Page 53 of A Song in the Dark

The small chapel was decorated for the season with green boughs and beautiful candles.

Rick stood at the front with the reverend as Melanie practically skipped around the room lighting each candle.

He could relate to her jubilee on this day.

It was hard enough to keep his own feet still. Or from grinning like a fool.

As soon as all the candles were lit, Mel disappeared through a door. A woman with a violin appeared next and walked toward them. She took her place in the corner behind Rick and began to play Beethoven’s Ode to Joy .

Melanie reappeared with a small bouquet of flowers from the hothouse and took the ten or so steps to the front.

And then... there she was.

Chaisley.

His bride.

Dressed in a beautiful white gown. Simple. Elegant. Perfectly Chaisley.

Dr. Grafton took her arm and the two of them walked to the front of the small chapel.

The violinist finished the piece.

Rick couldn’t take his eyes off the woman God had so graciously given him.

“I can feel you staring at me.” Chaisley’s soft giggle made him blink.

“ Ahem .” The reverend cleared his throat. “We are gathered here today in the presence of God to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”

Dr. Grafton placed Chaisley’s hands into Rick’s.

His mouth went dry as his heart picked up its pace. Was he supposed to say something here?

The sparkle in Chaisley’s eyes calmed him. Why was he so nervous? Keep breathing . Nice and slow. Not too fast.

The message was short, and Rick couldn’t even remember what was said, but it must have been good. Then they each were instructed to repeat after the reverend to say the vows.

Vows that, up to this point, Rick had heard at numerous weddings and thought for sure he could say in his sleep. Vows he had longed to say to Chaisley. But nerves abounded on this special day, and he found his heart in his throat.

His voice cracked, and his mouth felt like it was filled with sand. “...’til death do us part.” Whew. He made it through without too much of a stumble.

Chaisley squeezed his hands. She appeared as calm as she always did right before a concert. How did she do it?

“You may now kiss your bride, Mr. Zimmerman.” The reverend’s voice had changed from serious to chipper.

Rick glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.

“That’s your cue, young man.” The older man winked.

Melanie, Dr. Grafton, Celestia, and the violinist laughed softly.

But they all disappeared as he pulled Chaisley into his arms. His lips met hers in a sweet promise of their vows. He tugged her closer. A perfect fit.

As much as he yearned to deepen the kiss, the applause of their handful of guests reminded him they weren’t alone. He released her, but kept hold of her hand. “I love you,” he whispered.

She blushed. “I love you .”

Celestia stepped toward him and hugged him tight. “I’m so glad God brought you to our family.”

“Me too.”

Dr. Grafton hugged him next. “Take care of our girl.”

“I will.”

Mel was next. Her hug was intense. “I leave tomorrow for Amsterdam to help the next group. I don’t know when I’ll see you again but thank you.” Her eyes said more than her words.

He nodded.

And then a beautiful melody came from the small piano in the corner.

Chaisley was on the bench, playing something he’d never heard before.

The room hushed as she played. Her incredible ability mixed with the emotion she poured into each note mesmerized them all.

When the last note rang out from the piano, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Rick started the applause, and the reverend shouted, “Encore!”

Chaisley turned on the bench and shook her head. She held up her hands until everyone quieted. “I began to write this piece when I found out the truth of what was happening to people just like me.” A tear glistened on her cheek.

“I couldn’t imagine the horrors of what they were enduring. All I could think about was the first few times I opened my eyes after the accident, and I was surrounded by the dark. I couldn’t escape it. Many must feel this way—that there is no escape.”

She reached a hand forward, and Rick strode toward her and took it.

Chaisley lifted her face. “Music was my lifeline. At a young age, I knew God had given me a special gift. And now, He has given me a new song. Through you, Rick. Together we can be a song in the dark. Together we can fight against the evil in this world. Together we can shine the light of truth.”

“No matter how much time the Lord gives us, I’ll be grateful for each moment with you.” Rick knelt in front of her. “That was beautiful, Chais.”

She put a hand on his face, and her strong fingers caressed his cheek. “I know we have a lot of visas to try and obtain tomorrow,” her voice was whisper soft, “but tonight, I just want to be your wife.”

Rick lifted her into his arms and walked out of the chapel to the car as thick snowflakes fell from the sky, covering the gray ground in a fresh coat of white. “I’d love nothing more.”