Chapter nineteen has arrived! Review and enjoy, please :).


Dear Molly,

Boy, has life been hectic since we decided to get married! I honestly don't think I've ever had to work so hard in the course of just one week.

Not that I haven't loved every minute of it. The invitations, the decorating, the catering…none of it was any trouble, because I knew that, in the end, it would all lead up to making what was sure to be the happiest day of my life even happier.

Of course, this weekend hasn't been ALL fun and games; there were some serious discussions to be had, too. Like about our living situation.

I don't really feel like we'd actually be married if we didn't live together. And you definitely couldn't move into the carpentry building! So the only possible solution, we decided, was that I move in with you.

Breaking the news to Pops and Bo wasn't easy. I think Bo even shed a few tears! (Not that he'll ever admit to it, but I always knew he was a softy!) But what Pops did was, in a way, even more amazing. He turned to me, looked me straight in the eyes and said,
"I'm proud of you, son."

He said he was proud of me. HE SAID HE WAS PROUD OF ME. This, the one thing that I've sought after my entire life, has never happened before. Until now. He's finally proud of me, and it's all because of you. You've completed me, Molly.

I gave them both big hugs, promised that I'd talk with them often, said that I'd be sure to keep up with my carpentry, and that was that. Of course, I knew that it wasn't the end, or anything. Heck, I go there every day to work anyway! But I do feel like my moving in with you has been a transition of some sort. It's like the end of one book and the beginning of the next!

Unfortunately, we didn't get to spend too much time together our first night, as Owen and the guys insisted on throwing me a bachelor party.

"Your last night as a single man!" he said, clapping me on the back as I entered the bar. But I wasn't really sure my last single night was something to celebrate. I mean, when you decide to get married, haven't you decided that you don't want to be single anymore, and that you're ready to move on?

Well, most of the guys in the village didn't seem to think so. "Another round of drinks for the big guy over here!" they kept shouting. "He won't be able to get away with it for much longer!" And then they laughed, and drank until their faces flushed bright red. Through the course of the night, I received several consolations; "hey, I'm sorry bro", and "we all make mistakes" were two of the most popular. I told them not to feel bad for me, that I was elated about my upcoming marriage! "Suuuuure," Owen said, and then suggested that we hire some strippers to come by for an hour or so. Luckily, I managed to talk him out of it, much to everyone else's disappointment. But they just didn't understand.

I can't really blame them, though. None of them have met their 'Molly' yet. They haven't had what you and I have, so how could they know what it's like? I feel sorry for them.

It was about midnight when the party finally began to settle down. As I was heading back to you, I heard the sound of footsteps coming closer.

I turned around to meet prune eyes and pale skin. The waiter. Surprisingly, he'd shown up at the party too, although we hadn't talked since before the fireworks festival. He was breathing hard, having had to run pretty fast to catch up with me.

"…What's up?" I asked after a few moments. The awkwardness in the air was practically tangible. We had been rivals for your affection, so of course we weren't on excellent terms.

"I just wanted to say, congratulations." he said. I was slightly taken aback. The waiter? Congratulating me?

"Uhhh, thanks?" I replied, although it was more of a question than anything else. I certainly hadn't expected that, after all this time, he'd be congratulating me for being with you.

"No, really." He said, looking at me evenly. "She's a great girl. I know you two will be happy together." And, as if to prove his sincerity, the waiter smiled at me slightly. I was still stunned.

"Wow, thank you!" I said, smiling widely. "That means a lot, considering we both liked her and all."

He shrugged. "She loves you, though. It wouldn't have worked with her and I, in the end; she still would have loved you. I wasn't the right guy." he didn't seem upset by this though, just matter-o-fact.

I couldn't resist. I immediately went in to tightly embrace the waiter.

"Hey, hey. Just because I approve of you two being together doesn't give you excuse to hug me. I'm not a hugger." He said, and I backed off. But there was still the hint of a smile on his face, so I knew I was in the clear.

"Sorry, I just couldn't help it. It's just…thank you so much! And I know you'll find the right girl for you soon. Definitely." I told him, and he blushed.

"Or maybe you've already found her?" I asked him, and you should've seen the look on his face. Shock. Embarrassment. Yet the same type of goofy happiness that I must wear when I look at you. His face turned even brighter red.

"Y-yeah. Maya and I…" he trailed off. "I…I've got to go. Just know that I'm happy for you, okay?" he said, suddenly fidgety.

"Alright. And be sure to give Maya my best, okay?" I asked.

"I will, give Molly mine!" he said, smiling as he jogged off. Despite us both going after you, I'm really happy for him. I think that tonight was the first time I've ever seen the waiter really smile.

When I arrived at home, our home, you were already curled up in your newly purchased double bed.

"I'm home, Molly." I told you, planting a small kiss on your cheek. Your eyes fluttered a bit, and you looked at me sleepily.

"Hmm, Luke? How was the party?" you whispered, sounding slightly disoriented.

"It was fine." I said as I removed my shirt, put on some sweat pants, and crawled under the covers beside you. "Tomorrow will be even better though."

"Mmmhmm…" you hummed as you nodded sleepily. "I can't wait."

You were obviously tired, so I didn't talk to you anymore. Instead, I pulled you close, and you settled your head down on my chest.

That was all. There was no 'fun', as the other guys on the island would call it. That stuff could wait. On our first night, we just lay there, holding each other as we fell asleep.

I can only hope that every night will be like this.

Yours (you can use me as a pillow any time),

Luke