Chapter 14
The trip to the church seemed to be over in the blink of an eye. I know it took a good fifteen minutes to drive there, but with Mara and Annie in the car with me, it seemed like moments.
Dad was waiting for us at the bottom of the steps. When he looked up and met my gaze, there were so many unspoken things in his eyes.
I saw regret, love, shame, forgiveness, and pride. I guessed it was all the things he had felt over the past few months with this situation. It must have been so hard on such a traditional straight-laced man.
When Mara and I reached the bottom of the steps, Dad took me in his arms and pulled me close.
“You are so beautiful, baby girl. The braids in your hair make you look like a proper Irish bride. Add in the tiara, and you could be Tatianna herself.” He pulled back and looked me over. Ouch! He had no clue how close to a faery queen I actually was.
“There’s something missing,” he sniffled, before reaching into his inside breast pocket and pulling out a delicate piece of linen, covered in Irish scrollwork.
“You can’t be married without a magic hanky, girlie,” He gruffed.
“This one, was the one me mam was given by her dad. She gave it to me, and now I’m giving it to you. Sean has no use for it, and Mara had yer mother’s.”
“Oh Daddy,” I blinked rapidly.
“None of that now,” Mara stepped in. “There will be no tears to ruin the makeup I spent all morning on, you two. Dia, give me your bouquet and I will put the hanky in it. Later, Mum and I will help you to turn it into a bonnet for your wee girl.”
“Thank you.” I hugged my dad again while Mara fussed with the bouquet. Once she was happy with it, she handed it back, and made sure Dad and I were standing like we were supposed to. Then she made sure that my dress was perfect, before she gave us the once over, one final time.
“Now you’re ready to meet your grooms,” she winked.
“Just because there are three of them, doesn’t mean I won’t kill em all if they treat you bad, baby girl. I know people,” My dad warned darkly.
I smiled happily at him and told him I was ready.
“Of course, you are,” he sighed. “Too bad I’m not, but never mind, let’s get you to the ceremony before there is a revolt.”
Annie was waiting at the doors, holding onto my niece and nephew, who were bouncing with excitement.
The door opened and shyness overtook them, but they were still brave enough to walk hand-in-hand down the aisle of our family church, which was decorated in beautiful flowers and candles.
Our families filled every available seat in the chapel, and the low murmur of voices died away in expectation.
Annie and Mara fell in behind them, gliding gracefully, to stand opposite of Kale and Robin.
Neither of them looked back, they had all agreed to see me in my wedding finery for the first time, together. They couldn’t all marry me in the church, but they could follow some of the traditions.
As soon as my foot stepped over the doorstep, the violins began playing Cannon in D major. Nerves hit me, suddenly it all became a very real thing.
I was getting married. My daddy was walking me towards the men of my dreams, and I was about to exchange vows before God––with Daniel.
A smile of pure happiness spread across my face, and the room began to glow with my bliss. Luckily, the guests assumed it was part of the wedding, and no one took real notice of the unconscious show of power. Well, other than Robin, whose lips tilted upwards as he glanced towards the ceiling where the lights sparkled under their own power.
The twenty feet down the aisle felt like it took years, but was over in seconds. All three of my men turned to look at me. Awe and love shining from their gazes. I could hear the click of cameras behind me. I really hoped that the photographer was able to catch the identical look on the boys’ faces. I wanted to be able to catch that moment in time for eternity.
My heart overflowed when my dad turned me to Daniel and cleared his throat. He had to clear it again, before he was able to grab their attention. I had to hold back a chuckle at the unabashed look on Daniel’s face.
Father Brian stepped forward then and called all eyes to him, so that we could begin the ceremony.
"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
My dad stood straighter and puffed out his chest.
“I do. With both her mother and I’s blessing.”
He then took my hand from his arm and set it on Daniel’s before stepping back and to the side.
The prayers and songs blurred together, but when Father Brian began to question us, I felt my tummy dip in excitement.
“Daniel and Dianthe, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?”
“We have,” we spoke together.
“Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honour each other for as long as you both shall live?”
“We are.” We smiled at one another.
“Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God, and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?”
There was a titter from the assembled guests, and I laughed softly.
