With a nervous laugh, she said, “We’re still missing a few people.”
As if on cue, the Rabonovich’s came in followed by Stephanie Giordano. Sofia Rabonovich set down the box she carried and went to Robin, putting her hands on her shoulders, kissing both of her cheeks. “My dear, how incredibly exciting.”
Robin nodded and whispered, “No one knows.”
Craig came in while Tony and Abram were shaking hands. “I’m not late, am I?”
“Not at all,” Tony said, walking to his future father-in-law with his hand extended. “We are so honored that you’re giving Robin away.”
“I’m thanking God for the chance to be doing things right for once,” Craig said, cheeks fusing bright pink with color.
The far door opened, and two high school boys from the youth group came in together. Peter held up a hand in greeting. “Good to see you boys. Thank you for arriving very nearly on time.”
The only redhead in the group said, “My mom said to tell you again how much she appreciates you asking us to do this, Mr. V.,” he said.
Tony smiled. “I’m sure you’ll do a great job ushering. There are twenty of you all together, and I know Stephanie has you meeting her for instruction and training in the morning, but you two will be part of the ceremony, so I wanted you to be here tonight.
“And now,” Tony said, putting an arm around Robin’s shoulders. “We have a surprise for you all.”
Robin’s fingers shook slightly, not from nerves but just from general excitement, as she worked the belt loose on her coat. As soon as it was loose, she shrugged out of it, revealing a white satin tea-length dress with short capped sleeves and a scrolling pattern of pearls sewn into the skirt.
Maxine gasped. “Seriously?” she asked, laughing. “I love it!”
“What’s going on?” Sarah asked.
“We decided instead of the big hoopla tomorrow, we wanted to experience our most special day with the people closest to us rather than share it with another thousand people,” Robin said.
Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “What am I not understanding?”
Maxine put her hand on her hip. “They’re actually going to get married tonight. This isn’t practice – it’s for real.”
Caroline clapped her hands and threw her head back and laughed. “Fantastic!”
“Wait,” Derrick said. “What about tomorrow? Did you cancel everyone coming?”
“Not at all,” Tony said. “We’ll still go through all the motions. But Robin thought, and I agreed, that she would enjoy the day much more if the added stress of getting married wasn’t weighing down on her.”
Barry frowned. “Isn’t that the point of tomorrow? The stress of getting married?”
Robin walked up to him and slipped her arm around his waist, hugging him to her. “I’ve been trying to get him to elope with me since he proposed. Don’t stop this now, Barry.”
He laughed and squeezed her then released her. “I’m glad you didn’t elope. Well, until now. Tony enjoys the hoopla too much.”
With a sigh Robin said, “I know. God help me, I know.”
Stephanie smiled and said, “She told me about it last week, and I have been absolutely bursting with it. What a fun and clever idea!”
Sophia opened the box she carried in and handed simple bouquets of white roses and fresh greenery to Maxine, Sarah, and Caroline.
“You want me to go ahead and walk you down the aisle now,” Craig asked, “or wait for tomorrow?”
“We still need to practice for tomorrow, so we’re going to go through all of the motions. But, the ceremony will be real and we’ll say our vows,” Robin said.
The door opened again and the church’s organist and sound manager came in together. They stopped briefly to confer with Abram and Stephanie before she went to the huge pipe organ and flipped switches to get it turned on and the sound manager went back out the door to go up to the sound booth in the balcony.
Abram clapped his hands. “Is everyone ready?”
Robin, her sisters, and Caroline, with Angel Dove and Isaac, all went to the back of the church with Craig while Tony, Barry, Derrick, and Peter went out the side doors at the front of the church. They left the doors propped open so that they could hear Stephanie’s directions.
Sarah fiddled with the ribbon on her bouquet. “I wish you’d told us. We could have been prepared.”
Robin put an arm around her shoulders. “We intentionally didn’t tell anyone but Stephanie, who needed to make flower and dress arrangements for me, and Abram, who will be officiating. We wanted it to be a surprise.”
