Mommy Dearest
by Mallory Quinn
Chapter 17
"The Wedding"
The following weeks, Candy barely had the time to go to the shelter. But Michael, Flammy and other volunteers were taking care of it. Her grandmother sent a tailor to make her wedding dress. She also sent people so Candy would choose the flowers, the china pattern, the menu for the reception, the music… Candy was doing everything with Terry's help.
- Oh my God, I didn't know weddings were such a big job!
- Me neither, especially a larger than life wedding they want to give us…
- It's only going to happen once…so we might as well go for the big party if they want to give us one…
- I wouldn't mind if it was only the two of us with our witnesses…the important thing is for me to marry you
- Me too. Freckles. By the way, my father told me you convinced him to let me pursue my dreams…you didn't even talked about that during your therapy…
- Oh…well it slipped my mind?
- You're incredible! Even when you thought I abandoned you, you talked to my father and convinced him not to come and look for me?? Have I told you how much I love you?
He hugged her and kissed her hair.
- I'm sorry you thought I abandoned you and thank you for speaking to my father…
- You're very welcome my love, she said with her eyes closed…
- Did the doctor called you for your single session?
- Yes… it's this afternoon…
- All right… Robert gave me the days off until the wedding and the honeymoon…
- Wonderful and I'll take the some vacations from the shelter during all the craze… but it's mostly to be with you…
Candy went to her appointment; she was alone with the doctor.
- So, said the doctor, how are you feeling?
- Fine…
- What about your feelings towards your mother? You're still angry at her?
- I think I got passed that… she gave me letters she wrote me when we were separated, I read them, I cried, she was thinking about me constantly…
- So your feelings have changed?
- I loved her since I first saw her, I was just angry because I could've had it all, and I suffered so much, because she didn't tell her parents about me…but aside from Terry, now she's the first person I think of… I had missed her so much, I wished she was there when I was crying to tell me everything was fine…but what's done is done. I have to move on… I have my mother back, my family back, I'm getting married and nothing is going to ruin that…
- So you're ready to move on, not expecting any disappointments or not letting anything stand in your way…
- I deserve to be happy too…and I'm going to fight anyone who wants to stop that. I'm not going to take anything else sitting down…and I'm going to think of myself first. I've put myself in the back burner for long enough…
- You now know that your mother wanted you, she thought she had no choice; she would've kept you…
- Yes…and it feels so good to know that…
- Have you told her how you feel?
- No, I haven't told her about the letters yet… I will before the wedding.
- Good. I think we're done. If you need me for anything, just call for an appointment…
- Thank you so much for everything. It took me a while to acknowledge the fact that I needed help…But Albert suggested I see you. He's the best!
- That he is! Said Smiley Blanton
- Doctor Smiley Blanton, you did put a smile back on my face. Your name suit you right!
Candy hugged him smiling, the doctor burst out laughing.
- Here's an invitation to my wedding, said Candy, bring your wife, I'll be glad to see you there…
- Thank you very much. I'd be honoured to be one of your guests!
Candy left the doctor's office with a smile. She went outside, to get into her car, when she thought she saw Nicholas Pratt with a woman. She was wearing a black scarf with white flowers and sunglasses.
"Must be some stupid married woman who's having a little fun with the Casanova! Why do I even care? I've got my own life!"
She got in her car and drove off with the driver…
The Reagans were at Lakewood with the Great Aunt. Albert made sure she was taken cared of. But she didn't have any personal money or not enough to take care of Sarah and her ungrateful kids…Albert had given the order for Sarah and her family to leave the castle.
- Can he do this to us? Said Sarah
- All you had to do is apologise to Candy and her new family… that's all! Said her husband, but no…. you had to go and add insult to injury in a room full of people! Well I hope you're happy, because I'm leaving. I've had it!
- You're leaving me and the kids?
- Well like Lynda the Rothschild said, Neil is a little dark to be my son, isn't he? He looks like you…he's got nothing on me…
- How dare you?
- No, how dare you pass off another man's son as mine??? I closed my eyes, but enough is enough. Take care of the children. I'm going to start over somewhere else far away from you and your children!
