76. The Wedding (Part 2)-3
She took steps towards him. She stood next to him and then they both faced each other at the altar waiting for the priest to start. Francesco whispered "You are so beautiful." Adele bit her lip "Thank you. You look really handsome Francesco..." Francesco smiled as he heard his name. When Adele said his name, it sounded different. It sounded lovely to hear his name coming from the woman who he could call his wife quite soon. The music suddenly stopped and all guests stood up the priest started talking "My dear friends, you have come together to witness this holy union...." Adele's heart was beating fast as she was hearing the priest and she was so excited. Neither Francesco or Adele were looking at the guests. It did not matter who was there. All that mattered in that moment was their marriage and their commitment to each other to become official. The priest cleared his throat and there came the questioning " I ask you to state your intentions.... "Francesco Lucio Rosario" and "Adele Amanda Lombardi"... Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?" Adele stated "Yes." Francesco then spoke "Yes. Of course." The priest then asked further " Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?" Adele stated "Yes." Francesco nodded "Yes." The priest asked "Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?" Adele stated "Yes." Francesco hesitated but he nodded "Yes." He was surely going to give his children the choice to attend church if they wished it. Adele and Francesco smiled at each other. Now the declaration of contest was to come. The priest demanded " Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church." Francesco and Adele joined hands. Francesco looked into Adele's eyes and spoke with a determined tone that made Adele shiver from the meaning behind each word " I, Francesco Lucio Rosario, take you, Adele Amanda Lombardi, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. Adele looked back into Francesco's eyes and spoke while trying hard to keep her voice steady " I, Adele Amanda Lombardi, take you, Francesco Lucio Rosario, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." The priest smiled " You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide." The guests said in unison "Amen." Then came the time for blessing and exchange of rings. O'Neil handed the rings to Francesco who smiled at him and whispered "Thank you." Priest stated "May the Lord bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity." Francesco placed the diamond ring on Adele's finger and stated "Adele Amanda Lombardi, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Adele nodded as she put the silver ring on Francesco's finger "Francesco Lucio Rosario, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The priest said " I now declare you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Francesco took a deep breath and then kissed Adele on the lips as he was feeling joyful beyond he could ever imagine he could be. Now everyone around them knew she was all his. They could be on their way to start a new life together as one couple building a beautiful life for themselves and their children full of trust, joy and love.