Sarah looked at Maxine. “You didn’t know?”
With a shake of her head, Maxine confirmed it. “No. This is a huge surprise for me. I’m thrilled though.” She turned to Robin. “What are you guys doing tonight?”
Robin felt her cheeks heat. “We will still have dinner as planned, catered at Barry’s house. Only afterward, instead of going back to the hotel, Derrick will take my room and I’ll go home with, ah, my husband.”
Her upper lip dotted with sweat. Maxine ran a hand over her arm. “You okay with that?”
Robin nodded. “Way more than I would be if it were tomorrow. I can’t even handle the thought of dealing with all those eyes and all those people -- the small talk and networking -- along with the wedding night stress. It was just too much. Tony came up with this idea. I just hope …” She trailed off, not really sure what she meant to say.
Maxine hugged her. “Everything will be magical,” she said in Robin’s ear. “I believe that.”
Robin fanned her face and turned to Craig. “Ready, dad?”
“Kinda glad to be getting a practice in before the real thing, that’s for sure,” he said, offering his arm. Gerald came down the aisle and snapped a photo just as Robin put her hand on his arm.
From the front of the church, Stephanie held a microphone and tapped it to make sure it was on. “Okay, here’s the order of services. Before any of the wedding party come out, there’s a soloist. She’s going to come and take microphone B and move to here,” Stephanie said, walking to the left side of the stage. “She’ll sing, and when she finishes, Tony, you, Abram, and your party will come through the doors together and take your places.” She paused. “You can come now.”
The men came together and Stephanie directed them where to stand. “Okay,” she said, “once they’re in place, then the two ushers will take the cords on the runner that’s back there and walk forward, together pulling it open.” The two youth rushed to take the cords and started walking. As the runner opened, Robin could see the beautiful scrolling “V” and the intricate artwork around it. “Come all the way to the front and it should run out just –” the roll ended and they were left holding the cords and an empty holder right in front of Tony and Abram. “Perfect!”
Stephanie continued, “Now the organist will be playing some music the whole time. As soon as they finish the roll, Angel Dove and Isaac will walk together.” She looked at Tony but continued to speak into the mike. “Is he still going to carry the rings?”
Tony nodded. “We’ll exchange rings again tomorrow. No one need know our practice was the real thing but us.”
“So, Angel Dove and Isaac will come down the aisle, followed by the bridal party with Caroline first, then Sarah, and finally Maxi.” Stephanie looked at notes as she spoke. Isaac held his sister’s hand as they walked with some trepidation, down the long aisle. Eyes wide behind the round glasses, he kept his face focused on his father’s, who waited for him at the end.
As soon as they were four rows into the march, Stephanie said, “Okay, now Caroline.” She directed Sarah and Maxine at the same time. As they came up front, she told each of them where to stand and how to face the audience. When Maxine was in place, the organist paused for one heart beat, then two, and then played the beginning chords of the wedding march.
Robin looked at Craig. “You ready?”
“As ever,” he said, patting her hand tha
t gripped his other arm. While the familiar music played, Robin and Craig slowly walked down the aisle, and she looked at Tony and smiled. His face was serious, almost intense, but when she smiled, he relaxed and smiled back.
It seemed to take forever to reach the front. She and Craig stopped in front of Tony and Abram.
“Who gives this bride to this groom?” Abram asked.
Craig cleared his throat twice before he spoke, “I do.” His voice rang clearly through the church.
Stephanie said, “Craig, at this point, you’ll raise her veil.”
Craig mocked raising her veil. He looked so uncomfortable, that Robin hugged him. Blinking back tears, she stepped forward and took Tony’s hand. Holding her hand, he turned and faced Abram.
In a strong and rich voice, Abram said, “It really is a joy to be here tonight, gathered with you, Tony and Robin, and surrounded here by friends. It is such a privilege to officiate this celebration. You two are very special to my Sofia and me, and I thank you for inviting me to be a part of it.”
