Chapter 15: Tommy
The day had been insane. One minute I was at work thinking it was a typical day and the next, John was pushing me out of there, telling my boss I had to leave for an urgent matter. I thought it was some kind of emergency but no, it was for my own wedding I didn't even know was happening.
I didn't fight it, I knew I'd be fool for not jumping on this chance to marry El.
So we had the rings, John got me in a suit, and Sarah was meeting the priest. All of us were supposed to meet at the spot we got engaged. It was freezing, but if having an outdoor wedding meant it was free then so be it.
"Ah, Thomas look at you!" Sarah was squealing with excitement as she made her a way into the greenhouse with Lizzie, James, and Father McKenzie by her side, "I don't think even as boy I've seen you in a suit."
"Take it in, Sarah, next time you see me in one of these it'll be my funeral."
John, at my side, let out a snicker as Sarah shot me a glare of disapproval, turning to the priest.
"Father, this is my nephew, Thomas. Forgive him for his off color humor."
"No offense taken," he grinned, shifting towards me, "She warned me you'd be trouble."
"She exaggerates," I stated, shaking his hand, "Thank you for comin' out to do this, Father."
"It's my pleasure. Your aunt has done a lot for the parish, it's the least I could do."
He wasn't much older than myself, his almost black hair was slicked back and his dark brown eyes had a sense of kindness in them.
"Well I really appreciate it, especially since I can't tell ya the last time I stepped in a church."
"It's not a problem, but I'm sure you already know how this Union won't be recognized within the Catholic Church. I'll bless this Union, and it will be seen in the eyes of the law. But if you ever wanted it to be valid through the church, there would be permissions to obtain, rules to follow. This isn't your typical Catholic ceremony."
"Understood. I believe God lives outside the walls of a church anyway."
I didn't need a church to confirm my marriage in the first place. It wasn't about that to me.
"That He does," he nodded with a chuckle, "But just know the door is always open. I can always have you in for confession."
"Not much to confess there, Father. I'm too busy at work to get into any trouble."
"Yeah right," my aunt snorted sarcastically. I rolled my eyes.
"I think you and I have different definitions of what trouble actually means."
"There are many kinds of sins, dear nephew," she teased, placing her hand on my shoulder.
"Why else you think she's been pushing you to get married?" John chimed in with a smirk, "You're living in sin, you know."
"You both need to settle."
"As I said, the door is always open," Father McKenzie reiterated before pulling me aside, "Now, tell me about Ellie."
"Wow, I don't even know where to start with that one," I ran my hand through my hair, thinking of the right words, "She's the most amazing woman I've met."
"I was told you met on Titanic. A traumatic event like that must have really brought you two together."
"Yeah. But there's more to it than that," I paused, "It's not like we went through this horrible thing and we're clinging onto each other to work through it. There's more depth to us than that. She came from a very rich family, a whole different world than what I'm used to. And she left all of that behind so we could have a life together," I had to take another pause, searching for the right words once again, "She gives me something to live for, Father."
He nodded, taking in my thoughts.
"She wants children?"
"Yes, we've talked about it already."
"What's her family like?"
"Doesn't have much of one. Her father passed away, her mother is..." I hesitated, watching my language in front of a priest, "well, not worth having a relationship with, I'll leave it at that."
"I see. That must be difficult."
"She's been through a lot, but she has her sister at least. They're really close. She's expectin', so she'll have a little niece or nephew runnnin' around soon enough."
"That's great," he smiled and he was quiet for a moment, "Why do you want to get married?"
"You're really puttin' me on the spot here," I chuckled, "I dunno. I know I've always wanted a family. And with El, I know it's possible. She already is my family. I just want to make it official," I shrugged, "I love her more than anything. She makes me a better man, and I don't want to let her go. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, yes, it does."
I could feel throat dry up a bit. It wasn't every day I had to let my feelings out on the table for the world to see. I didn't get emotional much, but El managed to bring out that side in me. I wasn't used to it.
"Anything else you need to throw at me?" I coughed awkwardly, attempting to not get choked up.
"No, not really," he laughed, "Standard practice is all. Just need to know you're entering this marriage freely with good intentions. Ellie is not here, so all the questions I have about her, I have to ask you. Can't have any divorces in my book."
"Got it. Don't want that on your conscience."
