Chp 18
"The funeral's tomorrow," Sawyer said as Kate walked into their motel washroom.
"I know," she said grabbing her toiletries and shoving them into her makeup case, "But I'm not going to be there."
"What?" Sawyer asked as she stepped out of the bathroom, pushing past him in the doorway.
"You heard me," she said.
"After everything Jack's been through you're not going?" Sawyer asked watching her gathering her things.
"Look Sawyer," Kate said stopping for a moment and staring at him from across the bed, "I'm still wanted here, I have to get out while I still can."
"I get it," he said, "So you going back to Switzerland then?"
He shoved his hands into his pockets and rested back on his heels. He knew what was coming.
"You're gonna run," Sawyer stated, "Without me."
Kate sighed and walked over to him, "We're not in love Sawyer," she told him softly, squeezing his arm before slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Yeah," he answered softly.
At the door, Kate hesitated before turning around and repeating his words to him.
"We know now what we don't want, we learned that together."
"Together," Sawyer said before she walked out the door.
….
The funeral was short with Jack, Claire, Sawyer and Juliet in attendance along with some of Christian's former colleagues.
"I guess I'll never get to know him now," Claire said sadly, "I shouldn't have told him to get lost when he came to see me in Australia."
Jack just starred into space, not even hearing his sister's pangs of guilt and regret.
"You can't second guess yourself now," Juliet tried to comfort her, "You couldn't have known."
"Right," Claire said and sighed heavily.
"I'm going to bed," Jack announced and climbed the stairs to the bedrooms in the Sheppard house.
"Hey," Juliet said softly a few minutes later as she climbed into bed with him.
"Hey," he said and immediately crawled into her arms for comfort.
"It's going to get easier," she said as she soothingly stroked his hair.
"How Juliet? How is it supposed to get easier? My mom shot my dad dead and I killed her. How do I get over that?" he asked his eyes misted with tears.
"With my help," she said and kissed his forehead, "Together."
Jack gave her a weak smile and stroked her belly.
"Thank god the baby is alright," he said.
"See," Juliet said, "We have a future to look forward to."
Jack sat up and looked at her in seriousness, "Juliet, will you marry me?"
The question was unexpected and Juliet stared at him for a few minutes before a smile spread across her lips.
"Yes Jack, I'll marry you."
His fingers tangled into her blonde mane, pulling her into him as she found his lips. They kissed a slow, deep, loving kiss.
….
"James," Juliet asked a few days later when she went over to see how he was doing without Kate.
"Yeah, Ocean Eyes?" he asked rolling a cigarette before remembering she was pregnant and discarding it.
"I need a favour," she began.
"Shoot," he said.
"Jack and I are going to get married."
"Aren't you two already married?" he asked.
"Sort of well, you know it was on the island and who knows how legal it was and the way it happened and," she was rambling, her fingers twirling around the tie of her shirt.
"What'd you need Blondie?" Sawyer asked cutting to the chase.
"I want you to be my maid of honour," she blurted out her eyes wide.
"You're what?" he asked.
"Well obviously that's not the right words, you know my best mate?"
"Don't you have any female friends?"
"No," she said sadly.
"Well what about your sister in law, Claire?" he offered.
"She's already agreed to stand up for Jack," Juliet said.
"I don't know Jules, sounds kinda gay to me," he told her.
"Come on James, we need two witnesses, please?" she pleased sweetly, her lashes batting as she flashed him her blue eyes.
"I ain't got to wear no pink taffeta dress do I?" he sarcastically asked.
Juliet kissed him on the cheeks.
"Of course not," she said, "It's going to be lavender."
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, very funny," he quipped.
….
"Kind of weird huh?" Sawyer remarked to Claire as they waited in the judge's chambers.
"What is?" she asked.
"This role reversal, you know you're the best man and I'm," he said.
"The maid of honour," Claire finished stifling a laugh, "At least she didn't make you carry a bouquet."
Sawyer rolled his eyes before they fell into silence again, staring at one another.
"You look pretty," he said shyly before adding, "Beautiful actually."
"Thank you Sawyer," Claire said, "You're very handsome in your suit."
