More Than a Soldier

Chapter 51 - Pearl Harbour

Y/n's POV:

Our honeymoon has been perfect. We've been in Hawaii for 6 days now and I couldn't have asked for a better time away. There's been no pressure to do anything. Most days we've enjoyed at the pool or by the beach. I don't think I'll ever tire of Scarlett's company. I almost crave to be in it. I don't know what I'm going to do when she goes away for a few weeks.

The other day we went to the beach, and we went out on a jet ski which was great fun. Scarlett's experience on motorbikes definitely helped and she was driving like a mad woman. She had so much control over it, I was amazed. She had the biggest smile on her face whilst she was driving, and I know she was in her element. She doesn't have much fear for things like this and it's something that I really admire in her. She is always willing to give things ago.

She wasn't so keen to do the parasailing or water skiing, not wanting to hurt herself before filming, but she came on the boat whilst I had a go at both. Safe to say I dredged water more than I did ski on it. But it was good fun. By the end of it, I was able to stay up for longer which was fun. I loved parasailing as the view was amazing. Scarlett looked a little worried as they strapped me in, but I reassured her everything was going to be ok. Though the speed at which I was pulled into the air as we got going definitely didn't help to dispel any nerves she might have had!

We've also explored the island a bit more. We hired bikes one day and rode for miles. We got to see so much more than if we had walked or been in a car. Having the freedom to stop was lovely and we saw some places that a few locals had suggested to visit. Ones that weren't tourist heavy and they have become some of my favourite places.

We've eaten out each night and found some lovely little restaurants. I've tried foods I've never had before and it's all adding to the experience. The people are all lovely and have made this stay even more special. Scarlett has barely been hassled and actually had more tourists approach her than the locals. Most have been polite and taken their picture and left. Others have needed to be told that we were on our honeymoon and wanted to be left alone. But those experiences were very few.

Today we've got a private tour of Pearl Harbour which I'm really excited to go and visit. History was always my favourite subject at school, and I especially like learning about the world wars. It's stuck with me into adulthood and been something that I've always enjoyed learning more about.

When Scarlett suggested coming to Hawaii it was one of the first places I thought of going to. Knowing how much I wanted to go, Scarlett had booked for us to have a private tour so that we could see everything without getting caught in a crowd and potentially be bothered.

After a lovely breakfast cooked by Scarlett, we got a cab to the memorial entrance where our tour guide was waiting for us. "Ah, good morning. My name is Dean and I'll be taking you around the memorial today." He greets us, holding his hand out which Scarlett and I both shake. "Hi Dean, thank you for taking us out today. We're both really looking forward to it." I reply to him with a big smile.

Greetings done, I take Scarlett's hand and we follow as Dean guides us through to start our tour. He stops initial at a number of small plinths. "On December 7th. The Japanese air force launched a surprise attack on the US Naval fleet that was based here at Pearl Harbour. They struck just before 0800 when many people were still asleep. At the time 102 ships were station here. 18 of those ships were destroyed. Each of these are a small memorial to each of those ships." He explains, before giving us some time to take in the information on each one.

Scarlett and I stand together as we read in silence, taking in the information around us. We then move along to a giant anchor which is in pristine condition. "This anchor was salvaged from USS Arizona. There would have been three anchors of this size on the ship, each weighing around 16,000 pounds." Dean shares as we take in the information. "Wow." I whisper as I listen intently to what he has to say.