A Place in This World
This is purely because you have all been so patient with me and my long, drawn out descriptions. There is one more chapter after this one. It will be posted in two parts; the PG-13 version will be posted, and directly following it, will be the mature version.
I will have an epilogue, but I have not completed this yet. It will document some important events in the lives of Erik and A'awynn Lauchlan.
I love every one of you, even those who are reading and not reviewing. Thanks for the memories.
"You can break my wrist, but I'm still going to kiss ya." Gerry Butler as Terry Sheridan in "Lara Croft; The Cradle of Life"
CHAPTER 43
Her gown was pure silk with spun gold accents around the hem, waistline and collar. The color was indicative of her having been married before. The accents wound down and formed golden roses on her dress and gold ribbon trailed down the skirt. The sleeves were short and simple and the torso was form fitting and modestly cut.
The train was 20 feet long and the veil matched it. Atop the silk and lace veil sat an exquisite crown of diamonds and pearls set in gold. She looked like a princess marrying the prince and getting ready to take on the role of queen.
Erik caught his breath and then forgot to breathe again. This vision of heaven was going to be his wife in just a few minutes. How did he get so blessed? She came toward him on Alastair's arm and Erik thought for sure that he would pass out. The whole world disappeared save for her and him.
As she stood before him, Erik reached out and took her hand to help her up the stairs and into the gazebo. Alastair relinquished his arm and stepped aside.
The vicar placed the Bible before them and they each placed their left hands upon it. The vicar draped a pure white, silk ribbon over their hands, binding them together. He smiled at both of them, knowing the journey they both had endured to get here.
It began…
"We gather here in the sight of God and man to unite in holy matrimony Lord Erik Bryant Lauchlan, Fourth Earl of Berwithshire and Lady A'awynn Raelin Shaunessy Yancey." Flynn McCairn's voice carried across the crowd of two hundred plus.
A sketch artist sat to the right of the gazebo, capturing the whole ceremony in a moment poised in time.
The vicar continued, "If any man has any reason why this man and this woman should not be united, speak now…or forever hold your peace…I thought not." The last phrase was said with a smile and wink at A'awynn and Erik.
Vicar McCairn went on, as he addressed the audience, "Erik and A'awynn have chosen to write their own vows." He turned his gaze to Erik, "Erik you have chosen to go first."
Erik turned to A'awynn, taking her hands in his, and spoke with honesty and conviction, "A'awynn, you have become a part of me that I cannot live without. My very breath is dependent on your presence. My heart beats in rhythm to your laugh and dancing eyes…" Erik felt the knot forming in his chest and fought back the urge to cry.
Erik continued, "…I love you for making me who I am when I am with you; I love you purely; purely in the sense of morning dew on the daffodils at break of dawn unblemished by the touch or observance of any breathing creature. I love you freely; freely in the sense of the wind rushing unhindered through the trees, over the hills, up the mountains and down in the valleys."
Erik watched as A'awynn's eyes misted over with tears, making her eyes glisten as bright and beautiful as her crown. He took her left hand and placed it over his heart, speaking once again, "This heart beats only for you and when my life earth ends and this hearts beats no more…I will love you still."
The orchestra began the beautiful melody of Erik's heart, and his voice soared through the trees and whispered on the wind…
"Love had tortured, bound and slain my heart,
and it ceased its wretched quest;
The darkness danced on the ashes cold,
and solitude became my guest
There was no life within this shell,
no cause to open my eyes.
The music died and words had failed,
for no soul for me did cry.
The message was eternally sad and dark, just as Erik had been for the greater part of his life; the truth pooled in his eyes and A'awynn pushed back her tears.
"But hearts are bound by timeless strings
that never slumber nor sleep.
Though dead deep within my chest,
an echo my heart did keep.
"A tremulous beat from a distant heart
simply captured my echoed strain;
and answered with tenacious humility,
by crafting a dulcet refrain.
Profoundly moving, his words painted the story of the confining prison his heart had been in and the key of love that had finally opened the door.
"The heartbeat in you saw the best in me,
and found the rose in the twisted thorns.
Sweet songs of surrender were heard in my heart,
and know music the walls does adorn.
"Once again my song has taken flight,
its message heard down through the years.
Carry my song on the beat of your heart,
And at last, the light sees my tears.
"Love has conquered with sweetest kiss,
what pain and anger could not.
No longer a wandering soul am I,
I found what long I had sought."
A'awynn trembled at the beauty of Erik's words. He had made her his life force, the very reason why he existed. The first song he had ever sung for her had emphasized the beauty of the night and all of its mysterious and magical power. Somewhere along the journey, Erik came into the light and found her.
Erik lifted her hand, placed a kiss upon its gloved softness, and turned back toward the vicar with tears in his eyes. Every member of the audience was in awe, not only at the beauty of the words, but also at the voice, which had carried them.
Erik watched as a small, six-man, stringed ensemble came to stand beside the gazebo. Two violins, a cello, a leer, a guitar and a harp; Erik was curious as to why they were present.
