CHAPTER 7

Candy stood back to admire her handiwork, having helped Jemma arrange her hair for the dance. Given how the celebration from a couple of weeks prior had been marred by Jemma's abduction as well as learning of the death of Candy's mother, everyone had decided to hold another dance to help lift their spirits as well as to celebrate Candy's decision to remain in Seattle with her brother and sister, and of course Jemma's safe return. Although she couldn't be considered vain, Jemma couldn't deny satisfaction as she looked into her dressing table mirror to see that the bruise that had marred her face from Elijah Harmon's abuse had completely faded with no scarring. She couldn't help but shake her head in amazement as she studied Candy's handiwork; she had pulled her long hair up to secure it at the top of her head and allowed the naturally curling length to cascade to just below her shoulders.

Turning she took Candy's hand as she offered her gratitude;

"Candy, you are truly a magician, thank you."

Offering her a sincere smile, she complimented;

"It's not hard to work magic when you're working with what you have to work with, Jemma."

Taking the locket from the top of the dressing table, Candy fastened it around Jemma's neck while Jemma secured her earrings. Stepping back as Jemma rose from her chair, Candy couldn't help but shake her head at the picture her friend made with the contrast of her unique shade of auburn hair and emerald-green eyes, something made more obvious by the dark royal blue shade of the gown that she had chosen to wear, with its rounded neckline and full capped sleeves that ended at her elbows. Candy couldn't help but notice the small smile that crept to Jemma's lips as she touched the cameo locket around her neck. Offering a sincere smile, Candy complimented;

"Jemma, you look absolutely beautiful."

Tilting her head to the side in contemplation, she ventured;

"I would even say radiant."

Placing her hands on her hips, Jemma lightly admonished;

"Candy, I look no more beautiful than you do."

Deciding to bring up the subject that she had been curious about, Candy asked timidly;

"Jemma, could I ask you a personal question?"

Already having a fairly accurate idea as to her future sister-in-law's inquiry, Jemma simply nodded as she searched for her wrap as Candy asked quietly;

"I know that it's none of my business, but, would you really marry Aaron Stempel without your brother's blessings or Jason's consent?"

Taking a deep breath, Jemma motioned to the side of the bed in a silent invitation as she and Candy sat next to each other as she explained;

"Candy, let me explain something; do I want to marry without Jason's consent and my brothers' blessings? No, I don't. But, am I willing to do just that? Yes, I am."

Candy couldn't help but notice the look in her friend's eyes as Jemma turned to face her before confessing;

"Candy, I don't want to go against my brothers, but I love Aaron and I don't want to go against him either. Even if I marry Aaron without Jason's consent and his, Josh's, and Jeremy's blessings that won't change the fact that I love my brothers very much. But by that same token, if I didn't marry Aaron to make my brothers happy, it's not going to change the fact that I still love Aaron. Do you understand?"

Nodding, Candy admitted;

"Yes, I do, Jemma, no matter what you choose, you may well lose something very precious to you."

Her face taking on a decidedly determined look, Jemma ventured;

"I'm hoping that it might not come to that, Candy. As far as I'm concerned my feelings for Aaron and my brothers will not change, how the parties involved choose to deal with that fact is strictly up to them."

Motioning towards the door, she suggested;

"Shall we go, I'm sure that Jeremy is chomping at the bit waiting for you to show up."

Nodding, Candy followed as she hoped everything would work out for the best for her friend's happiness.

Glancing at his watch, Aaron scanned the room as Jason approached before asking;

"Aaron, are you sure that this is DEFINITELY what you want?"

Seeing the scathing look that he was receiving from Aaron, Jason held his hand up in surrender as he offered;

"I just had to ask, Aaron, I just wanted to make sure."

Sighing in impatience, Aaron stated;

"The answer hasn't changed from what it was before, Jason and it never will. I will just be glad when they get here, the idea of Jemma out after dark..."

Having heard the beginning of Aaron's statement as he approached, Jeremy advised;

"Don't worry, Aaron, we have those patrols now, not to mention, Candy is coming with her."

Carrying a tray of drinks, Lottie approached to offer them one as she demanded;

"Does she have any idea, Jason?"

Shaking his head, Jason offered;

"No, the only ones who know anything outside of us is Josh, not even Candy knows."

