CHAPTER 29

The next day dawned bright and clear, and as Kasey came fully awake, she was dismayed to find that she was in bed alone. She glanced over at the clock and gasped when she saw how late it was, and after quickly getting out of bed, she treated herself to a long, hot shower and thoroughly washed her hair. She dressed in jeans and her favorite T-shirt, then donned a pair of plain white socks before she wandered into the kitchen in search of Ashwin. Instead she found his mother sitting at the table, calmly drinking a glass of tea as she and Holly had a lively discussion about the dinner rehearsal from the night before. Kasey smiled at the sight of her friend, and Holly smiled back when she saw Kasey standing there. “Good morning, binky lady.”

Kasey laughed and sat down at the table. “I suppose I had that coming.” She leaned back in her chair and added, “How are you feeling today?”

“Well, my head hurts a little, but other than that, I think I'll live.”

Kasey nodded. “I'm glad to hear that.” She got up to get herself something to drink, and as she walked over to the refrigerator she casually inquired, “How's Ed doing?”

Holly smiled. “He seems to be in great spirits today.”

“I'm glad the two of you were able to make it.”

“Yes, so am I.”

Kasey nodded and grabbed a Cherry Coke from the fridge, then sat back down and popped the tab as Holly grinned and inquired, “How are YOU feeling after last night?”

Kasey laughed and replied, “Oh, I feel great, especially after sleeping as late as I did. You know Ashwin wasn't going to let me get too terribly inebriated.” She glanced at Mrs. Ross and added, “Where IS Ashwin, by the way?”

Goga smiled. “He is at the Chief's house. You won't see Ashwin until the wedding.”

Kasey's smile faltered a bit as she said, “But I thought--”

Goga gently covered Kasey's hand with her own as she explained, “Don't you worry about a thing, child. I know exactly what to do. You'll be in good hands.”

Kasey nodded and took another sip of her drink as she glanced at the clock. “When are we supposed to be at the church?”

Ashwin's mother smiled. “Two o'clock.”

“It's twelve now! When should we leave?”

Mrs. Ross cleared her throat and smiled even wider. “When the limo gets here.”

“Limo?” Kasey echoed incredulously as Holly's mouth dropped open in surprise. Goga laughed softly at their stunned expressions and finished her tea, then got up and put her glass in the sink before she casually stated, “I suggest the two of you get your dresses and makeup and things ready before the limo arrives.”

Kasey and Holly exchanged glances before they scrambled out of their seats and all but raced down the hall. Goga simply laughed and headed to her own room to get ready.

Kasey sat in the luxurious dressing room in the upstairs portion of the church, nervously tapping her foot against the plush white carpet as she waited for Ashwin's mother to come and help her get dressed. She arrived fifteen minutes later, looking absolutely breathtaking in a white “tear” dress that had taken her several months to make. She smiled at Kasey and gently inquired, “Are you ready to get dressed, child?”

Kasey smiled and nodded. “Yes, ma'am.”

“Did you bring your moccasins and purse that you received for Christmas?”

Kasey nodded again, and moments later Ashwin's mother set about turning Kasey into a stunningly beautiful bride. Her dress was an envious creation made of satin, silk, and lace, and all of that white meant that it matched her white doeskin moccasins and purse perfectly. Since there were going to be ceremonial activities held outside, she'd decided upon a dress with no train, and she was glad for her choice as she finally surveyed her reflection in the mirror. The dress literally clung to her body, accentuating the soft curve of her breasts and hips as she turned this way and that. Her doeskin leggings clung to the curve of her calves, and the soft-as-silk doeskin moccasins she was wearing made her feel as if she were walking on a cloud. Her headpiece and veil featured a white satin headband that boasted a small diamond in the center, and her veil was made of a finely patterned lace that still allowed a generous glimpse of her dewy, glowing complexion. She slowly turned to look at Ashwin's mother, and Goga had to blink away tears as she took in the sight of her beautiful, soon-to-be daughter-in-law. “How do I look?” Kasey softly inquired as she carefully pushed her veil back and picked up the small bouquet of white roses that she'd be carrying in a mere half hour. Goga nodded and replied, “You are absolutely beautiful, child. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful, sweeter, or kinder daughter-in-law than you.”

