“I do,” Dad replies. His voice cracks slightly. I turn to say goodbye to him. He hugs me close and kisses my cheek before carefully placing my hand in Bastian's.
“Take care of her,” Dad says quietly.
“Always and forever,” Bastian assures him. Dad smiles at us both and then steps back to join the small crowd gathered on the beach.
The world fades away as I look into Bastian's eyes. The words come easily. I've already made the promise to love him forever. I made that promise a long time ago without ever having to say the words out loud.
The sun starts to rise. Yellow gold light spills across the ocean, starting our new life together with the dawn. Bastian's eyes sparkle with joy and his scars seem to fade into the light.
“Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.” Bastian's voice is calm and controlled, but his hands are shaking in mine.
“Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.” I don't falter. I don't have to think. I want Bastian to be mine forever. I want to be his forever.
I promise my heart and soul to him as Bastian promises his to me. I hear someone sniffle. Charlotte is using the tissues she is supposed to be holding for me. There are more words and more promises, but the meaning is all the same.
I love him. He loves me.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife!”
A cheer goes up from the small crowd on the beach. A bright pink cloud slips in front of the sun and allows a single ray of perfect golden sun to shine on just the two of us. It's our own personal dawn as Bastian cups my chin in his hand and draws me to him. The kiss is sweet, but with just enough heat to promise more later.
The sun is now up, making the world sparkle with color and promise. The ocean is bluer now, and the sand whiter. This is the dawn of a new day and the start of our new life together.
Bastian squeezes my hand tighter in his and I can't stop smiling. My face already hurts from smiling so hard, but I know I won't be able to stop. I don't want to stop. I'm happier than I ever could have imagined.
Bastian leans forward and kisses me again. This time it is just for the two of us, a sunrise kiss that promises a lifetime of joy. I kiss him back, knowing that we have a lifetime of sunrise kisses before us.
Thanks again!