That Sacred Arrangement....

[all7seas]

Who: wise_maiden and lists_to_port; We are leaving this log WIDE OPEN. So if you are family or friends, you are invited and may mingle or gossip or be all dressed up or get drunk or do the electric slide or WHAT HAVE YOU. Are there any Wedding Crashers in Luceti? Ha!
What: Wedding
When: Monday afternoon
Where: That spot with the lilacs by the river in that meadow west of the village. You know that spot---we know you know that spot.
Summary: Jack and Raine get married, and everyone ships it hard forever.
Rating: G I expect? It's so hard to tell sometimes.



On the morning of his wedding, Jack sat bolt upright in bed and then vomited onto the floor. Several minutes after that were spent dry-heaving and gasping for breath, and then another several minutes crawling to the bathroom to put his head under the shower. Cold water---it brought back reality and rationality, and erased dreams of being a pirate and dying in some war and having a best mate and a lover who had always been forbidden him---ever since Jack Horner's lesson and the two weeks following it.

Sparrow figured it was a case of wedding nerves. Strange dreams were a new thing for him, after all--normally he slept dreamlessly and woke up alert.

Later, as he stood in the quiet meadow he and Raine had chosen for their ceremony among the fragrant lilac trees, that morning dream was forgotten. Sparrow was calm. Happy. Clean-shaven and dressed in the attire Buffy had picked out for him and eagerly waiting for his beautiful bride.

Comments

[all7seas]

"Ha! How could we forget? Even the most dire shift couldn't drive this day of ours out of my mind."

[wise_maiden]

"I know. I just like hearing you say it." She ducks her head the way she usually does when she feels them rise with color. "We're both truly here. It's... wonderful."

[all7seas]

"Darling--" Jack lifted her chin with his fingers, because he always enjoyed seeing that color, and he kissed her. "We're here and tonight we'll be at Cullen House and my only regret is that we didn't do this sixteen years ago."

[wise_maiden]

She flushed even more at that kiss--so deep, so passionate, with him. "No more regrets, Jack. It's the now that matters--even if it was a long road getting here." For a moment, her gaze slips back to the crowd. "Whenever you want to go home... I'll be ready."

[all7seas]

"Now. I want it now."

[wise_maiden]

A soft chuckle accompanies her words. "... it doesn't surprise me to hear that."

[all7seas]

Sparrow grinned down at her. "If it had surprised you, I would be worried I suppose, that I haven't treated you with enough affection."

[wise_maiden]

Twirling out again, just out of reach. "There's no need for you to worry. You've more than surpassed in that regard."

[all7seas]

"Then I've a new high-water mark to surpass." He reached for her to pull her back in---close. "That dress, it suits you, love. Perfectly."

[wise_maiden]

"I'm glad you like it. Dress choosing isn't exactly a hobby of mine." Especially with the price range she was determined to stay in.

[all7seas]

"As long as you always have a choice in what hobbies you will pursue? I'm good with it."

[wise_maiden]

She tilts her head at that. "You almost make it sound as if there are some hobbies that aren't voluntary."

[all7seas]

"I only mean that I want you to have what your heart desires, is all." Raine deserved more, that much was true; she should never have had to give up that beautiful jewelry back at Albert's place. She deserved nice things. He would GIVE HER nice things.

[wise_maiden]

"My heart's desire is right here, now." Maybe it would be nice to have nice things, but that wasn't what was important. What was important was being surrounded by the people she loved. She'd give up everything for the people she loved. "So you don't have to worry about that."

[all7seas]

"I...wasn't worried, darling." And he wasn't; Jack knew that the treasure he'd stolen from Nami was going to help them both live better for some time to come.

[wise_maiden]

"Hmm." She tilts her head again. "If you ever do start to worry, you'll let me know, won't you?" Step, step, and twirl.

[all7seas]

"Of course I shall; all of our troubles are best borne if we share them, aren't they? That's something I've had to learn, Raine; a mistake I've made before, but won't make again."

[wise_maiden]

"...All right." She ducks her head again, once she's pulled in close. "Together like this, we'll have a lot more to share."

[all7seas]

"So much more. Safe now, you---no more undue burdens."

He kissed her once more on the forehead as the song drifted to an end.

"I suppose we shall have to go greet our guests, now..."

[wise_maiden]

"It won't hurt you know. Greeting those who've come to wish us well." Or maybe those who had to see it to believe it, but what was the use of being negative?

"We still have a lot of time for us. Later..."

[all7seas]

"All the time in the world," he agreed, offering her an arm to lead her into the crowd. For some reason, speaking that phrase bothered him, but he shook it off. He'd wanted this; they both had. And now it was official.

/skips time

[wise_maiden]

Raine smiles, lightly caressing his face once more before they make their way toward the others proper.

All the time in the world indeed, and after the festivities are attended to, then onward to their new home.

And the after.


Waking up the next morning certainly proves that the night before was no dream, despite the dreams that invaded during the night. The ones that could very well have been caused by the drink. So much of that night was hazy, even if she had known it to be wonderful. Hazy and dizzying and it had almost seemed that there would be no end to that, until there was: the quiet, the part she does not remember. The room was still dark, as she slowly blinked awake, getting her bearings.

[all7seas]

Beside her, Sparrow slept on. He stirred slightly when she woke, still sensitive to the movements of the woman who shared his bed, and reached out to pull her close; but otherwise, he did not wake.

[wise_maiden]

Jack was there: that's what mattered. Her anchor for the last day and night, she curled back toward him gratefully, even though she could not fall back asleep.

[all7seas]

Oh. Oh. Lovely warm soft woman in his arms. Who...? Coffee-brown eyes blinked open and Jack Sparrow smiled, kissing her just behind the ear.

That rather pointy ear he had always adored.

"Morning, Mrs. Sparrow."