Sunset at Paradise Cove
Chapter 29
Author's Note: Hi everyone I just want to say a quick thank you to all my readers who are following along each week with this story and I hope you are enjoying it so far. Please do leave your thoughts and feedback on this chapter as I love to hear all your comments and reviews. Thanks Mars Light
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!
Serena looked out on the dock seeing a ship that looked like it had been marooned here decades ago and needed some extra TLC as she looked around the darker part of town where they now stood as she wrapped her arms around herself a little tighter feel the cool breeze coming off the sea air.
She took a deep breath in knowing this was not the big fancy chapel wedding for mother had been planning for her since before she could walk, but this was something else entirely and not what she had expected for her wedding day either as she found herself reaching out to hold onto Darien's hand a little tighter.
She heard the loud slam of a car door behind them which made her jump slightly as she turned her head to see Andy, Bill, and Candace came walking over as Candace stood observing the old docks that were lit only by a broken lamp post with a flickering light as she shook her head stating "well this place certainly has a charming horror movie vibe to it, doesn't it"
Serena took a deep breath in and knew that was a pretty accurate description of where they now stood and looked towards Darien questionable asking "this is the place?"
Darien let out a small chuckle seeing how nervous the girl appeared as he gently patted her hand telling her confidently "yeah this is the place" and then walked forward towards where the ship laid dock in the mist looking like a ghost ship making port as he bellowed up "hey Captain Morgan you still awake?"
Serena looked around seeing there was no one else around them and probably that was for the best seeing as how she was unsure what type of people she feared to run into in this darkened side of town as she looked around at where she would be getting married soon and felt a churning in her stomach and replied back hopefully "perhaps he's not in"
Darien shook his head as he looked around the ship for any signs of life telling her back "no he's in, the old sea dog never leaves his ship, he's probably just passed out somewhere"
Serena looked back at him surprised by his comment and knew nothing about this whole marriage arrangement was going to be conventional, including their wedding apparently as she took a deep breath knowing they came this far together and tried not to act like she was a basket of nerves by simply replying "oh!"
Darien looked over seeing Serena was growing more apprehensive with each growing second, but so far had yet to turn and run in the opposite direction as he took her hand in his telling her with a little grin "everything is going to be fine" and then bellowed up once more calling out "hey Captain Brady, you got visitors"
Serena looked up seeing there was still no response from the sea captain as she realized that Darien had called out a completely different name just now andlooked around the small group seeing that none of the others seemed surprised by this as she questioned "Captain Brady? Are there two of them I thought that his name was Morgan?"
Andy leaned in over her shoulder and let out a small laugh knowing a non-islander like Serena, that this could be very interesting first greeting and replied back "no it's the same guy, Morgan is sort of a nick name he goes by in these parts, because he is never found without a bottle of Morgan's rum in his hands"
Serena took a deep breath in feeling more apprehensive about all of this by what she was hearing as she looked to Darien questionable asking "perhaps it would be better if we just wait until the morning"
Darien turned to look at her, but before he had a chance to respond an older gentleman with a long greying beard came toddling up to the side of the deck and called out loudly "who goes there?"
Serena let out a loud gulp feeling her hands shaking unsure of what kind of man she would find here and slowly looked up to see the man standing on the deck was not what she had expected.
Captain Morgan was an older, heavier set man with a long greying beard, but what surprised her most was that he indeed was an old sea captain at one time and a distinguished one at that, as she noticed he was wearing a long frock coat that seemed to have distinguished metals on it, but with all of the dirt covering them it was difficult to make out what they were for, but expected with a good washing and a haircut for him he could pass for a real gentleman as she couldn't help, but wonder what happened to this man to make him waste his days here trapped in a bottle on this island
Darien though seemed to show no concern or care to the man's appearance as he stepped up a little further as he smiled and waved his hand up to the man, expecting by now the captain was four bottles to the wind at least and called up to him loudly "I am in need of your assistance captain?"
The captain reached down into his pocket and took out a pair of very dirty looking spectacles that didn't look like you could see anything clearly through them as he leaned down slightly to get a closer view and then let out a loud laugh stating "why if it isn't Darien, well tell me what can I do for you my boy? Have you come to share more of your wild adventures stories?"
