Saying Goodbye

Author's note: Thanks all who reviewed. Pirates are coming soon!


Chapter Nine

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy matrimony."

She stood at the alter, studying the man before her. He was dressed elegantly of course and looked pretty content with himself at the moment. She sighed and looked to the priest who was still babbling away. She tried to focus on the words but it was useless. She snuck a glance back at the audience, or rather, guests. They watched with bored faces, a couple fanning themselves. She looked back at her groom.

My groom.

An odd feeling of apprehension came over her and she looked to herself. Was she a bride? Sure she wearing something used, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. The train on her dress was still halfway down he aisle. Her hair had taken forever it seemed.

She sat in a chair while maid's worked away. She would grunt every time they pulled a little to hard. She remained quiet during preparations. One maid called it cold feet, but she felt as though the problem was a cold heart.

She suddenly took notice of what was going on as the priest and her groom looked at her impatiently. Vows? Already? She cleared her throat and straightened her posture.

"Veronica Sharp, do you take Lord Cutler Beckett to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor, and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poor, in sickness and health? And forsaking all others, be only faithful to him to long you both shall live?" the priest repeated irritably.

Veronica eyes widened and suddenly it hit her.

I'm actually getting married. Love? Comfort? Honor?

"I-I do?" Veronica said, almost confused. She looked to Beckett who looked at her clearly irritated. "Yes, yes. I do." She looked to the priest and nodded her head.

Her thoughts drifted away after answering. She was actually getting married. She was going to be this man's wife! Veronica didn't even notice the priest going through Cutler's vows and his answer. She nearly jumped when Cutler took her hand.

She looked at his hands and noticed a golden band. Nervously, she looked up to Cutler. Moving closer, he held the band right before her finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," he said, calmly and evenly. He moved the ring up her finger. "Take it and wear it as a symbol of what we shall share."

Someone then shoved a ring into her hands. She got a better hold of the ring and moved it to Beckett's finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," Veronica whispered, her voice raspy. Taking a deep breath, she slid the ring down his finger. "Take it and wear it as a symbol of what we shall share."

"Love is patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful and conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offence and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's fault, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope. It is always ready to endure whatever comes. True love does not come to an end," the priest said.

Veronica sighed and looked away. Her 'love' certainly didn't apply to the terms above.

"-By the power vested in me as a minister in Port Royale, I know pronounce you husband and wife," the priest concluded whole-heartedly. "You may now kiss the bride."

Beckett leaned in and gave Veronica the simplest of pecks on the cheeks. She found that incredibly ironic.

Veronica felt a tear run down her face as she took Beckett's arm. He led her down the aisle to his home and her new life.


"Congratulations on your marriage!" a larger woman exclaimed, gathering Veronica in an enormous hug. She let Veronica go and she smiled politely. "He's a fine man- a fine man indeed!"

"Thank you," Veronica said.

The lady leaned in and nudged Veronica with her elbow. "Keep on eye on him though. Any girl would die for him."

Now Veronica felt threatened. "Thank you for the advice. I'll make sure to do that."

The lady excused herself and shuffled over to a group of people. Veronica could hear her voice across the room. She turned to find her dad standing right in front of her.

"Father," Veronica gasped, slightly stumbling back. The dress that she was currently in offered little movement.

"Veronica, my dear," her father said, holding out his arm. Veronica took it and her father lead her to a balcony. "Today when I walked you down the aisle and gave you to Lord Beckett, I realized something."

"Please, father, don't," Veronica pleaded, taking her arm away from her father.

"I realized that we don't have the relationship that I want," he sighed. "And I realize that it probably won't ever happen. I'm leaving back for England soon and I needed to say this for we may never really have this moment again."

Veronica bit her lip in an attempt not to cry.

"There wasn't a moment where I was not proud of you," her father started. "I know your mother and I never had a great relationship and she turned you against me."

"No, father!" Veronica argued. "Do not make yourself the victim in this. Do not! Mother didn't turn me against you. I might have been a child, but I wasn't stupid."

"No ones the victim in any of this," her father explained with a low voice. "Everyone took part."

