Chapter 91- Love Never Fails
*It's here! The day is finally here! I'll be honest… I really didn't think it would take me this many chapters to get to their wedding, but as Nathan and Charlotte's story unfolded for me and my writing journey, I loved taking the extra opportunities and time to develop deeper characters and a deeper love story.
Was it simple? No. Was it worth it? Gosh, I hope so. But I'll let y'all be the judge of that.
As I post this chapter… My one hope is that I do it justice for you faithful readers who have been with Nathan and Charlotte (and me) for oh so long. I hope that my very novice writing is able to bring to life the setting, the characters, and the emotions of this moment. I want you to be able to hear the music (by the way for the version of the processional I chose- search on YouTube for Be Thou My Vision by Cim Frode Strings by Mail)- happy sigh. I want you to be immersed in that little white church and feel like you are experiencing all the sights and joys of the moment right along with the residents of Hope Valley and Brookfield. And I hope you are able to see Nathan and Charlotte and FEEL their emotions for each other throughout the ceremony. As two lives become one.
Finally, I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed bringing it to life. Love to you all!
Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion for Nathan since he arrived at the church. He stood in the back for a while, greeting their guests who filtered in and filled each pew that had been accessorized with pine boughs. The sun had just set, and the church was lit from within with the most beautiful glow of familial love. Greenery and pinecones decorated around the altar. The women of Hope Valley had even taken the time to artificially frost holly and ivy leaves with a mixture of alum and boiled water and spread the trimmings throughout the space.
Part of Nathan had always envisioned an outdoor wedding and with the beautiful, yet rather simplistic decorations in the church, he felt as if he was marrying Charlotte in the middle of their pine forest of the meadow. The air smelled fresh and slightly spicy, a mixture of warm cider and gingerbread.
As the guests started to take their seats, Angela welcomed them by playing the piano. Beautiful arrangements of hymns and carols, fitting of the evening.
"She plays like an angel, doesn't she?" Joseph asked, coming to stand beside Nathan, placing a strong hand on his shoulder.
"She does," Nathan agreed as he turned to face Joseph. "I want to thank you and your family, Joseph. For everything you've done not only for the wedding and Charlotte's present, but for all the other times you have been such wonderful neighbors to us both."
"We are going to miss having Charlotte living beside us, but I've known since that first day she was in town that we would end up here for your wedding. I'm not going to say it was love at first sight between the two of you, because that seems too trite. Too simplistic for what you share. But what I saw so easily that day was that something within you had recognized something in her. You understood that she would be important to you, in ways that no one else ever had been before or would ever be again."
Nathan just smiled at Joseph. There was nothing more to add. Joseph, as well as so many others, had known what he and Charlotte had shared, long before either of them were able to admit it.
"Nervous?" Gabe asked as he and Bill came to join them at the back of the church.
Nathan let out a ragged breath. "How can you tell?"
"Probably from that little bead of sweat right here…" Bill commented starting to point to an area of Nathan's temple before Gabe batted his hand away.
"Don't listen to him. It's natural to be a little nervous on your wedding day," Gabe tried to reassure.
"How do you know if that's natural or not?" Bill quipped. "You haven't been brave enough to ask Ms. Walsh to marry you yet."
Gabe's elbow gave a playful jab to Bill's side, quieting the judge.
"I'm not nervous about my decision to actually get married. This is something I've wanted with her for so long," Nathan commented. He reached up and ran his hand through his hair before unbuttoning the top two clasps of his dress shirt. Hoping the action would settle his nerves a bit and allow him to breathe at a more normal rate. "I just want everything to be perfect for Charlotte."
"It will be. At the end of the day, you two will be husband and wife and nothing could be more perfect than that," Joseph commented.
"Joseph, it's time" Minnie scuttled in through the back door. "You, Bill, Gabe, and Nathan take your places at the front. Archie and Charlotte are walking across the field right now. Rosemary is going to give her the bouquet and then come in and take her seat next to Lee at the front there. Then we can begin."
Minnie placed a peck on Joseph's cheek before moving quickly down the aisle in front of the men, taking her position in the front row beside Cooper. On the other side of the aisle sat Maise, Lee, and Fred. As Nathan turned to face the entrance, he caught his mother's gaze. Maise giving her son a reassuring wink. The smallest gesture, but one that seemed to settle Nathan.
