Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter fifty of "Dark Desire." I'm glad it took only two days to get out. I am on a roll here. This chapter has lots of Tommy/Kim. This fic has one chapter to go before it ends. A title for the sequel has yet to be determined. Stay tuned for chapter fifty-one.
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Chapter 50: Wedding in the Rainforest
The early afternoon sun shined down on the beach the next day. A sea eagle flew above it. It flapped its wings occasionally. It headed for a tree, landing on a branch near the top of it. It let out a loud screech while flapping its wings to air them out. It folded them against its back as another sea eagle flew in and landed beside it. It screeched to its companion, who emitted a soft screech in return.
The sea eagles heard happy laughter. They turned to see Tommy and Kim walking along the beach. He wore a brown vest and a shell necklace. She donned a white sleeveless beach dress that extended to just above her knees. A veil made of flowers, feathers, and twigs was on her head. Their arms were linked. Their pockets contained rings made of vines.
Tommy and Kim sighed in much content. They were so thrilled they were getting married in the rainforest. They enjoyed decorating the stone cross with flowers of which they did right after they had breakfast at midmorning. They made the rest of their stuff not long after. They came upon the hill and looked up at the top.
"This is the last time we will climb this hill as an unmarried couple," he whispered.
"Oh, yes," she answered. "It is amazing how we've gone from enemies to being ready to become husband and wife in just days."
"It's not something you read about every day. That's for sure," Tommy said truthfully.
"Mm-hmm," Kim agreed as they unlinked their arms. "Come on."
Tommy and Kim climbed the hill in which they reached the top quickly. They panted as they moved toward the trees, stopping close to them. They turned around to look at the ocean. They could see an orca leaping out of the water and landing on its stomach. This made three huge splashes. Two bottlenose dolphins leapt upward, doing spins in midair and hitting the water on their backs. They created two big splashes each.
"I will never get enough of this view," he said and smacked his lips.
"Me neither," she agreed.
"The best part is the air is extremely clean and pure," Tommy said with a very contented sigh.
"The air isn't quite as clean and pure in Angel Grove, but it is very breathable," Kim said and rubbed her nose.
"I read that smog clogs the air in cities such as Los Angeles from time to time," Tommy said, cringing badly.
"Oh, it does," Kim admitted and shuddered in disgust. "Thankfully, there was no smog whatsoever when my parents went to Los Angeles for their four-day vacation."
"I have little doubt they have gone crazy with worry. Your parents probably told mine about my rudeness toward you since you mentioned it to them. They told them they believed I kidnapped you and was holding you hostage somewhere. My parents denied I would do something like that," Tommy pointed out and swallowed hard.
"It is likely they calmed down and apologized for yelling at each other. They decided to work together to bring us home. I wouldn't be surprised if they suggested Rita kidnapped us to use us as bait to trap the Power Rangers," Kim murmured.
"I wouldn't either," Tommy said, sighing to himself.
"If she manages to find us, she will be shocked to discover we are parents," Kim murmured in some fear. "So will the Rangers, Zordon, and Alpha once they know where we are."
"Who knows when they will find us?" Tommy wondered and bit his lip. They looked at each other. "One thing is clear. I am not leaving you or our daughter."
"I am not leaving you two either," Kim growled in much determination. "No way, no how."
Tommy kissed Kim's forehead in a light manner. He kept his lips there for thirty seconds before pulling away. He cupped her chin in his hand, giving her a sweet smile.
"Now, let's get married," Tommy said lovingly.
"Yes," Kim said, nodding eagerly. "Just don't let me trip over bumps in the ground and get my dress dirty."
He let go of her chin and patted her cheek. "Don't worry. I won't. Come on."
He offered his arm. She wrapped hers around, forming a big smile on her face. They looked toward the trees. They stared at them for thirty seconds before going into the rainforest. They heard growling in which it caused them to stop in their tracks. They turned to see a jaguar standing a short distance away. It emitted a soft growl and dug its paw through the soil.
"I think that jaguar knows we are getting married," Kim said, tightening her grip on Tommy's arm.
"It'd be nice to have a witness to our wedding," Tommy said as they looked at each other. "What do you think?"
"I agree. Let's invite the jaguar," Kim suggested.
"Okay," Tommy responded, kissing her forehead. They gazed at the jaguar with big smiles on their faces. He waved his hand toward himself. "Come on. You can witness our wedding."
She smiled. "After all, you will likely be the only one."
He blew softly. "Mm-hmm."
