They decided not to make a fuss.

She didn’t walk down any aisle. He didn’t turn and watch with pride as she made her way toward him. At their age, it seemed more appropriate to start off side by side and simply face the minister who would pronounce them man and wife.

Her dress was simple, white, and elegant.

He wore a dark suit and a conservative tie.

On a whim he’d stopped and bought white roses for her to carry. She’d smiled, pleased at the sweetness of the gesture, and made him stand still while she pinned one on his lapel.

The journey that brought them to this point hadn’t been the stuff of fairy tales. True love hadn’t run smooth. In fact, they both, at one time or another, had doubted that they would ever be more than friends.

Well, that wasn’t exactly accurate.

Almost from the beginning they’d been something more than mere partners. And both, at one time or another, had hoped for even more. But coming to terms with what they were to each other had driven them apart as often as it had brought them back together.

They wrote Eternity on that bridge in lights on New Year’s Eve.
Is that how long we’re gonna wait?

He can’t get past this thing with us.
Maybe that’s because we can’t get past it.

Do you believe in fate?
Well, it put us together, sort of.

Sort of.

One part loyalty, two parts friendship, how many parts love? Their bond was complicated, undeniable, and in the end, unbreakable. They would risk their lives for each other in a heartbeat, but it took a different kind of courage for them to finally risk their hearts one last time.

What are you proposing? And that’s not a Freudian slip.
I’m proposing. Let’s get married.

They should have been astonished at the idea. They’d been taking turns pushing each other away for months, but as soon as the words were spoken a serenity settled over them, and like a balm for their broken hearts, they found out that love, when it’s acknowledged, really does have the power to heal.

“We are gathered together in the sight of these friends and these witnesses to join these two people in holy matrimony.”

He reached for her hand as the preacher began to speak. She grabbed on and didn’t let go.

Nearly everyone they cared about in the world was there, and many were of the opinion that the marriage was long overdue. But Harm and Mac had decided not to dwell on lost time and opportunities. This place, at this moment, they decided, was exactly where they were supposed to be.

And they didn’t write any vows to declare their unwavering devotion to each other in the way that had become so popular. Sure, he could have written some eloquent summation about how it felt to finally make her his wife. She could have testified to what having him in her life meant and had always meant, but they both agreed to let the traditional vows speak for them.

I have so much I want to say to you, but I can’t find the words.
I know.

“Do you take this woman to be your wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”

As the customary question was asked he turned to look at her, and maybe for the first time in his life, really heard the marriage vow as it was spoken. Take this woman—the enormous meaning of it hit him like a wave, and his eyes locked with hers as he found the anchor he was searching for in the depth of her gaze.

We’re talking about Mac, Admiral.
What are you willing to risk to keep her?

Do you love her? Yes.

Nothing’s changed, Mac. I’m still here.

Mac, I don’t think I will ever feel about anyone else the way that I feel about you.

He smiled and stated with quiet certainty, “I do.”

“Do you take this man to be your husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”

Hearing Harm’s solemn vow was almost her undoing. Her heart was too full, and she struggled to remain composed. He squeezed her hand, and she realized the relief of belonging to this man at last.

He’s the best partner I’ve ever had and could ever hope to have. He respects
me, trusts me, and it’s mutual.

I’m in love with him.

I’ve thought a lot about the kind of man I’d want to be the father of my children if I ever… Commander Rabb is that kind of man.

Do you believe he will ever abandon you? No.
Regardless of your choices, isn’t Harm the one you’ve always intended to be with?

She returned his gaze without wavering and answered in kind, “I do.”

Plain gold bands were blessed and exchanged—promises of ever after—promises of their ‘spoken’ desires.

We’ll go halves on a kid.
Don’t make a promise you can’t keep.
I haven’t yet.

What I want most is to never lose you.
I promise, no matter what happens you’ll never lose me.

“I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Mac, I don’t know where this is gonna lead.
All the more reason for me to come.

Take care, Marine.
You too, Sailor.

Mac, you have someone who’ll always love you.
And you have someone who loves you.

Will you always be there?
Yes.

Old pledges gave way to new ones and soon there was only one thing left to do.

“You may kiss the bride.”

So, he did.

He meant to keep it short and sweet—a proper public display of affection—but as he leaned down toward his new wife he changed his mind. He was too happy to hold back. He gathered her into his arms and laid one on her—showing the world once and for all how he felt about her. She responded with equal abandon, winding her arms around his neck and pulling him as close as possible, raising a few eyebrows among the men and leaving the women in the audience breathless.

They broke apart to applause and laughter and were soon swept away from each other as they were surrounded and hugged and kissed and congratulated by all the well wishers.

There was a cake. Harriet insisted. They found their way back together in time to cut it. And then there was dancing. Harriet insisted on that, too. They danced a nice slow dance, and then she helped them say their goodbyes and slip away without a fuss. At least not much of one.

Sturgis and Bud hadn’t been able to resist putting a ‘Just Married’ sign and tin cans on the back of Harm’s bumper. Someone handed out bubbles and they floated and popped all around them as they jumped into his car to make their escape.

Vows had been spoken. They were now man and wife. Promises had been made and sealed with a kiss.

Maybe it wasn’t the stuff of fairy tales, but as they drove off into the sunset, once upon a time seemed like a pretty good beginning for the rest of their life.
 

The End

Copyright © 2005 Legacies Archive  - Site owner Pixie