Part 76

Becca looked around with a start, this wasn't part of the original plan. They had decided to omit this part because Becca's father was not here to do the honors.

"I do," Sarah said. Stepping forward, she took Becca's flowers from her, took her right and placed it in Nick's. As she turned back toward Howie, Sarah's eyes met Becca's and both were full of tears. "Be happy, Bec," she whispered. "Nick, take care of her." The implied 'or else' was not missed by anyone present, and Nick grinned at her, kissing her cheek.

"The bond of marriage is a lifelong commitment, requiring the prayerful attention of both husband and wife. As you pledge your lives, one to the other in the sight of God, so also the church requires that you pledge your faith in the sight of all those gathered here. It is a right and beautiful thing to express your love in the exchange of vows and the giving and exchanging of rings." Nodding at Becca, he signaled that it was time for her vows.

"Nick," Becca began and her voice cracked. Closing her eyes tightly, she breathed deeply as Nick took her hand and squeezed it. She looked up into his eyes as she spoke. "You complete me. You are the air that I breathe; you are necessary for me to live. Without you, I merely exist. I love you for who you are and what you bring to me. Someone asked me why I was here today ... It's because I love you with all my heart and cannot conceive of ever being apart from you again." Looking down at the swell of her tummy, she continued. "We created something beautiful from our love, and from today and for the rest of my days, I will be grateful for having you in my life. I promise to never take another day for granted and to spend the rest of my life loving you."

"Wow," Nick breathed. Clearing his throat, he spoke with deep conviction. "Becca, I've never before known the kind of unconditional love that you give me. You love me in spite of myself, you have shown that you would sacrifice everything for me and that humbles me. By becoming my wife, you give me two of the greatest gifts I could ever hope to have: you and our child. I promise to stand beside you forever, through whatever comes our way, to do all in my power to keep you safe and to love you always."

"Beloved, the wedding ring is an outward and visible sign of the love Nick and Becca have for each other. It is a circle without end, as their love for each other also has no end. By the giving and receiving of rings, they declare to the world their intent to live and love together as husband and wife." The minister took the rings from Howie and Sarah, said a brief prayer and watched as Nick and Becca placed them on each other's fingers. "Nick and Becca have accepted the challenge to live a blessed life, raising their children and growing old together in the sight of God. It is my pleasure to affirm that they are indeed, husband and wife."

The small gathering broke into applause as the newly married couple gazed deeply into each other's eyes. Becca smiled softly as a single tear fell and rolled down Nick's face, and she brushed it away tenderly.

"No more tears, Nicky."

"I love you, Bec," he whispered, smiling broadly. Their eyes locked and held as he slowly tipped his head forward and kissed his wife.

Sarah sniffled and Howie stepped closer, wrapping his arm around her waist. He kissed her forehead, remembering their own ceremony such a short time ago. "You ready?" he whispered.

"Sure," she replied.

"Nick, Bec," Howie interrupted, or *tried* to interrupt. He laughed and shook his head when Nick ignored him and continued to kiss Becca.

"HEY YOU TWO!" Sarah called, cracking everyone else up, including Nick and Bec.

"What?!" Nick answered, "Knock it off, I was kissing my wife." Then he did a double take. "Damn, my *wife*…" he whispered, looking back at Becca. "Oh, sorry pastor," he said grinning in embarrassment.

"As I was trying to say," Howie said emphatically, "Sarah and I have something we'd like to share with you."

"Becca, when you were gone, Nick helped me so much and I'll never forget what he did to make Valentine's Day so special. I know he missed you terribly, but he threw all his heart and soul into making it better for D and me. You missed Valentine's Day, so we wanted to make it up to you."

"If you'll follow us up over the dune, we have something we want you to see." Howie and Sarah led the way as Nick and Becca and the rest of the small gathering followed them up through the tall grass to look down on the beach below. There, drawn in the sand on the other side of the tiny island, was a huge heart. Inside the heart were the words 'Nick & Becca 4-ever'.

"You didn't get any valentines this year, so we thought this might help. We hope every day is Valentine's Day for the rest of your lives," Sarah said. Howie nodded at Kevin who pushed the button on the small boom box he was carrying.

The soft sounds of the piano were carried aloft by the wind and Sarah began to sing.

"If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you

And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine"

Howie picked up the melody, singing straight from his heart, right to Nick and Bec.

"All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes
And showed me how to love unselfishly

I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
But in my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time...
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine"

As the music swelled to completion, their voices joined together in harmony.

And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
'Cause all I need is you, my Valentine
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine."

As the music faded away, Nick took Becca in his arms once again and there wasn't a dry eye as they kissed. They had been through so much and against all possible odds were together again, forever. The enormity of what they'd done seemed to sink into both of them at once and they pulled apart and laughed. Neither could remember when they'd ever been this happy.

"Thank you all," Nick said, turning to their guests. "Your love and support is what got us here today. We might have made it anyway, but it was sure a lot easier with you guys behind us."

"I love you all," Becca continued. "You could have turned Nick against me when I left, but you didn't. You chose to be there for him and to pray for us. I can never repay you for what you've given us and we'll always be grateful."

"Welcome to the family, Becca," Kevin said, coming forward to offer his congratulations. "Bec, I-"

"Don't, Kevin. We've already been over this once. We all make mistakes. I know that better than anyone." She hugged him. "But remember, if you do it again," she whispered in his ear, "I'll kick your butt."

He stepped back and laughed in surprise.

"What?" Nick asked.

"Nothing, Kaos, just getting some very good advice from your bride."

"Come on, ya'll," said Brian, "we have enough food back on the boat to feed an army."

Part 77                  The Dance Index