Britanic gave Suzi a quick wink as he answered. "I have"
The look in the Priest's eyes was very serious and although it was mostly masked by his eye-plate, he emanated a strong sense of sincerity. The next words out of his mouth were weighted with utmost importance. "Will you love and honour each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?"
Britanic didn't even need to think about the question, he knew in his heart the question was yes. So he answered "I will."
Suzi smiled to herself. She'd been given a second life. Although it had terrified her at first to be thrown back into this world that she'd tried so hard to escape, this second chance was a life worth living. The man beside her was a large part of the reason for that. He was her anchor to life itself.
"I will" she responded with utter conviction.
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"Will you accept children lovingly form God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"
"I will" Suzi replied instinctively before adding a long list of unspoken provisos in her mind.
Between the unknown medical situation of her artificially mutated DNA and Eric's, the current situation regarding her friend High Burn's child, and the burdens and risks of her super-heroine status, Suzi had a lot of provisos regarding children at the moment, as she and Eric had discussed before.
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As Britanic answered "I Will" to the question he shot a glance at Suzi. For the forseeable future it didnt seem likely. Britanic lived in hope that one day the Watchmen would find away to permanently stabilise, or cure their condition, and one day have a baby of their own.
The Priest looked Eric in the eyes, leader of the People's Militia, a team of heroes the Priest was a part of and so much loved to work with. He knew Eric to be a kind person and a fine model of what man should be, courageous, strong and loving. "Do you, Eric Mitchell, take Suzi White, as your lawful wife, to love and to honour, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?"
Britanic turned to Suzi, and smiled warmly just before saying "I do."
The Priest turned to face the beautiful bride, smiling warmly with his eyes. He hoped that God had given her the assurance she needed, and that she had listened and learnt enough. "Do you, Suzi White, take Eric Mitchell, as your lawful husband, to love and to honour, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?"
"You have declared your consent before the church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, no one must divide. Amen" prayed the Priest, before looking to the groom. "The rings, please."
Paul stepped forward and handed the two slim, white-gold rings to the Priest.
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The Priest collected the rings and prayed over them. "A circle is the symbol of wholeness, perfection, and unity. Like circles, these rings have no beginning and no end. They are tokens of the growing relationship that Eric and Suzanne have come here to celebrate and confirm. Lord, bless and consecrate Eric Mitchell and Suzi White in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love, that they are one in heart and mind. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen"
With that, the Priest offers the rings to the bride and groom respectively. "Exchange rings and speak any custom vows, afterwards... well, I guess it wouldn't be inappropriate to kiss the bride"
"Well, I guess that'd be okay Reverend, but no tongues in front of my new husband, okay?" Suzi teased, unable to resist.
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Managing to stifle a chuckle at Suzi's comment, Britanic takes the ring meant for Suzi from Father Pious, holding it for a moment as he speaks.
"Suzi, I promise to both love, and be there for you for as long as we live. To share in both your pain, and your joy, and to remain constantly at your side."
Suzi, take 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.
With that Britanic slowly slipped the ring onto her wedding finger just above the diamond ring, taken from the personal hoard of the Redcap Snaptooth, given to her when he originally proposed.
"Eric, I love you, always and all ways. Take 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. Suzi said, her soft gaze never lifting from Brit's eyes, and she slipped the ring on his finger.
"Eric gets kissed first, Father" She said, lifting her lips to Brit's.
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As Suzi's lips touch his own, he closes his white glowing eyes, wraps his arms around her, and starts to kiss Suzi softly, barely able to hold back a joyous smile as he does so.
"You just made me a very happy bloke Mrs. Mitchell" he said after their first married kiss.
Suzi grinned happily "That happens most nights, honey, the only difference is my name changed"
Suzi looked at the shining ring on her finger. "The ring is beautiful, Mr. Stone, thank you. And the ceremony was maginificent, Father. Thank you so much. This means a lot."
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(Long concluding post, all beware!)
As the couple kissed, the zombie choir slowly and gently rose to their feet for the Hymn, Ave Maria.
Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
Gratia plena (Full of grace)
Maria, gratia plena (Mary, full of grace)
Maria, gratia plena (Mary, full of grace)
Ave, ave dominus (Hail, hail the Lord)
Dominus tecum (The Lord is with thee)
Benedicta tu in mulieribus (Blessed art thou among women)
Et benedictus (And blessed)
Et benedictus fructus ventris (And blessed is the fruit of thy womb)
Ventris tuae, Jesus. (Jesus)
Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
Mater Dei (Mother of God)
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus (Pray for us sinners)
Ora pro nobis (Pray for us)
Ora, ora pro nobis peccatoribus (Pray, pray for us sinners)
Nunc et in hora mortis (Now and at the hour of our death)
Et in hora mortis nostrae (And at the hour of our death)
Et in hora mortis nostrae (And in the hour of our death)
Et in hora mortis nostrae (And in the hour of our death)
Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
"Eric and Suzanne are going to light their Unity Candle, a symbol of their relationship and love. The candles from which they light it have been lit by their friends to represent their lives to this moment" said the Priest, urging the couple to light the candles positioned on the alter.