Darien looked over to Andy who stood by with his arms crossed looking doubtful of this whole plan of his and gave him a little shrug of his shoulders telling him back "you see I told you this wouldn't be so bad" and then put his arm around Serena yelling up to the captain proudly "not tonight captain, I need you to marry us"
Captain Morgan lifted up the bottle in his hand and examined it for a second and then looked back down at Darien as he shook his head questionable saying "I must have had more than I thought" as he lifted the bottle up to his lips and ended up getting more of it dripping down from his long beard then in his mouth and brought the bottle back down as he let out a loud laugh saying "I thought I just heard you just say you wanted to get married boy"
Serena looked over to Darien hearing the sarcastic tone the captain took as she took a deep breath in knowing of the reputation he had around here and knew it was not without reason as she let out a loud gulp and waited to hear Darien's reply as he smiled and yelled back up to the captain "yes I did"
The captain shook his head doubtful in his intent as he looked down to Darien telling him sarcastically "then how much have you had to drink tonight?"
Darien laughed back expecting these types of comments to follow as he told him forwardly "nothing captain, I just want to marry this beautiful lady beside me"
Serena stood there with Darien's arm around her waist, while hearing this utterly strange conversation taking place that was definitely not what she would have expected for her wedding day, but felt confident that he did want to marry her as the captain yelled out in response "you trying to bed her or something?"
Serena stood with her mouth hanging open wide to hear the captain's rude remark, but considering with whom she was marrying, those kinds of comments were to be expected as she heard Darien's comment back telling him "no, I already got her pregnant"
Serena stood there turning seven different shades of red by his admittance and knew it was true, but did not expect this would be how they would go around telling others when she heard the captain tell him joyfully "well then come on up all of you"
Darien released him arm from around Serena's waist as he began to walk forward towards the ship, but found he was walking forward alone and looked back to see Serena had not moved at all from her spot as he shook his head questionable asking "are you coming?"
Serena let out a loud gulp as she looked up at the large ship in front of her and knew this was not what she had ever expected when getting married, but if nothing else it would be one evening that she would never be able to forget as she nodded her head telling him confidently "yes let's do this" and walked forwards to take Darien's hand as they walked up to the ships deck together with Andy, Bill, and Candace following quietly behind.
Serena looked around at the workmanship of the boat they were in as they walked together slowly up the stairs to the top deck, expecting it at one time had been a grand ship to sail the seas, but now just laid waiting for a new great adventure to come as she looked over to Darien questionable asking "what is the story with this captain? Why did he end up here?"
Bill let out a loud laugh hearing her question as he shook his head stating truthfully "what you really mean to ask is why did he end up at the bottle of a bottle?"
Serena took a deep breath and tried her best to ignore the foul odor that came with the deeper they walked into the ship as she nodded her head replying back "yes I am"
Andy walked up the stairs behind Serena as he put a hand to her shoulder telling her intrigued "well know one really knows the story for sure, but the rumor has it that…" as Darien interrupted him telling her sharply "it was a woman"
Serena looked to Darien curiously hearing his sharp reply as she shook her head questionable asking "what about her?"
Darien looked back at her with a little quirk of his head replying back "same thing most men are lost themselves in by that of a fine woman or at least what they think she would be, but soon find out otherwise"
Serena looked to him curiously wanting to learn more from his comment, but did not get a chance to inquire any further as they walked up onto the top deck and she came face to face with the notorious Captain Morgan as he took a good look at her and began to laugh as he tapped Darien on the shoulder telling him happily "well if you got to get yourself hitched, you sure did pick a pretty one to do it with"
Serena nodded her head and gave a small smirk of a smile, wondering how many of her he was actually seeing, since the the man before her was tottering back and forth and she was left unsure whether he could remain on his feet, never mind actually marry them as she replied back "thanks I guess"
The captain nodded his head one too many times and then turned to look over to where Andy stood to the side with Constance and Bill behind him as he looked to the group of three asking "are you three looking to get hitched also"
Serena turned to look at Darien with a shake of her head not sure how that math equation would even be possible, but he seemed to pay no mind and almost expected such comments from him as he walked up behind the captain and put a hand to his shoulder telling him with a small chuckle "no just us captain"
The captain nodded his head replying back "right you are" and then wobbled forward slightly towards where Serena stood amazed telling them "alright than how about we start off with a celebratory drink first, as for me I already got started" as he let out a drunken laugh and lifted up his bottle of rum in his hand and took another long drink.
Serena felt like she was going to lose the contents of her stomach from just being anywhere near this lush of a man and the foul stench that he was giving off after obviously not having a good bath in a long while as she quickly stepped to the side and hurriedly walked across the deck to grab onto Darien's arm protectively.