"Thanks," he said and they looked at each other for a long time.
Both felt a spark in their guts. Claire nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.
"I wonder what's taking them so long," she said trying to think of a way to cut the awkward silence.
"Yeah," Sawyer said as he fidgeted with his cufflinks.
"Sorry we're late," Juliet said rushing towards them, "I couldn't get my hair right."
"You look gorgeous," Claire said as she took in Juliet's simple white gown.
It had a tight sleeveless bodice that flared slightly at her waist, her blonde hair pulled up in a loose cascade of curls.
"Thanks," she genuinely said.
"Are you two ready then?" the judge asked.
"Yes," Jack said before letting Claire adjust his black tie one last time," We're ready."
The ceremony was traditional and short. Juliet said her own vows before the judge turned to Jack.
"Do you have anything to say to Juliet?"
Jack nodded before taking her hands in his.
"I'm not very good at this sort of thing so bare with me," he nervously began, taking a deep breath, "You've changed me Juliet, in so many ways. I'm no longer angry like I was, no longer trying to be everything to everyone. I no longer need to be in control, or fix everything. I'm no longer lost. And that's because of you Juliet, because you silenced the voices in my head that were always questioning my worth, stilled me, proved things to me I never would have dreamed could be. I promise Juliet, I'll always cherish that, cherish you. I love you."
Juliet fought her tears of joy as the judge pronounced them husband and wife. They signed the registrar and then the certificate was given to Claire and Sawyer.
"Are you," Claire asked, "Are you crying Sawyer?"
"Don't be crazy Mamacita," he said but sniffled and tried to casually wipe the corner of his eye.
Claire chuckled to herself as he handed her the pen. Her fingers brushed slightly over his, the spark between them igniting briefly before they pulled away.
"I love you Jack Sheppard," Juliet said wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I love you, Juliet Sheppard," he said and kissed her before she leaned in close and whispered in his ear.
"Now take me home and make me your wife."
Jack grinned at her before holding his hand out to her.
"Then take my hand and don't let go."
THE END
EPILOGUE
"How long's it take?" Sawyer asked as he paced the hallway of St. Sebastian's hospital.
"Could be hours," Claire said, "Maybe even days."
"Days!?" Sawyer cried, "I can't take days of this."
"My god, Sawyer," she said, "It's not like you're the one in labour."
"I know that," he snapped, "I'm just nervous."
"Well you're making Aaron even more nervous pacing around like that," she said bouncing her son on her knee, "Come sit down."
Sawyer sat next to her and Aaron crawled from his mother's arms into his lap.
"He likes you," she said smiling, "Always did for some reason."
Sawyer just stared at her trying not to show how happy he was as Aaron gave him a big smile.
"Must be my southern charm."
….
"Push Juliet," Jack encouraged as she squeezed his hand hard and screamed.
"You can do it, just one more."
Suddenly a newborn's cry filled the room as Juliet collapsed with exhaustion back onto her pillows.
"Congratulations, you have a baby boy," the doctor said as a nurse placed the baby into Juliet's arms.
"Look how perfect he is, Jack," she cried, "Look at our son."
"He's beautiful," Jack said as his own tears of joy trickled down his cheeks, "Just like his mother."
"Do you have a name yet?" the nurse asked them.
"Umm not yet," Jack said.
"Yes we do," Juliet blurted out.
"We do?" Jack asked.
Juliet nodded, "Christian."
Jack's emotions caught in his throat, his father gave his life to save this baby, his grandson, it was only fitting he should have his grandfather's name.
"Christian Sheppard," Jack said as the nurse nodded.
"Christian James Sheppard," Juliet corrected.
"James?" Jack said, "You've got to be kidding me."
"He did take care of me, saved my life and never left my side back on the island," she told her husband who was looking skeptical at her.
"Yeah, but," Jack started.
"And he's going to be the baby's godfather so," she told him.
"He's going to what?" Jack cried out.
"Listen here Jack Sheppard, I've just spent 16 hours in labour delivering your son and I think," she began.
"Right," Jack said knowing when he was defeated, "Christian James Sheppard it is then."
"Christian James Sheppard," Juliet repeated, "Welcome to the world."