Page 99 of Plight
Jeanette let go of her daughter’s arm, lifted her veil, and kissed her cheek.
“Mum, stop crying or you’ll make me start.”
“Okay. I’m sorry. I’m just … just … oh, you know.” She dabbed at her eyes and took Danielle’s hand, placing it in mine. “She’s always belonged to you and you to her, Elliot. Now … it’s time for you both to belong together, as one, not separately.”
“Thank you,” I said, kissing her cheek.
Sniffling, Danielle nodded and hugged her mother tight before letting go and taking both of my hands in hers.
The nerves skittering all over my body skittered away, and I winked, bringing one of her hands to my lips to kiss.
“You’re not allowed to do that,” she whispered, attempting to pull her hand away.
“I’m allowed to do what I want. It’s my wedding.”
“Ours,” she corrected. “Technically, it’s ours.”
I chuckled and was about to technically throw her over my shoulder when the celebrant spoke, reminding me we had some important business to tend to before I could do just that.
“Good afternoon, Ladies, Gentlemen, and adorable dog. I am Sarah Fisher, your civil celebrant, and I am authorised and honoured to conduct the marriage of Elliot Elijah Parker and Danielle Uma Cunningham.”
Chris chuckled and Danielle fired him a don’t-you-dare look — one of her best yet. He pursed his lips and clasped his hands in front of his body, instantly obeying her warning.
I was impressed.
“Both Elliot and Danielle know that from this day forward they promise to love one another in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, for as long as they both shall live. They promise to give each other strength and nurture all that allows them to seek unique destinies and goals. They will be unselfish, understanding, kind, and loyal …”
The celebrant trailed off as I focussed solely on Danielle, her big brown eyes glossing with emotion, her pastel pink lips trembling as she clamped them shut. Memories of all the things the two of us had been through together started flicking across the forefront of my mind like a movie reel. Her kindness and ability to so easily distract me when my father passed away, to learning how to ride a bike together, to climbing trees, eating food we’d pinched from our cupboards, and holding each other as we shivered through a life-changing storm. But through each of those flickering memories, one kept reappearing, one that involved a Cheezel and a lifetime of promises.
“Elliot and Danielle, before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, your family and friends, I must remind you of the solemn and binding relationship you are about to enter. Marriage, in accordance with the law in Australia is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others—”
“Which is a crock of shit,” Danielle added angrily.
Some of our guests gasped, unsure of what she was referring to, so she quickly explained herself.
“It should be the union of a ‘person and person’ to the exclusion of all others. Love isn’t gender specific, and neither should be marriage.”
I smiled as our family and guests applauded her statement.
Danielle, too, smiled and gripped my hands tighter. “But let’s continue.”
The celebrant nodded, a pleasant glint in her eye. “Yes, let’s. Please face each other and hold hands.”
We did what she said, excited smiles on our faces, until Chris started cursing under his breath at Pugly.
“What … are … you do— Pugly, stop it. You’re tying my legs together.”
Chris huffed and gave up, allowing Pugly to wrap him like a present.
“Right, again, let’s continue. Elliot Parker, do you take Danielle Cunningham to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and respect her? Do you promise to share all that life has to offer; your hopes and dreams, achievements and disappointments from this day forward?”
I squeezed her hands in mine. “I do.”
“And do you, Danielle Cunningham, take Elliot Parker to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and respect him? Do you promise to share all that life has to offer; your hopes and dreams, achievements and disappointments from this day forward?”
She squeezed my hands, too. “I do.”
“Both Elliot and Danielle have chosen their own vows today. Elliot, would you like to go first?”
