I nervously shuffled in my bouffant bridesmaid gown. The wedding was starting and I could already see Julius and Gerry in place at the front of the church. Gerry looked more nervous than a rooster in a hen house but both men were exceptionally dapper in their tuxedos. Everyone looked so beautiful. I watched with a smile as each groomsman and bridesmaid walked down the aisle. Then it was my turn.
In accordance with the service, the men walked first and alone down the entire aisle. I watched as Ronnie did a slow, graceful march and took his place directly behind Petey and the others. Then it was my turn. I tried to smile as I walked. I could see my parents on the right side of me and a few pews up to the left, there was Charlie. I tried to focus and look straight ahead. Everybody was looking at me. I wondered if that's how it would be with my own wedding. I tried to imagine myself in a white dress, on my father's arm with Charlie waiting at the front. There was no Charlie as I stopped half way but there was Ronnie. He moved towards me in slow motion. I wanted to look away like I did in rehearsal but I just couldn't. I could only look straight ahead and at him. When he linked his arm in mine I thought I might faint.
"You ready?" he whispered.
"Yes."
"You look really beautiful."
"Thank you."
We walked the rest of the way and I let out a huge sigh of relief when I was finally in place. The kids were next and finally it was Emma's turn. She looked absolutely breathtaking in that white gown standing next to Mr. Hoyt. I looked over and saw the sweet emotion written all over Gerry's face.
"Dearly beloved" Rev. Davidson began. "We are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the face of His company to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted by God, signifying the mystical union between Christ and His church, which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His presence and His first miracle at the wedding at Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter hold his peace."
The church was quiet except for the sniffles of Mrs. Bertier and Mrs. Hoyt. My emotions were threatening to get the best of me as well as I was thrilled for Gerry and Emma, yet inexplicably bothered by the dual presence of both Ronnie and Charlie. My thoughts slid to a standstill as the congregation bowed their heads for the Lord's Prayer.
"Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
My eyes were beginning to tear as it was time for the happy couple to exchange vows. Gerry's voice sounded so strong and so sure as he turned to Emma, looked her right in the eye and lovingly repeated the sacred words.
"I, Gerry Bertier, take you Emma Claire Hoyt, to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love.
I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
What may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
So help me God."
A huge smile crept to my lips as I heard the catch in Emma's voice as she spoke the same vows through tears.
"I, Emma Claire Hoyt, take you Gerry Bertier, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love.
I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
What may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
So help me God."
I wiped my eyes and listened on through more prayers, hymns and the ring ceremony. Finally the pastor pronounced Gerry and Emma, husband and wife. He tenderly lifted her veil and planted a sweet, lingering kiss on her lips. The church erupted into applause as we all walked back down the hall. Then it was on the banquet hall just a few blocks down the street for the reception. I watched with such pride as well wishers and guests greeted everyone in the receiving line. In my mind I could see Emma and Gerry sneaking their very first kiss on the monkey bars on our elementary school playground. I had been with them through all the good and fun times on the lake and even that scary night after their car accident. Through it all, they had loved one another with everything they had and that love had conquered all. My heart bubbled over with happiness for them and from the corner of my eye, I could see Charlie watching me. He was a good man, he really was, and we did make each other happy. I could honestly say I loved him. I tried hard to picture our own life and wedding together.
"Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?" Charlie asked as he walked up to me shortly after Gerry and Emma's first dance as man and wife.
"Oh about a million times", I smiled.
"Well make it a million and one. You look great."
"Thanks, baby."
"May I have this dance?"
I smiled as the smooth sound of Diana Ross and the Supremes began to play. Charlie pulled me close in his arms and we began to sway to the music.
"Mary-Courtney, I just wanted to tell you again how much I love you. Babe, I do so much. I hope you never get tired of hearing that because I'll never get tired of saying it. Gerry and Emma had a beautiful wedding today and I can't wait until it's our time. I will marry you anywhere, anytime."
I looked into his eyes and saw a comforting warmth and sincerity. I wanted to marry Charlie too but there was something inside me that was holding back.
"You're a good man, Charlie Foreman and I don't even know if I deserve you. I'm a lucky girl."
"I'm the lucky one", he breathed as he kissed me.
We pulled away and I buried my face in his broad shoulder as we moved to the sound.
You're far away
From me my love
And just as sure my, my baby
As there are stars above
I wanna say, I wanna say, I wanna say
Someday we'll be together
Yes we will, yes we will
Say, someday (some sweet day) we'll be together
I know, I know, I know, I know
I looked around the dance floor and there were couples everywhere. I smiled as Gerry and Emma laughed, kissed and whispered to each other. It was a room truly filled with love and happy people. It was nice to see the faces I hadn't seen in a while, faces I had grown up with. My eyes wandered across the room and just a few feet away there was Ronnie dancing with Sheryl Yoast, who at 16 years old, was still a beautiful tomboy. I couldn't help but stare and finally his eyes met mine. Neither one of us could speak, all we could do was look as we listened to the words.
My love is yours, baby
Oh, right from the stars
You, you, you posses my soul now honey
And I know, I know you own my heart
And I wanna say
Someday we'll be together
Some sweet day we'll be together
Yes we will, yes we will
Someday (tell everybody) we'll be together
Yes we will, yes we will
Long time ago
My, my sweet thing
I made a big mistake, honey
I said, I said goodbye
Oh, oh baby
Ever, ever, ever since that day
Now, now all I wanna do is cry, cry
Hey, hey, hey
I long for you every night
Just to kiss your sweet, sweet lips
Hold you ever, ever so tight
And I wanna say
Someday we'll be together
Yes we will, yes we will