A/N: So sorry it took so long to post this chapter, and another apology for it being short. It's been a hectic few months, but I promise, the next chapter will be up in a much shorter amount of time than it took this one. Enjoy, and don't forget to review!

Chapter Fifteen

The cool, tangy breeze coursed through Miranda's hair and tugged at her skirts. The sun was burnishing the golden sky and melting the watery horizon as it fell. Somewhere, a bird sang a trill of lovely innocence to the harmony of the beating waves below the cliff. Whether meditated or sheer luck, Antony had picked the perfect setting. He looked hopefully up at her as he knelt on one knee, her left hand clasped in both his. He needed an answer.

Miranda looked to the sea that held so many memories she wished she could abandon. Barbossa was gone. She'd escaped him, and now she'd never fall prey to his actions ever again. Antony was here. He sought her out and promised her a life of security and happiness.

"Yes," she blurted, forcing thoughts from her heart. A good, solid answer to banish her wicked daydreams. She needed a gentleman to have her. A thoughtful, society-approved gentleman.

Upon hearing her answer, Antony leapt to his feet and enveloped her in a hug. Miranda returned the the gesture as sincerely as her distracted mind could, wondering if this was something she would soon regret.

Preparations for the wedding began almost immediately. As prominent members of the Port Royal society, the Farthings were expected to host a marvelous rehearsal dinner that would be the social event of the season. Mrs. Farthing began planning this gala to be held at the governor's mansion; Gov. Swann was a dear friend of Colonel Farthing, and delighted to host such a special occasion.

For the most part Miranda stayed far away from her parents and the details of her future. She found she could grasp the idea of marrying Antony when she wasn't looking at laces to hem her veil and the packages that began pouring in from the entire town wishing her a happy marriage.

Antony visited her daily and escorted her on walks down to the shore--the only place she ever wanted to go. She would step out of her slippers and wade into the water, feeling the waves lap at her ankles and tugging her towards the ocean. Gentle but firm, reminding her of the hands of a man she ought to forget. Antony would join her, slipping his hand into hers as they stood silently in the shallows of the sea.

Miranda knew he didn't understand what the ocean meant to her, but she knew he realized it was important. Moments such as these convinced her she could live happily with the man by her side.

On one such evening about a week before the wedding Antony finally spoke during their walk to the sea.

"You're not the same anymore," he said as she joined her in the waves. Miranda turned to face him and he instantly darkened and stammered, "I mean, you've changed a bit since you've been gone."

Miranda smiled. "Being abducted by pirates will do that to you."

"It's not that I don't like the change," Antony continued as he tried to correct himself, but eloquence was never his skill. "I've always loved you, Miranda. I don't think I can ever change that part of me, and I don't think you changing will ever change my mind . . . That is . . . " he trailed off, frowning in thought. Miranda gave him time and waited.

"I used to think," he started again slowly, "that if I ever proposed, you'd say yes."

"I did, you ninny," Miranda laughed gently, then added, "I'm sorry. Continue."

"I guess what I'm trying to say," Antony finished uncertainly, "is that I don't know if I'm the one for you anymore. I feel like there's something between us since you've come back."

Miranda clenched her jaw; he'd said exactly what she'd been afraid he'd say. He'd realized her change, as any good fiancee would, and was confronting her. She wished she'd prepared some sort of reassurance, but her words become just as broken and confused as Antony's.

"I'm always changing," she replied unevenly. "And so are you. But what happened to me isn't going to ruin things for us. It's nothing that time spent together won't fix."

Antony did not look convinced.

"It's not too late, you know," he began, his voice trembling. "You can call everything off. Or I can. I just want you to be happy."

Miranda turned her gaze back to the sea. From across the bay she could hear the soft creaking of the docked ships. The salty air stung her senses more powerfully than before. From the sunset, the moon began to gleam.

That chapter in her life was over.

She looked back at Antony. "I'm not going anywhere," she said firmly. "Especially not without you." She laughed. "You can't get rid of me that easily."

In a moment she'd been pulled to Antony and found her lips held by his. His hands locked her waist firmly to him, and she tasted sweet relief in his kiss. In seconds Antony seemed to realize what he'd done and quickly withdrew, reddening.

"I'm so sorry I . . . I let myself get carried away," he apologized, shrinking back. "I just . . . you saying that was exactly . . . exactly what I needed to hear." Miranda smiled and pounced on Antony, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Enough of formalities," she murmured into his neck. "Now." She looked up and grinned as his hopeful expression. "Where were we?"