Tommy and Kim looked ahead and resumed walking. The jaguar followed them close behind. They reached the stone cross. It was decorated with flowers along the sides and at the top. The altar contained them as well. The couple went to the altar while the jaguar stopped next to a tree near them and sat down. Animal sounds caught Tommy and Kim's attention. They gazed up, seeing eight squirrel monkeys, six spider monkeys, four scarlet macaws, and three rainbow lorikeets sitting in the overhanging branches in a circle.
"Wow. We have a number of witnesses for our wedding," Tommy said, happiness showing on his face.
"So true," Kim agreed as they unlinked arms. "A wedding is a wedding, no matter how many witnesses are present."
"Yeah," Tommy commented and faced her, as did she with him. "Now, let's get this over with."
Tommy and Kim grabbed each other's hands. They squeezed them gently while staring into each other's eyes. The macaws tilted their heads somewhat, as did the lorikeets.
"Kimberly Hart, I love you," Tommy said lovingly. "You have brought joy to my life. I am so grateful to you for taking me into your heart. Thank you for loving me, despite I am the Green Ranger."
Tommy rubbed the backs of Kim's hands with his thumbs. He took deep breaths and swallowed hard.
"Today, I become your husband. You become my wife. Our baby is a gift from God. She will be born in the next nine months. I promise to be the best father I can be," Tommy continued. "I will strive to give you the best of myself while accepting you the way you are."
He licked his lips before letting out a loving sigh. He squeezed her hands a little harder. She bit her lip as the lorikeets let out soft caws.
"I promise to respect you as a whole person with your own interests, desires, and needs," Tommy said. "I vow to realize that those are sometimes different, but they aren't less important than my own."
Tommy gave his bride's hands gentle squeezes. He took slow yet even breaths while forming a determined expression on his face. The spider monkeys emitted soft chitters.
"I promise to keep myself open to you and to let you into my innermost fears, feelings, secrets and dreams," Tommy said, sighing contently. "I promise to grow along with you, to be willing to face change as we both change, and keeping our relationship alive and exciting."
He emitted a shuddering breath. He closed his eyes for thirty seconds before opening them. He swallowed hard while pressing his lips together.
"I promise to love you in good times and in bad. I will do it with all I have to give and all that I am. It will be in the only way I know how, completely and forever," Tommy finished.
Kim choked back a sob and felt tears come to her eyes. The squirrel monkeys rubbed their heads before tilting them a bit.
"Tommy Oliver, I accept you as my husband and companion from this day forward," Kim whispered, love echoing from her voice. "From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one I wanted to share my life with."
Kim squeezed her groom's hands in a gentle manner. She felt the tears slide down her cheeks. They dropped onto the ground. She took three deep breaths before swallowing hard.
"I promise to be the best mother I can be to our daughter," Kim continued. "You showed me living with nature can be a wonderful thing."
She felt more sobs rise in her throat. She shuddered loudly before breathing deeply. The macaws squawked so softly that the couple didn't even hear them. They shook their heads.
"I have loved every minute of learning how to use nature for things I need such as food and clothes," Kim commented, blowing hard. "I vow to learn more as time goes on."
She felt more tears fall down her cheeks and drop onto the ground. She became determined and ran her tongue all over the inside of her mouth.
"I promise to love you for eternity. I promise to respect you, honor you, be faithful to you, and share my life with you. I will weep with you through the heartache. I will laugh with you through the joy. This is my solemn vow," Kim finished.
The jaguar purred while observing the lovebirds getting their rings from their pockets. Tommy took Kim's left hand as they stared into each other's eyes. They showed much confidence.
"With this ring, I thee wed, Kimberly," Tommy said while slipping the ring onto Kim's ring finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed, Tommy," Kim replied, taking his left hand and slipping the ring onto his ring finger. "Amen."
"Amen," Tommy said, letting out a shuddering breath.
She sniffled. "We are one now and—"
He nodded. "Forever."
Tommy and Kim wrapped their arms around each other and kissed passionately. The jaguar roared with great joy. The monkeys chittered in much excitement. The macaws and lorikeets spread their wings apart and squawked delightfully. Tommy and Kim broke apart, smiling warmly.
"Now, let's go home," Tommy said in a loving voice.
"Yes," Kim agreed. "Let's."
Tommy and Kim let go of each other. They walked away from the cross while linking their arms. The jaguar followed them close behind. The monkeys climbed up the trees. The macaws and lorikeets flew into the air.