Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 457: First Kiss As A Married Couple

Chapter 457: First Kiss As A Married Couple

With Jerome Brunton standing by Talia’s side and Jordan standing by Arthur’s side, the Archbishop started the wedding ceremony.

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to..."

It went on and Talia felt her heart pounding once more. The Archbishop asked the congregation once more for any opposition for them to get married.

After that, the Archbishop asked both Arthur and Talia if they will take the other as their wife/ husband and both said "I will."

Talia couldn’t get her voice out at first and she cleared her throat to speak.

After that, the Archbishop got Talia’s hand from her grandfather’s hand and passed it to Arthur’s. Talia felt the coldness in her grandpa’s hand and looked at him. She could see he got emotional, but he composed himself.

Aww... Grandpa is amazing!

After that, holding her hand Arthur repeated the wedding vows.

" I, Arthur Frederick Boswell Sinclair, take thee, Talia MaryAnn Whiteford Brunton, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."

It is the vow everyone repeats on their wedding, and something Arthur had heard a handful of times. He never felt anything then. But standing in front of Talia in a white dress, holding her hand, as he said those words, it hit him differently.

His voice trembled and those simple words were hard to pronounce. He almost swallowed wrongly and his heart was racing.

Talia listening to Arthur could feel the feelings behind those words as uttered by Arthur. Both of them were a little nervous as they realised the seriousness of the ceremony they are going through.

After that, it was Talia’s turn to repeat the same vow. She out of nervousness slipped up and mispronounced Arthur’s name. Instead of Fredrerick, she said Froederick making Arthur smile. But she took in a deep breath and finished the rest of the vow without error.

After exchanging vows, the Archbishop blessed the rings for them to exchange them.

"With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow," Arthur repeated what the Archbishop said as he put the wedding ring on Talia’s finger.

The wedding ring was a simple band of yellow gold. As per the Royal custom, it was made with 22k gold by the Royal goldsmiths. Like Cordelia’s ring, Talia’s ring contained a part of her great grandma’s wedding ring since she offered. Talia accepted the sentiment since she admired the decades-long marriage of her great-grandparents filled with love, respect, and companionship.

After that Talia carefully put the ring on Arthur’s finger and she heard him mutter, "Finally!"

She understood him. For almost a decade, she didn’t accept their marriage, but he did and he kept n wearing the wedding band. But now, he can wear this ring happily proclaiming that he is committed for life.

After that, there was the brief Handfasting ceremony and after that, the Archbishop proclaimed both of them as man and wife.

"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

With that, the important parts of the wedding ceremony were over. The rest of the ceremony continued.

As the sermon was going on, Arthur couldn’t help but keep his hands to himself. Since they were asked to keep on holding the hands until they leave the church, they were holding hands.

Talia was to Arthur’s left and his left hand was holding her right hand. Talia was wearing her engagement ring in her right hand, and Arthur found it amusing to hold their hands in different poses all through the rest of the wedding ceremony.

Talia tried to be dignified for half of the sermon, listened partly, and almost slept for the rest. Thankfully, Arthur’s antics kept her awake from turning to meme material in her wedding.

The wedding service ended with the archbishop’s Benediction. It was followed by the loud blowing of trumpets and the national anthem of Rosandale.

Then they were led to the side office to sign the wedding registry to register their marriage. Both her family joined them and since there were no cameras there, Talia relaxed a bit. Lambert passed her a flask and Talia looked at him weirdly.

"It’s a smoothie, monkey! Jolene asked me to pass it to you," he gritted his teeth. "Are you stupid to think I’ll bring alcohol inside the church? Great-grandma will-"

"Ahem!"

Lambert paused his rant as the archbishop cleared his throat. He felt bad for cussing that monkey in front of a man of God. He blamed her.

Talia didn’t care and after signing, she filled her stomach with the smoothie. She gave some for Arthur too since his lips seemed dry.

"Did you eat?" she asked and he shook his head.

"You did?" he was surprised to know she ate without any nervousness.

He was so stressed in the morning, he couldn’t even take a bite. Talia shared her smoothie with Arthur and only after seeing the realaxation in his eyes, did she feel relieved.

If he didn’t eat, why isn’t his mates trying to sneak him food like my friends do? They probably don’t care, right? Or they are stupid to even come up with this idea...

Yeah, probably the latter.

As they emerged from the office, the trumpets were blown to a victorious song and it was time for them to emerge the Catherdral as a married couple.

As Talia passed the pew where Louis and her family were seated, she did a deep curtsy while Arthur bowed. It was her mark of respect for the King she serves and also the elders of her family, who guided and loved her to enable her to stand here.

She is forever grateful to them all.

After that, holding hands, they walked through the red carpet towards the exit, followed by the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and page boys.

The bells started tolling as they got out and they were greeted by the loudest cheers they’ve ever received. They were all congratulating the newly wedded couple.

"Iris, the kiss," Arthur reminded Talia who had forgotten about the kiss.

"I love you, wifey," he said as he leaned.

"Me too, hubby," she smiled.

Standing by the big archway entrance of the Catherdral decorated with beautiful roses and other assorted flowers and greens, Talia and Arthur had their first kiss as a married couple, as watched by billions, hearing the cheers of thousands.

It wasn’t deep or passionate as the thousand kissed they shared before but could be called a smooch.

But for them, it is signified the bond they publicly acknowledged.

We are married!