Joseph was right. No matter what happened. He and Charlotte would soon be husband and wife. He wanted to remember everything about the next few moments. The next few minutes. And the next few hours. To commit to memory the smallest of details, the way she looked, the way she smiled, the way she loved. So, in the future he could look back and remember every special moment of this blessed day.
"Wow!" Allie exclaimed, her voice full of wonder. "You are beautiful, Mom! As much as I love the way you look in that lace blouse and burgundy skirt you were going to wear, I'm so glad Mrs. Coulter convinced you to wear that!"
"She's right, Charlotte," Rosemary stepped down to the base of the church steps to greet Charlotte and Archie. "You are a natural beauty. This dress just accentuates that. Stunning is the only description I think does you any justice today."
Charlotte beamed a smile at her daughter and friend.
"Now, I know you would be just as happy with a bouquet of wildflowers picked from the meadow, but I wanted to put a little thought into this for you Charlotte," Rosemary said as she extended Charlotte's small bouquet to her. "These white narcissus represent new beginnings. The ivy for eternity, fidelity, and a strong affectionate attachment. The Queen Anne's Lace symbolizes safety, sanctuary, and refuge."
"And I think you already know what these represent." Rosemary tilted the bouquet slightly into the light spilling from the windows of the church, allowing Charlotte to clearly see the final element of her posy.
"Our forget-me-nots!" Charlotte gasped, taking the bouquet into her hands. "I can't believe… How? How did you get forget-me-nots? They are always killed in the first frost of the year!"
"Nathan and I were a little forward thinking this summer. Before you were even formally engaged, he and Lee built me a small hot house in our backyard, and I nurtured some of your special forget-me-nots through this fall and winter. He knew that whenever you two got married, forget-me-nots had to be a part of your bouquet."
Charlotte shook her head, "I don't know what to say, Rosemary. Thank you!"
She threw her arms around Rosemary and hugged tightly. "You are such a wonderful friend."
"It was all Nathan's idea," Rosemary chuckled. "I was just the gardener."
"It's time," Archie coaxed, returning his watch to the pocket of his suit jacket.
"Okay, you all follow me and stand here." Rosemary directed them to the top of the church stairs. "When the time is right, Paul and Timmy will open these doors and let Allie process down the aisle first and then they will open it a second time for you and Archie."
As Rosemary disappeared into the church, Charlotte took in a deep breath of clean mountain air and stared up at the stars and moon just starting to appear above them. Her parents were here, and Colleen. She could feel their presence deep into her soul. She could sense their happiness for her, Nathan, and Allie and that knowledge brought Charlotte such comfort.
Nathan watched Rosemary walk in and make her way down the aisle, stopping a moment at the front she reached out and placed a hand on Nathan's arm with a mischievous grin. "She looks radiant. I can't wait to see your reaction when you see her."
Then in the next moment, she turned towards Carson who was sitting on a stool to the side and nodded her head, signaling for him to begin playing. With his guitar, Carson carefully strummed the opening chords to 'Be Thou My Vision', Nathan's attention turned to the back of the church, watching Paul and Timmy open the doors to reveal his daughter. Her smile was broad as she floated down the aisle in time with the music.
She winked at Nathan before taking her spot across the aisle from Gabe. Then Joseph raised his hand, indicating the congregation to stand and face the back of the church. Carson changed the chords slightly in a prelude to Charlotte's entry and the moment he began into the second verse of the hymn, the doors opened revealing Nathan's captivating bride on his father's arm.
Time stilled and he struggled to catch his breath as tears instantly rose into the corners of his eyes. All Nathan saw was Charlotte cast in the softest, warm glow. All he heard were the faint notes of the hymn as they were strummed on the guitar and the harsh pounding of his heart as it beat wildly against his chest. He worked to swallow the lump in his throat as he stared at the woman coming towards him. A slow tingling feeling started at his neck and traveled through every vein in his body. The sensation grew stronger by the second, causing his hands to slightly tremor, as he reached up to brush the tears from his cheeks. He felt Bill's hand touch his shoulder in gentle reassurance.
