Chapter 35

When they entered their bedroom, Bo put his arms round Carly and began kissing her; her arms locking round his neck as she returned his kiss with wild abandon, their lips fusing with desperate, wild desire, punctuated by their desperate seeking hands. Clothes were ripped off and sent flying in every direction before they sank on the bed; Carly's breathing coming out in helpless gasps as Bo's hard, heated body covered hers, wrapping her arms round his neck as he continued kissing her with a sensual brutality echoed by her own seeking tongue.

When they were younger, he'd constantly made love to this beautiful body; that fateful afternoon in her hotel room, he'd passionately rediscovered every part of her, not caring about the few tell-tale signs of Larry's beatings. The beautiful body was now even more beautiful because it had taken bullets for his precious daughter, and all he wanted was worship it.

And worshipped it, he did, with his lips and hands; kissing and touching every inch of her, each curve, exploring each hollow and Carly trembled and arched beneath him as he kissed her stomach, gently parted her legs and then moved further down.

She cried his name out, her body clenching as she gave herself up to the sweet, hot torture, her fingers gripping his shoulders as he mercilessly stoked the fire within her until she was shaking with excruciating need for him. Reaching down, she grabbed his head, lifting it from her. Their blazing eyes met; she didn't need to spell it out to him. Patting her legs further, he was inside her; hot, hard and throbbing, stopping her tiny cries at her mouth with the force of his own.

'I love you,' she murmured as he left her mouth to gently nip the side of her neck, her hands moving over his muscled back as each flex of his hips drove her higher.

'Princess... my princess...' he managed, face buried against her neck, 'you're so beautiful... you've always been so beautiful...' He seized her lips again, her arms and legs like silken cords holding him amid the ferocity of their joining; every muscle straining for release. Carly rippled beneath him gasping, and he was right there with her, gripping her shoulders as wave after wave washed over him.

Clinging to each other in a tight embrace, they lay still as the last aftershocks of pleasure shook them. Then Bo raised his head to look down at her, brushing back strands of hair from her face. 'I love you, princess.' He said softly before kissing her breathless, her arms locked round his neck.

' Love's definitely what dreams are made of,' she said as they lay entwined, feeling Bo's stroking her thigh resting on his. 'I can't wait to be your wife, Bo.'

Bo moved his head to kiss her brow, stroking her hair. 'and I'll be the luckiest man on earth; waking up every day for the rest of my life next to you.'

Carly rubbed his chest, fingering the chain he wore. 'I guess we'll have to wait until we get home; for everybody to be at the wedding.' As she spoke, she realised getting married in Salem didn't appeal to her; both times she and Bo had planned their formal wedding there and it had ended up in a big fat zero and a sixteen year separation. Much as she wanted her children, Ciara, Adrienne and Jennifer to be at her wedding, the idea of taking their vows surrounded by people who initially disapproved of her didn't sound appealing at all.

Bo's hand stilled as he thought the same thing. Caroline and Kayla had been too cowardly or too proud to go to Carly for forgiveness and the Hortons would do their best to make him feel guilty for leaving Hope by blaming Carly; not out loud but the last thing he wanted was have their wedding day ruined the third time.

'We don't have to wait till we get back.' He said at last. 'At least I know I don't.'

Carly raised her head, eyes glowing with relief. 'Oh thank God... I feel the same way! I don't want to walk down the aisle with everybody staring and wondering what they actually think of us; especially Victor who will obviously show up even if we don't invite him, just to spite us.'

'No... we can't have that at all.' He agreed, holding her face. 'This wedding is about us, not them and I'm not about to go about pleasing anybody this time. So you name it, princess... we'll get married anytime and anywhere you want and we'll just do it. Melanie and Nick will understand.'

Carly hesitated. 'What about Frankie? We're going to tell him first, right?'

Bo's expression was stern and impatient. 'I love Frankie, no doubt about that... but I don't need his permission, he'll just have to learn to accept me as your husband and trust that we'll always be together. Come on, princess... just name the day and place.'

