After dinner, the kids went upstairs to get ready for bed after a long and well-fought day. But as Beth was just about to do likewise, Jim told her to wait and then he turned to his mother. "Mom," he whispered loudly and motioned to her to come closer. Sarah did so and Jim whispered into her ear. She nodded and whispered something right back. Jim nodded and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. Then he turned back to his wife with a deep warm expression on his comely face.

"What's going on, Jim?" Bethany asked as she brushed away a strand of her blood-red hair. Jim looked around and led her aside closer to the dining room wall. He looked around quickly before bending down to her right ear. "I've got something special planned tonight—just for you and I. So do this: have a hot bath, get dressed as nice as you can and come meet me on the back deck." Bethany was mystified by this request but she smiled and nodded to her Jim. "Alright, I will Jim."

Once upstairs, Beth went through the same bathing ritual she performed last night—except this time she added some herbal bath scents and soap crystals to the hot water. As she waited for the steamy liquid to attain her preferred temperature, she took the time to sort through her wardrobe. Beth couldn't hold back a little giggle of delight; it was always such an immense joy for her to dress up as finely as she pleased. And if Jim's plan was very special, then she would certainly do her utmost to be very pretty to him tonight.

At last she'd made her choice, set out the entire costume and accessories on Jim's and her king bed and returned to the bathroom. Ahhh, the water was just right! Beth lifted off her slip and stepped into the energizing formula.

Downstairs and outside the back of the Benbow Inn, Jim was relocating the outdoor dining tables and chairs that occupied the backyard garden patio. Behind a bordering blackberry thicket, he stashed the chairs and gingerly stacked the hickory wood tables under the overhanging branches of a willow tree. And as Jim continued his endeavor, he remembered to watch for Beth to appear anytime through the open double-doorway normally shuttered by two French doors.

At last Jim was done! He straightened out and did a few arm stretches to relieve tension on his muscles. This respite allowed him to survey the entire garden area and the adjoining patio upon which he stood.

The whole surface of the patio was itself a single massive slab of Georgian slate imported from the planet Cree. The 250 square-foot flat stone was bordered on three sides by the 2-1/2 acre garden. The magnificent and irresistible habitat had been Sarah's life-long botanical dream-come-true for more than 7 years now. Dug, planted and grown during Jim's Basic Training at the Interstellar Academy, the preserve was a living showcase for every beautiful and fruitful agricultural life form native to Montressor.

Rock paths of finely-crushed stones and granite steps were flanked by roses, hyacinths, marigolds, morning-glories, berry thickets (straw-, blue-, black and rasp-), honeysuckles, wisteria and periwinkles.

Joining them were ferns, pungent junipers, bright lantana, Bermuda grass, silky-soft moss, curtain-like vines and weathered rocks. Over these stood great guardians of moss-draped oaks, maples, cypress, willow, apple, purp, plum and pear trees.

Bordering the Inn itself were plants of peppers, onions, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes and celery; besides these were herbs beds of chives, rosemary, basil, oregano, cilantro, dill and parsley.

Jim took in all of this closed his eyes and breathed in the scents of the cool, crisp night air. It was indeed a very lovely night to celebrate a very special bond he shared with someone very dear to his heart and who was his life.

Just then, his sharp ears heard the light steps of someone descending the stairs inside. Jim slowly turned and faced the open doorway. As the steps came closer and closer, he smoothed his hair and tucked his nice olive green shirt neatly into his loose yet stylish trousers that hung over his boots. He straightened his dark-blue, gold-trimmed Naval jacket, swung his arms to relax and took a deep, happy and somewhat anxious sigh through his lips.

The steps finally reached the main floor as another sound came to Jim's ears: the soft hissing of a fine cloth over the wooden floor inside…coming closer and closer.

At Last! Bethany strolled into view and between the open doors where she came and stood still with her beautiful, precious eyes looking intently at Jim.

He, meanwhile, blinked his wide eyes and even rubbed them with his fisted hands before taking another look. He couldn't believe the transformation standing before him!

