With this Ring…:
Standing at the altar, Don found it next to impossible to stand still. Even being surrounded by close friends and family, and knowing beyond any doubt that his bride loved him dearly, he couldn't shake the case of nerves.
"Major, if you don't stop fidgeting, I'm going to have to give you another sedative," said Smith, as he stood next to him.
"Oh, no you don't, Zach. The last time you did that, I was out for the whole day."
"Zach indeed," said Smith, indigently. "Have you no respect for the uniform?"
"Sorry, Colonel," said Don, with only a trace of irony in his voice.
Since Don was wearing his dress blues, Smith had decided to wear his own uniform. He was pleasantly surprised to find out that it still fit, for the most part, seeing he hadn't worn it since liftoff.
The field in front of the ship had been covered by prefab tiles, forming a smooth surface for the ceremony. It would double as a dance floor later. Stanchions and ropes with floral arrangements formed the aisle that Judy would walk down.
"Relax, Major, the Professor is coming out now."
John Robinson walked out of the ship and down the ramp to the aisle formed by the ropes. With a prayer book in hand he solemnly made his way to the altar and took his place behind it. On the small table, that formed the altar, stood three candles and the rings Don and Judy would exchange.
"You okay, Don?"
"Yeah, I don't know why I'm so nervous."
"Don't worry about it. Trust me, it's normal," said John, knowingly.
...
Inside the ship, Maureen had closed the main viewport and the outer hatch so no one would see the bride until she stepped outside. Judy was dealing with her own case of butterflies.
"Mother, I'm marrying the man of my dreams, why am I so nervous?" she asked.
"It's perfectly normal, dear. Once you get to the altar with Don, you'll be fine."
"Judy, you look absolutely beautiful," said Penny. "Don isn't going to be able to take his eyes off you."
"Thanks," said Judy. She paused for a moment to catch her breath. "I guess I'm ready."
...
Will and Brina waited patiently for the hatch to open, which was the signal to begin the music. The young friends had rehearsed two pieces that they were going to perform live for the ceremony. As the hatch opened they began to play the intro.
The sounds of Will's acoustic guitar and Brina's flute filled the air. As Penny walked slowly down the ramp, Will began to sing.
"He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits, here, has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is Love,
There is Love."
As Penny walked to the base of the ramp, Judy appeared at the top of the ramp with Maureen standing to her left. But Don saw only Judy. Her satin white dress was strapless, baring her shoulders and while the dress lacked the traditional train, it was still elegant. A tradition veil completed the outfit. She was wearing her hair up and even though Don preferred it down, she never looked more beautiful to him than she did right now.
"Well a man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home
They shall travel on to where the two shall be as one.
As it was in the beginning is now and 'til the end
Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again.
There is Love,
There is Love."
Judy kept her eyes on Don as she slowly made her way to the altar. In his eyes she found undying love and support and strength. Oh, she needed his strength right now, as her tears of joy were right on the edge. As she approached the altar she could see that his eyes were glistened with moisture as well. Her own tears began to fall freely.
"Well then what's to be the reason for becoming man and wife?
Is it love that brings you here or love that brings you life?
For if loving is the answer, then who's the giving for?
Do you believe in something that you've never seen before?
Oh there is Love,
There is Love."
Maureen flipped Judy's veil and kissed her on the cheek. She produced a handkerchief and dabbed away her daughter's tears. Reaching to Don, she kissed him on the cheek as well and joined their hands. Before leaving to sit, she reached to take her husband's hand, and held it for a moment.
"Oh the marriage of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is Love,
There is Love."
As John looked at his daughter and soon to be son-in-law, he too felt overcome with emotion. They were both tearing and John felt like he was going to join them when he felt a steadying presence enter his mind. Jarrock had stepped beside him for a moment, just long enough to help him order his thoughts. Without a word, he returned to his seat.
With renewed strength, John began the ceremony.
"Since the earliest days of sailing vessels, shipmasters have been granted the privilege, and the honor, of joining two people in one of our most hallowed institutions, and so we are gathered here today, in the sight of our friends and family, and in the presence of Almighty God, to join these two people, in the bonds of marriage. This most sacred union is not to be entered into, frivolously, or carelessly, but, reverently, and wisely."
"For the past five years, I have watched Don and Judy stand the test of time, and their love for each other has never once wavered. In the past three years, they have endured more than most couples do in a lifetime. Through it all, their love has endured, and it is my belief that a love and commitment as strong as the love Don and Judy have for each other, can never, and will never fail to carry them through the difficulties live can bring."
