A Sea for Summer
Page 15
“We are,” Peter and Claire replied.
Peter faced Claire and grasped her hand. She stared at him in a serene yet frightened way. “We’ve got this,” he whispered, squeezing her fingers.
“Peter and Claire, is it your intention to reaffirm your marriage vows?”
Peter stared at his beautiful wife. “It is.” Her voice blended with his in perfect harmony.
“Peter, do you vow to love, honor and cherish your wife, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” Peter said, unaware of anything else but Claire.
“Claire, do you vow to love, honor, and cherish your husband, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” Claire replied, smiling. Her voice proclaimed her confidence.
“On your wedding day, you exchanged rings as a symbol of your love. Rings serve as a reminder of your wedding vows. You’ve chosen to give each other new rings as you enter into a new commitment to live in unity, love and happiness.”
When Caroline motioned to their adult children, Stephanie passed her mother a gold band and their son, Chris, passed Peter an eternity ring circled with baby diamonds. It slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground.
He dropped to the ground, horrified about the missing ring. Claire joined him. “Don’t worry, we’ll find it.”
How could she be so calm? He scoured the sand, his fingers sifting through the particles, hunting for the ring. “Does anyone have a metal detector?” he called out in panic. If he ruined this day…
“I found it!” Claire said, laughing. All smiles, she leaned toward him. “Don’t worry. Nothing is spoiling our day.”
Peter studied her. Flushed skin and sparkling eyes. “I want to kiss you.”
“Right here, right now, while we’re on our knees?”
Peter licked his lips. “Maybe we should finish the ceremony. Our friends are watching.”
“Yes,” Claire replied. “I’m ready.”
They stood and the ceremony continued.
Peter grasped Claire’s left hand, repeating Caroline’s words. “Claire, I give you this ring, a symbol of my love and commitment to you.” Peter then slid the band onto her ring finger. He heard a tentative sigh.
Claire grasped Peter’s left hand, also repeating Caroline’s words. “Peter, I give you this ring, a symbol of my love and commitment to you.” Claire slid the gold band onto his ring finger. When the ring was in place, she gripped his fingers and held on tight.
“This moment brings me much happiness. Peter Douglas, you may kiss your bride.”
“My first bride and last bride.” Peter kissed Claire. The kiss wasn’t long, but when their eyes met, and they saw the love shining in each expression, they couldn’t seem to pull apart. Peter kissed her again. “Happy day,” Peter said, kissing her a third time. “I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”
“I’ll always love you,” Claire replied, squeezing his fingers, “from this day forward and for as long as we both shall live.”
They faced their friends and family. “I announce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas.”
Clapping accompanied by hoots and hollering enveloped the couple with celebratory love. Peter and Claire broke apart, but still held each other. They had a lot of living left to do.
The best was yet to come.
Thank you for reading A Sea for Summer.
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Author’s Note
Peter and Claire’s story resonates with me for many reasons. The premise came while walking along the shores of Maple Bay at my summer home on Vancouver Island. Initially, I wanted to pay tribute to friendship; and three writing friends who I retreat with each summer, and church friends I retreated with when I was younger.
Women from varying cultures and backgrounds not only retreated from the stresses of everyday life, but also participated in meditation and healing experiences. I’ve been touched by laying-on of hands, or reiki. It’s an enlightening experience. The song by Shaina Noll, How Could Anyone, warms my heart to this day. Years ago…a group of forty or more women sang it at retreat. I recall women weeping, who found it difficult to embrace their inner and outer beauty. For this reason alone, I included the song and the healing experience in my novel.