Ceremony

“How very nice to meet you Miss Matilda.”, the minister said.  “It is lovely to meet you as well.” Matilda replied.  They all took their seats at the table and exchanged conversation about the weather.  The storm was really raging outside.  The wind howled and the windows shook.

Dinner was Stella’s chicken and dumplings served with beets and tomato slices.  Matilda was more comfortable than she expected to be.  “Would you like some wine?” George asked her.  “I think I should keep my wits about me; so, no thank you.” Matilda said.

Stella brought out a lemon pudding for desert.  The men playing poker had finished their game and departed into the night.  “Stella, do you think you could help me with something upstairs for a moment?” Matilda asked.  “Of course dear; is everything alright?” Stella queried.  “Yes.  I just need your help with something.  Please excuse us for a few minutes gentlemen.” Matilda said.  The men stood to allow the ladies their leave.

 Matilda and Stella went into Matilda’s room and closed the door.  Matilda opened the closet and brought out her wedding dress.  Stella gasped at its beauty.  Matilda hung it up on a hook and turned to Stella.

Stella began unbuttoning the wedding dress while Matilda took off the gown she had on.  Meanwhile downstairs, George was helping Steve remove the dishes and clear the table out of the area so that they had room for the ceremony.  The minister lit some more candles around the room.  About 40 minutes later Stella came out to say Matilda was ready.

Stella sat down at the piano and began to play the wedding march.  The minister and George stood waiting near the piano’s edge.  Steve waited at the base of the stairs for Matilda.  Sam sat watching the whole event unfold.  Matilda’s stomach did a couple of flip-flops.  She grabbed onto the banister for stability.

George didn’t know she had an actual wedding dress with her.  He was stunned by her beauty.  Matilda was carrying the bouquet that had been in her room.  The dress was long and fell with a bustle that was let down into a train.  Matilda walked in time to the music and took Steve’s arm at the base of the stairs.

The distance from the bottom of the stairs to where George stood was only about 10 feet but it felt like a mile.  Everything that could possibly be running through Matilda’s mind was positively racing.  She thought about Ted Barnes and Mary.  She thought about her parents and was sad that they weren’t able to see her get married.  She thought about her siblings and how she would no longer be in their lives as she had been.  Then she focused on George.  A mountain of a man who had been kind and gentle to her; he wasn’t bad looking and he was already established with his ranch and home.  She could have done far worse.

Steve kissed Matilda’s cheek and placed her hand in George’s.  Steve couldn’t help but notice how small, fragile and feminine her hand looked compared to George’s.  “Good luck to you both.” Steve said and receded to the chair near Stella.  Sam was very curious about the whole process and asked, “So, are they married now?”  Stella smiled and ruffled Sam’s hair.  “Not yet.  Just you keep on watching.” Stella said.  Stella left the piano and went over to sit with Steve and Sam.

“Dearly beloved”, the minister began.  George was so sure of himself and solid to stand by while Matilda trembled.  The minister was saying all the right words but Matilda really couldn’t hear them well for how loudly her heart was pounding.  “Do you Matilda take George to be your lawfully wedded husband; to have and to hold; for richer or poorer; in good times and bad; in sickness and in health; ‘til death do you part?”  The minister asked.  George was afraid she wasn’t going to say yes as Matilda just stood looking glassy-eyed at the minister.

“Matilda?” the minister asked.  “Oh, Yes…Yes I do.” Matilda replied.  There seemed a palpable tension until she spoke those words.  Everyone sighed in relief.  Steve looked at Stella and wiped a tear away that was running down her cheek.  Steve squeezed Stella’s hand.  The minister finished his words with, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.  George you may kiss your bride.”

George was radiating with excitement and joy.  He turned to Matilda, placed his left hand on her right cheek and pressed his lips to hers.  Matilda thought she had been kissed before, but nothing compared to this.  Passionate and strong, yet gentle and sweet.  She kissed him back as best as she could.  He would need to give her a few lessons so that she could kiss him as well as he kissed her.