Couples
Chapter 89
"I thought you just checked on how Lily is doing with Meryl. What are you looking at, Babe?" Kate asks as Rick studies the screen of his phone.
"My almost unnoted events international newsfeed. Sometimes it gives me some good plot prompts, especially for Derrick Storm. A chemical plant in Nigeria burned to the ground. It sounds like the agency was busy, maybe even someone we know. It was a clean job. The incineration was so fast and so hot; all that was left was ash, no toxic cloud on the wind." Rick's eyebrow rises. "Hmm."
"Hmm, what?" Kate probes.
"Terrorists attacked almost simultaneously as the factory burned. If my father did arrange the fire, he would have been busy."
"What would he do against a terrorist attack?" Kate wonders.
"Protect any assets in the area. Make sure American citizens got out safely. He could have called in extra help, maybe even air support. My guess is that there will be quite a mop-up operation. We won't see him for a while."
Kate presses her head into his shoulder. "Sometimes, I forget how much you understand about what goes on in intelligence operations."
"I could never write Derrick Storm or any of the spy novels if I didn't," Rick explains. "Fiction has to be based on something solid, or the reader can't relate. Even the fantastical stuff draws on old legends. Did you know that George Lucas studied mythology before he wrote Star Wars? That's why the movie is able to touch so many nerves. It has a deep connection to the human psyche."
"And what deep connections do Derrick Storm and Nikki Heat make?" Kate questions.
"I would hope they hook into the human thirst for justice. Also, the books are fun. My readers would love to think there's a spy out there who presses 400 pounds, loves his father, and supports orphanages. Nikki is the embodiment of the quest to find and punish the guilty. And of course, there's the romance angle." Rick's fingertip traces the curves of Kate's body. "Got to have a little heat."
Carrying their coffee, they leave the Hamptons' house's kitchen to survey the set-up operation on the grounds outside. Kate waves her hand in front of her face. It must be eighty out here, and it's only ten o'clock. If it gets much warmer, the guests could fry. Even if it doesn't rain, we might want to move the ceremony inside. Lanie is arriving with her parents. She should be here any second. I'll see what she thinks."
"Lorne will be coming a little later, but I'll give him a call and see what he thinks also," Rick volunteers. "He'll probably want to get the latest from the National Weather Service. Either way, we'll have plenty of time if we make the change."
Kate gazes at the sky. "I know Lanie's mom said rain could be good luck, but I'm hoping it's nice enough to keep the ceremony outside. Lanie should have her dream wedding."
"Yes, she should," Rick agrees. "And we'll do our best to make sure that she gets it."
After a short shower, the temperature stabilizes at 78 degrees, and most of the clouds clear from the sky. A slight breeze off the ocean provides further cooling, stirring the carefully styled strands of the women in the wedding party but not causing serious disarray.
Kate takes her place on the closely mowed grass at the top of the aisle between the chairs. Lanie takes her father's arm behind Kate. A recording of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong singing "Dream a Little Dream of Me" pours through speakers. Kate waits a beat before stepping forward.
Walter Parish places a reassuring hand over his daughter's, and Lanie follows Kate toward the plant-surrounded arch.
With a laptop with a Skype feed to Benjie Seymour on a small table nearby, Lorne stands next to Rick. But his eyes are only on his bride. She almost trips as hers lock with his and the heel of her sandal catches in the damp ground, but Walter holds her steady until handing her off to Lorne. Lanie gives her bouquet to Kate. From the screen of the laptop. Benjie Seymour winks at Lorne and nods.
Chaplain Hayes smiles at the couple. "I often conduct marriages for patients, but not often for doctors, particularly those who have long departed hospital walls. This is the most blessed reunion I can imagine. These two people, Lanie Parish and Lorne Faulkner, have had a long road to each other. Perhaps the seeds of their love were sowed as they learned and grew in their professions side by side. As the road ahead of them forked, they chose the same goal but different paths to reach it. But they both held fast to their love of the truth. God smiles on truth. And the search for that truth brought them together.
"They stand here in the love of truth and the love of each other, reaching out to take the next step. Lanie and Lorne have chosen to experience a ceremony employing few words and simple vows. Would you stand with them in support of that choice?" Hayes waits a moment for the guests to rise. "Lanie and Lorne thank you for coming and ask for your blessing and encouragement for their joining and future together.
"Lanie and Lorne, marriage is the promise between two people who love each other, who trust that love, who honor one another and wish to spend the rest of their lives together. You will share your dreams, joys, and sorrows and support each other through all uncertainties of life. While together as one, a strong marriage allows you each to maintain your unique identity and grow in your own way. A wedding is not an ending but the beginning of life's most incredible adventure.
"You will begin that journey now. Lanie and Lorne, please join hands and repeat after me, addressing each other. I take you as you are, loving who you are. I promise from this day forward to be grateful for our love and life, to be generous with my time, energy, and affection, and be patient with you and myself. I vow to fill our lives with new ideas and our home with laughter, encourage you to grow as an individual, and love you completely. These things I pledge to you without reservation."
Holding tightly to each other, Lanie and Lorne echo each phrase.
Hayes smiles acknowledgment, before glancing at Rick and Kate. "Please present the rings." Kate and Rick hand the rings to Lanie and Lorne. Hayes turns back to the couple. "Please exchange them, now. Your wedding ring is a symbol of your promise to one another. The ring, an unbroken, never-ending circle, is a symbol of committed, unending love."
After Lorne slips Lanie's ring on her finger, Hayes pauses a moment for Lanie to finish fitting a gold band over Lorne's prominent knuckle. The couple shares a nervous smile.
"Lanie and Lorne," Hayes continues, "you have come here today of your own free will, surrounded by family and friends. You have declared your love and commitment to each other and promised this love with rings. In the name of your love and commitment to each other, and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may share a kiss."
Hayes nods as Lorne takes Lanie in his arms. "To everyone gathered here, I now introduce husband and wife, Lorne Faulkner and Lanie Parish."
Melinda Parish wipes tears from her eyes as Walter joins the guests in applauding. As Rick offers his arm to Kate, Benjie's voice sounds from the laptop. "Mazel tov!"