Chapter 10: The Wedding

The big day had come. Everybody in town was abuzz for the upcoming ceremony. Archie brushed his teeth, making sure to get every last inch. He just needed to get to the church about a half hour before Lovey got there. He glanced at the clock. He had time. He decided to wash his face. After that he had done that, he slipped on his tuxedo. Archie smiled. "I hope she likes it." he thought. Archibald was soon ready for his big day. Archie was getting a lift to the church from taxi service. He hoped they would show up soon. "Don't want to be late for this." he said. "And I'm talking to myself again." He heard a honk outside. He looked out the window and saw the yellow cab. He smiled and bolted outside into the cab. "To the Light of God Church please." He told the cabbie. "You got it." said the cabbie. Archie smiled. "Thanks." he said.

At the church people were already gathering for the wedding. All of Archie's attendants assembled at the altar. Bob, Larry, Mr. Lunt… "This is the big day." said Larry. "No kidding." said Bob. "I just hope I don't start crying." said Mr. Lunt. Archibald's mother and father as well as Lovey's parents made it to the church as well. They all smiled at the thought of their kids becoming husband and wife. In a few moments Archibald had arrived at the church. He leapt out and paid the cabbie. Then he went into the church. Khalil was in a hallway waiting for him. "There you are asparagus buddy." he said. "Here I am." said Archie. "You ready for this?" asked Khalil. "As I'll ever be." Archie replied.

Lovey sat in her bedroom, another woman that was her sister, was helping her to apply subtle makeup. "You excited?" she asked. "Yes, very." said Lovey. "And also a little nervous." "Well you love this guy right?" Lovey's sister asked. "Yes. With all my heart." said Lovey. "Then you have nothing to be worried about." her sister. "Love conquers all." Lovey smiled

"Yeah, you're right." Lovey said. She felt her nervousness disappear. And love filled her heart in its place. "There." Lovey's sister said. "You look fabulous." Lovey smiled and looked in the mirror. "You think Archie will like it?" she asked. "Does it matter?" said the sister. "He loves you." Lovey smiled. "You're right." she said. "Well now, just about time for you to go." Lovey's sister said. "Ready?" "Yes." said Lovey. "All right then." said her sister. "Let's get going." Soon the two were on their way to the church.

Archie took a deep breath, anxious to get the ceremony going. "I hope she gets here soon." He thought. "I'm starting to sweat." A church attendant gave the minister a wink to let him know it was time to start. The minister signaled to the wedding planner, who went outside to tell them begin. The violinists began to play and Annie walked down the aisle, sprinkling flower petals on the floor. Junior followed soon after, carrying the rings. When they reached the alter. Lovey walked in the entrance. The wedding march began. Archibald smiled. Lovey looked exquisite. Archie thought, "She is so beautiful." Lovey smiled at Archie in his tuxedo. "He's so handsome."

Her dress was white, with a pink ribbon around her waist tied into a bow in the back. Her veil was short, coming town to her pearl necklace. Lovey walked down the aisle and her father came to her side. Archie smiled at her. "Who gives this woman to this man?" said the minister. "Her mother and I do." Her father said. Archie walked to Lovey's side and both walked in front of the minister.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman together in the bonds of holy matrimony." The minister began. "When Mary became pregnant with Jesus, our Lord, her husband Joseph, felt compelled to abandon her." He said. "But his love for her went beyond the rules of society, and he stayed with her till she gave birth to the savior." The minister smiled. The time for the vows had came.

"Lovey." Archie said. "It's nearly impossible to describe how I feel about you, but I'm going to try. I'm sure you're familiar with white doves, which are the symbol of peace. Well, that's how you make me feel my angel. At peace." Lovey smiled at this. "I promise you Lovey, my dear, to love and cherish you and I'll always be with you." he concluded. Lovey felt like crying, but it was her turn now.

"Archibald," Lovey began. "Ever since we have been together, I've felt an undying happiness in my heart." A tear ran down Lovey's cheek. "Sharing my life with you would be one of the best choices I've made." she said. "I promise to love and cherish you as your wife."

The minister smiled. "Archibald, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, so long as you both shall live?" he asked

"I do." said Archie

"And do you Lovey, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, so long as you both shall live?" the minister asked Lovey.

"I do." said Lovey. "I'm not gonna cry…" said Mr. Lunt trying to fight back tears.

"May I have the rings please?" he asked. Junior gave him the rings that were on necklace chains. "Thank you." said the minister. He gave Archie the silver ring. "Archibald, place the necklace around Lovey's neck and say with this ring I thee wed."

"With this ring, I thee wed." Archie said as he put the necklace around Lovey's neck. The minister gave the gold necklace to Lovey. "Lovey, now you place the necklace around Archibald's neck and say with this ring I thee wed." he said.

"With this ring, I thee wed." said Lovey as she put the necklace around Archie's neck.

Archie lifted Lovey's veil from her face.

"By the power invested in me by Almighty God, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The minister said. "You may now, kiss the bride." Archie and Lovey smiled at each other before locking into the deepest kiss they'd ever shared. The witnesses applauded like mad, but neither of them heard it. Their world had shrunk to just the two of them and their passion, and at that moment, it was all they needed. Mr. Lunt couldn't help it. He burst into tears. Larry did too as well as Khalil. Archie and Lovey broke their kiss, staring deeply into each others eyes. Together, at long last. They walked up the aisle. Archibald's parents watched them leave the chapel a happy couple. Tears were in their eyes.

"Congratulations, my son." His mother said to herself. Archie and Lovey left the chapel and climbed into a waiting limousine, to be whisked off to their reception. Once they were inside, the limo drove off, the crowds cheering for the happy couple.