Bethany's blood-red hair shone with luster as bright as rubies radiating in sunlight yet mirroring the softness of the moon's glow.

Woven into the gorgeous strands upon her lovely head was a white-golden tiara with a skillfully-crafted point ringed with small emeralds, sapphires and rubies.

Her gown, a gift from her own mother, was of fine, smooth and softest cotton with color two shades darker than her hair. From the long, bell-shaped train, her maroon and white bodice was trimmed with soft lace that filled the V-cut spreading up from the torso to just below her neck.

At her waist, there hung a golden-thread belt with a single strip falling at the apex to her dress hem.

The shoulders and sleeves followed likewise with the rich fabric conforming to Beth's delicate yet strong shoulders. The light cotton sleeves of red gave way to creamy-white ruffles of lace and faux fur that terminated at the wrists.

Her shoes were black cotton, hard-soled slippers made just for this gown.

But it was Bethany's face that was most enrapturing. Washed fully-clean yet devoid of any powder or cosmetic paint, her skin shone a creamy-light brown with true pink blush of her cheeks.

Her light red lips sparkled like water in the vivid torchlight.

And her eyes, Oh those eyes…why, they had never seemed so, so…beautiful, so deep, so tender, so…captivating. Indeed, those circles of chestnut brown blinked and widened with allure and innocence that bespoke strong love and passion…for her one love.

For a great while, time was gone as Jim and Bethany gazed upon one another; each with deep awe and adoration for another…beloved.

With a few blinks and a slightly coloring face, Bethany walked forward and stood but inches from her young husband with hands folded before her.

"Oh Jim," she breathed huskily as emotions began to rise, "I've been waiting so long for a moment like this…but, I never thought I'd see it again. I mean," she looked down to form her thoughts before turning her precious face back to Jim's, "I'd thought you'd forgotten…about…these moments we've shared before."

And her pretty chocolate eyes blinked to hold back tears of joy and overwhelming happiness

But Jim just smiled his heart-warming little smile and said:

"You know, Bethany, I did get so caught up in life that I, uh…well, forgot what made it so grand…so…best." He settled his welcoming stare right into his wife's enrapturing countenance. "It's You, always you. Beth, I could live forever without solar surfers, ships, a Benbow Inn, a rank and even a home." Jim then leaned closer as his eye hazed a little with liquid emotion themselves. " 'Cause All I want for the rest of my life…is You. I want to be your's and you to be mine: My hope, my friend, my soulmate; and…my Love…always."

"And I, Bethany, take you Jim…to be my lawfully wedded husband."

With that, the two lovers reached for another and clasped their arms around the other to become one flesh as tears of joy flowed without restraint.

Jim kissed his Bride on the forehead, the cheeks and the lips before saying, "Come dance with me…m princess."

No sooner had Beth taken Jim's left hand in her right and placed her left on his shoulder…than…a sweet singing voice invaded the misty, torchlit atmosphere.

The whispers in the Morning

Of lovers sleeping tight

Are rolling by like thunder nights

As I look in your eyes

Jim and Beth slowly, gradually began to spin and twirl as Jim's Prussian-blue eyes beamed brightly into her smiling brown orbs.

I hold on to your body—and Beth did so to her Jim, as tightly as her strong arms could.

And feel that You feel me.

"I love You, Bethany," Jim whispered deeply, "Forever."

Your voice is warm and tender

Love that I could not forsake

Round and round the two turned and stepped with ease…as the music grew higher in melody…and deeper in meaning.

Cause I'm Your lady

And you are my man

Beth lifted her glowing, smiling face and stared dreamily upon her own Jim.

Whenever You reach for me

I'll do all that I can

Unknown and unseen to Jim and Beth, they were being observed by others.

Lost is how I'm feeling

Lying in your arms

When the world outside's too much to take

That all ends when I'm with you

By now, gathered at the bedroom windows, the patio doors and the stair landings was an audience of small child-like faces, maiden figures and alien eyes. Everyone was staring, just…looking, watching this, this…oh so heavenly and utterly breathtaking spectacle of beauty and Romance.

