~Saturday~

He felt like he'd been sucker punched; all the air whooshing out of his lungs at his first glimpse of her. The morning had been spent apart with the men in one section of the hotel and the women in the other. Now, as all the guests were assembled and the music playing softly in the background blended in perfect harmony with the surf, he watched her glide toward him, her eyes fixed on him. She was radiant, her smile brilliant and he felt his chest swell with pride that she was his, well almost.

She had never felt so beautiful. The morning had been full of pampering, fluffing, and primping. And now, surrounded by what could only be described as a dream setting, she was walking down the aisle toward the man she loved. Try as she might, she could look at no one else as her gaze was magnetically drawn to his. Making a conscious effort to keep her breathing even, she continued until she was standing before him. She paused and then lifted a perfectly sculpted brow in question when he paused.

"Hey." Only she was unaware of the tremor in the rich, tenor voice that dared break the ritual of the ceremony.

"Hey," she whispered in return, her eyes frantically darting to either side of the aisle before settling back on him. She noticed his attention shift behind her so she turned to see Lucy peeking down the aisle, her smile at full wattage and her eyes brimming with emotion. When her best friend nodded encouragingly and indicated with her hand to turn around, Sue did so, gasping to find Jack kneeling, balanced on one knee, his attention fixed adoringly on her. "What are you doing?" she asked with a shaky breath. "This is Lucy and Daryl's wedding."

"And I have their blessing," he assured her. "And that of your parents."

Sue looked up to find her dad's arm around her mom and her mom frantically dabbing at the tears that refused to stop. Feeling somewhat surreal, she let her gaze drop back to Jack's before lowering it to his lips as he began to talk.

"Sue, I love you. That's not going to stop. It does, however change, with each and every day. I don't know how, but with each passing day my love grows. It deepens. I don't have all the flowery words but I would be honored if you would wear my ring and agree to become my wife. Sue? Will you marry me?"

She was aware of someone pressing a handkerchief into her hand and glanced into the face of her best friend. Her surprise must have shown because Lucy smiled sheepishly while ducking behind her. "I couldn't hear from back there and there was no way I was going to miss this. Just don't make any sudden movements so Daryl can't see me and hurry up and answer poor Jack."

"Oh! Jack!" Sue swung back around, her head nodding furiously. "Yes, Jack. Yes, I'll marry you." She was vaguely aware of a ring being slipped onto her finger as Jack's lips covered hers, sealing their promise very satisfactorily.

"So," he growled, resting his forehead on hers briefly before straightening. "Since I can't do what I really want to do, let's get on with the show."

Making sure Lucy was safely back at the end of the aisle, he placed a beautiful lei around Sue's neck, kissing her gently on each cheek before tucking her now jewel-adorned hand in the crook of his arm and escorting her the rest of the way to the waiting wedding party.

Sue hoped that Lucy would give her a copy of the ceremony on video, because she gave up trying to follow along. Her attention was torn between Jack who wouldn't take his eyes from her and the gorgeous ring he had placed on her finger. The stone was larger than she would have chosen, but stunning in its simple elegance. The platinum band upon which it was set, while not being too wide, was broad enough to display the diamond to its utmost advantage.

Looking back at Jack she watched him discreetly move his right hand into a "V" hand shape and swipe it across his left palm. Glancing back down at her ring, she lifted questioning eyebrows to him. At his nod, she waited until everyone's head was bowed in prayer before slipping the ring from her finger and reading the inscription. No Kau a Kau. Having no idea what it meant, her attention was drawn back to him as the ceremony continued.

He inconspicuously circled his index finger before making the "Y" hand shape and moving it forward.

Returning the ring to its new resting place, new tears swam in her eyes as the meaning of his chosen words sank in. No Kau a Kau...Forever and ever...or more simply; For Eternity.

The End...almost!