Chapter 14 part 2: If These Walls Could Talk
Theresa and Gwen found their bouquets which consisted of beautiful white and lavender roses mixed in with a sprinkling of baby’s breath. Theresa felt eyes on her and turned to see Ethan gazing fixedly at her. She gave him a genuine smile and he flashed his toothy grin at her. She felt her heart doing back flips in her chest again from seeing Ethan. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she was certain tonight was going to be special for them.
Gwen straightened Sheridan’s dress and veil and handed her the bouquet she was going to carry. It too, consisted of white roses with sprays of baby’s breath and lilac to match the girls’ dresses. The four walked out into the hallway and stood behind the big double doors that led into the sanctuary.
The doors opened and “Canon in D” began playing. Theresa gave Ethan a small smile before she began to walk down the aisle. All eyes were on the back of the church and watched as Theresa smiled and walked gracefully to the front of the church. Gwen followed with just as much ease as she, too, walked down the aisle. Luis watched the girls walk down and take their places. He was so excited he was about to burst. The moment had finally arrived, and at anytime, Sheridan would be the next one through the doors.
“Sheridan, I’m so happy for you,” Ethan said sincerely. “Thank you, Ethan.” “Aren’t you nervous?”
“Not one bit. This is what I’ve been dreaming about for so long, Ethan, and now it’s here. Luis makes me happier than I ever imagined I could be.” She gave him a small hug and the big organ began her song. “The Prince of Denmark March” began playing and the congregation rose to their feet and focused their attention at the back of the church. Sheridan laced one arm with Ethan’s and carried her bouquet in the other hand. They rounded the corner and Sheridan saw the crowded church. It looked like all of Harmony was in attendance. Everyone, that is, except Julian and Alistair. She looked to the front and saw Luis flashing his billion dollar smile. It was the smile that made her weak in the knees, and it didn’t cease its effect this time.
Luis felt his mouth drop open slightly from seeing Sheridan walk through the double doors. He knew she would look beautiful, but he had no idea she’d be like this. She was positively striking and she glowed in the candlelight. Luis gazed fixedly as she gracefully made her way to the front of the church. Sheridan reached Luis and she took his hand, intertwining her fingers with his.
Father Lonigan told the guests to be seated and he began the ceremony. “We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Luis and Sheridan in marriage. Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace.” Silence filled the church because anyone could see that there were no two people more meant for each other than Sheridan and Luis. “Who is it that brings this woman to this man?”
“I do,” Ethan stated proudly. Sheridan turned and gave him a kiss on the cheek and handed her bouquet to Gwen. Father Lonigan nodded and Ethan took a seat next to Ivy. “Luis and Sheridan, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family or by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life, and is the shared goal of a married life. Luis and Sheridan, you have chosen to write your own vows. If you will, exchange them now.”
Sheridan and Luis turned to face each other and he took her other hand in his and ran his thumbs lightly over the top of her hands. “Sheridan, from the moment you came literally crashing into my life, my world has never been the same. It’s pretty much public knowledge that we didn’t hit it off right away, but the one thing that was always certain, you got to me in ways I didn’t think possible. I thought at first we were complete opposites, but in all actuality, we were one in the same…strong-willed, focused. Some people call it obstinate, I just call it determined.” Sheridan and Luis exchanged smiles as they gazed into the other’s eyes. “I thought I was strong and fearless when I met you, but I had so much to learn. You taught me that opening up, sharing feelings, and allowing love from others into my heart is where real courage and strength come from. I had been closed off for so long when we met that I had forgotten what feeling alive was truly like. Your love made me come alive, Sheridan. I never knew true love really existed until I fell in love with you. You are my best friend, my soul mate, and the great love of my life. Thank you for everything that you’ve taught me and given to me. And above all, thank you for loving me. I know that our love will last an eternity. So I Luis, take you Sheridan, to be my wife. I promise before God, our family, and friends, to stay by your side as your faithful husband in sickness and in health, good times and in bad. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”
Sheridan felt the happy tears spring to her eyes during Luis’ beautiful, heartfelt vows. A few tears slipped out and Luis reached up to brush them away. She glanced down at her feet and then up into Luis’ eyes again. She gave his hands a gentle squeeze and began her own vows. “Luis,” she began softly, “when I met you, I was in a terrible place in my life. I thought for sure I’d never find anyone to love me for me…just me…just Sheridan. In the twenty-six years I lived before I met you, no one had affected me the way you did. You got under my skin and no matter how hard I tried, you occupied my thoughts when you were the last person I wanted to think of.” Luis gave her a big grin as they thought back to the time when they “hated” each other. “Then a little place called Santa Fe changed things and made me see all the good there is in you. Our rocky journey to love didn’t end there as we had several obstacles in our path. But we overcame them…every last one. You see, my whole life, I dreamed of this wonderful, tall, dark, and handsome man that would save me from my dismal existence and love me unconditionally. He would love me for all of my strengths and above all that, my weaknesses. I was beginning to think that man only existed in my dreams and that soul mates were just hearsay. Boy I was wrong. I’m so happy that the man of my dreams does exist, and that you are that man, Luis. The love we share goes above and beyond any of my dreams. It’s strong, pure, and true. You are my one true love, the man of my dreams, my best friend, and my soul mate. I’m truly blessed to have your love and I thank God everyday for guiding us towards each other. You have my heart…and it’s a permanent lock. I will love you forever and always. So, I Sheridan, take you Luis, to be my husband. I promise before God, our family, and friends, to stay by your side as your faithful wife in sickness and in health, good times and in bad. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”
Luis’ eyes got teary during Sheridan’s vows. By now, they both had tears of joy trickling down their faces. Sheridan gently brushed away his tears and he did the same for her. Theresa and Gwen both had tears in their eyes as did Pilar, Ivy, and several other guests. The love shared between Sheridan and Luis was undeniable and anyone could see it by just being in the same room with them for two minutes.
