Page 63 of Finding Parker

Again, he raised the bible to his chest, “And from Matthew, book nineteen. Haven't you read the Scriptures? They record that from the beginning God made them male and female. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

“Will rings be exchanged as a symbol of this union?” the preacher asked.

Parker nodded his head sharply.

The preacher smiled, “A ring is a fitting symbol for a wedding promise. It is a circle with no beginning and no end. Love without end is what we hope to achieve in marriage. As this ring is placed upon your fingers remember that it is your love for one another that has brought you here, and it is that love that will guide you down the pathways of your future. You may place the ring on her finger.”

Parker removed the ring from his pocket, and without instruction, repeated what he had practiced, “With this ring, I give you my heart. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. May my heart be your shelter, may my arms be your home.”

And he placed the ring on her finger.

The preacher turned to Victoria and nodded, “You may place the ring on his finger.”

Gracefully, she reached for the ring Kenton had sewn on the side of her dress with a fine thread. As she snapped the thread, she raised the ring, and repeated the verse she and Kenton had spent many evenings practicing.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage. For today and tomorrow, and all of the days to come.”

And she placed the ring on Parker’s finger.

He turned to face Parker and smiled, “Parker Landon Bale, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”

Parker nodded his head sharply, “I certainly do.”

Kenton’s light weeping beside me reminded me of his presence. I lifted my arm and placed it on his shoulder. The preacher slowly turned to face Victoria.

“Victoria Lillian Fisker, do you take this man to be your wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”

Victoria turned to face Kenton and hesitated for a split second. As I held his shoulder in my hand, he shuddered and nodded his head. Victoria turned to face the preacher.

“Yes sir. I do,” she responded.

“Then,” he alternated glances between the couple.

“Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

And they embraced, for the first time, as husband and wife.

PARKER. Once you’re married, things begin to change. I have heard variations of this phrase said many times. Generally, when repeated, it is intended to advise the recipient that marriage ruins things, or makes relationships worse. Nothing, to me, could be further from the truth.

Victoria and I, now married for two weeks, could not be happier. To imagine anything to change from the beautiful days we now have would be difficult. I have no reason to believe that if we both love one another, and we certainly do, this could or would ever change.

We have already decided to sell her mother’s home, reside in my condominium, and look for another home in which to permanently reside. Kenton held true to his promise of the wedding gift, but in lieu of cash, transferred money into my bank account. He would not, however, take payment for the ring, insisting if I attempted to pay him, he would merely deposit an additional three hundred thousand into my account. Mention was made of the contract language regarding gifts purchased, and that the cost was to be borne by the employer, to which we both got a good laugh.

Last week, at dinner with Kenton and Downes, we announced our intent to have a child or children, and to do so naturally, by the grace of God. One never knows, but without birth control, maybe the near future will bring a child into our lives. Nothing would make Victoria or me happier.

Today, as Victoria continues to add her touch of decorative flair to the condominium, I’m off to the mansion to have a talk with Downes. Although I am not one hundred percent certain, I believe Kenton’s birthday may be approaching, and a surprise party is in the works.

The gate opened as I pulled into the drive. As I approached the home, it was if it was for the first time. I seemed to be viewing the estate with different eyes than I had previously. The trees were taller, the estate larger, and grass greener, the home more grand. Taller. More magnificent. In approaching the fountain, I noticed luggage on the porch beside the top step and the front door was propped open. Downes stepped onto the porch as I stopped the car.

“What’s going on?” I asked from the bottom step.

“Mr. Ward has been called to Chile to meet with an investor. It was somewhat of an emergency meeting, but what will more than likely be very rewarding. He’s already flown out. He asked that I tell you some things. As the meetings will be in the mountains, he will not have cell phone service, but he will be able to communicate via email daily. He asked that you communicate in that fashion,” he paused as he adjusted the bags on the porch.

“What’s with the luggage?” I asked, motioning toward the luggage which littered the porch.

“I’m heading out now. I’ll be assisting him in the negotiations. Hopefully it’ll only be a few weeks. The Chilean’s are a difficult bunch to deal with, or I guess I should say previous negotiations have gone poorly.”

“So, you’ll both be gone for two weeks?” I asked.