Chapter 312: I Do
** Eli **
"Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends. We are gathered here today as witnesses to join Harper McKenzie and Eli Isaac Sterling in the union of marriage ..."
Years later, Eli would remember hearing those words somewhat vaguely behind him. But the voice would be muffled, unclear, because at that moment, his whole mind was focused on the beautiful woman in front of him. On that light trail of tears that he lifted his hand to brush his thumb over, trying to dust it away.
Not because she didn’t look breathtaking with that delicate glisten on her face, but because she had done the same for him barely an hour ago ... and he was honored to be able to return the favor. Especially honored when he got to do it while they clasped hands under the rose arch, while she looked back at him with such a soft gleam in her eyes that reflected all the brightness of the sunset sky ... as if her gaze enveloped his whole world.
"As we all know, this marriage is not the start of a new relationship, but a declaration of the evergoing next Chapter in their lives together. Harper and Eli have spent fourteen years knowing each other, sharing laughs and tears with each other, and that is what we are here to witness today — what their relationship has become through over half a lifetime of friendship and commitment and true love ..."
Years later, Eli would remember hearing those words as well, the story of how the two of them had met and fallen in love, how those long years had led them to this moment that carried a holy meaning. But the details would be blurry, hazy, because he knew that no words could ever sum up the journey that the officiant was trying to share with their audience. It was a precious story held close by the two of them, one that only they knew how to tell.
But the muffled haze ended there. The brief drift in surrealness ended when the introductory speech drew to an end, and when the officiant said, "Now, it is time for both of you to declare yourselves to one another."
Everything suddenly became vibrantly, crystally clear, grounding him into the reality that was finally, truly here, with no more uncertainty or doubts.
"Do you, Harper McKenzie, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to honor, from this day forward until the end of your days?"
"I do."
No hesitation, no looking away from his eyes. The final moment came with the final question, with the final answer that couldn’t be more simple.