–WFI–Chapter 21 Saturday, August 14
Wedding Day, It's my wedding day. Those are the thoughts that are flowing through my brain. I will be married by the end of this day. How did I get so lucky? I guess I have my dad to thank for that. If he had not died, I would not have met Karson. Ricky decided to stay in bed just a little while longer.
Wedding Day, It's my wedding day. Those are the thoughts that are flowing through my brain. I will be married by the end of this day. Wow. I will be someone's wife. If you had asked me when I first moved to Hartford, where do you see yourself in 10 years? Marriage would not be the answer I gave. I am so blessed to be marrying Ricky. Karson snuggled back into the pillow that smelled like Ricky.
Wedding Day, There will be a wedding at my house today. Why am I still in bed? These are the thoughts going through Rory's brain. She rolls over, only to be pulled closer to the warm body in their bed. Oh, yeah, That's why I am still in bed.
When Rory and Logan finally descended the stairs, Their living room was in chaos. The wedding planner is directing traffic. That is the only way to describe what is happening. Logan nudged Rory and nodded toward the dining room. Rory moved to be able to look into the dining room to see Ricky sitting at the table, talking to the twins. They were eating breakfast.
The Gilmore-Huntzburger Manor was chaotic most of the day. The wedding is scheduled for 4:00. Rory stood on the small balcony overlooking the pool. Everything was in place. At least she hoped so. She was ready. She had checked on the boys, they were dressed, the twins still needed to put on their tux jackets. Em was also dressed, but she had already made her way over to the pool house with Karson and her crew.
She returned to their bedroom to find Logan tying his bow tie. "Shouldn't the mothers be here by now?" Logan asked.
Rory nodded. "I'm going to head to the pool house," Rory told Logan.
"Oh, Okay," Logan said. "By the way, you look gorgeous."
"Well thank you, kind sir." She let him kiss her on the cheek before leaving.
All the guests have been instructed to follow the path of ferns and stepping stones to the patio. Will and Chris were waiting to usher the guest in. Logan was in the pool house with the girls. The guests have been seated. The wedding planner told the twins to escort Rory to her seat. After she was seated, Will and Chris escorted Brenda and Katie to their seats. When they were seated, Will and Chris went to the basement door and led Ricky, Jack, Eric, and Reverend Kirkland to the wedding arch. The string quartet has been playing since 3:30. They changed the song to 'Endless Love' This is the cue for the bridesmaids to start their march. Gigi and Amanda emerged from the pool house. Gigi went to the right and Amanda went to the left. Red and pink rose petals lined both sides. When they got in place, Em emerged with her basket of White rose petals. She started toward the left, throwing petals. The wedding planner was motioning that she went the wrong way. When Em saw her she stopped, turned around, and went back toward the pool house. Stopping ever so often, dropped white rose petals in the pool while staring at the wedding planner. Everyone was trying not to laugh. When she got back to the pool house, she went to the right as she rehearsed. When she got to her spot. She turned and looked at the wedding planner and mischievous grin. Ricky lost it. He started laughing. She walked over to him, whispering, "I wanted the other side to have white petals too." She was Logan's child.
When everyone calmed down, the string quartet started 'Here comes the Bride' Ricky turned around facing the door. Logan emerged from the pool house with Karson on his arm. Jack whispers to Ricky, "you can turn around now." When he turned around, his eyes locked.
Reverend Kirkland "Ladies and Gentlemen. Logan and Rory Huntzburger would like to welcome you to their home to witness and celebrate the marriage of Richard William Greene and Karson Faith Nichols. This is not the beginning of a new relationship but an acknowledgment of the next chapter in their lives together. Karson and Ricky have spent several years getting to know each other, and we now bear witness to what their relationship has become. Today, they will affirm this bond formally and publicly."
"Who gives Karson to married to Ricky?" Reverend Kirkland asked.
"Her family," Logan says. He then leaned over and kissed Karson on the cheek. He shakes Ricky's hand then places Karson's hand into Ricky's hand. Logan takes his seat beside Rory, who is already dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
"At this time. Mrs. Rory Huntzburger will be reading a poem. 'New Beginnings' by Barbara Crooker.' Rory stands from her seat in the front row and begins to read. Once she was finished, she took her seat.
"Ricky and Karson will mark their transition as a couple not only by celebrating the love between themselves but by also celebrating the love between all of us, including their parents, siblings, extended family, and best friends. Without that love, today would be far less joyous." Reverend Kirkland said.
"Do you Ricky, take Karson to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?" Reverend Kirkland asked.
"I DO," Ricky said.
"Do you Karson, take Ricky to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?" He asked Karson.
"I DO," said Karson.
While the string quartet played 'All you need is Love' Karson handed her flowers to Amanda, then Ricky helped Karson move to the unity sand. They ceremonially poured the sand into the vase. When they finished, Ricky helped Karson back under the wedding arch.
"A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together, and it represents your union. It is a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love. When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you now feel for each other."
Amanda and Jack both put the rings in the bible Reverend Kirkland held out. "Let's Pray. Dear heavenly Father, we come before you today to thank you for your many blessings. We thank you for the love shown between this couple. We pray for a blessed life. We pray that they always remember to put you in their marriage. We asked you to bless Ricky and Karson as well as their life together. We asked this in your precious name. Amen."
"Ricky, place the ring on Karson's finger and repeat after me: Karson, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever," Ricky repeats this as he puts the ring on Karson's finger, never looking away from her smiling face.
"Karson, place the ring on Ricky's finger and repeat after me: "Ricky, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever," Karson repeated this as she put the ring on Ricky's finger.
They both stood there, holding hands and looking into each other's eyes, as the string quartet played "Thank you for being a friend"
After this was over. Reverend Kirkland said. "Before these witnesses, you have pledged to be joined in marriage. You have now sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. By the authority vested in me by the State of Connecticut, I now pronounce you married. Ricky, you may kiss your Bride." Ricky and Karson kissed, keeping it PG. Everyone cheered.
Lots of congratulations, tears, and hugs. The photographer posed everyone for the pictures. Karson and Ricky both went to change. Karson had chosen a dress similar to her wedding dress, just shorter, Ricky was still in his tux, but minus the bow tie and jacket. He still had on his vest. When they emerged from the pool house, Gigi and Louie were sitting in a vintage 1965 candy apple red mustang with a 'Just Married' sign on the back. They were waiting to take them to the Reception at the Morgan Hotel Chain.