A Hidden Queen

Chapter 77

Charlie felt faint as he pulled at the jacket collar. His body tingles with nervous energy, uncontrollably fidgeting with the edges. He scowls deeply as the captain cuffs the back of his head. John narrows his eyes sternly, shaking his head at him like some disapproving parent. A heavy sigh escaped him as it was becoming difficult to stand with all the apprehension. He rolls his shoulders back, twisting his neck about to ease the tension from his body.

Mr. Budish's fiddle washes over the crowd, forming a tight lump in his throat. Josephine gracefully walks into view with her arm hooked around Pittman's. The deep blue eyes pop against the tan skin, sparkling with uncontainable joy. He could not believe how stunningly she appeared before him. Her red hair bounces with each step; a few lose strains framing her face as the rest cascades down her shoulders and back. The white dress hugs the woman perfectly. The boning bust accentuating her curves and pushing her breasts upwards. The flower pattern ended at her hips, the white sleek cotton flowing beautifully behind her. The sunlight catches the almost sheer fabric tugging at the corners of his lips.

"My god. She's beautiful." Burnt breathes out.

"Yes, she is." Charlie agrees, his heart pounding harder against his chest the closer she came.

Pittman smiles happily as Joe places a gentle kiss on his cheek before unhooking their arms. She smiles shyly at Charlie, taking a tentative step beside him as the chatter quiets down with Mr. Budish finished melody. John removes his hate, fumbling with the edges as the crew follows the respectful pattern.

"Well, let us begin. We are gathered here..."

The world fades away with his emotions messing with his head. It was difficult to comprehend that a woman like Josephine had agreed to marry a deckhand like him. But here they were together, his eyes roaming over the peeking bare skin that glowed with a scented oil. The smell of vanilla fills his nostrils forming a low pleasurable growl in his throat.

Charlie is hastily brought out of his stupor with a sharp jab to his ribcage. He grimaces slightly as the pain blossoms, staring down at an expecting bride. He swallows uneasily, looking to John for guidance.

"Charles, your vows." John gently reminds him.

"Oh, sorry." Charlie clears his throat, turning to face Josephine. "I must shamefully admit that I did not have much time to think about what I was going to say to you Josephine. However, something you said does come to mind. You told me once that your father had the strength to love your mother. I was perplexed greatly as I did not equate love with strength. But I now understand what Captain Carter meant by it. Strength is essential to love, we look over faults with it, protect one another and carry on when things are lost. I may not be able to give you much of this world, but I promise to have the strength to love you and give you what you deserve."

Charlie's heart pounds in his ears, his hands shaking as the words leap off his tongue. Josephine slowly closed her mouth, a small smile tugging her lips upwards. She moistens them, lifting her teary eyes on him while rubbing her thumbs over his knuckles.

"Charlie, I also thought of my parents when you asked for my hand. Much like you, I was often perplexed by my mother saying that it took courage to love as I thought love to be the easiest emotion. However, the past year spent with you showed me what she meant. Courage is needed as we must allow someone to see the most vulnerable side of us and accept that they will not leave because of it. But I was right also, love is the easiest emotion as it has been easy to love you, Charlie. I can't promise life will be perfect, but I do promise to continue to have the courage and strength to love you."

The crowd becomes intensively quiet. The sound of sniffles and shuffling feet carrying over the stillness that ravished Charlie's nerves. John breathes in deeply, steadying his breath before carrying on with the ceremony.

"Hayden." John clears. "Do you have the rings?"

Burnt grunts, digging into his breast pocket. He pulls out two silver bands that shone brightly in the sunlight, placing them in the appropriate hands. Charlie never felt more grateful to the crew, who had taken their time and skills to make this event possible. He gently ran his fingers across the edges of Joe's ring. It was so tiny and smooth to the touch. He fumbles with it, being mindful not to drop it as he slips the silver band onto her ring finger. She gazed at it spinning it with her thumb before quickly slipping his ring on.

"Now, do you Charles William Austin take this woman to be your wife? To love and to hold, to cherish all your days?"

"I do."

"And do you Josephine Elizabeth Carter take this man to be your husband? To love and to hold, to cherish for all your days?"

"I do."

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife!" John proclaims.

The two youths were on each other in a passionate kiss. Charlie wrapping his long muscular arms around Joe, engulfing her slim figure as she digs her fingers into his hair and arm. The crew's cheers turn deafening, carrying like thunder across the water as they break away. He hugs Joe to his side as the men throw their hats into the air, continuing the joyous cry.

Charlie startles with Burnt's meaty hand bearing down on his shoulder. The thick fingers dig into his collar bone as the battle chief moves to the front, giving him a rather intensive protective stare. Charlie swallows tentatively as it becomes heated before being pulled into a broad chest. Joe chuckles good naturally at his panicked bewilderment while being squeezed into a bear hug by the brute.

"Burnt!" Charlie grouses, trying to wiggle free. "You're crushing me, old man!"

Burnt ignores the quip as he shoves Charlie away before wrapping Joe in the same affection. "You take care of that boy, brat."

"I'll make sure to keep him in trouble, Hayden."

"That's my girl." He grins broadly, giving a final squeeze.

"Come!" Pittman shouts, placing a hand on Charlie's shoulder. "Let us celebrate this joyous occasion!"

The men didn't need any more encouraging, quickly passing about bottles of rum and Mr. Budish's fiddle adding to the merriment. The night soon creeped in, not hindering the dancing, drinking, telling dirty jokes and reminiscing about old times and embarrassing stories in celebration.