THE DAY BEFORE
JASON
"Jason. Jason!"
Jason stirred at the sound of Mel hissing his name into his ear. If this was her attempt at "gently" waking him up, it wasn't working. Then again, who said being woken at all from a deep sleep was gentle? Nobody liked that shit. She gently shook his shoulder and said his name again. "Jason. Sweetie, wake up."
"Mrmph," he mumbled, his face half buried in his pillow. He was so comfortable. Moving should have been a crime.
Her giggle made him crack his eyes open just a little. Slightly more alert, he could smell her before he could see her. The floral-scented lotion she wore on her skin was intoxicating. Had he had the energy, he would have had his mouth all over her in 2.5 seconds. Except this pillow was his mistress right now.
Until Mel leaned over into his ear.
"Do you know what today is?" She breathed into his ear.
With a playful growl, he hooked his arm around her waist and wrestled her into the bed with him. What the hell was she doing, awake and ready for the day anyway? Either way, she giggled wildly and worried over her face and hair and it was so adorable, he only wanted her more. But instead of having his way with her, as he would have liked, he instead smiled down at her as she lay across the bed underneath him. "Yeah. I know what today is."
She grinned. "So why are you still in bed?"
He raised an eyebrow flirtatiously. "Well, because you're here now, and..."
"No," she commanded. "We have no time for this now."
He looked at her, offended. "Do what?"
"Come on, I'm ready to go! I thought we'd go on a little breakfast date--if I can even eat--and then head into Honolulu and pick up our marriage license." She said the last part with the giddiness of a teenage girl.
He couldn't help but smile at her. "You're that excited."
"Yes!" She said, crawling out from under him and off the bed. "Now get up and get ready or I'll drag you to the shower myself!"
He sat up in the bed, pulling the comforter back in his lap. "Is that an option?"
His question was met with a folded bath towel to the face. "Come on, get moving!"
Jason laughed. "Okay, okay. Damn, woman, you'll be the death of me yet."
"But we'll be married first!" She grinned.
Smirking at her, he made his way to the bathroom.
-----------------
Jason guessed it had finally gotten to that point. Even in his own hometown he couldn't go anywhere without being followed anymore. He had grown somewhat accustomed to the invasion of privacy, but it didn't make it any less infuriating. The small groups of cameras followed them to breakfast and even to the Honolulu Health Department where they were picking up the marriage license. When they found out that's where they had to go, Mel and Jason had both looked at each other like they were crazy. But if that's how Honolulu wanted to do things, that's how they did things.
As they sat there, side-by-side, in front of the license agent, he sweated bullets. He didn't understand why. Was it actual nerves? Was he getting cold feet? Or was it mere excitement like Mel's, just expressed differently? He had no idea. On one hand he wasn't more sure of anything in his life. On the other hand reality was starting to set in.
The application process was quick and painless. In Hawaii there was no waiting period, so once they signed with the officiant after tomorrow's ceremony, it would be official. In just over twenty-four hours, Mel would be his wife. This day had almost never happened. His stomach churned at the thought of the near-miss.
Once they'd filled out the application, supplied the correct documentation, and paid the fee, the couple sat out in the car, silent, Mel with the license in her hand. It was apparent that they both needed a moment to take it all in and they sat there in thought. Finally, Mel looked over at him. "This is it. We're doing this. Isn't this crazy?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Is what crazy?"
"This. Getting married. Being together a couple of months. Being engaged for less than two weeks--"
"If we had just met, then sure, that would be crazy. But our hearts have been in it for a few years. Why argue with that?"
Mel smiled. "I'm not arguing. Just reflecting."
"This is the most exhilarating ride I've ever been on, gorgeous," he said, reaching over and taking her hand. "But I would never have taken the ride with anyone else but you." Then he smiled. "So what's on the bride's agenda today?"
She blushed. "I was hoping to spend the day with the groom before Nikki and Kate and Leona dragged me away from you after the rehearsal dinner tonight. What are your plans after dinner?"
"I think the guys have a poker game planned."
She giggled. "Poker? No bar-hopping, kegs, strippers..."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "What the hell are YOU ladies doing?"
"Bar-hopping, kegs, strippers..."
Jason laughed and she laughed with him. "I honestly have no idea. Probably not much. Leona will probably have Isabel with her, so we'll probably just stay in." Then she hesitated before she spoke again. "Hey, um, since Nikki and Kate are spending the night with me...how would you feel about dealing Ike and Zac into your game? They can both play, I've played with them before. Anyway, I think that would be nice..."