Mr. Reagan left his wife and his children. The Great Aunt couldn't go against Albert's orders. So Sarah and her children moved in into a little house in Lakewood. She had to sell her clothes and almost everything she had to be able to afford that little house. She also had to look for work and her children too. Neil started to hang out with the bad crowd. Eliza started to try and make easy money by selling herself… They had read about Candy's wedding in the papers and they were green with envy, jealous about the one they called the stable girl… She was on the top of the world and she was untouchable to them, now.
The great aunt was powerless. All she could do is beg Albert, who wouldn't budge…
Candy got the visit of Anna Jarvis a few days before her wedding.
- Anna! Said Candy, what bring you by? Did you get my invitation?
- Yes, I did! Thank you very much. I've got an early wedding present for you…
- Oh… what is it?
Anna gave her an envelope.
- It's the government grant I promised you, for your shelter…, she said
- Oh my God! Said Candy
- If by any chance, all those rich people are out of money, you'll have the government helping you…
- Thank you, so much, said Candy jumping to her neck laughing, you're the best!
- No, you're the best. You took your money and you started to help the less fortunate… there should be more people like you!
Anna Jarvis stood up to leave.
- I have a meeting… I'll be there at your wedding, thank you for inviting me…
- Thank you for all your help, said Candy, bye Anna
- Bye Candy…
Anna Jarvis left and Candy joined her friends who were there trying on their bridesmaid dresses with the tailor and the seamstresses…
- You guys look marvellous, said Candy
- Candy, I can't believe you're beating me to the altar! Said Annie
- Life is full of surprises…, said Candy, I never thought my real family would be so rich and powerful…anyway, I hope Albert gets here, with Miss Pony and the others…
- They're getting here tonight…, said Patty
- I can't wait to see Albert…, said Candy
Candy was happy to see everybody when they got there. They all had dinner together and the children were ecstatic. Albert had given them one of the Andrew villas to stay there.
Candy took Albert to the study and hugged him again.
- I'm so glad to see you!
- Me too, he said, how are you?
- Well the sessions with your friend worked. I'm in good terms with my mother, I'm in good term with Terry, I'm marrying Terry…
- I heard about the Reagan's situation…
- I had nothing to do with that. I didn't even know that my father had done that
- I'm not blaming you… if it hadn't been your father, it would've been one of your grandfathers…They deserve what happened to them. All your father wanted was an apology from them to you… and they couldn't even to that simple thing…
- Well I guess they weren't ready for that… anyway. I have to think about my wedding… My father wants to walk me to the altar…
- That's ok…
- You can both walk me to the altar…one at each arm…
- You'd do that?
- You're my family too Albert…
- Thank you Candy, that's very nice of you.
They went back to the living room and they found Miss Pony and Sister Maria trying to keep the children quiet.
- Is everything all right?
- Candy! Said Miss Pony, I wanted to thank you…
- For what?
- Well, said Sister Maria, Andrew Enterprises started to renovate our tiny Pony Home, it's getting bigger, we will have a clinic, a school, more volunteers to help up…
- And the Rothschild and Lloyd banks send us enough money to buy clothes for the children, uniform, pretty clothes, furniture, we have more money than we ever had! And it's a regular and permanent thing! Thanks to you Candy. You're our angel…
Candy was surprised. She had plans for the Pony Home, but she had no idea both her adoptive and biological families would take the initiative to help out the house were she grew up so happy. She had tears in her eyes. Miss Pony and Sister Maria came and hug her. Then she turned to Albert and hugged him too.
- Thank you…so much!
- You're very welcome Candy, said Albert
When everybody was finally gone, Candy was alone with Terry. They went to sit in the living room.
- Hold me…, she said
- We're almost there, he said
- I'm still crossing my fingers that nothing is going to happen…
- Candy, it's me and you… something is bound to happen…, but as long as we love each other everything is going to be fine…
Candy felt something in Terry's voice, which made her feel bad.
- Terry, do you have something to tell me? Should I expect any surprises?
Terry remained silent. Something was bugging him, and he didn't know how to tell Candy.
- Freckles, I promise you, just believe in our love, can you promise me that? Whatever happens …
- Is something going to happen? She asked worried
- I'm not saying something will happen, I'm just saying… promise me our love with be enough…I just have this feeling…but I love you, no matter what happens.
