Chapter 23
October 31, 1925 P.D. 5 p.m.
When the Palace public relations secretary suggested that Rachel's wedding be televised live, a blank look was the response. However, when she and Matt were shown some of the televised wedding footage from Price Roger's wedding and the overwhelming positive public response, the secretary was allowed to present her case.
"As you can see, the coverage wasn't tacky or intrusive. I'm sure the Queen sought out the best people for the coverage. The people love this kind of thing; the beauty of it all and the joy of the event. The people get to see not just the Protector, but a loving father walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day. It's good news that people need. M'lord, you have a beautiful family, why don't you show them off a bit?"
The Reverend didn't need much convincing. He was all for positive press for the Church and the Mayhews. As long as the camera wasn't intrusive to the people in the nave and didn't disrupt the ceremony, he was fine with it.
"You won't even know that they're there," the public relations secretary assured him.
So on the big day, a camera and reporter were staged unobtrusively off the Cathedral's outside courtyard for coverage of people arriving for the wedding. Another camera and reporter (with a whisper mike) were placed strategically among an archway of flowers behind the last pew.
#
Matt, his family, and the groomsmen arrived at the cathedral an hour before the start of the ceremony, and Stephen dosed Matt with an antihistamine before they entered the nave. His mothers were awestruck at the gorgeous arrangements of flowers, ribbons, and candles throughout the cathedral. On a pew, Matt sat and stared at the stained-glass windows and drummed his fingers on his knees, trying to calm himself. His dad and brothers sat beside him, patted him on the back, and doled out advice. He knew they were trying to set him at ease, but that ease would only arrive through the nave doors on the arm of her father. Was his fearless bride-to-be as nervous as him?
#
The wedding guests were directed to enter through the west entrance, to leave the foyer free for the wedding party line-up and 15-foot dress train. The women's scripture study room adjacent the foyer was cleared of furniture so that it could be used for the bride to dress. Rachel sat in a strapless ballgown silhouette slip while Honor and Angela worked on her hair. Her hands clenched in her lap were a visible display of her nervousness. Honor gave her hug and Angela briefly rested her hands on her friend's shoulders to ground her.
"Just think of later tonight, when you're finally alone with him in that big, beautiful bed," Angela whispered to her.
Jeanette's lips twitched and applied some lip liner to her sister's face. "You don't need a lot of make-up, you never have," Jeanette noted, "and no blush is needed, you've got enough natural blush today."
Her sister Theresa did some last-minute shaping and painting of Rachel's nails. "This is the perfect color."
"Since this is probably the only time in my life I'm going to wear nail polish, I thought I'd get it perfect," Rachel replied.
Rachel saw her other Theresa help Katherine and Grace unpack the train and carefully carry it to the foyer, where seamstresses from the dress shop would attach it to the dress. She took in a deep breath and slowly let it out.
"Does that deep breathing really work?" Honor asked.
"All right, twenty minutes to showtime!" Katherine announced. "Let's get her into that dress!"
#
Outside of the cathedral, Charlie "Hutch" Hutchinson, the charismatic host of the Grayson's most popular HD program Grayson Tonight, commentated the arrival of wedding guests.
"…Steadholder Howell was seen greeting none other than Queen Elizabeth of Manticore, who is accompanied by Earl Hamish Alexander, as the viewers know, is the husband of our very own Steadholder Honor Harrington…the Protector has joined the Queen, and is escorting Her Majesty inside…"
As six p.m. neared, Matt peeked from around the corner of the transept. 300 people were in the pews at least, chatting, smiling, and commenting on the beautifully decorated cathedral. There was an uptick in activity and talk when Queen Elizabeth entered the nave with the Protector and Hamish Alexander, and Ben escorted them to their places. Who would have ever thought that a simple boy from Redmon would have the Queen at his wedding? That the protector would become his father-in-law? That Reverend Sullivan would officiate his wedding? All because a cadet named Rachel Mayhew smiled at him in a mess hall over a plate of pancakes.
"It's time," the reverend said, clapped him on the shoulder, and the two left the transept for the altar.
#
Inside the cathedral, Charlie Hutchison's Grayson Tonight co-host, Bethany Brown, was commentating inside the cathedral.