Holly walked into the room then, and she gasped when she saw Kasey. She had gone from sweet, innocent Kasey to a literal goddess, and Holly slowly shook her head as she softly exclaimed, “Wow. You're going to have every man out there wanting to marry you!”

Kasey simply laughed and nervously glanced at the clock, and the butterflies in her belly began doing their expert acrobatics routine as Ashwin's mother followed her gaze and said, “Are you ready to go, child?”

Kasey slowly nodded and followed Ashwin's mother out of the church and over to a small group of women, all of whom were dressed in a stunning array of traditional Cherokee dresses. Kasey nearly wept when the women covered her with a blue blanket, just as Ashwin had explained they would, and on the exact opposite side of the church yard, a crowd of men which consisted of the Chief, the minister, the elders, and the other men of the reservation did the same to Ashwin. When he finally stepped from the shadows, Kasey gasped softly at the magnificent sight he made as he stood there, dressed in a white ribbon shirt, black pants, and those black, lace-up moccasin boots that she absolutely adored. The smile he gave her was heart-stoppingly beautiful as the Cherokee Morning Song began to play over the loudspeakers that had been strategically placed on the trees and the outside walls of the church. Kasey smiled demurely as she kept her head down and slowly walked to the large circle with the high stone wall, and just as they'd practiced, the minister, she and Ashwin stepped forward to sprinkle tobacco, sage, sweet grass, and corn on all the stacks of wood before they lit the separate fires at the north and south ends of the circle. After they had burned for a few moments, Kasey and Ashwin carefully pushed them into the large fire in the very center of the circle. After that, the minister began to recite the Sacred Seven Prayer:

“O Great Spirit, who art before all else and who dwells in every object, in every person and in every place, we cry unto Thee. We summon Thee from the far places into our present awareness.

O Great Spirit of the North, who gives wings to the waters of the air and rolls the thick snowstorm before Thee, Who covers the Earth with a sparkling crystal carpet above whose deep tranquility every sound is beautiful. Temper us with strength to withstand the biting blizzards, yet make us thankful for the beauty which follows and lies deep over the warm Earth in its wake.

O Great Spirit of the East, the land of the rising Sun, Who holds in Your right hand the years of our lives and in Your left the opportunities of each day. Brace us that we may not neglect our gifts nor lose in laziness the hopes of each day and the hopes of each year.

O Great Spirit of the South, whose warm breath of compassion melts the ice that gathers round our hearts, whose fragrance speaks of distant springs and summer days, dissolve our fears, melt our hatreds, kindle our love into flames of true and living realities. Teach us that he who is truly strong is also kind, he who is wise tempers justice with mercy, he who is truly brave matches courage with compassion.

O Great Spirit of the West, the land of the setting Sun, with Your soaring mountains and free, wide rolling prairies, bless us with knowledge of the peace which follows purity of striving and the freedom which follows like a flowing robe in the winds of a well-disciplined life. Teach us that the end is better than the beginning and that the setting sun glorifies not in vain.

O Great Spirit of the heavens, in the day's infinite blue and amid the countless stars of the night season, remind us that you are vast, that you are beautiful and majestic beyond all of our knowing or telling, but also that you are no further from us than the tilting upwards of our heads and the raising of our eyes.

O Great Spirit of Mother Earth beneath our feet, Master of metals, Germinator of seeds and the Keeper of the Earth's plentiful resources, help us to give thanks unceasingly for Your present bounty.

O Great Spirit of our souls, burning in our heart's yearning and in our innermost aspirations, speak to us now and always so that we may be aware of the greatness and goodness of Your gift of life and be worthy of this priceless privilege of living.”

