Tying the Knot
Carol leaned on her car door and waited for Michonne and Andrea. She had already locked the front door to the farmhouse when Andrea announced, "I have to pee".
Once that announcement was out in the Universe Michonne succumbed to urgent call of nature. Carol didn't mind waiting. It gave her time to say goodbye to the farm. She had loved this place; it had been her refuge after Daryl disappeared. It was already sold and the new owner would come in this afternoon and change the locks. The die was cast; she was marrying Daryl tomorrow and this farm was going to be someone else's home.
The last two weeks had been hectic. The first week Daryl and Jesse had begun moving furniture to the Big House or storage. Last weekend she and Daryl had attended Theo and Jacqui's wedding and spent some time with Sophia.
Andrea and Michonne had returned to the farm with her for this week. They had hung out at the farmhouse while Carol was at the bank training her replacement. They went shopping and bought Carol unwanted sexy outfits for her honeymoon. Mostly the three of them talked. About everything. Their past mistakes. Their present happiness. Planned for the future.
Jesse and Morgan had driven in last night and packed up the last of everything this morning. Carol had hugged them goodbye this morning, "Thank you for being so good to me."
Morgan had shook his head, "We do for each other. You know that."
Carol understood Morgan. They were family now.
Andrea and Michonne were arguing over who was going to drive. Carol laughed, "We trade at every pee stop". She took the wheel, "Get in. I'm driving first, then Andrea, and then Michonne." Like traveling with children with bad bladders. "Let's go home."
There was a celebration that evening at the Big House. The wedding ceremony was going to be so simple that no rehearsal was necessary and the decision was made to have a party for the "family." After dinner the group gathered around the fire pit outside and ate s'mores and drank hot chocolate. Carol cuddled between Daryl and Sophia. Rick and Andrea were staying here tonight and staying in the "Beige House" until they found a house.
Michael reviewed the wedding plans for the family, "The ceremony will be at Lost River Baptist Church and James will play the piano before the ceremony. Shashanna Foster is going to sing. The pastor of our church will do the ceremony and everyone is writing their own vows. There won't be bridesmaids or best man. Daryl and Carol will go first because Daryl is less likely to pass out if get it over with. Christie and I will be next. Pastor James will pronounce us husband and wife.
The wedding photos will take five minutes. Then we'll all be heading toward the party which will be held at Lost River Hotel which is only two blocks away. There will be a buffet dinner set up for our guests. Reverend James will give the blessing and after there will be buffet dinner served. I have kept a little tidbit back from Mark and Carol. Once we get to the hotel everyone will be wearing a costume. Tomorrow is Halloween and all."
Carol was horrified. Michael smiled at her, "Don't worry, Sunshine. I have costumes for you two. You'll love them. Couldn't give Mark one more thing to stress over. Once he actually gives his vows he is home free."
Mark was lying on their bed when Carol came out of their bathroom, "I want a new shower, just saying."
"You got your vows written?" Mark was chewing his nails. "Mine sound stupid."
Carol scooted on the bed, "Here's the thing. Most of the wedding party will be thinking more about the buffet than what you are saying. The others will be thinking about their costume for the evening. Our part will be over before you know it. My vows are simple. Don't expect to hear obey, but I will pledge my eternal love and devotion."
Mark scooted closer, "This is our last chance for some pre-marital sex."
Carol laughed, "Well, since you put it that way."
The next day was hectic, but Carol scheduled a long nap anyway. She wanted to be awake for the wedding and party afterwards. Michael said that their party would be nontraditional. That could mean anything.
She spent most of the day with Christie, Andrea, and Michonne at Christie's house. Christie was trying to finish packing for her honeymoon. Michael had made all the arrangements and his only clue was to pack warm clothes. She hadn't seen Daryl since breakfast. Sophia and Carl played outside in the leaves like the children they still were, but they both looked so grownup in the dress clothes that Carol had to fight back tears.
They went early to the church. It was a beautiful structure all dark woods and stained glass windows but not so large that it was intimidating. Carol's dress was a silvery blue. Long and sweeping and designed to make her not look too pregnant. Andrea and Michonne kept her laughing. Sophia and Carl stayed in the sanctuary where James was practicing. Carol could hear lots of people coming into the church and wondered how Michael was dealing with a terrified Mark. If it was alcohol she did hope that it wasn't too much.
The music sounded wonderful. Andrea and Michonne hugged her goodbye. She and Christie held hands and Christie prayed that their marriage would be blessed. Then they walked downstairs to find Mark and Michael.
Mark was dressed in a gray suit with a blue tie. "You look like a queen." His hands were clammy but he seemed sober enough.
