CHAPTER 11

A week later after being released from the medical facility with a clean bill of health, Jeremy and Candy find themselves going home to Seattle on the Shamus O'Flynn. On their second night at sea, Jeremy asks, "Candy, didn't you say you had planned something special for when I was able to go back home? I've been waiting patiently."

Candy takes his arm, and snuggles as close as she can get. "I did and I do. Jeremy, let's go for a walk."

They walk to where they first met while Candy was hanging out clothes after they left from New Bedford years ago. "You know, this spot will always be my favorite place on this old tub," Candy says.

Jeremy laughs. "You better not let Clancey hear you say that. He doesn't like for anyone to call his ship a boat, let alone an old tub."

"You're right. My apologies to the Captain," she giggles. "Jeremy, do you remember our talk we had up here?"

"Yes, I do. Maybe not word for word, but pretty close to it."

"So do I." She parts from him.

Candy: "Hello."

Jeremy: "Hey," he pauses, then swaggers and leans on a pole. "I said hey."

Candy: "That doesn't call for a comment, does it?"

Jeremy: "You been washin', huh?"

Candy: "That's right. Would you hand me that corset?"

Jeremy: Looking embarrassed, "C-Corset?"

Candy: "Corset, yes. Don't you know what a corset is?" She pretends to hold up a corset. "Corset."

Then he grabs her to keep her from falling as the ship does a pretend roll. They quickly part.

Jeremy: "Do g-girls really wear that?"

Candy: "Of course, they do."

Jeremy: "Why?"

Candy: "So they won't wiggle." She gives a big smile.

Jeremy: "D-Don't you, uh, c-care if you know, people see you hang that up here?"

Candy: "They know I wear it, why shouldn't they know I wash it?"

Jeremy: "That's right. To hell with em'. Oh, excuse me, I'm sorry."

Candy: "No, you're right. To hell with them."

Jeremy: "I s-s-s-s-stutter."

Candy: "I bite my nails." She holds her hand out to show him her nails.

Jeremy: He snickers. "Well, you'd better quit that. You bite too hard you'll bleed to death."

Candy: Giggles. "You stutter too much, you'll choke."

Jeremy grabs her again as the ship does another pretend roll. This time he doesn't let go.

"Candy, can you believe we were ever that young and naive?"

"I know, but we were. Just look at where we are now," she answers.

"That day was the happiest day of my life. I fell in love with the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen."

"It was my happiest day, too. I fell in love with my Prince Charming. Instead of you riding in on a white horse, you were on an old mule boat. But I wouldn't change it for the world."

"Me either," he whispers before he places his hungry lips on hers. "Oh, Candy, I love you."

"I love you, too." They continue to kiss.

"Jeremy, I have something important to tell you."

"All right, I'm listening." He stands up straight and gives her his undivided attention.

Candy licks her lips. "Well, remember when I wasn't feeling good and you kind of tricked me into going to see Allyn?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have but I knew you wouldn't go, otherwise. Right?"

"Yes, you're right. Anyways, afterwards I went over to the cabin to tell you about my visit, but I overheard you and Jason talking about Lisa and I jumped to conclusions. Then when you told me what was happening, all I could think about was you."

"Candy, did Allyn find something wrong with you? Are you sick? You should have told me. . ."

"Jeremy, shush! Allyn did find something. I'm glad I can tell you here in our special place."

"Well, tell me! Don't keep me wondering any longer! What's wrong?"

Candy places her arms around his neck. "I love you, Jeremy Bolt. You have made me so happy."

"Candy!"

"Jeremy, we're going to have a baby."

"W-what? Did you say a baby?"

She nods her head. "Yes, I did."

Jeremy wraps his arms tightly around her and cries. "I-I- I can't believe it. A baby! We're going to have a baby? Candy, you should have told me sooner. Why didn't you?"

"Because I wanted all our energy focused on getting you well. I needed you well. We needed you well."

"Does anyone else know?"

"I haven't told anyone. Only you and I and of course, Allyn knows. Won't everyone be surprised?"

"That's an understatement," Jeremy laughs.

"Jeremy? Let's go back to our cabin and celebrate. Just the two of us."

"You mean just the three of us."

"Yes, that's what I mean. The three of us."

They stare into each others eyes and say at the same time, "Together Forever."