Page 12 of Degrees of Power
“Okay,” I say, squeezing his hands.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I could turn back time and do things all over again, but unfortunately that’s not possible. I can only hope that you give me a chance to be a good father and grandfather in the future. There’s nothing I regret more than the decisions I made early in life that caused me to miss the first twenty-six years of your life,” he says.
“Dad, there’s nothing I would like better than to spend many years getting to know each other even better. I’m so glad that you agreed to walk me down the stairs,” I say, hugging him close to me and trying desperately to keep my tears at bay.
“It’s an honor. Let’s go to a wedding baby girl,” he says, taking my hand as the music to “Here Comes the Bride” begins to play on the grand piano. We walk slowly, down the long winding circular staircase. The officiant is at the bottom of the steps and the wedding planner has arranged the guests so they can witness the ceremony.
My mother is in a sapphire gown that falls softly off her shoulders, hugging her slim waist before draping into soft folds around her and her eyes are misty as she watches my father and me. The color of the dress accentuates her strawberry blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes perfectly. Don is dressed in black dress pants, a sapphire blue shirt with black tie, while Emily is in a lovely floor-length gown of flowing sapphire. I catch a glimpse of Gaby standing next to Don and Emily. She is dressed in a beautiful soft sapphire colored dress that folds gently around her rotund curves and she smiles warmly at me as our eyes connect. Jenny’s long flowing brown hair is a perfect contrast to the dress that hugs her hips and slim waist. She is standing next to Brian who has finally arrived and is wearing a black tux, sapphire-colored shirt and black tie.
At the bottom of the steps my father hugs me tightly before placing my hand in Chase’s and taking a seat next to my mother. I look up and my eyes are captured and held in place by the green swirling depths of raw emotion I see there. It is impossible to focus on anything else until the officiant begins to speak.
“Friends and family, we are gathered here tonight to celebrate the love of Katarina Meilers and Chase Prestian, joining them in a life of marriage. In front of friends and family you are committing to promises you make to each other today, blending two unique families. This day is not about traditions or grand ceremonies, but instead a simple acknowledgement in front of the most treasured family and friends the love and commitment of two people. Please join hands.”
“Chase, do you take Katarina in marriage; to love, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, through hardship or prosperity as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Katarina, do you take Chase in marriage; to love, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, through hardship or prosperity as long as you both shall live?
“I do.”
“Chase and Katarina, you have chosen to exchange rings as a symbol of your never ending journey together. Chase, as you place this ring on Katarina’s finger, repeat after me.”
“This ring represents my promise to you for an unending life of commitment and love,” he says, placing a silver band inlaid with diamonds onto my ring finger.
“Katarina, as you place this ring on Chase’s finger, repeat after me.”
“This ring represents my promise to you for an unending life of commitment and love,” I say, placing a wide silver band inlaid with diamonds onto his ring finger.
Chase has my eyes captured in his, holding them in his gaze as the officiant says, “Chase and Katarina you have professed your love and commitment to each other today, before God, family, and your closest friends. In accordance with New York State laws and by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Chase takes me in his arms kissing me, pulling me closer, enveloping my lips with his, sealing our commitment to each other as the room erupts around us with cheers, well wishes, and camera flashes.
My parents are the first to congratulate and hug us, followed by Don and Emily. “Chase, I couldn’t ask for a better son-in-law,” my father says, shaking Chase’s hand.
“That means a great deal coming from you Carlos,” Chase says, placing his arm around my shoulders. You can be assured I’ll take good care of her,” he says, grinning widely.
“Katarina, I was hoping to have you for my daughter-in-law from the moment I met you. I can’t tell you how pleased I am,” Don says, pulling me to him, kissing one cheek and then the other.
Brian shakes hands with Chase. “Congratulations,” he says.
“Thanks, Brian, I’m glad you were able to make it,” he says, smiling widely.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, Chase. I’m just sorry I got here so late. Negotiations were a little more difficult than I thought they would be.”
“I’m glad you made it and we didn’t have to sub you with one of my uncles. Pretty sure Chase would have picked Uncle Vito to stand in for you if you didn’t make it. Same height, look, well, you know,” I say.
He laughs at my joke but his shocking blue eyes are riveted on Jenny as she comes to stand next to me.“Brian, let me officially introduce you to Jenny Torzial, Katarina’s best friend, and the maid of honor,” Chase says to Brian.
“Oh, that Jenny,” he says.
She laughs. “Yeah, that Jenny.
“I didn’t make the connection. Very nice to meet you officially,” Brian says, extending his hand.
“Likewise, Brian,” she says as Chase leads me to the great room which has been turned into a vast marble dance floor with an array of small and large Christmas pines and a thousand little twinkling lights that have been strung along the banner of the staircase.
The band commences and Chase leads me onto the dance floor. “Now you’re officially mine, Baby,” he whispers into my ear, holding me closely until the song comes to an end and he has to relinquish me to my dad for the father of the bride dance.