Michael bit his lip and Carol saw that he was forcing back tears. Christie did look spectacular in a burnished gold dress. Michael's suit and tie matched Christie's dress, He kissed Christie's left hand. "Forever and ever, amen."
The music changed and Michael stood up, "Showtime, You two just march on down that aisle and we'll be right behind you."
Daryl turned paler but he offered his arm to Carol, "Pick me up if I fall down." She gave him a side-eye. "Buck up. Everyone here is going to be looking at my baby bump and trying to figure out how far along I am."
Carol recognized the song as they started down the aisle, Foreigner's "Waiting for a Girl Like You." Non-traditional.
Daryl's held her hand and they strolled down the aisle together. Once they were in place, James began playing another song that Carol didn't recognize and Michael and Christie came down the aisle. The setting sun lit up the stained glass windows and there was a magical feel to the room. Most people were already in their costumes but it didn't look out of place. Jacqui waved to her and she could see Andrea sitting Rick. Jesse with Michonne, Sophia and Carl. The people that she loved most in this world were here. Eric and Aaron were sitting behind Morgan and Jenny and she knew that she could never have had this life if Eric hadn't been the good friend that he was.
Reverend James welcomed everyone to the church and opened the ceremony with a prayer that Carol thought she should listen to but never remembered a word he said. She came out of her fog when he told the congregation that Carol and Daryl were using Celtic wedding promises. Carol was first and she began, "Mark, it was not love at first sight when I met you, or second sight, or even third. I knew I loved you when we were moving furniture one day and you made me take the lighter end and I realized that you always did that. Always were protective and caring. You could talk tough but you always tender. I love you and I want to be your wife forever and ever. I say this ancient vow with all earnestness and it is as true for me as if I wrote it today."
"Today I recognize Mark Reynolds , my anam cara
And ask that you become a part of me, in sacred kinship.
With you, I have lost all fear and have found the greatest courage.
I have learned to love and let myself be loved.
With you, I have found a rhythm of grace and gracefulness.
Love has reawakened in my life; a rebirth; a new beginning.
With you my anam cara,
I am understood,
I am home."
Mark who would always be Daryl in her heart smiled at her. "Carol, it was not love at first sight, but fate was kind to me to keep me in your company long enough to recognize that you were everything that I would ever want in a woman. You are as beautiful in your ways as you are in your face. I didn't know how lonely I had been until I wasn't with you. I didn't know how much I wanted a home until I was away from you. I didn't know how much I loved you until we were apart. I know it now and that is why I am so happy to marry you. I love you and I want to be your husband forever and ever. I say this ancient vow with all earnestness and it is as true for me as if I wrote it today."
Today I recognize Carol, my anam cara
And ask that you become a part of me, in sacred kinship.
With you, I have lost all fear and have found the greatest courage.
I have learned to love and let myself be loved.
With you, I have found a rhythm of grace and gracefulness.
Love has reawakened in my life; a rebirth; a new beginning.
With you my anam cara,
I am understood,
I am home.
He took her hand and squeezed it. They both turned toward Michael and Christie. Carol saw that Michael had tears in his eyes and Christie was wiping her away.
Christie began, "Michael, I thought you were loud, obnoxious, and bossy when I first met you that day in the bookstore. I knew you were going to shake up things around the bookstore but I didn't know that you were going to shake up the calm waters of my life. But you did. I was sliding along in my life very comfortably. I had my children, my church, and my job. I was content. Then you came along and you scared me a little. You weren't who I was supposed to love. You were all wrong for me and I knew it. But you made me feel young and interesting again. I wasn't just a mother, or a teacher, or a member of a congregation. I couldn't stop myself from loving you because despite our differences we are meant to be. We bring out the best in each other. You are still loud, obnoxious, and bossy but I love you and I always will. I use these words from Maya Angelou but they are true for me today and forever."
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
Maya Angelou
Michael kissed Christie's hand and his eyes were only on her, "Christie, I couldn't stop looking at you that first day at the bookstore. I thought you were beautiful and funny and I wanted to listen to your voice telling stories and talking to me for the rest of my life. I have done some unforgivable things in my life but God forgave me and by the power of His grace I was able to forgive myself. I changed my life before I met you and I was given the blessing of being able to start over in this town with my brother. I thought that was God's greatest gift to me until I met you and I found my other half. I wasted the first half of my life but I am determined to treasure every moment from now on. I love you and I always will. I have close words from our from a 12th century nobleman but they are true for me forever."
Poem by a 12th Century Nobleman
True Love is a sacred flame that burns eternally.
And none can dim its special glow or change its destiny.
True Love speaks in tender tones and hears with gentle ear.
True Love gives with open heart and True Love conquers fear.
True Love makes no harsh demands. It neither rules nor binds.
