Chapter 9

2:00pm, December 25

Tarikihongan Temple.

The wedding ceremony itself was to be held in the temple proper, rather than the house where Keiichi and the gang were living. Mostly because there wasn't nearly enough space in the Tea Room to house all the guests and the wedding party. Keiichi and Belldandy would exchange their vows under a flower-covered canopy in the sight of the massive gold and brass Buddha that filled the temple space. The number of guests came to about twenty or so. Mostly members of the Motor Club and a few acquaintances from school and town.

Originally, it was decided that there would be two blocks of seats for the bride and groom's guests, but after seeing that everyone wanted to sit on Belldandy's side of the hall, the seats for Keiichi's guests were removed. Standing to the left of the canopy were Bell's bridesmaids, all resplendent in their strapless blue dresses.

And to the right of the canopy were Tamiya and Ootaki fidgeting in their monkey suits, ogling the girls and generally yukking it up. They wanted to get the ceremony over with so they could start chowing down on the incredible spread that Hiro and his cooks had laid on, as well as the bottles of beer, sake and wine that were chilling on ice for the reception.

The bridesmaids were looking each other over, still agog at how Belldandy's creations had enhanced each girl's appearance. They still couldn't get over how well Hasegawa had blossomed when she put on the dress. Hasegawa was still stunned by the conversion and was excitedly bouncing around like a schoolgirl who had found the perfect outfit in which to go clubbing.

Standing under the canopy wearing a priest's vestments was the Reverend Hideki Kasunori, a friend of Chihiro's who was the pastor of a local Anglican church not far from the temple, who was more than happy to preside over Keiichi and Belldandy's wedding. A tall, thin older man with a large smile and a friendly disposition, Kasunori had met with Keiichi and Belldandy a few days prior to the wedding to discuss the ceremony, and knew from when he first met them, that they were meant for each other.

He had been doing pre-marital counseling for years, and had seen his share of couples who clearly weren't going to make it through the trials of marriage, much less past the wedding, and though he had tried to counsel them and give them the best preparation he could, he knew from long experience and keen observation which couples were destined to stay together, and which would inevitably be bound for divorce court.

But as soon as Hideki laid eyes on Kei and Bell, he knew. It was so clear to him, that this couple more than any he had ever counseled in his long years as a clergyman, were meant to be married. He was so convinced of Keiichi and Belldandy's compatibility, that beyond discussing what kind of ceremony they wanted to have, he gave them no pre-marital counseling at all, other than to take care of each other. "There's nothing more I can tell you two. You are perfect for each other." he said, his quiet and gentle voice quivering in awe at the sight before him.

A man of deep faith and spirituality, Kasunori could feel that there was a powerful bond between Keiichi and Belldandy that transcended mere love. While he knew that the couple were not Anglican, nor even Christian for that matter, he could sense that there was a supernatural force that surrounded and radiated between the God and his Goddess. These two had seen and experienced a lot together, they had given their lives to each other, Kasunori surmised. And while he could not discern what that force was, he knew that, somehow, this couple, more than any other he had counseled, would be all right.

Keiichi and Reverend Kasunori were standing by at the front of the canopy making small talk while waiting for Belldandy to enter the hall. The guests were talking amongst themselves speculating on Belldandy's gown. The Goddess made it abundantly clear that no one would see the wedding gown before the ceremony.

At exactly 2:00pm, from out of nowhere, an unseen choir sang a soft chorus of incomparable harmony and beauty. The sound filled the hall with its richness. Everyone in the hall looked around for the source of the music. Keiichi asked Kasunori, "Did we discuss anything about you bringing your church's choir here to provide music?" Kasunori, momentarily at a loss for words, shook his head. "No, not at all. It's definitely not my choir. We've never sounded this good."

Along with the choir was the sound of bells of all sizes in the background complementing the choral offering, not overpowering it.

The audience was overcome by the beautiful singing. The ceremony hadn't even started yet, and the handkerchiefs were coming out and the tears were flowing.

The door at the rear of the temple opened and there she stood...

Belldandy.

As one, everyone looked to the rear of the hall.

And everyone was struck silent at the sight of the Goddess.

She stood holding a small bouquet of flowers. Head up, and proud. A smile as wide as Heaven itself on her radiant face. Like she owned the place.

Keiichi's father, Keima, dignified in a gray tuxedo, had Belldandy on his arm as they slowly walked into the hall and towards the canopy and a waiting and stunned wedding party. And for the first time ever, Keima looked completely comfortable standing in close quarters with a woman.

Belldandy's waist length hair wasn't tied in the usual ponytail, but was arranged in a complex spiraling braid at the back of her head. And instead of it being its normal chestnut brown, it was blonde. Platinum blonde. Keiichi knew what that signified. Belldandy removed the earring that acted as a restraint for her power. She was unfettered. In full charge of all of her power. She could destroy the Earth, if she so desired. Keiichi thought to himself, "What is she doing? She's only allowed to release her full power with Kami-sama's permission. I hope she's not expecting some sort of trouble."

And the gown...

At the sight of that gown, thirty jaws hit the ground simultaneously.

It was pure white, almost as bright as the sun. Strapless and snug at the bodice like her bridesmaid's dresses, only studded with hundreds of tiny pearls, and flared out into a flowing full length skirt with layers and layers of petticoats. The train was at least six feet long. Belldandy's veil was almost as if a cloud of wispy vapor had settled over her face and head. It looked like it could break up in the slightest breeze. It was a beautiful gown in it's own right, but it was transformed into a true spectacle when Belldandy wore it. It was perfect in every detail. The way it flowed and moved as Belldandy walked down the aisle, if one didn't know better, they could swear that the gown was actually alive.

