Part 3: To Have & To Hold
Ricky and Amy stood at the altar in front of Elbert, the reverend who was conducting the ceremony. The two of them stood close enough to where Ricky was gently touching her stomach.
Elbert began, "We are gathered here today to join Ricky Underwood and Amy Juergens in holy matrimony. A commitment that these two have made is not one to have been entered into lightly. Love brought them to this moment and it's that love that will carry them towards the future as they not only start on their lives together but as well as bringing in a precious child into this world. Now, if you please, the rings."
Ashley handed one of the rings to Amy and the other to Ricky.
Elbert continued, "Now, Ricky, take this ring and place it on Amy's finger. Repeat after me: I Ricky, take you Amy,"
"I Ricky take you Amy."
"To have and to hold," Elbert said.
"To have and to hold," Ricky repeated.
"Now and forever."
Ricky smiled at Amy, "Now and forever."
Elbert smiled and looked at Amy. This time it was her turn. "Now Amy, take this ring and place it on Ricky's finger. Repeat after me: I Amy, take you Ricky."
"I Amy, take you Ricky."
"To have and to hold."
"To have and to hold," Amy repeated.
"Now and forever."
This time it was Amy's turn to smile at Ricky. "Now and forever."
Elbert smiled at the couple, "Now by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Ricky and Amy were all smiles when they kissed. It was a kiss that had not been felt for six months since they had their first kiss back at band camp. That had seemed like such a long time ago.
Elbert finished after Ricky and Amy were done kissing. "I now present to the public: Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Underwood."
Jack was the first one to clap and the others soon followed. Grace had slightly clapped. At this point she was furious with Ricky. She thought she was going to be going out on her first date when instead it turned out to be Ricky's wedding instead. Her parents sure had been right about him. Grace decided to put that feeling aside for the moment. This moment had not been about her it was about Ricky and Amy. Aside from their night at band camp, these two had not been on a date and yet they somehow managed to make their way towards getting married. Grace looked over at Alice wondering if she might know the statistics on how rare that sort of thing was. A thought for another day.
(Pan out- END)