"Taylor's in town," he found himself blurting out. Shit! Probably not the best way to bring that up.
The car fell silent. Finally, Mel looked at him and blinked her eyes. "What does that mean?"
"I, um, I took a risk that I probably should or shouldn't have taken and I...I invited him to the wedding."
Mel searched Jason's face as if trying to make sense of his words. "Why would he want to come to our wedding?"
"Well--because--to support you. Because he's your friend. And sort of a member of your extended family. And any friends and family of yours are friends and family of mine. Is it a problem?"
"I haven't spoken to him since before I moved to Malibu. And I've been so happy."
"Maybe the distance was good for you. Maybe this will jumpstart your journey back to friendship, huh?"
"Why is this important to you?"
"Because he is important to you. Whether you want to admit it or not. I know he is. And so are his brothers and so is their family. You've known them since you were a kid. After that amount of time, you're just not easily rid of someone like that--even if you voluntarily put ten years between you." He nudged her at the reference. Then he dropped bomb number two. "I also invited them to the rehearsal dinner tonight. They'll all be there."
Mel was silent for a moment. "I don't want our wedding ruined," she whispered.
"Baby, nobody's going to ruin anything. Especially if I have anything to say about it. And, honestly, I really don't think there will be any problems. I was thinking maybe, uh, maybe you wanted to invite him to lunch today. Get the icebreaker out of the way."
Mel shook her head and rested the marriage license on her lap. "There's no need for that," she said quietly. "I'll see him at dinner tonight."
"You sure?"
She nodded. "Yep."
"Okay, then." As he drove out of the parking lot he cursed himself. Shit! Was she upset? Surprised? She certainly didn't look thrilled. Maybe she was right. Why WOULD Taylor want to be there? He thought he was doing a good thing by inviting him, and so help him if Taylor tried any tricks or funny business, he wouldn't survive to see the results. Nobody was going to keep Jason from marrying his Melokia. Nobody.
As they rode down the road, he reached over and took her hand one more time. "Hey. It's just you and me, gorgeous. Okay? That's it."
She looked over at him and a smile crept across her face and he winked at her in response. "You're right," she said. "You're absolutely right." And with that, she let out a breath and stared out the window.
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When they were planning this impromptu wedding less than two weeks from the date Jason proposed, it had started as a small, private wedding, most likely on his family's portion of the beach. Then it seemed that the guest list started to grow overnight and the area was becoming a bit impractical to host the growing number of RSVP's. Besides his own family, Mel's parents would be in attendance, along with all three Hanson brothers, the ladies from the record label, Andy, Martina and her family, Gerard Cline, and several of Jason's friends from LA and a couple of Mel's, including Sarah and David. They had also invited Isolde Wilson and her film crew--the only media allowed within a five mile radius of Turtle Bay Resort, the venue that had jumped all over their wedding plans the moment Mel had said Jason's name over the phone to inquire about the hotel. This was only the highlight of the guest list and didn't include the guests' plus ones.
Despite the wedding being at the resort, Mel still found a way to make their wedding seem private and intimate, working closely day and night with the resort staff and planners to make sure every small, minimal detail was just right in the short amount of time they had to do it all in. As Jason watched her, on the small patch of beach allotted for their wedding, he was mesmerized by how precise and exact she was with the staff in the placement of the guest chairs and the gazebo they would stand under. They didn't have any décor. The simple, wooden gazebo would be draped in an opaque, white cover tied on with Hawaiian flower bouquet accents. The chairs would boast a small amount of décor but that was the extent of it. The table where the license would be signed would be off to the side and beyond that, their only décor was the sand, the water, and the waves crashing against the craggy rock alongside the shoreline. It really was a beautiful location. However, Jason was too busy watching the breeze blow through Mel's hair to notice his surroundings.
He had no idea what she was saying. He had tuned it out long ago. He just liked to watch her work. She always knew exactly what she wanted and how she wanted it done. She was a bit of a control freak, but it was part of her charm and he wouldn't have had her any other way.
Jason's heart pounded when it came time for the actual rehearsal. It pounded out of his chest as he stood in the same location he would stand in tomorrow for the real thing. Kona stood by him as his best man, along with Kelani and Gerard Cline. The bridesmaids, Nikki, Kate, and Leona made their way down the imaginary aisle where lines had been drawn in the sand to signify where the chairs would be. Traditionally, to some, it was bad luck for the bride to walk down the aisle before the wedding. So her father walked down the aisle alone and she bounded up the side past the women and parked herself in the sand in front of Jason. She grinned up at him. His heart pounded harder.
As the officiant stood with them, he went over the ceremony. "Okay, so the ukuleles have played, the processional has taken place. The bride has been given away. I blow the ceremonial conch shell to start things off, signifying the beginning of a new journey and to ward off evil spirits--or crazy wedding guests."
Mel and Jason, along with the rest of the wedding party, chuckled lightly.
"Anyway so then I say my opening speech--" he eyed Mel hard. "--which you have fervently read over with a fine-toothed comb--I will ask who gives this woman to this man and then I will seat the guests. Then I talk again..."
"When do I get to kiss her?" Jason interrupted. He winked down at Mel and she blushed.
The officiant smiled. "In time, in time. I can already tell, this is gonna be an anxious bunch."
"You have no idea," Jason replied.
"Okay. Then we do the lei exchange...are we still on board with that?"
"Yes," Mel and Jason said simultaneously.
The officiant smiled again. "Okay...so we've exchanged leis, I've said my piece about them. Then we exchange the vows. It's my understanding you've prepared your own?"
Jason's eyes widened and his blood ran cold. Prepared their own? Nobody said anything about that. He hadn't prepared shit! Suddenly, Mel smiled warmly and reached up to touch his face. "Don't sweat it. It's okay. It'll come to you when it comes to you."
"Did you write any?"
She shook her head. "Nope."
Relief washing over him, Jason grinned, suddenly feeling weak at the knees.
"After the vows, I say something else and then we do the 'I do's.' Then we'll do the hand lei ceremony where you hold hands and I lay the lei over them and recite the symbolism of it. We'll exchange rings...then we'll blend the sand..."
Mel smiled. "I love the sand ceremony," she whispered. "I think it's beautiful."
Jason grinned at her.
"Then I'll say my closing words, pronounce you man and wife and then you may kiss the bride and I introduce the couple. The end."
Jason grabbed Mel by the waist and jerked her close to him, only to be interrupted by a chorus of women screaming, "NO! Don't kiss her!"
Alarmed, he looked over Mel's head as Nikki, Kate, and Leona approached. "You can't kiss her right there," Nikki objected. "It's bad luck!"
"That's a bullshit superstition," he replied.
"I don't care," Nikki insisted. "You are NOT going risk putting bad luck on your wedding!"
"I think we're through with the rehearsal," Mel said. Then she pulled him toward her and whispered in his ear, "Maybe I'll let you get a little handsy with me before we get ready for dinner."
He straightened up. "Deal. Okay, you guys. Dinner in a couple of hours at Ola. Thanks for coming out here. We'll see you then."
And then, anxiously, he took his future bride by the hand and led her toward the hotel.
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MEL
Mel walked into Ola on Jason's arm, proud to be there with him, but nervous as hell. First of all, she hoped her dress was appropriate. Jason sure loved it, but she knew he would. It was short, well above the knee, sleeveless with a high neck that hooked in the back. The rest of it was backless and it had a nude underlay with a navy lace overlay, adorned with navy rhinestones. Her dark hair was piled into a mess on top of her head and a pair of subtle, silver ear cuffs curled along her ear, boasting navy beads.
Ola was a gorgeous, open air, seafood restaurant that sat on the beach, located at Turtle Bay resort. Mel and Jason hadn't been the last to arrive, but they hadn't been the first, either. After greeting her parents and Jason's mother and a few of Jason's cousins, and after introductions went all around, everyone began migrating to their seats to order drinks. Mel didn't waste any time on the wine selection.
As Mel and Jason laughed and talked with their families, Isaac and Nikki and Zac and Kate walked into the restaurant. Taylor brought up the rear. There was tension. Immediate tension. Before Taylor had the opportunity to make eye contact with her, Mel took Jason's hand and looked up at him. He searched her eyes for a moment and then glanced over her head. He didn't even need to ask her to know what the matter was. "You can't avoid him all weekend," he said quietly, leaning in close to her. "Especially not tonight. He's your guest, you can't be rude to him. I know this is a little awkward for you, and I'm sorry I put you in this position before clearing it with you first. But don't make him feel awkward, too."
"But this is our rehearsal--"
The eyebrow that Jason raised at her was his final say and there was no objection after that. He had put his foot down in that one small gesture.
"Okay. You're right," she mumbled, rising from her seat. She looked at Jason one last time before she crossed the room.
Having seen Ike and Zac and Nikki and Kate earlier that afternoon, the greetings were brief and they exchanged a couple of words before making their way past her to greet Jason. Against her will, but much expected, that left her alone with Tay, face-to-face with him.
They looked at each other for a moment before he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Hey," he said quietly. "You, uh, you look great."
"Thanks," she responded with a light smile. "So do you." She didn't lie. He looked spectacular in his tan chinos and his blue, button-down shirt. His blue eyes popped against the shirt and his skin was lush in color. He looked healthy. He looked better than ever.
And she couldn't control the goddamn flutter in her heart. She would always be attracted to him. She loved Jason, but it didn't hinder her ability to appreciate a beautiful man.
"So," he said, taking a deep breath. "Congratulations."
"I can't believe you're here," she blurted.
"Yeah," he said nervously, running a hand through his hair. "Neither can I. Uh, actually--I wanted to be here. I was glad to get the invite."
Mel was a little surprised. "You wanted to be?"
"Yeah. How could I miss it? You're my best friend. What kind of a friend would I be if I ditched your wedding?"
Unable to help it, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I'm glad you're here," she whispered in his ear, fighting tears. "Thank you so much for your support. You always supported me."
"You always supported me, too. That's what friends are for." He pulled away and took another deep breath. "I gotta say, though, it's kinda funny how the tables have turned as quick as they have."
"Tay--"
"But it feels right. Even I can't deny how right this is. I knew it was right the night I met the guy, the first time I saw you together. We spent at least two years fighting against this very moment right here. Who knew that if we had just let it happen, we'd have both been so much happier?"
She searched his eyes for a moment. "Are you happy, Tay?"
He paused before a smile crept across his face. "Yeah. Yeah, I am. I'm, uh, I've done a lot of soul-searching. A lot of finding myself. And I'm learning tons. I've never really been single before and, to be honest--and no offense--I actually like being single. It's peaceful. There's a sort of freedom in it, you know?"
She smiled and nodded. "Yeah. I know. I'm happy for you."
"I'm happy for you, too."
"People think we're crazy, you know. All of us. You, me, Jason...people think we're criminally insane or something."
Tay waved the comment off. "Bah, just let them think what they want. We're all doing what's right for ourselves and each other. If nobody understands us, that's their problem, right?"
She laughed lightly. "You're right. That's true."
Minutes later they parted ways as Tay made his own way across the room to greet Jason. Beside her, she felt a soft hand on her bare arm. "Are you gonna be okay, sweetie?" Her mother asked her.
Mel turned her head and took a deep breath, smiling at Susan. "Yeah," she nodded. "Yeah, I think I am." The euphoria she felt from the relief that washed over her in that moment was indescribable.
---------
Mel was on glass of wine number three by the time dessert rolled around. And she hadn't had lunch due to the big breakfast she had consumed. So by this point, she was feeling it a little. Taylor had ended up at their table. She didn't know how and by this point, she didn't care how. He seemed to get along pretty well with Kona, who was also at their table, along with Barb and Mel's parents. Mel took a moment to look around the table. Tay, Kona, Barb, Susan, and Paul. Mel's and Jason's immediate family. This was how it was meant to be.
While everyone was still seated around drinks and dessert, Mel's father stood from his seat and cleared his throat. "If I, uh, if I could have everyone's attention for a quick moment. I'm Paul Banks, I'm Melody's father. My baby girl is getting married tomorrow. To this guy right here. I gotta admit, I didn't care for Jason when I first met him. The first weekend he ever visited us in Tulsa a few years ago, my baby girl came home with tattoos and I knew immediately that this wasn't gonna fly with me. He was direct, he was blunt, and he never made excuses for himself. I didn't like it and I didn't want to admit it then, but he reminded me a lot of me when I was a much younger version of myself. And then, not so long ago, he and I had a...sort of difference in opinion. I said some things that maybe I shouldn't have said, and damn if this guy didn't put me in my place. He showed me what he was made of and made his intentions with my daughter precise and crystal clear--and since then he's had my utmost respect. He takes amazing care of my Melody, he makes her happy, and I've seen changes in her I never thought I'd see--changes for the better. And that's what true love is--when one person can bring out the best in the other. With that being said, I will be extremely proud to call Jason my son-in-law tomorrow." He raised his glass and smiled at Jason. "Welcome to the family, son."
