Posting on an odd day because I won't be available to post on Sunday, and I don't want to wait till next week. I'm trying to stay on schedule so that I can wrap this story within the next few weeks.

Thanks everyone for reading and responding! You don't know how much I appreciate your thoughts!

cola – Thank you so much for the compliments on my writing! I'm so glad that this story makes your day brighter!

jess – It's so great to see you back! I'm glad that you're still reading. I totally understand how busy things can get with school, being as I'm taking a full load this semester myself. Good luck, and hang in there!

Shanel – Welcome to the story! Thanks so much for reading and responding! It's always great to see new readers!

Chapter Sixty- three

The natural light had faded from the windows, yielding to evening's darkness, leaving the candles to illuminate the room with a softened light, which enhance the rose trimmings that adorned the windows and doors, giving the room a heavenly glow. Sean nervously waited at the front of the room with Reverend Strickland standing behind him, and his family all around him, his father and Clay to his left, and Alice and Lexy to his far right, while notes from Pachelbel's lovely Canon in D flowed from the piano that was being played nearby, elevating the enchanting mood of the room, filling everyone with peace and hope, when Marita finally appeared at the end of the aisle, taking Sean's breath away. "So beautiful" Sean sighed within, as his eyes instantly locked with the woman of his dreams, emanating his thoughts, the deep passion and love he felt for her in his soul, which moved her to a smile, while her eyes welled with tears, mirroring the deep emotions that were in Sean's gaze, as she steadily moved down the aisle towards her soon-to-be husband. Sean's soul quickened with her every step, his heart pounding with intense happiness and anticipation, as he returned her smile, and thanked God for bringing Marita into his life, and for giving him this moment – the happiest in his life, when he was finally going to make her his wife. Within moments Marita reached Sean, their eyes still bound in an impassionate stare, as she came to stand next to Alice, her back to the young woman, as she faced her groom. Then the music slowly quieted down, and Reverend Strickland began to speak...

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses to join together Sean Logan and Marita Peters in Holy Matrimony, an honorable estate instituted by God, in the time of man's innocence, signifying the spiritual union between Christ and His Church, which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His presence at the first miracle He wrought in Cana of Galilee, and was commended by the Apostle Paul to be honorable among all men, and therefore should not be entered into lightly, or inadvisably, but reverently, discreetly and with the favor and the blessing of Him whose the author of life, whose blessing maketh thee rich and addeth no sorrow. Let us now seek His blessing…"

"Our Heavenly Father, we beseech Thee to come by Thy grace to this union. Strengthen and enrich this commitment that Sean and Marita are about to make to one another with Thy peace and love. Bless them with Thy favor and mercy Oh Lord, surround them with Thy Holy Spirit, and protect them as they commence this new journey in their lives as one. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen."

"Amen." The room echoed.

"Sean, Marita, Have you come here freely and of your own will and without reservations?"

"Yes." Sean and Marita harmoniously declared as their eyes remained forward, intensely fixed upon one another.

"There are no obligations on Earth more sweet or tender than those you are about to assume." The Reverend continued. "There are no vows more solemn than those you are about to make. There is no human institution more sacred than that of the home you are about to form."

"Sean, will you take Marita to be your wedded wife, to live together under God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, and forsaking all others keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Sean uttered softly, poignantly, as the joy in his heart soared to new heights.

"Marita, will you take Sean to be your wedded husband, to live together under God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Marita tenderly voiced, happiness stirring in her soul.

The Reverend then defined the foundation of marriage as devotion and love, stating that it is the strength and hope that would sustain Sean and Marita through all things, before he then spiritedly recited I Corinthians 13:4-8:

Love is patient

Love is kind

Love does not envy

Love does not boast or behave rudely

Love does not seek its own way

Love is not easily provoked

Love thinketh no evil

Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth

Love bears all things, Believes all things, Hopes all things

Love never fails

Reverend Strickland ended as he returned his eyes to the young couple before him and asked them to join hands and declare their intentions and love before God. Marita briefly turned away from Sean and handed her bouquet to a teary-eyed Alice. Then she returned her gaze to her handsome groom, her eyes once more becoming lost in his adoring blue stare, as they slowly joined hands, a union that filled them with warmth and amour, before Sean then spoke his vows, passionately – emotionally…

"I Sean, take you Marita, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

Marita drew a shaky breath, working to keep her composure, to not let the beautifully tender emotions that were emanating from Sean's misty eyes, flooding her soul, overwhelm her, delay her eagerness to pledge her commitment and love…then, she finally spoke, fervently, tearfully uttering her vows…

"I Marita, take you Sean, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

Reverend Strickland then requested the rings, which Ned and Alice immediately provided. He then prayed over the jewels, asking God to bless them as well as the couple before him, which was then followed by Sean and Marita exchanging rings, gently, lovingly slipping a ring on each other's finger, Sean placing a diamond band on Marita's hand and Marita placing a plain gold band on Sean's hand, as they movingly voiced their ring vows, touching every heart in the room.

After the exchange of the rings, the Reverend again spoke, saying "Let us pray."

"O God, our heavenly Father, Thou alone art the Source and Author of life. Thou art the Protector and Guide on life's pathway. Thou alone art the Builder and Maker of homes. Now grant, we pray Thee, the blessings of Thy promises, and the aid of Thy Holy Spirit to these dear ones, enabling them to honor Thee, and to be ever true to the pledges they've made to each other. May Thy grace in abundant measure be theirs, helping them to walk in Thy truth, to abide in Thy fellowship, and to live in perfect peace and love with each other until their earthly life shall end in Thy glorious presence. This we ask in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And now, may the Lord bless thee and keep thee. May the Lord's grace and protection shine upon thee, and May the Lord lift you up in His countenance and give thee peace. Amen."

"Amen." The room echoed.

"Sean, Marita, you have consented together in the union of Holy Matrimony and have pledged your faith to each other in the presence of God and these witnesses; thus by the authority vested unto me as a minister of the Church of Jesus Christ and the laws of the State of Kentucky, I now pronounce you husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder...Sean, you may kiss your bride."

Sean tearfully smiled at his bride, who was absolutely exquisite, her eyes shining with tears, emitting so many powerful emotions, beautiful emotions, the same emotions that were rushing his soul, aching his heart due to its intensity and depth. Then, still holding her hands, he leaned forward and kissed her lips, lovingly, chastely, now bringing a gentle hand to his bride's cheek, as she responded with sweetness and amour. Reverend Strickland and the Logans looked on with happiness and warmth, all touched by the couple's incredible love and joy, while at the back of the room stood Marita's father, quietly watching his daughter with Sean, still sadden by the ceremony he'd just witnessed, yet helplessly moved by the love, and utter bliss, between his daughter and her new husband.