Chapter 7 "Join Hands, Please"
They paused at the entrance to the parlor, as the Admiral joined them there. "Carolyn, I would entirely understand if you would refuse to actually proceed and join yourself to such an irascible, imperious martinet, but if you intend to do so, I would be honored to escort you," he offered. "With eyes wide open, I do, I will sir," she smiled. "And I must admit, he knows all too well my faults and flaws by this time, I wouldn't blame him if he turned and ran for the hills. Or in his case, the far ocean blue," she prompted.
"You are deeply mistaken, M'dear," he responded. "If you recall, I have already assured you that in song that you and your charms supersede even the most compelling of ocean views or voyages. In finding you, in having you, I have all and more than I could ever aspire to – now or ever."
"Captain, Mrs. Muir," Claymore said as he entered from the parlor. "I've been thinking, and I just don't believe this can be legal, or even sensible. Surely Mrs. Muir, you can't really want this, be joined to ol' spookface for all time, can you?" "Son, I assure you, on behalf of the highest possible authority," the Admiral interrupted, seeing that the Captain was approaching an imminent explosion, "that two souls seeking to celebrate their connection, no matter their differing states, is smiled upon at all times. Your passing legal issues are immaterial, the only true damage would occur in your refusal to honor their wishes here today. Well, that, and whatever Daniel chose to wreak upon you himself, if you actually did refuse to go forward. Any questions?" he said smiling his most polished and political smile.
Reaching up and kissing Claymore's cheek, Carolyn added, "Claymore, in your heart, you know the Captain and I," she paused taking Daniel's hand in her own, "were always connected, you've said so yourself. I look forward to being part of the Gregg family, officially at last." Clearing his throat, and blushing a bit, "Oh, very well, I just wanted to give you a chance, but if you won't, if you insist. . ." turning he looked back at the Admiral, "you're sure I can't get into legal trouble, are you?" "With whom?" the Admiral answered, "the real trouble you'd face," he said grinning at the Captain clearly past the boiling point, and indicating Carolyn gently restraining him with her hand on his arm, "is the one I'd be most concerned about." "You miserable, mewling, misbegotten, miscreant – one more word, one more delay and I'll recant every promise I made in your office today – do not test my resolve!"
Panicked, Claymore took a large step back, "No, no, don't do that. You are, or were a man of your word, and I have your promise. OK, OK, let's get started!" he blustered heading back into the parlor.
"Promise?" Carolyn asked, "What did you promise him?" "Nothing of serious consequence," the Captain answered, "I'll tell you later, but it's more in the nature of a wedding present, rather than a promise, if that helps?" "Not really, but at least is it something I'll be pleased to hear?" "I believe you'll find it quite a happy bit of information to learn," he said, "but don't we have something else to be doing now?"
Smiling happily, she kissed his cheek, "So we do – but shouldn't you be somewhere else yourself?" "I do," he responded with a wide grin himself, "I spent all my life avoiding saying those two words, odd how comfortable, how right they feel saying them next to you." "Are we ready Captain?" He turned to see Candi standing beside them, in a lacy long white dress, "Do I look OK?" Bending to kiss her cheek, he looked gently at the small girl. "You are a vision of loveliness, only surpassed by your mother's beauty today." Candi blushed and looked happily up at her mother. "Aw, Mom, don't cry, this is supposed to be a happy day!" "Sometimes tears ARE happy," Carolyn said bending and giving her daughter a kiss on the other cheek. "I'll see you inside M'dear," the Captain whispered, "might I borrow this back, for just a moment?" as he slipped the emerald and diamond ring off her finger. As he moved into the parlor, they heard him prompt Jonathan, "Now keep this safe lad, it was my mother's, and now it joins all of us together. My past, the present and our future begins today." "Aye, aye sir!" Jonathan promised.
Candi gave her mother a final big hug and turned, "OK Martha, we're ready!" and the wedding march began again.
Rose color sunlight filled the room, as sunset approached when Candi entered ahead of her mother. "Carolyn," the Admiral prompted, "ready to proceed?" She nodded and they entered and the Admiral escorted her to the Captain's side. "Thank you Geoff, for everything," she said quietly, and was surprised as he patted her hand quite firmly. "Delighted," he smiled and clasped Daniel on the shoulder, "delighted to put you two on the right course at long last." Gently he placed her hand in the Captain's and stepped back behind the couple.
Turning to face him, she noticed the Captain gulping hard, clearly fighting back his emotions. She found it impossible to stop a few happy tears gathering in her own eyes. "Shall we?" he said, turning them both to face Claymore.
