15CHAPTER 13: 'TIL DEATH DO US PART
One year later…
At a chapel on the outskirts of Sparkyville, a wedding is taking place. On the grooms side are friends and family. Most of the friends that he grew up with over the years. Some still in disbelief that he had found someone that does love him; and someone so beautiful. Some that knew good things would come to him in time and this was proof of that. On the brides side was few family members, as her uncle, aunt, and parents were all deceased. Only a few cousins were there and friends from France. Pierre and Babette had flown in from France, as well.
Charlie Brown stood at the altar with the two ministers. One who would administer the wedding in English, and the other in French. Coming down the aisle next was Linus and Sally. Linus was Charlie's Best Man, and Sally was the Maid of Honor. Next up was Peppermint Patty and Schroeder, then Marcie and a cleaned up Pig Pen, following them was Lucy, fresh out of rehab, and Shermy, and finally, Franklin and Frieda. Eudora's young son Ryan served as ring bearer and Shermy's daughter, Penelope, was the flower girl. Then everyone rose when Violette came in, being escorted by Charlie Brown's father, Silas, Jr., as her parents were deceased. Charlie Brown looked at his soon-to-be wife with love. He knew she was the one for him. After handing Violette to his son, Silas said, "I'm so proud of you, son."
"Thanks, dad," said Charlie Brown. Soon it was time for the wedding to start. The ministers began.
"Dearly beloved," the English-speaking minister began, "we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony."
"Chers bien-aimés, nous sommes réunis ici aujourd'hui pour rejoindre cet homme et cette femme dans le mariage sacré," the French-speaking minister repeated.
"At this time, if there's anyone here who doesn't think that these two should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
"En ce moment, s'il y a quelqu'un ici qui ne pense pas que ces deux-là ne devraient pas être mariés, laissez-les parler maintenant ou gardez toujours la paix."
Peppermint Patty almost rose her hand, but thought the better of it. Marcie took notice.
"Glad you're showing restraint, sir," she whispered to her.
"It's not easy, Marcie," Patty whispered back, "but I'm trying."
Both ministers continued. "Charles Brown, do you take this woman, Violette Honfleur, to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
"Charles Brown, prenez-vous cette femme, Violette Honfleur, pour être votre épouse, pour avoir et tenir, pour les plus riches ou les plus pauvres, dans la maladie et la santé," jusqu'à la mort, vous séparez-vous?"
"I do," Charlie Brown replied.
"And do you, Violette Honfleur, take Charles Brown to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
"Et toi, Violette Honfleur, tu prends Charles Brown pour être ton époux, pour avoir et garder, pour les plus riches ou les plus pauvres, dans la maladie et la santé, jusqu'à la mort?"
"Je fais," Violette replied.
"The rings, please."
"Les anneaux, s'il vous plaît."
Linus handed the rings to one of the ministers who held them in his hand. The English-speaking minister resume.
"We now give you these rings as tokens of your union and everlasting love. You shall now place the rings on each other's fingers."
"Nous vous donnons maintenant ces bagues comme gages de votre union et de votre amour éternel. Vous allez maintenant placer les anneaux sur les doigts de chacun."
Charlie Brown and Violette placed the rings on each other's fingers. Then the ministers continued.
"By the power vested in us, we now pronounce you husband and wife. Charles, you may now kiss your bride."
"Par le pouvoir qui nous est conféré, nous vous déclarons maintenant mari et femme. Charles, tu peux maintenant embrasser ta mariée."
And Charlie Brown and Violette kissed each other. Everyone smiled. Some of the women cried. After they parted. The new couple smiled at each other.
"Je t'aime, Charles!" cried Violette.
"And I love you, Violette!" said Charlie Brown.
"At this time we present to you Mr. and Mrs. Charles Monroe Brown!"
"En ce moment, nous vous présentons M. et Mme Charles Monroe Brown!" And everyone applauded the new couple. Spot danced around like his relative, Snoopy, used to. Charlie's mother cried out of happiness for her son.
"Thank you, Lord, for finally bringing happiness into his life," she whispered to herself.
In the years since their marriage, Charlie Brown and Violette settled into life together in France. Spot had went with his owner, obviously. Linus had also moved over there to be closer to Babette. With Marcie and now Linus in the same area as he was, Charlie Brown was happy to have some of his friends with him in France. He and Violette would have two children, a boy and a girl. Marcie and Pierre would also marry and have three boys of their own. Linus and Babette were also engaged around that time and was soon to marry. As for his family, Lucy had retained her sobriety and now works as a substance abuse counselor herself. Rerun had finally got his life together and even started going to college himself. Charlie Brown had found true happiness at last. Now he was with the true love of his life and nothing could bring him down, as long as Violette was there for him.
THE END
