Page 67 of The Last Strike

Father John nodded and gave Asher’s hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it.

“Are we ready?” he asked, looking between them.

“Yes,” they said in unison. Asher looked to Abi, grinning.

Asher wondered where he was supposed to stand, but quickly realized it didn’t matter. He took Abi’s hands, holding them like they were standing at an altar.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, and to cherish the words which shall unite Asher and Abigail in marriage.”

Abi looked up at him and Asher fought to control his emotions. This was intimate and private and all their own—it was one thing they didn’t have to share with the world.

Asher could not have dreamed of a more perfect wedding.

“Marriage is the promise between two people who love each other,” Father John continued, “who trust in that love, who honor each other as individuals, and who choose to spend the rest of their lives together.

“This marriage is a symbol of the promises you will make to each other to continue to grow stronger as individuals and as partners. No matter what challenges you face, you now face them together, and no matter how much you succeed, you succeed together.”

Asher’s eyes welled as he saw a tear run down Abi’s cheek.

“The love between you joins you now as one,” Father John said.

He looked to Asher. “Please say after me.”

Asher smiled, nodding.

“I, Asher, take you, Abigail, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward,” Father John said.

Asher inhaled, looking into Abi’s eyes. “I, Asher, take you, Abigail, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward.”

Asher repeated the rest of the vows. It was so easy, like something he’d rehearsed for years, but he hadn’t known he was getting married today until a few minutes ago.

Everything felt right and Asher had never been more certain of a decision in his life.

Asher’s heart warmed as Abi said her vows.

“Heavenly Father, by your blessing, let these rings be to Asher and Abigail a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant which they have made this day.” Father John pulled out two rings from a velvet pouch he’d been holding and looked to Asher again.

“Abigail, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honor you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.”

Asher repeated the words, meaning every single one of them, every syllable and letter.

He took the ring and slid it onto Abi’s finger, taking a moment to look at her hand, barely able to believe they were almost married.

“Asher, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage,” Abi said. “With my body I honor you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.”

Asher exhaled a shaky breath as Abi slid the ring onto his finger. It felt like it belonged there, like he had been waiting for it. He turned it between his fingers, smiling.

“In the presence of God,” Father John continued, “Asher and Abigail have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.”

Father John placed their right hands over each other and said, “Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. You may now kiss the bride.”

Asher beamed a grin, stepping in and drawing Abi into his arms. She pressed up onto her tiptoes and brought her lips to his.

“I love you,” Asher whispered, and his heart felt like it might burst when he saw her beautiful smile.

“I love you. We did it,” she said, giggling.

“Now you may sign the wedding documents and I will log them this evening,” Father John said.

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