Italic- Memory

Regular- Guardians

Childish Snow, Chapter 10: Forced Matrimony Part 2

Once she was standing next to him, the priest began, "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and the presence of these witnesses, to join Jackson Overland Burgess and Rachel Claire Van Etten in holy matrimony, which is a honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying to us the mystical union which is between Christ and His Church."

The priest paused, looking at the two young people in front of him. Neither looked like they wanted to be there, but he could care less, he had a job to do, after all. He couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of pity for the two children before him, however.

Memory Jack looked out the window and his heart nearly stopped, because a 6 foot bunny was watching. He took a sharp intake of breath, thinking he was going crazy.

"Which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His presence at the first miracle which He wrought in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of the Apostle Paul to be honourable among all men, and is therefore not be entered into lightly or inadvisably, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God.

"Into which holy estate Jackson Overland Burgess and Rachel Claire Van Etten come now to be joined and to unite two houses and lives, blending all interest, sympathies, and hopes. I charge and entreat you, therefore, in entering upon and sustaining this hallowed union, to seek the favour and blessing of Him whose blessing is life, whose blessing maketh riche and addeth no sorrow. Let us now seek His blessing.

"Does anyone protest to this union of two houses, and two people?"

No one stood.

Memory Jack was fidgeting uncomfortably, just wanting it to be over. The girl next to him felt quite the same.

"Our Heavenly Father, we beseech Thee to come by Thy grace to this marriage. Give to those who marry a due sense of the obligations they are now to assume, so with true intent, and the blessing of thy parents, they may plight their troth, and be henceforth helps, meet for each other while they journey through life. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen."

Memory Jack was starting to feel even more uncomfortable.

'Am I in a cage? No, but it feels like it. I need to go sit down. I can't do this. I can't do this. It's not fair.'

The priest, Rev. John, asked, "Who is giving Rachel Claire Van Etten in Holy Matrimony to Jackson Overland Burgess?"

Rachel's father stepped forward, "I do."

"Who is giving Jackson Overland Burgess in Holy Matrimony to Rachel Claire Van Etten?" Rev. John asked next.

Jack's father also stepped forward, "I do."

"I charge you both as you stand in the presence of God, to remember that loyalty alone will avail as the foundation of a happy home. If the solemn vows your representatives are about to take for you be kept inviolate, and if you steadfastly endeavour to do the will of your heavenly Father, your lives will be full of joy, and the home you are about to establish will abide in peace." Said Rev. John, glancing meaningfully at their fathers.

"No other human ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred than those you are about to assume. You are entering in the holy estate which is the deepest mystery of experience, and which will forever tie together your two houses."

"Jackson Overland Burgess, will you have Rachel Claire Van Etten to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you protect her, provide for her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live?" Rev. John asked.

Jack's father stepped forward again and said, "He will."

Jack sank to the floor and started to sob, moving away from anyone who tried to offer the slightest bit of comfort, whether it be by words or by touch.

"Jack! Is alright! Calm now, calm." North reassured.

Sandy tried to give him a dream sand hug, but Jack just back flipped over it.

Tooth tried to touch his shoulder and he scooted backwards.

Bunny said, "Mate! It's us!"

Jack ignored them all.

Memory Jack felt dizzy, and he could barely stop the tears from flowing out of his eyes. He felt betrayed like he never had been before. And it hurt. Because he had been holding on to one little piece of hope that maybe this was some elaborate prank. But now he knew that it was not.

Rev. John continued, "Rachel Claire Van Etten, will you have Jackson Overland Burgess to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you submit to him, serve him, honour, keep, and care for him, in sickness and health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"

This time, Rachel's father stepped forward and said, "She will."

Rev. John turned to face Memory Jack and his father, "What pledge do you give of the sincerity of your vows?"

Jack's father said, "He gives a ring."

Rev. John then turned to Rachel and her father, "Rachel Claire Van Etten, do you accept this ring as a pledge of the sincerity of Jackson Overland Burgess's vows?"