Professor Robinson paused for a moment to smile at his daughter and his best friend. He turned to Don.
"Donald Michael West, do you take this woman, Judith Elana Robinson, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward?"
"I do."
"Will you promise to love honor and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to keep above all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
Robinson turned to his daughter. For a brief moment he felt as if he would break down, but the strength Jarrock had given him held firm.
"Judith Elana Robinson, do you take this man, Donald Michael West, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward?"
"I do."
"Will you promise to love honor and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to keep above all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
"Don and Judy have some things they would like to say to each other," said the Professor. He motioned for Judy to begin.
"Don, since we left Earth, we have been through so much together. There were times that I didn't know if we would survive to see this day. But through all that, I've always known that you love me. And as we start our lives as husband and wife, I want you to know that you were my first love, you will be my last love, and you are my everything."
John could see that his friend was about to break down.
"Judy, I…" She smiled at his misstep and Don paused to collect himself. "I knew I should have gone first."
His remark brought a chuckle from everyone and the distraction gave him a few minutes to order his thoughts.
"Judy, I knew that I loved you from the day that we met. You have a trusting gentleness that makes me look at the world through better eyes, your eyes. And you have always had an inner strength that leaves me in awe. I don't know what the future holds for us but I know we can face it together. I love you, Judy, and I always will."
John picked up the smaller of the two rings and handed it to Don. He took Judy's left hand and placed the ring on her finger saying, "With this ring, I thee wed, promising all of my love and faithfulness, forevermore."
Taking the remaining ring, John handed it to his daughter. She took Don's left hand and placed the ring on his finger saying, "With this ring, I thee wed, promising all of my love and faithfulness, forevermore."
Professor Robinson lit the candles on either end of the table. Don and Judy each took one of the candles and joined the flames just above the unlit candle. They lowered them together to light the middle candle.
"The candle flame signifies life. By joining the flames to light the middle candle, Don and Judy have shown that they are now one heart, one soul, and one life."
"In the giving and receiving of rings, and by reciting their sacred vows, Don and Judy have pledged their love, honor, and commitment, in the presence of their fellows, and in the sight of God and what He has joined together, let no man put asunder. By the power vested in me, as the Commander of the Jupiter 2, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Don, you may kiss your bride."
Don took his new wife into his arms, kissing her gently at first. Judy reciprocated, reaching around his neck and drawing him deeper into the kiss. As the kiss deepened, the world around them fell away and they became lost in the moment. They didn't come up for air until John cleared his throat.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, Major and Mrs. Donald West," said a slightly amused John Robinson.
Brina and Will began playing the intro to their next piece. This time, it was Brina who began to sing as Don and Judy walked down the aisle, now as husband and wife.
"I will pledge my heart, to the love we share,
Through the good and bad times too.
I'll forsake my rest for your happiness:
'Til my death I will stand by you.
Will joined in with Brina singing in harmony, as Doctor Smith escorted Penny down the aisle.
With God as my witness, this vow I will make;
To have and to hold you, no other to take.
For rich or for poor, under skies grey or blue,
'Til my death I will stand by you."
Brina dropped off and Will picked up the next verse.
There are wars and there are rumors, of wars yet to come.
Temptations we'll have to walk through.
Though others may tremble, I will not run.
'Til my death I will stand by you.
The pair sang the remainder of the song in harmony with each other. Maureen followed the wedding party, planning on getting some pictures for Judy's wedding album.
I will put on the armor of faithfulness,
To fight for a heart that is true.
'Til the battle is won, I will not rest.
'Til my death I will stand by you.
With God as my witness, this vow I will make;
To have and to hold you, no other to take.
For rich or for poor, under skies grey or blue,
'Til my death I will stand by you.
'Til the battle is won, I will not run.
'Til my death I will stand by you.
...
While his wife was taking pictures of the newlyweds, John stood at the altar, contemplating the events of the day. Jarrock soon joined him.
"I don't know if I would have gotten through the ceremony without your support, Jarrock. Maureen and I are going to miss both you and Lana."
"You underestimate yourself, John. The strength you found was yours. All I did was helped you set your mind at ease. When we are settled, I will send word by messenger of our safe arrival."
"When do you have leave?"
"Tomorrow, at sunrise, it is a long journey."
John and Maureen had offered to take them in the chariot but transporting their horses would be a problem.
"Once you have established yourselves, Maureen and I would like to visit. We might even surprise you by flying in, once we get the space pod repaired.
"Lana and I will look forward to that, John."
