"I once was lost, but now am found

Was blind, but now I see~"

Someone with a Southern accent exclaimed "Amen!", and there was an appropriate amount of laughter and applause in response. The pastor smiled as he nodded to the back of the sanctuary, and the doors opened. In came Helen Keller and her father, two young flower girls sprinkling the aisle ahead with white rose petals, jumping and twirling about with and overflow of youthful glee. Though Helen's father walked with a cane, he kept his head high and proud. He only allowed himself a small smile once he gave Helen away at the altar.

The pastor cleared his throat, then spoke. "Brothers and sister in Christ, we are gathere here today in holy matrimony to witness the union of Helen Keller and Vegeta; a union which does show how wherever there might be loneliness, God gives love as He gave His Only-Begotten Son to us; that where there would be darkness He illuminates by the Grace of His Holy Ghost, and that where there would be hope beyond our grasp God Himself proclaims the victory already won!

There are trial that eveery marriage faces, and though by The Lord's miraculous Hand these two have overcome challenges already, there are trials yet to come that must be faced; and it is through faith in The Lord and trust in each other these struggles must be met with and overcome.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, Who in the beginning didst institute the Sacrament of Marriage, bless with happiness this union, and grant that amid all the changes and chances of mortal life they may may so live together in Thy love and fear, that in the end they may meet in Thy eternal home. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen." The pastor gestured to the audience. "The couple will now make their vows."

Vegeta swallowed, and looked at Helen for a moment: her full skirt, snow white and swathed in a layer of breathy lace, and set with small pearls, a simple belt high on her waist; long white sleeves covered in more lace that dripped down to the floor. Vegeta's black tuxedo almost seemed like a rag in comparison. "Uh, Helen, from this day forward I vow to not raise my hand where a word would do, to extend my hand to your aid whenever you should need it, and yet also to go warlike in love and fight for your honor against those who would tarnish it."

"I love you," Helen mouthed. "Vegeta, from this day onward I vow to look after you and come to your side whenever the need arises, to be a companion and love worth fighting for."

The pastor looked from Helen to Vegeta before saying to him quietly, "Do you, Vegeta, take this woman Helen Keller to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to cherish in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or worse for all your days?"

"I do."

The pastor repeated the traditional question for Helen, who barely waited for him to finish before saying, "I do!"

The pastor smiled, his crow's feet showing. "If there are any who would not that these two should be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace." The room fell silent, and Annie pointedly staring down at her hands folded on her lap, while several people had their hands ready to applaud. "Then what The Lord has joined together let no man tear asunder. By the power vested in me by God and the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride."

Vegeta lifted Helen's veil and let it fall back over her hair, and gave her a short kiss lacking in any passion- for they both knew there would be plenty of that later.

EPILOGUE

The possessiveness of Vegeta's voice was deep and strong, its triumphant throb cutting throught the layers of sexual delight as thoroughly as a knife through warm butter; and it hit Helen like a deluge of cold water.

They both relaxed onto the downy bed, sated for the moment. Helen glanced to the side at the painting by that Austrian boy(Adolf? Yes...) that Vegeta despised- even to telling the young boy to give up on painting and join the military- eyes briefly sweeping over the simple textures. They now toured Austria and visited the mountains near Bielefeld every year on their anniversary. But it was another soul-crushingly long Wednesday, and only one thiry-five in the afternoon.

"Vegeta," Helen asked playfully. "What are we even going to do tonight?"

Vegeta noted the twinkle in his wife's eyes, and replied, "The same thing we try to do every night, Helen..."

THE END