Darien looked over seeing the nervous expression Serena had on, which he secretly shared, but was not going to lead onto as he put his hand over hers for comfort and told her back "it's alright Serena, the captain just enjoys his spirits"
The captain looked to them both as he let out a loud laugh seeing that Darien had indeed gotten himself caught up in a net with a classy dame no less and with a shake of his head he told them both "my apologies for my manners" as he handed out the bottle to Darien who shook his head telling him back "no, thank you" and then turned towards Serena with the extended bottle as she stared back at him saying factually "I'm pregnant"
The captain just shrugged his shoulders as he took another long drink for himself and then let out a loud laugh telling them "alright, more for me then"
Andy shook his head watching the scene that was playing out before him and walked over to stand beside Darien trying to keep himself from laughing at the overall lunacy of this whole arrangement as he asked him quietly "are you sure this arrangement of yours is wise? He probably won't even remember marrying you by the morning"
Darien took a deep breath and knew Andy was probably right as he looked over seeing the captain was humming an old sea tune to himself or at least that was what he thought it could be as he seemed to be missing some valuable words when wobbling out the tune and nodded his head telling Andy back "yes even if he doesn't remember, it will still be legal"
Serena looked over watching the captain dancing around merrily and if nothing else she could say he was a joyous sort of man as she looked to Darien questionable asking "yes, but will he be able to do it in his current condition" as she turned her head sideways to see the captain leaning all the way over to his right side.
Captain Morgan stood up straight hearing her doubtful comment to his ability as he hobbled back over to where they stood and told her or at least meant to tell Serena as he told Candace instead "don't you worry yourself about nothin' lass, I have done my share oh the weddings in my time. I myself had all three of them"
Serena gave a slight smirk in response trying to seem optimistic as she shook her head, knowing her life on this island if nothing else would be very different than anything she was used to before and replied telling him sarcastically "thanks I feel much better"
Darien turned around to look at her seeing that she had some serious doubts in her mind about the wedding ceremony taking place, but so far stayed by his side and had not run away screaming as he took her hand in his telling her warmly "look I know this isn't the big church wedding that you probably wanted, but when it is over you and I will be husband and wife, isn't that what is most important right now, being together for this little one" as he put his hand over her stomach
Serena stood there looking at him seeing the confident look he had during all of this craziness and knew he sure had a way to get right to the point as she nodded her head keeping with there agreement and turned back to look at the drunken captain asking him "Captain Morgan will you marry us?"
The captain looked to her proudly seeing that she seemed to change her mind on his ability to perform a simple marriage ceremony as he nodded his head telling her back "sure thing just let me find my glasses first"
Darien smiled at her knowing things were not going any better, but seemed to be only getting worse as she stood solid by his side he reached out and took her hand in his own then let out a small chuckle telling her "just think of it this way, it will be a day that we can tell our grandchildren about someday"
Serena rolled her eyes back at his comment hoping that he was right and someday she would end up laughing at all of this, when right now she felt closer to crying and nodded her head telling him back "that's for certain" as Darien looked to the captain who was still searching around for his glasses telling him sharply "there on your head"
The captain reached up patting his head until he took hold of his glasses and brought them down to the bridge of his nose as he nodded his head stating happily "look you are right" as he pointed towards Serena telling her "you are marrying a smart boy their missy"
Andrew left out a small chuckle to his comment as he elbowed Darien slightly in the ribs replying back "well that still remains to be seen"
Darien turned his head to look at him with a deep scowl not appreciating the comment and shook his head telling the captain "perhaps it would be best if we just get on with the ceremony" as Bill spoke up loudly to the group saying "yeah I think these two want to hurry up and get to the after marriage activities if you catch my drift"
The captain let out a large fit of laughter expecting as much to come from Darien as he winked to Serena while telling them both "right you are, so what is the name they call you by gal?"
Serena looked to him unsure if he would actually remember her name anyhow and replied back "its Serena captain"
The captain looked to her appearing in deep thought as he nodded his head telling her back "Serena huh? I knew a Serena once, pretty girl, or was it Stephen? ah hard to tell these days anymore"
Darien had to cover his own mouth from laughing at the craziness of this all, that he was actually standing here about to get married to Serena no less as he looked to the captain trying to get him back on track telling him "uh sir, the marriage"
The captain looked to him nodding his head saying to the point "right you are, so Darien, do you?"