"Very well, since everyone here seems to be certain that this is the right thing to do, that they are sure," he paused and leaned over to Carolyn, "you ARE sure?" She looked up at the Captain, turned and nodded. "Well, just wanted to check, just in case . . ." "Proceed! You dunderhe. . ." he stopped as Carolyn gently rested her hand on his arm. "Oh very well," he took a long breath, "let's proceed, shall we?"
Cowed, Claymore opened his book and began, "Join hands please. Oh never mind, you've already done that."
With quavering voice, he began again, "Do you Daniel Gregg; solemnly declare before almighty God that you take this woman, Carolyn Muir to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, cherish and protect her in sickness and health and forsaking all others keep yourself only to her for as long as ye both shall . . ." he paused, looking long at the missal. "Right, ok, so it can't be shall live, can it?" He looked up wondering, seeking the right word, "For all time," the Admiral suggested, "that's what I'd use."
Nodding, Claymore continued, "Do you promise to love her, cherish and protect her in sickness and health and forsaking all others keep yourself only to her for all time?"
"Without question, I do." the Captain said firmly, holding his emotion in check, but still obvious in the slight quaver of his voice.
Claymore paused as if wanting to ask her one more time if this was truly her choice, but seeing the faces of the Captain, Martha and the Admiral all staring at him, he reconsidered and merely continued, "Do you Carolyn; solemnly declare before almighty God that you now take this man, Daniel Gregg to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor and cherish him in sickness and health, and forsaking all others keep yourself only to him for all time?"
"How could I do anything else? Yes, absolutely yes, I do," she said pausing, reaching her hand out to Candi, and saw he had also reached out to Jonathan. With all their hands joined, they looked at the children, and as they looked up happily, she added, "We all do."
Claymore couldn't help himself, and smiled at the sight in front of him, "Ring please" he nodded to Jonathan. Taking the ring from the boy's hand, the Captain held it up, "Gráím thú," he said quietly to her. Looking at the family he added, "it's from the old Irish language; in Gaelic it means I love you."
He looked up startled at the sound of Martha soundly blowing her nose, and wiping the tears from her cheek. Smiling he slipped it on Carolyn's finger. "Yours forever my dearest, this ring, my love, my heart."
He looked up again, this time hearing a loud 'honk' as Claymore blew his own nose, and wiped a tear or two away. "All right, all right, I take it all back." He sniffled, tucking his handkerchief away.
Clearing his throat, he continued, "By the power vested in me by the State of Maine, and by, what did you call it?" he said to the Admiral. Geoff whispered into his ear, "Oh right," Claymore continued "by the State of Maine and the highest possible authority, I now pronounce you man and wife. You can kiss. . ." he paused, realizing the pair had no intention of waiting for his blessing and were already celebrating their union with a long, passionate exchange, "oh never mind," he completed, "you're married, or as married as I can make you at least."
Wrapping her in his arms, they shared one final wedding kiss as the family engulfed them. The Captain felt the impact as Candi and Jonathan both grabbed his legs. Patting them both, he looked up to see Martha giving Carolyn a bone-crushing hug, and wiping a few more tears from her eyes. She looked at the Captain, frowning a bit, "Next time, I entirely expect you to give me enough time to prepare for a wedding." "You have my promise Martha," he assured her with a smile. With that, he placed a kiss on her cheek and she returned it with a powerful hug of her own.
"I've never heard of a couple cutting their wedding pie, but that's all we have today," Martha said to the group as she turned and headed for the kitchen. The children lead the way, leaving the Captain and his wife in the parlor. Carolyn stood very close, looking pensively at her hand and at the ring. "I wish I could have known your parents," she said gently, "they must have been very much in love." "It was so long ago, and I was quite young when she passed, but yes, I believe they were." "I hope our children," she said looking toward the kitchen, "always remember the same is true for their parents. In all the years ahead, you know, you'll be the only father they know; only one they can remember." Looking down with a serious expression, "only one they should remember." Reaching down and bringing her face close, "You have something pressing on you, something from the past, and I do want to hear it all. But my love," he kissed her softly, gently caressing her face, "let us celebrate this moment, this time, with all those who love us, who want to, need to celebrate this impossible day with us." He looked quietly, waiting for her response.
"Daniel, you are right – if there was ever a day to let the past wait where it belongs it is today. I love you so dearly, come on let's go, wedding pie is waiting." Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, they walked out of the parlor together.
Chapter 8 – Letting the past rest