Norrington's Darling

Forever and Always

POV: Zuri Norrington

The rest of the ceremony passed by in a terrible yet terrific blur. I wanted it to last forever—but I was satisfied with what we had. It wasn't the ceremony that united us but the love we had.

Zuri Norrington.

And now, at long last, I bore his last name. 

We danced together on the sand with the others standing around, the waves crashing. For some time, that was the only sound, the beating heart in my chest and the wind and the waves the only music we needed to dance, to stare in each other's eyes and begin the newest chapter in our book.

But Marcellino clearly thought we needed some music. He pulled out his violin, nodding at Mirko and Fleming. Mirko pulled out a flute and Fleming his lyre. The music they made was beautiful beyond compare and it was to their music that James and I danced.

"You look lovely," James whispered.

"I chose it with you in mind," I whispered back, laying my head on his chest. His hold on me tightened only slightly. He had no intention of letting me go and I didn't want him to. If I could spend eternity dancing with James as we were now, I would be happy. I would be overjoyed.

But at last, the song came to an end. It was silent for a moment as we stared at each other. Even the waves seemed to have stopped—but then they crashed down and movement flowed again as the brothers played another song, this one much faster. James grinned at me and swept me up into the dance as the others joined us.

Catching sight of Theodore dancing with Anamaria, I raised both eyebrows. He stuck his tongue out at me out of Ana's sight and I smirked. James laughed.

"What was that about?"

"I ran into him in Singapore," I reminded him, "and I figured out he and Anamaria like each other. I may have teased him."

James chuckled. "You are a piece of work, my wife."

A slight thrill went through me. "Say that again."

"What?"

"Call me—call me your wife again."

He titled my chin up with his hand, his lips caressing my cheek lightly. "My wife," he murmured. "Mine. Forever and always."

I laced our fingers together. "Forever and always."