This Side of the Sun (The Sun Trilogy) (18 page)

Our two weeks in Maui were nearly at an end. Saul had agreed to be married before we boarded the plane back to Washington. He had made arrangements, all with my approval. Brock and Tina’s father was a minister at a small church on the other side of the island and had been delighted to offer to marry us. Tina and
her brother, Brock, had joined us at the resort for an afternoon. While Brock and Saul caught up with each other pool-side, Tina took me into Lahaina shopping for a dress. She had squealed over my gorgeous ring and seemed genuinely pleased to see Saul and me getting married. We enjoyed a light lunch at a fish taco truck near the beach, and ended up at an outdoor mall that she explained was a tourist trap. We found my dress at the first shop we tried: a lightweight white beach dress that was well fitted on top and fell loosely to my ankles. It wasn’t a bridal gown, but was exactly what I pictured for our big day in paradise. Tina offered to make me a bouquet out of tropical flowers that grew in their yard and I agreed, so long as she promised to keep it simple. Tiny was funny and smart. She began to really grow on me. We talked about her own wedding plans and she begged us to come back for their big day.

At the end of our outing, she drove me to her father’s house so I could see where we’d be saying our vows. The property was amazing. A lush green lawn surrounded a humble island home. The landscaping was beautiful with many different kinds of flowers in bloom and birds singing nearby. A gentle slope led down to a beach of white sand. I fell in love with the location and found myself excited to share it with Saul the next day. I was introduced to Mr. Alfonzo, Tina a
nd Brock’s father. He was a large man with an even larger smile. He didn’t shake my hand, but rather hugged me tight and congratulated me on the upcoming nuptials. Tina disappeared somewhere while her father walked me down to the beach. He worked a fatherly talk in about the importance of marriage, and I could tell that he truly cared about my future with Saul. I was humbled.

Mrs. Alfonzo arrived home just after her husband and I had walked back up the gentle slope of the lawn to the house. She had a large smile like her husband and also hugged me. I was invited inside, where ice tea was served along with fresh fruit. Before long Saul and Brock arrived and we enjoyed a traditional meal of white rice, pickled seaweed, and fried spam for dinner. None of us drank any alcohol, wanting to make sure we were clear-headed for the events of the next day. Saul drove us home after dinner, where we slept deeply until morning.

***

Our next to last day in paradise was as sunny as the rest had been, but was somehow brighter. We packed what we needed into a tote bag that we had bought at the resort gift shop. Our clothing was meant to be worn slightly wrinkled, except for Saul’s slacks, and Mrs. Alfonzo assured him that if they needed pressing she’d be thrilled to do so.

The wedding was scheduled for five o’clock to take advantage of the evening light and to avoid the peak heat of the day. The Alfonzo family had already invited several of their local friends who knew Saul for the luau that was being held in our honor. The wedding ceremony had become a bonus. The expanse of lawn that had been wide-open the day before had been transformed into something from a fairy tale. Torches on bamboo poles lined the periphery of the yard, already lit. Off to one side was a large fire pit that had been set up, complete with a staked pig that was slowly cooking. Several long tables had been set up with white table cloths and bouquets of flowers. Shrubs that surrounded the yard twinkled with strings of little white lights.

As soon as we arrived, Tina grabbed me and rushed me into the house to help me get dressed. She was wearing a tropical wrap-dress that went over one shoulder. Her black hair was down over her shoulders with one side swept back and pinned with a real pink hibiscus flower. She looked perfect. She helped me style my hair, also down like hers, but pinned back on both sides. She surprised me with a crown of fresh plumeria flowers. When I saw myself in the mirror, I almost cried. She did my make up for me, which consisted of just powder, eye liner, mascara, and light pink lipstick. Anything more would be useless with the heat and humidity. I carefully undressed and stepped into my dress, allowing Tina to help zip up the back. I could hear familiar voices coming from somewhere inside the small home.

“Tina, who’s here?” I asked, curious.

“Hmm. Probably just friends of Brock.” She smoothed my hair for me and smiled. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks, Tina. I’ll never forget all you’ve done for us.”

“Aw, c’mon…no crying,” she said quietly as she gave me a gentle hug.

There was a light knock on the door, and Mrs. Alfonzo snuck in.

“You look beautiful!” she squealed as she looked me over. “A tropical princess!”

“Thank you,” I said with a large smile on my face.

“I have something for you. Just a very small gift from our family.”

“You’re already doing so much,” I insisted.

She shushed me gently and held up a beautiful string of large dark brown polished Hawaiian seeds that had been hand painted with white flowers. Each seed was about the size of a grape and separated with a small seashell.

“Oh, Mrs. Alfonzo,” I said. “They’re beautiful.”

“Please, call me Annie. And they pale next to you. You’ll find these necklaces for sale all over the island, but they’re just cheap knock-offs. These are much better. The real thing.”

“Thank you,” I said as the woman put them over my head, being careful of my flower crown.