But still the music floated upwards and the lovers danced on.

Even though there may be times

It seems I'm falling away

Never wonder where I am

Cause I am always by your side

As the chorus climaxed into heavy drumbeats, Jim began to lead Beth in a spinning formation the circled the entire dance floor.

Cause I'm Your Lady

And You are my man

Whenever You reach for me

I'll do all that I can

We're heading for something

Somewhere I've never been

Sometimes I am frightened but I'm ready to love

For the power of love.

Beaming exuberantly, Beth now fell forward 'til her head lay against Jim's firm bosom…and she listened.

The sound of Your heart beating

Made it clear suddenly

The feeling that I can't go on

Is light years away

Cause I'm Your Lady

And You are my man

Whenever You reach for me

I'll do all that I can

We're heading for something

Somewhere I've never been

Sometimes I am frightened but I'm ready to love

For the power of love.

The Power of Love

The Power of Love

The Power of Love

The Power of Love

As the tempo slowed further and further, Jim and Beth twirled and stepped slower and slower…until they were just…floating like flower petals to the ground.

And still they held on to one another with Jim's head over Beth's and hers still on his chest. Like this, they were both enraptured and overflowing with love and tenderness and longing for one another. And neither Jim nor Beth wanted it to end.

But alas, the music finally ceased and the record needle lifted off the disc.

But still the husband and wife continued to step slowly…

…until, that is, Jim detected a loud sniffling.

He looked up and suddenly stood straight in surprise. Beth, feeling his movement, looked up at his face and turned around to see what Jim did.

She nearly stumbled over her feet.

Almost everyone—and I mean Everyone—was gathered at the patio/sunroom doorway, at the upstairs windows and at the kitchen windows—all looking out at the lovely couple!

And some, like the corpulent Meltdown and Bird-Brain Mary, were gaping with open mouths.

Others, like Sarah and Leland Hawkins, were proudly sniffing back tears and blowing into their handkerchiefs.

And the rest, like Samuel, Samantha and Faith at their bedroom window, just stared dreamily or in curiosity.

Jim and Beth were taken aback and somewhat embarrassed: neither had thought they'd be intruded upon like this.

But then…one of the waitresses, chestnut-brown haired, blue-eyed Jamie, put her hands together and began to clap softly. She was joined by another…and another, and another…until everyone was clapping and whistling and even going "Awwwwwww"

The two lovers exchanged glances before turning back to their audience.

Then Jim—with a wink aimed towards his dad & mom—enveloped his small wife in his arms, lifted her off her feet and lowered his face to her lips where his met hers as their eyes closed once more.

At this, Everybody went absolutely W-I-L-D! Everyone that is…except for the triplets watching from their bedroom window—in disgust.

"Eccchh," Faith scrunched her face very tight. "Blaaagghhh", Samantha concurred, "I'm going to bed."

"What are Daddy and Mommy going to do now?" asked Samuel in a moment of intense curiosity.

"That's' easy, Samuel," Faith stated matter-of-factly as she slipped her smooth legs under her hand-sewn quilt. "Mommy and Daddy are going to come inside and go to bed, like us. Except that they're going to make babies."

"Babies?", Samuel nearly choked.

"Yeah, Mommy's gonna have more girls like us so we can spend more time in the bathroom fixing our hair and doing our lips."

"Oh Great," Samuel groaned as he flopped into his bed and rolled onto his left side.

"Really?" Samantha whispered to her sister in her own bed.

"I hope so," Faith replied with a sneaky grin, "but I just said 'baby girls' to see that look on Samuel's face."

"I heard that," Samuel called softly from his bed. "Whatever", called back both girls.

Author's Note: Well, th-th-th-th-tha-tha-that's All Folks! Was It Good? Overblown? Sappy? Sugary?

I know I was a long time in bringing this to an end (sad for me as it is). Please feel free to fling "verbal" mud, sewage or darts—whatever is your forte.

Song Lyrics: "The Power of Love" Words by: G. Mende, C. DeRouge, J. Rush, M.S. Applegate. Performed by: Celine Dion. Copyright 1995