Chapter 19

Major and Amelia walked downstairs to the big meeting room where a buffet had been prepared for everyone. The afternoon ceremony led to a lunch buffet and everyone was invited. The happy couple stood at the door welcoming everyone, shaking hands, hugging people as everyone expressed how happy they were for the happy couple. More than one person did ask them how they could do what they did. Major’s stock answer was wait and he would explain it all at once.

Major and Amelia went to the front of the room, took a knife, and cut a piece of cake from the extravagant cake that had been made for them. The baker didn’t understand what was going on, but was glad to take their money and make a multi-layered cake to serve to the guests. It was decorated in white frosting, patterned with more white icing and little pink and blue flowers cascading down from the top where small models of Amelia and Major stood. The cake was praised by all that saw it and once they got a taste, they praised it even more.

Major and Amelia held the knife at the same time as they cut a piece of cake and then put it on a plate. The happy couple each took a fork and each got a piece of cake on it. Then, very carefully, they fed that small mouthful of cake to the other person as the crowd watched them.

The cake was sweet and yummy and both made the happy noise of ‘hmmm’ as they ate the bite.

Omar stepped up to them with a glass cup filled with a small amount of red liquid. “Everyone, we have one final step to complete with the bonding ceremony. This dates back many years and is the first thing for a couple to share, other than the cake they just had.” he joked and the assembled audience gave a small laugh. “This is the Unity Cup.” he said, holding it high for everyone to see. “The liquid is unimportant and can be anything, but this drink is to be shared between them, just as they are going to share their lives with each other. Once the liquid is gone, totally consumed by the couple, the cup is to be broken to show that no one else can share what they share. They are united.” Omar said, then handed the cup to Major. He had given both of them instructions the day before so that they did it correctly.

Major offered the cup to Amelia and she took a drink from the cup. She offered it to him and he took a drink from it. Then he turned the cup so that the spot where he drank from was facing her. She took the cup, drank from it and then handed it back to him where he was to drink from she first drank from the cup. They planned it pretty well such that Major was the last one to drink and finished the liquid.

Omar took the cup from then, wrapped it in a white towel and set it on the floor. “To show that no one else can share what they have, the cup is to be BROKEN!” he said loudly as Major and Amelia smashed the cup together while holding hands.

POP

The sound of the cup breaking was heard by everyone. They cheered as the festive music began. They danced, ate and danced some more until late into the evening.

During the party, Jake Cook pulled Sarah Evans to the side of the hall so that he could have a private conversation with her.

“Do you know how I feel about you Sarah?” He said, starting out the conversation he didn’t know how it was going to go.

She smiled and grabbed his arm and held him close. “I think I do, why?”

“This bonding has gotten me thinking about us. Got me thinking that I would like to make us permanent like they did.”

Sarah’s eyes got big at his admission, “Really?”

“Yes.” he said, still nervous about how she would react. “You are by far my favorite person to perform with and to be around. I hope you know.” she nodded her head knowing full well how he felt about her. “So I wanted to know if you wanted to join me in a bond like theirs.”

Sarah was taken aback. She had not expected this in the least. “I don’t know. This is all very sudden. What would happen to our shows? To your shows? How would we manage making videos, earning a living? How would we manage all of it?” she said in a rush. All of her worry spilling out of her mouth all at once.

Jake pulled her close and kissed her. She froze at first, but lazily wrapped her arms around his neck letting go of her worry and just enjoying the moment.