Disclaimer: So on, so forth, blah, blah, blah... After the dreadful "hospital scene" in Friday night's episode, "Death at the Mosque", I don't feel bad at all for creating a romance we can all - hopefully - believe instead of that RIDICULOUS exchange that they had on the show! I swear, the writers must think the viewers fell off the turnip truck last week or something if they expect us to fall for such drivel...
Ah, well, on with "the way things SHOULD be"...
A/N: You all look so nice tonight! Come in out of that frigid, Pennsylvania-in-December wind, sign the guest book, grab a program and take a seat. Groom's side is on the right, bride's on the left, feel free to sit wherever you like. I know many of you came prepared with your own package of Kleenex, but if you forgot or if you run out halfway through the ceremony, we've placed several boxes beneath the guest book table. Feel free to help yourselves to them as needed, pass them around, share the wealth. :)
P.S.The basic idea for the ceremony wording came from a traditional Christian ceremony.
Chapter 50:
It was ten minutes before 6:00 p.m. Guests were arriving in a steady stream. The guest book lay open on a table just inside the door, beautifully decorated with a navy blue tablecloth, an ice blue sheer overlay and silver ribbon curls. Next to the book were 2 small baskets of programs, 100 or so copies in each. The programs were a single-folded sheet of off-white paper and read as follows:
On the front, centered and in navy blue lettering:
Two lives, two hearts…one perfect love.
Beneath and in silver lettering:
Sarah and Harmon, December 31, 2005
Inside on the left in navy blue lettering:
The Wedding Party -
Bride: Sarah Catherine Mackenzie
Groom: Harmon David Rabb, Jr.
Matron of Honor: Harriet Simms-Roberts
Best Man: Sergei Zhukov
Bridesmaids: Jennifer Coates, Mathilda Grace Johnson, Chloe Madison
Groomsmen: Bud Roberts, AJ Chegwidden, Sturgis Turner
Honorary Flower Girl: Ainsley Rose Rabb
Ring Bearer: AJ Roberts
Inside on the right in navy blue lettering:
We would like to thank:
God, for bringing us together.
Frank and Trish Burnett, for everything they've done for us.
Harmon David Rabb, Sr., for his legacy of love. We miss you, dad.
"Grams" Sarah Rabb, for loving us so dearly.
Our precious Ainsley Rose, for being the sunshine in our universe.
Our friends and family who stand with us tonight, for never giving up on us.
We love you all.
Harm and Mac
"How does it look out there?" asked Mac as she and the rest of the girls sat in the cry room in the back of the sanctuary. It was a small, soundproof room designed for parents to take their fussy children during church services, and it provided a perfect place for brides to wait before their weddings.
"Filling up fast" said Mattie as she peeked through the closed blinds on the one-way window.
"That's good" said Mac, a hint of nerves appearing in her voice. "I'd hate to think we went to all this trouble and no one showed up!"
"Are you kidding me, girl?" asked Chloe. "This is, like, the wedding of the century - I'll bet almost everyone you invited will be here!"
"We didn't get too many replies declining the invitation" said Mac. "We're expecting around 200 guests, does it look like that many are here?"
"Oh yeah" said Mattie, joining Chloe in peeking through the blind.
"Which side is fuller" asked Mac, "his or mine?"
"Look about the same" said Mattie. "Where do you know this many people from, anyway?"
"Family, friends, work" said Mac. "Oh, and some of them are friends of Harm's parents and of Grams, so we don't actually know every single person out there."
"Is the music playing?" asked Jen. She and Harriet had put together a CD of instrumental love songs to be played while the guests arrived.
"Dunno" said Harriet, "open the door just a little and see if you can hear anything."
"Yeah" said Jen, holding her head close to the door and being careful not to open it too wide, "they're playing it."
"Cool" said Harriet as Jen closed the door.
"What time is it, Mac?" asked Mattie.
"Almost time to get started" answered Mac.
