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Achilles took a deep breath and exhaled, and then he stepped forward and felt all the eyes shift to him. He walked straight along the path between the rows upon rows of chairs, never letting his eyes stray to the many faces watching him with smiles. He kept his calm, nervous as he was, and approached the dais where Cassie and Wally stood to be his 'best woman and man' as it were. To him, it was explained a custom, but he felt it better in the role of support. He took his place at the right of the dais and turned and gave his sister and Wally a smile of thanks.

His eyes were then drawn to the end of the other aisle, where Patroclus stood with his own mother Thetis, arm-in-arm. They started to walk down the aisle, slowly, and Achilles could not help but find himself smiling. In this time, Patroclus had no family, save for himself and his own mother -- and soon to be, Cassie. it seemed only right that his mother escort him to his betrothal ceremony.

Thetis guided him to the dais and positioned him to the left of the altar, beside Chris, and then took her own seat between Helena and Zeus himself.

Apollo, the god of music and healing, looked to Chris from his chair and gave a light nod.

Cassie held onto Wally's hand for support. But seeing Chris right across from her was getting kinda awkward. What was even more awkward was she was resisting the urge to jump across the aisle and hold him. But it was her brother's wedding after all. It was his and Pat's day. They looked good together, so good it was hard not to envy them. Out in the crowd Cassie could swear Aphrodite was looking at her for some reason. Cassie looked at Chris... he sang wonderfully... for an instant.. just an instant Cassie let go of Wally's hand as tears were forming in both her eyes. She quick wiped them away hoping that no one would notice how moved she was at this moment. Cassie then looked at Achilles and nodded.

There was a polite applaise through the gathering, including that from Achilles and Patroclus themselves. The performance was well appreciated, and the song well chosen.

Eros then stood at his place, behind the dais and altar, and all heads turned to him and the couple. The God of Love was in all his universal magnificence, clad in his full ceremonial attire with his angelic wings held out, catching the light breeze within them.

Eros spoke, "We have come together this day in celebration of the joining together of Patroclus and Achilles. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls, has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in life, let it be this."

His eyes went to the couple and he smiled.

"And the love shared between these two has been one that has inspired for centuries. Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Groom and Bride have come here today to be joined as one."

He looked past the couple.

"Who comes now to give these two in marriage?"

Thetis stood up and said, "I give my son, Achilles, to Patroclus."

She turned to Chris and Cassandra, as well as Wally, allowing themselves a moment to acknowledge their presense to the congregation for their role.

" I'm Achille's younger sister, Cassandra and with me is his best friend Wally. We are here in support of my older brother of whom we both love dearly and wish both him and Patroculus all the best."

Really Cassie wasn't sure what to say other then that. I mean this wasn't a traditional wedding. It was okay.. She did love both of them dearly.

Achilles and Patroclus both smiled at the words of Chris and Cassandra. Well, they actually laughed along with the rest at Chris's words, but it all brought a smile to their faces.

Eros nodded and then continued.

"Patroclus and Achilles, please join hands."

The couple did so, each extending their right hand and clasping them together.

Eros said, "Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember...

Like a stone should your love be firm. Like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind you together. Let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.

Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for the gods are with you always."

Eros looked to Achilles.

"Achilles, I have not the right to bind thee to Patroclus, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and I shall place your gift with him."

Achilles inhaled and spoke loudly, "It is my fondest desire."

Eros took the first of the two new seashell necklaces from the dais and draped it over Patroclus's neck. Eros then turned to Patroclus.

"Patroclus, I have not the right to bind thee to Achilles, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and I shall place your gift with him."

Patroclus looked at Achilles and his smile could only brighten.

"I have wanted nothing more. Ever."

Eros took the last of the two seashell necklaces and placed it over Achilles's head.

Achilles then said, "I, Achilles, in the name of the gods, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Patroclus to my hand, my heart, and my spirit,to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again."

Patroclus inhaled deeply, his breath caught and his eyes watering.

He said, "I, Patroclus, in the name of the spirit of the gods, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Achilles, to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint,in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again.

Eros looked out to the congregation and nodded. he said, "Here before witnesses of god and mortal alike, Achilles and Patroclus have spoken their vows to each other. With this silken cord..."

He waved his hands and the silken, knotted cord slid off of the altar and wrapped around the joined hands of the couple.

"...I bind them, to those vows."

Achilles and Patroclus looked into one another's eyes and said aloud, "Heart to thee. Body to thee. Always and forever. So mote it be."

Eros said softly, So mote it be."

Achilles and Patroclus then leaned in and kissed, signifying their now joined union as the applause from those in attendance started and the petals blowing in the wind started to gently trickle down from the heavens above.

Cassie was now in tears... They were tears of joy for Achilles and Pat. She took out a handkerchef and used it to dry her eyes. As the ceremony was coming to a close people were headed towards the reception and Cassie took out her cellphone and called Selena..

" Is it ready?"
" Ready and being delivered I also added an additional 10 ft free of charge"

Helicopters flew above.... delivering a thirty foot wedding cake with all the trimmings. Cassie looked over at Achilles and Pat.

" Congrats you guys."

Karen. Dani. and Linda all rushed to congratulate Pat and Achilles.

"Congratulation!"
"We are so happy for you!"
"Way to go you guys!"

The three girls smiled at the men! Hugging, hand shaking and kissing them.

"Who's ready for cake? Hell yeah!!"

" Yes well.... I didn't pick it on my own. Chris helped. Speaking of... where is Chris?"

Cassie started looking around heading towards the beach alone... The wind blew her hair a bit of everywhere. She had no idea where she was going but Chris should be enjoying the festivities.