...
A short time later the family and friends were gathered around the table. Just before they started to eat, John, Maureen, Penny, and Doctor Smith started tapping on their glasses with their utensils. Looks of confusion could be seen from Jarrock's family. Don and Judy finally smiled and turned to kiss each other.
"What is the significance of this tapping?" Lana asked Maureen.
"It started as an old medieval tradition. In medieval times, the wine was often poisoned so the host would take a sample of the wine served to the guests and drink it himself. After that, the guests would tap their glasses indicating that they trusted their host. The clinking of the glass signifies trust, honesty, and good health. At a wedding, it is a way for the guests to get the bride and groom to express their love by kissing."
"Oh, in that case…" Lana picked up a fork and started tapping. She was soon joined by everyone else at the table.
As Don and Judy kissed again, Doctor Smith stood with his glass in hand.
"May I have your attention?" he asked, waiting until it was quiet. "As best man, the responsibility of the wedding toast falls to me, dare I say, much to the Major's chagrin."
Smith's remark brought a round of laughter from the table.
"In all seriousness, I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see the two of you starting your journey as husband and wife. Donald, Judith, I wish you both joy, happiness, and a long life together."
"Hear, hear."
...
A few days before leaving Houston, and a week before the launch, Don and Judy had managed to get away for a night of dinner and dancing. They both knew that this night would probably be the last time they would spend any quality time before the mission left Earth. They so enjoyed the evening that it was over before they knew it. When the band leader announced the last song of the night, Don took Judy's hand and led her onto the dance floor.
The song was a rock ballad that Don remembered from his early days at the academy. As he held her close, the words of the song spoke to his heart and he lost himself in Judy's deep blue eyes.
I see forever, when I look in your eyes,
You're all I ever wanted,
I always want you to be mine.
Let's make a promise till the end of time,
We'll always be together,
And our love will never die.
That was over four years ago, and now, as their song was played, he found himself reliving that special night, as he clung tight to his new bride on the dance floor.
So here we are face to face,
And heart to heart.
I want you to know we will never be apart,
Now I believe that wishes can come true,
'Cause I see my whole world, I see only you.
When I look into your eyes,
I can see how much I love you,
And it makes me realize.
When I look into your eyes,
I see all my dreams come true,
When I look into your eyes.
As she twirled around the dance floor with her new husband, Judy too, recalled the events of that evening. At the end of the song they had shared a long deep kiss, and she knew that she had found her life mate, and now, she was going to start a life with him.
I've looked for you all of my life
Now that I've found you
We will never say goodbye
I can't stop this feeling
There's nothing I can do
'Cause I see everything when I look at you.
...
While Don and Judy were distracted on the dance floor, Penny, T'lan, Will, and Brina were planning a little mission of their own. The chariot that the newlyweds would use to travel to the Jupiter 6 was getting a new exterior design.
"Will, are you sure this stuff will come off after?" asked Penny, as she spelled out Just Married on the back window.
"Sure Penny, it's just white shoe polish," he said, as he finished tying the last streamer to the top rung of the ladder. "Boy, are they going to be surprised."
"I do not understand," T'lan began. "What is the purpose of altering the appearance of the vehicle?"
"It's tradition," said Penny. "Although, it would be much more fun to see them driving down Main Street USA," she finished as she drew a heart with newlywed's names inside."
...
When Don and Judy were ready to leave, they started laughing when they saw the gussied up chariot.
"Jupiter 6 or bust, who's idea was this?" asked Don, in a good natured way. He looked towards Smith.
"I assure you Major, I'm innocent."
"I'll bet," said West, but he said it with a smile.
John and Maureen approached their daughter and son-in-law. John took his eldest daughter in his arms. "You will always be my little girl."
While John and Judy shared a moment, Maureen gathered Don into her embrace. "Don, you have been my oldest son, long before you married Judy. You two take care of each other, okay?"
"I promise, Maureen…Mom."
Maureen's face brightened with a beautiful smile. She stepped back to allow her husband a chance to say his goodbyes.
John took Don's hand in a firm grip which West responded in kind. "I know I don't have to say this, but, take care of her."
"I will, John with every fiber of my being."
Robinson pulled his son-in-law into a bear hug, "Take care of yourself too," said the Professor.
When John released him, Don turned to help his wife into the waiting chariot. He climbed in behind her and took his place in the driver's seat. The engine started and the newlyweds were on their way.
While the rest of the family went back to the party, John and Maureen stood there, arm in arm, for a long while after the chariot was out of sight.