- Terry…life is full of surprises. Everything is going to be fine and if something happens…. I promise you to dig in our love to make it better…I love you…
- I love you. Thank you Candy.
The feeling he had wasn't going away. They kissed passionately, talking and laughing. They couldn't get enough of each other.
Terry's father arrived the day before and reunited with his son, who was with his mother at Candy's apartment.
- It's good to see you son, said the duke hugging him
- Father, I'm glad you came, said Terry
- Eleonor, said the duke, you look beautiful…
- As opposed to before, I wasn't? Said Eleonor
- Mum…, said Terry
- Sorry honey. It's good to see you, Richard, said Eleonor
- Our son is getting married; can we call a truce at least for the wedding? Asked the duke
- Anything for my son, said Eleonor…
- Look at us, said Terry smiling, one big happy family!
He was holding his parents on both sides. Candy arrived to say hello to the duke.
- Your Grace, she said, it's good to see you again
- Miss Andrew, said the duke
- You can call me Candy…, she said
- And you can call me "dad", said the duke
- All right "dad", said Candy smiling, thank you for coming to the wedding
- I'm glad my son is marrying the woman he loves more than anything…
Candy smiled and she and Terry looked at each other with love. Candy's parents arrived to meet the duke. Steven and the duke talked business and Eleonor and Lynda talked about dresses for the wedding. Albert arrived and join the men talking business also. He and Steven talked about Candy a lot.
Candy and Terry left them to go for a walk in central park. They needed to get away a little.
- Are you hanging in there? Asked Terry
- Yes…you?
- I'm fine, as long as I'm with you…
- Tomorrow you're going to be my husband
Terry still had a weird feeling.
- You're still feeling bad? Said Candy
- Probably pre-wedding jitters, apparently the groom gets it too?
They looked at each other.
- I have a way to make you feel better, she said
- How?
- Come with me…
SHE
Here I am, with my heart
Greet me in your life
I came to marry you
I forgot about the rest of the world
You're in my heart and I'm giving myself to you
HE
I look at you as you're walking towards me
And I can't believe how lucky I am
To have you come to me with your heart
For me to keep forever and ever
You're in my heart and I'm uniting myself to you
Candy opened her eyes. It was her big day, she was marrying Terry… a dream she never thought possible just a few months ago, she was so messed up… Now she was feeling so good but still a little on the edge. She prayed nothing happens to ruin the most beautiful day of her life. Lynda had spent the night with Candy and Terry had spent the night at his mother's. The bride shouldn't see the groom before the wedding.
- Mom, said Candy in her arms… it's time to wake up…
- Hum, said Lynda, give me another five minutes…
- All right, sleepy head, said Candy, I'm going to get ready… I'm getting married this morning!
Candy got out of bed to go take a bath full of nice smelly salts, and lots of bubbles. She got out of the bath against her will. She wanted to stay there longer. She got out of the bathroom
- Mom, said Candy, are you awake?
- Yes, said Lynda standing up and running to the bath room
Morning sickness… She came back out with her hand on her belly.
- Are you ok? Said Candy
- Yes… now I'm fine, said Lynda
Candy thought about when her mother was pregnant with her, how she must've been sick, alone with no support. Some maid came in with her wedding dress all ready and the hairdresser was there to do her hair. Candy had a white robe on. Her friends came in her room to get ready, doing hair, nails; make up retouching the dresses… it was a crazy morning! The bride was ready, she was so beautiful. Her hair had been straitened and pulled into an up do with curls. She had a tiara to hold her veil. Both her grandmothers were there to see if she was ready.
- Now, the tradition, said Grandma Rothschild, something old… These pearls have been in our family for centuries
She put them on Candy's neck.
- Thank you grandma, said Candy moved
- Something new, said Grandma Lloyd, I bought this for my new grandbaby
It was diamond hearing with some emeralds which matched Candy's eyes.
- Thank you Grandma, said Candy putting them on…
- Something borrowed, said Lynda, here is a bracelet I have since I was a young girl, I actually had it when I was carrying you in hiding…
It was a gold bracelet, simple but very pretty.
