You shall be together when the wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in your silent memory.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heaven dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bondage of love.
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup, but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread, but eat not of the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping,
For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together,
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in shadow. Kahlil Gibran ~¤¤¤~
Lane jumped up and down in glee. "This is a perfect fit."
Paris came out of the changing room, and twirled. "So is mine."
Rory observed them for a moment, then grinned. "You guys look wonderful."
Lane rolled her eyes. "Of course, the center of attention will be you."
Paris nodded severely, and glanced at the bridal gown. "Your dress is beautiful."
She was not being opinionated; the dress really was astounding. It was creamy white, made of the finest luster material and very smooth to the touch. It was strapless, and there were tiny rose designs up the side. The train was extremely long – 10 feet. It is one of a kind, and a gift from one of the greatest designers on Earth.
"Not as beautiful as the bride-to-be," said someone behind them.
They all turned around to face the lone figure standing in the doorway. He walked towards the bride and gave her a gentle kiss.
"Jess, what are you doing here?" she asked.
Jess shrugged. "I got bored."
"You know you're not supposed to see me and my dress…" chided Rory.
Jess smirked. "Now, how can I go one day without seeing you?"
Rory blushed, the rosy colour giving her cheeks the perfect tinge. Jess took this opportunity to give her a breathtaking kiss.
~¤¤¤~
It was a sunny day, blue sky till the eye can see. There was no threatening rain cloud or gloomy atmosphere.
People were running around, wringing their hair, crying tears, stamping their foots, shouting, yelling and… sitting peacefully. Today is the wedding and everything had to be perfect. It was supposed to be a small and private affair but somehow the media got hold of the date and place, and so paparazzi could be found milling around the church just dying to get a glimpse of the to-be-married couple. No one who was not on the guest list was allowed in.
"This is the big day and I'm not sure how you're feeling but I feel as if I'm going to cry any second," said Paris. She bent over and placed her head in between her feet.
Rory sighed. "Paris, I have no idea how you got through your wedding."
Lorelai was carefully applying make-up on the bride-to-be. She smiled at her daughter, with tears of pride in her eyes. "I'm really proud of you, babe."
Rory smiled back. Lorelai gave her daughter a wavering smile and tried to put on a brave look. "How are you feeling babe?"
Rory shrugged. "Okay, I guess."
Emily cocked her head. "You're not nervous? No chills of uncertainty?"
Rory nodded. "I've been looking forward to this day since I was a little girl."
Teary smiles went all around the three generations of Gilmores. Lane walked into the room in a great hurry.
Rory gave her a strange look. "That's the sixth time you've done that. But who's counting, right?"
Lane shrugged, then beamed. "Luke is going out of his mind. He seems to think that you're going to leave Jess at the altar." She paused. "You look so beautiful, Rory, you're practically glowing."
"Like a glow worm," said Paris.
"Thanks, I think," Rory said to my bridesmaids.
Luke walked into the room. "Okay. It's started."
~¤¤¤~
Jess was standing in front of the minister, a huge grin on his face. This could possibly be the happiest day of his life. He turned around, as did the on-lookers as Rory strode up the aisle, accompanied by both Christopher and Luke. It wasn't a common sight, but hey, neither was Rory.
Rory stood next to him, and slid her arm into his.
The minister cleared his throat, and began.
"We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people, Jess Anthony Mariano and Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one. They now desire to profess before all the world their intention henceforth to walk the road of life together.
To these two young people, this marriage signifies the birth of a new spirit, a spirit which is a part of each of us, yet not of any one of us alone. This "birth of spirit" reminds us of spring, the season when all life is reborn and looms again. It is appropriate, therefore, that this wedding of Jess Anthony Mariano and Lorelai Leigh Gilmore be in the spring, and that it be under the open sky, where we are close to the earth and to the unity of life, the totality of living things of which we are part."
The minister turned his head to face Rory. "Do you Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, knowing this man's love for you and returning it, realizing his strengths and learning from them, recognizing his weaknesses and helping him to overcome them, take Jess Anthony Mariano to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Rory took a deep breath, and said, "I do."
The minister nodded, "Place the ring on his finger."
He turned to Jess. "Do you Jess Anthony Mariano, knowing this woman's love for you and returning it, realizing her strengths and learning form them, recognizing her weaknesses and helping her to overcome them, take Lorelai Leigh Gilmore to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
The minister smiled at both of them. He loved wedding ceremonies, and he liked them better when it was obvious that the bride was not pregnant. He did perform some shotgun weddings but practice told him that those marriages wouldn't even make it through the first year. However, from the looks that these two shot at each other, he knew from his gut feeling that their marriage would last till the stars don't shine any more.
"Place the ring on her finger. This circlet of precious metal is justly regarded as a fitting emblem of the purity and perpetuity of the Marriage State. The ancients were reminded by the circle of eternity, as it is so fashioned as to have neither beginning nor end; while gold is so incorruptible that it cannot be tarnished by use or time.
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be sanctuary to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no isolation for you. Now there is no more loneliness. Now you are two, but there is only one life in front of you.
And now, Jess Anthony Mariano and Lorelai Leigh Gilmore seeking the fulfillment of love and marriage. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss."
Jess and Rory faced each other, and kissed. Their souls warmed, and the gods above knew that this bond of matrimony was meant to be because… IT'S DESTINY!
~¤¤¤~
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks to another day of loving.
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home eventide with gratitude, and then sleep with a prayer
For the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips. Kahlil Gibran
~¤¤¤~
Wow. That was the first wedding ceremony I have ever tried to write in my life. I hope it's okay. What do you all think? Another chapter to wrap up all the loose ends? More Java Junkiness?
REVIEW PrEtTy PLEASE? Suggestions are welcome and much appreciated.