Charlotte's dark hair tumbled down along both sides of her shoulders in cascading waves, swept back from her face on one side and held in place by the silver comb she had received from his family for Christmas. Charlotte wore her mother's pearl drop earrings that Nathan remembered first seeing last year at the night of the Christmas dance in town.
Her dress was simple, yet elegant. It was constructed of delicate lace with a soft cream underlay. The long sleeves of the gown were a sheer material, giving Nathan a hint of Charlotte's beautiful skin below. A modest V-neck exposed the edges of her collarbone and a narrow, beaded belt nipped in at her slender waist, accentuating Charlotte's tempting curves before flowing freely to the floor.
But what seemed to have knocked Nathan senseless was the look Charlotte was giving him. From the moment the doors had opened, her smoky grey eyes, misting with their own tears, had found his. A blissfully happy smile came across her face, spreading from the crinkles at the outside corners of her eyes to the dimple on her cheek. It was a look that ignited her whole face with adoration and love. A natural beauty.
As the final chords from Carson's guitar rang out and the song's last notes played, Archie gently took Charlotte's hand from his arm and guided it to Nathan. Wordlessly, Nathan reached for Charlotte, his eyes never leaving hers. That warm, content feeling rushed through his veins again the moment their skin touched.
"Ready?" He managed to ask.
Charlotte nodded softly, her eyes sparkling like stars in the low light of the room.
Nathan's eyes gently swept over his bride, taking her all in, before leaning close, "You are breathtaking."
A visible heat flushed to Charlotte's cheeks as she let out a ragged breath. "I could say the same thing about you. My heart is racing right now."
Nathan gave her a reassuring smile as his hand firmly wrapped around Charlotte's. She followed along beside him, until they stood in front of Joseph and Bill.
"Friends and Family," Joseph's booming voice began. "We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purpose for which it was instituted by God."
Joseph glanced behind the couple to the front pews, "As we come to share in the love of Charlotte and Nathan, we also want to take a moment to remember those closest to the couple who are here today in spirit. Nathan and Charlotte have chosen to leave three seats open in the front pews. For Charlotte's parents, Sean and Sarah Thompson and Nathan's sister, Colleen Parks. This gesture is a reminder of those who are forever in our hearts."
Nathan noticed Charlotte brush a tear from her cheek and he gently began to rub his thumb back and forth across hers in reassurance.
Bill took over the proceedings and turned to Charlotte. "Charlotte, will you take Nathan to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I will," Charlotte strongly answered, squeezing Nathan's hand tighter.
Then turning towards Nathan, Bill repeated. "Nathan, will you take Charlotte to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
Nathan glanced over at Charlotte. "I will."
"Will all of you, Nathan and Charlotte's family and friends, do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?" Bill asked the congregation.
"We will." They answered.
Joseph continued. "The bride and groom have chosen two passages for the ceremony to be recited by their dear friends, Rosemary and Leland Coulter. Please come forward."
Rosemary began with a passage from Song of Solomon.
My beloved speaks and says to me:
Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away,
for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
Lee then recited his reading from Corinthians.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
"Nathan and Charlotte," Joseph turned to the couple in front of him. "In Song of Solomon it says, 'the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come'. I don't know if there is a more fitting passage to represent your growing in love together that so many in this church have been blessed to witness. This passage tells that spring has now come, flowers bloom, birds sing. A warm and nurturing love for one another has brought new life to each of you. The cold and grey of winter is gone. New life bound forth. Richer and more complete than before."
"Nathan. Charlotte," Joseph continued. "You have declared your desire to be one, giving yourselves to each other in a life-long covenant. To be neither selfish, nor self-serving, insisting on one's own way. With humility, gentleness, and patience, looking to bind yourself together in perfect unity through love. Let these vows be reminders of the life you will share forevermore."
Bill spoke, "Please turn and face one another, join hands, and repeat after me."
