Ward
The Golden Gate Bridge disappeared behind us one slow mile at a time.
I stood at the rail watching San Francisco grow smaller.
Storm joined me.
"You've never sailed the Pacific before."
It wasn't a question.
I smiled.
"How'd you know?"
"You keep looking back."
"I've spent my whole career crossing oceans on gray ships."
She nodded toward Sea Whisper.
"This one's a little different."
"A little?"
She laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is."
She rested her forearms on the rail.
"The ocean changes once you lose sight of land."
"How?"
"You stop thinking about where you came from."
"And?"
"You start thinking about where you're going."
I looked out over the endless blue water.
For some reason...
That felt like the most honest thing anyone had said to me in weeks.
Then...
Lunch.
Willow announces,
"Lunch is served!"
Everyone heads to the aft deck.
Scott sits down.
Looks at the table.
Then looks back at Willow.
"This isn't lunch."
She smiles.
"No?"
"It's what rich people eat."
Ben shakes his head.
"Don't embarrass us."
"I'm not embarrassed."
Scott picks up a lobster tail.
"I've just never had lunch that required three forks."
Hazel quietly reaches over.
"Twelve o'clock fork."
Scott looks horrified.
"There are time-specific forks?"
Hazel can't help laughing.
"No."
"I'm messing with you."
Even Storm laughs.
Ward notices.
And he realizes...
He likes hearing her laugh.
It's different from the calm, capable captain she presents to the world.
After lunch...
Storm invites anyone who's interested onto the bridge.
The others go fishing.
Sunbathing.
Talking.
Ward is the only one who follows her.
Not because he's trying to impress her.
Because he's curious.
He wants to learn.
Storm begins explaining navigation, radar, currents, and the way she reads the sea.
Ward listens.
Really listens.
That's when Storm starts seeing him differently.
Not as "the groom."
As a man who asks thoughtful questions and genuinely values what she knows.
Ivy suddenly points toward the water.
"Dolphins!"
Everyone rushes to the rail.
A pod of dolphins races alongside Sea Whisper.
Harold is there.
Ivy laughs.
"I told you he'd come."
Scott stares.
"...She really does know that dolphin."
Everyone laughs.
Ward looks at Storm.
Storm isn't watching the dolphins.
She's watching her sisters.
Smiling.
He realizes...
This woman loves seeing other people happy.