As soon as the minister finished reciting the Sacred Seven Prayer, Ashwin smiled at Kasey as everyone in attendance joined hands around the fire that was still burning brightly in the sacred, circular fire pit. Kasey glanced at the chief and Goga, who had the privilege of going first, then took her place behind Ashwin and sent up a silent prayer as the four of them began the Sacred Fire/Seven Steps Ceremony. She paid close attention as the chief and Goga began their journey around the fire, and by the time it was hers and Ashwin's turn, she felt a bit more confident in her ability to flawlessly perform the important ritual. She smiled up at Ashwin before he took the first step and began to recite his vows.

“My beloved Kasey, our love has become strong by your walking as one with me. Together we will share the responsibilities of our lives, home, and children. May the Creator bless us with many children to share. May they live long, be healthy, and prosper.”

Kasey nervously took a step and softly said, “This is my commitment to you, my beloved husband Ashwin. Together we will share the responsibility of our lives, home, and children. I promise that I shall perform my share of the responsibilities for the welfare of our home, children, and family.”

Ashwin took the second step and murmured, “ My beloved Kasey, now you have walked with me the second step. May the Creator bless you. I will love you and you alone as my wife. I will fill your heart with strength and courage; this is my commitment and my pledge to you. May God protect our home and children.”

Kasey took her second step to join him and said, “ My dear, beloved husband Ashwin, at all times I shall fill your heart with courage, joy, and strength. In your happiness I shall rejoice. May God bless you and our honorable home.”

Ashwin smiled and took his third step around the fire. “My beloved wife Kasey, now that you have walked three steps with me, our wealth and prosperity will grow. May God bless us. May we educate our children well, and may they live long and prosper.”

Kasey took her third step to join Ashwin and said, “My dear husband Ashwin, I love you with single-minded devotion as my husband. I will treat all other men as my brothers. My devotion to you is pure and you are my joy and my very life. This is my commitment and pledge to you.“

Ashwin smiled and took a fourth step. “My beloved Kasey, it is a great blessing that you have now walked four steps with me. You have brought immense joy and pleasure into my life. These things are sacred to me. May the Creator bless you for this.”

Kasey blinked away tears at his words as she took her fourth step. “ My beloved husband Ashwin, in all acts of our lives together, I promise you that I shall participate and I will always be with you.”

Ashwin took his fifth step and said, “My beloved Kasey, now you have walked five steps with me. May the Creator make us prosperous and bless us always.”

Kasey took her fifth step and demurely said, “My beloved husband Ashwin, I will share in your joys as well as your sorrows. Your love will bring me much joy and will make me complete.”

Ashwin took a sixth step. “My dear, beloved Kasey, by walking six steps with me, you have filled my heart with happiness. May I fill your heart with great joy and peace, time and time again. May the Creator bless you always.”

Kasey took her sixth step and proclaimed, “My dear husband, the Creator blesses you. May I fill your heart with great joy and peace always. I promise that I will always be with you.”

Ashwin boldly took his seventh and final step as he humbly said, “My beloved goddess, as you have walked the seven steps with me, our love and friendship have become inseparable and strong. We have experienced spiritual union in God. Now you have become completely mine. I offer my total self to you. May our marriage last forever.”

Kasey blinked as two solitary tears silently slid from the corners of her eyes as she also took her seventh and final step. She smiled when Ashwin linked his fingers with hers before she murmured, “My cherished husband Ashwin, by the law of the Creator, and the spirits of our honorable ancestors, I have become your wife. These promises I have given you, I have spoken them with a pure and true heart. All the spirits are witnesses to this fact. I shall never deceive you, nor will I let you down. I shall love you forever.”

The crowd of people who had been standing around the fire with their hands joined suddenly moved forward, and moments later Ashwin and Kasey were both covered with the traditional single white blanket. Ashwin turned and embraced Kasey in a gentle hug, and although the kiss he dropped to her lips was chaste, she also knew that there was much more in store for her later on. He took her hand and smiled as they slowly walked into the church, and Kasey had to fight back even more tears as a beautiful version of Amazing Grace in Cherokee played over the loudspeakers. They finally arrived at the altar, and after everyone was seated, the minister began to speak. “I ask everyone to please bow their heads as Chief Whitefeather, Goga, Ashwin, Kasey, and I recite the Cherokee Wedding Prayer.”

