Holy Matrimony
Despite the looming threats, Celia and Gael's wedding persist.
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And now, we turn to our meteorologist, Daniela Martinez for updates on Hurricane Ernesto. Daniela?
Thank you, Emmanuel. As we know, Ernesto made landfall over the Bahamas and remains a Category 1. However, for the past few hours he seems to be idling over the islands. While he might weaken now that he’s over land, the Atlantic waters are warmer than usual this year, which tend to strengthen hurricanes at a faster rate. Nevertheless, we will continue to keep an eye on Ernesto.
Back to you, Emmanuel.
A looming hurricane never stops a pachanga, especially when it’s an important event such as a wedding. The only guests who decided not to attend the wedding were those who lived out of town.
When my parish staff learned about La Florida, they offered to arrange a small reception after their Wedding Mass in our meeting hall. It can fit about 150 guests, leaving us with an overflow of 50 guests. While La Florida offered to reschedule their spot, they were willing to fulfill their request for a refund.
A member of my Parish Council is married to a chef, who offered to prepare a variety of hors d'oeuvres for the reception. One of our active parishioners owns a bakery, and so he offered to provide several bandejas of Cuban pastries, along with a small wedding cake. In true abuela fashion, Lorena rallied a few of the ladies from her rosary group to prepare tamales.
Lastly, my nephew, Andy, offered to create a playlist with the help of Gael’s bandmates, which they would manage throughout the reception. Gael told me that Celia was beside herself with relief when they offered to handle the music, embracing each of her bandmates before suffocating her brother with affection.
Before the wedding drama, I invited Dr. Emilia and Carlos to the wedding. Emilia eagerly accepted, and followed the invitation with a request to bring our genealogy book. She wished to monitor it throughout the wedding to observe any potential activity.
I was hesitant at first, because I worried that it would activate a last attempt to disrupt their union. However, Emilia offered to monitor the book in another room throughout the Mass. We were planning to livestream the wedding for the guests that could not attend, so she was fine with watching from another room. She playfully remarked that this would be her wedding gift for the couple.
The night before the wedding, I recited my night prayer as per usual. But Zechariah’s Canticle resonated in my heart. In my mind’s eye, his canticle became mine.
And now, here is Daniela Martinez with the latest on Hurricane Ernesto. Daniela?
Thank you, Emmanuel. It has now been 12 hours since Ernesto made landfall on the Bahamas. Now, strangely, he continues to sit over the islands. Even more unusual is that within the past hour Ernesto devolved to a tropical depression. This means that over the weekend, we can expect scattered bands of rain over the weekend, thank God.
Back to you, Emmanuel.
It was two hours before the wedding Mass, and I nervously paced around the church waiting for my family. Gael was already here with his family and the groomsmen. I had not heard from Toni all day, no doubt was caught up in his own preparations.
Then I heard a latch from the back door, followed by Paola’s voice leading the bridesmaids through the hallway. Her voice trailed to the bridal room, where the ladies would prepare the finishing touches of their makeup or hair. My mother met me halfway and assured me I could see Celia once she was fully ready. Antonio clapped my shoulder.
“Come on, keep me busy and give me something to do in the church.”
When we were kids, we would altar serve together. I was willing to serve, while he was obligated to serve. I did my best to stay professional, but Antonio was a master at timing his silly faces to make me laugh at inopportune moments. Eventually, our mother let him quit.
His request to help set up for Mass was a little out of character.
“How are you feeling, Toni?” I asked.
He stayed quiet until we reached the narthex.
“When I saw Celia in her wedding dress, wearing Paola’s veil, I could have turned into a puddle right then and there. It doesn’t seem so long ago that she brought Gael to his first family dinner with us. I think about the first months of their relationship, and how tightly I held onto her. I wish I hadn’t been so damn stubborn.”
I wrapped my arm around him.
“You are a good father. You were doing your best to navigate a new territory. Celia knows this, too.”
He nodded, taking a deep breath.
“Despite Gael’s unlucky streak, I know he’s a good man. He’ll take care of our Celia. And if he forgets, I’ll be sure to remind him.”
“I have no doubt that he knows it.” I said with a smirk.
From a distance, I noticed Lorena praying to Mary. The memory of Josue’s mother flashed across my mind. Meanwhile, Antonio met with my mother and Maria, who showed him how to decorate the pews. They were adorning each pew with artificial cream-colored flowers tied in a soft, green tulle (which is, apparently, called “sage.”)
I mindfully approached Lorena from behind, and it seemed that she finished her conversation with Our Mother. When she turned around, she offered me a warm, maternal smile.
“Are you ready, Padre?”
“It seems more appropriate for me to ask you that question, Doña Lorena.” I answered.
She laughed politely.
“I suppose I am. But I’m sure this is an emotional time for you as a loving uncle.”
There were certainly many emotions in my heart, but with the ceremony and the curse looming in the shadows, I have not allowed myself to feel the blessing of officiating my own niece’s marriage. I had baptized her, and given her First Communion. I witnessed our bishop administer her Confirmation. Like getting cut off in traffic, this curse cut me off from experiencing this joy.
Lorena must have noticed that I was lost in thought, for she took my hand.
“Padre, I want to apologize for casting doubt on Celia and Gael’s relationship. Together, they have grown into the man and woman God called them to be. It really seems to be His will for them to be united.”
I squeezed her hand in response. Perhaps with all of our blessings, it will help to break the curse.
“Gracias, Doña Lorena.”
My mother approached us.
“Mijo, Celia is ready. Would you like to see her now?”
