Chapter 39 Vows within the Oval

It's always good to now the title of the chapter before you start usually it means it will write itself. I get a feeling this one may take some time so you'll have to bear with me. Ut normaliter dicere non dominium importatur seu. Yep that was it I only own what I create, Tantum habent quod creare. If my Latin is any good at all today that should cover all the legal and illegal quandaries that should arise from this trip into fantasy and fiction.

Arrivals

Penny and Leonard stepped out of the car at the chateau. Lisel was last out holding her rabbit Rascal and wide eyed at the huge half castle half stone house before them. The house had white washed stone walls, attached to an even older tower structure that still had slit windows and crenellations around its top conical roof. The French flag flew from the top of the tower. The house itself was a four story affair if Leonard had to guess would contain about 150 rooms. He looked over at Penny who actually had a ghastly look on her face. "This is not particularly small and intimate Leonard." He reached over and took her hand, "We're not getting married in the Chateau Penny but we'll get ready there. My friend Daphne will be here already." Leonard gently turned Penny away from the house to the grounds leading away from the tower.

The grounds were immaculate green grass and formal hedges leading down to a large lake. On the edge of the lake was a yellow marble structure. It was oval shaped with a domed roof of the same marble and a striking white cross at its apex. Paths led down to it from several directions all a very fine cobblestone. Penny smiled, "Oh that is lovely, much better. How old is it?" Lisel's hand found Penny's other hand. "Somewhere about 300 years I've been told, we're the first people to be married here in about 50 years." Leonard replied, a wide grin spreading across his face.

They started walking toward the chapel, "Well it's definitely better than "The Little White Wedding Chapel" in Vegas, but do they have Elvis?" Penny cracked herself up, Leonard was laughing also though Lisel looked confused. "Who's Elvis?" Leonard ran a hand over her head, "No one important to us today darling."

They got to the chapel and saw that it was a true oval setting perpendicular to the lake with doors inset on the lake side at the narrowest point of the oval one on each side. Leonard opened the door for his girls and they ventured inside. It was lit by candles as well as by an oval skylight in the ceiling. The oval was perhaps 45 feet at its longest point and 30 feet wide inside. Around the inside walls were stone benches facing inward. Enough to seat about 20 people comfortably. Offset from the center toward the far end of the oval shaped chapel was a small altar. It was not in itself ornately made but simple and of the same marble that the chapel and benches were made from. It was set in such a way that it was bathed in a circle of sunlight probably for the entire afternoon. The chapel had been decorated with orchids and rose garlands on the walls and altar. It was overwhelming austere yet lovely. The door opened behind them and a slight woman in her late 50's entered. Leonard turned to her, "It's lovely Daphne you were right the pictures could not do it justice. Penny this is Daphne Chenonceau this is her family's estate and Daphne you remember Lisel from when she was a baby."

Daphne took Penny's hand gently in hers and patted it with the other, "It's so nice to finally meet you Penny. Liisa and I used to watch your TV show on the internet. It was one of our favorites." Penny smiled at Daphne but before she could speak Daphne had moved onto Lisel. She squatted down to her height and gave her a hug. "Hello Little Lisel, I'm Daphne and your mother Liisa was one of my finest friends. You weren't even talking yet the last time I held you. I was there when you were born." Lisel looked at her for a moment then smiled, "Hello Daphne"

Daphne stood and looked around the Chapel. "This was the celebratory chapel for the Chateau, weddings, christenings, confirmations and blessings were performed here. My mother was married here she was the last one before you two. The way this will work is that you will stand with your back to the altar standing in the sunlight facing the door as your friends and family enters. The judge in his robes will be behind the altar and behind you. When everyone is seated he will come around and stand in front of you and the ceremony will be performed with you facing your guests. That is the tradition of this chapel and my family."

Penny smiled at Daphne, then looked at Leonard, "You were right intimate, subtle and yet terribly romantic. " Daphne smiled back at her then over at Leonard, "The only change from what we talked about is that my Uncle Robert is Ill so we have another judge who will perform the wedding. He's about your age Leonard I think you will like him." Daphne reached out and took Lisel's hand and started leading her to the door. "Let's get you all up to the house so you can start getting ready. Penny your hair dresser and make up girl came in last night but they are ready to go this morning."

Penny turned toward Leonard taking his hand, "You brought Sheila and Mindy over to do my hair and makeup?"

Leonard just smiled rather modestly, "They are your friends. I worked it with Josh after we came over to Geneva. They still think you're doing a photo shoot but they get a week in Paris when their done." Penny leaned over and kissed his neck and cheek, "Thank you honey that was very sweet and now I can really look my best and have my friends at the wedding."