Carly suddenly smiled widely. Where else on earth could be a better setting for their wedding ceremony, not to mention the wedding ceremony itself?

:::::::::::::::::::::

'Ready, Carlina?'

Carly turned from the mirror, smiling at her old friend. 'More than ready. I...still can't believe this day is finally here... I'm so scared, Soledad. This is too much like a wonderful dream!'

Soledad Moore held her hands, kissing her on both cheeks. 'It is real, my dear friend. You are about to become a bride, and your groom is waiting for you. The turbulent journey has ended, now you're about to embark on a new one; a journey filled with love, laughter and peace- three things you deserve. And I'm glad my husband and I are here to see you and Bo take your vows. You are truly meant to be together.'

Carly blinked back her tears, not wanting to mar her makeup. 'Yes. Just give me a second.'

'Of course.' Patting her cheek, Soledad left the room. Carly turned to look at the mirror again, running her hands over the elegantly embroidered Mayan huipil she had on; made of white hand woven cloth, more elaborate than the one she'd worn on her symbolic wedding. Her hair was styled in the native fashion and decorated with a tropical flower headdress by Soledad and her friends, a lace shawl round her shoulders. Round her neck was a strand of carved jade beads, matching bracelets on both wrists and dangling earrings in her ears. She and Bo were getting married in a traditional Mayan ceremony to be held at the foot of the ancient Kukulcán Pyramid, also known as El Castillo. Once she'd told Bo what she wanted, he'd insisted on them flying to México and driving down to Chichén Itzá from Cancun to see Professor Hank Moore and Soledad who were wild with joy on seeing them again and enthusiastically helped with the wedding arrangements. Soledad got some local women to make Carly's dress and prepare the food while the professor took them to meet the local Shaman in the area. After hearing their story, the old man, who luckily spoke excellent English besides his native tongue said he would be more than honoured to join them as Man and Wife; praising them for taking their spiritual connection from the symbolic wedding to heart and on his advice, Bo and Carly had performed the Mayan ritualistic cleansing a few days ago at one of the local spas. The ceremony was now about to begin; and Carly was nervous but very, very happy. In a few minutes, she was going to be Bo's wife; legally.

'You were right Izzy B,' she said softly. 'I have seen the depth of Bo's love and I know you'll be with us in spirit today.' Pausing, she continued more softly, 'And thank you Tony... for being there for me. You made me happy during the short time we had and I'll never forget that... or you. My destiny was written a long time ago and now... it's about to come to pass. I know Bo and I have your blessing... and you're happy for us.' Sniffling a little, she dabbed at her eyes. 'Goodbye... and thank you.'

Bracing herself, she went out to where Soledad and the women were waiting. 'I'm ready now.'

Smiling, they led her to the wedding venue.

::::::::::::

Bo adjusted the collar of his white Mexican shirt, anticipating Carly's arrival. Apart from Professor Moore who was his best man, there were several archaeology students dressed in white traditional outfits as well as the Shaman who was standing under the bamboo gazebo set up and his assistant priests.

'Nervous?' asked Hank.

'Are you kidding? I'm way too happy to be nervous; when Carly and I spilt up years ago, I never thought I'd ever see her again. But she came back to me... no, she was returned to me and I'm never, ever letting her go again.'

Hank smiled, patting his shoulder. 'You kids deserve this day. And I'm glad you chose to get married this way. Your symbolic wedding was one thing, but a real Mayan wedding ceremony is mystic and way deeper... your souls will be even more bound forever. But are you sure your family back home won't be mad that you're getting married without telling them?'

'They'll get over it in time.' Bo replied, firmly, feeling no guilt whatsoever. 'this is how we wanted to do it so they'll just have to respect that.'

'Well, Carly thinks the same way; so I guess they'll just have to. And I know you two will be very happy.'

Bo smiled warmly at his old friend. 'I'm gonna do my best to make her very happy. Every day of our lives.'