"I'm not going to stand here and listen to you blame everyone but yourself," Veronica stated. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a party to return to." She grabbed her dress and lifted it then continued to storm from the balcony.

She was contemplating the idea of leaving the party early until she ran into someone. She muttered apologies to this persons back, but as the person turned around she smiled, wiping tears away from her eyes.

"Commodore," she replied. She curtsied.

"Lady Sharp," he greeted. "Or I should say Lady Beckett."

Veronica's smile turned to a frown and she played the band on her ring finger. "Enjoying yourself?"

"I was never one for formal parties," he replied.

"Me either," Veronica responded. She studied the commodore in his uniform. Yes, he looked quite handsome. "Dresses, suites, dancing, chatting. I'd rather sit down with a book."

"The opposite of what would be expected," James replied. "Ladies usually enjoy these kinds of gatherings."

Veronica blushed. "My apologies, Commodore," she whispered. "I didn't mean to sound so careless."

"On the contrary," James started. "I admire it. Do you think your husband would mind if I could have a dance?"

"Well I've already had the first dance with him," Veronica replied, "I don't think he would care."

Veronica took the commodore's arm as he led her to the dance floor. Veronica found herself greatly enjoying herself. The commodore's person was much taller than her own, but luckily her high shoes made her reach his broad shoulders.

The dance has ended too quickly for Veronica and she found herself wanting to dance for one more song. But she was being led to her husband by the commodore.

"It looks as though Lady Beckett enjoys dancing," the commodore stated, letting go of Veronica.

"So it would seem," Cutler said, switching his gaze to Veronica. She shifted uncomfortably under his glare.

"Please excuse me," the commodore said, taking notice of the awkward situation. He left, leaving Veronica and Lord Beckett alone.

"Enjoying the party?" Beckett asked.

"Actually, it seems I've gotten a headache," Veronica replied. "Perhaps I should return upstairs to my room?"

"My room," he corrected, then nodded. "Go find Charles."

"Yes of course," Veronica said, curtsying. She took her leave to find the butler. There were so many people she had to push through and every so often they would stop her to wish her luck in her marriage.

And at the time, she thought she needed all the luck she could get.


She looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was now elegantly half up and her thin nightgown glowed in the moonlight. This was it. By the end of the night she would completely be Lady Beckett.

"Lady Beckett, you look beautiful," a maid said, noticing Veronica's panic.

Veronica didn't answer, but simply continued to stare at herself in the mirror. Finally, she was led to Beckett's room by Charles and the whole walk there she felt as if she was going to faint.

The butler stopped in front of Beckett's doors and turned to Veronica. He bowed slightly and left Veronica on her own.

Veronica wasn't sure if Beckett was still at the party or if he was currently in his room waiting for her. Veronica lifted her hand and knocked on the door. When she heard no answer, she opened the heavy doors and entered the room.

The room was quite spectacular. There were a few candles lit and the shadows made everything seem so dramatic. She saw a fireplace made from marble and felt herself want to run her hands down the smooth stone. Everything in the room that was wood was hand carved and elaborately designed. And the view-

She walked over to the window and nearly gasped. He was right. The view was to die for. She could see everything and more

"I told you the view was amazing," she recognized the voice as Cutler's. She turned around and nodded, adrenaline now flowing through her veins.

His boots made clean cut noises as he walked to Veronica. She forced a smile and looked up at him.

"I never questioned you," she corrected.

"That was wise on your part," he said as he took Veronica's hands. She wasn't really sure what he meant, but dismissed it anyway.

Veronica felt her heart flutter as Cutler leaned in and kissed her. When they ended it, she looked up into his eyes. He lifted her hand to his cheek.

"Now, Lady Beckett," he whispered. "Tell your husband want you want."

Veronica searched her mind for an answer. She wasn't quite sure what she wanted actually. She wanted to be married, but at the same time didn't. It would be shameful if she didn't act as a wife. This was what she had been waiting for her whole life. She had learned how to act and how to think. And right now, it was the time to put it to use.

"I want to be yours," she whispered to him. As she felt herself being led to his bed, she bid farewell to what she once knew.

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing.