Stormy Satisfaction (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 11)

Ethel began the ceremony. “We are here because the three of you have decided to join your lives. You come here with p

recious gifts—mature understanding, your love, your hopes and dreams, your trust in one another, and your faith in life’s meaning and purpose, resolved to share life’s experiences in enduring love and loyalty. The decision has been made in your hearts and minds, and we are here to witness the public expression of the commitments you have made privately to each other. Marriage is a relationship not to be entered into lightly or thoughtlessly, but reverently, soberly, with deep purposes and in the spirit of enduring love. Much is required of you three. Knowing this, do each of you wish to proceed with this marriage?”

She and her grooms said “yes” in unison.

“Nic and Sylas, will you take Ashley as your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and will you live for her, before all others, as long as you all shall live?”

“We will,” they answered in unison.

“Ashley, will you take Nic and Sylas as your husbands? Will you love them, comfort them, honor and keep them in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and will you live for them, before all others, as long as you all shall live?”

Trembling with joy, she answered, “I will.”

“Gentlemen, please face your bride, continuing to hold her hands as a symbol of your union.”

She looked into Nic and Sylas’s eyes and felt love bursting out of her for them.

“Nic and Sylas have written their own vows.”

“I get to go first, Ethel, because I won the coin toss,” Nic said.

Ashley smiled as the crowd chuckled.

“Ashley, when I look at you I am so proud and happy that you consented to be my wife. You’ve made me happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I love you. I promise that I will always be by your side, whether we have good times or bad times. I’ll be there when you’re sick to comfort you. And I promise that I am going to spend the rest of my life doing my best to make sure you always have a reason to smile.” Nic turned to Sylas. “You’re up, bro.”

Once again, the crowd laughed.

Filled with emotions from Nic’s beautiful words, she turned to the other love of her life.

Sylas took her hands. “You took my breath away when you walked down the aisle with Dad.”

That’s how I felt when I saw you and Nic.

“How could a guy like me be lucky enough to marry someone as wonderful and beautiful as you? You have made me complete. We share the same dreams and goals for our life. I promise to always be by your side no matter what comes our way for the rest of our lives. We have such wonderful examples of what our future can be right here.” Sylas looked at Ethel, Patrick, and Sam. “That’s what I want for you, Nic, and me. I love you, sweetheart.”

Ethel smiled. “Ashley has also written her own vows.”

She faced Nic and Sylas and took hold of their hands. “Wow. You’ve made my dreams come true. You’re what I’ve always wanted. Two handsome, smart men. How could it get any better? I’m just so happy. I promise I will always love you and do everything I can to make you happy, whether the road ahead is smooth or rocky, whether it’s sunny or stormy, no matter what we face I promise to remain beside you. I love you both so very much.”

Ethel said, “Nic and Sylas, please get the ring you have chosen for Ashley.”

Patrick handed the ring to Nic and Sylas.

“As you place the ring on Ashley’s finger, please repeat after me. With this ring…”

Nic and Sylas placed the ring together on her hand. “With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting devotion, and the promise of all my tomorrows.”

“Ashley, you have rings for Nic and Sylas.”

Phoebe handed her the wedding bands.

“Would you place them on their fingers, and repeat after me.”

“With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting devotion, and the promise of all my tomorrows.”

“Nic, Sylas, and Ashley, having declared your vows in the presence of these witnesses and by the joining of hands, now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the state of Colorado, I do now declare in the presence of those gathered that you are husbands and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

“Sylas gets to go first on the kiss,” Nic teased. “I lost that coin toss.”