Ginger looked at the Professor stunned. "Marry you?" She said not believing he asked this question of her. "You..you want to marry me?"
"I love you." Roy said holding her tightly. "Don't you love me?"
"Of course I do!" Ginger exclaimed. "But…I…marriage? Roy I…" She had no idea what to say to this. She was too shocked. This was the last thing she expected from him. The movie star did recall her earlier thought about a Honeymoon in Venice but she knew she was jumping way too ahead. Wasn't she?
"I would love nothing more than for you to become my wife." The Professor said. "So my beautiful starlet, would you consider marrying me?"
"No." She replied shaking her head. "No."
It was now the Professor's turn to be shocked. "No?"
"Well not right now…Roy I do love you I swear I do but I…I don't think we should get married now."
"Oh." He said dropping his arms feeling like he was punched in the stomach. He had not been expecting this.
"Please darling." Ginger said moving closer to him in an attempt to reassure him she still loved him. "It's not that I wouldn't love to be your wife. I would! I really would but we have only been together for a short while. There is still so much we have to know about each other.."
"I know all I need to know." The Professor stated. "I know you are beautiful and kind and the most extraordinary woman I've ever come in contact with. "
"Yes but there is more to me than just…"
"I know about your desire to direct a movie one day. I know about how you wish to write and star in your own movie. I know how scared you are that Hollywood has forgotten you and just how much you wish to be back there. I also know how you sometimes would feel inferior to Mary Ann."
Ginger stood there stunned. How in the world did he..
"You believed that she had all the domestic skills you think you lack. You think that a man would rather be with someone like her than you. You were even scared at one point that I would prefer Mary Ann to you."
Tears formed in the movie star's eyes. "How did…"
"Because Ginger I know you. I know what's in your heart. You never needed to worry about Mary Ann. Not ever. The only woman for me is you. And you always will be. It was always you."
"I…" Ginger said speechless.
"I can see how much you truly care about everyone. You do whatever you can to lift their spirits. Like with Mary Ann and her pretend boyfriend. You didn't want to see her blue. You persuaded us men to act interested so she wouldn't feel bad. It was the last thing I wished to do but I went along. The only reason was because it was important to you and also your coaching was a bonus. It meant that I could be alone with you. I always looked forward to the times I could have you to myself."
"You did?"
"Yes. And when the Howells would get into a squabble and split up. You always got them back together. You feel marriage is very important and you believe people should take those vows seriously. They are not just words to say, people should mean them. I have to admit I did not enjoy being Mrs. Howell's dinner date in the slightest. I would have rather had been with you. I was none to pleased to see you with Mr. Howell. Having to see you fake interest to get Mrs. Howell jealous…it killed me. But when Skipper took charge and came out pretending to be a head hunter and you immediately ran to me…You have no idea how good that made me feel. How much it meant to me. That you would wish for me to be the one to protect you from danger. And my gorgeous Ginger I know that you know me too."
"What do you mean?" The movie star asked.
"I mean that I could never fool you. You didn't really need to eat those seeds to know that I was thinking about you. It was something you already had known. Seeds or no seeds you knew that I was thinking of your exquisite figure. That's why it did not take you long to answer about my thoughts. Yes I know the Skipper had his mind where it should not have been but it took you a second or two to see that. Me it was instant. You did not hesitate. And my lovely movie star you also were aware that I did not wish to marry that Erika Tiffany Smith. You needed to find someway to show me that the reason I was having so much trouble in the romance department with her was because I had no feelings of romance for her. When you kissed me it finally clicked. I could not ever wish to act in that manner with that woman. When Mr. Howell told me she wished to have nothing more to do with me I was never so elated in my life. I could not be around her a second longer. You were the one who forced me to see that."
"Well I just…I mean she was awfully pushy and bossy and the way she treated Gilligan.." Ginger stammered.
The Professor shook his head. "That had nothing to do with it. It wasn't about her pushiness or her treatment of Gilligan. You did not want to see me marry that awful woman. You couldn't allow me to be treated like I was some prize she won and wanted to show off."