They walked hand in hand behind Daphne and Lisel who by now was asking questions.

"Is this your house Daphne, it's very large and beautiful?"

"It's my family home Lisel but I live in Geneva and work were your grandfather does most of the year. I'm a mathematician like your grandmother though I could never teach as she does."

They neared the house as a young man came through the door and tipped his hat to Daphne, "Good morning Baroness"

Daphne smiled back, "Good Morning Jean-Paul"

Lisel looked up at Daphne, "What's a Baroness?" Daphne smiled at Lisel, "That's just what we call the oldest lady that lives in this house, ready to see it?"

Lisel just nodded and they entered 18th century abode..

Preoperational Preparations

Daphne had given them a brief tour of the ground floor but time was short. They had left the Hotel at 9:30 it was now 11:00. They needed to be in the chapel before 12:30. Because all the guests were coming at the same time they would greet them there. If it had been one of Daphne's families wedding then the Baron would walk the bride into the church. But Penny and Leonard wanted to be standing there with Lisel greeting there few guests and taking their vows. Daphne showed them to a suite of rooms. There were two bedrooms connected by a central parlor. Each bedroom had its own bath. The entire suite was actually decorated with very modern furnishings both comfortable and stylish.

Leonard kissed Penny as she turned with Lisel and headed for the room where Sheila and Mindy waited. Leonard ventured into his bedroom and looked about. His garment bag was hanging in the bathroom. There was a well-stocked bar but he decided to abstain. He knew Penny would take the entire time getting ready. Leonard figured the time it would take him to get dressed and ready would be about 10 minutes. He actually was feeling rather lonely. Maybe that was why you had a best man at a wedding, he thought, to keep you out of the bar before the ceremony and to play a cards with. Leonard sat down in the soft chair by the bed, pulled his phone out and started playing Tetris.

There was a knock at his door. Leonard didn't rise but just paused his game and told them to come in. Penny stuck her head around the door he could see she was wrapped in a towel, "I thought you might be lonely over here want to come help Lisel and I get ready. You can watch Mindy and Sheila in action and help Lisel get dressed. Leonard rose and started for the door, "Not worried about bad luck or anything?

Penny almost laughed, "We could call Sheldon to calculate the odds."

Leonard did laugh, "No the research questioner would be too grueling for either of us. We better just wing it." Leonard followed what he now realized was a scantily clad Penny next door. She had on white lace panties and was holding the towel over her breasts. Leonard considered the rest of the day to come, "So far so good" he said as he watched her go through the door..

Readiness Quotient

Leonard sat on a small sofa with Lisel helping get her shoes on. She stood and showed her dress off to him that she had gotten for Christmas. The pink and white dress with small kittens embroidered on the hem and neckline. With the matching shoes and white stockings she looked darling. Leonard looked over toward the makeup table where Sheila and Mindy were putting the finishing touches on Penny. She was still wrapped in the towel and smiled at him in the mirror. Mindy came over and got Lisel so she could do her hair. Penny turned in the chair and gave him a dazzling smile. "It time for your to get dressed Leonard, I just need to put on my gown and shoes then I'll be ready."

Leonard smiled back and headed back to his bedroom to get dressed. He was wearing a black Italian tuxedo. The shirt was bright white with a Nehru collar and sapphire button at his throat, his Uncle Floyd's gold cuff links at his wrists. It took less than the estimated 10 minutes to get ready. His hair combed, checking for no food in his teeth. Leonard walked back to the parlor. He checked his phone it was 12:35 everyone would be arriving shortly. The door to Penny's bedroom opened. Leonard waited patiently as first Mindy and Sheila made their way out. Both were dressed in short black dresses. Then Lisel appeared melting Leonard's heart. Still in the Christmas dress with tiny white flowers woven into her hair.

Penny at last came through the door. Her dress was a brilliant white lace off the shoulder with long sleeves. Weaved into the dress from the neckline to the waist were small sequined and sapphire snowflakes. Leonard stood and she smiled at him. Her hair was pulled behind her head and hung in long ringlets down her shoulders and back. Weaved into it were small white and blue flowers. She must have been wearing flats under the long dress because Leonard was just slightly taller than her. She had a bouquet of yellow and blue flowers in her hand. Around her neck was the golden filet chain Leonard had given her for Christmas.