“May I have the rings please?” Father Lonigan asked. Miguel placed the rings in his hand, and Father Lonigan began to speak. “A ring is more than a symbol of your marriage. It is a seal of the vow you have given to one another. The circle of the ring is, as far as human eye can see, a perfect circle—with no beginning or end—so God too has perfect love for you and wants you to love one another in His grace—never, never ending. This ring is made of precious metal. You also are precious in God's sight and now in the love you have for each other. When you are absent one from another the presence of the ring reminds you to be faithful to and to fulfill your vows.”
He handed Sheridan the ring and she held Luis’ left hand in hers. “Luis, with this ring, as a token of my undying love and affection, I marry you.” She slid the gold band onto his third finger and caressed his hand tenderly. Luis got the ring from Father Lonigan and held Sheridan’s left hand. “Sheridan, with this ring, as a token of my undying love and affection, I marry you.” He carefully placed the ring on her finger and held her hands.
“Sheridan and Luis, as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together—as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other,” Father Lonigan continued. “Let us pray.”
“Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with great happiness on Luis and Sheridan’s wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretense or jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend, and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always present. Bless this marriage we pray and walk beside Luis and Sheridan throughout all their lives together. We ask these things in Jesus name. Amen.”
“Luis and Sheridan, the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle.” Sheridan and Luis walked to the unity candle hand in hand and picked up a candle on either side of it and lit the center candle. “The individual candles represent your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.”
“Luis and Sheridan, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Holy Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife. Whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder. You may kiss the bride,” Father Lonigan finished.
Luis didn’t need to be told twice that he could kiss his wife. He cupped her face in his hands and looked lovingly into her eyes for a moment. He leaned in and met her mouth for their first heart-stopping kiss as husband and wife. Sheridan wrapped her arms around him and the applause from the crowd grew louder. They pulled back from their kiss and Luis gave her a couple of quick pecks before finally pulling away.
“It is my pleasure to announce Mr. and Mrs. Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald.” Again, the congregation clapped loudly for the newlyweds. Gwen handed Sheridan her bouquet and the recessional music began playing and they walked to the back of the church with permanent smiles attached to their faces.
Once they were outside of the sanctuary, they made their way to the office to sign their marriage license. Luis then picked up Sheridan and spun her around in circles which elicited giggles from her. “We finally did it…Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald,” Luis said grinning from ear to ear as he sat her down on the ground. “Say it again,” Sheridan spoke softly. “Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.” “Mmm…I really like the sound of that, Luis.” She was beaming and felt as though she could burst from the amount of happiness she had inside her.
“So do I. Come here you,” he said pulling her close to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and brushed his nose against hers. “I love you, Sherry,” he whispered. “I love you too, Luis.” Luis pulled back so he could look at Sheridan. His eyes traveled up and down committing the way she looked to his memory. “Sheridan, you look,” Luis said shaking his head, “WOW! You look so amazingly beautiful…like an angel…my angel.”
She felt her cheeks blush slightly. “Thank you. I must say, that when I saw you at the front of the church in this tux,” she said holding onto the lapel of his jacket, “I almost dropped my bouquet.” She smiled sweetly and he chuckled. She reached her hands out and held his face gently. Slowly she pulled him towards her and brushed her lips against his. Luis held onto her waist gently and lured her closer still. They melted against the tender, passionate kiss and Sheridan moaned softly as Luis nibbled gently on her bottom lip. There was a knock on the door and they broke the kiss they were sharing.
Theresa popped her head in the door. “Hey you two. The photographer is ready for some pictures. I figured you want to know so you could get to the reception.” “Thanks Theresa,” Luis said. “We’ll be out in just a second.” She smiled knowingly at the newlyweds. “Okay.” Theresa slipped out quietly and shut the door. Luis looked deeply into Sheridan’s crystal blue eyes. “Well, should we get out there, Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald?” He asked as he ran the back of his hand lightly over her cheek.
Sheridan grinned from ear to ear. “I love the sound of my new name.” She kissed him quickly. “Let’s go. We have a big party to get to.” Luis kissed her again and grabbed her hand leading her out of the room and into the sanctuary. The photographer took tons of pictures of the happy couple and the rest of the wedding party. When they finished, they headed for the limo that was waiting to take them to the reception. The wedding party climbed in first and then Luis pulled Sheridan in for a kiss. She pulled back, breathless, and gave him an impish smile. “I can’t wait to dance with you,” Luis said with his boyish grin.
“Yes, I have big plans for dancing,” Sheridan said sweetly. “And I have even bigger plans for later,” she said wiggling her eyebrows. Luis let out a guttural laugh. “I love the way your mind works, Sheridan.” He kissed her again and they got into the limo and drove away.
To Be Continued…
