Page 83 of Sainte
He gets a little chuckle from the crowd and then continues. “The most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete, the person who makes the world a beautiful and magical place. The person with whom you share a bond so special—that it transcends relationships and becomes something so pure and so wonderful—that you can’t imagine spending another day of your life without them. We all know that for Caden and Emma, it happened a very long time ago.”
I can’t take my eyes away from Emma. I feel as if I’m gonna burst. My love for her fills my heart.
Doc looks at us both and smiles. “I know how deeply these two care for and love one another, and I am honored to be here today among all of you as a witness of their commitment to a lifetime together.”
“Now Caden and Emma have asked me to keep this short, so I’m gonna do the best I can. I have not known Emma as long as Caden, but I can tell you from the moment Emma arrived at our clubhouse, I knew she was the woman for our prez. Icantell you—and I’m sure you all feel the same—I wish for them that their lifetime together as a couple is one of complete contentment, full of those moments they wish would never end, and that they continue to make one another smile and laugh. Their love is infectious, and it is obvious there is a bond between them that will never be broken.”
“So, without further ado… Dearly beloved and honored guests, we are gathered together here to join Caden and Emma in the union of marriage. This contract is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously and with deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.” He sounds so official.
Doc turns toward Emma. “Emma, do you take Caden to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only onto him for as long as you live?
Emma smiles and says, “I do.”
“Do you have anything else you want to say to Caden?” he asks her.
Tears well in her eyes. “Caden, I have loved you as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, I knew there would come a day when I would become your wife. And what an honor it is. You are my heart and my soul. You have given me so much, including two beautiful children, and I thank God every day we found each other again. I love you.”
Doc then turns toward me. “Caden, do you take Emma to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only onto her for as long as you live?”
I smile and say, “I do.”Finally.
“And, Caden, is there anything else you want to say to Emma?”
“Emma, I have no words. I had always hoped this day would come, but when our lives took totally different paths, I assumed it was just never meant to be. The day I saw you standing outside the gates in tears was the day my life began. Every minute since then, the good and the bad, has been amazing because it has been shared with you. You and our children are my world, Emma, and I love you more than you will ever know.”
I turn back toward Doc, and he clears his throat.
Oh, fuck no. You’re not gonna make me say that.
He clears his throat again.
Oh, damn!
Rebel leans over and nudges my shoulder and whispers in my ear, “Do it. It’s tradition.”
“And…” I hesitate and look out into the crowd. Those fuckers are just waitin’ for it. “I promise to treat you as good as my leather and ride you as much as my Harley.”
Cheers erupt from the crowd, and I’m pleased to see Emma laughing.
When the noise from the crowd dies down, Doc continues. “The rings?”
I turn back toward Rebel, and he looks at me curiously. “What?”
I give him a look that says: you better fucking give me those rings now. He laughs and hands them over. I hand them to Doc. He gives me Emma’s ring back.
“Caden, place this ring on Emma’s left ring finger and repeat after me. Emma, as a sign of my love.”
“Emma, as a sign of my love.”
“And to show the world I have chosen you above all others.”
Again, I repeat what Doc says.
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
“With this ring, I thee wed.” I slide the ring down Emma’s finger.
He hands my ring to Emma and says, “Place this ring on Caden’s left ring finger and repeat after me. “Caden, as a sign of my love.”
