Author's Notes: infinitio amor means infinite love. The Prince of Denmark March was used by Lady Diana when she got married and is a frequent alternative to the more usual Bridal March. Reviews are very much appreciated.
Part 9
Age: 12 Years 8 Months
They pulled up in front of the Memphis Courthouse before it opened and napped until it did. As soon as it opened went in for their marriage license. Although the clerk looked at them strangely and checked their ID's thoroughly, they received their license without incident. Later that afternoon, they could get married, but first they had to find the church Jack had contacted and meet with the minister. Breakfast was from a drive-thru; but neither of them felt much like eating they were too nervous and excited to eat.
Entering the pretty church, they were greeted by the minister who ushered them into his study. "I'm Reverend Donald Franklin. And you are?"
"Jack and Samantha," Jack informed him politely. "We wish to be married."
"If you don't mind I'd like to see your marriage license."
Samantha tensed but forced herself to relax, Jack had prepped her to produce ID's and the license whenever asked. 'Stay calm, seem slightly surprised, but unconcerned,' he'd told her. The Reverend took the piece of paper and examined it thoroughly, after several moments, he returned it to Jack, satisfied of it's validity.
"Sixteen and seventeen is a young age to be getting married. Are you marrying because-" the minister trailed off and stared pointedly at Samantha's midsection.
Jack was angry at the insinuation, "If you think I would dishonor Samantha Anderson in any way-"
"Calm down son," the man interrupted. "I simply am curious about why you wish to marry at your age. Why not wait?"
"I love Samantha and want to spend the rest of my life with her."
"And you missy, you haven't said why you wish to get married. What's your rush?"
Samantha paused for a moment. Getting married so quickly had been Jack's idea and she'd never really thought about it until then. A serious expression crossed her face as she replied, "Because it hurts too much not being married to Jack. I don't want to face one moment of life without him by my side. I love him more than anything or anyone."
The Reverend looked at the couple, they were so young. But they were determined and there was something about the quiet sincerity of their expression as they looked at one another. Many couples married in his church, but few had such a deep and abiding rapport. This pair would be one of the rare couples that made it and weathered life's storms. He'd married couples that seemed like they wouldn't make it past year one. Without a doubt this couple would see their golden wedding anniversary.
"So, let's talk about your ceremony," he told the couple with a smile.
Jack produced the vows they had written and handed them to him. Reverend Franklin shook his head, the young people today. How he hoped his son Donald Jr. wouldn't embrace all these crazy notions!
"All right, I suppose we can use these. Now I'm assuming you want the Bridal March?"
"You'd be assuming incorrectly, we want this," Samantha told him and handed him the record they had brought. Together they had selected The Prince of Denmark March, they didn't want something modern, but they didn't want to be like everyone else either.
"Now do you have rings?" he asked them uncertainly. As young as they were he figured they would have to skip the rings or would use their class rings.
"Right here," Jack answered and withdrew the velvet boxes from his jacket.
"Do I get to see them finally?" Samantha teased. Jack had told her their rings would be a surprise and that she couldn't see them until the wedding. For nearly a week he had drawn and sketched, never letting her see. At last he took his sketches to a jeweler and placed the order. Although Samantha went in to have her finger sized, she wasn't allowed to see the actual rings.
Jack laughed and handed her the boxes, "Very well. It's our wedding day. Today I can refuse you nothing."
Anxiously she opened the boxes and smiled. Hers was a small elegant gold signet ring with an alpha symbol and Jack's was a slightly larger gold ring with an omega symbol. Lifting her ring from the box, she peered inside at the inscription which read infinitio amor. Looking at Jack, she smiled and kissed him impetuously despite their audience.
"Seems the young lady approves," the minister joked.
After finishing going over plans for their wedding that afternoon, the couple left the church. They went to lunch and spent a little more time together before separating. Jack had booked Samantha into the town's fanciest salon so she could get dressed up and had arranged a taxi to bring her to the church because she had insisted he couldn't see her in her dress before the wedding. While she was getting ready, he would take their things to their hotel and get dressed and drive to the church. Pulling up in front of the salon, Jack kissed Samantha intently.
"Next time I see you will be at church."
"I love you so much, Jack," Samantha smiled. Pulling her dress out of the back, her purse full of money, she waved at Jack and entered the salon. As with everywhere else, there was brief pause over her age. But this time Samantha flashed money as Jack had at the bridal salon and instantly the staff fell all over themselves to serve her. As they began to fuss with her hair, all Sam could think of was Jack. Never had anyone made her feel so happy or loved, she was going to be his wife in just a few hours, Samantha thought contentedly.