"You seem to really love her."
"I do. I swear if it wasn't for her I would've died that night."
"The Lord works in mysterious ways, Thomas."
"That He does," I sighed, "Can't help but still feel guilty about it though."
"Tragedies happen that are out of our control. The best we can do is keep going, and live for those around us. There is no need to carry that burden on your shoulders."
"I just wonder why I have this chance to keep going while so many others like me didn't."
"God has a plan. It may not make any sense to us, but he kept you here for a reason," he placed a hand on my shoulder, "Sometimes it might just be dumb luck. But you have to make the best of every minute you have."
"I know," I nodded, "Sorry for dumping this on you."
"No need to apologize."
"I guess that's another reason why I'm ready to get married, you know? We don't know how long we have and I feel I owe El my life. Just feels like fate."
"Very well could be," he shrugged, "But I am happy to marry the both of you today. It sounds like you have a genuine love for each other."
"Thanks, Father."
"I look forward to meeting her shortly."
"Is it that time already?"
"I think so," he looked towards the windows of the glasshouse, "The sun is about to set."
Ellie
"I'm going to puke."
The butterflies in my stomach had went from fluttering about to gnawing me from the inside out as we neared the green house.
"You're always so dramatic," Rose shook her head with a grin, "What's there to be nervous about?"
"I don't know. I don't like attention on me. And believe me, I've had more than my fill for the day."
"Enjoy it!"
"What if he didn't even show up?"
"Don't be stupid, of course he's there."
"What if this doesn't end up working out? What if we end up fighting all the time after having kids or something, and we hate each other?"
"That won't happen, El," she was laughing now.
"It could, we've only known each other for 9 months."
"These are your nerves getting to you, as soon as you see him you'll be just fine," she threw her arm around me, "He loves you. You love him. You're my favorite couple."
"Really?"
"Yes! God, leave it to your anxiety to make an appearance minutes before getting married."
"I just can't believe it's happening."
"Well believe it. And you're doing it for all the reasons a person should get married."
"Right," I took in a deep breath, "You're right."
"There won't be hundreds of people staring at you in there, it's just us. You don't need to be nervous," we were standing outside the greenhouse now. She turned towards me, placing both her hands on my shoulders, nearly gripping them, "It's your day. And I am so proud and so happy for you."
"Thank you," I went in to hold her tightly. It meant the world having her by my side.
As if on cue, I saw Sarah emerge from the greenhouse out of the corner of my eye.
"My goodness, look at you both!" She was smiling from ear to ear, "You're absolutely beautiful, the both of you."
"Thanks," we both said, almost in unison.
"I think we're all good to go in there, if you're ready?"
"I think so," I nodded, "Could you take my coat though?"
"It's freezing!" Rose exclaimed.
"I'm sweating. I have this dress to show off anyway."
"Fair enough," Sarah shrugged as I slipped it off, passing it off to her, "I'll see you in there then."
I nodded in acknowledgment as she scurried back inside.
"See?" Rose nudged me, "Of course he's here, I told you there was nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, yeah," I rolled my eyes, linking my arm through hers, "Now walk me down that aisle."
"You got it," she winked and we made our way inside.
With the harshness of winter, the greenhouse was not nearly as vibrant as it once was, and had not been maintained well. The flowerbeds were now empty, plants had passed their prime. The vines wrapped around the windows had become a dried out brown, cold air breezing through.
Yet, there was still a melancholic beauty to it I appreciated. I was thankful it was an area tourists and other city dwellers didn't really frequent, especially this time of year. It was large but it was quiet, quaint, and a perfect place to start this next chapter. It was as if it was our own little place.
When my eyes finally met Tommy's I could have sworn the butterflies in my stomach could have burst through, not out of nerves, but of excitement. He wore the biggest smile I had ever seen on someone's face and it warmed my heart. I couldn't believe I could get someone to smile like that. To know I could make him feel that happy made me feel like I was the most important woman in the world. I hoped my smile was just as big.
He looked fantastic in the charcoal gray suit he was wearing. It occurred to me I had never seen him in one before. It was certainly a far cry from his typical corduroy trousers and coal stained shirts. I almost had to blink twice to make sure it wasn't one of my old suitors standing at the other end of the aisle.