Hearing the doors open, Aaron found his heart beating in anticipated excitement until he heard Captain Clancy's gruff voice greeting;

"I'm back, Lottie me love and here you threw old Clancy a party to surprise him."

Aggravated at the possible idea of tonight's agenda being ruined, Lottie's face took on a look of frustration as she motioned for him to join the group before admonishing;

"This party isn't for you, fish face, it happens to be a celebration. Now, if you want a drink you'll close that trap of yours and keep still."

Offering a scowl, he placed a kiss on her cheek before issuing;

"It's nice to see you too, darlin."

Scanning the room, Clancy demanded;

"So where would the two prettiest maids in all of the Washington territory be hiding themselves?"

Slinging back his drink, Aaron pointed out;

"I'm assuming that you're referring to Jemma and Candy, they haven't arrived yet."

No sooner had he made his statement then Aaron heard the sound of the swinging door opening to admit the very ones that he had just mentioned. He couldn't help but notice just how beautiful she looked or the fact of how easily his heart lifted and a smile found its way to his face at the sight of her, something that Clancy hadn't failed to notice either as he remarked slyly to Lottie;

"Oh ho, I see that there's something besides money that can make Mr. Stempel smile."

Jabbing him in the ribs, Lottie warned;

"I mean it, Clancy, if you don't keep quiet I'm cutting you off."

Ignoring Clancy's jib, Aaron was about to make his way towards Jemma when she and Candy found themselves set upon by Helen Dalton and Maude Burns. Motioning towards them, he turned to Jason to wonder aloud;

"I wonder what that's all about?"

Narrowing his gaze as he studied the scene in front of him, Jason gave a slight shake of his head as he admitted;

"I don't know, but wherever the Seattle Ladies' Betterment League goes, trouble generally follows."

True to Jason's prediction, he and Aaron watched in curiosity, which soon turned to concern as they noticed Jemma's chest begin to heave with the effort to keep from bursting into tears as her face fell just before she took her skirt in her hands to run in the direction of Lottie's back room. Everyone's concern was evident as they all turned to each other as well as the angry look that Candy was wearing, Jason and Aaron turned to each other in silent agreement before crossing the room in quick strides as Jason addressed;

"Ladies, would you mind telling me what that was all about?"

Lifting their heads in a self-righteous manner Helen explained;

"Well, Jason, I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you, but it has come to the League's attention that your sister's reputation may well be 'questionable'."

Turning to face each other in disbelief, not at the idea that the woman's words might be true, but at the idea that anyone would dare spread such a lie about Jemma. As history would have suggested, Joshua, having heard the statement, demanded sharply;

"And just who has suggested this?"

Huffing in frustration, Maude supplied;

"Well, we're not at liberty to divulge our sources, Joshua."

His anger rising quickly, Aaron placed his hands on his hips in frustration as he demanded;

"You can't say who said it, but you're more than willing to go around spreading what you heard at the cost of an innocent girl's reputation."

Her eyes flashing, Helen issued;

"Well if you knew what has been said, then you would understand our concern, Aaron."

Giving Aaron a quick glance, Jason questioned;

"Alright, ladies, just what is it that you've heard?"

Clasping her hands together in a pious manner, Helen began;

"Well, Jason, apparently, for quite some time, back to before you left for New Bedford, your sister was seen walking in the woods, in the company of a man and unchaperoned. She was also seen near a lake on your mountain running in the rain, with another man and unchaperoned. Add to that she was seen leaving your cabin while you were away, with a man and who knows what else that wasn't seen. And now, with this business of her in the company of four men for two days, well you can see that her reputation can hardly be considered lady-like."

Indignant, Jeremy fumed;

"She was abducted by those four men and as far as our sister being seen in the company of a man..."

Placing his hand on Jeremy's arm to halt him, Aaron demanded;

"Tell us, who is this man or men, as you seem so eager to want to believe, was it that she was seen with."

Turning uncomfortable, Maude stammered;

"Well no one really knows for certain, there isn't a clear description of the man or men."

Turning to her companion, Helen ventured;

"Considering that there was more than one man, getting a comprehensive description of just one would be, at best, difficult."