Robin thought about the first time she met Abram. While she and Tony had sat in the Rabonovich’s home and had after-church cake and coffee, he had very kindly and lovingly instructed her on how to start reading her Bible.
“After the ceremony today, I will sign the marriage certificate. Everyone who has been married in recent years has a piece of paper that certifies that they had a wedding. Some folks have it in a nice frame, up on the wall somewhere in their house. Some might have it in a lock box with other important documents in order to keep it safe. Regardless of what you do with this piece of paper, I want to tell something I hope you never forget – it’s just a piece of paper. Really. That’s all. A piece of paper is not a marriage. In fact, everything we are doing today is not a marriage.”
Robin looked at Tony. He must have felt her glance, because he shifted his eyes from Abram and looked over at her. They had conspired to get married tonight instead of tomorrow so that this moment, this ceremony, could be something just them and the people closest to them could share. She grinned a secret grin meant for Tony alone. Despite nearly bursting with the desire to share the plan with her sisters, she didn’t spoil the surprise. That made this all the more fun, she thought.
“Don’t get me wrong, this is a great day – a beautiful day. It is wonderful to be here in this place, with all these friends, witnessing your vows to one another in this historic building where thousands of others through four generations have said their own vows. But as good as it is to be here, we should all remember that this is a wedding, not a marriage. What makes a marriage is what comes next.”
It was hard not to lean over and kiss Tony. He had looked so intense, his dark eyes so serious. But when she gave him that secret grin, everything about him softened and he smiled and winked at her.
“What makes a marriage is what you do tomorrow, and the next day, and the following weeks and months and years and decades to come … growing older and weaker in the flesh and wiser and stronger in love. There is a verse of scripture that claims, ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ Chances are that you will never be asked to give up your life for your spouse. But, you will have to give up yourself for your spouse every day from now on. Marriage is not a piece of paper.”
Since Abram was speaking directly to them, Robin looked back at their friend. She thought forward to the coming night and realized that anticipation had replaced the trepidation. Excitement had replaced the fear. Once she acknowledged what had eaten at her for weeks, once she knew where all of her hesitation in marrying Tony lay, it gave her a target, a focus, and she started fighting it back.
“Marriage is a gift. Marriage is a choice. Marriage is sacrifice. And marriage is when two become one. Robin, today you will give yourself entirely to Tony. And Tony, today you will give yourself entirely to Robin. In a moment, those are exactly the words that we will use to begin this ceremony: Tony, will you give yourself to Robin? Robin, will you give yourself to Tony?
“Marriage is a gift, the gift of yourself, your heart, your thoughts, and your hopes and dreams … Marriage is the gift of your life. And it is not just today.”
It amazed Robin that what she had discovered through Tony’s willingness to sacrifice his entire life in order to be with her, that he needed her as much as she needed him. How had she missed that in this courtship? He seemed so strong, confident, and so self assured that she didn’t think he needed anyone. She never truly understood the depths of his feelings for her.
“Every day from here forward, you must continue to give yourselves to one another. Today you will state a public vow and commit yourselves to each other. Every morning after this one, you will have to wake up and choose to recommit yourselves to each other. Marriage is a choice. Marriage means letting go of petty fights about who’s right and wrong. It means putting your spouse’s interests, wants and desires, and happiness ahead of your own. It means, Tony, that after today Robin’s happiness is more important than yours. And it means, Robin, that after today Tony’s happiness is more important than yours.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tony’s head turn, so she looked at him. At Abram’s words about his happiness, Tony raised an eyebrow and with a teasing glint in his eye, he winked at her. Robin had to swallow a laugh.
“Marriage is sacrificing for each other and acting as one. That is what it means to become one flesh, forever joined together … Cleaved unto each other. You are each your wedding gift to one another. Your wedding day is the symbol of your marriage to each other. And your marriage is the gift of continuing to give the gift of yourselves to each other. And with that gift to each other, with that shared love, I know that you will have a marriage that will last through the ages, and stand as a witness to all of the love of God. God bless you.”
