Part 75
"Man, what if I drop her?"
"Then she gets wet. Nick, would you stop it already?" Howie was at his wits end. They'd all been gathered on the beach for the past half-hour, awaiting the arrival of the boat that carried Becca and Sarah. Nick was obsessing and the rest of the guys had the good sense to walk away and pretend to be busy with their own girls.
"We shoulda done this in Bec's church," Nick mumbled, pacing back and forth with a frown.
"You know, I'd kill you where you stand, but then Becca would be a widow and Sarah would never forgive me for leaving our niece or nephew fatherless."
That finally seemed to get through to Nick and he laughed at the absurdity of it all. "Sorry."
"Obsess much, Nick?" Howie smiled, putting his arm around Nick and hugging him. Damn, he could hardly believe the *little brother* was getting married. And having a baby, too. It was mind-boggling, but so far the day had gone off without a hitch. Now if Nick could just get Becca from the dinghy to the beach without dropping her in the water, life would be perfect.
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Becca was below decks adding the final touches to her makeup when Sarah joined her. Nothing was said, but Sarah knew from years of experience that something was still on her mind. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Sure," she answered, but something in her tone didn't ring true.
"You're not having second thoughts are you?"
"No. Maybe. Its just-" She sighed heavily.
"Becca, I know I said some pretty harsh things the other day and I’m really sorry."
"I don't want to lose you, Sarah. I don’t want to lose US."
"It'll never happen, Bec, but Howie was right. We HAVE changed, but look how much better it is! If we'd stayed where we were for all those years, then that would mean that I wouldn't be with Howie and you'd have never met Nick."
Becca shuddered. "I love him so much," she whispered. "I can't even begin to think about my life without him there."
"Then that's your answer. You have your whole life ahead of you, Bec. The next chapter is about to begin but you have to make the first move. You've come so far and now it's time to step out with some of that faith you've preached to me about for years."
"I'm doing the right thing?" she asked, still needing her best friend's approval after all this time.
"It's time to trust yourself, Becca. And it's time to be happy. We all need *happy* in our lives." Sarah looked solemnly at Becca, and then suddenly smiled. "Let's go get you married."
The boat rocked gently as the shallow waves lapped at the hull. Somehow they managed to get the bridal party to shore without capsizing the dinghy, and before they knew it the ceremony was ready to begin. There was not a lot of formality, seeing as how Nick had to help Becca to shore to keep her dress dry, but it was beautiful nonetheless.
Whereas Sarah's wedding had been hugely formal, this smaller, serene setting was perfect for Nick and Becca. Beneath the shade of waving palm trees, Nick and Becca stood side by side, their hands joined, as Sarah and Howie helped complete the circle. The tropical breezes rustled through the trees as crystal blue waves dashed against the shoreline.
Nick was dressed in an off-white suit, the jacket casually open, no tie and no shoes. Glancing downward to the sand, Becca restrained a giggle at the sight of his toes peeking out beneath the hem of his pants. He caught her eye and grinned, shrugging his shoulders as if to say, "so?" and then mouthing the words "I love you."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she turned her attention to the pastor. Nick carefully looked her over, wishing he could freeze this moment forever. In the time since her return from Denver, Becca's skin had taken on a rosy glow and a peace had settled over her that seemed impenetrable. Her hair flowed about her shoulders, a simple garland of baby's breath resting at the crown, and in her hand she held a simple bouquet of wildflowers and sea oats. In spite of her condition, she wore white, a symbol, she said, of the purity of their love. Like Nick, her feet were also bare, her toes curling in the warm sand.
Nick's attention was drawn back to the ceremony as Howie's elbow made gentle contact with his ribs. Even the sound of the breeze and the surf couldn't mask the muffled laughter from the rest of their friends.
The pastor smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "Shall we?" he asked, looking to Nick and Becca for the sign to begin. "Friends, we are gathered here in the beauty of this place, to join our friends in marriage and to consecrate the family that God has already seen fit to create. Who gives this woman in marriage?"