“We ask the congregation to precede the bride and groom from the church for the traditional arch of sabers,” the minister announced before he gave the blessing and the organ and trumpet once again swelled into triumphant sound.
Chloe was excited about seeing the famous crossed swords. As the family followed the three wedding attendants down the aisle, she noticed the curious gazes aimed at Nathan and her. People at the base were interested in the famous prodigal son.
They came out the doors to find four Marines indicating where guests should stand on either side of the walk leading from the church. The southern sun shed enough heat to make it uncomfortably warm, but the bulk of the guests were military and stood straight and tall in their dark jackets with their white hats on. As soon as the last guest exited, Chloe heard a barked command from inside. Into the light marched a Marine with two lines of four of his fellow soldiers following him in perfect unison. They proceeded between the two walls of guests until their leader snapped another command. The two lines halted, pivoted, and drew their swords as one, holding the sabers point down until two more Marines reopened the church doors.
The bride and groom emerged and stopped as the honor guard’s commander brought his troops to attention, their swords held upright against their shoulders.
“Present swords,” he ordered.
The sword tips crossed, forming the arch. General Trainor and Angel trod solemnly through the arch. As they passed, each pair of Marines lowered their swords back to their sides until the couple reached the final two. Those brought their sabers down in front of the wedding couple, forcing them to a halt. The honor guard’s commander lowered his voice to say, “You must kiss the bride to pass.”
“By whose orders?” the general snapped back.
“Cupid’s, sir,” the commander said, breaking into a grin.
“Never heard of him,” the general said. “Must be some rock from Washington.” Everyone except the honor guard laughed. They were still standing stiffly at attention. “Well, at least it’s an order that won’t get me in trouble.” He bent and kissed Angel softly on the lips.
The obstructing swords were lifted, and the guests applauded as the general and his bride slid into a waiting limousine. The sword bearers returned their weapons to their scabbards with a snick of metal, and the crowd dispersed to their cars.
Chloe had been so caught up in the beauty and precision of the ceremony that she hadn’t noticed the perspiration trickling down her spine. As Nathan drew her toward their limo where it waited just across the road, she grimaced at the dampness. “That’s an impressive way to make an exit,” she said.
“The Marines are good at pomp and circumstance,” Nathan said in a tone that indicated he wasn’t impressed at all.
Ed and Ben caught up with them.
“Why couldn’t they do that indoors?” Ben complained, blotting his forehead with his coat sleeve.
“Marines don’t feel heat or cold,” Nathan said with that same edge.
“The hell they don’t,” Ed said. “They’re just tougher than a little weather.”
“I thought it was magnificent,” Chloe said.
“They know how to put on a show,” Ben agreed, standing aside as Nathan handed Chloe into the backseat.
She slid gratefully onto the cool, smooth leather. The driver had placed glasses of iced water with lemon slices in the cup holders. Chloe snatched one up, drinking down half of it in one long, deliciously chilled gulp.
Ben dropped onto his seat and grabbed another glass. “What I wouldn’t give to just pour this over my head,” he said.
“The officers’ club is air-conditioned,” Nathan said as he folded himself in beside Chloe. He surprised her by taking her hand. She scooted closer to him since he seemed to want her physical presence.
After a short drive, the limousine drew up in front of another white-trimmed brick building. This one had two long, covered porticoes leading to the doors. Once again, they followed a crowd of uniformed guests into the club, where air-conditioning welcomed them. They passed walls covered with the Marine insignia and arrived in a large room with deep blue patterned carpeting, brass chandeliers, and white linen–covered tables set around a parquet dance floor. Classical music played softly as the bride and groom stood near the door greeting their guests.
Chloe decided not to comment on how the bride radiated happiness, but it was true. Maybe it was because she was pregnant, but Angel’s face glowed, her smile lighting up every time she received a guest’s good wishes. When she looked up at her new husband, the smile both grew and softened.
Nathan’s grip on her hand became tighter the closer they got to the newlyweds. She reached across and laid her other hand over the back of his, making her borrowed bracelet glitter. “I won’t leave you, I promise,” she murmured.
“I’m sorry,” he said, easing the pressure.