With Forgiveness...Comes Happiness

Chapter Sixteen

As the ferry docked and they started off, Can got this amazing feeling of calm and being fulfilled. He was use to these remote places, he loved them, they opened up something in him that he couldn't explain. This island had less than 200 residents and wasn't on the top of the tourist brochure, but the beauty was unsurpassed and untouched. As they arrived at their room, which was nothing more than a deserted villa converted into a wedding venue, the view itself could have been the reason for any one to come here. The ceremony was to be held on the grounds of the villa, with a host of lights lining the arbor, and the tropical flowers that were in the garden were the only decoration. With the beach and the aqua blue water of the Aegean Sea ajoining the garden, this was the most simple yet the most breathtaking beautiful place they had ever seen. Sanem gazed around the area in awe of it's  beauty, how could a place like this stay so pure and simple, yet be so magical, she wondered, as they toured the villa. She could stay here forever, what a perfect back drop to write from. The instinct to grab a pen and paper and start filling it with words was almost irresistible. Can watched her as she wandered in the garden, touching all the flowers and occasionally bending down to smell them. He wished he had brought his camera to capture the beauty that she shed out on this place. 

Luca and Thea had opted for a more informal wedding attire, with Luca dressed in a pair of white shorts and a light aqua blue t-shirt that matched the color of the water perfectly. Thea appeared in a long white Bohemian style skirt and the same aqua-colored form-fitting tank top, with a wide belt adorned with a thousand crystals that sparkled almost as much as the lights. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in a sheet of waves, and a crown of flowers sat on top of her head. They were both quite beautiful, and their vision of a perfect yet simple wedding had been born. Even the ceremony was short and sweet, as they promised to always be as they were on this day, and sealing it with a long romantic kiss.

Can and Sanem had witnessed their friends join their lives together just as they had done just a short one before, and couldn't have been happier. They all four had a wonderful dinner together and just as Luca had told them, they left them on their own, giving them the information about the returning ferry time the next day. Saying their good nights, Can and Sanem took off their shoes and headed down the beach, with the memory of the first time they had strolled down a beach together still living in their minds. Can smiled, bringing her hand up to kiss it, " You know this isn't Galapagos, but almost as special, don't you think. She agreed, " Can, I have the most at ease feeling here, and I feel the need to write about it. By the time they made it back to the villa his desire for her had reached its peak. The magic of her touch sent him on a journey of ecstasy, and this place seemed to add even more as their bodies moved and worked together in perfect harmony. She felt the excitement from his touch, the butterflies, the heat that flamed up feverishly as he entered that place that was only his. Something about this island was special.....something made them more special.

Can was sure he wanted to explore the island a little more so he ordered in breakfast for them and waited for her to wake up. She smelled of the food was all it took for her to open her eyes, "Can, you got us breakfast in bed, how sweet." she spoke, giving him a kiss on the lips. He pulled her back to him, " Hey, I need a longer kiss than that from my wife on this extended honeymoon." She tilted her head, " Babe, you know what would happen, then the food would be cold and we might miss the ferry." She smiled, and gave him another quick kiss on the lips. He sighed, " Ok, but I want to see the rest of the island before we go back, even if we have to take another ferry back to Chania. We aren't on a time schedule are we." He asked giving her that cute little smile of his. " No, no we are not, so let's explore." 

They walked around the small town, stopping occasionally to visit with the local people. A small outdoor cafe served them the best Pastitsio (Greek lasagna) they had ever had, along with a fabulous Baklava. Sanem called Luca to tell him they has decided to stay a little longer on the island and would catch the ferry later in the day. In the center of town there was a town square, nothing much, just a small sitting area and a large message board that held all the news of the town. They stopped look at it, curious at what might be there. Can was reading all the announcements and newsworthy information for all the residents on the island. He read over a bulletin that was hanging there, and then moves on to the next one, but went back to read that bulletin again. "For Sale: A small 7 acre island. Comes with a house that needs work but livable. Accessible only by boat...not included. If solitude is what you want, you have found it. Make Offer....  The flyer made his heart skip a beat, " Sanem, look at this." he grabbed the flyer and shoved it In her face. She read it, looking at him with her eyes squinted, " So.....why am I reading this, do you want an island?" She asked staring at him. 

The look on his face told her the answer, " Can, do you want an island." She asked again. He smiled, " Let's go look at it, what can it hurt to just look."  He looked like a kid in a candy store. Before she knew it they had hired a boat and they were on there way across the small inlet of water between the main island and this tiny spot of land about a quarter of a mile away. As they dock the boat at the small pier, the man that owned the boat preceded to tell them about the island. It seemed a wealthy businessman from Greece had bought the island, built a home for him and his wife. After about 3 years, the wife took their boat to the main island one day to grocery shop and never returned home. The boat was found with a note that told him she had enough of the solitude and was leaving. The husband stayed on there for a few months then he left also. The island had been vacant for 5 years and they could probably get it for a steal.

It was overgrown, the house was beautiful but needed a little work, and Can loved it. She knew by his actions, the moment he stepped off that boat he wanted this place. It just had that feel about it, a peaceful calming feeling. It was extraordinary, the view, the smell from all the flowers that flourished everywhere, the pier, it was all just wonderful. They toured the house, with the man reassuring them that all the repairs could be done easily. Can looked at Sanem, " We are looking for a house anyway, why can't it be an island. This is perfect, you can write and I can take pictures, there wouldn't be any distractions." He told her, wrapping his arms around her. 

His eyes sparkled as he spoke to her. " Do you mean live here permanently. What about the agency." He smiled, " I quit, the day before we flew here. And photography I can do anywhere. What do you say." She looked around the island, envisioning their life there? The children running around their own island, learning from nature, and them lying under the stars at night. 

She smiled, " Do you think  we can do it, ...I think we can. But first you have to tell me why you quit the agency..

" No my love, first you have to say, "Yes"......