Newly-wed: The Ceremony
When marriage between two men becomes legal, William and Michael take one another’s hands. This is the first gay wedding their church has ever participated in. Michael is an angel to William, and William is Michael’s sworn protector. William only has one question for him: “Will you allow me the privilege of spending my days with you?”
“William, would you like to recite your vows?” The pastor asked. Tears were flooding the congregation as William took his groom’s trembling hands. This was the first ceremony this church had seen wedding two men. The grooms stood upon a carpeted stage, a stained glass window casting purple lights by their feet. Michael, William’s partner, wore a tight white suit that fit crisply over his narrow, feminine shoulders. He was shorter than his future husband, standing a few inches beneath him. William leaned down to look at his glowing face.
He smiled softly as he wiped a tear from under Michael’s lush lashes. He huffed a laugh. “You’ll smear your liner if you keep this up.” Michael didn’t speak; his breath shuddered. William kissed his groom’s palms to calm him down. “Fifteen years — That’s how long it took the world to catch up to us. This is all surreal; you look like a dream with the sun catching your pretty, blue eyes.” A tiny gasp left him, and he choked on his words. “I never thought I’d have the privilege of writing vows, and now that I stand here in this church, I’m at a loss. Neither of our families attended. Adversity will greet us when we leave this hall. I should be terrified, but all I can think about is your terrible cooking — the way your hair ruffles when you sleep, and how you blow through the house like a tornado when you come home from work. Breathing your air is suffocating, and your presence, a mere touch of the hand, makes my heart flutter.”
Michael’s lip quivered as William massaged his hand; this was his secret way to calm him down. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you; whether our love is legal is no consequence to me. You excite me, bringing passion to my life, not only in front of the public, but — forgive me for saying — the bedroom as well.” Michael’s breathing hitched as his face turned beet red; the congregation chuckled at the young lovers. William never let go of his groom’s hand. He got down on one knee. “I kneel before you as your servant to have and to hold through sickness and through health. Whether you love me or hate me, I’ll continue improving, so you may have a future that suits your every desire. Michael — ” A single tear escaped from his composed expression, and his voice shook as he stared up at the love of his life. “Will you allow me the privilege of spending my days with you, my treasure?”
A woman in the congregation couldn’t hold in her excitement. “I do!” She shouted, filling the hall with another round of laughter. William remained on his knee, patient in his resolve.
“Michael Nathanial Schaefer,” the pastor said, holding his bible against his chest. “What is your response?”
Michael’s face illuminated with joy, and through his overwhelming tears, he trembled and said, “I do!” He pulled William to his feet, placed his hands on his face, and kissed him as if he was his only source of oxygen.
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