Post by CarpentersFan2003 on Jan 14, 2004 20:18:47 GMT -5
Chapter Fourteen
January 15th 1985, Wedding Day
Karen sat in her bedroom at her parent’s house. She’d spent last few days there in preparation for the coming nuptials. Nathan had showed her out of the condo stating that he didn’t want to jinx the wedding.
So Karen sat at her vanity table applying her make-up. In her hair which as done up in ringlets, was the tiara she’d chosen. It was a reproduction of the one that Princess Diana had worn for her wedding to Prince Charles. At her mother’s insistence she wore a modest veil, but her dress was exactly the way she wanted it to be. It was almost causal in its appearance. A simple white knee-length skirt, with white hose. She was wearing a white blouse that was covered by a white pearl studded blazer.
Karen heard a knock on the door, as she was finishing putting on her mascara.
“ Come in.”
Harold opened the door and peered in at his daughter.
“ It’s getting close to show time Karen. Are you ready?”
“ Hi Daddy, almost I just need to touch up my lips.” Karen waved her father over to the bed. She applied the frosted cherry colored lipstick and then blotted her lips on a tissue. Once she’d replaced the cap she turned to her father and stood up.
“ You look stunning. Nathan is a very lucky man.” Harold hugged Karen gently.
“ Thank you Daddy.” Karen kissed his cheek. “ I’m ready.”
Harold took Karen’s arm and they walked downstairs together. In the living room where Olivia Newton-John and Dorothy Hamill along with Lynda Nathan’s sister, her maid of honor and bride’s maids. The three women took turns hugging Karen.
When Karen’s limo arrived at Downey Methodist Church she was prepared for the mass of fan’s that had gathered to wish her well. She waved to them and then she and her friends and family disappeared into the front doors of the church.
“ Ah… The blushing bride has arrived.” Came the voice of the wedding planner Karen had hired a few months before.
Kimberley Tomas had been a godsend to Karen. She’d taken over all the details of the day. It was because of her that Karen’s wedding was running like clockwork.
Kimberley quickly straightened the dresses of all five women and then lined them up.
“ Now, Dad Carpenter your on the right and Mom your on the left of the bride.”
Agnes and Harold moved into position beside Karen.
Kim then adjusted Karen’s veil. The last thing that she did was to take a moment to talk to the ring bearer Christopher.
“ Remember, it’s left together, right together.” Kimberley brushed a piece of lint off the boy’s shoulder.
Chris nodded his head.
“ Now everyone. Take a deep breath.” Kim said and then opened the doors to the chapel.
The organ music started to play and Christopher waited for Kim to nod and then started down the red carpet leading to the altar. Olivia and Dorothy then Lynda followed him. Then Karen and her parents stepped into view of the guests.
Once Chris and the two women had joined the Groom his best man Richard (Karen’s brother) and ushers John Peterson and Peter Knight (two for Nathan’s friends), the bridal march began to play.
The guests stood.
“ And now…” Kimberley whispered.
Karen and her parents began to walk up to meet Nathan. When the bride stepped up to the altar she took the grooms hand in her own.
“ Who gives this woman to be married?” Minister McFadden asked.
“ Her Mother and I do.” Harold said.
“ Please be seated.” The minister said. The guests sat. He then regarded Karen and Nathan and started his introduction.
“ It is with great pleasure that we come here today to witness as Karen Anne Carpenter and Nathaniel Jason Yates as they join in the holy state of matrimony. Which is an honorable estate, handed down by God. It is not to be taken lightly or wantonly or inadvisably. Can anyone give reason why this man and woman should not be married here today?” McFadden paused for moment. When no one spoke he continued.
“ Nathaniel please repeat after me: I, Nathaniel take you Karen Anne to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”
Nathan repeated the vows in a clear voice. Looking into Karen’s eyes. He felt tears brimming in his eyes as he smiled.
“ Karen please repeat after me: I, Karen Anne take you Nathaniel Jason Yates to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or for poorer, in sickness in and in health, till death do us part.”
Karen said her vows in a gentle loving voice. A single tear slid down her left cheek.
“ May I have the rings please.” The minister asked.
Christopher stepped forward and McFadden took them.
“ The rings are an outward symbol of the vows that you Karen and you Nathaniel have taken here today. It is a sign to other’s of your commitment to one another.” McFadden gave Nathan the smaller of the two rings and said.
“ Karen, with this ring I thee wed.”
Nathan repeated the words at his slipped the ring on to Karen’s left ring finger.
The minister then gave Karen the larger matching ring.
“ Nathaniel, with this ring I thee wed.”
Karen repeated the words and she to slipped the ring on to her husband’s finger.
“ I now pronounce, you Karen and you Nathaniel, to be bound in the bonds of marriage. Let no man break the bonds that God has ordained. You may kiss the bride.”
