WIth this submission I have written 99 word document pages for this story, definitely the longest thing I've ever written.
I am not in any way affiliated with the church mentioned in this chapter (or any church for that matter). I just did a google search for a church that accepts same sex couples, as all churches should.
Chapter 8) April
When the men woke up on April 3rd, they found it to be a bright, sunny day. This worked well with their plans. After a leisurely breakfast, they went to the park where they had first confessed their love.
They met Diana, Jo, Wade, Jake, Matt and Paul in the open area by the lake that they had watched from the overlook on the walking path. With their friends' help, they set up folding chairs; decorated with streamers and flowers; and prepped the area for the early afternoon ceremony. Once everything was set up, Wade, Jake, Matt and Paul stayed at the site. They took turns to freshen up and change at the public bathrooms, making sure nothing happened to the decorations and seating guests as they arrived.
Cliff and Scott went home to dress. They both wore a cream colored linen suit. Scott wore a blue shirt, Cliff's was green Their ties were both cream colored, Scott's with a thin blue stripe, Cliff's with a thin green stripe. Cliff's short black hair was carefully gelled and stood up on top. He had stubble on his chin and jaw line, a look he had adopted some months ago. Scott's long silky brown hair, now halfway down his back, was loose and flowing and he was clean shaven. They each had a red rose on the lapel of their suit jacket.
Scott met Cliff at the door to their home, and they walked arm in arm to the Mustang. They held each other silently for a few moments, before kissing lightly and getting into the car. Quietly, nervously, Scott drove to the park. He parked in the space his friends had saved for him, right behind the chairs where their friends and family sat.
Cliff's parents had flown down and were staying with Scott's parents. Cliff's friend, Tom, had flown in from California and was standing as Cliff's witness. Diane, Scott's best friend, was standing for him. Their friends were there; Al from Children's Home attended and brought Alex with him. They even agreed to close The Garage early so their employees/coworkers could attend. Since neither man was active in their religion or any church, Scott's uncle George agreed to open and close the ceremony. At some point in his many careered past, George had been a minister for Universal Life Church. He hadn't actively participated in the church for several years, but was still able to officiate a ceremony. He even printed a Commitment Ceremony Certificate to present to the happy couple.
When George saw the car pull up, he stood and welcomed everybody to Prescott Byron Edwards and Heathcliff Earnshaw Andrews's commitment ceremony. He talked a little about how the couple met, and how they now worked together.
While George continued his speech, Cliff and Scott sat in the Mustang; staring at each other. Carefully, Cliff took the ring off his left ring finger. Spinning it between his fingers he read the writing inside before handing over to Scott. Scott also removed his ring and passed it over to Cliff. They would exchange the rings, again, during the ceremony.
George finished his speech, and started music on a CD player. When Cliff and Scott heard the strains of the guitar, a recording Scott had made for the occasion, they opened their car doors and met at the front of the Mustang.
Diane and Tom rose from their chairs at the back of the seating area. Arm in arm, they walked up the aisle between the seats. When they reached George they separated, each standing on one side. Following them, Cliff's arm entwined in Scott's as they slowly walked up the aisle to stand in front of George.
George explained that Scott and Cliff would exchange their own vows.
"Cliff, I knew I wanted to know you the day we met," Scott started, holding Cliff's hands in his own and looking deep into Cliff's eyes. "Talking to you in the classroom at The Garage, I found you to be intelligent, considerate, and beautiful. Unfortunately, ethics rules didn't allow me to ask you out while you were a client. I found out you were thinking about going to the car show and I waited impatiently for you to show up all day. Just before you arrived I had decided I was going to have to swipe your number from the office files, ethics rules or not."
"The past year has been amazing. Knowing you and loving you has changed my life for the better. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you. I promise to love you, and be faithful only to you for as long as we live. Forever yours." He slipped Cliff's ring onto his lover's left ring finger.
"A year ago, I still wasn't sure where I was going in life. Meeting you was the best thing that happened to me. I not only found the love of my life, my family, I also found a home, and a career. I promise to always communicate with you even when we're mad at each other, and to never take your love for granted. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you. I promise to love you, and be faithful only to you for as long as we live. Forever yours," Cliff vowed as he placed Scott's ring on his finger.
The men kissed to finalize their vows and turned back to George.
George spoke for a few minutes about commitment, love, and trust. Before the ceremony could get too long, he proclaimed them partners and husbands, in spirit if not by law. George thanked everybody for attending, and invited them to the reception that was set up on the 3rd floor of Exc!te. Cliff and Scott Edwards, because Cliff wanted to take Scott's name, walked back down the aisle arm in arm.
Once they reached the Mustang again, Scott wrapped his arms around Cliff and pulled him close. Braiding his hands into Cliff's hair, he passionately kissed his husband, his tongue plunging into Cliff's mouth. Cliff intertwined Scott's tongue with his own as he enfolded his husband into his arms.
Breathing hard as they separated, they heard their friends and family cheer and whistle as they got into the car and drove away. At the reception they mingled with their friends and family as they enjoyed a buffet dinner, wine and champagne, and dancing. Scott and Cliff danced closely, shared bites of their dinner, and kissed every time their guests tapped silverware against their wineglasses.
After cutting their wedding cake and sharing a piece, they danced one more slow dance before leaving for their honeymoon.
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Scott and Cliff had just arrived back at their home from their reception. The men had plans to go to a cottage on a private beach in Mexico for a few days. Their plane didn't leave for several hours, so first they planned to consummate their union in their own home. In Cliff's hand was the certificate commemorating their ceremony, already framed courtesy of George. The first thing they did was made room for it on the bookshelf in the living room. After having gently placed it, Cliff turned to Scott and wrapped his arms around Scott's neck.
