Page 29 of Kranow (Brides of the Mylos #4)
The white sand sparkled on a surprisingly empty beach as waves dashed into the shore, their emerald hues turning to jade the closer to land they came.
“ Why is it so deserted? Did we book the whole beach? ” Marley asked incredulously.
“ No, it ’ s almost always like this. It ’ s a public park and you have to pay a bit to get in, but folks seem to prefer to drive on and go to the crowded beaches at Destin and Pensacola for some reason and they don ’ t have all the amenities this one does, either. Not unless you ’ re a paying guest at one of the condos there, and not even then a lot of the time. ”
Marley shook her head. The parking was definitely convenient. They ’ d pulled into the several spaces right behind the picnic and barbecue pavilion. It would make transporting the coolers currently plugged into the vehicles ’ cigarette lighters much easier. A few steps to the left was a path that led to an outdoor shower and another path to the wooden changing rooms behind. Marley was grateful for the shower. She couldn ’ t wait to peel out of her clothes and into her swimwear before rinsing the sweat off of her skin. She caught the bag containing her swimwear as Kranow gently tossed it to her, then followed her friends to the changing areas.
Once changed and after a refreshing chilled can of grape soda, they all made their way to the water ’ s edge where Steven waited expectantly. “ Okay, now, Kranow, you stand here, and hold both of her hands. Marley, you stand there, and hold his as well, ” Steven said. The remainder of their friends gathered round.
“ Mommy, can we build a sandcastle now? ” Maisie piped up, looking up at Melissa.
“ Shh, in just a minute. Right now, Ms. Marley and Mr. Kranow are getting married. ”
Maisie turned her wide eyes towards the couple. “ Sorry, I forgotted, ” she mumbled, disconsolately.
Junrig reached a hand out and gently stroked the child ’ s hair in reassurance, and she moved to cling to his leg, watching with wide eyes.
“ We are gathered here as friends today, to witness the promises of forever to each other that Marley and Kranow will make. They are already of one soul, this gathering being a symbol of celebration. Let us now hear the declarations of Kranow. ” Steven waited expectantly for the warrior to speak.
“ The things you feel the value of the most are those you have fought for. I have watched you struggle to free yourself of doubt, fears, and prejudices that kept you captive. You fought your way out, and in so doing, found your way to me. My heart is now complete and my soul sings with the melody that is only you. ”
Marley ’ s eyes prickled. She needed no prompting. “ Kranow, you are the best thing to ever happen to me. You have been my rock and my support as I struggled to stand once more; to make right the harm I ’ ve done. Whatever I do will never be enough, but know that with you forever by my side, I know I can accomplish anything. You are my courage, my heart ’ s song, my soul ’ s true half. You journeyed across space hoping to find me, and I am humbled by the greatness of the love you seek to share with me with your every breath. Know that I will forever strive to be worthy, and that my heart only sings for you. ”
“ Let it be known that by the office of celebrant granted to me by the great state of Florida, I pronounce these two every bit as married as they are mated. Now, get your kiss and let ’ s party! ” Steven crowed. Cheers and wild whistles broke out as the couple kissed passionately.
Junrig glanced down at Maisie. “ Come, I know where the buckets and shovels are in the car, ” he said, shepherding her and the twins away, ignoring the faces the two boys were making in response to the kiss.
Melissa trailed behind them, carrying Lapresh, stopping to sit in the shade, her back leaning against a picnic table. She glanced up as Steven stood over her.
“ Want me to watch him for you while you go get the cakes? Or would you rather one of us come with you? ” he asked, gentle concern in his eyes.
“ Yeah, do you mind? He can sit in the car with you while I nip in once we get there. Should only take a minute or two to get them, they ’ ll have them waiting in the freezer. ”
“ Sure, just let me tell Gundar where we ’ re going. Not that he ’ s likely to notice now that he has a drink in his hand and is about to demonstrate the manly art of the barbecue to my son. I don ’ t think he ’ ll mind keeping an eye on him while we ’ re gone. ”
Melissa giggled, enjoying the cool breeze against her skin as she waited for Steven to return. Moments later, Lapresh safely buckled back into his rear-facing seat, they were reversing out of the parking spot and on their way to Niceville.
“ So is it Nice-ville, like Nice, France, or Nice, like everyone is nice? ” Steven asked her idly.
“ Like everyone is nice, ” she replied.
“ Dang, that ’ s a reputation and half to have to live up to. ”
“ I used to drive the kids up here to play at Little Boggy and we ’ d also come for the Mullet Festival. ”
“ The do what, now? ”
“ The Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival. It ’ s a music festival and there are food and arts and crafts booths, ” she explained.
“ You ’ re making that up, ” he accused.
“ No, really, it ’ s a thing. You ever watch True Blood? ”
“ Uh, yeah, ” he sassed. “ I didn ’ t live under a rock, you know. ”
“ Sam Merlotte always had those t-shirts, right? Well, one episode, he wore one from the Mullet Festival. ”
“ Get out of town. I ’ m gonna have to rewatch those to see if you ’ re pulling my leg, now. ”
“ I should look to see when the next one is. It ’ s family friendly, so we could all head down and bring the kids, too. And if you really want to see him in the shirt, it ’ s season two, episode three. ”
Steven grinned. “ Remind me when we get back to the ship. Hey, if we go, do we have to wear our hair in a mullet? ‘ Cuz I won ’ t go here. ”
“ Naw. The mullet they are talking about is a fish. You can eat mullet dogs and stuff at the festival. ”
“ Okay, that makes more sense, kinda. Of, we ’ re here, already! ” he said as Melissa pulled into the parking lot.
“ Yup, I ’ ll be right back, ” she said, parking the car before unbuckling and getting out. “ I ’ ll leave the car on so y ’ all can have the A.C. ”
“ Thank God for that, ” Steven muttered. “ It ’ s hot as hell out here. If it ’ s this hot at nearly six o ’ clock, I don ’ t want to show my face outside at noon. ”