Chapter 4

The day had finally come.

The church sat on an open field with an ocean view. There were no solid walls, only thick poles holding up a thatched roof over a few rows of seats. Wild orchids of every color surrounded the church and filled the area with the scent of the fragrant flowers on the soft ocean breeze.

The groom nervously smiled at his parents as he and Skipper stepped into place. He looked toward the back of the church and saw Gilligan hold out his arm for Mrs. Howell to be escorted to the front pew.

Skipper glanced over at the groom. "Don't forget you need to breath."

The professor let out a breath that he hadn't noticed that he had been holding.

"Scared professor?"

"Terrified."

Skipper chuckled. "You'll be fine. Mary Ann is a great gal."

"She is wonderful. Marrying her is the smartest decision I've ever made."

Ginger appeared, radiant as ever. Skipper couldn't take his eyes off her as she moved down the aisle.

The professor whispered to Skipper. "Why don't you let her know how you feel?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"I know what love looks like Skipper and you have loved Ginger ever since we were shipwrecked on that island," the professor said.

"Look at her and look at me. I'm just an old sea captain and she, well she's the most beautiful woman in the world."

"There's more to her than her looks. She grew as a person while we were on the island, we all did. She trusts you, you kept her safe all those years. You also become very good friends and she doesn't feel she has to be the movie star with you. Friendship can grow into something else, look at me and Mary Ann."

"I don't know..." Skipper trailed off.

"You won't know unless you try," the professor encouraged.

Taking her place as the maid of honor Ginger's eyes slid over to Skipper. Smirking she gave him a wink.

The music changed. The sound of "Trumpet Tune and Air" filled the air.

"Ready my dear?" Mr. Howell held his arm out to Mary Ann. She took a deep breath and nodded.

Mr. Howell stepped into view with Mary Ann. The professor's breath caught. He always felt that Mary Ann was the most beautiful woman in the world, but today her beauty was beyond words.

Skipper leaned toward the professor and chuckled. "Close your mouth professor but remember to breathe."

The professor locked eyes with Mary Ann, never looking away as she glided toward him.

She was dressed in white satin and lace. A modest dress, but it showed off her figure to perfection. Around her neck was the necklace the professor had made from the eye of the idol. On her ears, hung diamond earrings in the shape of a starburst. Another gift from her soon-to-be husband. Her hair gently fell over her shoulders in soft waves. No pigtails today. She didn't wear a veil but had placed blue flowers in her hair. The same blue flowers that made up the bouquet she carried. Mary Ann chose blue because they reminded her of Roy's beautiful blue eyes.

Once at the altar, Mr. Howell kissed Mary Ann's cheek, "You look radiant my dear. Lovey and I couldn't be more proud of you." He then placed her hand gently into the professor's. "I know you'll take good care of her."

"Forever," the professor promised.

Mr. Howell sat on the front pew, placed his arm around his wife's shoulders, and gently squeezed her as she dabbed her tearful eyes.

"Thurston, our little girl has grown up."

"Dearly beloved..."

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"Mary Ann you made the most radiant bride," Mrs. Howell said as they enjoyed a small reception. "Your husband must agree since he can't take his eyes off you."

"I must say, I've only seen one bride more beautiful than you and that was this gorgeous creature," Mr. Howell said as he kissed Mrs. Howell's cheek.

"Oh, Thurston."

"I want to thank you both for giving us such a beautiful wedding," Mary Ann said. "But mostly I want to thank you for standing in for my parents. It meant the world to me."

"It was our pleasure, Mary Ann," Mr. Howell beamed.

"It was a lovely wedding," Mrs. Howell said.

"I couldn't imagine a more perfect wedding."

"Who knows, maybe we'll have another wedding soon." Mrs. Howell said as she watched the Skipper and Ginger dance by.

"Now Lovey, none of your matchmaking schemes," Mr. Howell cautioned.

"Of course not Thurston." Mrs. Howell winked at Mary Ann.

"You never know what will happen," Mary Ann said.

The professor placed his arm around Mary Ann's waist.

Mr. Howell gestured to the professor. "I believe the bridegroom is getting impatient and has come to take you away."

"How right you are," the professor agreed. "Mr. and Mrs. Howell I can't thank you enough for such a wonderful wedding. Mrs. Howell, I can't believe what you were able to accomplish in such a small window of time. But I think it's time we leave this lovely party and say goodnight." He lifted Mary Ann into his arms and walked toward the limousine.

They both laughed as the rest of the castaways threw rice and called out good wishes to them. Once the limousine door was closed, the professor took Mary Ann into his arms and gave her a passionate kiss. "I've been waiting all day to do that. I love you, Mary Ann."

"I love you too, Roy. This is the happiest day of my life."