Conflicted Home (The Survivalist Book 9) by A American (learn to read books TXT) 📕

slight smile on his face. Bobbie may not be here physically, but she certainly was in spirit.

Mike stepped off to the side and kept the chords going on the guitar as everyone got into the position. Sarge hugged and kissed each of them before stepping back and clasping his hands behind behind his back. Mitch whispered a couple of things as Mary took Thad’s hand and Fred took Aric’s. Then Mitch nodded and cleared his throat.

”Friends, we are gathered here today to join these two couples in holy matrimony in the eyes of God and their community. Who gives these women today?”

Sarge held his hand up, “I do,” then he looked at Thad and Aric and added, “and they better take damn good care of them.” A little laugh spread through the crowd.

Mitch looked at Thad and asked, “Thad, do you have any vows prepared?”

Thad nodded and Mitch motioned for him to continue. Thad brought Mary’s hands up before him and said, “I never thought I’d find happiness again. I was in a deep and dark place. Then you brought the light back to my life. I promise you before everyone here, I will protect and provide for you. I love and laugh with you and together, we will help strengthen our community.”

Mitch nodded at Mary and she flushed. Very nervously she started. “I’ve watched you for a long time, Thad. You are a good man, noble, honorable and strong. I’ve thought of this day for a very long time. Like you, I was in a dark place and you thought I was the light. But you were mine. I promise to love you, to provide for you and to be by your side until the day I die.”

Everyone was getting teary-eyed. The words they offered one another expressed exactly how everyone sitting here felt for one another. This marked a change in our lives. No longer were we simply trying to exist. It was the first step, the first real step, to making our world anew. Not to what it once was, but maybe, what it always should have been.

“Thad, do you have a ring?” Mitch asked.

Jess ushered little Jace up the aisle. He had a small pillow with a ring on it. Thad knelt down and took the ring from the grinning boy, patted his head and stood up.

“Thad, do you take Mary to be your wedded wife?”

“I do,” Thad replied with a smile.

Then repeat after me,” Mitch said. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Thad took Mary’s small and delicate hand into his massive strong hand. Positioning the ring in front of her finger, he looked into her eyes and said, “With this ring, I thee wed.” And he slipped the ring on her finger. Tears rolled down her cheeks as he slid the band on.

Mitch leaned in close to the couple and asked, “Do you have a ring for Thad?”

Thad shook his head. “No. But that’s alright.”

Suddenly, from the woods behind us, came a thundering voice. “And one ring shall rule them all!”

Everyone looked up to see Dalton come strolling out of the woods. He was dressed in jeans and a polo shirt. I had to do a double-take. Then another. I’d never seen him in anything other than what most of wear on a daily basis. He walked towards the brides and grooms as everyone stared at him.

He walked up to Thad and gripped his shoulder. “I know I haven’t been here long. But I consider you all family. And it’s just not right for you not to have a ring on your wedding day. Dalton reached out and took Mary’s hand. He pushed his clenched fist into her hand, leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, saying, “Congratulations.” Then he opened his hand and dropped a simple gold band into her hand.

She looked at it and began to cry, then looked up at Dalton and reached out to hug him. He had to lean over so she could. She thanked him, over and over. Then Thad hugged him too. Dalton patted his back and congratulated him as well. Then he stepped out of the way.

Mitch looked at Mary and asked, “Mary, do you take Thad to be your wedded husband?”

“I do,” she replied.

Mitch smiled and said, “Mary, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Mary smiled as she held Thad’s big hand. As she slid the band on, she excitedly shouted, “It fits!” We all laughed and she blushed as she looked at Mitch, then back at Thad. “With this ring, I thee wed.” A round of claps erupted from the crowd and the couple stood before us, smiling and holding one another close.

Mitch took half a step forward and said, “We’re only half-way done!” And once everyone settled down, he stepped up to Aric and Fred.

Mitch looked at Aric, then Fred. “Have you prepared any vows?”

Aric shook his head. “No. I love her with all I am and ever will be.”

“And I love him with all I am and ever will be,” Fred replied.

Kay ushered little Jace back up with Fred’s ring on the pillow. Aric knelt down and took it from the smiling boy, tussled his hair and stood back.

“Aric, do you take Fred to be your wedded wife?” Mitch asked.

“I do.”

“Fred, do you take Mitch to be your wedded husband?”

“I do,” she replied.

Mitch then turned to Aric and said, “Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Aric repeated the verse and slipped the ring onto Fred’s finger. She wiped a tear away as she held her hand up to look at it. It was the same ring she’d been wearing since the announcement. But, now it meant more. Dalton stepped up and pushed another gold band into Fred’s hand. The tears flowed from her when she looked at the simple gold ring and she reached up and hugged him.

Mitch gave her a minute and said, “Alright, Fred, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.” And she slid