“Si, mamá.”
Leaving Lorena and Antonio in the church, I followed my mother to the bridal room, greeting the bridesmaids I recognized along the way.
“You’re going to cry when you see her, Fr. Tino!” Patri predicted with glee.
I knocked on the door of the bridal room, though it was already partially open. Celia called me in, and my breath shortly escaped me.
Celia’s bridal dress was softly sparkling under the fluorescent lighting, only accentuating her beauty. I recognized her veil, for it was the same veil Paola wore when she married my twin. The color of her bouquet matched the ones decorating the church, though her flowers were surrounded by soft green leaves.
Without a word, I embraced my niece. Patri and the bridesmaids aww’d in a chorus. No doubt someone took a photo while I was distracted. I let go and looked right in her eyes.
“You look beautiful, Celia.”
“Gracias, Tino.” She said with her eyes watering. I gently rested my hands on her cheeks, making sure to avoid her blush.
“Okay, save those tears for later. I know you worked hard to do your makeup.”
“I did, and I put too much effort to ruin it now.” She playfully replied.
We shared a laugh.
“I’ll leave you with your friends. I’ll see you at the end of the aisle.” I said with a wink.
Before I fully turned around, Celia grabbed my sleeve. Her look reminded me of the times she reached for me as a child. I knew what she was asking me. I leaned closer to keep our words between us.
“Pray to them before you walk down the aisle. I’ll make sure we do the same.”
She nodded and loosened her grip. I kissed her on her forehead before walking out.
Emilia and Carlos arrived shortly after my time with Celia. Her laptop bag seemed heavy from the genealogy book. No doubt its heaviness was both literal and metaphorical.
“Thank you, both, for coming. The groomsmen cleared out the conference room, so you’re welcome to use that space.” I directed.
“Thank you. Carlos wishes to join me, if that’s okay.”
“Of course. I hope you both will stay for the reception. It’s the least we can do for all that you’ve done for us.”
Emilia huffed out a laugh.
“Well, don’t thank me yet until the wedding is done. I really do hope this is the last of your troubles, but we can’t really be sure until the ceremony is done.”
While she was prudent to remind us, it’s not something you want to hear before your niece’s wedding. Carlos noted my worried expression.
“Regardless, we will report anything and everything we see. We can’t wait to congratulate the couple after the Mass!”
They excused themselves to find the conference room, giving me the opportunity to put on my vestments. Once I was robed, I crossed paths with the groomsmen taking their place at the back of the church. Gael stood behind the altar servers.
For his part, he looked handsome. His black suit carried a white rose tied with a sage ribbon. We walked together towards the altar. I stood beside him as the last of the guests took their seats.
“How are you feeling, Gael?”
While he appeared easy-going like usual, the blush on his neck exposed his nerves. He exhaled.
“I’m excited to be here, but also nervous. God, I hope I don’t forget anything…sorry, Father.”
I chuckled.
“Don’t worry, we all have some nerves. And don’t forget, I will guide you in your wedding vows. Everything will be fine.” I forced assurance in my tone.
We exchanged a knowing glance.
“When you hear Celia’s processional hymn, pray to them. She will do the same.”
Gael nodded.
We waited for what seemed like another hour until the first processional hymn began, cueing us to begin the procession to the altar.
The stage was set to finally resolve the past.
I opened the book to the family tree, where I could watch for any activity around Celia’s name. There was only one camera live streaming the Mass, which directly faced the altar. I was complaining about how cold the room was, so Carlos suggested we sit side by side. Weddings, in general, made him act extra doting.
First appeared the altar servers, followed by Father Agustin and Gael. Then, Abuela Ruiz and Abuela Echevarria, Eduardo & Isabel Ruiz, then Paola Echevarria. The bridal party processed in together, leading the ring bearer and flower girl. Apparently the ring bearer was Gael’s nephew, and the flower girl Celia’s cousin.
Finally, the bride was escorted by her father. Even with a sub-par camera, I could tell that her dress was stunning. But my attention was on Gael, who gently swayed when he saw her. Fortunately, he kept himself planted, and wore a huge smile throughout the Mass. Carlos pointed out that the second reading of Tobit seemed almost too fitting for their circumstances.
We reached the point of the actual marriage ceremony, so I kept an eagle eye on the book as Fr. Agustin led them through their vows.
“I, Gael, take you, Celia, 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.”
The book started to glow. But instead of its sickly green color, it was warm and golden. A branch formed out of Celia’s name and stretched to the left. A gentle breeze filled the space. Carlos took my hand.
“I, Celia, take you, Gael, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”
A comforting warmth was introduced in the room. The page glimmered as they exchanged rings. Then came the Mexican tradition of El Lazo.
Both abuelas approached the kneeling couple from behind, carrying a large, crystal rosary. There were two long loops, which they delicately placed across their shoulders, El Lazo symbolized the infinite nature of their bond.
As Fr. Agustin invoked God’s blessings once more, a small beam of light extended out of the branch, and etched a name on the space next to Celia’s. It emitted one last burst of light before fading to reveal Gael’s name united to hers.
The glimmer slowly faded from the page, transforming back to an average book. I brushed my fingers across their names to ensure its permanency.
Celia Echevarria and Gael Ruiz were united, once and for all.
Oh I'm so glad it went well!! So far. 😬 I'm looking forward to the epilogue! It feels almost too good to be true.
An uncanny look into the stress and joy of a (SUPERNATURALLY PRECARIOUS) wedding! Excellently done! And they lived happily ever after, right? RIGHT??????