The vicar spoke again, "Lady A'awynn, please…"
A'awynn turned to Erik and peered at him through her lace veil; he was the most handsome man she had ever seen…and he was all hers. "Erik, the meaning of 'the home is where the heart is', never held very much meaning to me…I never really had a home that meant anything to me…until you." Erik could feel her eyes on him through the veil, "We were promised to each other 29 years ago in the presence of many of the people here today. Our parents shared a special bond and passed that bond to us."
Erik's eyes widened at this revelation; he had not heard about this. A'awynn turned toward the congregation, "The last words I remember my father saying to me were, 'Wynie, that was his name for me, when you are blessed enough to find true love, hold on to it with all that you have…it is rare.'"
A'awynn turned back to Erik and spoke with tears in her voice, "I found true love when I found you; with my dying breath I will love you." Erik swallowed the tears as they began to creep up his throat. A'awynn reached up and caressed his manicured cheek, "The trials you have endured to be where you are today have made you into the man that I love…that journey prompted me to write my feelings down; my thoughts were put to music by Miss Christine Daae, your dear friend, and she sings them, from me to you…"
The ensemble began an enticing melody and Erik immediately began to wipe his eyes. Christine's perfect soprano rang true to the heart and everyone was awestruck…
"I see your face and feel your heartache,
I see the trace of the tears you have cried.
The silent sound of the heart left unspoken,
You were strong enough to hide."
Erik shuddered with the intensity of the words…what could have possibly given A'awynn the insight to know his long-buried thoughts?
"All your life, no one's ever shown you
what it's really like to have someone hold you…
In the arms of love,
heaven's just a heartbeat away…
I'll be your light in the dark,
your shield from the storm…
your shelter from the rain."
Erik felt his heart melt in his chest as her words touched him in places much deeper than Erik even knew existed…
"And in the arms of love
I'll lift you above all the madness…
all of the pain…
and you'll be safe and warm,
here in the arms of love."
Tears were freely flowing down Erik's cheek, but his eyes held the purist joy.
"We search this world
for a little compassion.
For just one look
through the eyes of a child.
For one more chance
to be a believer
while there is still
a chance in time."
Erik was still and the audience engrossed, as they all knew the history of Lord Lauchlan, but hearing it put forth in song was exceptional.
"All your life,
no one there beside you.
Close your eyes,
and let this moment find you.
In the arms of love,
heaven's just a heartbeat away…
I'll be your light in the dark,
your shield from the storm…
your shelter from the rain."
And in the arms of love
I'll lift you above all the madness…
all of the pain…
and you'll be safe and warm,
here in the arms of love.
High above the world
Where dreams are sailing,
Far beyond the brightest shining star
Where everything you've waited for is waiting."
Erik caressed her cheek through veil, letting her know that her words meant everything to him.
"In the arms of love,
heaven's just a heartbeat away…
I'll be your light in the dark,
your shield from the storm…
your shelter from the rain.
And in the arms of love
I'll lift you above all the madness…
all of the pain…
and you'll be safe and warm,
here in the arms of love."
Christine was crying, the audience was crying, the vicar was crying, A'awynn was crying and Erik was in heaven.
"I'll keep you safe and warm here in the arms of love."
A'awynn said the last line and could not hold back the choking tears. All of her dreams were coming true and summed up in one word…Erik.
The vicar regained his composure and began the final stage.
"Please join left hands and place the rings when you say your affirmations." Flynn emphasized.
Michél and Kaitlyn stepped forward with the rings and handed then to Erik and A'awynn.
"Lady A'awynn Raelin Shaunessy Yancey, do you take Lord Erik Bryant Lauchlan to be your lawfully wedded husband; to have and to hold from this day forward…in sickness and in health…for richer or for poorer; and forsaking all others, cleave only to him…until death do you part?"
A'awynn smiled with an inner glow and said through her happy tears, "I do", and she slipped the ring on his finger.
"Lord Erik Bryant Lauchlan, do you take Lady A'awynn Raelin Shaunessy Yancey to be your lawfully wedded wife; to have and to hold from this day forward…in sickness and in health…for richer or for poorer; and forsaking all others, cleave only to her…until death do you part?"
She was his with his words, "I do", and Erik gently eased the ring onto her finger.
The vicar lifted his hands, indicating for Erik and A'awynn to turn toward the audience.
"I present to you Lord Erik and Lady A'awynn Lauchlan…what God has joined together, let no man put asunder." Flynn grinned impishly and stated the obvious, "You may kiss your bride."
Erik lifted the veil and took her lips in a tenderly possessive kiss, gently brushing his tongue across hers. He pulled back and mouthed to her through the thundering applause, "Thank you for loving me."
Erik's song to A'awynn is an original poem written by me.
A'awynn's song to Erik is "In the Arms of Love", written by M. Bolton, D. Warren, and D. Child, and recorded by Michael Bolton
Chapter 44 preview – And the two shall become one.