Applause and light laughter rings through the church when they finish. Hiding his amusement, the minister looks up. "May we have the rings, please?"

Chapter Eighteen - The Wedding: Rings and Presentation

Laughs and coos of delight ring through the church as Donovan slowly pads up, the ring pillow attached to his head.

"The wedding rings serve as a symbol of the vows you have just spoken. They are the outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible love that binds your hearts and souls together. As they're made of the most precious of the earth's materials, so your love is the richest of spiritual values. As rings are without end or seam, so they symbolize the perfection of a love that does not end, a love that is eternal. A love that is shared between you two."

Carefully, they place their chosen rings on each other's fingers, though their hands are trembling so much that such a simple task is quite difficult to accomplish.

"With this ring, I thee wed," they each repeat. "Please accept it as a token of my love."

Light applause scatters throughout the church when they finish, but Sydney and Vaughn, busily admiring the rings, neglect to hear it.

"Michael and Sydney, although you are God's gifts to each other, you are not intended for each other alone. You are asked by God to love each other so that in your love, you might find yourselves as God created you. Beautiful and strong and brave and true, that the entire world might be blessed by the presence of a love that shines so."

He held his hands out in blessing.

"May you relax in each other's arms as you have never relaxed before. May you both know, from now on, that there is one on whose love you will depend, forever. May you create, with God, a piece of heaven on Earth. Into a darkened world the Lord has sent your love for one another, and accomplishes between you the miracle that will heal us all."

Smiling broadly, he raises his eyes to the rest of the attendants.

"And now by the authority vested in me by the State of California, but much more importantly, by the look of love in your eyes, and the seriousness with which you make this commitment; it is my honor and delight to now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride, son."

Beaming so tremendously that he is literally shaking, Vaughn pulls an equally joyous Sydney to him and does just that.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to present Mr. and Mrs. Michael Vaughn!"

- throws rice -

There's still much more to this fic, folks! Don't go anywhere!

Up next: The Limo Ride. Darn PG-13 rating!

Coming soon: Weiss' Best Man speech. Poor Vaughn. He needs another hankie. And possibly a bag to hide under.

2 or 10 seems to work, so that's how it's gonna be from now on. ;)

Review Responses

Jaryn: I hereby give you a gold star for three reviews since yesterday! LOL

Linda: Ahem. Almost? I am not an evil tease! I am moderately evil! So there.

Shannon: :gushes: Wow! Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the chapters!

Britt: Well, gee, I guess I'll give you the chapter then! Don't die!

WishingStar: "What the hell?" Ay? I'll take that as a compliment. LOL. Perfection? Wow, thank you! Oh, and you said the wedding was in four parts in one of your reviews. It's in 3! (And this was the last part.) I'm not that cruel!

Kat27: :winces: I'm sorry! I'll try to warn better next time!

Jasmine: French is hard, but it's so gorgeous it makes up for it. German and Spanish, which are in my next fic, are so ugly compared to it! LOL (And now worries! There's plenty of French at the Reception!)

MvsGirl: Thank you very much. :)

Nana: Want a Weiss hanky? lol

Abby: Wow! What an honor! Be sure to post the URL! I do fic rec sites for other fandoms, actually. I just love those. lol

Leo's l'il sista: I left one! Did FF.net eat it?

Nattie700: I'm honored that you read them! And I am in denial. Syd and Vaughn forever!

Mandi: Silly show writers. :grumbles:

Carol: I'll try!

MJ: Dude, I just love you. You're amazing! And you love LOTR and SW fic! Girl after my own heart. lol

Noa jeo: Glad you liked!

Ilovemypenguin: Thanks much!

Lady Jedi: I agree, Michael would add that extra touch. ;) Don't be a wedding nazi on your big day! lol

K4e: cheers to you! But wait! We should hold our glasses until Weiss' toast! lol