- Thank you mom, said Candy
- Something blue, said Patty, here is a garter for your pretty leg!!!!
Candy smiled and pulled up the skirt of her dress and Patty put the garter on.
- You're all ready, said Annie
There was a knock on the door, it was Steven.
- Is my little girl ready to get hitched? He said
- Yes, daddy! Said Candy smiling
She turned to the others.
- Would you mind leaving us for a moment, I would like to speak to my parents alone, please
- Of course, said Flammy, let's go…
They all got out of the room and left Candy with her parents.
- I wanted to talk to you both, said Candy, before my wedding. I never thought a year ago, that I would be standing here with my parents about to marry Terry… life is full of surprises. I'm usually the happy camper of my group of friends, and the Pony Home… I've always been the first to forgive people for whatever they do… but… at one point I started asking myself why I was so miserable. I wasn't bad to people, I actually cut a lot of slacks to lots of them…I had broken up with Terry and I thought I was going to die…I was in a bad place when you found me mom, in a very bad place, that's why I rejected you…I read the letters you wrote me and I know you thought about me everyday, like I thought about you everyday…And dad, you only found out about me not too long before me and you behaved like a father with me right away… Before I go and marry Terry, I wanted to let you know that I love you both…
Lynda was crying of joy. Candy approached her and hugged her.
- I love you too, baby! Said Lynda
- I love you mom…
She let go of her mom and hugged her father.
- I love you honey, Said Steven, a few months ago, I was having fun, being a playboy… I never thought I would be married with an instant family! I had to take care of the family business and I found myself with responsibilities, me, the careless playboy… there's a reason for everything
- Let's go, said Lynda we're going to be late for church…
- Well the bride can be a little late…but let's go, said Candy
They all left for church. The press was having a field day taking pictures and talking to the guests. The wedding was a pretty big event. There was also a very thigh security. The church was decorated with "Sweet Candy" roses and was full with guests. Candy's bouquet was also "Sweet Candy" white roses. Anthony's legacy… The flower girls were all excited and a little afraid. The ring bearer was told not to look on the side so he won't be distracted. Candy's veil was long so there was a little girl and a little boy holding the veil. They were all children from the Pony Home.
The Rothschild extended family from Europe all had come for the wedding. Lynda was glad to see her brothers and sisters. They were not able to make it to her wedding, which was kind of sudden.
The groom entered the church with his mother. Candy got out of the car. Everybody was in place, her friends, the bridesmaids, were there with their light pink dresses. The "Canon" by Pachelbel started, then the "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn … The bride entered with her two fathers, one at each arm. Lynda was glad; Candy didn't want to disappoint any of her fathers…
They arrived at the altar and she went to stand next to Terry. They looked at each other with love and the ceremony started…
- We are gathered here today to witness the union of this man and this woman in holly matrimony. If anybody has any reason this marriage shouldn't happen, let them speak now or forever hold their peace…
The priest waited a few seconds. Usually that was just a formality, nobody really expect someone to speak up…The priest wanted to continue when…
- I have something to say! Said a woman's voice
Candy and Terry were surprised, so was the whole assembly! Everybody turned around to see a woman pushed in her wheelchair, approaching the altar. She was wearing a scarf and sunglasses.
- Who are you? Asked Lynda's father and how dare you interrupt my granddaughter's wedding??? How the hell did you get pass security?
- I'm Susanna Marlowe; I'm Terrence's former fiancée…, she said taking her scarf and glasses off…
- Tell me I'm dreaming! Said Candy out loud
- Former fiancée? You're angry you got dumped, said Lynda's father, Life is though… get over it! That's no reason to interrupt my granddaughter's wedding, this is a private ceremony…!
- Why did you interrupt the ceremony young lady? Asked the priest
- Well, I was Terrence's fiancée; we lived together until she stole him from me…, said Susanna pointing at Candy
- That's nothing unusual, why did you stop the ceremony?
- Well didn't just live together, said Susanna, we slept together, we had premarital sex…
The guests started whispering and the press was having an even better day! Candy and Terry couldn't believe their ears.