Serena looked to him amazed seeing that the captain certainly did not waste any time and got right to the point as she looked to see Darien standing next to her waiting for his response, which he gave quick enough and nodded his head telling her back "I do"
The captain nodded his head in response as he leaned over to Darien and whispered out loud enough for all to hear "good answer they hate it when you say no" and then turned to look to Serena with a grin asking "Sue do you?"
Serena stood there unsure what to respond back seeing as how he called her by the wrong name as Darien spoke up for her saying to him "her name is Serena captain"
Captain Morgan nodded his head in agreement as he stopped in puzzled thought telling him "oh I knew a girl named Serena once or was it actually Alice"
Serena put her head back ready to let out a loud frustrated scream as Andy burst out into laughter beside them, as she looked around at where she was standing and knew this really was the last cut that she needed to break away from her old life once and for all while the captain looked over to Andy asking confused "when did he get here?"
Darien wiped his brow as he started to wonder himself if maybe this was the best idea having Morgan marrying them when Serena spoke up for him instead as she looked to the old drunken sailor telling him "he's the best man captain, but you are marrying us"
Darien turned and looked to her surprised that she seemed more confident than he did now with going through with this, when he was beginning to have his own doubts and just waiting until the morning comes as Morgan looked to him questioning "you want to get married, your crazy boy"
Serena shook her head knowing that Darien had already said his part, but based on the quietness in the air after Morgan questioned him again, she began to wonder if he had changed his mind when he suddenly reached out and took her hand in his telling her "I do"
She held his hands tightly in her own feeling assured to his commitment as she nodded her head replying back "I do too" Darien smiled hearing all of the vows he needed to hear for this night the rest was all circumstantial telling her back "then think of this as just the beginning of our story"
Serena nodded her head unsure what laid before them, but standing here with him now as he held her hand and made her a promise. She knew whatever it is that would come, they would always be in this together a lifetime commitment to each other telling him back "alright let's do this"
Darien reached out and touched her cheek as he let out a small sigh and then turned his head back to looked to Captain Morgan telling him confidently "you are marrying us sir, me and my beautiful fiancé Serena"
Andrew looked to him surprised seeing that his oldest friend who always ran in the opposite direction of any kind of commitment, seemed honestly sincere about marrying this girl as he looked to the Captain telling him with a little smirk "well then let's get to this already"
Captain Morgan looked around surprised to see there were others standing there with him as he shook his head questioning "when did you all of you get here" Darien let out a deep laugh as he shook his head reminding him again "you are marrying us Captain"
The captain nodded his head back and forth a few times and Serena was unsure if at any moment he would end up crashing down to the floor as he replied back "Yes, yes right lovely girl so how about we have a celebratory drink first" as he went to raise the bottle in his hands to his mouth, but they all reached out for the bottle to stop him while shouting out in unison "no!"
The captain was a little taken back by there abruptness as he shook his head questioning "well that was a bit uncalled for" Darien cleared his throat having a few others comments he could make at this moment, but held them all back telling him instead "well we really just want to get married here"
The captain nodded his head expectantly as he leaned into Darien asking with a subtle grin "can't wait to get to the wedding night huh?" Serena looked to the captain with a roll of her eyes as she commented dryly "I believe there is another question to be asked captain?"
Darien held in his own laughter as he tightened his hold on Serena's hand as the captain looked to them both asking "so Darien do you take this fine lass before us with the great body who in ten years or so could really let herself go, and why if you won't take her now I will"
Darien smiled seeing the bright she had in her cheeks from the captain's words as he told him back for the third time "I will captain"
The captain nodded his head as he gave him a quick pat on the shoulder telling him "good choice they hate it when you say no" Darien let out a small smirk as he commented back "yeah I heard that somewhere before" while Serena held in her own giggle by his response.
The captain looked over to Serena in an accusing manner as he pointed a finger in her face telling her abruptly "and as for you, you must be crazy to marry this boy"
Serena nodded her head in confirmation hearing that the captain had finally gotten one thing right so far as he continued on telling her "do you really want to marry this boy, he's a pretty boy that all the girls run after, isn't that right Darien" as he pointed over to nothing standing next to her saying in an authoritive manner "tell your sister over there to wise up"
Serena looked around her, waiting for someone to pop out from behind a barrel or something holding a video camera saying that she was on some crazy reality prank show as Darien cleared his throat and looked to the captain telling him with a straight face "she already said yes captain"
The captain looked over to Serena surprised while shouting out "you did?"
