19. Betty
19
BETTY
U nderneath the serious demeanor, Proslo was not only a big softie with a generous heart, but a bit of a scamp. All he’d told us was he’d had dinner reservations made and it was casual. Here I thought it would be someplace like the Hard Rock cafe, but no. It was only one of Guam’s most popular attractions - a freaking beach side dinner show that was like nothing I could have ever dreamed up.
“This is like one of those fancy luaus in Hawaii on steroids,” Aunt Lou said, watching Tahitian fire dancers appear after some of Guam’s own Chamorro warriors did a set.
“I can’t believe you got last minute VIP seats,” I told my mate. I didn’t even want to know how much that had set the Fleet back, especially when the host seating us mentioned they were Super VIP seats and confirmed he’d paid for meals as well, including lobster tail.
“It was very fortuitous,” he agreed. “Usually they are sold out quite early.”
“It’s no wonder, it is fabulous!” It truly was, too. The food was excellent and the interactive bits where they asked for people in the audience to come up and join them was as fun as the rest of it and was genuinely jaw dropping. I nearly fell out of my seat when Aunt Lou volunteered and got up to shake her hips along with some Tahitian dancers doing something called an Ori Tahiti that looked a lot like what I’d thought a Hawaiian hula did. They were different, however, and knowing from the Introduction to Fleet Life information packet I’d gotten and read, I could explore real hula myself if I so chose, thanks to there being actual hula classes available because of a cultural exchange program. In fact, it seemed that all of the Mylos attended them as part of their physical fitness regimen. I couldn’t wait to see my man in action.
By the time the show ended, we were tired and far too full. Thankfully the cab ride wasn’t terribly long and as I’d elected to wear a caftan it was a simple matter of taking off my chunky polished stone necklace, shucking off my sandals, and pulling it off over my head. I’d been rather naughty and not bothered with a bra and I was worn out enough to say screw it and go to bed in my ear studs and light make up.
We ordered room service for a late breakfast and I showered while we waited for it. After breakfast, Proslo went down to verify that our rings had been picked up the night before and were indeed locked in the hotel safe. Aunt Lou and I went to lounge by the pool and splashed about a bit. There’d be time for the beach later, after all, as we were going there this very afternoon to exchange vows. And wasn’t that something? Not even a week ago, I was sitting in court watching my barely-could-call-him-an-ex face justice for damaging my TV, coffee table, and a lamp, slapping me, kicking my poor cat, and yelling threats at police officers. Now here I was, about to train as a sort of supercharged RN, mated and living with a man straight out of a romance novel, enjoying a life of relative luxury. And we were about to have a destination wedding and honeymoon! As if that wasn’t enough, we were going to take the foster parents’ course and wait for a placement, as apparently, part of the matching process included a screening that gave us instant approval should we wish to foster and/or adopt. I felt as if I was now living a charmed existence. Everything I’d ever wanted out of life was within my grasp. All I had to do was reach out and take it.
But I wasn’t just a taker and that hit me particularly hard when we were standing on the beach in front of the officiant. I was a giver. It was what led me to adopt a rescue cat, to wish to give at least one child in the system love and a home, and even to choose the career I did. It was why I’d sought love from a partner so hard even though I’d struck out horribly until I marched into that Scholarship Center. Shielding my heart had never been a genuine option. I’d lost it piece by piece with every word, every gesture, every kiss from this man across from me.
“And now, they will say their vows to each other.”
Crap. We were supposed to have prepared something to say? Thankfully, he was looking at Proslo, who took my hand. I’d put on my engagement ring this morning and now he was going to say his piece and slide the wedding band on over it. My breath hitched as he looked deep into my eyes.
“As a Mylos, I have waited to find my perfect match, ever hopeful that I would be lucky to find you. The stars watched over us all as my people explored the known edges of our universe, coming across this little blue and green world by chance in this fairly empty quadrant. It was fate that your people were at a stage where we could treat with them, the design of something far beyond our comprehension evident as so many of my brothers found their mates. And then I was selected to come here and try my luck. Just how lucky I turned out to be was proven the day my kunnarskyn alerted me to your existence. I promise to never take you for granted. To cherish you always and to treat you as my equal in all things to do with our personal lives. To encourage you in your pursuit of joy, for you should always be filled with the same happiness that you continually fill me with. I will be yours now and until the universe itself is nothing but dust.” He slid the band over my knuckle.
I had tears running down my face now and I didn’t care, though I did spare a split second to be grateful that I’d worn waterproof mascara. I took his ring from Aunt Lou and sucked in a deep breath. I knew now what I had to say and it was simple, but filled with a deep meaning that he’d understand the full import of.
“I promise to always be your friend as well as your lover. I am trusting you with my heart, knowing you will keep it as safe as I will yours. Until the stars fall, we are united as one.” I slid his ring on and he closed his eyes to compose himself, his face showing he was just as overcome with emotion as I was.
“Atta girl,” Aunt Lou said, sniffling.
“You may now kiss to seal your union. Congratulations.”
We both laughed, Proslo opening his eyes to bend down. It wasn’t a chaste kiss by any means, but that was more than okay. I’d cash in the promise it made later.