Just Two Outcasts [Frerard]

Epilogue (Frank and Gerard)

  I straightened my tie as my mother fussed over how I looked, crying somewhat over "how handsome I was" and "how proud she was of her little boy". It was expected, but goodness was it a bit much. It has been exactly four years since Frank and I had our first date. And exactly seven months since I had popped the question and gotten the answer I had been waiting for my entire life.

  As my mother fixed my hair one last time, I hugged her tightly, and then walked out of the room I had been using to get ready. I walked down the aisle and waited by the minister, my heart beating harder than it ever had. I couldn't wait for Frank to come down the aisle, for him to kiss me in the front of the church, and I couldn't wait to start my life with him. I say this as if my life didn't already revolve around he and I.

  As soon as I saw him walking down the aisle, my mother walking him, I almost cried. He was so handsome, and this was my absolute dream. He gave me a goofy grin and whispered to me: "I can't believe this is happening." I smiled. "Believe it, Frankie." He laughed and we both faced the priest as he started the ceremony.

  The priest began his ceremony.

  "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Man in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace."

  He turned to Frank and I.


"I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined together other than as God's Word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful."

The priest then faced Frank and said:

"Frank, Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

 Frank took no time in answering:

"I will."

Then the Minister turned to me and said:

 "Gerard, Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

I felt my heart pounding as I answered.

"I will."

Then the Minister asked to the crowd. 

"Who giveth this Man to be married to this Man?" 

 My mother finally let go of my hand, letting the priest hand me over to Frank. Frank squeezed my hand tightly before saying proudly:

"I, Frank,  take thee, Gerard, to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." 

 We then dropped our hands, allowing the Minister to clasp my right in Frank's once more. I said in a shaky, yet strong voice:

I, Gerard, take thee, Frank,  to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth. 

 We then put the rings on each other's fingers, the Minister telling us quietly on which finger to put them and such. He then said louder:

"WITH this Ring I thee wed: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." 

 He then continued:

"BLESS, O Lord, this Ring, that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in thy peace, and continue in they favour, unto their life's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." 

 Once I put the ring on Frank's finger, the Minister started:

"Let us pray.

"Then shall the Minister and People, still standing, say the Lord's Prayer."

"OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, On Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."

Then the Minister added:

"O ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this Man and this Man, whom we bless in thy Name; that they, living faithfully together, may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Then the Minister said louder: 

"O GOD, who hast so consecrated the state of Matrimony that in it is represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church; Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that they may love, honour, and cherish each other, and so live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and of peace; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen."

Then the Minister joined our right hands together, and said,

"Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. "

Then the Minister spoke unto the company.

"FORASMUCH as Gerard and Frank have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Husband, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. "

Then, kneeling down, the Minister blessed Frank and I:

 "GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen."

With that, Frank was told to kiss me, which he gladly did, and the crowd of family and friends cheered happily. I looked into the eyes of my new husband and knew that I was going to have a wonderful and happy life with him.