A collective sigh came from the mesmerized audience as Belldandy arrived at the canopy. She gave Keima a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Keima." She said as he backed away.

He said to Keiichi, "Because Belldandy's parents weren't here, she asked me to give her away. It was my pleasure."

Keiichi said, "Thank you, Keima."

"Thank you, son."

Keiichi was about to protest when Keima put his finger to his mouth to schuss him. "Just this once, okay?" Keima said, as he tipped Keiichi a wink.

Kei and Bell turned to Reverend Kasunori, who was still entranced by the heavenly visage standing before him and was struck dumb.

Keiichi whispered, "Father, you can start now."

Kasunori, like the pro he was, didn't miss a beat.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered together in this place to witness the joining together of Keiichi Morisato and Belldandy. Two lives who have chosen to become as one in Holy Matrimony." After a moment's pause, Kasunori continued, "Marriage is a sacred and binding obligation. One that must not be entered into frivolously, or for personal gain. If there is anyone here, who knows of a reason why these two should not be joined together, let them speak now."

A high pitched shriek came from the bridesmaid's side of the hall. "I object, I-I-I-mmmph" before it was immediately silenced by a non too happy Urd.

Kasunori looked at Urd, "Is there an objection noted?"

Urd said will grinning like a Cheshire cat, "No, Padre. No objections, Move along. Nothing to see here," as she held her hand firmly clamped over the mouth of her younger sister Skuld, who was squirming and protesting mightily to no avail.

Kasunori continued. "In place of the usual vows, Keiichi and Belldandy have chosen to use their own. You may proceed, Keiichi.

Kei and Bell turned to each other and held hands. Keiichi could feel the power rippling between them through the Sacred Coupling. Her power was merging with his at a level that only they could perceive and understand. The vows they spoke were but a mere shell of the true energy and commitment that was passing between them. Keiichi began:

"Belldandy,. In the presence of these who witness these vows, I swear that I will always love you, honor you, cherish you, protect you, stand beside you and make you the center of my life. In the sunshine, and the rain, in good times and bad. In danger and in safety. My life and all that have and am, is yours, as yours is mine. From this day forward, there is no you or me, there is only us. I will live for you, and if necessary, will die for you. Dearest Belldandy, I have but one wish. I wish that a woman like you, would stay by my side forever."

Tears came to Belldandy's eyes as Keiichi said these words. She knew that there was but one answer:

"Keiichi, when I first met you four years ago, I somehow knew that we were destined to stand in this holy place before our friends and loved ones and pledge to live our lives as one. All this time, you have taken me into your life, and loved me, cherished me, made me the center of your existence. Even when you couldn't put those feelings into words, I knew that you loved me and only me. We have seen and experienced so much together, and even through the bad times, you've never turned your back on me or abandoned me. You have always put me and my feelings before your own, and I owe you my life. I make this vow before all these witnesses that I will always be by your side. I will always love you, cherish you, defend you, and will grow old with you. I want to bear your children. You will be at the core of my life, and my love for you will be as strong a hundred years from now, as it is today."

The tears were really flowing in the audience now. Even Ootaki and Tamiya were bawling like oversized babies. The bridesmaids were going through tissues by the boxful. And while Rev. Kasunori had officiated at hundreds of weddings, even he was unable to stifle a stray tear as it rolled down his face. "If only other couples had shown this much devotion to each other," he thought.

After Belldandy finished her vow, Kasunori said to the audience, "You have witnessed the vows of these two wonderful people, and now they will seal those vows with the exchanging of the rings.

Keiichi reached into his pocket, fingering the small box Takano gave him, he opened it and pulled out a beautiful gold ring with two diamonds set into it. He held out Belldandy's hand as he slipped the ring on her finger, it fit perfectly. "This ring belonged to my grandmother. Takano promised to give it to whomever got married first, either me or Megumi. So now, I'm presenting it to you as a token of my love and affection for you."

Belldandy was overcome with emotion. "It's beautiful, Keiichi. I shall never take it off. Here." Bell produced a ring of her own. From where on that gown, no one knew. It was also made of gold with a series of fine runes engraved in the surface. "It's a very special ring, that I had made right after you proposed to me." She placed the ring on his finger, and he could feel power transferring from the warm metal into him. Belldandy said quietly, for him alone. "The runes convey a special meaning. And I'll explain it to you when we're on our honeymoon."

Kausnori finished the ceremony. "Now that the rings have been exchanged, and the vows sealed, It is my privilege and honor to pronounce you man and wife. Keiichi, you may kiss your bride."

Keiichi lifted the veil and beheld his Goddess's face. So pure, so wonderful, and yet so powerful. He caressed Bell's face as he kissed her passionately. An odor of fresh flowers overwhelmed his senses, and he once again heard Belldandy's laughter and overwhelming sense of peace surround him.

When they separated, Kasunori said triumphantly, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise as it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, Keiichi and Belldandy Morisato!"

Belldandy Morisato, that had a nice ring to it.

The crowd rose and applauded loudly and cheered vigorously as Keiichi and Belldandy headed down the aisle and out of the temple, man and wife, God and Goddess.