Chapter 42
JOLAR
There was an arch on the lido deck, close to the railing.
Behind the captain, the sea sparkled under the summer sun, a seemingly endless blue against a lighter blue sky filled with the occasional fluffy white cloud.
If I looked closely, I could make out a large, dark shape under the water not too far from the ship, probably a whale.
I knew Earth waters did not hold predators of that size or larger, not anymore, unlike some of the worlds my people know, so I did not say anything.
Especially as I knew only another Mylos would have eyes sharp enough to see it unaided, and even more particularly, because now was the time for saying other more important things.
When we’d decided to buy the cruise package which included this ceremony, Mitch had at first been torn.
He’d had his heart set on getting to browse local artisan shops on Kaua’i and choosing our rings there.
I’d suggested we exchange bracelets here aboard ship instead, which he readily agreed to.
We added Neal to the ceremony then, with Neal also getting a bracelet.
Mitch didn’t know it yet, but our son was also giving him one in exchange, and instead of us later sitting on the beach privately exchanging the rings we would buy, I’d booked something called an elopement package, where we would say vows once more.
I was going to marry this man so much, there’d never be any doubt that he was mine and I was his.
The pool was closed for the ceremony, which admittedly would only take a few minutes.
Then it would open with only this small section of the deck closed off until staff cleared the arch away.
Throngs of people, both human and Mylos, in both swimwear and casual clothes were crowded about the deck, excited to get to see us ‘tie the knot’.
Beside me, Mitch looked radiant in a white linen suit and a light aquamarine tie that made his eye color really stand out.
Between us, Neal wore a similar outfit, only with a clip on bow tie and his suit had shorts which came to just above his knee.
Both males wore woven white leather shoes without socks.
Altogether they were a stark contrast to me in my dress uniform.
Form fitting, supple leather trousers of pale gray with short, black boots paired with my black and gray sash across my torso.
A black leather belt hung at my waist, a holster on one side holding my blaster on one hip and my other, the scabbard for my sword.
Mitch’s eyes had nearly bugged out when he saw me, unaware that the weapons had been brought down from the ship and safely stored in a weapons locker in the purser’s office.
Neal had giggled, telling his Papa he was being silly because of course Daddy had weapons as he was a warrior and a policeman.
I’d reassured my mate that the sword was kept in a hidden, bio locked locker in our bedroom, while my blaster resided in the armory.
Neither anywhere our son could get his curious hands on them.
Neal would begin training with a sword after his next birthday, but that was a conversation for another day.
The captain cleared his throat, breaking the gaze Mitch and I had been lost in.
“All who are gathered here, we are present to witness the promises made between these two mates and their son.
He turned to my mate. “Do you Mitchell, reaffirm your commitment to Jolar? To be with him at his side through happy times and calamity alike? To embrace all that is Mylos and be as one within the endless embrace of the stars?”
“I do,” he breathed, the tip of his nose reddening as tiny tears pricked the corner of his eyes.
Captain Munford turned his attention to me. “And do you, Jolar, reaffirm your commitment to Mitchell? To be with him at his side through happy times and calamity alike? To embrace all that is human as well as Mylos and be as one within the endless embrace of the stars?”
“I do,” I said around the sudden lump in my throat.
He glanced down at Neal, who was wriggling excitedly, trying his best to remain still and failing adorably.
“Your Papa’s bracelet now please.”
Neal nodded excitedly, holding the pillow he held up in the air.
I plucked Mitch’s bracelet from it, taking a split second to admire the silver band with our names and the year engraved upon it in delicate script.
The onboard jeweler had done a fantastic job.
I squeezed the clasp open and Mitch held out his arm.
“Now repeat after me. I, Jolar, give this bracelet as a token of my eternal devotion.”
“ I, Jolar, give this bracelet as a token of my eternal devotion,” I said, placing it around his right wrist and snapping it closed. Mitches eyes were now shining wetly and his other hand flew up to his face as a small sob tore from his throat.
He swiped at his eyes and sniffed as several “awws” came from the assembled crowd.
“Sorry. I’m just so happy right now it got to me.”
He took my bracelet from the pillow and I held my right wrist up. We’d chosen that side so as to not match and not block my kunnarskyn on my other side.
“Ready?” the captain asked him and he nodded, placing the bracelet around my wrist. “Then repeat after me. I, Mitchell, give this bracelet as a token of my eternal devotion.”
“I, Mitchell, give this bracelet as a token of my eternal devotion.” he snapped the bracelet closed.
The captain reached into his pocket and placed another bracelet on the pillow, joining Neal’s smaller one. He nodded at Neal, who reached for Mitch’s right hand. Mitch looked puzzled for a moment, then understanding flooded his face. Neal was giving him one as well as a surprise.
“Just say what’s in your heart, dear boy,” the captain told our son.
Neal nodded, then dropped Mitch’s hand to pick up the already unfastened bracelet.
“I was scared and then the lady brought me to Daddy and I gots real happy. Then you came and I got scareded again because I thoughts you might hate me. But Daddy was right and you are my best Papa. I love you, Papa, and me and Stitch and Molly and Jake and Morris are super duper glad that you and Daddy are mates and gots married and you’re gonna be our Papa forever and ever. ”
I reached over and helped him snap the bracket closed. Tears were now streaming down both mine and Mitch’s faces and I could hear sniffles among the crowd.
Mitch picked up Neal’s smaller bracelet, clicking it open.
“I never dreamed I’d actually have a real family.
Then I went to apply for my scholarship and found out that not only did I have a soul mate waiting for me among the stars, but the most perfect, beautiful son.
I am the luckiest man in the universe and I’m honored to get to be your Papa. You are our greatest treasure.”
“And Stitch, and Molly, and Morris, and Jake’s Papa too,” Neal insisted. A small laugh rippled from the observers.
“Yes, theirs too,” Mitch agreed solemnly, fastening the bracelet.
“And I’s not beautiful. I’s handsome.”
Mitch laughed, scooping him up onto one hip before kissing his cheek soundly. Neal looked mildly disgusted but didn’t attempt to wipe off the kiss.
“Yes, by all means, seal the deal with a kiss. I pronounce you mated and bound as family!” The captain chuckled.
I leaned in and kissed our son’s cheek before turning my head and capturing Mitch’s lips.
“That’s enough, Daddy!” Neal protested, pushing us apart. “You kiss too much!” He wriggled to get down and Mitch placed him on the floor. A member of staff hurried over to take the pillow from him and another ushered us towards the nearest dining room, where today’s buffet awaited.
“Cans we go swimming after? You promised we’d go swimming today,” Neal reminded his papa.
“Let’s eat, and then we’ll go back to the room and change into our swimming stuff.”
“Yay!” Neal cheered.
I felt like cheering too, but for an entirely different reason.