True Love holds with gentle hands the hearts that it entwines.
You dont marry the person you can live with,
you marry the person you can't live without .
Michael kissed Christie's hand and the four of them turned toward Reverend James. Rings were exchanged and more words were said. They were pronounced man and wife. Daryl's kiss was sweet and not too long. Michael's was long and passionate. Photos were taken before the light changed. It was over quickly.
They changed into their costumes at the church. Daryl was Robin Hood and she was Maid Marian. Michael was a king and Christie was a queen. They walked together toward the hotel enjoying the last rays of a glorious sunset.
Carol laughed as she entered the banquet hall. The room looked like a high school prom had thrown up in it. Michael had created a medieval castle and there was a sort of fairy tale aspect to everything. Reverend James did the blessing and the banquet/buffet began. Andrea and Rick came as Bonnie and Clyde. Sophia was Alice in Wonderland. Carl and Duane were pirates. Jesse was wearing the uniform of a Tuskegee Airman and Michonne was a USO volunteer. Morgan and Jenny were dressed like Quakers. Eric and Aaron were both dressed as good princes and if their costume was a little over the top no one seemed to mind. There wasn't a zombie or witch in sight. It might be a Halloween party but it was a kinder gentler one. There were Little Red Riding Hoods with the big bad wolf. There were Cinderellas , Mr. Spocks, Arabian princess, and at least one Merlin. It was fun.
The food was amazing and Carol laughed to see that the wedding cake was a tier of cupcakes. There were two sets of golden rings done in frosting on the top. The first dance was "At Last" and it felt good to be in Daryl's arms. "You having a good time?" He nuzzled her ear and Carol wondered how soon they could graciously take their leave.
"I am. Michael pulled it off. I have been to miserable weddings where the bride and groom took forever doing wedding pictures. Michael designed this to be fun for everyone from the steaming punch bowl to the music. You make an adorable Robin Hood by the way."
Michael grunted, "I keep losing the damn bow. So, Maid Marion, when does Robin Hood get to make merry with you."
"It's too soon. Later we can scurry off the Sherwood Forest and thank God the dress is big enough to hide my baby bump." Carol could feel the baby move. "I think he likes the music."
"I am ready whenever you are."
They found a little time to talk to Michael and Christie. Carol asked Michael what the song was that James had played as they walked down the aisle. He grinned, "You Make Me Feel Brand New."
Michael and Christie left early. They were catching a flight to Dulles. Michael was taking Christie to the British Isles for their honeymoon. "She's a Engish teacher and she has never been to England."
Later Carol kissed Sophia, "I'll be back tomorrow. Andrea and Rick will be with you. Love you."
Sophia smirked, "Not very long for a honeymoon."
"We're taking a vacation after the baby is born and we can all go together." Carol was hugged and kissed by Andrea and Michonne. Daryl took her hand, "Let's go, Mrs. Reynolds. You haven't told me where we're going."
She drove while Mark took the passenger seat for a change. She and Micael had worked out the arrangement and drove out there the last weekend she had been home. It looked different in the dark and it was a long way. Mark kept whining, "Are we lost?"
Finally she crested the last hill and found the cabin all lit up and waiting for them, "Here we are." She pulled the Sub into the gravel driveway and stopped.
It wasn't a big cabin but it was clean and comfortable. The fireplace was ready to be lit and the apple cider was cold. "it's my wedding present to you, Mark. You wanted a cabin in the woods when we first met. So Michael helped me to find this. So when we need some privacy or when you want some time to yourself. You have this place."
Mark who was always Daryl in her heart inspected every inch of the cabin, "I don't think I'll be coming up here without you, but I love it. Let's have some cider and toast to our life together. He kissed her and filled her glass with cider, Michael said it best, "Forever and ever, Amen."
Carol took a sip, "Let's go to bed, husband."
Mark smiled at her, "Sounds like a plan, wife."
AN.
Hope you are still with me. Weddings are so exhausting, don't you think? Next time I write an elopement.
I went all Celtic with Carol and Daryl aka Mark because it fits them. I found their poem online /Renwedding.
I used a Maya Angelou poem for Christie partly because I think Christie would have chosen something like that and because I like it. poem/touched-by-an-angel/
Michael's poem came from this website. resources/readings-and-poems-regarding-marriage-and-love/
Carol and Daryl's wedding march was "Waiting for a Girl Like You" by Foreigner. I know some of you are too young to know the song and I don't have a piano version, so here is a link. watch?v=BrzzR-3PPqw
Christie and Michael's wedding march was "You Make Me Feel Brand New by the Stylistics. Here is the link. watch?v=WogXHXua9Ds
Let me know what you think?
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