Serena nodded her head telling him "yes" and then let out a small chuckle knowing even in her wildest imagination she couldn't have ever thought up anything like this as she looked to Darien telling him with a small grin "well your reputation certainly does precede you, doesn't it?"
Darien gave her a small shrug of his shoulder in response while telling her back "nothing you don't already know" as she nodded her head in confirmation and the captain looked to them both puzzled asking "then what do you need me for?"
Darien looked up to the sky knowing the captain couldn't even remember what he was doing two minutes ago, forget about the following morning telling him back "to marry us"
The captain nodded his head as he stepped back and grabbed onto Andy shoulder to catch his balance as he up looked to him asking "are you getting married too"
Darien rolled his eyes back as he shook his head telling him once more "no it is just us you are marrying captain" as he pointed between himself and Serena
The captain let out a loud drunken laugh as he patted Andy of the shoulder and turned to Serena and Darien telling them both confidently "right you are" as he looked to Serena slurring his words asking again "do you really want to marry this guy?"
Serena looked to Darien standing before her holding onto her hand firmly in his own as she told him back with certainty "yes I really do" The captain nodded his head accepting her response as he shrugged his shoulders telling them quickly "alright then you're married, kiss her"
Serena turned to look at him surprised knowing she hadn't been to a lot of weddings before, but knew there was a little more to it than just that as she questioned back "is that it?"
Andrew shook his head seeing how the old sea captain was drifting side to side and knew they needed to finish this up quickly before he passed out on the floor telling him with a chuckle "isn't there supposed to be some kind of exchanging of rings"
Darien's face dropped as he let go of Serena's hand and placed his own hands in his pockets and shook his head apologetically telling them "this wasn't exactly something I planned to do, we don't have any rings to exchange"
Serena looked over seeing that he seemed honestly regretful that he didn't have a ring to give to her as she placed her hand down on his arm telling him with a warm smile "that's alright just being here with you is enough, I don't need a ring"
The captain stood up straight commenting aloud "no ring" and then wobbled over to where they stood and looked down to Serena's hand telling her sharply "let me see your hand girl"
Serena looked to the sea captain seeing how his eyes were focused down on her hand and was not sure what this was about as she nervously raised her hand up as he looked it over and nodded his head telling her with a grin "yup just as I thought small fingers"
Darien smiled as he took Serena's hand back in his own having a pretty good idea of what the captain was up to and kissed the back of her hand as he told her with an alluring smile "your hands are beautiful" when the next thing he knew the captain placed in the palm of his other hand the ring from around the top of the rum bottle telling him "well here you go place it on her"
Darien smiled holding onto the ring tightly in his hand as he looked to the captain with a nod of his head telling him proudly "thanks" and then looked over to see Serena with a bright smile as he took her hand in his own telling her "I promise, I will get you a real one" and slid the bottle ring into place on her finger
Serena looked down at the bottle ring adoringly seeing it fit her as just the right size telling him adoringly "I love this one" as she shook her head telling him sadly "but, I don't have one for you either"
Constance stood by watching the unconventional vows being spoken as she realized she had just the thing and raised her key ring up and shook her head telling them both "just a second" and then proceeded to take off one of her key chains off the key ring and handed the ring over to Serena telling her "here use this"
Serena smiled as she took the key ring from her hand and placed the ring onto Darien's finger seeing that it did not fit as snugly as her own telling him with a small chuckle "it's a little big" Andy laughed back in response telling her "it goes well with his big ego"
Darien though chose to ignore his comment as he nodded his head telling her back "it's perfect" Serena nodded her head feeling the same sentiment that he expressed as she looked down at the ring on her own finger symbolizing the new life she had to lead in front of her with new friends that helped to make this very unusual wedding absolutely perfect as she looked to the man she could now call her husband as she smiled telling him "this is one day that will be impossible to forget"
The captain raised his bottle in a toast as he looked to them both saying happily "I'll drink to that, now you are by the powers of I don't know me, man and wife so go on and kiss the girl already" as he took a large gulp of his drink.
Serena and Darien both shared a laugh at the start of their new adventure together as he nodded his head telling her with a grin "now that I can do" and placed his hand with the key ring wrapped around his finger up to her cheek as he leaned in closer and Serena waited with her lips slightly parted as they shared their first tender, and sweet kiss as husband and wife to seal their permanent vows to one another.
