Perfection Comes at a Price, page 24
At long last, the ceremony was over, and the priest pronounced them to be man and wife. Eric gave Katie a quick peck on the cheek for the benefit of those who expected the kiss. Then off to the party. The couple may have been sixty each but they felt like Spring chickens and behaved as such at the party afterwards. Jollity reigned supreme.
The honeymoon was a cruise in the Caribbean which the bride had wanted to do. Eric had never been on a cruise before so they both regarded it as an adventure. They had each other and that was all that mattered. The ocean liner was impressive. They had a lovely cabin with a sitting corner, a dining area and a balcony. It amazed them how large the ship was and how very ornate.
It was the second day of the voyage and all around them was only the vast ocean. The sea air was like the most wonderful perfume. They had decided to eat in their cabin and then sit on the balcony and watch the sun set. Eric insisted that they open a champagne bottle. The bubbles were so much fun to watch, and the golden liquid was like nectar. They clinked glasses.
“To my bride.”
“To my husband.”
In the sky there were a few wisps of very high clouds which began to change colour with the setting of the sun. The soft orange pink hues were magnificent. A warm glow permeated the atmosphere. Katie in her pink and white dress looked like a flower. Eric looked at her with tenderness.
“Lady Flint, what are you thinking about?”
“About the Creation, Sir Eric, and the wonder of the world.”
“To me you are the greatest wonder,” said Eric, kissing her hand.
“Remember when as children we talked about Never Never Land. We have finally arrived there.”
“Yes, my beloved. Our never, never ending love has only just started, and we are sailing into bliss. Before I embrace you, my bride, let me read you a few lines from the Song of Songs:
“You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;
You have stolen my heart
With one glance of your eyes,
With one jewel of your necklace.
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride;
I have gathered my myrrh with my spice,
I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey,
I have drunk my wine and my milk.”
The water reflected a picture of human happiness.”
Ulla Beattie, Perfection Comes at a Price