"The lights, representing the faith, wisdom, and love they have received in their lives, are distinct, each burning alone. Eric and Suzie will light the centre candle to symbolize the union of their lives. As this one light burns undivided, so shall their love be one. Amen."
"May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of their unity, may these candles burn brightly as symbols of their commitment to each other, and as a tribute to their family and friends' everlasting love for them. Amen."
Afterwards, the Priest continued with the prayer of the faithful. "My dear friends let us pray to our Father in heaven that he will keep Eric and Suzanne Mitchell united in undivided love, and that he will bless them throughout their married life. That their love may be patient and gentle, ready to trust, and to endure whatever comes. Lord, hear us. That they may pray together in joy and in sorrow, and always give thanks for the gift of each other. Lord, hear us. That God will bless their daily work and perfect through them his work of creation. Lord, hear us. That his peace may dwell in their home and give hope of peace to the world. Lord, hear us. That all married people may be helped to renew and deepen their love. Lord, hear us. That the Church will bring salvation to the world by expressing Christ's love for all people. Lord, hear us. Almighty God, you have come into the lives of Eric and Suzanne Mitchell through the gift of married love. Remain with them always, and show your great love for those who call you their Father. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen."
"Father, by your power you have made everything out of nothing. In the beginning you created the universe and made mankind in your own likeness. You gave man the constant help of woman so that man and woman should no longer flesh, and you teach us that what you have united may never be divided. Father, by your plan man and woman are united, and married life has been established as the one blessing that was not forfeited by original sin or washed away in the flood. Look with love upon this woman, your daughter, now joined together husband in marriage. She asks your blessing. Give her the grace of love and peace. May she always follow the example of the holy women whose praises are sung in the scriptures. May her husband put his trust in her and recognise that she is his equal and the heir with him to the life of grace. May he always honour her and love her as Christ loves his bride, the Church. Father, keep them always true to your commandments. Keep them faithful in marriage and let them be living examples of Christian life. Give them the strength which comes from the gospel so that they may be witnesses of Christ to others. Bless them with children and help them to be good parents. May they live to see their children's children. And, after a happy old age, grant them fullness of life with the saints in the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen."
The zombie choir, who had remained standing, opened into the last Hymn of the night.
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
O'er the world's tempestuous sea;
Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
For we have no help but thee;
Yet possessing every blessing
If our God our Father be.
Saviour, breathe forgiveness o'er us,
All our weakness thou dost know;
Thou didst tread this earth before us,
Thou didst feel its keenest woe;
Self denying, death defying,
Thou to Calvary didst go.
Spirit of our God, descending,
Fill our hearts with heavenly joy;
Love with every passion blending,
Pleasure that can never cloy;
Thus provided, pardoned, guided,
Nothing can our peace destroy.
After the Hymn, the Priest produced the Certificate of Marriage and signed his name as Minister. He then passed the two quills to the bride and groom, to sign their names.
"The Lord's prayer" said the Priest, after the couples had signed their names. "Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallow'd be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the kingdom, And the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."
"God the eternal Father keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may stay with you and be always in your home. May your children bless you, your friends console you and all men live in peace with you. May you always bear witness to the love of God in this world so that the afflicted and the needy wilt find in you generous friends, and may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen"
And then, one by one, the zombies of the gospels faded to ashes, and the ashes fluttered through the air, slowly becoming confetti and small flowers dancing through the Cathedral.
The church organ now played itself, concluding the ceremony with the Wedding March.
Rachel wondered if they'd note the shredded leaflet and fluff amongst the rest. And threw it anyway.
'You lose more of your femininity every day Doroe. It's very appealing.' - SLEDGEHAMMER!
"Congratulations, Brit, old boy!" Paul said, stepping up to pat Eric's shoulder and firmly shake his hand. "and to you also, Suzi, you look radiant, my dear"
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"Thanks Paul, and thanks for stepping in and putting things right mate. It made all the difference."
Britanic looked over to the doors of the Cathedral, remembering the huge zombie horde probably still outside.
"I suppose we really ought to do something about that lot out there. Between myself, you, Father Pious, Mechano, Bast, and my soon to be grounded daughter Rachel im sure we can clear that lot up. I'd much rather Suzi be able to walk out of here in that dress rather than have to leg it."
"Alright then" said the Priest, commencing the ceremony. "In the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions. Eric Mitchell and Suzie White, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"