"It wasn't right." Ginger said quietly.
"You remember my love when Gilligan found that eye of the idol?"
She nodded. "I do."
"You recall when he lost it and we had to search the island for it?"
"Yes."
"You also recall how you and I were standing outside that cave and you informed me that I was being stubborn?"
"Well you were." The redhead said with a small smile. "I offered to go in but you stopped me. You said I was hardly dressed for spelunking. This after you allowed your eyes to drift over me." She added with some slight glee.
"You were horrified at the word spelunking. I believe you were under the impression it referred to something else." The Professor said. "I explained to you what it meant."
"Imagine my disappointment to find out it didn't mean what I thought." Ginger smiled.
"I told you that since it made you happy that I would go in and look around for that eye of the idol. I wasn't just spouting off words. I meant it. I knew how much that ridiculous eleven dollars worth of quartz meant to you so I put away my stubbornness to go locate it just for you. I would never do that for anyone but you. A part of me was hoping you would see that and then would give up the belief about the idol and wish to stay on the island with me."
"You did?" Ginger asked bewildered.
"Yes. And after we found it, you still believed it would work. I was hoping beyond hope that you would stop believing it."
"Yeah than Mary Ann jumped up and she would stay because it wasn't right to just leave you all alone here on the island. I wanted to strangle that girl. Why couldn't she keep her goody goody mouth shut! I was praying you would swallow your pride and join us. But no Miss Perfect had to…" Ginger fumed thinking about it. "You have no idea how that hurt me."
"Ginger my beautiful love you honestly think I gave a damn about Mary Ann's declaration? No I was still holding out that you would change your mind. And when you did, I saw that you really did think more of me than Hollywood. You saw that you could not leave me. Then I felt horrible as if I was holding you back from your dream and that is why after you said Hollywood could wait I decided to give up and go along with the rest of you. If anything I did not wish to be stuck on this island with Mary Ann and the Howells. I could not live if my only option was that farm girl. She is a nice girl and everything but there is no way I could see myself with her. Not in the million years. Especially not when there is a far more beautiful and desirable woman with red hair available."
Ginger giggled. "You mean that?"
"I do. And that would also be the reason why after Gilligan said he got rid of the eye, that I went to go find it. Knowing I was almost stuck with Mary Ann gave me enough encouragement to at least give it a shot. Plus I thought maybe if I did find it, you could return to your career and that you would be so grateful to me that you would declare that you wanted to be with me and would ask me to go along to Hollywood with you. I know it was stupid but I couldn't help it."
"Roy you are wonderful." Ginger gushed. "I love you."
"You were the only woman to not judge me by my lack of knowledge of love and romance. I told you about my insufficient experience in that area. How I was pretty much void of understanding of the concepts. Explained to you that all the girls I had known were interested in all that mushy stuff and I didn't grasp it. I recall your words "Don't knock it until you try it." Well I did try it and I am sorry I ever knocked it. Ginger I love you more than I ever fathomed it was possible to love another human being. You opened up a whole new outlook on life to me. You mean everything in the world to me." The Professor took her hands in his. "That's why I am asking if you would be my wife. Please Ginger…would you consider marrying me?"
The movie star thought this over. Everything he said was true. And some of it she had no idea he knew those things. The man really did love her far beyond her physical beauty. He did see more to her than her gowns and her make-up. He saw a real person. He saw her. And she…she loved him. She could see there was a hell of a lot more to Roy Hinkley than his passion for science and books. Deep down there was a bit of an actor in him. He always seemed to enjoy helping her rehearse scenes so she could keep her acting skills sharp. She thought to the one in which she recruited him and Mary Ann. He was to play her lover who was leaving her. Ginger had thought it a bit odd at the time he was less than pleased with this role but he went along. Maybe the reason was because he did not think that any man could wish to leave her. After he had fell over and got the nose bleed he did seem more focused on her than Mary Ann. In fact he hardly looked at Mary Ann. He was so sweet and apologetic about not being very helpful to her with rehearsing. The poor man wanted to please her so much and he felt like he failed her. She could see that now. He loved her. The Professor loved her. She smiled to herself at his lame attempt at humor with the blood in his acting line. He was too cute! And she would be crazy to not..