"Internal clock still on the blink?" asked Chloe.
"Like you wouldn't believe" replied Mac. "It'll get back on track after tonight is over."
"Oh, I dunno about that" said Mattie with a racy undertone to her voice. "I'm thinking it'll be more like after next week is over, maybe…"
"Mattie!" said Mac, appalled at the implications being made.
"Hey, they say there's no sense of time when you're in love" said Mattie, coming to her own defense.
"Yeah, well…" was all Mac could think to mutter.
"Oh hey!" said Chloe, still peeking through the blinds. "I think they're getting started!" Just then there was a quiet knock on the cry room door.
"Showtime, ladies" said Helen as she opened the door and quickly stepped inside. She wasn't the wedding coordinator, but in order to make sure they got all the pictures they were supposed to get, she was in charge of telling the members of the wedding party when to make their entrance.
Everyone in the room, except for Mac, was looking between the slats of the closed blind at what was taking place in the sanctuary. Mac sat on a bench, holding Ainsley and counting the butterflies in her stomach as they multiplied by the dozens.
Helen stepped back out of the room and began directing the guys. First to enter the sanctuary was Sergei as he escorted Grams to her seat. He gave her a kiss on the cheek before turning around and walking back down the aisle.
Next to make their entrance were Frank and Trish. They walked arm-in-arm down the aisle as a beautiful Celtic love song played over the sound system. They took their seats on the front row.
"This is so cool!" squealed Chloe, still glued to the happenings on the other side of the window.
"You're up in just a sec" said Mattie, "you better get ready."
From a door at the front of the sanctuary, Harm and the minister were the next people to enter and take their places. Harm followed behind the minister, looking at his parents and his grandmother as he reached his mark. He smiled at them, seeing enormous pride on their faces as they looked his way. He was nervous, and even if the rest of the congregation couldn't tell, he knew those three people certainly could. He knew that they could also tell how happy he was to be standing up there, moments away from finally making the woman of his dreams, the mother of his child and the love of his life, his bride.
A different love song began playing as Sturgis and Chloe walked slowly down the aisle. When they reached the front, Chloe turned to her left and Sturgis to his right, and they took their respective places. Bud and Jen followed suit a moment later.
Next, Mattie began her walk, carrying baby Ainsley. The "aww's" and "oohhhh's" were audible as the two girls approached the front of the sanctuary. Mattie held her bouquet in her right hand and the baby laid cradled in her left arm so everyone could see her dress. Mac had worried that Ainsley would be fussy with all the noise and excitement, but she just laid in her big sisters arms, eyes wide open, taking it all in.
Harm took a visibly deep breath to try and keep himself together.
As rehearsed, Mattie walked up to Harm and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He took Ainsley from her and cradled the baby with both hands as he placed a tender kiss on the top of her little head. Mattie then took her place next to Jen.
"I love you, baby girl" Harm whispered to Ainsley as he carried her over and handed her to Trish. He returned to his place and took another deep breath, trying to prepare himself for Mac's entrance. He knew he didn't stand much chance of not choking up upon first sight of his bride, but he was gonna try.
Next to enter were the honor attendants, Harriet and Sergei. Her dress and his tie and cummerbund were navy blue while the other bridesmaids dresses and groomsmen's accessories were ice blue. Everyone's flowers - the girls' bouquets and the guys boutonnieres - had silver ribbons in them. They walked to their places and turned to face the back of the sanctuary.
Up next was little AJ. He walked so very carefully down the aisle, concentrating on every single step. He held the ring pillow as steady as he could, and he reached the front of the sanctuary just as the song was ending.
"Did I do good, Uncle Harm?" he asked in a loud whisper. Scattered laughs could be heard across the room.
Harm bent down and told the little boy, in a somewhat softer whisper, "you did great!"
