A/N: Inspiration for the chapter, 'It's Your Love' by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: http (colon) (backslash, backslash) www. youtube. com (backslash) watch?v (equals) ohC7o_PPPtY

Chapter 37

Two months, one week later

The second tour wrapped up without incident. Afterwards, the island home was turned upside down. Their house was filled with people constantly. Some were staying with them until after the wedding, and others were staying on the mainland. But, they'd take the ferry to the island every day to help Kristin plan. Still one week before the wedding, Nathan and Kristin barely saw one another since wedding preparations took precedence. And, when Nathan did see Kristin, she was constantly worrying that something wasn't done, or she was talking about the wedding.

But, Nathan had finally had enough. He missed his soon-to-be wife, and he wanted some alone time with her, and he was going to have it. He walked upstairs, where Kristin, Wendy, Cynthia, and Katie were discussing how Kristin should have her hair done on the big day or something. Nathan tried not to listen. Without saying a word, he took Kristin's hand and pulled her out of the room without saying a word.

"What in the world was that for?" Kristin asked.

Nathan pulled her into their bedroom so they could speak privately. "I miss you," he said.

"Nathan we've been together every day," she insisted.

"Yes," Nathan agreed, "but we haven't been together. You might be here physically, but mentally, you're miles away."

"Well, I'm sorry," she said, "but I've been so busy with the wedding."

"I know, but I was wondering if we could have just one night where we don't talk about the wedding?" Nathan suggested.

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you having second thoughts?" Kristin asked, somewhat panicked.

Nathan shook his head. "No, not at all. I love you, and I want to marry you. It's just that you are so stressed over this that you can't even think straight. You need a break. That's why we're going out."

"Oh, Nathan I-"

"I don't want to hear you can't. I'm telling you, you've planned, and you've planned. You've been planning like crazy for the past couple of months, and I'm sure that you've looked every detail over with a fine-toothed comb. Nothing will go wrong. Even God took a day off," Nathan said.

"What about the children?" Kristin asked.

"I've already talked to Lucas," Nathan replied. "Besides, there are enough people here; they'll be taken care of. But, Lucas said he'd make sure they ate dinner and got off to bed alright."

Kristin was silent for a few moments, but she finally agreed. "Just let me change," she said.

But Nathan shook his head. "You're fine just the way you are."

Kristin looked down at the pair of shorts and tank top she was wearing. "I'm really not dressed for a formal dinner." Then she looked at Nathan, who was wearing shorts and a T-shirt as well. "And neither are you."

"Who said anything about formal?" Nathan asked. "We're going to be spontaneous. There's been too much planning going on." He offered his arm. "Shall we, Mrs. Bridger?"

Kristin smiled and accepted his arm. "Yes, Mr. Bridger."

Nathan led her downstairs where they gave explanations to their bewildered friends and family. Then, they gave hugs and kisses to Harry and Kristy and said goodnight. Then, the couple crawled into Nathan's boat and headed to the mainland. It wasn't long before they were docked and walking along the shore.

"So, where would you like to go?" he asked as they watched the waves.

"I thought we weren't planning anything," she said. Soon, the distinctive tune of merry-go-round music could be heard in the distance.

Nathan grabbed her hand and started walking towards it. "I think there's an amusement park up ahead."

"An amusement park?" Kristin retorted. "Aren't we a little old for that?"

Nathan stopped and turned to her. "Hey, I got my first kiss at an amusement park. Believe me, it's not just for kids."

"Oh really? What was her name?"

"Mary Alice Simmons. We were twelve, and it was right after we rode 'The Demon'. It was the biggest roller coaster at the time."

"Was it everything you expected?" Kristin asked.

"Not really," Nathan replied. "Mary Alice and I had eaten corn dogs just before we got on the roller coaster, and she ended up throwing up afterwards."

"I was talking about the kiss," Kristin said.

"So was I," Nathan said.

Kristin burst into peals of laughter.

"I'm serious," Nathan said, laughing himself. "And for the longest time, I couldn't get another girl to kiss me because I got the reputation for making girls throw up."

After a few minutes of laughing, Kristin finally composed herself. "You poor baby," she said, but she still had a huge smile on her face.

"Hey, to a twelve-year old, it's traumatic," Nathan said with an equally amused grin.

"So, how did you change it?" Kristin asked, rather intrigued.

"I didn't for a while, not until I was thirteen. That's when Grace Wood asked me to the turn around dance. That's when the girls are supposed to ask the boys. And, boy, that was some night."

