[color=tan]"Are you two sure this is what you want? Marriage isn't something you can just end lightly." 
[/color]

"This marriage will need not an ending," William said quickly, squeezing Keziah's hand, then turning to face her as he took her other hand in his as well.  "I will go with the Sergeant ... I will perform my duty ... I will return to you--"  He glanced to the others in turn before turning back to Keziah, "--to Rose Anne ... to your father, your family, your farm.  A bit of separation will not end this marriage ... nor will a war..."  Knowing that Edward wouldn't know what it meant, William said for Keziah's sake, "...nor will a Hessian long gun.  I want to be your husband, from this day forth ... without end."

William smiled, then chuckled a bit before exhaling a puff of air with an exaggerated [i]whew[/i] sound, saying, "Wow!  I never thought I'd say anything so ... [i]flowery[/i] to a woman..."  He squeezed Keziah's hands again, saying with total sincerity, "...and mean it with all my heart."

..........

The ceremony was simple but wonderful.  Despite the need not to have anyone more, the three of them each headed up a different country road to retrieve witnesses and guests, resulting in an assemblage of just over a dozen people watching and celebrating the exchange of simple vows.  The [i]reception[/i] was short -- just half an hour or so of women hugging and sharing wishes with Keziah and men quietly sharing sips of their own home brews with William and Edward before the entire party broke up.

William's mind had been increasing focused on one thought, so when Edward approached with a bedroll under his arm and said he'd be sleeping in the barn tonight, he couldn't help but smile, laugh aloud, and show his relief and gratitude.  He shook his father-in-law's hand, telling him, "I will take care of her.  I promise."

"No, [i]I[/i] will take care of her ... for [i]now![/i]" Edward corrected, reminding William that tomorrow he was leaving for the war.  The older man took William's shoulders in his big, strong hands and said, "[i]You[/i] ... will come [i]back[/i] to her ... and [i]then[/i] ... you will take care of her.  Yes?"

William nodded, shook hands with Edward again, watched him head off toward his night's lodging, and turned for the house, the bedroom, and his wife.