Hard Time (Part Seventeen)

"Would you hold still so that I gan get this thing in your hair?" Maribeth chided Elisabeth as she attempted to put the veil in place.1

"I'm sorry! I'm just so excited that I can't sit still," Elisabeth exclaimed. "I'm getting married TODAY!"2

"There we go. Gosh Elisabeth you're going to look gorgeous once we get that dress on." Maribeth went from the chair that Elisabeth had been sitting in and retrieved the dress from Elisabeth's bedroom. Maribeth helped Elisabeth into her dress, and then went to get her own. 3

"Can I look at myself yet?" Elisabeth asked.4

"Not til the both of us are done," Maribeth called from the the bedroom.5

"How come," Elisabeth sighed just like she used to when she was younger and questioned her chores.6

"Because I like seeing you squirm like that," Maribeth laughed. "It's okay, I'm done now." 7

Elisabeth walked into her bedroom and turned to face the full length mirror. "Ohh my....I look so beautiful! I feel like a princess," she marveled and quickly added, "You look absolutley gorgeous too, Mari."8

Maribeth just smiled. "Are you ready to go?" Elisabeth nodded, and they headed out to the car. Since Scott wasn't allowed to leave the prison for any reason other than court, the wedding would be held in the PCF's chapel. After the ceremony was over, Elisabeth and Scott would be permitted to stay in a building on the PCF grounds that had previously functioned as the warden's quarters as a sort of "honeymoon" for 36 hours. As the razor wire and watchtowers became visible over the hills, the beating of Elisabeth's heart quickened pace.9

...........10

Scott nervously paced the hallway outside of the chapel. "Scott, man, calm down!" said Swede, who was the best man. 11

"I'm sorry man...I just can't wait for her to get here. How do I look?" Scott was wearing black slacks and an emerald green dress shirt with a black tie. 12

"You look fine. Chill, man, chill."13

The chaplain poked his head through the door and smiled. "It's time, gentlemen." Scott took a deep breath as he, Swede, and the officers followed the chaplain into the chapel. Once inside, Scott glanced around the room. Many of the other corrections officers were in attendance, as well as some of Elisabeth's family and what he assumed were Elisabeth's friends. He even spotted Clay Black and Fly Jones in the back of the room. Scott looked up at the clock. Five minutes until Elisabeth would be walking down the aisle!14

.............15

Elisabeth could hardly keep from breaking into a run as she and Maribeth made their way to the chapel. In a few minutes, she'd be Mrs. Scott Kendrick! She smiled as she thought of it. Chris was waiting outside of the chapel doors for them and smiled as they approached. "My my, who are these two lovely women?" he teased.16

Maribeth laughed slightly. "How much longer do we have? I'm afraid that Elisabeth is about ready to sprint down the aisle and get this thing over with."17

"About two minutes til you walk down the aisle, so you're right on time," Chris said.18

"Is...is Dad here?" Elisabeth asked, though she knew the answer.19

Chris shook his head. "No, I haven't seen him. I don't expect him to come, either."20

"I knew it...I guess I was just hoping..." Elisabeth began.21

"Yeah," Chris sighed. "I was hoping, too."22

Maribeth made a slight scowl. "I can't believe he'd do this to you, Elisabeth. It's your wedding day and I don't care if he doesn't approve. You're his only daughter."23

"Let's just try to remember that whether or not Dad shows up, it's a happy day," Chris said after a short silence. "Mari, it's time for you to go."24

Maribeth smiled and turned to go down the aisle. Elisabeth's heart began beating faster again. "Hurry up," she said quietly, and Chris laughed.25

"Okay, it's your turn now," he said as he gave Elisabeth's hand a squeeze.26

As soon as Elisabeth stepped into the chapel, Scott nearly lost his breath. She looked absolutley gorgeous. Meanwhile Elisabeth was marveling at Scott. He looked so handsome today. A few tears of joy threatened to spill over and she had to blink furiously for a second to keep them at bay. Soon the walk was done, and Elisabeth and her father stood at the base of the stage.27

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" the Chaplain asked.28

"Her family and I," Chris said. He gave his sister one last embrace before she took her place standing next to Scott. She couldn't keep the smile off of her face, and Scott couldn't help but smile back.29

The Chaplain continued, "Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to celebrate the love of Scott Kendrick and Elisabeth Lyons..." he continued to speak about Godly love and read the famous love chapter from 1st Corinthians. Finally came the part they had been waiting for. "Elisabeth Marie Lyons, do you take Scott David Kendrick to be your husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, as long as you both shall live?"30

"I do!" her smile brightened even more.31

"And do you, Scott David Kendrick take Elisabeth Marie Lyons to be your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, as long as you both shall live?"32

"I do," Scott smiled back.33

"Then what God has put together, let no man put asunder! You may kiss the bride!" the chaplain smiled as Scott and Elisabeth shared their first kiss as man and wife.