurturing this relationship. You have the opportunity to go forward from this day to create a faithful, kind, and tender relationship. We bless you this day. It is up to you to keep the blessings flowing each and every day of your lives together. We wish for you the wisdom, compassion, and constancy to create a peaceful sanctuary in which you can both grow in love.
"William, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?"
Will cleared his throat and nodded, "Yes, I do."
"Helen, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?"
"Yes, I do." Helen whispered so softly that hardly anyone could hear her. Her heart was pounding so loudly she wouldn't be surprised if the entire church heard her, let alone all of Port Royal. It was silent for a moment as the bride and groom finally faced one another. Will reached for her hand and she willingly gave it to him as the minister began the vows.
"In the name of Jesus, I William take you, Helen, to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow." It did seem rather solemn coming from Will's lips as he avoided her gaze. Helen looked down and repeated back.
"In the name of Jesus I Helen take you, William, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow."
The Richards' girls were already sobbing in the front pew as Gloria leaned against Robert and sniffled rather pathetically into the handkerchief he offered her. He patted her on the back and tried to quiet his crying family down.
"May I have the rings? Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, the giving and receiving of these rings. May William and Helen abide in Thy peace and grow in their knowledge of Your presence through their loving union. May the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of their endless love and serve to remind them of the holy covenant they have entered into today to be faithful, loving, and kind to each other. Dear God, may they live in Your grace and be forever true to this union. Amen." The minister nodded to Will as he produced the silver wedding band from his pocket and held it up in the faint sunlight.
"Helen, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With this ring, I thee wed." he slid the ring onto her left hand as the coolness of the band traveled up the length of her arm.
She held up his larger silver band and declared back to him, "William, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With this ring, I thee wed." The ring fit perfectly on his finger as he gave her hand a light squeeze before fully letting go.
Now the tears of the audience were in full force as they sobbed over the loveliness of the two. If only they knew the feelings Will and Helen were feeling on the inside. Despair, hope, awkwardness and so on. As the wedding ceremony started to come to a close the minister spoke again.
"Because William and Helen have desired each other in marriage, and have witnessed this before God and our gathering, affirming their acceptance of the responsibilities of such a union, and have pledged their love and faith to each other, sealing their vows in the giving and receiving of rings, I do proclaim that they are husband and wife in the sight of God and man. Let all people here and everywhere recognize and respect this holy union, now and forever."
The minister looked up from his Bible and began the closing prayer, "May the love of God be above you to overshadow you, beneath you to uphold you, before you to guide you, behind you to protect you, close beside you and within you to make you able for all things, and to reward your faithfulness with the joy and peace which the world cannot give neither can it take away. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom be glory now and evermore. Amen."
He clamped the book shut as its thud echoed around the church. Helen's heart began to beat even faster for she, and everyone else, knew what was coming. Smiling largely the minister winked at Will and gestured to Helen.
"William, you may now kiss your bride." A hushed silence fell over the church as everyone leaned forward and sat on the edge of their seats. Will blinked and slowly leaned forward as Helen did the same. His lips hardly brushed against hers but it was enough to cause her eyes to flutter shut. But in a flash he had pulled back and she blinked her eyes open and looked away from her…husband.
The minister, now openly beaming, spread his arms wide and joyfully announced,
"It is now my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Turner!"
The congregation broke out into thunderous applause, cheers and whistles as Helen felt dizzy.
It had finally happened. She was now Helen Turner.
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Please read and review! I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean!