The loud sound of the conch shell announced the end of the ceremony. Jolar grabbed my arms and kissed me soundly. I became aware of the other beachgoers watching when hoots and cheers broke out and I pushed Jolar away.
“I love you,” I told him.
“Can we go swim now? I wants to snorkel.”
The officiant laughed.
“I’ll send your video by the end of the week,” the videographer promised Jolar.
“Papa, if we can’t swims yet, can we has some shave ice? There’s a van!” Neal pointed.
I ruffled his hair. “You always know what’s truly important.”
“Yeah,” he replied happily. “Shave ice is much better than -” He made smooching sounds, causing us all to laugh again.
CHAPTER48
JOLAR
Mitchell scoldedme later that night after the luau. It hurt my heart knowing he felt so unworthy of being treated like a king. It was worth the look of exasperation on his face on Oahu, though, when we visited the North Shore on our last day and I married him for the third time, this time gifting him with a sterling silver necklace with a silver and koa wood honu pendant.
“No more weddings, right? We’re going straight back up to the ship?”
“We are. Besides “three is a…”
“Magic Number…” Neal sang along with me.
“Oh, my God! Are you seriously singing Sesame Street at me?”
He placed his hands over his mouth. “You didn’t marry me three times because of that song did you?”
“Is it not true? That three is considered magical?”
“Well, yeah, it is, and four unlucky in some places, while thirteen is considered really bad luck so a lot of buildings skip right to number fourteen. Wait. It was like a talisman?”
I nodded. “Three times, as having you for a mate is like magic.”
He stared at me while the pilot stuffed a fist in his mouth and Neal looked at me in confusion.
“How did you even just say that with a straight face?” he asked me.
“Because it is true.”
“Yeah it is, you goof, but some things most people don’t just say.”
He went into the shuttle and helped Neal fasten his harness.
“Did you not like hearing it?”
“Well, yeah. It was pretty romantic but…”
“And did you not cry from so much happiness each time we made our promises?”
“Ye..es.”
I sat down in my seat and began buckling myself in. “Alright then.”
“I do not think you will win this one,” the pilot told him.
