Chapter 22

It was February 14th when Kate was getting ready for her wedding. The wedding was taking place on a beach outside of Sydney. Claire and Sun were helping her to do her hair and makeup, the other two women nearly as excited as she was. They were already dressed in their matching deep red bridesmaid's dresses. She had butterfly flutters in her stomach and her hands were trembling slightly. Her bridesmaids had told her it was perfectly normal, that they felt the same when they got married.

Jack was getting dressed while Charlie and Sawyer, his two best men were checking in on him at regular intervals. Who'd ever have thought that Sawyer would ever be Jack's best man on his and Kate's wedding? Stranger things have happened he supposed but it must be a close tie.

They'd all gotten together at a guesthouse where the wedding was going to be. It wasn't going to be a terribly big affair just their survivor friends and a few really close family in the form of Jack's mother and Kate's grandmother and Sam. They didn't want it any other way only their closest friends there to share the day with.

While Jack and Kate were getting ready Sayid and Michael were throwing a ball at Walt and trying to catch Aaron every time he tried running for the beach. while Libby, now 4 months pregnant, and Cassidy were entertaining now nearly 7 month old Hope with a new plush teddy bear, 9 month old Lilly were being rocked on dad Jin's knee while Hurley kept Jin company. Jin's English have improved a lot and he could now actually have a conversation, and Nadia were feeding 3 month old baby Khalid.

It was late afternoon and everyone had gathered on the beach where chairs had been placed all decorated with white and red roses. They had a small gazebo structure erected on the beach the sides heavily decorated with flowers. Small fairy lights were illuminating the structure.

A tent had been set up a small distance away where tables and chairs were arranged around a dance floor in the middle. Table centre pieces of Red and white flowers and candles decorated the tables. It looked like a magical world out there.

The sun was beginning to set colouring the sky in beautiful shades of red orange pink and purple. The ocean still and almost mirror like glittering a silver/turquoise.

Jack was looking handsome in a tux standing next to Eko who had came back to Australia to marry them. Charlie and Sawyer looking just as handsome in their dark suits.

When everyone was seated music started playing softly in the background before Claire and Sun came walking up to take place in front.

From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong


I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on

You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on

Kate was dressed in a simple long white satin dress, with small spaghetti straps crisscrossed over the open back. She was holding a small bouquet of white and red roses.

She had her hair cut shorter when they just came back but it was now taken up in a fancy collection of curls with a few wisps which kept escaping framing her face.

As Kate came walking down the beach her arm locked in Sam's Jack's breath caught in his throat. She looked more beautiful than he could ever have imagined.

Sam walked her to Jack then went to sit down in the front row next to his mother whom were holding Hope.

Jack smiled at Kate when she was standing next to him. 'You look beautiful' he whispered to her.

Eko started the service "Ladies and Gentlemen. We are here together for a very special event. For Jack Shephard and Kate Austen to be joined in holy matrimony. Fate brought these two people together. As it did for many of us. What was initially a great tragedy turned into a blessing. For many of us found love but also friendship and even more importantly we found ourselves. Life is like a path of thorns but without those thorns you cant get to the rose which makes it all worthwhile. Jack and Kate wrote their own vows.

Jack took Kate's hand looking into her eyes. He took the ring from Charlie and slowly slipped it onto her finger.

"The day I met you my life changed in more than one way. When you agreed to stitch my wound up you stitched a part of you into me. For once I needed the fixing and you were there. I found a missing piece of myself in you. You didn't just love a part or illusion of me but saw my weaknesses and my strength and still loved me. You made me see parts of myself I had hid away. I realised I don't have to fix you I don't have to be the hero who save you. I just had to love you. You made me see that I do have what it takes to love someone and be loved back equally. You broaden my perspectives, make me laugh, dry my tears. You stood by me throughout extremely trying times. You saved me and kept me calm when I was about to fall off the deep end. You took care of me even when I didn't want it. I'm not lost any more. I just swear that I'll always be there.
I'd give anything and everything and I will always care. Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow, for better or worse, I will love you with every beat of my heart.


And while he spoke they had another piece of a song playing softly in the background the words just barely audible.

And I will love you, baby - always
And Ill be there forever and a day - always
Ill be there till the stars dont shine
Till the heavens burst and
The words dont rhyme
And I know when I die, youll be on my mind
And Ill love you - always

Kate's eyes were glistening and she had difficulty speaking past the lump in her throat as she took Jack's hand in hers placing the ring Claire just handed her on Jack's finger.

"You had me from hello or rather from the moment you called to me 'excuse me' the day we first met and I fell head over heels in love with you.

You trusted me when you had no reason to. You didn't judge or demanded to know my past yet you knew me better than anyone ever did in such a short time. You saw the real me into my heart to the person I can be You make me be the person I want to be. You made me feel safe in a dangerous world. You kept me sane. You're my rock and my anchor when things got out of control. You made me believe that I was capable of loving and to be loved. Running used to be a part of my life. Running from people and places but also running from myself. You showed me a reason to stop running. I'm ready to be your Eve. I just swear that I'll always be there. I'd give anything and everything and I will always care. Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow, for better or worse, I will love you with every beat of my heart.

Another piece of song played softly while Kate spoke.

Im gonna hold you til your hurt is gone
Be the shoulder that youre leaning on
Ill be standing here
For the next 100 years
If it all should end tonight
Ill know it was worth the fight
And well be standing here
For the next 100 years

Jack was swallowing hard. Both trying hard to blink away tears as Eko pronounced them husband and wife

There wasn't a dry eye among the guests when Jack bent down to kiss his new wife. His lips closing over hers. After a few seconds he reluctantly pulled away. They smiled at each other, they did it they were husband and wife.

