Chapter 10 – A Wedding
"Welcome everyone." Frank said. "Marriage is a joyous occasion. It is connected in our thoughts with the charm of love, the warmth of home, and with all that is pleasant, as being one of the most important events of our lives. Its sacredness and unity is the most significant and binding covenant known in human relations. Nathan and Maggie, let me charge you both to remember that your future happiness is to be in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence, and affection. It is the duty of each of you to find your greatest joy in the company of the other; to remember that your love pledged today must remain undivided for a lifetime.
It is your duty, Nathan, to be to Maggie, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband: to support, guide and cherish her in prosperity and trouble; to thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your life; to constantly show to her the tokens of your affection, to shelter her from danger, and to love her with an unchangeable love.
It is your duty, Maggie, to be to Nathan, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife; to comfort, guide and cherish him in prosperity and trouble; to give to him the unfailing pieces of evidence of your affection; and to continue making the place he holds in your heart, broader and deeper; to support him, value him and work with him to make your marriage the very best that it can be.
I call your attention to the seriousness of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare before God. The vows you are about to take care not to be taken without careful thought, for in them you are committing yourselves exclusively to one another for as long as you both shall live. So I ask who gives this woman to this man?"
"All her friends here." Henry said.
Frank nodded. Henry took Maggie's hand and put it in Nathan's. He smiled at both of them and then went to his seat. Nathan and Maggie turned to face each other and joined both their hands.
"While Nathan and Maggie might not have had a traditional relationship." Frank said. "They love each other deeply and are ready to join their lives and create a family with Allie. We as a community need to support them. When we were talking with Nathan these past weeks, he kept coming back to Proverbs chapter 3, verses five and six when asked how he was feeling about things. Those verses say: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. We all know that Nathan has not had an easy time since coming to Hope Valley, but he trusted that God brought him here for a reason. Maybe he was brought here to be led to Maggie.
In talking to Maggie, she hasn't had an easy life either. She lost her mother as a young teen and was needed to help raise her siblings and then she lost her father two years ago. She longed to be married, but wasn't finding the right person to spend her life with, so she turned to an agency that matched men and women. After several months of waiting, she was matched with Nathan and they started exchanging letters and then phone calls. They said that the moment that they heard the other's voice they knew that they were meant to be. I firmly believe God led these two together and that is why we are here today. Together they wanted to share First Corinthians chapter thirteen for the reflection today." (*1)
Allie opened the piece of paper that she had been holding and took a deep breath.
"Dad and Mum asked me to read the scripture today." Allie said.
In a clear voice, Allie read the scripture verses that she had written out. When she was done, she smiled at her father and then nodded to Frank.
"Thank you, Allie." Frank said. "This is a traditional choice for a wedding, but it never loses its meaning. It is a good guide for the bride and groom to follow. There is so much I could say about Nathan as a man, but I will keep this short. Nathan was one of the first people to welcome me back here this past summer and we have become close over the last few months and I can see first hand Nathan lives out these verses every day. He may not have the easiest job in town, but he tries to have a charitable attitude toward everyone he encounters. While I have just started to get to know Maggie, I also feel she strives to live out these verses in her own life. They are a special couple and I am excited to see them continue to grow as a couple and as a family.
This summer the children of Hope Valley honored Nathan with the first annual Father of the Year award and while his title of father to Allie and all future children is an important one, just as his title of Constable is an important part of his life. Starting today, Nathan's top title needs to be husband. Maggie has the new title of Mum to Allie and future children. She also had the title of Aunt to her nieces and nephews, but starting today her top title needs to be wife. While the other titles and all future ones are important as well, if you fail at husband and wife, the rest will mean nothing. I think that is a lesson that all of us could do well to remember. We did not come here to listen to me preach all day, so let's get on with why we came here today."
Frank had Nathan and Maggie each take a deep breath and take a half a step close to each other. He watched as Nathan tenderly ran his thumbs over Maggie's hands and her face visibly relaxed.
"If you are ready to assume the obligations and duties before God, as I have defined them, you will unite your hands and pledge your love and your lives to each other." Frank said. "Groom, repeat after me."
Frank quietly said the vows and Nathan repeated them in a clear voice.
"I Nathan Patrick, take you, Margaret Victoria, to be my lawfully wedded 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, for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow, so help me God."
"Now Bride, please repeat after me." Frank said.
Again, Frank quietly said the vows and Maggie repeated them.
"I Margaret Victoria, take you, Nathan Patrick, 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, for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow, so help me God."
Frank gave the couple a smile.
