Page 88 of Operation: Silent Angel
“Please allow those with children to get their meals first, and then all are invited to help themselves to this feast. And don’t forget that immediately after dinner, we will turn the football game off just long enough to celebrate Michael and Dahlia’s wedding and to baptize the twins. I promise both ceremonies will be short,” Lambchop added with a laugh.
Yvette and Mac hung back and were in the last group that went up to the buffet. They sat at a table with Brad Dupont and Laura Lee, BT and his fiancé Evelin, and Roth and Briana. It felt different to Yvette this year, being a couple, not that everyone had a couple status in past years. It was comfortable for her, and it felt right to have Mac with her.
As soon as most were done eating, Lambchop paused the games on all the TVs as promised. Dahlia and Michael joined him as Cooper and Sherman brought a decorated archway from Cooper’s office, a wedding arch. Seeing the transition to the wedding portion, everyone quieted. Cooper took his spot beside his brother, and Brielle took hers beside her sister, handing Dahlia a bouquet.
Lambchop donned his clergy stole and picked up his Bible. “Dearly beloved,” he began. “Michael and Dahlia have come before this gathering of friends and family to proclaim their love and devotion to each other. They commit themselves to eachother and desire to be joined to live in God’s holy ordinance of marriage. They’ve chosen to write their own vows.” He nodded to Dahlia.
Her gaze was locked on Michaels. As she spoke, those in the room saw her love for him. “Michael, you went from being a stranger to the most important person in my world almost overnight. I felt a spiritual connection to you, an unexplainable trust, a deep-seated belief that my heart was home when I met you. Our life together has affirmed those feelings every day. I love you with all my heart, and I know our child will have the best father in you. I promise to love you and respect you every day of my life, no matter what challenges God brings us.”
“Dahlia, when I met you, my heart filled in a way I didn’t know was possible. You make me a better person. You make me see life in a whole different way than I did before. I am so grateful that you love me. I promise to celebrate life with you every day and to be the best husband to you I can be and the best father to our child I can. I promise to work hard to resolve any challenges we may face and to revel in the joy we experience.”
“The rings,” Lambchop said.
Cooper and Brielle laid their rings on the open Bible.
“Rings are an outward symbol of the commitment a husband and wife make. The circle of the band symbolizes the eternal love, unity, and commitment the couple make. Michael and Dahlia choose to exchange rings as part of their ceremony. Michael, repeat after me as you put the ring onto Dahlia’s finger.” Michael lifted the ring from the Bible. Dahlia handedher bouquet to Brielle, and then she and Michael joined hands. “Dahlia, with this ring, I take you as my lawfully wedded wife.”
“With this ring, I take you, Dahlia, as my lawfully wedded wife,” Michael repeated as he slid the ring onto her finger. The vows were short and to the point, as he and Dahlia had requested.
Lambchop nodded to Dahlia. She took his band from the Bible.
“With this ring, I take you, Michael, as my lawfully wedded husband.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she slid the ring onto his finger.
“Michael and Dahlia have exchanged vows and rings in front of you, those who mean the most to them. I charge everyone here today to help support this marriage, this joining of two lives. By the power vested in me by God, I declare Michael and Dahlia joined in God’s holy ordinance of marriage. Michael, you may kiss your wife.”
They embraced and kissed to claps and cheers from everyone in the room. Lambchop was the first to congratulate them both.
“See, short, as promised,” Lambchop joked.
Michael and Dahlia retook their seats as Sloan and Kaylee brought their twin daughters to where Lambchop stood. Sherman joined Brielle, and Cooper took a seat. They were asked to be godparents. Elizabeth, who was also an ordained minister, also came forward. She had been asked to assist, which she was thrilled about.
“The second-best ceremony I get to perform,” Lambchop said. “Sloan and Kaylee, as Christians, believe that by christening their children they will protect them and bring them into the kingdom of God, until the time the girls are old enough to make the choice for themselves. Baptism is a sacrament of divine grace and marks the beginning of a person’s life in faith. What names are given to these children?”
“Melody Angel and Jade Elizabeth,” Kaylee said.
Lambchop smiled at Angel, who sat with Jackson, both her children on her lap. Tears filled her eyes. Elizabeth also teared up. Neither woman knew they were naming one of the twins after them. Lambchop, of course, did.
“For the parents and godparents, do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?”
“We do,” the four of them answered.
“Do you intend to raise these children with faith in Jesus?” Lambchop asked.
“We do,” the four of them again answered.
“And I say to you, our Shepherd Security family, as we welcome these two little ones into the Christian community do you promise to support them in their Christian faith?”
“We do,” everyone answered, even Hahna and Sammy.
“Please lay a hand on Melody Angel,” Lambchop said. Once they all did, Elizabeth slipped a white towel under her head and held it to catch the water that would drip so it wouldn’t get onto Sloan’s clothing as he cradled the baby close to himself. “Melody Angel Sloan, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” He dripped water on her forehead. She slept through it. “You have been clothed in Christ.”
Then he repeated it for Jade. She was wide awake but didn’t cry as the water ran from her forehead.
Everyone clapped. Desserts were taken from the sweets table, and the TVs were un-paused. The games picked up where they’d left off, as did the conversations in the room. Babies were passed around, the more mobile children played in one corner of the room after they’d eaten their desserts, and everyone had a relaxing afternoon.
Later, many pitched in to clean up and break down the tables and chairs, including Yvette and Mac. Mac’s car was one of the last to pull out onto the street after exiting the parking garage.
“That was fun,” Mac said. “Chaotic, but fun.”