Ashwin gently took Kasey's hand in his as he and Kasey bowed their heads and repeated what the minister said:

“God in Heaven above, please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. We honor Mother Earth, and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons. We honor fire, and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts. We honor wind, and ask that we sail through life safe and calm as in our father's arms. We honor water, to clean and soothe our relationship, that it may never thirst for love. With all the forces of the universe You created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together.”

Ashwin and Kasey raised their heads and smiled at each other, then watched as the minister carefully removed the Wedding Vase from its pedestal and handed it to Kasey first. She carefully placed her mouth over the stem and took a sip, then handed it to Ashwin, who carefully drank from the spout on his side. Next they took the symbolic drink together, and applause erupted when not a single drop was spilled. Ashwin winked at Kasey and smiled, and she was still smiling as they turned to face the minister. He began to recite the traditional wedding ceremony and vows, and when it came time for the exchanging of rings, Ashwin smiled when he saw Sani carefully walking towards him. The boy gave him a wide smile and offered the white satin pillow, and as Ashwin retrieved the black velvet box from the pillow he whispered, “Good job, Sani. Thank you.”

Sani beamed and returned to his place beside his father, and Ashwin smiled as he turned to Kasey and slid a matching platinum wedding band halfway onto her finger. The minister proclaimed, “Love, freely given, has no beginning and no end, no one giver and no one receiver, for each is a giver and each is a receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have made.”

With that, Ashwin finished sliding the ring onto Kasey's finger, and a fresh sheen of tears blurred her vision as she also slid a matching ring onto Ashwin's finger. The minister smiled and said, “By the power vested in me by the state of North Carolina, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

More applause and cheering erupted as Ashwin swept Kasey into his arms and bent her over backwards, and as he hungrily devoured her soft, tasty lips, Kasey wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on for dear life. It took her several moments to regain her equilibrium when Ashwin finally ended the kiss, and he smiled as he took her hand and began leading her up the aisle. Moments later they were outside, and Kasey laughed as she and Ashwin ran through a mixture of rice and bird seed. Once they were away from the throng of well-wishers, Ashwin pulled her close and smiled down at her as he murmured, “Congratulations, Mrs. Ross. You now officially belong to me.”

Kasey smiled up at him and quipped, “Mrs. Ross, huh? Gee, that makes me sound old.”

Ashwin threw his head back and laughed, but his voice was undeniably serious as he gathered her close and softly proclaimed, “God, I love you, Kasey Marshall Ross, and I intend to prove it to you every single day for the rest of our lives.”

Kasey gently touched his cheek as she stood on tiptoe and placed her mouth right beside his ear. “Ditto.”

Ashwin growled as he tightened his hold on her and seductively murmured, “How soon can I get you out of that dress?”

Kasey simply gave him a demure smile and whispered, “As soon as you'd like.”

Ashwin smiled down at her as he thoughtfully rubbed his jaw. “Eh, I think I can wait...until we get to Hawaii.”

Kasey's eyes widened as his words sank into her brain, and then she screamed before she threw her arms around his neck and excitedly jumped up and down in his embrace. Ashwin laughed and kissed her again before he said, “We're leaving here at five.”

“But what about our luggage?”

“It's already been taken care of.” He gently cupped the softly rounded curve of her ass beneath her dress before he added, “Just like I intend to take care of you once we get there.”

Kasey sighed as she rested her head against his chest, feeling positively dizzy by everything that had happened—the wedding, and now this—a dream honeymoon in Hawaii. She finally raised her head and smiled up at him as she said, “Damn, Ashwin, I never knew you were so full of surprises.”

Ashwin simply grinned as he replied, “Aren't I, though?”