Jason could see that Aaron's temper was being pushed to the limits as he seethed;

"Why don't you ladies just be honest

with yourselves and all of us; you aren't concerned with 'protecting' Seattle from those with loose morals. What you're REALLY concerned with is taking the gossip that you manage to gather and then using it as a weapon, just as you're doing now to this poor girl. Then you hold up the Ladies' Betterment League to justify your actions when the truth is that you two are the only members of that league and this is how you manage to entertain yourselves; by striking out in jealousy."

Shocked by Aaron's show of anger, Helen blurted;

"JEALOUS, JEALOUS! And just exactly what do we have to be jealous of in this case, Aaron Stempel?"

Meeting his challenger, he stated knowingly;

"How about the fact that you resent Jemma Bolt's independence and this is your way of taking her to task, at least according to your standards."

Lifting her head to offer a look of haughty disdain, Helen smirked;

"Well, call it what you will, but the fact remains that that with the possibility of having such a reputation, there isn't one man in all of Seattle who would be willing to give that girl his last name."

Turning to Jason, who offered a slight nod, Aaron stalked off in the same direction that Jemma had gone in her earlier escape as he threw over his shoulder;

"The hell there isn't."

Jemma stood in the darkened back room of Lottie's staring out the window into the darkness as her tears fell unchecked. Despite everything that had taken place when she had been abducted, she had hoped and prayed that it had not been for nothing. Her selfish hope was that Aaron and her brothers would have worked out their differences, at least enough so that the idea of her marrying Aaron wasn't something that might divide her and her brothers.

Given their behavior towards each other since she had recovered and the fact that her brothers didn't seem to have any qualms with the time that she had spent with Aaron, she felt optimistic that Jason would give his consent to their marriage, although her stand on the matter was the same as it had previously been. But now, thanks to the Ladies' Betterment League, otherwise known as Helen Dalton and Maude Burns, her hopefulness had been replaced with hurt, shame, and anger, although those emotions weren't quite for the reasons that most would assume. She felt hurt for the idea that there were those who so wanted to believe the worst of her, the shame was because she knew there would be talk and it would touch her, Aaron, her brothers and those she loved like Lottie, Clancy, Candy, and others, and her anger was for the pettiness of the two women who had approached her.

Hearing the door open and already knowing who it was, she didn't bother turning around, not wanting him to see her tears, as she continued staring out the window with her arms crossed, as though she were hugging herself for comfort. Shaking her head, Jemma stated in a soft, sad voice;

"It's not true, Aaron, I swear to you, not one word of it."

Aaron couldn't help but feel a stab of pain in his heart for the sadness that he saw wrapped around her like a smothering cloak as he stepped up behind her to wrap his arms around her as he held her close;

"Jemma, my love, don't you think that I know that? Those two women are nothing more than a couple of busybodies who like to cause trouble and have nothing better to do, but, I'm afraid that some of what they said IS true."

Turning in his arms to look up into his eyes, seeing the horrified look in her eyes at the thought that he might believe the hateful gossip, he rushed to assure her;

"Sweetheart, the man they are referring to having seen you with was me, in every instance."

He could see that she was considering his statement by the look in her eyes and wasn't shocked when they took on a puzzled look as she shook her head before asking;

"But, how? I mean, we were always careful and discreet."

Having taken his handkerchief from his pocket, he began wiping the tears from her cheeks as he shrugged;

"Jemma, darlin, that I don't know but whoever it was, they even saw us the day that I pulled you from the log pond."

Placing his hand against her cheek, he demanded;

"Does it really matter, at this point, who saw us?"

Considering a moment, she shook her head before acknowledging;

"I don't suppose it does."

Her eyes darkening with worry, she reminded;

"But, Aaron, what about the rumors they will have started, what about my reputation?"

Hooking his finger under her chin, he lifted her face a bit as he pointed out;

"Jemma, the people who know you and love you know better than to listen to what those two gossips say and those who do, well to hell with them. I know everything I need to know about you and that's all that matters."

Placing his lips against hers, he kissed her gently before pulling back and offering;

"But, I think that what just might help this situation would be to just give the gossips and everyone else in this town something a little more newsworthy to talk about."

With that, he took her hand, and Jemma found herself forced to almost run to keep up with the long strides that Aaron was taking as he pulled her behind him.

