THE WEDDING

CHAPTER 3

Jeremy Bolt was waiting in the backroom of the church with his brother Joshua. He kept watching the door for it to open, so he would know when Candy had arrived. Sweat was beading up on his forehead and neck. "Josh, if they don't hurry, I'm going to have to go home to change clothes. These are going to be soaked," he chuckles.

Josh puts his arm across Jeremy's shoulder. "Jeremy, you need to calm down. Enjoy your freedom while you still can," Josh laughed.

Just then, the door opens. Captain Clancy sticks his head in and says, "Jeremy lad. Tis time. Come on."

As Jeremy and Josh walk out, Clancy pats Jeremy on the back. "We be havin a drink after tis all over."

Jeremy nods his head and proceeds to the altar. Miss Essie begins playing the music when Jeremy and Josh are in place. Clancy goes to sit with Lottie in the front row.

The doors open and in waltzes the flower girl, Molly, carefully dropping flower petals to the floor. Next comes the ring bearer, Christopher, carrying a pillow with the ring attached. The Maid of Honor, Biddie, is next. She is all smiles. When Miss Essie begins playing the wedding march, Jason steps forward with Candy on his arm.

Jeremy cranes his neck to see his beloved. He is beaming with pride. Their eyes meet. They can't take their eyes off of each other. When Jason and Candy arrive at the altar, Reverend Adams asks who gives this woman to be married. Jason replies, "I do." Then he places her hand in Jeremy's and goes to stand beside Joshua.

Jeremy puts his arms around Candy's waist. "You're b-beau-tiful," he stammers. "Oh, C-Candy."

Seeing that Jeremy is about to panic, she faces Reverend Adams. "Give us a minute, please." He nods his head. Candy gives Biddie her bouquet and turns back to Jeremy. She puts her arms around his neck, draws him close, and whispers in his ear. "Jeremy, it's all right. I don't care if you stutter."

"B-But I c-care," he whispers back with tears in his eyes.

Candy continues to whisper in Jeremy's ear. "Jeremy, you're just nervous. Calm down. Close your eyes." He does. "Now take several deep breaths." He does. "We are going to hold on to each other. All right?" Jeremy nods. "Now open your eyes and look into my eyes. We'll do this together." Jeremy nods and opens his eyes. They gaze into each others eyes. A little smile spreads across their faces. "Better?" Candy asks.

Jeremy nods and whispers, " Yes, some better. Sorry." He gives her a light kiss on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you too." She returns his kiss. "Reverend Adams, you may continue," Candy says without breaking eye contact with Jeremy.

Reverend Adams begins. "We gather here today to celebrate the union of Jeremy and Candy. If there is anyone here who objects to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace." They wait. There is only silence. " Marriage is not to be entered into lightly. To make your relationship work will take love, trust, dedication, loyalty, and commitment. Take each others right hand and repeat after me. The couple take each others right hand, but keep their other arm around each other.

"I, Jeremy James Bolt, take you, Candace Anne Pruitt to be my wife,"

Jeremy takes a deep breath and looks deeply into Candy's eyes. He gives her hand a squeeze and repeats slowly, "I, Jeremy James Bolt, take you, Candace Anne Pruitt to be my wife," He gives her a little smile.

"to have and to hold from this day forward,"

Jeremy repeats, "to have and to hold from this day forward,"

"for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,"

"for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer," Jeremy's smile is getting bigger.

"in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death us do part."

Jeremy takes another deep breath. "in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death us do part." He raises Candy's hand to his lips and kisses her fingers. The smile he gives her, makes her legs feel weak. Tears escape from their eyes.

Reverend Adams smiles at the couple. He realizes that Jeremy is prone to stuttering when he is nervous, and he is proud of Jeremy for making it through his vows without stuttering.

Jason and Josh both gently pat Jeremy on the back. They are proud of him too. As is the congregation. Many eyes are being wiped.

Reverend Adams begins again. "I, Candace Anne Pruitt, take you, Jeremy James Bolt to be my husband,"

Candy looks at Jeremy with so much love in her eyes. "I, Candace Anne Pruitt, take you, Jeremy James Bolt to be my husband,"

"to have and to hold from this day forward,"

"to have and to hold from this day forward," Candy repeats.

"for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,"

Tears are streaming down Candy's cheeks. "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer," Jeremy places his hands on each side of her face and gently wipes her tears with his fingers.

"in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death us do part."

"in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death us do part." Candy retakes Jeremy's hand and squeezes it. She leans over and gives Jeremy a kiss on his lips.

Reverend Adams shakes his head slightly, but he is smiling. "Joshua, do you have the ring?" Josh removes the ring from the pillow and hands it to the Reverend. The Reverend hands the ring to Jeremy. "Jeremy, place this ring on Candy's finger and repeat after me. As a sign of my love for you, with this ring, I thee wed."

Jeremy places the ring on Candy's finger. "As a sign of my love for you, with this ring, I thee wed." He kisses the ring on her finger.

After a short prayer, Reverend Adams says, "I hope you never forget the love and happiness you feel today. And now by the power vested in me by the territory of Washington, it is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife. Jeremy, you may now kiss your wife."

The newlyweds are all smiles and tears. "With pleasure," Jeremy says. They hold each other closer as their lips find one another.

"I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Bolt." Everyone claps and cheers, but the newlyweds don't even hear them.

The congregation departs the church gathering a handful of rice as they head out the door. Jason and Josh look at each other with big smiles. "Well, I guess we're going to have to break them apart," Josh states.

Jason puts a hand on Jeremy and Candy's shoulder. "Jeremy." He gets no response. "Jeremy! Candy!" he shouts. They finally stop and look at him. "It's time to go. Everyone is outside waiting."

"Oh, sorry Jason. I guess we got carried away," Jeremy blushes.

They all turn to go out. Jason and Josh go first. Jeremy sweeps Candy up in his arms and carries her out the door. Rice is thrown at them from all directions. Jeremy sets Candy down and puts his arm around her.

"Everybody is welcome to help us celebrate at Lotties," Jason yells.

Biddie is shaking from the cold. "Well, let's go! It's freezing out here." She starts down the steps but suddenly stops. "No, wait. Candy hasn't thrown her bouquet yet! Ladies get ready!"

The single ladies gather at the foot of the steps. Candy turns her back to them. Jeremy leans in and whispers, "Biddie is in the middle." He chuckles. Candy nods her head and gives the bouquet a toss. All the girls start grabbing for it. When Candy turns around, she sees that once again, Biddie has caught the bouquet.

Everyone heads for Lotties except for the newlyweds. Jeremy and Candy wrap each other in their arms. "Happy, Mrs. Bolt?" Jeremy asks.

"Yes, I am very happy. What about you, Mr. Bolt? Are you happy?"

"Candy, I have never in my life been as happy as I am now. I love you."

"And I love you." Their lips meet.

They hear Jason's voice. "Jeremy, Candy, get a move on! We're all waiting!" He pauses. "Again!"

The newlyweds hurry to Lotties to celebrate the beginning of their new life together.