Leonard let "Wow", escape his lips. Leonard was without words for several seconds a very unusual problem for the normally verbose professor. When he did speak he chose carefully. "Beautiful and stunning are not enough Penny, magnificent comes to mind."

Penny walked over and took Leonard's offered arm and switched her bouquet into that hand and let Lisel take hers.

Arrival Ceremony

Penny, Leonard and Lisel stood before the altar facing the doors Penny on the left, Leonard on the right with Lisel between them. Judge Edgard Durante had been there to meet them and be introduced by Daphne when they got to the chapel. He was Leonard age or slightly younger. Dark hair and eyes and Penny thought a very attractive man. He had explained to them that the entire ceremony except the last announcement could be in English. Daphne placed them in front of the altar and got down to talk to Lisel again. "You will stay here with you father until he touches your shoulder. Then walk over and sit with your grandparents they'll be right there", she pointed at the closest bench to Lisel's right. She stood back up and touched Leonard cheek softlythen Penny's. "When I shut the doors touch Lisel and point her toward Horst and Lena. Then Edgard will move around to stand in front of you and start the ceremony. Penny and Leonard both nodded.

Penny felt a little nervous, no rehearsal, no table reading, just stand up here and do it. She smirked and looked at Leonard, "My wedding is improv." Leonard smiled back at her, "You wanted intimate and casual, but romantic and special. How'd I do so far?" She relaxed and smiled at him. She reached over and handed him her ring which he put in his left pocket. Penny was about to suggest the other pocket when the doors were opened and their guests started to file in. Horst and Lena were first, then Howard and Bernadette, Raj and Priya, Mindy and Sheila. The last in was Sheldon carrying Tyler following behind Beverly and Amy. Everyone smiled and some waved. Leonard, Lisel and Penny waved and smiled back. Once everyone was seated Daphne closed the doors. Before Leonard could touch Lisel she had started toward her grandparents and sat between them.. Leonard and Penny moved toward each other and Judge Durante came around the altar and faced the gathering.

"I am Judge Edgard Durante of the magistrate's court of Paris. I will officiate at this ceremony. By law I must ask if anyone knows a reason these two adults should not be married."

"Very well then let us begin." Judge Durante turned back to Leonard and Penny, "Please join hands."

Penny placed her bouquet on the altar behind them and took Leonard's hand in hers. She was shaking but Leonard was rock steady. She looked into his face, he had on The Smile and his eyes were soft and gentle yet strong and supportive. The vows went quickly. The traditional French version said by Edgard that they repeated:

"I, Leonard, take you, Penny, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; till death separates us.

I, Penny, take you, Leonard, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; till death separates us.

Leonard will you take Penny to be you legally wedded wife?

I do.

Penny will you take Leonard to be you legally wedded husband?

I do.

It is traditional for a marriage to be sealed with a token from husband to wife do you have such a token Leonard?

I do this ring."

Penny watched Leonard reach into his right pocket, knowing the ring was in his left. She moved her eyes toward his left. Leonard was very solemn still smiling he produced a ring from his right pocket. Penny had to keep from gasping. The ring was gold with two beautiful interlaced diamond snowflakes in platinum upon the gold. Leonard took her hand and slid it on her left ring finger. Penny could feel tears sliding down her face.

"I must announce the following line in French by Law, En vertu des lois de la France je prononce maintenant votre mari et la femme. In English Under the laws of France I now pronounce your husband and wife. Please kiss your bride."

Penny was pretty sure it was Howard doing the woot, wooting when they kissed but she couldn't be sure. Penny felt tears on her lips and then Leonard lips were upon hers, softly and with a gentleness that made her cry harder. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. Then together they turned and faced their applauding friends and family.

Nuf Said, and it only took three drafts.

Reviews are awesome, tweets, emails, blog comments are all welcome.

I'm going to add this for some friends of mine it's always been a favorite of mine as well:

Hope

It hovers in dark corners
before the lights are turned on,
it shakes sleep from its eyes
and drops from mushroom gills,
it explodes in the starry heads
of dandelions turned sages,
it sticks to the wings of green angels
that sail from the tops of maples.

It sprouts in each occluded eye
of the many-eyed potato,
it lives in each earthworm segment
surviving cruelty,
it is the motion that runs the tail of a dog,
it is the mouth that inflates the lungs
of the child that has just been born.

It is the singular gift
we cannot destroy in ourselves,
the argument that refutes death,
the genius that invents the future,
all we know of God.

It is the serum which makes us swear
not to betray one another;
it is in this poem, trying to speak.

~ Lisel Mueller ~

(Alive Together: New and Selected Poems)