Having remained silent under Lottie's threat, Clancy turned to Lottie and cast her a look that begged silent permission. Sweeping her hand in Helen and Maude's direction, Lottie offered;

"By all means."

Approaching the two self-righteous harridans, Clancy demanded;

"Just who do you two think you are to besmirch an innocent girl like Jemma Bolt's reputation? Why I outta take you two nosy old magpies out to sea and toss you over into the brink, you'd be just the right kind to keep the sharks company."

The shock of Clancy's insult evident on their faces, they railed;

"WELL! Perhaps Maude and I should just leave."

Nodding, Clancy directed;

"And for certain that don't sound like a bad idea to me."

Before they could turn to leave they heard Aaron's voice from the back offer;

"Actually, ladies, I think that you should stay, at least until after I get to the bottom of the situation with Miss Bolt's reputation."

Concern lighting his eyes, Jason stepped up to demand quietly;

"Aaron, what are you doing?"

Sparing him a quick glance, Aaron patted his shoulder as he issued;

"Relax, Jason, for the betterment of all involved, I think it's my job to get to the bottom of this matter regarding your sister."

Leading Jemma to the center of the room, Aaron motioned for a chair and once one was provided he held it for her to sit down, and as she did so he leaned close to her ear as he whispered;

"Trust me, sweetheart."

Tilting her head, she eyed him somewhat suspiciously but offered a slight nod of consent as she waited for him to begin. Stepping around to stand in front of her, he began as if conducting an inquiry;

"Now, Miss Bolt, these fine women have brought something to our attention that bears investigation and I'd like to think that I can count on your cooperation in the matter."

Jemma found herself fighting the urge to giggle at the way that Aaron had stressed the word fine in reference to her two accusers as she placed what, she hoped, was a look of serene seriousness on her face as she nodded and offered;

"By all means, Mr. Stempel, I have the feeling that the sooner this matter is settled the happier I might be."

Jeremy, Joshua, and Candy all turned to Jason as Candy demand;

"Jason, do you have any idea what he's doing?"

Shaking his head, Jason admitted;

"I have no idea, this is strictly Aaron's show."

Shaking her head, Lottie interjected;

"Actually, Jason, I have the distinct impression that this is Aaron and Jemma's show."

They turned their attention back to the couple in the middle of the floor as Aaron began pacing back and forth in front of Jemma's chair, as he began;

"Is it true that there have been times that you were out, walking in the woods with a man, without a chaperon?"

Remaining strangely calm to all observing, she nodded as she replied;

"Yes."

At the shocked oohs and awes, Aaron continued;

"And is it also true that, while your brothers were away in New Bedford, there was a man who paid a call on you at your cabin, again without a chaperon present?"

The look in her eyes never wavering, she calmly replied;

"Yes, it's true."

Amid the shocked gasps, he pushed forward;

"Do you deny that you and this man were caught in a sudden rain and rather than seeking shelter, you decided to run in the rain with this man?"

Offering a slight shrug of her small shoulders, she confessed;

"No, I don't deny it."

Once the expressions of shock had died down, she looked up at him to add;

"As it so happens it was one of the happiest days of my life."

His temper rising at what he was considering an insult to his sister's honor, Jeremy hissed;

"Jason, what is he doing, he's making her look like a..."

Turning to shake his head in denial, Jason explained;

"No, Jeremy, I know what he's doing, just let him finish."

Turning to observe Maude and Helen, Jason couldn't help but notice the smug looks of satisfaction that they wore before his attention was focused back on Aaron as he continued;

"Now, Miss Bolt, these people can't seem to identify the man that you've been accused of being seen with, but I think I have a pretty good idea as to who this man can be. Shall I tell you?"

Remaining calm, she invited;

"Please, by all means."

Turning to face everyone, he offered:

"I believe the man that would be able to fit the description of Miss Bolt's mysterious admirer would be, oh just a little more than six feet tall with dark hair and dark eyes and that he is, more than likely, prone to be self-righteous, overbearing and arrogant. But,"

Stopping in front of her chair, he reached into his pocket to take out the ring box as he dropped to one knee,

amid shocked gasps and awes as he opened the box before venturing;

"Despite his faults, he hopes and prays that she will agree to become his wife. Jemma Elysia Bolt would you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Turning to Maude and Helen and noting, with satisfaction, that their mouths were hanging open in shock, and for the sake of personal satisfaction he directed towards them;

"AND, make no mistake, I want to give you my name."