"May I have the rings, please?" Frank asked.
Gabe put the rings onto Frank's outstretched Bible.
"These rings are an outward symbol of the inward love and commitment you share." Frank said. "The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is the sign of a spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. It is a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united together in heart and soul. As you exchange these rings, remember that they are made of precious metal, just as your love is precious and enduring."
Frank said a quiet prayer over the rings, asking that God would protect the two people that would wear them. He then held out his Bible to Nathan.
"Nathan, please take Maggie's ring and place it on her left ring finger." Frank said. "Then declare your pledge."
Nathan took the ring and slid it on Maggie's ring finger.
"With this ring." Nathan said. "I pledge my love and faithfulness to you."
"Maggie." Frank said, holding out the Bible. "Please take Nathan's ring, place it on his left ring finger and declare your pledge."
Maggie took the ring, took a deep breath to steady her shaking hands and then slid the ring on Nathan's ring finger.
"With this ring." Maggie said. "I pledge my love and faithfulness to you."
"Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder." Frank said. "Married life is a mutual enrichment, a mingling of two lives, which diminishes neither, but enhances both through a give and take between two personalities. As much as you have both consented to be together in the union of matrimony and you have pledged your faith to each other in the presence of God, your family, and friends, may you continue in this manner as long as you both shall live. In so much as Maggie and Nathan have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and these witnesses, having given and pledged their faith, each to the other, and having declared the same by the giving and receiving of rings. By the power vested in me by God and the providence of Albert, I pronounce that you are both husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Nathan leaned forward and gave Maggie a short sweet kiss. They both pulled back and smiled at each other.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Frank said. "It is my distinct pleasure to introduce, for the very first time Corporal and Mrs Nathan Grant."
Maggie took her flowers back as people clapped. Angela started playing Ode to Joy. Nathan and Maggie looked at each other, took a deep breath and went back down the aisle, hand in hand. They were followed by Gabe and Abigail, then Bill and Allie. Nathan and Maggie stood in the foyer and greeted their guests before people went over to the other classroom to enjoy the reception. They personally greeted the roughly two dozen people that had been there for their wedding. They knew that others would have a chance to stop in at the reception as they took breaks from work or even closed for a bit in the lull of the afternoon.
After they had greeted each of the guests, Carson got a few additional photos, most of the group shots. He also got a sweet one of the Grant family. Little PJ was fascinated by the flash and giggled every time. He also wanted Nathan to pick him up. So once they got most of the photos, Nathan picked him up and once again lightly tossed him in the air. Unknown to everyone Carson got the perfect picture and he would make a copy of it for both parents as well as Nathan. It would become a favorite of many people in the years to come.
Once they had gotten all the photos, everyone gave Nathan and Maggie a moment before joining everyone in the back room for the reception. Once they were alone, Maggie turned to Nathan.
"You look stunning." Maggie said. "Thank you for taking care of all of this."
"You are stunning." Nathan said. "I didn't do much. I just told Rosemary and Abigail what I wanted."
"I take it the roses were for my parents and your sister." Maggie said. "Thank you."
"You are welcome." Nathan said. "I wanted them with us today, but I didn't want to make a big deal about it. Rosemary will dry the roses for us and we can keep them on the mantle."
"Thank you." Maggie said.
Nathan had enough talk and cupped Maggie's cheek. He then lowered his lips and claimed hers with his own. He gave her the kiss he had wanted to before, but didn't to keep it appropriate for an audience. Maggie was the first to pull back.
"Wow." Maggie said. "I would love to sneak off right now, but we really should go see our guests."
"If we have to." Nathan said, with a grin.
"Yes we do." Maggie said, swatting his arm.
"Later." Nathan said.
"You promise." Maggie said.
"As much as you want." Nathan said.
… … … …
While Nathan and Maggie were having a private moment inside, Gabe and James saw trouble. They saw Elizabeth heading into town with Little Jack in tow. Gabe knew it wouldn't be long and she would be headed their way. Gabe prayed that he didn't have to arrest his former teacher. Gabe decided to try and stop things before they got too far and interrupted the reception. He knew Nathan would not be happy if Nathan wasn't happy, Gabe knew that he was going to take it out on them. He turned to James.
"No matter what happens." Gabe said. "You stay here and keep your mouth shut."
"Okay." James said. "What are you going to do?"
"Don't ask questions that you really don't want the answer to." Gabe said.
Gabe didn't look at James or wait for him to respond, but stocked off toward the jail.
