The first was when Thomas and I found out I was pregnant. He put his arms around me and kissed me and told me, "Maybe this is the next best thing." I melted right then and there and thought maybe it was.
This time is a little different. I'm with a man who I know loves me and won't leave. He's walked through fire, literally died and killed for me. I can't imagine my life without him.
Aaron is on my hip, and Charlie is dragging me around camp searching for Mr. Locke. Hurley is with us as well as Jin and a very pregnant Sun. We don't want a big fuss that's why they're the only ones we're bringing.
"There he is, dude," Hurley says as we trudge through the sand. Charlie and I look to see Mr. Locke by himself near the jungle edge sharpening his knives. Charlie pulls me along rather enthusiastically to stop right in front of Mr. Locke.
"Can I help you, Charlie?" Mr. Locke asks, cocking his head up at us.
"Locke," Charlie starts, sounding like a little boy during Christmas. "We need you to marry us."
One corner of Mr. Locke's lip curves up. He stands and says, "I'm no clergyman."
"Well, you sort of are," Charlie replies. "You're like the clergyman of the Island. You represent the Island. If you marry us, then we're legal."
Mr. Locke shakes his head, and appears to want to laugh.
"Please, Mr. Locke!" I blurt out, touching his arm. I don't care if I sound pleading. "There isn't a clergy or judge here, and we really want to do this right."
We just stare at him for a moment. "Dude, just marry them," we hear Hurley say behind us. I try not to burst out laughing. I couldn't have imagined any of this in my wildest of dreams.
Mr. Locke breaks out into a wide, grandfather-like smile. "You two need someone to marry you, I guess I'll do it."
"Oh, thank you!" I throw my arms around Mr. Locke's neck.
"Thank you, sir," Charlie says, shaking his hand.
Sun takes Aaron from me. Her and Jin stand a little ways from my side. Hurley stands next to Charlie, acting all 'best man'. Charlie takes my hand, and we turn to Mr. Locke. "We're ready," he announces.
Mr. Locke nods and begins, "I've never performed a wedding before, but I'll do my best." He pauses, I guess gathering his thoughts then continues, "We're gathered here to witness the marriage of these two lost souls that found each other in the most extreme way. Have you written vows?"
"I think that's the only thing we didn't prepare for," Charlie replies, sheepishly.
"I have a little something," I get out and blush when Charlie turns to me, surprised. "My singing voice isn't all that good, but the lyrics to this song say just how I feel." I clear my throat. "The smile on your face lets me know that you need me. There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me. The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall. You say it best, when you say nothing at all."
Charlie is staring in shock at me. I blush again and avert my eyes. I can Sun gently shooing Aaron. "That was beautiful, Claire. I don't think I could say anything that would do justice to what you just sang. I love you."
I caress his stubbled cheek. "That's all I need to hear."
"May I continue?" Mr. Locke asks, and we're drawn from our reverie.
"Please do," I say.
"Do you, Charlie Pace, take this lawfully wedded woman to be your wife? To have and hold, in sickness and health, till death do you part as both as you shall live?"
Charlie's smile is radiating his face. "I do."
"Do you, Claire Littleton, take this lawfully wedded man to be your husband? To have and hold, in sickness and health, till death do you part as both as you shall live?"
I gazed into Charlie's eyes and say without hesitation, "I do."
"By the power invest in me by the Island-"
"Wait a minute!" Charlie blurts out. I look at him oddly to why he'd interrupt, but understand as he pulls out my old diary from his jeans. He flips it open to the last page. "We wrote out a marriage certificate and wanted to sign it here."
Mr. Locke nods. "Go ahead."
Charlie signs on the line we drew out then hands the diary to me. We pass it around to everyone else here. Hurley hands it back to Charlie, and flips it closed and tucks it back in his jeans. "All right, Locke."
"By the power invest in me by the Island, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Charlie had pulled me into a kiss before Mr. Locke could even finish his spill. We didn't care who was around. I wrapped my arms about his neck, desperately wanting him pressed against me. This is right. It has to be. We were truly meant to be together.
Word of our nuptials got around like wild fire. I think it was on the count of Hurley proclaiming we needed a reception, and him dashing off to prepare a meal for us. I took Aaron from Sun, and she congratulated us. But what Jin said in his still slightly broken English was so adorable. "When you had baby, I thought Charlie was the father and congratulated him like he was. Was I wrong to do so?"
I shake my head. "No, not at all. In fact, I'm glad you did." I glanced over at Charlie who was grinning like the cat who caught the canary.
It's later now. We just finished the meal Hurley served us, and waded through the people who came to give more congratulations. We're walking down the beach, hand in hand. Aaron is asleep on Charlie's shoulder. The sight never fails to make me sigh. Someone is walking towards us, and I recognize the tall figure to be Sawyer.
"Heard you two got hitched ala the Island Guru," he says, sauntering up. "Thought you could use this." We stare confused at him until he reveals an unopened condom. "First one is on the house. Call it a wedding present." He holds it out to Charlie.
Out of any present someone on the Island could have given us, this is the best one I can think of! I nudge Charlie, and he lets go of my hand to take it. "Thank you, Sawyer," I say.
"Yeah, thanks," Charlie adds. Then a small smile forms on his face. "We'll make good use of it."
My eyes widened at what he just said. Did he really have to exaggerate the words 'good use'? Sawyer only grins his bedimpled grin and walks off. Charlie turns to me, eyebrows raised in a come hither way. Once we start, I know we won't be able to stop. I just hope we have enough stuff to trade with Sawyer later.