Charlie gasped softly at the question and smiled. “I would be honored.” she answered sincerely, bringing her hand up to softly tuck a strand of Ellie’s short blonde hair back behind her ear.
Lori let out a slow, shaky breath as she waited on deck. Jax was standing beside her with the book that was always used during weddings and Drake was leaning casually near the railing that lead up to the helm with his guitar at the ready.
Ellie sighed heavily with relief. "Thank you," she said quietly with a smile. "Let's get going. I can't stand to wait another second."
Charlie smiled at the enthusiasm and nodded, holding Ellie’s hand as she lead the princess up the stairs to the main deck.
Ellie winced slightly as the sunlight dominated her vision for a moment as she emerged onto the Song's deck. But a wide smile instantly took over her face when she saw her partner waiting for her. It was all she could do not to let go of Charlie's hand, run across the deck, and jump into Lorelei's arms.
As soon as Ellie stepped onto the deck, Drake started playing a slower serenading version of the shanty that the couple had shared.
Lori couldn't help the chuckle as she heard the music and turned. She had not told Drake to play that song… Actually, she only vaguely remembered agreeing that Drake could play his guitar during the ceremony. But when she saw Ellie, the music didn't matter and the world came to a stop for her. Nothing else mattered as much as the vision of the love of her life approaching her.
The music instantly brought tears to Ellie's eyes. She recognized it immediately, and then her eyes locked on Lorelei. Her breath caught in her throat, and she squeezed Charlie's hand with nervous excitement. Lori looked stunning.
Charlie smiled softly and gave Ellie’s hand a reassuring squeeze, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt how happy the two would be together.
Lorelei gave a watery smile as she looked at Ellie, her own green eyes starting to get a little misty as well. This is a dream… This has to be a dream. But I don't want to wake up.
Ellie nearly giggled from excitement. However, she managed to contain herself. She was sure none of them would mind, but she still wanted the moment to be as much like a real wedding as possible. Because it was a real wedding. She finally reached the front, near Lorelei, and turned to Charlie. Tears of happiness and gratitude shone in her eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Charlie smiled warmly at the whisper and gently brushed away a stray tear from Ellie’s cheek. “Thank you, my dear, for this privilege.”
Lori watched the exchange, knowing the role Charlie had filled, and extended her hand toward Ellie. “Seems like Tommy has an older sister now.” she teased in a low whisper.
Ellie smiled tearfully at Charlie before turning her attention to Lorelei. She took her partner’s hand and let herself be guided into a position across from her. A giggle finally escaped her at Lorelei’s whisper as much as she tried to keep it in. Her eyes were shining as she gazed adoringly at her partner.
Lorelei’s eyes lit up as she heard Ellie’s soft laugh and met her gaze just as lovingly, holding her hand. “I love you, Ellie.” she whispered, already wanting to kiss the beautiful woman in front of her.
Ellie pressed her lips together and sniffled delicately. “I love you too, Lori,” she whispered back. “So, so much.”
She reached to take Lori’s other hand, and using both of their clasped palms, Ellie positioned Charlie’s bouquet in the middle of it. “For us,” she whispered sweetly.
Lori didn't resist as Ellie positioned their hands and nodded, brushing her fingers against Ellie’s hands. “For us.” she whispered back.
Jax cleared his throat softly and began the ceremony. “I know we ‘ave all waited fer this fer a long time so I’ll keep this short and sweet. ‘Less ye ‘ave yer own words to say.”
Ellie blushed at Jax’s words. Her bluebell eyes met Lori’s, and she tilted her head slightly in an unvoiced question. Do you have something?
The crew laughed a little at Jax’s humor but didn't interrupt.
Lori’s emerald-green eyes never left Ellie’s and smiled softly. “All I have to say is… How much I love you can fill the seas a hundred times over and still not be enough. I know I can't give you a castle, a crown, or the life you’ve always known but… I can give you my heart completely. Perhaps a bit of an adventure every once in a while.” she chuckled softly. “And the promise that I will never stop loving you even after I die.”
Ellie blinked desperately to keep the tears away. She pulled a hand away from their bouquet to wipe lightly at her face.
"Oh, Lori… I can't believe that we're finally getting married. Not once over ten years of waiting did my love for you fade. You are my everything. I adore you, my darling, and I won't ever stop. You have my hand and my heart for all of eternity. I shall never love another as I love you."
Lori smiled at the beautiful words and reached a hand up to cup Ellie’s cheek as a few tears started to glide down her own face. “My dearest treasure.”
Jax cleared his throat again but his voice still sounded thick as he spoke. “Well… I doubt we ‘ave to worry about anyone bein’ against this wedding so…” he said trying to bring the mood back to a more joyful one. “Miss Ellie, do ye take our Cap’t Lorelei ta be yours? In sickness and health? Ta honor and love fer t’e rest of yer life?”
Ellie smiled as a joyful tear slipped down her cheek. "Of course I do," she agreed softly, having nothing else left to say.
Jax nodded and turned toward Lori to ask her the same question. “Cap’t Lorelei, do ye take our Miss Ellie ta be yours? In sickness and health? Ta honor and love fer t’e rest of yer life?”
“I do.” Lori answered with a giggle, already leaning towards Ellie. “Always and a hundred times.”
“Then by t’e power invested in me by t’e sea and stars,” Jax announced with a grin, “ye may kiss yer bride.”
Ellie didn't waste another second. She stepped closer to her beloved and closed the distance between their lips quickly. After drawing out the kiss for a moment, she drew back and studied Lori's eyes. Her wife's eyes. "My bride," she whispered.
Lori matched the kiss with equal fervor and love as she pulled Ellie close. She didn't even hear the crew cheering for them as she looked into those beautiful blue eyes. “Yes. I'm yours.” she nodded. “And you are mine.” she whispered, moving in for another kiss.
"Gladly," Ellie managed to get out before Lori's lips trapped anything else she wanted to say in her mouth. She reached up and cupped Lori's cheek with her right hand. Her left one was still holding tight to Charlie's blossoms.
Lori smiled into the kiss before pulling away, leaning into Ellie’s hand. She laughed a little in sheer joy as she wrapped her arms around her bride's waist and lifted her off her feet, spinning around.
Ellie shrieked with delight and surprise as she was lifted into the air suddenly. "Lori!" she cried out through giggles. Her short hair flew out around her face as she was spun.
Lori laughed loudly, enjoying the wild yet blissful moment before stopping and carefully setting Ellie on her feet. But she didn't let go of her yet, just in case either one of them needed help keeping their balance.