Chapter 46
The day had finally come. Amanda sat quietly as her friends and family bustled around her helping her to get ready for the wedding. It seemed to suddenly dawn on her that this was really happening. Her flat seemed full with Meg, Svelda and her parents occupying it as well.
"Amanda I'm going to apply your makeup so just close your eyes for me," Meg instructed.
Amanda closed her eyes softly and tried to relax her face against the tickle of makeup brushes. Her hair had already been done by her mother this morning. The unruly strands had been tightly coiled into a donut bun at the back of her head. A few were set loose to curl about the frame of her face. Svelda had found it deeply interesting to see how her mother had achieved such a feat.
As makeup was being applied to her face, her mother was also moisturising her hands and cleaning her nails. She hadn't really needed them to be cleaned but giving her mother something to do seemed to make her less nervous. Svelda stood guard over the dress. Woe betide anyone who would cause it damage, Amanda thought amusedly to herself.
Amanda found herself giggling as Meg used a big brush to powder her face. It tickled her nose!
"Stay still Amanda!" she chastised.
After her eyes were done, Meg used a cherry colour lip stain to bring colour back to her face. Amanda's complexion seemed to pale with her nerves.
With all her beauty treatments done, Amanda's bath robe was removed and the other women helped her into her wedding dress. It was made of soft silk that seemed to flow over her skin. The dress had originally been a strapless one that Amanda had favoured but it had been tailored to include lace that covered her arms, back and neck. Amanda had worried that she would look stifled in it but as she looked in the mirror she found the dress made her look rather… svelte.
The overall effect was quite a transformation. Amanda almost didn't recognise herself. Not in a bad way though, it was just strange to see herself dressed as a bride. It would take time to adapt to this new identity.
As Svelda attached a short veil by a hairpiece to her head, Amanda looked to her mother for approval.
"You look breath-taking Amanda," she said, teary-eyed.
Amanda smiled warmly at her.
"Is that a good attribute to have?" Svelda asked uncertainly.
Meg laughed.
"Of course! We want her husband-to-be to be stunned by her beauty!" she explained.
Svelda looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I do not think he will be stunned but you certainly look beautiful Amanda."
"Thank you," Amanda said, quietly.
It meant a lot coming from Svelda, who had such a critical eye.
Amanda turned to see the reaction of her father and laughed to find him slumbering in her armchair. All the girl talk had clearly been too much for him.
"Richard!" her mother scolded.
Her father suddenly jolted awake.
"Huh? Wha? What did I do?" he said deliriously.
"I can't believe you fell asleep on our daughter's special day!" she said shrilly.
Amanda glanced to Meg and couldn't help herself from giggling.
"Sorry Diane. Everyone was talking about hairstyles and I just lost concentration," he apologised.
He rubbed his eyes wearily. Looking up, he came to admire her dress.
"You look beautiful sweetheart," he said warmly.
Meg shuffled beside him.
"Already used that adjective professor, you need to use something else," she whispered dramatically.
"Nuts. Ummm…" He rubbed his head thoughtfully whilst her mother glared daggers at him.
Amanda smiled, waiting patiently.
"You are a delight to the eyes Amanda," he said, with a flourishing bow.
Amanda grinned.
"You're forgiven Dad." She smiled. "But do try to stay awake during the ceremony," she teased lightly.
Svelda came forward to hand her a small bouquet of flowers.
"It is time Amanda."
Amanda sat nervously in the car as they were transported to the chapel. Her mother sat next to her holding her hand supportively. Amanda found it difficult not to fidget. Her emotions flared up and down like an insane rollercoaster. One moment she was flighty with excitement and the next she was leadened with dread. The flux and change was unbearable.
"You alright Amanda?" her mother asked, concerned.
"I can't seem to settle on one emotion," she explained. "I should be happy but I feel so nervous. I don't know why. I know exactly what's going to happen!"
Her mother squeezed her hand gently.
"It's natural to feel mixed Amanda. I felt very much the same when I was marrying your father. It's just anticipation. You're in the middle of a major transition in your life. Things are about to change and in a way that you can't accurately predict," she said coyly.
Amanda took a deep breath.
"I guess you're right," she agreed.
"Although I can't believe I am saying this, I recommend that you do what your father does. Treat life as an adventure. Life is what you make of it," she said sagely.
Amanda's eyes watered at her words. Soon she would gain many things: a husband, a new way of life, a new identity. But she was also going to miss her family and friends. She knew she wouldn't lose them for long but she still didn't want to leave them. Feeling vulnerable, she rested her head on her mother's shoulder and allowed herself to be comforted. She was just glad no one else could see.
