"These vows, which you have selected to represent your commitment, are timeless in the earnest promises they reflect. In these few moments, we will examine the things that you are vowing to do for your mate, regardless of life's circumstances, for as long as you live."
"Your first promise is to honor your mate. Hunter Hardecker and Emily Adley, you must lay down your lives - your selfish desires, passions, ambition, and pride - for each other. You must cherish the other more than you cherish your own self. Your mate now comes first - before yourself, before your parents, before your friends, before your job, before your leisure activities, before your caring for your own exhaustion and needs at the end of a hard day."
'Hunter Hardecker and Emily Adley, you must lay down your lives - your selfish desires, passions, ambition, and pride - for each other. You must cherish the other more than you cherish your own self. Your mate now comes first - before yourself, before your parents, before your friends, before your job, before your leisure activities, before your caring for your own exhaustion and needs at the end of a hard day.'
Those words reverberated in Della's mind. Ever since their conversation at the beach, it had felt so strange to interact with him, unable to divulge the reason for her insistence on leaving. Della was grateful he had not pressed the issue or mentioned it further, instead choosing to be gentle and kind, pretending as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
If Emily had indeed been gone for five years, he would likely assume she had grappled with painful memories during that time. That alone provided sufficient justification for her absence, sparing Della the need to confront the true, complicated nature of the situation.
Della could only imagine the immense difficulty Emily must have faced - meeting the dangerous mafia figure Diego and bearing his child. Yet, Diego had not spoken a word about their child to anybody, nor had he acknowledged the child's existence to Della. The very thought of that innocent child, alone in an orphanage, while Diego simply pretended she did not exist.
"Hunter Hardecker and Emily Adley, you have listened to this sobering explanation of the meaning of the vows you are about to make. These vows are as binding in adversity as they are in prosperity. They should be broken only by death. If you are prepared to make such a serious commitment, will you now turn, face one another, and join hands."
Della turned to face Hunter, locking hands with him. A bittersweet smile graced her features - her mind raced with the realization that she was making a monumental mistake, yet it was too late to turn back as she stood at the altar, poised to wed him.
Everything about Hunter was impeccable, and Della knew she would be hard-pressed to find fault. From the polished gleam of his black shoes to the sharp crease of his thousand-dollar suit, his appearance was nothing short of flawless. He was impeccably dressed in a suit of the deepest black, his crisp white cravat freshly laundered.
Della could not help but marvel at Hunter's handsome, elegant, and refined appearance. He was the picture of sophistication, a man whom few could resist. In every way, he was the embodiment of perfection.
And even as she stood in front of him, her heart heavy. Della could not deny the allure of his striking presence. He was the kind of man any woman would be proud to call her own, and Della knew that she had been incredibly fortunate to have captured his affection. Yet, the knowledge that her feelings did not fully align with his own only served to deepen the guilt and uncertainty that threatened to consume her.
"Bride will you have this man to be your husband, to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live? The priest said bringing back della to reality
"I will." Della replies.
Hunter, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as you both shall live?
"I will."
"Hunter, place this ring on Emily's finger and repeat after me."
"I, Hunter Hardecker, take you, Emily Adley, to be my wedded wife to have and to hold, from this day forward. I pledge before God and these witnesses to place your good above mine, now and always, no matter the circumstances. I promise to honor you, to love you, and to cherish you until death do us part. Joyfully and willingly, I commit myself to you, and to you alone."
'I, Hunter Hardecker, take you, Emily Adley, to be my wedded wife to have and to hold, from this day forward. I pledge before God and these witnesses to place your good above mine, now and always, no matter the circumstances. I promise to honor you, to love you, and to cherish you until death do us part. Joyfully and willingly, I commit myself to you, and to you alone.'
"Emily Adley, place this ring on Hunter Hardecker finger and repeat after me."
"I, Emily Adley, take you, Hunter Hardecker, to be my wedded husband to have and to hold, from this day forward. I pledge before God and these witnesses to place your good above mine, now and always, no matter the circumstances. I promise to honor you, to love you, and to cherish you until death do us part. Joyfully and willingly, I commit myself to you, and to you alone."
'I, Emily Adley, take you, Hunter Hardecker, to be my wedded husband to have and to hold, from this day forward. I pledge before God and these witnesses to place your good above mine, now and always, no matter the circumstances. I promise to honor you, to love you, and to cherish you until death do us part. Joyfully and willingly, I commit myself to you, and to you alone.'
"Hunter Hardecker and Emily Adley, we have witnessed the pledging of your love and commitment to each other. We have seen the sealing of your solemn vows of marriage by the giving and receiving of rings. It is, therefore, my joy and privilege to declare you husband and wife. Hunter Hardecker, you may kiss your bride."