“Everyone’s waiting. Are you ready?”

I nodded. “I think so.”

“Since your father is not here to walk you down the aisle, we have a substitute waiting. He’s in the living room.”

“Brock?” I asked.

Mrs. Alfonzo shook her head side to side. “No, Brock’s busy standing up for Saul. C’mon, let’s get you to the aisle. Tina, don’t forget you walk first. Your bouquets are waiting in the front room.”

I followed Tina and her mom out of the back bedroom and around the corner to their living room. Standing there, waiting for me, was my brother Joe. He had a large grin on his face and held his arms open for me.

“Joe!” I squealed. “Oh my God, how are you here?”

“Saul sent for us, sis. How could I say no? Congratulations.”

He embraced me with the love of a brother.

“We?” I asked.

“Me and Justine. Dad wanted to come. He really did, but Helen pulled her crap.”

“Of course she did, but her name isn’t allowed on my big day.”

I felt him chuckle. “May I walk you down the aisle?”

“It’ll make today perfect if you do,” I said with a big grin.

The beat of island drums began, which was our signal to walk to the beach. I took hold of the crook of Joe’s arm and waited for Tina to walk ahead of us. Annie had already disappeared and I
imagined she would meet us at the shore. Joe and I stood on the lawn just outside the house and watched Tina walk away. Once she was out of sight, the beat of the drums quickened. Our signal to proceed. Walking beside Joe toward the man who would become my husband felt like the most natural thing in the world. The grass was cool beneath my bare feet and the simple bouquet in my hands smelled like a touch of heaven. As the beach came into view, Saul looked stunning in his beige slacks and loose white cotton shirt. He was also barefoot and wore a lei of plumeria to match my crown. He beamed when he saw me. A small crowd of witnesses was standing on either side of us once we reached the sand, and Saul and Mr. Alfonzo were closer to the water. Brock and Tina stood nearby, and to my delight I noticed Lina standing next to Tina. I caught a glance of Justine and smiled at her.

Joe passed me off to Saul and the rest of the ceremony was like a dream. Our vows were kept simple, rings were exchanged, and we were pronounced husband and wife. The sun grew lower in the sky, preparing to kiss the horizon as my new husband kissed me to seal our vows. As soon as our lips met, our witnesses clapped and cheered. We enjoyed the luau and danced when we weren’t busy chatting with guests. Brock and one of his cousins demonstrated fire dancing. We eventually said our good-bye’s to everyone. Saul and I would be leaving for home the next day, but Joe, Justine, and Lina would be staying on for a few days to enjoy a brief vacation.

~*~

Saul and I spent the next year in his little seaside cabin, still getting to know each other. He spent a few days a week volunteering at a nearby facility that cared for special needs children. I knew one day he’d realize his dream of opening his own center. His passion for those amazing kids became mine as well, and my dreams of owning a bakery began to fade. The more time went by, the fewer nightmares I had. We had begun visiting little Angela and her father once a week. They became part of our family and together we all began to heal. Life felt good with Saul at my side.

Joe and Justine delivered a beautiful baby boy
that fall, who they ended up naming James William. He was the light of their lives. My father said he was the spitting image of our mother. Daddy ended up leaving Helen when he caught her screwing a guy in his thirties. We all felt bad for him, but we were all glad to see her go. She had never truly loved our father, which he finally saw for himself. Baby James helped him in his grief. He moved home to the Pacific Northwest and lived with Joe, Justine, and baby James.

Carol
ina had moved home to Anacortes and went to work at a local preschool while taking night classes. Her goal was to become a kindergarten teacher. She still bore scars from the murder in Virginia. She and I had a bond, each bearing scars from a tragedy. She had quickly become one of my dearest friends.

Everett had difficulty accepting my marriage to Saul. He didn’t try to cause problems for us, but grieved over losing me. Or rather
over losing the dream of me and him and a happily ever after. To cope, he joined the Marines. Miranda was devastated, of course, yet proud of her only son. We all feared for him, knowing it was a time of war.

***

It was almost our one year anniversary and we were back in Maui. Tina and Suko were about to be married on the same beach where we had said our own vows. Tina’s dad was officiating and excitement was in the air. My heart soared as I remembered our own special day.  Saul and I stood in the crowd of excited witnesses waiting for the wedding to begin. He had an arm around my waist and held me close. In my arms I held our beautiful three-month-old daughter, Lulu Grace-Anna. She wriggled in my arms as if dancing to the primitive music, her eyes wide. Seeing her so happy made my heart soar. We hadn’t known that she had been with us on our first visit to the island. Our one-time of being careless had led to one of the very best things in our new life together. Slowly, flowers were blooming from the ashes of that tragic day in Fidalgo Bay.

~*~

Born, raised, and dedicated to living in the Great Pacific Northwest, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three little boys. Favorite hobbies include camping, reading, and of course writing. She is a full-time author, recently retired from her career as an RN.

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