"I don't think I like where this is going," Kristin said as her smile faded.

"I don't mean that," Nathan said. "That's just the night my reputation turned around. Grace went and told everyone we knew what a great kisser I was, and my luck turned around."

"And just how lucky were you?" Kristin asked, raising an eyebrow and wearing a slight pout.

Nathan leaned over and kissed her. "I wasn't until I met you."

Kristin couldn't help but smile at that. "Nice save, Sailor."

"Want to ride the roller coaster and make out?" he asked.

"As long as we don't have corn dogs," Kristin replied with a smile.

Nathan grabbed her hand once again, and the two continued on their way to the amusement park.

And so, Nathan was able to remind Kristin that every second didn't need to be planned. Things always had a way of working out, and Kristin realized not to be so wrapped up in the wedding and remember what was truly important.

One week later

The wedding day finally arrived, and Nathan was absolutely correct. Everything fell into place without any problems. And, Nathan found himself standing at the altar in his dress whites. The beach area in the back of the house had been transformed. There was a small wooden platform with a small altar where Nathan stood with the reverand. Coming from the altar, an aisle had been created, lined with long-tapered candles coming out of the sand and large arrangements of lilies and red roses. On another platform was a small orchestra.

And, as the guest gathered, and sat down, the music soon started. And, Nathan found himself feeling a little nervous as Wendy and Crocker started down the aisle. The bridesmaids dresses were a lovely shade of teal, and each bridesmaid held a bouquet of lilies and roses like the ones adorning the aisle. As Wendy and Crocker reached they top of the aisle, they parted and Crocker stood next to Nathan and Wendy stood on the other side of the altar.

"How you feeling, Cap?" Crocker whispered in his ear.

"Like I'm sweating bullets," Nathan whispered back as Ben and Katie started down the aisle.

Crocker chuckled softly. "You know that feeling goes away."

"I can't wait," Nathan replied.

As Katie and Ben reached the top of the aisle, they too parted as Wendy and Crocker did.

Then, came Kristy and Harry, walking arm in arm. They looked adorable. Harry was dressed to match Nathan as best as could be done, and Kristy was wearing a tiny dress identical to the other bridesmaids. Harry carried a tiny pillow with the rings, and Kristy carried a tiny matching bouquet to Katie and Wendy. There was a chorus of quiet, "awwws" from the guests as the two children passed them. Soon, they too came to the top of the aisle and parted ways. Harry walked up to Nathan, gave him a hug, and then stood next to Ben.

Nathan felt himself becoming more nervous as Cynthia and Lucas started down the aisle. Cynthia looked beautiful, and Lucas looked very handsome. Nathan swallowed hard as the two reached the top of the aisle and parted ways. Lucas gave Nathan a pat on the back as he stood next to him. Nathan tried to stay on his own two legs as the wedding march began, and all the guests stood and turned their attention to Kristin.

And, as Kristin appeared, Nathan's breath caught in his throat. He'd always thought her beautiful, but he'd never thought she could any more beautiful than she did at that very moment. She was a vision. The dress she'd chosen was elegant, yet not showy. It was a lovely off-white, one-shoulder dress with small pearls sewn into the bodice. The skirt was long, but was tied at the waist, as if she were wearing a bathing suit and wrap, fitting for a beach. But, one would never know it was that because it was nowhere near casual. Kristin's hair was long and loose with only a spray of lilies and roses pulling back one section of her hair near her ear. She carried a bouquet of lilies and roses, and was Bill Noyce had agreed to walk her down the aisle.

When she and Bill reached the top of the aisle, Bill kissed her cheek and she joined Nathan at the altar. Nathan found he couldn't keep his eyes off of her the whole time the reverand spoke. He could barely repeat what he was told as he slipped the ring on Kristin's finger.

Before long, the reverand said, "I now present to you Captain and Mrs. Bridger. You may now kiss the bride."

As Nathan did so, he could hear cheers from the guests, especially Harry and Kristy. After scores of pictures and dinner, the dancing began. And, Nathan could finally talk with Kristin alone.

"I don't think I've ever seen you looking more beautiful," he whispered as the two danced close together.

Kristin looked up at him. "So you like my dress?"

"I like everything," Nathan replied. "The dress, the hair, but especially you."

Kristin laughed lightly. "You don't look too bad yourself."

"Well, we finally did it," Nathan said.

"Are you happy?" Kristin asked.

"I couldn't be happier," Nathan replied. And, to prove his point, he kissed his wife passionately.