Nathan smiled then lifted Karen’s veil.
“ I love you.”
Karen smiled back.
“ I love you too.”
They kissed.
*** *** ***
At the hall that Karen’s parents had rented for the reception after the wedding, the guests and families first dined on shrimp cocktails, then roast beef au jus, roasted fingerling potatoes, julienne carrots and snow peas. For dessert there was a platter different cakes and pies to choose from.
As dinner was being served the many toasts to the bride and groom where made. One from Herb Alpert made Karen want to cry.
“ Karen and Nathan as you two begin your life together, I want to wish you all the luck in the world. I know that Karen has been searching for the right man for a long time. I hope that you will live to grow old together. To the bride and groom!” Herb raised his wineglass.
“ The bride and groom!” the guests called out and raised their glasses in salute.
When the dance portion of the night started Karen and Nathan where called to the floor. When Nathan had taken his wife in his arms he heard Karen whisper in his ear.
“ I love you so much. Tell me this not a dream.”
“ No, you’re here with me and I can assure you it’s not a dream.” Nathan grinned. “ I’m never letting you go.”
It was then that a recording of the song that had come to mean so much to Nathan began to play. It was one thing to find a song that said how he and Karen felt for one another, but it was all made all more poignant for Nathan because his wife was the one singing it, after a short piano intro the vocals started.
“ You’re enough,
If I never had another,
Never hold another lover,
Baby, you’re enough,
All the rest are second best,
Compared to you…”
“ You’re enough,
If I never know another,
After what we’ve known together,
Baby you’re enough,
I’ve already had my sweetest dreams come true…”
“ Can’t you see,
In these eyes that adore you
I’ve been waiting here for you,
Baby can’t you see,
Look at me,
See love’s greatest non-believer,
Believing that she might be seeing love,
In your eyes…”
“ Stars above,
Made for wishing made for dreamers,
Won’t you listen to this heart,
And what it’s dreaming of,
If they’ll only shine their lucky starlight,
Down on me,
Make it bright enough for only you to see.
Baby you’re enough for me…”
Look at me,
See love’s greatest non-believer,
Believing that she might be seeing love,
In your eyes…”
“ Stars above,
Made for wishing’ made for dreamers,
Won’t you listen to this heart,
And what it’s dreaming of,
If they’ll only shine their lucky starlight,
Down on me,
Make it bright enough for only you to see.
Baby you’re enough for me,
Baby you’re enough for me…”
January 15th 1985, Wedding Day
Karen sat in her bedroom at her parent’s house. She’d spent last few days there in preparation for the coming nuptials. Nathan had showed her out of the condo stating that he didn’t want to jinx the wedding.
So Karen sat at her vanity table applying her make-up. In her hair which as done up in ringlets, was the tiara she’d chosen. It was a reproduction of the one that Princess Diana had worn for her wedding to Prince Charles. At her mother’s insistence she wore a modest veil, but her dress was exactly the way she wanted it to be. It was almost causal in its appearance. A simple white knee-length skirt, with white hose. She was wearing a white blouse that was covered by a white pearl studded blazer.
Karen heard a knock on the door, as she was finishing putting on her mascara.
“ Come in.”
Harold opened the door and peered in at his daughter.
“ It’s getting close to show time Karen. Are you ready?”
“ Hi Daddy, almost I just need to touch up my lips.” Karen waved her father over to the bed. She applied the frosted cherry colored lipstick and then blotted her lips on a tissue. Once she’d replaced the cap she turned to her father and stood up.
“ You look stunning. Nathan is a very lucky man.” Harold hugged Karen gently.
“ Thank you Daddy.” Karen kissed his cheek. “ I’m ready.”
Harold took Karen’s arm and they walked downstairs together. In the living room where Olivia Newton-John and Dorothy Hamill along with Lynda Nathan’s sister, her maid of honor and bride’s maids. The three women took turns hugging Karen.
When Karen’s limo arrived at Downey Methodist Church she was prepared for the mass of fan’s that had gathered to wish her well. She waved to them and then she and her friends and family disappeared into the front doors of the church.
“ Ah… The blushing bride has arrived.” Came the voice of the wedding planner Karen had hired a few months before.
Kimberley Tomas had been a godsend to Karen. She’d taken over all the details of the day. It was because of her that Karen’s wedding was running like clockwork.
Kimberley quickly straightened the dresses of all five women and then lined them up.
“ Now, Dad Carpenter your on the right and Mom your on the left of the bride.”
Agnes and Harold moved into position beside Karen.
Kim then adjusted Karen’s veil. The last thing that she did was to take a moment to talk to the ring bearer Christopher.
“ Remember, it’s left together, right together.” Kimberley brushed a piece of lint off the boy’s shoulder.
Chris nodded his head.
“ Now everyone. Take a deep breath.” Kim said and then opened the doors to the chapel.
The organ music started to play and Christopher waited for Kim to nod and then started down the red carpet leading to the altar. Olivia and Dorothy then Lynda followed him. Then Karen and her parents stepped into view of the guests.
Once Chris and the two women had joined the Groom his best man Richard (Karen’s brother) and ushers John Peterson and Peter Knight (two for Nathan’s friends), the bridal march began to play.
The guests stood.
“ And now…” Kimberley whispered.
Karen and her parents began to walk up to meet Nathan. When the bride stepped up to the altar she took the grooms hand in her own.
“ Who gives this woman to be married?” Minister McFadden asked.
“ Her Mother and I do.” Harold said.
“ Please be seated.” The minister said. The guests sat. He then regarded Karen and Nathan and started his introduction.
“ It is with great pleasure that we come here today to witness as Karen Anne Carpenter and Nathaniel Jason Yates as they join in the holy state of matrimony. Which is an honorable estate, handed down by God. It is not to be taken lightly or wantonly or inadvisably. Can anyone give reason why this man and woman should not be married here today?” McFadden paused for moment. When no one spoke he continued.
“ Nathaniel please repeat after me: I, Nathaniel take you Karen Anne to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”
Nathan repeated the vows in a clear voice. Looking into Karen’s eyes. He felt tears brimming in his eyes as he smiled.
“ Karen please repeat after me: I, Karen Anne take you Nathaniel Jason Yates to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or for poorer, in sickness in and in health, till death do us part.”
Karen said her vows in a gentle loving voice. A single tear slid down her left cheek.
“ May I have the rings please.” The minister asked.
Christopher stepped forward and McFadden took them.
“ The rings are an outward symbol of the vows that you Karen and you Nathaniel have taken here today. It is a sign to other’s of your commitment to one another.” McFadden gave Nathan the smaller of the two rings and said.
“ Karen, with this ring I thee wed.”
Nathan repeated the words at his slipped the ring on to Karen’s left ring finger.
The minister then gave Karen the larger matching ring.
“ Nathaniel, with this ring I thee wed.”
Karen repeated the words and she to slipped the ring on to her husband’s finger.
“ I now pronounce, you Karen and you Nathaniel, to be bound in the bonds of marriage. Let no man break the bonds that God has ordained. You may kiss the bride.”
Nathan smiled then lifted Karen’s veil.
“ I love you.”
Karen smiled back.
“ I love you too.”
They kissed.
*** *** ***
At the hall that Karen’s parents had rented for the reception after the wedding, the guests and families first dined on shrimp cocktails, then roast beef au jus, roasted fingerling potatoes, julienne carrots and snow peas. For dessert there was a platter different cakes and pies to choose from.
As dinner was being served the many toasts to the bride and groom where made. One from Herb Alpert made Karen want to cry.
“ Karen and Nathan as you two begin your life together, I want to wish you all the luck in the world. I know that Karen has been searching for the right man for a long time. I hope that you will live to grow old together. To the bride and groom!” Herb raised his wineglass.
“ The bride and groom!” the guests called out and raised their glasses in salute.
When the dance portion of the night started Karen and Nathan where called to the floor. When Nathan had taken his wife in his arms he heard Karen whisper in his ear.
“ I love you so much. Tell me this not a dream.”
“ No, you’re here with me and I can assure you it’s not a dream.” Nathan grinned. “ I’m never letting you go.”
It was then that a recording of the song that had come to mean so much to Nathan began to play. It was one thing to find a song that said how he and Karen felt for one another, but it was all made all more poignant for Nathan because his wife was the one singing it, after a short piano intro the vocals started.
“ You’re enough,
If I never had another,
Never hold another lover,
Baby, you’re enough,
All the rest are second best,
Compared to you…”
“ You’re enough,
If I never know another,
After what we’ve known together,
Baby you’re enough,
I’ve already had my sweetest dreams come true…”
“ Can’t you see,
In these eyes that adore you
I’ve been waiting here for you,
Baby can’t you see,
Look at me,
See love’s greatest non-believer,
Believing that she might be seeing love,
In your eyes…”
“ Stars above,
Made for wishing made for dreamers,
Won’t you listen to this heart,
And what it’s dreaming of,
If they’ll only shine their lucky starlight,
Down on me,
Make it bright enough for only you to see.
Baby you’re enough for me…”
Look at me,
See love’s greatest non-believer,
Believing that she might be seeing love,
In your eyes…”
“ Stars above,
Made for wishing’ made for dreamers,
Won’t you listen to this heart,
And what it’s dreaming of,
If they’ll only shine their lucky starlight,
Down on me,
Make it bright enough for only you to see.
Baby you’re enough for me,
Baby you’re enough for me…”