- Terrence? Said the priest
- I was her fiancé, said Terry, but we've never had premarital sex…
- Really? Said Susanna, then how am I carrying your child? I just came from the doctor's I'm pregnant Terry, I'm going to have our baby…
Candy was looking at the scene like in a dream.
- I don't know what on earth you're talking about! Said Terry
- Let's not make a spectacle of ourselves, said Lynda, like that's even possible! Let's go and talk about this in the other room, Candy honey, are you ok? Let's go…
- Yes, said Steven, let's go…
Candy, Terry, Susanna, her mother, Lynda, Steven and the priest all when to a little room. Lynda's father talked to the guests.
- Ladies and gentlemen. We apologise for the interruption, it's just an over jealous fan who couldn't bare seeing her idol getting married to my grandbaby! Everything is going to be fine in a few minutes. Please be patient. This is going to be a ceremony to remember!!!
The guests laughed. Meanwhile in the little room…
- Susanna, what the hell are you doing? Said Terry angry
- I'm pregnant, with our baby…, said Susanna
- So waited now, in the middle of my wedding to say something? Said Terry
- I had to stop you from marrying Candy, you have to marry me, I'm having your baby!
- This is not happening! Said Terry, you must be delusional, because I've never touched you!!!!
- Well apparently you did somehow, said Mrs. Marlowe
- Think Terry, you don't remember??? Said Susanna
Terry remained silent. The weird feeling he was having, when Susanna kissed him in Robert's office the day he took her there. Candy looked at Terry, something was wrong…
- Terry? Said Candy, you remember something?
- Candy… I…, said Terry unsure
- Oh my God! You slept with her???? Said Candy
- I don't know…I remember dreaming about making love to you, it felt so real, but it was just a dream… I felt groggy in the morning and tired…Candy, you have to believe me…if I did it, I thought it was you…
She looked at him; she was hurt deep down inside.
- But it was me! Said Susanna, I woke up early that morning to go get ready, it was the day we went to Mr. Hathaway's office
Terry remembered how sleepy he was the night before, he couldn't fight it…
- Terry, said Candy hurt, is what she saying the truth? You slept with her?
- I was very very tired the night before… Susanna, you made me a cup of tea, in fact I started to get tired after drinking the tea…
- You're trying to get out of this by imagining things that didn't happen, said Mrs. Marlowe
Candy turned to Susanna.
- You drugged him to get him to have sex with you???
- The fact is, Candy, we had sex, I'm pregnant and you can't marry him!
Candy looked at the situation, her head was spinning. The last time she took a decision on a spur of the moment and she was miserable.
"I deserve to be happy too…and I'm going to fight anyone who wants to stop that. I'm not going to take anything else sitting down…and I'm going to think of myself first. I've put myself in the back burner for long enough…" was what she told Smiley Blanton.
Susanna was ruining her life again!!!! She got angry!
- Oh no, you don't! Said Candy angry, you are not doing this to me again!
- I'm having Terry's baby, said Susanna, you would keep a child from its father?
- I don't care if you're having the baby Jesus! You are not taking Terry from me again!!!!
- You have a shelter for young women, pregnant women, you of all people should compassionate to me…, said Susanna
- Not when this is just a plot to take Terry away from me! Said Candy
- So my baby would have to grow up without its father???
- I'm telling you, you are not taking Terry away from me, said Candy, this time around; I'm not just going to roll over and let you have him again!!!
Lynda wanted to say something, but Steven stopped her.
- I think she can handle this one on her own, honey, said Steven
Terry was looking at Candy didn't seem to want to back down. Susanna thought it was going to be easy like the first time, she didn't expect Candy to be so resistant.
- We only have your word on this pregnancy, that it's Terry's, said Candy
- I can assure you that he's the father, said Susanna upset
- Well your word isn't worth much, said Candy, the last time you told me something about Terry in Chicago, you called me a fan and lied to my face…
- I'm not lying! Said Susanna
- You are not stopping this wedding, said Candy, let's go Terry…
- Well, said the priest, I'm afraid I can't continue…
- Why? Said Candy
- Because there are some issues to be solved…, said the priest
- We will solve them later, said Candy, now I want to get married to the man I love
- You can't, said Susanna, you can't marry Terry…
- Susanna, if you think, I'm leaving my husband to you, you've got another thing coming! Said Candy
- Husband? Said Mrs. Marlowe, you're not his wife yet…
Terry approached Candy and took her hand. They looked at each other; she had tears in her eyes.