As Rose walked me down, all I wanted was to be in his arms.
But once again, I could feel her wince as we walked and I shot her a look.
"You better not be lying to me, Rose!" I whispered hoarsely, "I will stop this wedding right now if you're about to have this baby."
"Hush, I'm alright!" She straightened herself up, taking in a deep breath, "I'm fine. Promise."
A few more steps and we were at the Priest. I was thankful Rose had made it this far.
"Welcome," Father McKenzie greeted the room, "We are gathered here today before God to celebrate one of the most happiest occasions in life- the marriage between a man and a woman who love each other," Tommy and I exchanged glances then.
"Hi," I whispered as the priest continued on.
"Hi," he whispered back with a small chuckle.
"Who is it that brings this woman to this man?" Father McKenzie drew my attention back.
"I do," Rose replied, grinning widely. Father then motioned for us to take hands, but I gave Rose another hug and thanked her before she took a seat with Sarah, John and the kids.
Standing side by side, I took Tommy's hand tightly and looked up at him as Father McKenzie continued on to recite passages from the book of John. At that moment, it felt as if it was just the two of us.
"You look like an angel," he whispered in my ear, making those butterflies go at it again.
"You look great in a suit."
"Haven't worn one of these since I was a wee lad getting communion."
I snickered a bit too loudly making the preset pause for a moment. I turned red.
"Sorry Father, continue please."
"Thomas and Ellie, have you come here to enter into Marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?"
"I have," we replied in unison.
"Are you prepared, as you follow the path of Marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?"
"I am," we looked back into each other's eyes.
"Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"
"I am."
"Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, I would like you to turn to face each other, and declare your consent before God."
"Uh, Father, can I ask you something?" Tommy stepped in.
"Yes?" His eyebrow raised. I could hear Sarah sigh heavily in annoyance.
"I know you have a way of doing things, but do ya mind if I say my own vows here?"
"What? You wrote your vows?" I felt panic creep inside of me.
"No, no, I just wanna speak from the heart is all," he looked up to the ceiling, "God help me I can find the words, but I got an idea of what I would like to say," he turned back to Father McKenzie, "If you don't mind, of course. I would just like this to be more...personable. Rather than recitin' words off a page."
"This isn't happening at a church, so be my guest," Father McKenzie stated, "I take no offense."
"Thanks," he turned back towards me, taking in a deep breath before he spoke, "El, before I came here I had no purpose in life. Meeting you changed all of that. Because of you, I have something to live for. You motivate me. You make me a better person. I don't know if I could ever give you all that you deserve, because you deserve the world and more. But I promise I will work my hardest to give you a life you're proud of. Through everything life might throw at us, I'll never leave your side. I promise to take care of you and remain faithful to you always. I promise to love you unconditionally for the rest of my life, and thereafter. I love you."
"I love you too," I could barely get out, holding back tears. I needed a moment to take those words in. Never in my life did I think I would find someone who cared about me as much as he did.
"Ellie, your consent is next."
"How am I supposed to follow that one up?" I asked, causing everyone to laugh. I looked over and I saw Rose and Sarah wiping tears from their eyes. I took in a deep breath and let it out. If Tommy found the courage to speak from the heart, well, I could do the same. "Alright. Tommy," I practically had a death grip on his hands from nervousness now, "I don't even know where to start. In our short time together, we've been through so much. My life has changed for the better since I've known you, and I don't want to know what my life would be like without you in it. You mean the absolute world to me, and what you have done for the both of us is already more than enough. My only hope is I can do for you what you already have done for me. Today, I give you my complete loyalty and devotion. I vow to support you, through any difficulties we may face. I will be there to care for you always, and I will take on this life with you by my side. I will love you for the rest of my days, and eternity after. You have my whole heart, body, and soul."
The words just came out. I was shocked by how natural it all felt. I could Tommy was a bit choked up, and tears were streaming slowly down my face at this point.
"And you were worried I was showin' you up."
I giggled slightly, as I wiped tears away from my cheeks. I hadn't felt this emotionally vulnerable since I told him my feelings on Titanic.
"Thank you both for that," Father McKenzie seemed genuinely touched, "Beautiful, honestly."
We grinned at each other, happy to earn the priest's approval. Father then requested for the rings. James happily trotted over with them in hand, Sarah guiding him along the way.