… … … …
Elizabeth had seen Gabe and James over by the schoolhouse, but wanted to go into town and see if she could learn anything first. As she got closer to town, she noticed there didn't seem to be a lot of people out and about. Elizabeth's stop was the mercantile, but instead of finding Ned and Florence, she found Katie Yost and Fiona Miller.
"Is there something I can help you with, Mrs Thornton?" Katie asked, when she saw Elizabeth looking around.
"I was looking for Florence." Elizabeth said. "I thought she might be able to tell me what was going on in town."
"Sorry." Katie said. "Here and Dad said they were helping Pastor Frank with something this afternoon."
"Oh." Elizabeth said. "Well, can you tell me if you have seen any other Mounties in town?"
"Can't say for sure." Katie said. "I have been here since before lunchtime. Fiona?"
"Yes." She said, stepping out of the little room with the telephone exchange.
"You came in about one o'clock." Katie said. "Mrs Thornton was wondering if there were any additional Mounties in town?"
"Not that I have seen." Fiona said. "James didn't say anything this morning about additional Mounties when he stopped at the barber shop."
"Oh." Elizabeth said. "Where is everybody? I thought there would be more people out and about with how nice it is."
"Couldn't tell you." Fiona said. "The barber shop was busy all morning."
"Same here." Katie said.
"Could you ring Bill and see if he would care to join me at the cafe?" Elizabeth said. "I am sure he is in his office."
"Sorry." Fiona said. "When I came in there was a note asking us to take a message for any calls as he was going to be out of the office all afternoon. And before you ask, I have no idea where he is."
Elizabeth was frustrated. Something didn't add up, but she couldn't figure it out. She left the mercantile and headed toward Rosemary's office. Surely she would be working. Elizabeth had seen her leave that morning and not return. She also saw Lee leave with the boy later. But she found Rosemary's office locked. She stood on the steps and looked around the town. There were a few people, but not what she thought there should be. She noticed Gabe standing on the jail porch, so she headed there.
"Where is everyone?" Elizabeth demanded.
"I don't know what you mean." Gabe said.
"Why are you and Constable Ryan standing guard at the school?" Elizabeth asked.
"Because Pastor Frank was holding a private meeting and we were asked to make sure he wasn't interrupted." Gabe said.
"Why in your dress uniform?" Elizabeth asked.
"Punishment for teasing Constable Kinslow." Gabe said.
"I don't understand." Elizabeth said.
"Our dress serge is thicker, stiffer." Gabe said. "So more uncomfortable to wear. Also the dress boots are not as comfortable."
"Oh." Elizabeth said. "Is Nathan around?"
"No, ma'am." Gabe said.
"Do you know where he is?" Elizabeth asked.
"No." Gabe said. "He gave us orders and then left with Judge Avery."
"Do you know when he will be back?" Elizabeth asked.
"He is not scheduled to be back in the office until sometime on Thursday." Gabe said. "If there is nothing else, I should return to my assignment before I get into more trouble."
"Yeah." Elizabeth said, weakly.
She stood there as she watched Gabe head back toward the schoolhouse. She still couldn't figure out what was going on, but if Nathan was off until Thursday then Elizabeth wondered if he had taken off while his 'friend' visited. She reasoned that it must mean that Maggie would be leaving on Thursday.
Frustrated, Elizabeth headed to the cafe to have some tea before heading back home. When she got there, there were only a few tables occupied and Elizabeth didn't know the names of any of them. She knew that they were a part of the group that settled near Hope Valley that summer, but that was about all she knew. Elizabeth was surprised when Minnie came out to greet her.
"Abigail around?" Elizabeth asked.
"Sorry." Minnie said. "She took the day off. Something about plans with Frank."
"Do you know what is going on?" Elizabeth asked. "And where is everyone?"
"Sorry." Minnie said. "I don't."
"Tea for me and some apple juice for Jack, then." Elizabeth said.
"Coming right up." Minnie said.
Elizabeth thought about things, but just couldn't put her finger on what was going on. Elizabeth sat there and had her tea. She saw a few more people come and go, but no one talked to her. After thirty minutes or so, she paid and then took Little Jack and headed home. Again she didn't see a lot of people out and about. She did notice it seemed like there was something going on at the schoolhouse. She saw both Henry's car and the Coulter's. She didn't believe what Gabe told her and wanted to go over there herself, but she had little doubt that either of them would arrest her if she tried. As much as she wanted to know what was going on, she didn't need the trouble being thrown in jail would bring. She knew her father was already not pleased with her.
… … … …
*1 – King James version of proverbs 3:5-6