- Actually, said Terry still looking at Candy, we got married last night…
- WHAT???? Said everybody in the room
- Terry and I are married, said Candy.
- When we left you yesterday, continued Terry, we went for a walk in the park. I had been having this weird feeling that something was going to mess up our relationship again
- So I took him somewhere to make him feel better, said Candy, to the Justice of the peace. Being the Rothschild's granddaughter has it's advantages, they all knew me… we found a judge who married us
Terry took something out of his inside pocket and gave it to the priest.
- So you see father, Said Terry, Candy and I are already married, this is just a religious ceremony for our families…
The priest took the license and read it. It was genuine. Susanna was devastated.
- All right then, said the priest, let's resume the ceremony…
Candy and Terry got out of the room followed by the priest.
- But, said Susanna upset in tears
- Miss Marlowe, said Lynda, I suggest you go home to whomever fathered that bun you've got in your oven, because, you are not going to ruin by baby girl's life for the second time. And you what kind of mother are you??? Helping your daughter perpetrate a lie like that! Aren't you suppose to be the parent?! You should be ashamed of yourself!
Mrs. Marlowe wanted to reply, but Candy came back in the room, like she had forgotten something. She was looking at Susanna's neck.
- That's a very nice scarf you have there Susanna, said Candy, I remember seeing one just like this on a woman who was with Nicholas Pratt…say hi to him for me would you?
- How dare you??!!!! Said Susanna
- No, how dare you come here and interrupt my wedding??? Said Candy, you couldn't come yesterday or a week ago? You couldn't tell Terry at the theatre? You had to make a spectacle of yourself in public in front of my guests, my friends and family? Sorry, the little Mary Sunshine who gave you her man without blinking an eye, is no more! If you really slept with Terry, it was before we were back together…he was free to do what ever he wanted… If that baby is Terry's, we'll deal with it, but be sure of one thing; I'm not going to let Terry go to be with you! Never again, in million years!
Susanna didn't expect Candy to be so hard, she gave her Terry so easily the first time, this time with a pregnancy, and since Candy had a shelter for pregnant women, she thought she would get through to her… Or at least she would be angry enough at Terry for sleeping with her to let him go.
- Mom, let's go, I have to renew my vows to the man I love, said Candy, I'd invite you to the ceremony, but people are going to talk, and I'm the Rothschild's granddaughter, I have an image to keep. I still can't believe you did this Susanna!!! This is my wedding day!
Some security guards were there and they escorted Susanna and her mother out of the church.
The guests were whispering and talking. The priest come out with Candy's parents. Steven addressed the assembly.
- We apologise for the interruption, it was just an overzealous fan who couldn't stand to see her idol, the King of Broadway, get married! Well too bad for her, because my daughter is marrying the man she loves in a few moments. Thank you for your patience.
The bride and groom were getting ready and they finally came out and the ceremony resumed. At the time of the vows the priest asked them if they had prepared anything.
- We did, said Terry but we had a last minute change giving what happened earlier…
- We changed our vows, in fact we're going to say them together, because they're one and the same and Terry and I are one and the same…
They took a piece of paper, held it together and they started reading taking turns. Terry started;
- If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal, he said
- If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing, she said
- If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing.
- Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy.
- Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately,
- Love doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;
- Love doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
- Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
- Love never fails,
- But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease.
- Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
- But when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with.
- When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.
- For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.
- But now faith, hope, and love remain-these three. The greatest of these is love, they both finished looking at each other with love
There was so much power and so much love when they were reading that definition of love from the Bible. Candy was crying, so was her mother, her friends and most ladies in the assembly.
When the priest finally declared them husband and wife. Terry leaned and kissed his wife for a long time. When they stopped, they looked at each other;
- I love you, he said
- I love you, she said
Candy and Terry were united in front of God. Nothing and no one was going to come between them. Their love is going to be their shield, sword and helmet, and we all know that love never fails.