"Bless and sanctify your servants in their love, O Lord, and let these rings, a sign of their faithfulness, remind them of their love for one another. Through Christ our Lord."
"Amen," we all responded.
Retrieving a tiny glass bottle of holy water from the pocket of his cassock, Father Mckenzie sprinkled the gold bands, and handed one to each of us.
"Now, Thomas, repeat after me as you place the ring on Ellie's finger," Tommy nodded in response before Father Mckenzie continued on, "'Ellie, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.'"
"Ellie, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"You can place that ring on her finger now."
"Gladly," Tommy smirked, making me laugh again. The ring slipped on effortlessly and was a perfect fit.
"Ellie, same to you. Repeat after me. 'Thomas, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.'"
"Thomas, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"You can place that ring on his finger now."
"Gladly," I mocked Tommy, causing him to chuckle. I placed the gold band on his ring finger, but I made one mistake.
"Ellie," Father McKenzie whispered.
"Yes?"
"Wrong hand."
"Oh!" I blushed, scrambling to switch hands. I could hear everyone laughing and could tell Tommy was highly amused, "I got your right mixed up with my left, what can I say."
"Confusing stuff," he winked at me. I scowled playfully. Father McKenzie proceeded, still quite professional. Extending out his arms, he closed with a blessing.
"Now let us humbly invoke God's blessing upon this bride and groom, that in his kindness he may favor with his help those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony," he paused, bringing his hands back together smiling at us both, "In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss!"
Finally! Everyone cheered as Tommy cupped my face tightly, crashing his lips into mine.
This was the kind of moment I grew up reading about in fairy tales. I couldn't believe it was happening to me.
"Happy to officially be Mrs. Ryan now?" Tommy asked me once we separated, holding me so tightly.
"More than ever," I beamed.
"Good," he kissed the top of my head, "Now let's get your coat on you mad woman, you're chilled to the bone!"
"I'm fine!" I exclaimed but there was Sarah behind me already, draping the fur coat over my shoulders. John, the kids, and Rose were not far behind her.
"Congratulations to you both!"
"Well this only happened thanks to you," I stated, "Thank you for everything."
"No problem at all," she grinned, "Happy to help in anyway I can."
"We appreciate what you all do for us," Tommy said, his arm around me, "Honestly, couldn't ask for better family here."
"Oh stop," Sarah brushed him off, "It's what ya do."
We all stood around and chatted for a bit. More thank you's and congratulations were exchanged, along with a few jabs at me for getting my lefts and rights mixed up. Everyone found that to be hilarious. But soon bedtime was nearing for the kids, and for Rose as well. The day had caught up to everyone, especially her. She swore up and down she was ok and just needed to rest from all the excitement. We all exchanged goodbyes, with me confirming Sarah would keep an eye on Rose, and soon it was just me and Tommy left in the greenhouse.
"So now what? Should we follow them and just head home?"
"Hell no!" he laughed, "No offense, but I'm not keen on celebratin' our wedding night with your very pregnant sister in the next room."
"Then what's the plan? Is there a plan?"
"I booked us a room at one of the fanciest hotels in the city. We can live the night like we're royalty."
"And what hotel is that?"
"The Knickerbocker."
"That's the Astor's hotel!" my jaw dropped, "How did you pull that one off?"
"Had to use up the last of the cash. But!" he threw his arm around me as we started walking, "There's just enough left for room service."
"Oh that's great, I'm starving."
"Me too," he was quiet for a moment, "I didn't know the Astors owned it. I saw in the papers that John Jacob Astor was on Titanic and didn't make it," he grimaced a bit.
"I heard about John building this place years ago. It should be interesting to see how things are since his passing. I wonder how Madeline is holding up," I sighed.
"You knew the Astors?" He was in disbelief.
"Of course," I nodded, "I dined with them. He was friends with my father."
"Well I'd be god damned," he shook his head, "You knew some high up people. Just when you think you can escape Titanic, something pops up to remind you of it all over again."
"It's where we met," I said, looking up at him, "I don't think we'll ever forget."
As always, please don't forget to leave a review! I would love to hear your thoughts! Sorry for the long update. I'm hoping when fall rolls around, I may have some more time to update consistently, but I will certainly try for quicker turnarounds.