The three Bolt brothers and Clancy stood shocked as Lottie and Candy's eyes widened in astonishment as they brought their hands up to cover their opened mouths as they waited on bated breath as Jason, Joshua and Jeremy stepped forward. Ignoring everyone else's presence, Aaron found himself somewhat concerned by her reaction as she stared at the ring in shock before bringing her eyes up to look into his as she asked softly;

"Aaron?"

Seeing her brothers' approach, she slowly turned towards them, her hope and prayers evident in her eyes. Jason, seeing her silent plea, turned to Joshua and Jeremy as he ventured;

"I say that this calls for a family vote; I vote yes."

Turning to Joshua, he demanded;

"Joshua, what do you say?"

Meeting his sister's look with a sincere one of his own for his hopes for her happiness, Josh offered;

"I say, 'yes.'"

Looking at Jeremy and Candy, he asked;

"Jeremy?"

Before Jeremy could reply Candy eagerly replied;

"YES!"

Offering her a wry look, Jeremy turned to see the pleading look in his sister's eyes, as he smiled lovingly at her before nodding as he offered;

"Yes."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Jason stated in an authoritative tone as head of the family;

"Well, Pixie, it seems the final say seems to be yours, what do you say?"

Despite the shock that she felt, looking into Aaron's eyes, she knew what she wanted most in the world. Swallowing the lump of nervousness that had found its way lodged in her throat back down, she offered a small smile as she wiped the tears of happiness from her eyes before offering a slight nod as she ventured;

"Yes, Aaron, I'll marry you."

Although he had no doubts that she would agree, Aaron realized that he had been holding his breath waiting for her answer. Taking the ring from the box, he took her left hand and slid the emerald ring into place on her third finger as he rose to his feet before pulling her from her chair to wrap his arms around her waist to lift her to kiss her deeply as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Dimly, he realized that they had drawn a crowd as he felt Jason slap his shoulder. Ending the kiss, he noticed Helen and Maude staring, flabbergasted by the door, seeing that they were about to leave, he called out;

"Oh, Maude, Helen?"

When they turned, still holding Jemma close to him, he suggested;

"Please make sure that when your 'league' reviews the events that took place here tonight, you relay those facts accurately, especially Jemma's last name."

Seeing the looks on their faces as they hurried out the door, their faces blood-red from embarrassment, Aaron and Jason both roared with laughter as Jason congratulated;

"Aaron, I have to admit that you had everyone going for a moment, but seeing the looks on those two busybodies faces, it was worth it."

His face turning serious for a moment, he placed his hand on his sister's shoulder as he asked in deep concern;

"Pixie, are you all right?"

Turning to meet Aaron's gaze, she placed her hand on his cheek as a loving, happy smile lifted the corners of her lips before turning to her brother to confirm;

"I am now, Jason. Thank you."

Turning to Aaron, Jason requested;

"May I?"

Nodding, Aaron stepped back as Jason placed his hands on his sister's shoulders before kissing her forehead as he offered;

"It's not me you have to thank, baby sister, you need to thank your fiancee for fighting for you; literally."

A thought suddenly occurring to her as she remembered the mysterious bruise that her brother had suddenly come by during her recovery, her eyes widened as she covered her mouth with both hands in shock as she looked from Aaron to Jason before demanding;

"YOU DIDN'T?!"

Both men looked sheepish as she placed her hands on her hips before admonishing;

"Aaron Stempel, Jason Bolt, do you mean to say that the two of you..."

Seeing that they were about to receive a tongue lashing, Jason turned to Aaron to ask quietly;

"Isn't there any way that you can calm her down before she REALLY gets started?"

Offering a slight shrug, Aaron ventured;

"Well, there is one way that I know of that might work."

Noting the sparks in her eyes, Jason nodded towards her discreetly as he issued;

"Well then for heaven's sake, man, I suggest you try it."

Chuckling slightly, Aaron agreed;

"Alright, but just remember, it was your idea."

With that he stepped forward to wrap his arms around her before claiming her mouth in a deep and lengthy kiss, lifting his head he inquired;

"Now, do you REALLY want to spend the evening fussing at your brother and me?'

