The priest sang a song of blessing for the marriage and for the guests, the lyrical sounds rising to the heavens as the sun edged towards the horizon. When he finished, he removed the blanket from each of them, wrapping a white blanket around them to signify the beginning of their new life. At his gesture, Brian handed Serenity the ham to show that he would provide for their household. In return, Serenity handed him the ear of corn to show that she would care for and nourish their household. The couple also exchanged simple woven bands, quickly sliding the rings onto the appropriate fingers.
The older man smiled at the couple before looking around the circle.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please join us in the Cherokee wedding vase ceremony to bless Serenity and Brian’s union.”
He handed them the Cherokee Wedding Vase, and they drank from it as they looked into each other’s eyes. As they drank, he spoke again.
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years, May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.
Turning to Serenity and Brian, he nodded. “Now, take this vase, and set it in a place of honor in your home. Just as you treat this token with love and honor, so should you treat each other, on every level, every day. Let it always be a visible reminder that together you are one.” “
Turning to look at everyone, he nodded for the guests to look at the card they had been given and to recited the Cherokee Wedding Prayer with him. One after another, the voices joined in.
God in heaven above please protect the ones we love.
We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together.
We honor mother-earth - and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons;
We honor fire - and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts;
We honor wind - and ask we sail though life safe and calm as in our father's arms;
We honor water - to clean and soothe our relationship - that it may never thirsts for love;
With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together. Amen.
Brian and Serenity were surrounded by friends and family as everyone converged on them to congratulate them. Serenity’s family led them back to the house for the reception. Another large fire had been built in the yard, welcoming people to the friendly home. Brian showed his friends what he had been doing the previous week, moving with the men to dance around the fire. Serenity laughed and clapped as he danced then kissed him quickly before she was pulled into the circle.
It was a mixture of old and new as people alternated dancing around the fire to dancing to the DJ they hired. Food and drink flowed, laughter and singing echoed in the air, and there was love in all its many forms.
Meredith looked down at Hannah, brushing her fingers over her daughter’s forehead as the child slept in her arms. It was a comforting weight, and she shifted just a bit in her chair to make sure the baby was nestled snugly against her chest.
“Hey, love.”
She looked up in AJ’s eyes, smiling at him. “Hey, mine.”
“Whatcha thinking?”
Sighing, she rested her head against his ribs as he sat on the arm of her chair and draped his arm across the back of it.
“Just how lucky I am; how lucky we are.” Her eyes drifted over the people she knew.
Irene was swaying in Kevin’s arms, his hands settled on the slight swell of her belly as they waited for the birth of their first child. Lumien and Howie stood to the side, arms wrapped around each other as they watched. Nick and Allyson were right in the middle of the dancing, their blond hair catching the firelight as they twirled and moved. Brian and Serenity stood near their parents, talking softly as the two families began the process of merging into one.
“It’s been a good year.” AJ looked down at his wife and daughter, brushing the dark curls on top of Hannah’s head. He could still remember her birth, just like it was yesterday. The days that followed had shown him that everything he thought he knew about love paled in comparison to the real thing.
Meredith smiled up at him. “It’s been a very good year.”
Chuckling, he leaned down to kiss her, holding both of the women in his life closer. When they parted, she looked back at the celebration. As Hannah sighed against her and AJ rested alongside her, Meredith smiled.
“A very good year.”
Chapter Seven