His mind advanced a few more years to her fifteenth birthday. That was the day he had noticed her as a woman. The day they clumsily shared their first kiss. Finally, his mind focused in on the Nea that was coming down the aisle toward him.
The sight of this woman, stole his breath, and froze the beat of his heart. As the advancing pair reached the last pew, Nea’s father, released her and sat down beside his wife. Hale’s bride took the final few steps on her own. As she reached the front of the church, the couple turned and faced each other.
Father Oskar raised his arms high over the couple and began, “The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
The crowd responded in unison, “And also with you.”
“We have come together in the presence of God to witness the marriage of Hale and Nea, to surround them with our prayers, and to share in their joy.”
Father Oskar took a deep breath and continued, “The scriptures teach us that the bond and covenant of marriage is a gift of God, a holy mystery in which two become one flesh, an image of union of Christ and the church. As Hale and Nea give themselves to each other today, we remember that at Cana in Galilee our Lord Jesus Christ made the wedding feast a sign of God’s reign of love.”
Father Oskar once again paused for a moment to take a breath. Hale’s mind swam in Nea’s emerald eyes as Oskar continued, “Let us enter into this celebration confident that, through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present with us now. Also; we pray that this couple may fulfill God’s purpose for the whole of their lives.”
Hale glanced at Nea nervously. He felt a trickle of sweat begin to run down his back as the weight of the moment hit him. He took a deep breath, and smiled at Nea. She returned the smile. He could tell that she was nervous as well. I think I was less nervous the moment before that first tank fired at me. Why am I feeling this way? I want to marry Nea! Pulling his mind back into the present, he turned his attention back to Father Oskar.
“Beloved people of God, we have come together in the presence of the almighty to witness and bless the covenant of love and fidelity Hale and Nea are to make with each other.”
Father Oskar paused dramatically to let the weight of his words register with the audience before continuing, “The union of two persons in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for the mutual help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and that their love may be a blessing to all whom they encounter. This solemn covenant is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and with commitment to seek God’s will in their lives.”
Turning to Hale Father Oskar asked, “Hale, will you have Nea to be your wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
Hale swallowed nervously as the priest spoke the words. Why is this more difficult than facing a platoon of Russians? Nea smiled nervously at him as he stood in silence for several seconds before saying loudly, “I will.”
Turning to Nea, Father Oskar repeated the question. Without hesitation Nea smiled and said, “I will.”
Hale took Nea’s hands in his as Father Oskar turned to the families sitting in the pews and asked, “Will you the families of Hale and Nea, give your love and blessing to this new family?”
Both families replied in unison, “We will.”
“Will all of you, by God’s grace, do everything in your power to uphold and care for these two persons in their life together?” Father Oskar asked.
Both families again replied in unison, “We will.”
Turning back to Hale Father Oskar said, “Hale, living in the promise of God, joined in Christ in your baptism; will you give yourself to Nea in love and faithfulness? Will you share your life with her in joy and in sorrow, in health, and in sickness, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, and will you be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
Hale, growing in confidence, said, “I will, with the help of God.”
Father Oskar repeated the question to Nea, who replied happily, “I will, with the help of God.”
Father Oskar turned from Nea to look at those in attendance and said, “Families, friends, and all those gathered here with Hale and Nea, will you promise to support and care for them in their life together, to sustain and pray for them in times of trouble, to give thanks with them in times of joy, to honor the bonds of their covenant, and to affirm the love of God reflected in their lives?”
Both families replied in unison, “We will, with the help of God.”
Father Oskar raised his hands into the air and said, “Eternal God, our creator and redeemer, as you gladdened the wedding at Cana and Galilee by the presence of your Son, so bring joy to this wedding by his presence now. Look in favor upon Hale and Nea and grant that they, rejoicing in all your gifts, may at length celebrate the unending marriage feast with Christ our Lord, one God, now and forever.”
Father Oskar placed a hand on Hale and Nea and said, “In the eyes of God I now pronounce you man and wife. Hale you may kiss your bride.”
Hale stepped forward and took Nea into his arms. His lips eagerly sought hers. As their lips met for the first time as husband and wife, a single tear of joy slid down Nea’s cheek. Both families, stood and cheered as the newlyweds ended their kiss and turned toward them hand in hand. Simultaneously, the dull shrill of the air raid siren began to wale.
The couple looked past the adoring eyes of their families toward the double doors that led to the outside. The faces of the people in the pews turned from joy to horror. Many, sprang to their feet with panic in their eyes as the siren continued to wail out its warning of approaching danger. As the siren fell silent a series of dull thumps could be heard coming from the south.
Hale, kissed Nea on the lips quickly and said, “I love you!”
Turning to Raynar Hale said, “I’m going to go find out what is going on.”
“I’ll join you.” Raynar replied.
Hale shook his head, “No, get Nea, Mom and Aina to safety. I’ll come home as soon as I am able.”
Hale’s mother objected, “You’re hurt, let others handle it.”
“I’m more than capable of fighting mother. The village must be protected.” Hale replied.
As if to emphasize the situation, the drone of aircraft engines could be heard overhead. As Hale ran down the aisle toward the doors, a whistling sound could be heard outside. He turned his head to see if his family was moving on his word, they weren’t. Instead they were still standing where he had left them. A state of shock etched on their faces.
Hale paused, turned back toward his family and yelled, “Get-“
He was cut short by a loud explosion outside. The force of the explosion, blew the double doors of the church inward. The shockwave knocked Hale to the ground as the concussion from the detonation expanded.
Hale, uninjured, quickly scrambled to his feet and ran toward the now open doorway, “Hale don’t leave us!” Nea screamed.
Hale ignored Nea’s plea and emerged onto the street. There was dust, debris, and smoke everywhere as he looked around for the family sleigh. The shattered remains of several sleighs filled his vision. Their horses lay on the ground either slain, or in the throes of agony from the gruesome injuries sustained in the blast. Thanks to their experience with the plane yesterday, Hale’s family had pulled their sleigh into the alleyway between buildings.
Hale ran around the corner of the church to his right. There, tied to a power pole, was Liv. Frightened by the explosion, she was trying to pull herself free. Hale ran to the terrified animal and said, “Shhhh it’s ok girl your safe.”