As Samantha was being pampered, Jack was getting frustrated. Last week he'd called information and got the number for the Four Seasons and had booked the bridal suite and arranged a small reception for the two of them after the wedding. On the phone they told him it would be twenty-four a night and had given him directions. Jack had assumed they meant $2400 a night and thought it would be the perfect honeymoon for his beautiful bride. Pulling up in front of the address, he read the sign which read For Seasons and had an attached restaurant. The sign proclaimed the bridal suite was indeed twenty-four dollars a night. At least it looked clean, but he really had intended something far nicer.
Getting out, Jack went to the office and asked if they knew if there were other rooms available in town. The man informed him that there was a convention and unless he had a reservation that even they were booked. Reluctantly Jack gave the man his name and paid, this wasn't even close to what he'd planned for his Samantha. Heavy heatedly he pulled the car to the bridal suite's door and took their luggage in. He'd nearly asked if they had a bellhop, then realized it was a ridiculous question to ask.
The room was simple and nice, but he'd dreamed of surrounding Samantha with luxury. Well, maybe the restaurant would manage an all right wedding dinner. Jack sat down on the bed and hoped Samantha was having an easier time of their wedding day than he was. Undressing and getting into the shower, Jack dismissed his concerns. All that mattered was that he was marrying his Samantha. Getting out of the shower, he wrapped up in one of the towels. The towel wasn't a standard hotel towel, it was nice and thick, at least the large old fashioned tub was nice. Maybe he and Samantha could take a bath together, he thought and blushed.
Jack dressed in his white tie and tails. Even though his parents wanted virtually nothing to do with him, they always made certain he had formal wear in his wardrobe in the event they needed him to put in an appearance. Funny, he hadn't even seen his parents in over a year and today he was getting married. The Senator and Mother may have been his family by birth, but Samantha felt more like a real family to Jack than his parents ever had. Finishing dressing, Jack locked the room and went out to the car with rings and marriage license in hand. Driving to the church, his parents faded from his mind as his excitement began to grow. In less than an hour he would be married.
At the church, Jack paced anxiously until the Reverend informed him Samantha had arrived and they could begin. A calmness fell over Jack as he follow the minister and took his place to wait for Samantha. Throughout the church music swelled and then Samantha stepped into view. Swirled in a frothy confection of white satin and lace, she stood and smiled at Jack through her veil. She looked every inch the angel he thought she would, Jack decided.
Walking slowly towards Jack, Samantha's heart raced. Today was her wedding day and she would become Jack's wife. He looked so handsome and grown up in his formal suit! Clutching the bouquet of roses that a florist had delivered to the salon for her, Samantha moved closer to Jack. When at last she reached him, he took her hand in his and they moved before the minister.
"Today, you come together to join your lives in the bonds of holy matrimony. If anyone knows of any reason why this pair cannot be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Jack squeezed Samantha's hand reassuringly.
The Reverend continued, "Jack and Samantha I understand you wish to offer your own vows as a pledge of your love. Jack-"
Samantha handed her bouquet to the minister's wife who was their witness and placed both her hand in Jack's. For a moment they gazed into one another's eyes, then Jack spoke his vows.
"I, Jack take you Samantha to be my wife. My heart and everything that I am, is yours from this moment forward. Pledging my love and friendship, I vow to forsake all others and keep only unto you until death. Whatever life holds, I promise to treat you with love, patience, and understanding."
Tears glistened in Samantha's eyes as the Reverend told her it was her turn. Trembling slightly with emotion, Samantha spoke her vows.
"I, Samantha take you Jack to be my husband. From this day forward my heart belongs to you alone. I promise to be your love, your comfort and companion, keeping only unto you until death does us part. Whatever life holds, I promise to treat you with love, patience, and understanding."
"The rings," the older man smiled at the couple and held the rings up. Handing the alpha ring to Jack he waited as Jack placed the ring on Samantha's finger and had him repeat, "With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship. With all my worldly goods, I thee endow. Amen."
Jack spoke the words solemnly. Then Samantha placed the omega ring on Jack's finger and repeated the words.
"Jack and Samantha, as you've come here together in the sight of God and pledged your lives to one another and with the authority vested in me by the state of Tennessee, I pronounce you husband and wife."
Slowly and reverently, Jack lifted Samantha's veil and smoothed it back. Pausing a moment, he drank in the site of his wife. Samantha smiled at her new husband as he moved his hand to caress her cheek.
"I love you, Samantha," Jack murmured before slowly kissing her.
Though they had kissed many times before, the slow profound kiss that sealed their marriage touched them. Barely aware of anything but each other, they accepted their marriage certificate from the minister and Samantha accepted her bouquet back from the minister's wife. Moving towards the church doors, they paused and kissed again. Jack and Samantha were married...