Ginger lifted her eyes and said in a clear voice. "Yes."
The Professor's heart soared. "Yes?"
"Yes darling I would consider marrying you. I would love to be your wife." Ginger replied.
The academic yanked her back into his arms pressing his lips to hers. They were wrapped up that way for several minutes. Pretty certain they broke another kissing record. When they finally let go Ginger hugged her new fiancée tightly. "I love you darling."
Roy never felt such joy before. This amazing woman just said she would marry him. Ginger Grant. Sexy sophisticated classy beautiful Ginger. All his. For the rest of his life.
The pair made their way back to the party hand in hand. Ginger smiled seeing Mary Ann sweetly kissing Gilligan who had just given her a pretty flower he had picked. Skipper was happily dancing with Alana some tribal dance she had taught him. The Howells seemed to having a grand time as well.
The Professor cleared his throat and then spoke. "Everyone….everyone can I have your attention. I have something to say."
The others all turned to the academic waiting for the news.
"I have a wonderful announcement to make. Ginger and I..." He looked at the redhead who was beaming. "We decided to get married."
Mary Ann let out a joyful shriek as did Mrs. Howell. Gilligan's eyes went wide and the Skipper's jaw dropped. Mr. Howell was in a state of surprise a well.
King Kalawani spoke. "This is most joyful news. I wish you most happiness."
"Thank you." Ginger said. "You are very kind."
"We have wedding tonight." The King announced.
"Oh no." Ginger said shaking her head. "We couldn't impose…"
"Nonsense!" The tribal king smiled. "You no impose. You have wedding here. No take no for answer"
"Well." The Professor said carefully. "It is generous of you but you see in order for the marriage to be valid, it would need to be held on the water. You see Skipper is a sea captain and he can perform marriage ceremonies but we need a vessel…"
Alana shook her head. "No you don't. We have minister here." She smiled pointing to a short elderly gentleman. "This here is Patrick. He is a pastor. He live with us long time."
Ginger was shocked. "You have a pastor living with you? How did he…"
Patrick smiled. "I had come here years ago with a missionary group. I volunteered to stay here with this wonderful tribe. You see I have no family back home. I was married at one time but my wife passed away during child birth. Child died too. It was after that I devoted my life to God. You see I was angry for a long time but then one day I picked up my Bible and begin to read. I realized God did care. He did know my pain and sorrow. He understood. That is when I made it my mission in life to preach the good word. I joined the group and we found this island. The rest went back but I chose to stay there. These are wonderful people who have become a family to me."
"So." The Professor said. "You could marry Ginger and me?"
"I could." Patrick said. "I would be honored if that is what you truly wish."
"It is!" Ginger exclaimed. "I love Roy so much! I want to marry him!"
"And I love this woman." The Professor said of Ginger. "I wish to spend my life with her."
"Very well." The minister said. "I will perform the ceremony."
Alana clapped her hands. "Oh this is most wonderful! Festival turn into a celebration of love!"
Mrs. Howell nodded. "We have so much to do! Come on Ginger…" She said hurrying over to the bride. "We need to get your ready."
Mary Ann followed the two into the tent.
The Professor stood back feeling like he was on top of the world. He was about to marry Ginger. A dream come true! The Skipper walked over to him. "Well I guess congratulations is in order." He smiled. "Ginger is a swell gal."
"Thank you Skipper."
Mr. Howell joined the two men. "Well Professor I wish you and Ginger all the best. I hope you two are as happy as Lovey and I are."
Professor nodded. "Thank you Mr. Howell. I appreciate that."
Gilligan then approached the group. "I think it's great Professor. Ginger will be a good wife to you I know she will."
"Yes I believe that as well." The academic replied. "Ginger is the best thing that ever came into my life. I love her more than I imagined I could. I plan on keeping her happy for the rest of our lives."