THE MOTOR boat idled to a stop at the stairs. Meredith escorted Anneli, dressed in a long white lace wedding gown up the stairs to the start of the bridge where she met Wade fifteen months earlier. Her grin couldn’t be any wider.
Meredith gave her sister the once over before kissing her on the cheek. “Sis, you make a beautiful bride.”
“I don’t know how to start to say thank you,” whispered Anneli.
“You don’t have to. What I need you to do is have a long and happy life. Above all don’t keep your knight waiting any longer.”
Anneli focused on the figure standing in the middle of the bridge. His tuxedo shone in the late afternoon sun. Four men stood on his left. Each one, in turn, stepped forward, slapping him on the shoulder. Anneli’s stepfather looked to be a proud man as he raised his elbow for Anneli to hold.
“Before we start the bridal walk I need to say something,” he whispered.
Anneli looked sideways at her stepfather, not sure what to expect.
“I should never have tried to interfere in your future. Not only have you met a great man I believe he’s going to be an exceptional husband.”
Anneli looked him in the eyes. “Thank you for the kind words. From now on I think you have earned the right to be called dad.”
Darryl puffed out his chest, escorting his daughter along the bridge. After they walked to the middle Darryl held out his hand to Wade.
“I’m happy the three of us got a chance to have a little chat,” hinted Darryl.
Both men grinned at each other and shook hands, not in a business type manner, as a family member.”
“Who gives this young lady away?” asked the minister.
“I do,” announced Darryl. He winked at Wade, kissed his daughter on the cheek before stepping back to enjoy the marriage ceremony. Only once did he glance at Meredith. Her eyes were red-rimmed. When a tear from her eyes threatened to fall, she’d use the tissue she hid in the palm of her hand to wipe the tear away.
For over half an hour the minister preached outstanding words. He glanced at the people who had been invited before settling his attention on Wade and Anneli. He closed the Bible. Smiling, he looked at Anneli and Wade.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
The minister gave Wade and Anneli the go ahead. They leaned forward to kiss for the first time since being married.
A cheer rang out and well-wishers swamped Wade and Anneli. The group numbered seventy-five, consisting of close family and friends.
After the photos, had been completed of the happily married couple, Darryl announced.
“Food is waiting for us back on my ship. Everyone come. Three launches I have paid for are idling under the bridge.”
The group walked as one down the stairs to the water’s edge. Clambering onboard the group was whisked away from the bridge.
Darryl’s ship was decked to the waterline in wedding decorations. Music greeted each one of the group as they climbed the gang rail. They were helped onto the deck by the Captain. Helping Anneli onboard Wade felt someone grabbing him on the shoulder.
“Wade, congratulations,” barked the Captain.
“Thanks, brother. I’d like to add, thanks for stalling Darryl and this fine ship.”
“You owe me.”
Wade chuckled, slapping him on the shoulder. “Indeed, I do. Anytime you want help, call me.”
“You can start by watching the uniform. I don’t want it creased.”
The Captain slapped Wade on the shoulder again before handing him and Anneli a glass of champagne.
“Between the three of us, I want to propose a private toast. Anneli and Wade have a great life.”
Anneli kissed Wade’s brother on the cheek. “Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“Brother, if at any time, you steer this lovely young woman in the wrong direction or you see her wrong, I’ll be at your door.”
“There’s no possible way it will ever happen,” insisted Wade, placing his arm around Anneli’s waist.
Darryl walked onto the elevated platform overlooking the dance floor. Off to one side, a large wedding cake sat in the middle of a long narrow table.
“Before we continue the festivities of the celebration between my daughter and Wade, my new son, I have something important to say,” announced Darryl through the microphone.
Wade, Anneli, her four brothers and the guests looked at the man.
“First thing I want to say is; Wade, welcome to my family. This ship is as much yours as it is everybody who is here tonight. I also wish to announce publicly I have an apology to make. Our first three meetings didn’t go well. I have learnt a thing or two since then. The first thing I’ve learnt is to watch out for your right hook; it’s a definite winner.”
The guests roared laughing then cheered Wade.
“The most important thing is; I’m pleased Anneli didn’t listen to me when she insisted on going against my wishes and struck out on her own to find a husband. If I’m the only one here who feels this way; as Anneli says; ‘suck it up.’ Wade, in my books you’re a good bloke.”
Wade stood, raising his glass. “I want to make a short speech. On behalf of Anneli, I accept your apology. After our long talk, I want it known, you Darryl, are a good bloke too. Your sons are also okay. Thanks guys for being in the wedding party.”
The guests raised their glasses. After each of Anneli’s brothers had welcomed Wade into the family, the married couple walked to the dance floor to waltz a slow song. Halfway through the song, they were joined by the guests. After the dance, Wade escorted Anneli from the floor. Spying Meredith at the bar Wade strolled over.
“Meredith, I have a question I need you to answer.”
She placed her empty whisky glass on the bar, signaling for the barman to fill it.
“I’m sure you already know the answer,” she taunted, looking directly at Wade. “If you insist on an answer to your question, ask away.”
“First I want to say thank you for helping me to find your sister.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Now for my question, why did you help?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Curiosity,” replied Wade.
“Is that the only reason?” Meredith downed another shot of whisky. Slamming the glass onto the bar next to the other four, she ordered another to be filled. She sat watching the barman pour the liquid into a fresh glass.
“What else should there be?” asked Wade.
Meredith squared herself to Wade. “What do you see when you look at me?” She lifted a finger and pointed it at him. Before he could answer, she answered her question. “There’s no way I want my sister to end up a drunken, broken woman. We had discussed my future life before I married. Anneli disagreed on my ideas. I should have listened. Don’t feel sorry for me. I chose the money over love.”
“It’s never too late.”
“Save your breath.” Meredith downed yet another shot and ordered two more. “Tell me something, Romeo. Now the marriage between you and my sister is done. I have a question I want you to answer.”
“What if I don’t, what will you do?”
Meredith slapped the empty shot glass on the bar. “Okay, you win. I know when I’ve been told to leave well enough alone.”
Before Wade could tap Meredith on the shoulder, she’d walked away. He felt sorry for the woman. Maybe he and Anneli could one day help her change her outlook on life, show her the right road to travel along.
Meredith stopped abruptly. Staggering back to the bar, she stood swaying in front of Wade.
“Can I ask you my question?” asked Meredith.
“It all depends.”
“If you decide to answer I need you, to be honest.”
Wade gave her a warm luring smile.
“Okay Romeo, tell me how you wooed my sister into marriage. Don’t tell me it was the note in the bottle thing. It’s too much of a coincidence.”
“You’re righ
t; however, the note did play a minor part in the fate of us coming together. Don’t forget, you helped.”
Meredith rolled her eyes. “Please continue. This ought to be good.”
Anneli walked up behind her husband, placing her arm around his waist. “What’s all this? Meredith you’re not trying to steal my husband?”
“The thought never entered my mind.”
Wade gave his bride a lightning kiss. “Meredith wanted to know my secret of wooing you into marriage?”
Anneli grinned. “Sis, let me tell it this way.”
“I’m listening.”
“On second thoughts, Wade, the story might sound more authentic if you say it. I haven’t the luring eyes.”
Wade looked seriously at Meredith. She instantly looked uncomfortable over the whole scene.
Anneli tightened her grip on her husband, waiting for a response from her sister.
Wade’s voice didn’t falter when he spoke the sentence which flooded an emotion-charged feeling that swept Anneli’s spirit.
“How would you react if a tall, handsome stranger came up to you on new-years-eve and asked for a kiss?”