Chapter 15 - I Do
I stared into the face of an angel. Indeed, I felt a bit like I was in heaven. All of the bad in my life seemed to disappear. On a day as beautiful and perfect as that one was, there was no use for bad thoughts.
We had arrived in Port Laurel two days earlier. The place was much lovelier than any other we had seen since leaving Port Royale. In fact, the town was fairly reminiscent of that of my birth. The town square was laden with shops of all sorts. Bakers and butchers displayed their finest products in the windows to lure in hungry customers. People walked down the cobblestone streets, examining merchandise and making purchases. Nick and I strolled, hand in hand, amid the hustle and bustle. We sampled chocolates, browsed the carts, and even bought a few trinkets. Life was blissful.
Our time in Port Laurel passed wonderfully. By the end of our first afternoon there, Nick and I made a significant decision. We had all fallen in love with the area and chose this to be the place where Nick and I would be married. As a result, I spent the next day and a half entirely with Lyn.
My father spent a lot of time working out details and logistics, as he was good at doing. He found a beautiful chapel located near the beach. The building had no ceiling or real walls. It was more of a pavilion than a building. Nevertheless, it was beautiful. It was possible to see the beautiful trees and flowers as well as the ocean from inside. It was exactly what I would have chosen out of every cathedral and chapel in the whole Caribbean.
Jack accompanied Nick in his search for appropriate attire and, of course, the rings. When my thoughts wandered to Nick over those next days, which was often, I wondered if Jack was more of a hindrance than a help, but Nick seemed to be happy to have the pirate with him. Nick really was an amazing man. Nothing seemed to get him down. He was an enemy to no one.
Lyn told me that her mission was to make me more beautiful than she was. She also said that the comment had been a joke, but I appreciated the remark. She truly was gorgeous. I also noted a hint of sentiment in her voice. Maybe this was stretching the truth a bit, but I sensed that she was once again comparing her appearance to my mother's. I appreciated that mare than I could explain, whether that was what Lyn had meant to come across or not. Either way, we were all ready by the time the service was scheduled to take place.
I felt truly stunning. My dress was not meant for anyone short of royalty. Its skirt flowed in graceful ripples to the floor while the top half boasted a fair amount of cleavage. The bodice, which was embroidered with lace and beads, met the skirt in a point. The sleeves were silk and fully attached only at the shoulders and elbows. A single braid wrapped around my head, adorned with flowers, making a proper springtime crown. The rest of my hair rippled to my shoulder in soft waves amid strings of the same fresh flowers. A delicate gold chain hung from my neck with the exquisite engagement ring dangling from its end. Lyn carried the full train of my gown as we made our way to the sanctuary of the pavilion.
Nick was more beautiful, inside and out, than I can describe. He was dressed simply, in fine pants and shirt with a black vest and belt tied about his torso. He smiled at me as I appeared in the rear of the room. He radiated love, happiness, and excitement. I looked into his eyes and felt as though they were windows into heaven.
My father gave me away. We each promised to love and cherish each other to the end of time. We exchanged rings. They were glorious gold. The priest gave Nick permission to kiss me. He smiled and kissed me passionately. I didn't want him to stop.
All good things must come to an end. Besides, my father was seated a mere few feet away. We left the chapel floating on a cloud. After helping me pin the train of my gown up, Nick took me for a walk along the beach. We walked along the water's edge until the sun set, not talking, not needing to. As the island became dark, we made our way back to the inn.
Our room was plush. Fresh flowers, no doubt left by Lyn, sat on the table. An unopened bottle of rum sat beside the vase, obviously Jack's idea of a wedding gift. The location was private. Our room sat on the opposite end of the inn from the others. This arrangement was most probably my father's contribution to the evening.
I need not describe what happened next. It was our wedding night.
"I love you," Nick whispered in my ear.
"Then love me," I told him.
He did.