Placing her hand against his chest she offered an amused giggle as she admitted;

"Well now that you mention it, I suppose that there are much better ways to spend our evening."

Before she could say anything more, they found themselves surrounded by several women who were eager to see her ring as well as congratulate her as Aaron stepped back as Jason offered him a drink before bringing the side of his own glass against Aaron's as he offered;

"I would thank you for saving us from the sharp side of my sister's tongue but I have the feeling that doing so didn't exactly prove a hardship for you."

Downing the drink that Jason had offered him, Aaron admitted;

"No, that was definitely not a hardship."

Excitedly, Candy ventured;

"I know it's a little early, but do you have any idea when you're going to set the date."

Aaron and Jason exchanged conspiring looks as Jason motioned towards his sister before offering;

"By all means."

Approaching her, Aaron placed his hands on her shoulders as he asked;

"When would you like to get married, love?"

Jemma couldn't help but shake her head as she admitted, somewhat embarrassed:

"I really don't know. I mean, I've known ever since the first time that you proposed that I wanted to marry you, but..."

Finishing her statement, Aaron offered;

"Now that it's finally going to be a reality you can't quite believe it?"

Nodding in agreement of his observation, she ventured;

"Aaron, can I ask you something?"

Shaking his head, he couldn't help but laugh as he offered;

"Sweetheart, considering what I just asked you in front of, almost, all of Seattle, you can ask me anything you want to."

Pulling her closer, he ventured;

"Besides, who has a better right to ask me anything that they want to, if not you?"

Lifting her eyes to meet his with a look of serious intensity, she demanded softly;

"Why did you ask me to marry you the way that you did? You've asked me before and I agreed, you could have just left it at that?"

Nodding, he agreed

"Yes, I could have, but, to be honest, this party was planned, in part, to celebrate our engagement. Your brother and I worked everything out and wanted to surprise you, however, thanks to the 'betterment league' deciding to be so public with their 'concerns' I decided that, rather than allowing everyone to gossip over your reputation and since I was the man that you were seen with, I'd shift the talk of the town from their gossip to how everyone was shocked to learn that the serious and stoic Aaron Stempel had been secretly courting the lovely Jemma Bolt in the hopes of winning her brothers' approval so that he could propose."

Touching the tip of her nose, he demanded;

"Now that we've satisfied that curious mind of yours when would you like to get married?"

Tilting her head to the side in consideration, she asked half-jokingly;

"Out of curiosity, just how long would you like to put it off?"

Shaking his head in quick denial, Aaron issued;

"I wouldn't, I've waited for two years to make you my wife and I've carried that ring in my pocket for more than a year waiting for the moment I could place it on your finger. As far as I'm concerned, the sooner we get married the better."

Although she realized that it was an impossibility, Jemma couldn't help but sigh longingly as she confessed;

"Truthfully? I wish that we could be married tomorrow, but I know that it would be impossible."

Noticing how Jason was standing nearby, watching, as if waiting, Aaron signaled him to join them. Complying, Jason inquired;

"Well, since all of Seattle, including myself, now has the answer to 'if', have we settled on the 'when'?"

Despite his attempts to remain serious, Aaron couldn't help the slight smile that turned up the corners of his mouth as he explained;

"Believe it or not, Jason, your sister and I are in complete agreement on the 'when', although she seems to think that it would impossible."

Tilting his head to the side in puzzlement, Jason, demanded;

"And just why would you think that, Pixie? I mean you've always been such a reasonable and practical girl, I just can't imagine you trying to reach for the moon if you knew it was impossible."

Her eyes flashing in disbelief as her voice took on a sarcastic tone, she quipped;

"Well, Jason for one thing, there's a certain document that we need; a marriage license. Believe me, I'm as anxious as Aaron to be married as soon as possible, but we can't do so without a marriage license."

Jason and Aaron glanced at each other as if engaged in a conspiracy before Aaron speculated;

"So, what you're saying is, if we had a license you would agree to marry me tomorrow?"
Nodding, she stated decidedly;

"Yes, I would love nothing more. I wish with all of my heart that we could get married tomorrow

but without a license it's impossible."

