Summerhaven

Chapter 20

A hush fell over the chapel as they waited to see if anyone would protest. A minute passed without so much as a peep from anyone or anything and the priest smiled at the waiting couple.

“Very well,” he said as he cleared his throat.

“Dear children of God, you have come today to pledge your love before God and before the Church here present today in person of the priest, your families and friends. In becoming husband and wife you give yourselves to each other for life. You promise to be true and faithful, to support and cherish each other until death, so that your years together will be the living out in the love of the pledge you now make.

May your love for each other reflect the enduring love of Christ for his Church. As you face the future together, keep in mind that the sacrament of marriage unites you with Christ, and brings you, through the years, the grace and blessing of God our Father. Marriage is from God: he alone can give you the happiness which goes beyond human expectation, and which grows deeper through the difficulties and struggles of life.

Put your trust in God as you set out together in life. Make your home a center of family life. Now as you are about to exchange your marriage vows, the Church wishes to be assured that you appreciate the meaning of what you do, and so I ask you:

Have you come here of your own free will and choice and without compulsion to marry each other?”

“We have,” Spike and Buffy replied.

“Will you love and honor each other in marriage all the days of your life?”

“We will,” the answered.

“Do you Elizabeth take William as your husband?”

“I do.”

“Do you William take Elizabeth as your wife?”

“I do.”

The priest smiled down at them, his wise face full of comfort as he held his hands above their heads.

“May I have the rings please?”

Oz reached into his pocket and withdrew their wedding bands. They were simple gold bands engraved on the insides with their initials and the date. Spike had gone one further and written “Keeper of my heart” on Buffy’s band. Little did he know Buffy had a special inscription written on his ring as well. His said, “Key to my soul”.

The priest took their rings and placed them in one hand while placing his other hand on their joined hands.

“May the Lord bless these rings, which will be the sign of your love and fidelity.”

“William take this ring and as you place it upon Elizabeth’s finger recite your vows.”

Spike smiled at Buffy as the priest placed the ring in his hand. He took it between his thumb and forefinger as he looked into her eyes.

“I, William, take you, Elizabeth, to be my wife, confident in my heart that you will be a faithful friend, and a true and loving companion. One this wondrous day, in the presence of God, our family and friends as witnesses, I give to you my sacred vow that as your husband, I will always be with you and support you. In times of sickness and in health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow. I further promise to love you completely, to console and comfort you during difficult times, to respect you and to protect you from harm. To honor you and to provide for your well-being, to be truthful and honest with you and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live and beyond,” Spike finished as he choked up, a stray tear making its way down his chiseled face. He slid the gold band upon Buffy’s hand and watched as his tear fell on the ring illuminating it, making it shimmer.

Buffy sniffled as she looked into Spike’s eyes. As if it were even possible more love flooded her being for this man.

“Elizabeth as you place this ring on William’s finger please recite your vows.”

Buffy was holding onto Spike’s hand as the priest handed her the ring. She took it in her hand and prepared to slide it down his ring finger.

“I, Elizabeth, take you, William, to be my husband, confident in my heart that you will be a faithful friend, and a true and loving companion. On this wondrous day, in the presence of God, our family and our friends as witnesses, I give to you my sacred vow that as your wife, I will always be with you and support you. In times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow. I further promise to love you completely, to console and comfort you during difficult times, to encourage you to achieve your full potential, to laugh with you and to grieve with you, to share with you life’s simplest but most enduring pleasures, to be truthful and honest with you and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live and beyond,” Buffy recited, her voice shaky as she cried with love for Spike.

The priest reached for their hands again and gazed upon them.

“The couple has proclaimed their love for one another and have exchanged their tokens of promise. Let us look upon them with love and respect. William and Elizabeth, may you both be as in love and happy as the Lord allows. Today has been a happy and joyous day, may it continue to be so. In as much as you have pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love, and devotion, I now declare you to be husband and wife. William you may kiss your bride.”

Spike let go of Buffy’s hands and reached for her veil. He slowly lifted it off her face and saw the tears running down her cheeks. He cupped her face in his hands and smiled as he leaned towards her. His lips touched hers tenderly a shock going through the two of them. Around them everyone cheered. Spike pulled back and pressed his forehead to Buffy’s.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you,” she whispered back.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to be the first to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie,” the priest said as he touched both of their backs.

The chapel erupted in applause as the happy couple walked down the aisle smiling and holding hands. As they reached the door they turned towards one another and kissed. Neither had been so happy as they were today. To finally be together, for it finally to be right. For their love to finally be shown. And in the end their love had seen then through.

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