"…Reverend Sullivan and the groom, Matthew Goodson, have taken their places at the altar. Matthew, who hails from Redmon City, is an ensign in our navy and first year medical student…he is attired in a charming beau monde style midnight blue suit…"
When the wedding party was lined up in the foyer, Angela turned around and gave Rachel a thumbs up when the procession music was heard. The doors opened, prompting Angela and Lew to walk through.
"The wedding party is now making their appearances…in her Manticoran Navy long-skirted dress uniform, Ensign Angela Mayfair, matron of honor, is on the arm of the best man, Lewis Radford. Viewers will be interested to know that Lewis took service with the Grayson Navy upon his graduation from the naval academy on Manticore, reportedly to pursue a relationship with Steadholder Jeanette Mayhew, sister of the bride. Will there be another Mayhew wedding soon?"
From around the corner of the foyer, Rachel resisted the urge to lean over and peek until only Raoul and Katherine were left. Luckily, Grace stood off to the side of the doorway and gestured the children forward. Katherine's dress was much like the bridesmaid dresses and Raoul wore a dinner suit like the groom.
"And would you look at that! The adorable children of Steadholder Honor Harrington, Raoul and Katherine, are perfectly playing their parts of flower girl and ring bearer…little Raoul is even wearing a suit to match the groom!"
The doors closed and Rachel and her father took their places behind the doors. The dress shop attendants scurried about to straighten and adjust the train behind her. A photographer snapped some photos of the bride and stepped back with a respectful bow.
"I've never seen you more beautiful," Ben said, took her hands in his, and bowed over them.
"In a few minutes, I'll no longer be Rachel Mayhew," she said.
Ben faced the doors and straightened his tie. "True, but you'll always be a Mayhew, never forget that. You have a thousand years of Mayhew blood running through your veins. The Goodsons are proud to have you as one of theirs now. I just have to get used to calling you Rachel Goodson."
She kissed him on the cheek, tucked her hand in his elbow, and waited for the doors to open.
#
The wedding match began, and the ushers opened the doors. Guests smiled, bowed, and whispered "Tester's blessing!" as she passed.
"Tester's blessing indeed! Such a beautiful bride on the arm of an undoubtedly proud father! The Protector has forgone the usual vestments of state for a classic dinner suit, with a tie to match the bride's dress… such an elegant dress will surely set the bar for future Grayson brides! She's chosen to wear, as I was told, an heirloom head scarf passed down from her great-grandmother on her mother's side…and it's all perfected by a marvelous chiffon and silk train…"
Matt forgot how to breathe when he saw her. An old-fashioned scarf adorned her head, over an intricate half-up, half-down style pulled back at the temple. He admired the off-the-shoulder neckline that subtly revealed soft, warm skin that he loved to touch. The fitted bodice hinted at the slim waist underneath, waiting for his arms to slip around. The skirt draped to just touch the floor with an amazing 15-foot train trailing behind her. Was it heavy?
"Breathe, she's all for you," Lew whispered.
Yes, all for me. Leaving her home to make a home with me. Taking my name. Looking this stunning for me!
#
She saw Matt at the altar and forgot how to breathe, until her dad murmured, "Breathe, sweetheart."
She saw the Mayhew Armsman in the pew behind her family. Honor and Hamish, sitting with the Queen, beaming at her. Her mothers, arms around each other, wiping their eyes with Ben's handkerchiefs. Her siblings waved happily at her, so she gave them a smile. Hipper and Athena, sitting between Arabella and Lawrence, flitted their tails joyously. She saw a photo placed on the pew, next to Bella, of Uncle Mike. She looked to her dad and a single tear fell down his cheek, and then they were at the altar.
"Take care of my girl, she's yours now," Ben said to Matt, his voice gentle.
"Viewers, I feel fortunate to be here for such a touching scene…"
Matt bowed to him and Ben took a seat with his wives. The couple faced the Reverend, and he began the ceremony.
"Family, friends, and honored guests, I'd like to begin by thanking each and every one of you for being here on this most happy day. It's no accident that each of you are here today, and each of you were invited to be here because you represent someone important to Rachel and Matthew."
"The most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete. The person with whom you share a bond so special that becomes something so pure and so wonderful, that you can't imagine spending another day of your life without them. I know how deeply these two cares for and love one another, and I feel privileged to be here today among all of you as a witness of their commitment to a lifetime of love for one another."