Aaron motioned towards Jason who reached into his inside jacket pocket to withdraw a piece of paper to present to his sister as he ventured;

"Nothing is impossible, Pixie, not if it means enough to you."

Glancing between her brother and Aaron, confusion clouding her face, especially as Lottie, Clancy, Joshua, Jeremy, and Candy gathered around them, Jemma took the document from her brother as she opened it to scan it quickly before her eyes widened in amazement as she looked from Aaron to Jason to ask in a shocked, quiet voice;

"How; how on earth did you two manage this?"

Curiosity pushing her forward, Candy squeezed in between Jason and Jemma to ask;

"Jemma, what is it?"

Handing the paper to Candy, who scanned it quickly, her excitement for her best friend became obvious as she placed the paper back into Jemma's hands before clasping her own together in excitement as she exclaimed excitedly;

"It's a marriage license!"

Her confusion obvious on her face, Jemma questioned;

"Not that I'm not happy about this, but I don't understand how you did it without me being there."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Jason pulled his shoulders back as he offered;

"Well, little sister, do you remember the business trip that your intended and I went on last week?"

She couldn't believe that he thought that she wouldn't remember, especially considering how surprised she had been when they had informed her they were going to be making the trip together. Nodding, she confirmed;

"Yes, what about it? I thought that you went to deal with some sort of business dealings and the sawmill; are you saying that this was the REAL reason that you went?"

Shaking his head, Jason explained;

"No, not exactly. You see we did go to take care of some business but I have a friend who happens to be a territorial judge and I wired him about a particular legal question. As it turned out, he was able to help Aaron and I arrange for your marriage license; I knew that, once the matter of your getting married was solved, you would, more than likely, want to do so as quickly as possible."

Motioning towards Aaron, he pointed out;

"At least I knew that Aaron would, and, I was pretty sure that he wouldn't have to twist your arm to get you to agree. That being the case, I thought that I would make it as easy for you to do so as possible."

Taking the paper and folding it carefully, Aaron placed it in his pocket as he inquired;

"So now, my lovely Miss Bolt, soon to be Mrs. Stempel, did you mean what you said about marrying me tomorrow if it were possible?"

Although she nodded, she couldn't help but point out;

"Yes, but, Aaron, did you forget that Reverend Adams is in Tacoma? I want to marry you, don't misunderstand, but how on earth can we do that if we don't have a minister?"

Aaron and Jason looked at each other in shock as they realized that they had forgotten to ensure that there was someone who could legally perform the ceremony available to do so. Seeing the disappointed look in her eyes, Aaron couldn't help but pull her closer to his side as he apologized;

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I guess that we were so anxious to surprise you with the party, the proposal and the license, that we forgot to make sure Reverend Adams would be available too."

As if a flash of lightning had suddenly struck, Lottie raised her hands in excitement slapping Clancy on the arm as she exclaimed excitedly;

"CLANCY!"

Everyone turned towards the weathered old sea captain who was in the middle of raising a glass of whiskey to his lips when Jason turned to study him as a light entered his eyes before turning back to the couple to remind them;

"THAT'S RIGHT!"

Placing his hand on the captain's arm, Jason explained;

"He's a sea captain and as long as it's on his ship on the water it's perfectly legal for him to perform a wedding."

Considering the suggestion, Aaron met Jemma's questioning look with one of his own as he offered a slight shrug before venturing;

"Well, what do you think? Whatever will make you happy as long as the result ends with our marriage."

Seeing the sincerity of his statement, Jemma approached Clancy to place her hand over his own as she asked in her quiet tone;

"Captain Clancy, would you be willing to marry Aaron and I?"

Seeing the pleading look in her eyes, Clancy couldn't help but put his glass on the bar before turning to put a hand to her cheek before offering her a fatherly look as he nodded;

"Jemma, me darlin, if it will make you happy, then ole Cappin Clancy will be more than happy to say the words over Aaron and yourself so's that ye can be married."

Hugging the old man in happiness and kissing him on his weathered cheek, Jemma turn and asked cheerfully;

"Would anyone like to attend a wedding tomorrow?"

Shaking his head at his sister's inquiry, Jason motioned towards the musicians as he ordered.

"Eddie, play something, my baby sister is getting married tomorrow and we need to celebrate."