Chapter 61
ST. LUKE'S
It seemed as if the majority of Salem had turned up to St. Luke's. Of course, that's the way that it normally was whenever somebody got married. Billie and Hope had taken their seats at the front, and the rest of the guests had taken various seats in the other pews. Click
here to listen to the music during the procession. Max and Caroline walked in first. Max kissed his mother on the cheek, then Caroline sat down next to Hope. Next was Frankie, who stood next to Max. Steve walked up next and stood next to him. Shawn-D followed. The last of the groomsmen to come up was Theo. Then, Abby walked up and took a spot across from Frankie. Stephanie took the spot across from Steve. Melanie stood across from Shawn-D. Finally, Ciara stood across from Theo. Parker was the ring bearer, and stood by Shawn-D. Next was Ariana, the flower girl, who stood by Abby. The song came to a stop. Then, came the traditional “
Here Comes the Bride”. Everyone stood at attention. Chelsea, wearing a gorgeous white dress, with Bo on her arm, walked up the aisle. Max smiled, and Chelsea smiled back. Finally, when they got to the front, Chelsea gave her father a kiss on the cheek.
BO (whispering): I love you, kid.
CHELSEA (whispering): I love you too, dad.
Bo sat down between Billie and Hope. The music stopped. Father Louis, who had been sitting at the pulpit, stood and walked between the couple.
LOUIS: Good morning.
CONGREGATION: Good morning.
LOUIS: We are gathered today to join this man and this woman in marriage. Max Brady and Chelsea Brady. But first, please rise for a reading of the Holy Gospel.
The congregation rose.
LOUIS: A reading from the Holy Gospel According to St. John, the 17th Chapter, beginning with the 20th verse.
CONGREGATION: Glory to you, oh Lord.
LOUIS: Jesus said, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” This is the Gospel of our Lord.
CONGREGATION: Praise be to you, oh Christ.
LOUIS: Please be seated.
Everyone in the congregation sat down.
LOUIS: I have been informed that Chelsea and Max have written their own vows. You may recite them at this time.
Chelsea and Max turned to each other, each beaming.
MAX: Chelsea, when I look back on the years we've been together, it feels like I've loved you forever. From the moment I met you, I knew that there was something special about you. And, as we grew to know each other, I knew that you were the woman, the only woman, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. We've been through a lot over the last few years, but I would not trade one moment of it; because you were always right there by my side. I know it won't always be easy, but no matter what life throws our way, we'll face it head on. We're stronger together. And together, I know that we can do anything. I love you more than I can ever tell you, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.
Chelsea smiled even wider. She took a deep breath.
CHELSEA: Max, you have made me the happiest woman in the world. Every day, it's like I find some new thing to love about you. I can't even find the right words to express what I feel. The love that I have for you, is greater than anything I've ever felt before, or anything I ever will feel. I know that sometimes our life feels like a bit of an adventure, but with everything that's been thrown at us, we've come out on the other side, stronger than before. I can't wait to start this new adventure with you. You are the love of my life, and I can't wait to be your wife.
There were a few claps from the audience.
LOUIS: Now that Chelsea and Max have said their vows, it is time for the exchange of the rings. Who gives this woman to wed this man?
Bo stood.
BO: Her mother, her step-mother and I do.
Bo sat back down. Father Louis knelt down by Parker.
LOUIS: May I have the rings, please?
Parker handed Father Louis the rings. He smiled.
LOUIS: Thank you.
Father Louis stood.
LOUIS: These rings are a symbol of Max and Chelsea's love for each other, as well as a reminder of Christ's love for us. It is a never ending circle of gold, signifying the many years of happiness that they will have together. If there is anyone here who can find just reason that these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace.
Max and Chelsea looked out at the crowd. Everyone sat there in silence. After a moment, they looked back at Father Louis.
LOUIS: Max, please take this ring, put it on Chelsea's finger and repeat after me: “with this ring, I thee wed.”
Max took the ring and put it on Chelsea's finger.
MAX: With this ring, I thee wed.
LOUIS: Chelsea, please take this ring, put it on Max's finger, and repeat after me: “with this ring, I thee wed”.
Chelsea put the ring on Max's finger.
CHELSEA: With this ring, I thee wed.
LOUIS: Max, do you take Chelsea Brady to be your wife? Do you promise to honor and cherish her, to be faithful to her and love her, for as long as you both shall live?
MAX: I do.
LOUIS: Chelsea, do you take Max Brady to be your husband? Do you promise to honor and cherish him, to be faithful to him and love him, for as long as you both shall live?
CHELSEA: I do.
LOUIS: Then, by the power vested in me by the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Chelsea and Max leaned in and kissed each other.
LOUIS: Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present, Mr. and Mrs. Max and Chelsea Brady!
There was a round of thunderous applause from the congregation.
