The Key To My Heart

Chapter 11

Dylan

Today was the wedding, Eddie was a nervous wreck, Conner was relaxed, it made me wonder how that man can be so relax on his wedding day.

I was the best man for Eddie, and Conner had a friend of his as his best man, I was slightly disappointed that Ash wasn't Conner's best man, I was looking forward to see him, I wondered if he was still single, if he was working or where was he living at.

It kills me not to know, where the hell he disappeared to. I couldn't move on, I was stuck, and I guess I didn't want to move on.

I love Ash Washington and I'll never stop.

 We were at church already; the pastor guy was standing in front of us with a kind smile. It was refreshing to see him smiling like that. And I couldn't help but feel a bit jealous of Eddie and Conner. They had everything, friends that love them, the pastor who isn't against gay marriage, and love for each other. I shook my head a couple of times, I need it to stop thinking like this, they were my friends and I’m happy for them.

The pastor started talking.

‘’Eddie and Conner, we are gathered here together to witness the love and respect that you have for each other. Eddie and Conner, are you entering this marriage freely, voluntarily and without any conditions? Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting one person to wear a halo or the other to have the wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner. Marriage also bestows enormous private and social advantages on those who choose to marry. Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family…..Because it fulfills yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express our common humanity, civil marriage is an esteemed institution, and the decision whether and whom to marry is among life’s momentous acts of self-definition.’’ Damn how is he not out of breath, that was all I was thinking.

‘’Eddie and Conner please face each other and repeat after me. 'Eddie-, I come here today to join your life for years, I pledge to be true to you, to respect you, and to grow with you through the years. We are many things to each other, May only those best qualities continue to shine and may our bond continue to grow stronger Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here today that this love will be my only love. I will make my home in your heart from this day forward Conner, I come here today to join your life for years, I pledge to be true to you, to respect you, and to grow with you through the years. We are many things to each other, May only those best qualities continue to shine and may our bond continue to grow stronger Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here today that this love will be my only love. I will make my home in your heart from this day forward.’’ They both repeated the vows and I could see Eddie fighting to keep the tears in.

*****MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE RINGS*****and I gave him Eddie's ring and the other best man gave Conner his.

‘’Eddie, what I have to give you is The promise to take you as my only love from this day forward, to stand by your side, to listen when you speak, to comfort you when you cry, and to join your laughter with my own. Take this ring, and be part of my life forever Conner, what I have to give you is the promise to take you as my only love from this day forward, to stand by your side, to listen when you speak, to comfort you when you cry, and to join your laughter with my own. Take this ring, and be part of my life forever. Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings. The wedding ring is a symbol of the vows taken here today a circle of wholeness perfect in form. The unending circle of a ring is a sign of fidelity, the pledged faithfulness of a couple to each other. These rings mark the beginning of an unending journey together filled with wonder and surprises, laughter and tears, celebration and joy.

‘’May these rings glow in the warmth and happiness of you both today. There may be times filled with happiness, sorrow, tears or laughter, whatever it may be, remember love has given you wings; your journey begins today; Eddie and Conner, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, remember the love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make your marriage a glorious union, and it is by love that your marriage will endure. Eddie and Conner, as you have consented together in lawful wedlock and thereto have pledged your faith to each other, and have declared the same by joining hands and giving and receiving of rings and exchanged your first gifts as a married couple and by the powers vested in me as a Justice of the Peace for Manhattan New York city, I now pronounce partners in life you are now married! If you wish to seal this marriage with a kiss, you may now do so.'' The pastor finishes his speech and even I was exhausted, and I wasn’t even the one talking.

I smile at them when they kissed, but then I heard a familiar voice screamed. ‘’STOP, YOU CAN’T MARRY HIM, I LOVE YOU AND YOU LOVE ME, AND WE BELONG TOGETHER.’’ Ash shouted desperately.

I was shaking, was he talking to Conner? Does he love Conner? I’m really confused right now. ‘’Dylan, I love you please don’t marry Eddie.’’ He pleaded choking at the end, and then I realized he thought I was marrying Eddie. I smile and slowly turn, but Eddie grab me and shook his head a bit. ’’Let him talk first.’’ He whispers and I agreed with him, smiling.