Page 43 of Five Goodbyes

I carefully lower her back to the ground and take a step back. “You’re so beautiful,” I say, and she beams at me. She then moves over to a large mirror, and after a few seconds, bursts into laughter.

“What?” I ask as I slowly begin stripping out of my clothes. I really don’t want her family to know what just happened down here. We’re changing clothes, but still, we’re both most likely marked up.

“Beautiful?” she says as she faces me. It takes a moment to see past her halo, but then I laugh along with her. They spent hours on her hair, and now it’s sticking up all over the place. Her lipstick which hasn’t smudged all evening is smeared on her cheek, and the black mascara is running down her cheeks.

“Well, we can go up and tell everyone we’ve changed our minds and want to have a goth reception,” I suggest.

She begins pulling things from her hair, little glittering pieces falling to the table. When she gets to about the twentieth one, I look at her in confusion.

“How much stuff is in your hair?”

She laughs as she keeps pulling out pins. “Pain is beauty baby,” she tells me with a wink. By the time she’s done I think a hundred pins have come out. Her hair is still a mess. She grabs a rubber band and twists and turns it, and then, just like that, her hair is on the back of her head in some messy contraption that looks like she spent hours making it look that way. “Perfect,” she says.

She grabs a cloth and within seconds her makeup is fixed as well. She doesn’t look any worse for the wear. Me, on the other hand, looks like I just ravaged my bride. I move to the sink and throw my head under the water, then brush my hair back. I scrub off the lipstick, but there’s nothing I can do about the bite hickie on my neck.

We quickly change clothes, kiss a little more, and then finally we’re ready to join our friends and family again. I take her hand in mine as we follow the sound of laughter back to the party. I can’t wait to have her all alone as my wife . . . for the rest of all time.

Chapter Fifteen

We step out of our stateroom, my heart pounding, and my legs wobbly, but I still paste a broad smile across my lips. The soft, golden glow of the ship’s lighting casts a warm and inviting ambiance as Jasmine walks beside me, her radiant smile illuminating the yacht’s hallways like a beacon.

The air between us is electric, and dances with the melodious beat of lively music, blending harmoniously with the laughter and joyful chatter of our loved ones above us. It’s as if the very atmosphere itself celebrates our enduring union, creating a symphony of joy that resonates deep within our souls.

“We’ve done it, Hunter,” Jasmine says, her voice brimming with happiness. Her eyes sparkle with a mixture of satisfaction and affection. “Can you believe it? We’re married.”

A surge of elation courses through me as I intertwine my fingers with hers, cherishing the profound connection between us. “I’ve never been this happy in my life, Jasmine. Today marks day one in our new journey together.” I don’t know why I’ve become so sappy, but for some reason it’s what I’ve become over the last few months leading up to this moment.

As we gracefully tread through the exquisitely adorned halls, the vibrant energy of the celebration encases us with an air of blissful appreciation. The aromatic symphony of freshly cut flowers mingles with the gentle breeze, infusing the surroundings with a fragrant tapestry that dances playfully with our senses. The cooking of delectable delicacies lingers just long enough for our mouths to begin watering, a testament to the culinary artistry that accompanies our celebration.

“I had no idea how hungry I am until right now,” I say as a waft of grilled meat hits.

“You just burnt up a bunch of calories,” Jasmine teases as she squeezes my fingers.

“That I did. I plan on burning a lot more later as well.”

“I can think of a few exercises that can help with that.”

“That’s certainly the truth.” I say as I smile. I lean down and give her a quick kiss before we keep walking.

Our playful banter continues, and laughter from above rolls down to us. We soak in the warmth of the celebration, appreciating the collective happiness that embraces us, adding vibrant hues to the tapestry of our ever growing story.

We approach the steps leading to the top deck of the yacht. Before we step up, I pause, pulling Jasmine back with my arms around her. A breathtaking view unfolds before our eyes, an expansive canvas of the endless sea stretching out as far as the eye can see. The sun casts its golden glow upon the gentle waves, creating a mesmerizing vista that invites us to pause and revel in the beauty of it all.

Jasmine leans closer, her voice soft with awe. “Hunter, this view is magical. It’s as if the universe itself is giving us a wedding gift, painting the sky and sea with colors that mirror the depth of our love.”

I take a moment to drink in the splendor before replying, my voice filled with gratitude. “You're right, Jasmine. I’m so in love with you that words can’t properly express the emotion. Many say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, this beauty before us is a reminder of that very notion. I’ll cherish each step of the journey we take together, and I hope to always take moments like these and appreciate them.”

The world around us fades as we gaze into each other’s eyes. The gentle breeze caresses our skin and keeping us in our own personal bubble. The distant sound of laughter and music mingles with the rhythmic symphony of the waves, creating a soothing soundtrack for the moment that seems to have been created just for us.

Right here, right now, surrounded by the vastness of the sea and the boundless love between us, we know we can conquer the world together. Our journey will continue to be filled with adventure, challenge, and endless tales of craziness.

Jasmine sighs as she stands tall. “I don’t know how this night can get any better, but I have a feeling each moment will be better than the last. Let’s head up and eat, dance, and make everyone jealous of how amazing we look together.”

“I do love making people jealous. It becomes much easier with you by my side.”

“Of course it does. No one’s looking at you today anyway since a wedding is all about the princess,” Jasmine teases as she does a little spin before she turns and makes her way up the stairs. Without looking behind her, she throws out her arm to me, indicating that she wants me to take her hand. I readily oblige. Jasmine is the furthest thing from a princess.

She might’ve been born with a platinum spoon in her mouth, but she works harder than most men I know. She might love the luxuries in life, but I’ve seen her play in the mud. She’s a total package, and her confidence in herself is one of the biggest turn-ons about her. Damn, I’m a lucky man.

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