A/N: aGirlAdroid has comma filled holsters on her hips so she can sling them around at will. She also keeps a semi-colon hidden in her boot. Watch out!

Chapter 7/Epilogue

On the beach in their little cove, she laid out a simple lunch of red beans and rice. Although the storm was still a hundred miles out to sea, clouds were gathering overhead. The waves were fast and choppy. She sat back to watch as she waited. Soon, two long legs appeared on either side of hers, an arm wrapped around her middle, a soft beard brushed against her skin, and soft lips peppered kisses on her shoulder. "Another storm; good for you, bad for the tourists." He teased her.

She leaned against him, content. "I like to watch them."

"Yes, I know this, and there is something else I know."

"What do you know?" She asked.

He spoke softly next to her ear, "It was one year ago that I found you in a different storm, calling out my name."

She turned to look at him. "A year, really? You remembered the date?"

He smiled down at her. "Yes, it was a very important day in my life." He closed the small distance between their lips briefly. "It has been a very good year."

"The best year," she qualified, pulling him to her for another kiss.

"You are happy then?" His eyebrows raised in question, but his lips fought back a smile.

She giggled and rolled her eyes. "Yes, Eduardo, I am happy. You know this, too. Just like I know that you're happy."

He shrugged his shoulders and curled his lip. "Enh," but he couldn't hold his laughter back for long.

"Oh you-," she laughed and pushed him back against the sand before getting up, grabbing a bowl, and shoving it into his hands. "Eat your lunch."

"Sí, Señorita."

ooooo

Four years to the day later...

Eduardo crawled over her curled up body on the bed and spoke softly in her ear, "Despierta, mi amor."

"Mmmnnmh," she moaned. "Why?" She asked groggily, before rolling over and pulling a pillow over her head.

He pulled it back. "We have somewhere to go today. It is a surprise, so do not ask me where. I have breakfast ready." He tugged on her hand excitedly. She peeked at him through one eye. "Please, Isa?"

As if she could resist that. He had shaved after all, it must be important. His boyish grin was her reward as she sat up and stretched. After breakfast, she showered and dressed, according to Eduardo's instructions, in "whatever makes you feel the most pretty." Soon, they were on their way in his friend Roberto's borrowed old Buick.

They traveled east of the city, to a small village about thirty miles up the coast. Eduardo pulled the car up to a small, whitewashed church that overlooked the rocky coast. They were greeted happily by an elderly priest, Monseñor Suarez. The man handed her a loose bouquet of wild daisies, and they were ushered inside.

"Eduardo?" She questioned him with raised eyebrows.

He took her hand in his, "Shall we be together forever, Isabella?"

The hopeful look on his face and the joy that shone in his eyes nearly took her breath away. "Oh, Eduardo!" She threw his arms around his neck and whispered, "Te amo, más que a mi propia vida."

"Sí?" He asked.

"Sí," she nodded with certainty.

Monseñor Suarez waved them up to the altar. The ceremony was performed in Spanish. She understood most of it, only missing a word or two. There was no mistaking Eduardo's fervent sincerity as he recited his vows or the adoring look on his face as he placed the ring on her finger. He held her face in his hands like a warm china cup as he kissed his wife for the first time.

The End

Sí, Señorita. = Yes, Miss.
Despierta, mi amor. = Wake up, my love.
Te amo, más que a mi propia vida. = I love you, more than my own life.

A/N: There you have it. Thank you everyone for reading! I hope it was worth your time. Smooches and hugs to all those who reviewed.
This is dedicated to my dear friend Deb24601. This would not have happened without her inspiration and encouragement. I love her and wish I could give her a thousand real hugs instead of virtual ones.