The guests started throwing them with rose petals and confetti as they walked out towards the tent.

They had the first dance opening the dance floor, Jack held her gently in his arms their bodies moving together to the sway of the music. The world disappeared they were only aware of each other. They whispered parts of the song softly to each other, their faces close together. Nothing else mattered but this moment.

Its hard for me to say the things
I want to say sometimes
Theres no one here but you and me
And that broken old street light
Lock the doors
Well leave the world outside
All Ive got to give to you
Are these five words when i
Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldnt see
For parting my lips
When I couldnt breathe
Thank you for loving me
Thank you for loving me
I never knew I had a dream
Until that dream was you
When I look into your eyes
The skys a different blue
Cross my heart
I wear no disguise
If I tried, youd make believe
That you believed my lies
You pick me up when I fall down
You ring the bell before they count me out
If I was drowning you would part the sea
And risk your own life to rescue me
Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldnt see
You parted my lips
When I couldnt breathe
Thank you for loving me
When I couldnt fly
Oh, you gave me wings

By the end of the night and countless times across the dance floor, Kate went over to where they had made a sort of Christmas bed for the 4 young children. Walt had eventually came over and drifted off with them. She stood watching a sleeping Hope with Lilly and Khalid and Aaron. Hoping that one day all of them find the same happiness as she was feeling right now. She looked at her wedding ring, mrs Jack Shephard, it felt strange surreal yet it felt so right like it was always meant to be. Jack came over coming to stand behind her placing his arms around her waist and buried his face in her neck.

"They look so peaceful"

"Yes they do, like everything is right in the world and nothing can harm them."

Jack was quiet for a few seconds. "You look tired. What do you say we get out of here? Go continue the celebration in private" He began placing soft kisses trailing down her neck. Kate turned around. Placing her arms around his neck and drawing him closer to her a sly grin on her face. "What did you have in mind Dr Shephard?" She teased slowly licking her lips.

"This" Jack pulled her closer closing his mouth over hers he showed her what he meant.

Kate was breathless and her knees felt shaky when he finally pulled away to catch his own breath.

They went off to say goodbye to their guests stopping last at Charlie and Claire who would take Hope home with them. Jack promised to they'd stop by the next morning before heading off on honeymoon.

They had checked into the bridal suite of the guesthouse where they had the wedding, not wanting to go somewhere further away. The bridal suite was spacious with a king size poster bed and ensuite bathroom with double shower and hot tub. They had stunning full sea views from the 3rd floor as well.

When they got to the door Jack placed a hand on Kate's shoulder. "wait" She turned around to look at him and before she could say more she felt him lift her of her feet her hands going around his neck.

"gotta carry you over the threshold"

Kate grinned placing her head against his shoulder as they went inside. Jack kicking the door shut behind them.

They found the bed covered in rose petals and a bottle of chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries on the bed.

They undressed each other Kate pulled off his tie, and unfastened the buttons of his shirt. She kissed the hollow of his throat as she pushed the shirt open, trailed her lips down his chest. She heard his sharp intake of breath. Jack pulled her up, winding his fingers

in her hair, and kissed her hard. He pushed the straps of her dress down her

shoulders, and off; reached behind her and unzipped the dress. sought her mouth, again, and thrust his tongue against hers as he slipped his hand inside her panties and his fingers inside her warm, moist interior. He stroked her silky edges, probed her deeply, felt her gasp against his mouth. Kate closed her teeth over his bottom lip, and bit down gently. Then she reached for his belt buckle, unhooked the waistband of his slacks and slid both hands inside, grasping him. He sucked in a breath. She pushed the slacks and boxers off his hips and took him in both her hands.

"God, I want you," The raw need in his voice rocked her to her soul, intensifying her ache for him. Jack's heat spread from his hand to her shoulder, shooting down her body. Kate was only aware of Jack, of his touch, of his heat, the intensity of his eyes. His thumb was rubbing rhythmically over her bare shoulder. She felt herself melting, losing her sense of balance and reality as she slid deeper into Jack's eyes, into his soul.

She backed up against the bed, and pulled him down over her. She felt his hands reaching for her own and she embraced him, twining her fingers in his, holding on tight for the ride that awaited her.

Jack's tongue darted out and licked her lips. Jack was pushing her closer to the edge of sanity with every brush of his tongue, every nip of his teeth.

Parting her legs with his knee, he sank down into her. Her arms and legs wound around him, and she arched up beneath his weight. They came almost simultaneously, Kate's wild cry triggering his own frenzied release. Gasping softly, he fell forward against her, trying, with limited success, to take his weight on his arms. He lifted up, and

moved to withdraw. Her legs tightened around him.

"Stay," she whispered. He looked down at her, awash with tenderness, and kissed her softly. He started to speak, but she touched his lips gently and shook her head, kissing him.

They stayed like that, kissing, touching lightly, rocking softly one body against the other, until she felt him stirring inside her again. Then, with a smile, Kate shifted her weight and rolled atop him, straddling him, riding him gently with her legs and hips.

He cupped his hands around her buttocks, following her rhythm with his

body. He felt her climbing, and held himself back to wait for her, exulting in the feel of her surrounding him. He saw her shudder and arch backward. Holding her tight as she collapsed on top of him, just when he reached the peak and shuddered beneath her.

They dozed lying wrapped in each other's arms., but did not sleep. They touched, and kissed, and kissed; soft, wet, languorous kisses.

Forever had just arrived.