Standing outside the entrance to the chapel, Amanda forced out some slow deep breaths. It will all be fine, she thought to herself. Meg and her parents waited outside with her whilst Svelda checked on the proceedings. Amanda knew that Sarek had arrived though, the press were clamouring at the main entrance and the Vulcan embassy car was parked a few meters away.
Amanda had only seen Sarek a couple of days ago but she still felt nervous about what he would think of her dress. She knew she was being silly really. She looked fine. She just needed to get started. All this waiting was killing her. Meg gave her a reassuring smile as Amanda allowed herself to pace.
After a few more minutes, Svelda emerged and everyone but Meg went to stand in the chapel. Meg hugged her fiercely as they waited for the music to announce their arrival.
"You're going to be great together Amanda, I just know it," she reassured her.
Amanda spared her a grateful smile. Meg pulled the veil over her face and arm in arm, they readied themselves to walk down the aisle.
The gentle thrum of classical music soothed Amanda's nerves as she walked along with Meg. As they emerged from under the stone archway, Amanda found herself smiling as she saw Sarek's stoical form standing next to the registrar. He stood tall in long bronze flowing robes highlighted with emerald green. A ruby necklace and a variety of rings adorned his fingers. Under the veil, she enjoyed being free to admire his handsome features.
Se'tek stood to his side as his best man. It was a rather odd experience being the centre of everyone's attention but Amanda found that she could enjoy it. They were all her family and friends after all.
On the right side of the hall stood Amanda's parents and to Amanda's surprise, Ambassador Ovina. She was glad she was here to show her support. The other side contained only Svelda. Amanda felt a little disappointed that Velor and Danny couldn't make it but she supposed they had more important duties to attend to.
Her thoughts came to a halt as they stopped before the registrar. Meg squeezed her arm affectionately as she let her go and took Amanda's bouquet of flowers. Amanda turned to Sarek and lifted the veil to see his dark eyes once more. She relaxed more as they continued to share each other's gaze.
With everyone present, the registrar welcomed them to the ceremony and began with the proceedings. The registrar continued with a speech that had been tailored by them both.
"Marriage joins two people in an unbreakable bond. It is a commitment to life, the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for learning and growth that no other opportunity can equal. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes that life is unable to avoid. When two people pledge their care for each other within a marriage they create a spirit which binds them closer than any written or spoken words. Marriage is a promise by two people to share in each other, and it takes a lifetime to fulfil."
The registrar paused solemnly before continuing.
"If any person present knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage you should declare it now," the registrar called out into the silence.
As the moment drew out, no one spoke and Amanda breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly the doors behind them opened and Amanda turned to find Ambassador Velor and Danny. She grinned widely.
Danny gestured for them to continue as they found a spot to stand.
"Before you are joined together in marriage it is my duty to remind you both of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make."
"Marriage according to the law of this Earth is the union of two partners, voluntarily entered into for life, to the exclusion of all others. Now, you may distribute the rings."
Se'tek came forward to place a small gold ring in his hand. Sarek stepped forward and gently taking her hand, he slipped the band onto her ring finger. Looking into her eyes, he spoke.
"I call upon these persons here present to witness that I Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan take you Amanda Grayson to be my lawful wedded wife," he said solemnly.
Amanda felt her hands tingle against his touch and smiled gently at his words. He dropped her hand. Amanda took a rather bulky looking ring from Meg and placed it on his free finger. He would not wear it all the time, only for ceremonial purposes. But that was enough for Amanda. She knew where his heart truly lied. Amanda cleared her throat lightly.
"I call upon these persons here present to witness that I Amanda Grayson take you Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan to be my lawful wedded husband."
She let go of his hand and they both turned to face the registrar once more.
"Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan and Amanda Grayson have both made the declarations required by the laws of Earth. They have chosen to exchange rings as a token of their marriage vows."
The registrar now smiled at them both for the first time throughout the whole ceremony.
"It is now my pleasure to tell you both that you are now husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
And it was as simple as that. Amanda grinned. They were now married! The declaration lifted a huge weight off of her shoulders.
Sarek stepped forward and offered his hand in the ozh'esta. Completing the ozh'esta they gazed long into each other's eyes as the chapel erupted with joy around them.
In hushed tones Amanda whispered to him a traditional blessing.
"May T'Kah bless our union."
Sarek's eyes widened a little before replying.
"And may Shruth never be called upon."
Her father's words echoed in her mind:
"…sometimes things aren't perfect but the main thing is that you are together and that is what you wanted…"
As Amanda looked into Sarek's eyes she knew now for definite, that this was exactly what she wanted.
END OF PART II