'She's coming.' Said one of the students suddenly. At the distance, Bo could see his princess coming; just like she'd arrived years back, led by Soledad and the women, breathtakingly beautiful in her wedding dress; her feet bare like his since the ancient ceremony emphasized the interaction with Mother Nature.

She smiled shyly as she reached him, green eyes radiant with love and happiness. 'I love you.' she mouthed as he took her hand, holding it tight.

'I love you too.' He mouthed back as they made their way to the altar under the gazebo; the priests playing evocative music from pre-Hispanic instruments and intonations of the sacred conch shell. The altar was made with flowers at four points with an arch and offerings on top; four candles lit on the arch. Four lit candles, representing the four cardinal points (north, south, east and west) stood on the four corners of the table and one unlit candle dedicated to man and god (Mother Earth and cosmos) at the center. Incense from the copal tree, wafted through the air.

Encircled by their witnesses; the ceremony began. As it was being conducted in Maya, the Shaman had explained the whole process to Bo and Carly a few days back, including his sermon. Lighting the centre candle, he spoke of love, forgiveness and new beginnings and the ancient Mayan ideologies concerning the union of husband and wife.

The Shaman then asked Bo in English, 'Do you take this woman as your wedded wife and spiritual partner; to be bound to her in body and soul forever?'

'Yes.' Bo replied, eyes fixed on Carly's face.

'And do you take this man as your wedded husband and spiritual partner; to be bound to him in body and soul together?'

'Yes.' Carly whispered.

The old man nodded. 'Give each other your promise in front of your witnesses here. The bride may proceed first.'

Carly cleared her throat then began, 'Every second, every hour of every day I love you more... with all my heart. Every time I see you, I tell myself there can never be another you, Bo. You are the great love of my life and I'm so happy we're getting married right here... our special place. I love you and I pray we have many more years together, loving each other as we do now. There's a poem which says: "Love is never easy, but it turns life into a song. There's no circumstance that love cannot transform." I never thought we would stand face to face like this; but love and fate decided otherwise. I promise to love and cherish you, to keep you close and with faithfulness, to be your prop and helpmate in times of need, to make you laugh and to hold you when you cry, to hold you to the highest respect and honour as you so deserve for the rest of my life.'

Bo gripped her hands, his brown eyes warm with love. 'Like I told you the night I asked you to marry me, I carry you in my heart, in my thoughts and in my soul every day and I always will, forever. You know my word of love to you is true because it comes straight from the heart you captured so many years ago when I was a broken, unhappy man who was bent on turning away from love. You are my light, my air, my everything. I love you so much, princess. I know that you are the only one for me, my one true love. I am happy and I am grateful that you came back into my life and I'm never letting you go. I promise to hold you, cherish you and give you my heart and always be by your side... your hand in mine, regardless of what life would bring to us.' Unable to help himself, he lifted her hands, kissing them.

The Shaman blessed the two white gold rings before handing one to Bo. Bo slid the ring on her finger, saying, 'With this token of love, I take you as my wife and spiritual partner.'

Carly received the slightly bigger ring and said, 'With this token of love, I take you as my husband and spiritual partner.' And slid it on Bo's finger with a trembling hand.

'You have made the sacred vows to each other and you are now forever connected. Great Father, Bless this marriage, as Bo and Carly begin their new journey down the road of life together. May earth and heaven mingle, May earth and heaven be one. All through your earthly journey until sets your earthly sun. In sunshine and in shadow…through dancing and in song, May heaven bless your union, throughout your whole life long. By the power vested in me; I pronounce you wedded. You may now kiss your wife.'

Carly couldn't believe they've finally done it. They were Man and Wife… at long, long last! Bo too was dazed, after all this time, he was married to Carly; legally and binding. My wife! he thought as he encircled Carly's waist and planted a long, passionate kiss on her which she returned, her arms locked round his neck. Everyone applauded loudly, laughing and cheering at the happy couple then began spraying them with colourful petals of different flowers.

The start of their new beginning.