“We are.” Both of our eyes dropped to the bean, resting safely below my heart.
“I guess that was a silly question to ask,” Father Brian laughed. “Don’t worry, Dia, you are hardly the first girl to put the cart before the horse.” He winked before carrying on.
“It is now time for the vows of consent. Daniel and Dianthe have asked to speak their own words, it is with pleasure I now stand as witness to these vows.”
Daniel took my right hand in his and our eyes met.
“You cannot possess me, for I belong to myself, but while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give. You cannot command me, for I am a free person, but I shall serve you in those ways you require, and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand. I pledge to you, that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night and the eyes into which I smile into in the morning. I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup. I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care. I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine. I shall not slander you, nor you me. I shall honor you above all others, and when we quarrel we shall do so in private and tell no strangers our grievances. This is my wedding vow to you. This is the marriage of equals.”
My lips trembled and I was thankful that my vow was much shorter. I don’t think I could hold it together to repeat a long set of vows.
“I––my voice wavered a second before gaining strength. In my heart, I was speaking to all three of my mates as I made my vow.
"I swear by peace and love to stand, heart to heart and hand in hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear me now, confirming this, our sacred vow."
Heat started generating in our hands, and my eyes widened. So, did the boys’, who had been standing there, watching the ceremony quietly to that point.
Robin flicked his fingers quickly for a moment and the room around us froze. It was a good thing, as light erupted from mine and Daniel’s hands and spread to Robin and Kale.
A deep rumbling thunder went through the church like a shockwave. Words that I felt to the depths of my soul, filled the four of us, and swept out upon the room, deaf to the frozen audience.
“My child,” it boomed in a silent voice. “Not born of my children, but mine still. I give you my blessings and love upon your unity. Love knows no bounds, and as I gave to my children their fathers love, I also give to you. Dianthe, of the Celts Divinity, blessed be. Puck, of the Fae, blessed be. Kale of the Wolves, blessed be. Daniel, of dual worlds, blessed be. I am the I am, and you are all welcomed into my kingdom.”
The light became blinding, before once again fading away and leaving us as we were.
“Did––I choked. “Did, what I think just happen, really happen.”
“Yes,” all three of my men agreed.
We took a moment for it to sink in before Robin returned the church to the present time.
There was a, “Awwwww,” that swept the church, and it took me a moment to realize it was in response to our vows.
I was wound tight now, and was afraid of what could happen next.
The rest of the service flew by, and then it was time for the final blessing.
Daniel and I knelt before Father Brian and we bowed our heads.
“May God, the all-powerful Father, grant you his joy and bless you and your children.
The entire church responded, “Amen.”
“May the only begotten Son of God stand by you, with compassion in good times and in bad.”
Again, “Amen.”
“May the Holy Spirit of God always pour forth his love into your hearts.”
“Amen.”
“And he blesses all the people, and may almighty God bless all of you, who are gathered here. The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
This was followed with a hearty, “Amen.”
"Go in peace to glorify the Lord with your life,” Father Brian finished.
The guests replied, "Thanks be to God."
Father Brian, then helped us to stand, and with a cheeky grin, laughed.
“This is the best part, people. Daniel, you may now kiss the bride.”
And oh boy, did he!
The heat in his eyes was reflected in Kale and Robin’s eyes. I had a feeling that my wedding night was not going to be restful at all.
When Daniel finally released me from our kiss, we turned to our guests. Father Brian clapped his hands together and said proudly.
“I now present you with Mr and Mrs Daniel Lovelace!”
Cheers and clapping filled the room, with a few bawdy comments thrown in for good measure. I laughed. It truly was one of the happiest days of my life.
As we were walking back down the aisle, arm in arm, I saw Brodie from the corner of my eye. He tipped his head and grinned, before simply vanishing. The man had no shame. Anyone could have seen him, but in this moment, all I could think about was the three men surrounding me––Robin and Daniel at each arm, and Kale at my back. We were wed, and blessed by On High.
The bells began to ring, as we walked out of the church and sunlight shone on us, as a promise of things to come.
We were truly blessed.
Now all we had to do was survive the reception.