Allie took Charlotte's bouquet allowing her to turn towards Nathan, entwining their hands, she was again taken aback by how striking he was tonight. While they had vaguely discussed, months ago, the choice of wearing a suit for their wedding, she hadn't been prepared for her reaction in seeing him at the end of the aisle in the dark charcoal grey three-piece suit. A small boutonniere of ivy, Queen Anne's lace, and their forget-me-nots fixed to his lapel. A brilliant, deep, blue dress shirt accentuated his beautiful eyes. The eyes that had captured her attention instantly. They were filled with such emotions. Joy, happiness, love all abounded from their depths. His dark wavy hair, falling slightly out of place, made Charlotte want to reach forward to run her fingers through their silky strands.
"I Charlotte, take you Nathan, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, all the days of my life."
Charlotte gazed up at Nathan. The love that shone in her eyes was unmistakable. The lump in his throat grew and his grip on her hands tightened.
"I Nathan, take you, Charlotte, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, all the days of my life."
Gabe then passed Charlotte's ring to Bill, who forwarded it onto Joseph.
Joseph raised the slender silver band between his forefinger and thumb. "The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love that is freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May this ring always remind you of the vows you have taken."
Joseph handed the ring to Nathan to place on Charlotte's finger.
"Charlotte, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"Gabriel, the other ring," Joseph held out his hand to Gabe.
"Oh," Nathan's face was one of shock as he turned towards Joseph. "We only have the one ring, Joseph. Charlotte's ring."
Nathan felt Charlotte squeeze his hands, causing his attention to turn back towards her. "Nathan, I know it isn't as traditional to exchange two rings, but I wanted you to always have a reminder of my love, as I now have of yours."
Joseph presented a silver band, matching Charlotte's in simplicity. She took it from his outstretched hand and held it between her fingers. "I had an old piece of silver from my family and Archie gave me an old piece from yours. We melted them together and formed this. A symbol of not only our lives joining. But our families as well."
Overcome with her thoughtfulness, Nathan reached forward to cup the side of Charlotte's face, but as he began to lean forward to kiss her, Bill touched his arm, "Whoa there partner! We aren't to that part yet!"
The bride, groom, and all their guests laughed heartily.
"I'll try to hurry us along to get to the good parts," Joseph winked at Nathan and Charlotte.
"Thanks," they both whispered in unison, before turning back towards one another.
Charlotte slid Nathan's ring into place on his finger and then repeated after Bill, "Nathan, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"Let us pray," Joseph directed. "God, look with favor upon Nathan and Charlotte's union. Give them wisdom and devotion, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness and yours. Make their life together a sign of your love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of more children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you. Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows. Finally, grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen"
"Amen," they all replied.
A beaming smile spread across Joseph's face, "Now that Nathan and Charlotte have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands, and the giving and receiving of rings…"
Together, Joseph and Bill said, "We pronounce that they are husband and wife."
"Now, Nathan," Bill leaned forward. "You may kiss your bride."
Charlotte giggled, crinkling her nose in the action, as Nathan stepped closer and threaded a hand into her silky hair, before bending to claim her mouth. Charlotte leaned up to meet him, her hands gripping his shoulders. Nathan wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, earning a small squeal of surprise and delight from his bride's lips as she kissed him fully in return.
Their family and friends all let out shouts of cheers and gladness. Whoops, hollers, applause, and even a 'huzzah' from Molly.
Nathan and Charlotte pulled back slightly from their kiss, resting their foreheads together as radiant smiles of joy and laughter were shared first with one another, and then turning to face the rest of the church, they were shared with their community.
"We now have the pleasure of announcing for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan and Charlotte Grant," Bill stated, earning more applause from the crowd.
"Ring that bell, Coop!" Joseph called to his son who now stood at the back of the church below the bell tower.
"Ok, Pop!"
Soon the cheers of the congregation were replaced by the pure, crisp, bright sound of the church bell as it rang out into the night. Allie returned Charlotte's bouquet to her as Nathan entwined their hands together to begin their recession down the aisle.
At the top of the steps to the church, Nathan gave Charlotte's hand a squeeze, stopping them from proceeding, as he spun her deftly to him and planted another adoring kiss on her lips. Charlotte rewarded him with a knee-buckling smile. The brisk December air lured a rosy glow from her freckled cheeks, accentuating the blue flecks of her grey eyes.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Grant."
"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Grant."