As Harm stood upright again, the first notes of the Bridal March began to play. He felt his stomach contort into more knots than were there the first time he flew an F-14. Since the mother of the bride wasn't in attendance, the pleasure of leading the congregation in standing upon the bride's entrance fell to Trish. She stood up as the song began to play, and everyone in the room followed suit.
The double doors separating the sanctuary from the foyer opened, and there stood Mac next to big AJ. The Bridal March continued to play as they started their walk towards the front, Mac's arm and that of her former CO entwined. She held her bouquet of off-white roses and baby's breath tight and focused on each step she took. When they arrived at the altar, which was adorned with two large arrangements of off-white roses and two giant navy blue bows, she looked into Harm's eyes, and saw they were already sparkling with tears.
"He's gotta be the most handsome groom who ever lived and breathed" thought Mac, her own eyes filling up.
"My God, she's beautiful" thought Harm.
The minister began to speak. "Who gives this woman to be wed to this man?"
"On behalf of her family and friends" answered the retired Admiral , "I do". He leaned over and gave Mac a kiss on the cheek before placing her hand into Harm's, then stepping into his place between Sergei and Bud.
"We will now have the lighting of the memorial candle" said the minister. Harm and Mac stepped up to where the special candle they'd chosen for Harm, Sr. had been placed. It was a twelve inch high, solid white pillar candle with a thin black ribbon tied around the bottom. In the center of the ribbon was a tiny pair of gold wings. Harm picked up one of the tapers that belonged to the unity candle set, carried it to one of the large altar candles (which were lit before the guests arrived), and lit it. He carefully walked back to where Mac was standing, and she put her hand around his so they could light the memorial candle together.
"I love you, dad" whispered Harm with a quiver in his voice.
"He'd be so proud of you, baby…" thought Grams as she sat watching her grandson.
Once the candle was lit, Harm used that unity taper to light the other one, and placed it back in it's holder next to the unity candle. They then held one another's hand as they stepped back down into their original places so the ceremony could continue.
"We are gathered here today in the sight of God and angels" said the minister, "and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words which shall unite Sarah and Harmon in holy matrimony."
Harm and Mac looked at one another and smiled.
The minister continued. "Marriage is a most honorable estate, created and instituted by God. Should there be anyone who has just cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace."
Needless to say, no one could think of a single reason why this couple, of all couples since the dawn of time, shouldn't be married.
"Sarah and Harmon, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together" said the minister. "Loveis given to us by our family and friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love is one of life's greatest challenges."
"I think they've got the 'love thing' down to a science" whispered Mattie to Jen. Jen nodded in agreement as the ceremony continued.
"Today truly is a glorious day, as both of you are blessed with God's greatest of all gifts - the gift of abiding love and devotion between a man and a woman. All present here today - and those here in heart - wish both of you all the joy, happiness and success the world has to offer."
Mac felt Harm squeeze her hand when the minister said "and those here in heart". Though not there in body, she knew her father-in-law was most definitely there in heart, in the hearts of many.
"It is love, which brings you here today, the union of two hearts and two spirits. As your lives continue to interweave as one pattern, remember that it was love that brought you here today, and it is love which will cause this union to endure."
"Amen to that" thought Harm to himself.
"Would you please face each other and join hands" asked the minister. Harm and Mac did so.
"Harmon, do you take Sarah to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and holding only to her until such time as you are parted by death? If so, your answer is 'I do'."
Harm looked into Mac's deep brown eyes and said those two little words he'd waited nine long years to say to her.
"I do."
"Sarah, do you take Harmon to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and holding only to him until such time as you are parted by death? If so, your answer is 'I do'."
Mac took a moment to answer, not because she had to think about it, but because she was trying so hard not to cry that it was making speaking almost impossible. After what felt like an eternity, she answered, her eyes never leaving Harm's the whole time,
"I do."
"Wedding rings" said the minister, "are an outward and visible sign of an inward commitment and love, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in marriage. May we have the rings, please?"