They both looked back at Abram, who looked each one of them in the eye and smiled at them. “But that is enough of me because today is about the two of you. Tony and Robin, I invite you to come and begin the adventure of your marriage by declaring your vows to one another here in this place.”
He gestured with his hands, telling Tony and Robin to turn and face each other. Stephanie said, “Robin, at this point, hand your bouquet to Maxine. Maxine, be prepared, because her bouquet is heavy, so you might want to prep and hand yours to Sarah.”
The bouquet that Robin held tonight was very small and very simple. She handed it to Maxine and turned back to Tony, letting him take both of her hands. She looked into the eyes of the man with whom she was about to vow to become one, and felt excitement, peace, love. Gone was apprehension, gone was fear. She whispered a “thank you” to God for answering her prayers.
Abram smiled and nodded. “I am going to pray. Please bow your heads.” As everyone complied, he spoke into the silent, reverent room. “Jehovah God, we thank You for the way that You work in our lives. We know You brought Tony and Robin together with a purpose, and I am praying that You bless this union, strengthen their bond, and let them work for You in a powerful way in your ministry. Guide their future, convict their hearts, and touch the lives of their future children. We are so honored to be in front of You today, and we thank You for giving us this opportunity. Amen.”
Abram looked at Stephanie. “It is my understanding that they have their own vows?”
“We worked on them together. Here they are,” Tony said pulling a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket.
“Okay,” Abram said, waving a hand toward them. “This is where you say your vows. Let me see.” He cleared his throat and started reading.
Greater Than Rubies: CHAPTER 16
OBIN and Tony held hands as they walked up the walk to Barry’s home. Just as they reached the door, Barry threw it open. “I thought you might have gotten lost,” he joked.
“The photographer wanted a few more shots of us before we left,” Robin said. She gestured behind her. “I hope you don’t mind that he’s here, too.”
&n
bsp; “Of course not,” Barry said, stepping aside so they could come in. “The more the merrier.”
As they entered the large front room, Jacqueline came toward them wearing a tight black dress and three-inch red heels. “Antonio, Robin, darlings, you’re here.” She air kissed both of their cheeks and stepped back, leaving a cloying smell of perfume behind her. “The caterers had to hold dinner from being served waiting on you.”
The tone of disapproval did little to damper Robin’s spirits. “We missed you at the rehearsal,” Robin said. She slipped off her coat and Jacqueline’s eyebrow rose.
“I had to handle the caterers,” she said distracted as she looked Robin’s dress up and down. Her face became frozen solid as she pointedly looked at their left hands and noted the band of diamonds on Robin’s and the large gold bad on Tony’s. “Apparently, I missed something.”
Tony comfortably slipped his arm over Robin’s shoulders. “We surprised everyone and had the official wedding ceremony tonight,” he said. “It’s too bad you couldn’t delegate the dinner and join us.”
“Someone should have mentioned it,” Jacqueline said through gritted teeth. She turned her head and looked at her husband.
“He was just as surprised as everyone else, Jacqui. Sheathe your claws,” Tony said in a warning. “You will not make a scene or you will not be welcome tomorrow, and we both know you will be looking just stunning for as many publicity shots as possible tomorrow.”
Jacqueline stepped backward and took a deep breath, then lifted one of her red curls before she patted her hair to make sure everything stayed smooth. “No worries, Antonio. No scenes. Don’t be ridiculous.” She looked at Robin from head to toe. “Cute dress. Very retro. Nice choice.”
Robin smoothed the skirt. “Thank you.” Needing to not be at odds with her husband’s best friend, she stepped forward and linked her arm with Jacqueline’s, steering her away from Tony. “I had a great time shopping with you last week. This is all very new to me, and I learned so much from you. Can we make plans again soon?”
Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy Page 16