" . . . will you take Julian Marie Larabee to be your lawful wife, will you love her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, keep only unto her so long as you both shall live?"
Ezra turned and smiled, holding the gaze of the blushing woman beside him. " I will."
Josiah spoke again. "And will you, Julian, take Ezra P. Standish, will you love him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, keep only unto her so long as you both shall live?"
Julian smiled back. "I will."
Josiah, asking for the rings, was astounded by the change in the couple before him. When he first met Ezra he was sure the man would never last the week with the men. His first impression of Julian was a scared, unsure, skittish young woman. And now here they stood, slipping rings on the others hand, changed completely.
The change in Chris was astounding as well, Josiah mused. Aloud, he pronounced them man and wife. Whatever happened that day in the clinic, no one was talking. Chris went in intent on murder, and exited announcing his sister's marriage. Many of the townspeople, most of whom were present in the church at the moment, felt there was coercion involved on the part of Larabee; he'd forced Ezra to marry his siter or leave town. Josiah and the others knew differently though. Coercion would not make Ezra stare that way at his future, indeed new, bride. Coercion would not make Julian blush the way she did as Ezra's lips touched her own, a chaste kiss causing applause in the crowded church. Coercion would not make Chris look so forlorn as he walked his sister down the narrow aisle, his black outfit a clear and utter contrast to Julian's pure white. Josiah smiled as the couple turned to exit the church.
No, Josiah knew, Ezra would never have to be forced to marry that girl. It was love, pure and simple. And after everything they'd been through, Josiah wished them the best.
Stepping from his place at the front of the room, Josiah followed his friend outside.
The End