"She does." Said Rachel's father.

Jack's father took his hand and helped him put the ring on her finger.

"With this ring, he thee wed. And with all his worldly goods he thee endows. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen." Jack's father said for him.

"And may this circlet of pure gold which has no end, be henceforth the chaste and changeless symbol of the permanent tie between your two houses." Rev. John declared.

He faced Rachel again, "What pledge do you give of the sincerity of your vows?"

Rachel's father remarked, "She gives a ring."

"Jackson Overland Burgess, do you accept this ring as a pledge of the sincerity of Rachel Claire Van Etten's vows?" Rev. John was facing Jack's side of the church now.

His father stepped forward, "He does."

Rachel's father made her put a simple gold band on his finger, "This ring she gives you, in token and pledge, of her constant faithfulness and respect." Mr. Van Etten said.

"And may this ring given be the outward and visible sign of the bond that unites your two houses forever more." Rev. John said.

"Forasmuch as Jackson Overland Burgess and Rachel Claire Van Etten have consented in holy wedlock, and have therto confirmed the same by giving and receiving each one a ring; by the authority committed unto me as a minister of the Church of Jesus Christ, I now declare you husband and wife according to the ordinance of God, and the laws of the state of Virginia, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen." Finished Rev. John.

Both Memory Jack and Rachel shuddered.

Rev. John gestured to the both of them, "Won't you please kneel?"

They did.

"Dearly beloved ones, this day marks a new era in your lives now united. From henceforth you travel life's pathway not alone, but together. Let loyalty be forever enthroned in your souls. As members of the church of Jesus Christ, we earnestly commend you to our Heavenly Father, asking Him that according to His abundant grace, He may bestow upon you both the Spirit of Grace, enabling you to establish a Christian home where the voice of prayer and praise shall be as sweet incense continually ascend unto Him who hath purchased you with His own precious blood." Said Rev. John.

He went on, "May you experience as you journey down life's passageway together, be like unto the experience of the two disciples who journeyed together from Jerusalem to Emmaus, of whom we read that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. And may heaven's constant benediction crown your union with ever-increasing joy and blessedness and true affection of a happy marriage."

He continued, "Now let us all bow our heads in prayer of dedication."

"O God, our heavenly Father, Thou art alone the Source and Author of life. Thou art the Protector and Guide on life's pathway. Thou alone art the Builder and Maker of homes. Now grant, we pray Thee, the blessings of Thy promises, and the aid of Thy Holy Spirit to these dear ones, enabling them to honour Thee, and to be ever true to the pledges made to each other."

Rev. John paused, looking around the church before continuing, "May Thy grace in abundant measure be theirs, helping them to walk in Thy truth, to abide in Thy fellowship, and to live in perfect peace and love with each other until their earthly life shall end in Thy glorious presence. This we ask in the blessed name of our Lord and Savoir, Jesus Christ."

"And now, may the Lord bless thee and keep thee. May the Lord make His face to smile upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace. Amen." He finished the prayer.

He gestured for them to stand, "It is now my happy privilege to congratulate and introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Overland Burgess!"

Memory Jack snapped out of his self induced daze when he smelt the fresh air. He had been zoning out since the beginning of the wedding. He glanced fearfully down at his hand and was horrified to find there was a ring on it.

The Guardians were once more back in that white room. They didn't know what to do, Jack was still crying, obviously reliving that traumatic experience over and over in his head.

After around five minutes, Jack looked up and half smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry, guys. I think I kinda lost it there, for a sec."

The other Guardians, except for Sandy, who made a thumbs up, coursed, "It's okay, Jack."

Then the room once again started to blur.

A/N: Well, firstly, I would like to apologize, because this chapter is mostly boring legal stuff. I spent like 5 hours going through wedding vows, picking out ones to use, changing them to fit the situtation, typing them, etc. I don't think I've ever done so much research in my whole life! So, what did you people think? Let me know, because I'm not too sure about this chapter... Anyway, read and review!

Kisses,

SnowFlower Frost