Little AJ stepped forward and held the ring pillow up so that Harm could untie the ribbon and remove the rings. Once he was done, he nodded to the little boy to return to his place next to Bud, and he placed the rings on the open Bible which the minister held before him.
"May God bless the giving and receiving of these rings." said the minister. "Harmon, please place the ring on Sarah's finger and repeat after me. I, Harmon David Rabb, Jr…."
"I, Harmon David Rabb, Jr…"
"…take thee, Sarah Catherine Mackenzie, to be my wife…"
"…take thee, Sarah Catherine Mackenzie, to be my wife…" Harm took Mac's left hand in his, and gently slid the ring onto her finger. Her hand was shaking so much he would have laughed if he hadn't been so completely lost in the moment.
"To have and to hold…"
"To have and to hold…"
"… in sickness and in health…"
"…in sickness and in health…"
"…for richer or for poorer…"
"…for richer or for poorer…"
"…forsaking all others and holding only to you until such time as we are parted by death."
"…forsaking all others and holding only to you until such time as we are parted by death."
The look in Harm's eyes as he said those vows to Mac was unlike any she'd ever seen before. She knew how much he loved her, but it was as if she was realizing it all over again.
"Sarah" said the minister, "Please place the ring on Harmon's finger and repeat after me. I, Sarah Catherine Mackenzie…"
"I, Sarah Catherine Mackenzie…"
"…take thee, Harmon David Rabb, Jr. to be my husband…"
"…take thee, Harmon David Rabb, Jr. to be my husband…" Mac took Harm's ring in her right hand, and placed it upon his left ring finger. Her hands were still shaking, so much so it was a trick for her to get his ring on, but she did it.
"To have and to hold…"
"To have and to hold…"
"… in sickness and in health…"
"…in sickness and in health…"
"…for richer or for poorer…"
"…for richer or for poorer…"
"…forsaking all others and holding only to you until such time as we are parted by death."
"…forsaking all others and holding only to you until such time as we are parted by death."
Harm looked over at his mom and Frank, both of whom were wiping tears from their eyes. He looked at his Grams, who wasn't crying, but instead smiling wider than he'd ever seen her smile before. He looked at Ainsley, who had fallen asleep in Trish's lap.
"Oh, good, she's getting a little nap" he thought to himself, the daddy in him coming through even as he stood at the altar.
"Sarah and Harmon" said the minister, "as the two of you come into this marriage uniting as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together."
Sniffles could be heard from all throughout the room, especially from the ladies side of the bridal party.
"The two lighted candles" said the minister as he moved to the unity candle portion of the ceremony, "symbolize your separate lives and your separate dreams. The individual candles represent your individual lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two lives as one."
Harm and Mac once again stepped forward to where the candles were placed. They each took a lighted taper in their hand, and together they lit the ice blue pillar candle that sat between the tapers. They then placed the tapers back into their holders, and returned to their places in front of the congregation.
"Your gift to each other" said the minister "for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other."
Mac looked down at the ring on her finger and felt the tears welling up in her eyes as the minister continued to speak.
"You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of 'husband' and 'wife.' Your first gift as husband and wife will be a single red rose."
Harriet handed Mac a single, long-stemmed red rose, and Sergei did the same for Harm.
"In the past" said the minister, "the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant one thing - the words 'I love you.' So it is appropriate that your first gift - as husband and wife - would be a single red rose. Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife."
Harm and Mac exchanged the roses they had been given, and looked once more into each others eyes, which by then weren't just sparkling with tears, they were overflowing with them. Mac had seen Harm cry like that only once before, and that was the moment Ainsley was born. She knew he was thinking back to that fateful day in the Rose Garden, all those years ago, and how it served to change their lives forever.
She was thinking the same thing.
"I just love roses" whispered Mattie to Jen. Jen once more nodded discreetly, knowing as well as everyone else the strong significance that roses had for Mac and Harm.