He focused on the couple.
"This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Bride, are you ready to make your vow to your groom?"
"I am, Reverend."
She faced Matt, smiled sweetly at him, and looked into his eyes as she recited her vow. "I, Rachel, take you, Matthew, to be my beloved husband. To have and hold you, to honor you, to treasure you. To be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times and the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life."
The mother's sobs of joy were heard.
"Groom, are you ready to make your vow to your bride?"
"I am, Reverend."
"I, Matthew, take you, Rachel, to be my beloved wife. To have and hold you, to honor you, to treasure you. To be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times and the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life."
"Does the best man have the rings?"
Lew gave the rings to the Reverend, and he held up two gold rings for them to see.
"Rachel and Matthew will now exchange rings as a symbol of love and commitment to each other. Rings are a precious metal; they are also made precious by you wearing them. They mark the beginning of your long journey together. Your wedding ring is a circle—a symbol of love never ending. It is the seal of the vows you have just taken to love each other without end."
"Rachel, please place the ring on Matthew's left hand."
Rachel took the ring from him and spoke, "As a sign of my love, that I have chosen you above all else, with this ring, I thee wed."
She slid the ring on his finger the mother's sobs of joy were heard again.
"Matthew, please place the ring on Rachel's left hand."
Matt took the ring from him and spoke. "As a sign of my love, that I have chosen you above all else, with this ring, I thee wed."
"And now, by the power invested in me by the Tester and the Church, it is my honor and delight to declare you married. Matthew, by all means, kiss your pretty bride."
Matt took her face in his hands and gave her a kiss with all the joy and passion he was feeling. She returned it and heard her siblings giggle. Matthew chuckled, winked at her, and genteelly kissed her hand.
The Reverend spoke. "I am pleased to introduce the newlyweds, Matthew and Rachel Goodson!"
The guests stood and clapped, cheered, and whistled as the newlyweds strolled back down the aisle, their hands clasped tightly together. The camera followed the newlyweds from the altar until they disappeared into the foyer, and then the camera focused on Bethany Brown, with the guests milling about in the background.
"What a ceremony! Viewers, I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I did! Stay tuned, because we're heading to the reception, in which the Grayson Players are providing the music for the event…"
#
In the foyer, the dress attendants carefully detached the train and she gave the heirloom scarf to Grace standing by in the prep room. The scarf was replaced with a crown of delicate baby's breath flowers and Matt kissed her again.
"You're stunning," he said softly.
"As are you," she said and took a good look at his handsome dark-blue dinner suit with waistcoat and ivory tie. "When I walked through those doors, I felt weak in the knees, and everything was kind of a blank until I saw your face."
The parents and wedding party streamed into the foyer, congratulating the couple on how wonderful they looked, and how perfect the ceremony was.
"Party time!" Angela and Zack chorused.
#
The happy couple left the cathedral to the snap of cameras, and people on the street waved and called out their congratulations. They carefully got her and the dress into their car; her armsman in a car behind them.
"I hope the food is ready, I'm starving!" she exclaimed and waved to a passer-by.
He nodded in agreement. "Me too, I've barely eaten today."
It wasn't a long drive from the cathedral to the palace complex. Matt parked the car and they walked through the home and down the long hallway to the ballroom. Palace guardsman stood at attention in the hallway and Captain Webb opened the ballroom doors with a smile. Inside, the smell of food wafted in from the ballroom kitchen. Servers and ballroom attendants stopped what they were doing and acknowledged the couple. At the head table, pitchers of sweet tea and beer, chilled bottles of champagne, and water was available. They went to the table and poured themselves tea.
"Look at that cake!" Rachel said of the five-tiered cake. "There should be enough for everyone."
They acknowledged the Grayson Players who were prepping for their performance.
"Can we sit down? My feet hurt," she fussed. "No one can see my feet, so I'm taking my shoes off."
He chuckled and murmured, "Whatever you want, Mrs. Goodson."
"I like the sound of that," she replied and kissed him.
#
(To sailiwan: Yes, I'm aware of the Camp LeJeune lawsuit. However, the cut-off date is '89; I didn't get there until '91.)