One Winter Weekend

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

T he priest called the service together and blessed them. “We are gathered here,” he began, “on this nativity of the Lord’s birth, to celebrate that special union between Ben and Molly. The readings today will focus on God’s love, but we must not forget that love from on high is manifested so well in these two wonderful young people.”

Molly and Ben smiled at each other as the priest continued the ceremony in Italian, as arranged.

They continued smiling through the readings, and even through the homily (though what the priest was saying barely registered for their guests).

Following the declaration of consent, Molly held her breath as they prepared their vows.

Ben went first, watching Molly intently, never breaking his gaze as he took her hand in his and spoke in perfect Italian: “I, Ben, take you Molly …”

Molly felt weak. Ben had been so good about all this, so determined to make this the perfect Italian Christmas wedding for her – and she felt she was going to break down at any moment.

She swallowed hard before beginning. “I take you, Ben, to be my husband ..”

Ben smiled from ear to ear as the priest requested the rings, reassuring Molly that everything was going to be okay. She felt filled up, her heart rising as James handed Ben the rings.

Without warning, she heard a clink! clink! clink! , the sound of metal rolling down the steps of the altar and into the aisle. Ben groaned and Mark began to laugh.

He had dropped the rings.

He ran down the aisle after them, muttering to himself as he did. Molly couldn’t help but laugh aloud. Whatever the case, whatever came next, this was her husband, the man she loved so dearly. He was strong, and he was brave – and sometimes, he was a complete klutz.

After finally catching the rings, Ben rushed back up to the altar. “Sorry,” he lamented.

Padre Beppe laughed. “You would be amazed at how often that happens,” he reassured.

“Really?” Ben asked, heartened.

“No,” the priest quipped. “It has never happened before. Not once.”

Ben groaned, but everyone else laughed.

“Okay, now, where were we?” Padre Beppe asked. “Ah yes… Ben, please place the ring on Molly’s finger – carefully this time – and repeat after me …”

There were several more prayers in Italian, but Ben and Molly were in such a daze that they barely noticed anything until the priest announced, “Ben, you may now kiss the bride.”

Ben took his new wife in his arms and gazed at her lovingly. He mouthed, We did it , and she nodded tearfully.

He then kissed her with a passion she’d never known before. She enveloped him, wrapping her arms around him. As they finally broke the kiss, he looked her in the eyes again.

“I love you, Molly,” he said.

“I love you too,” she replied before adding with a mischievous smile, “Lord Pembrey.”