"Harmon and Sarah, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Holy Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of rings, by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Harm looked into Mac's eyes and watched the tears stream down her beautiful face. He reached up and brushed a few away with his thumb.
"Whom God hath joined together" said the minister, "let no one put asunder."
"Like anyone ever could!" whispered Chloe to Mattie, who looked back over her shoulder at her in unmistakable agreement.
"Congratulations" said the minister to Harm, "you may kiss your bride."
Harm took Mac's face in his hands as he leaned in and kissed her passionately. It wasn't a tawdry, racy kiss. It was deeply passionate, tender and loving. He'd dreamed of the day when he'd get to kiss his bride, and for the past nine years there'd only been one person on earth who could fill that role. He was finally kissing her.
For Mac, the kiss was a dream come true as well. Every little girl wonders as she grows up what her wedding day will be like. What kind of dress will she wear? Will it be a big wedding or a small one? What will the colors be? For Mac, her biggest dream had been that first kiss after being pronounced husband and wife. Though she and Harm had shared countless kisses in the last couple of years, even the most passionate of those couldn't compare to the one they were sharing at that moment.
As the kiss broke, the sounds of Beethoven's "Ode To Joy" filled the room. Harm and Mac held hands as they made their way back down the aisle, smiling and crying all the way. They reached the front doors of the church, which were at the back of the sanctuary, and Harm held them open for Mac. They stepped outside into the bitter December air. Neither said a word as Harm pinned Mac against the brick wall around the side of the church building and kissed her as if the sun wouldn't rise the next morning. It was 21 degrees outside with a wind chill in the low teens, but they were too much in love to notice.
"We did it" said Mac when the kiss finally broke, which only happened when each of them were approaching blackout from oxygen deprivation.
"Yeah, we did" said Harm, breathing deeply as he caressed Mac's face with his hand.
"I love you so much" said Mac, the tears coming once more.
"Hey" said Harm, wiping the teardrops from her eyes, "none of that out here, your face will freeze."
"I don't care" said Mac, "I love you."
"I love you too" said Harm, "but folks will be looking for us soon, plus you're definitely not dressed to ward off frostbite, so we should head inside."
Mac nodded her head and wiped her eyes, and together they walked around to the other side of the building and into the fellowship room. The rest of the wedding party had gathered in there to wait for the guests to leave so they could finish the rest of the pictures and then head to Belleville for the reception.
"And just where have you been?" asked Mattie in a mock-accusatory tone, her hands on her hips.
"Just never you mind, young lady" joked Harm in return. "Where's the rest of the family?"
"Grams is in the ladies room" said Mattie, "Trish is in there changing Ainsley's diaper and I think Frank is in the kitchen trying to figure out how to warm up a bottle for her."
"Lemme go help him" said Mac.
"I've got it, babe" said Harm, "you can sit down and relax for a few minutes if you want to."
"That sounds really nice" said Mac. "Thanks."
"Anything for you, my love" he said as he leaned down to kiss her before heading towards the kitchen to help Frank.
"So" said Jen after Harm left, "does it seem real yet?"
"Not at all!" said Mac. "I think it'll take a little longer for us than for other couples, seeing as how we've already got a 3-month-old baby and we've been living together for what seems like forever."
"Yeah" said Harriet, "but take it from me, once it hits you that you're actually married to one another, you won't be able to stop smiling."
"Oh" said Mac, "that ship has sailed! I don't think this smile will leave my face for the next hundred years."
A/N: I really hope this chapter was worth waiting for, considering how LONG I kept you waiting! I'd love some feedback on what you found particularly neat or really didn't like or whichever you'd like to comment on- I take all my reviews to heart, honest :) I've had a few folks ask me, if once this story is complete, will I continue writing JAG fanfiction. I've had so much fun writing this story that if there's any real interest for me to keep writing in the future, I'd be most delighted to. :)
Stay tuned for the reception and...the honeymoon (shippers of the world, unite and celebrate!)!