Tears welled up in Mel's eyes as Jason stood and shook her father's hand and then pulled him in for a hug. It was such a touching moment, especially for her father to stand and say those things out loud. As she dabbed her eyes carefully with one of her clean cocktail napkins, Paul sat and Jason remained standing.
"So while I'm up," Jason started. "I, first, just want to thank everyone for being here tonight and for attending--and participating in--our wedding tomorrow. I realize that everything was extremely short notice for all of you and I could never truly express my appreciation for you all taking the time out of your busy schedules to witness our marriage. It really means the world to both of us." Then he paused and looked down at Mel, winking at her. "I met Mel several years ago in New York City. At the time, I was closed for business. I had never been in a serious relationship and I refused to be in one. I had emotionally shut myself off from the world and I made it a point to not have time for such foolishness. Things like love and relationships were useless to me. At the time, all I needed to get through life was a couple of beers, a good trainer, and a few cars to crash in front of some cameras. That about summed up my life. I didn't care about anything else." He took a deep breath. "And then I ended up in the living room of a house in the Upper East Side on a whim with a friend of mine who had twisted my arm to be there. And Mel rounded that corner and--everything I thought I knew about life instantly became a lie. One look--one glance--and I was ready to lay down my life for her. I have been ever since."
By this point, Mel was done for. She was crying full tears now, desperately trying to keep her face dry, worried that her makeup was running.
"I know that tomorrow, when I marry her, it's supposed to be the proverbial beginning of my life. But the truth is, I'm only confirming the vows I made to myself on our first date. I'm simply making it legal. She's turned my entire world upside down. She found me and showed me the man that I really am. She saved my life. And for that, I dedicate this toast to her. My love, my life, my Melokia."
As applause sounded around the room, Mel couldn't help herself. She stood and threw her arms around his neck, the tears flowing freely. She hugged him and she kissed him and she couldn't tear herself away from him. "I love you so much," she whispered to him between kisses.
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JASON
It was dark. Jason had cracked the sliding glass door in the hotel suite he was sleeping in so that he could fall asleep to the sound of the crashing waves below his balcony.
Except that sleep evaded him. The customary, old wives' tale of not seeing each other the night before the wedding was bullshit to him. But if the wedding parties insisted, then--why the hell not, right? The anticipation might be good for them anyway.
Except that he missed her. He missed Mel. And he supposed that feeling would never go away. And in the next week, when he had to leave her for Europe--and she couldn't join him for another four weeks--would be the most brutal time he would ever have to endure. It was one thing, globe-hopping and being in love with her all this time, with no real outlet to get it all out in. But now they were together? And married? The separation alone could possibly kill him.
He didn't know when he fell asleep, but the next thing he knew, he was waking up to the sound of his name, for the second time that day. Curled up on his side, he struggled to crack his eyes open, barely making out the fuzzy outline of the person standing at his bedside. "Jason," Mel said quietly. "Are you asleep?"
'Well, I WAS.' Those were the first words that came to mind, the ones that nearly escaped his lips. But curiosity got the best of him and, wordlessly, he lifted up the corner of the cover to allow her to crawl in bed with him.
Except that she didn't. Instead, she turned on the bedside lamp and switched it to its lowest setting, then wordlessly began to take off her clothes. She pulled her shirt over her head, let her pants drop to her ankles, and stood before him, completely nude, in the dim lamplight. Her tanned skin seemed to glow. Was he dreaming?
A little more awake now, and still bewildered, Jason slowly rose from his position on his side, and sat up in the bed. Blinking to focus, he shamelessly let his eyes fall over her body as she stood there and looked at him. He wasn't dreaming. This was his reality. He couldn't believe that this was his reality.
Leaning forward, he extended his arm and reached for her as she stepped toward the bed. Close enough to touch her, he took her by the hand and said gently, "Come here." She had gotten one knee onto the bed before he leaned further forward and slid his hand around her bare waist and pulled her close to him. She straddled his lap on her knees and rested her hands along the sides of his torso as he wrapped one arm around her neck and the other around her waist, his hand splayed out against her back. Pulling her tight, pressing her body against his, he kissed her deeply, passionately, a light moan escaping his throat as her arms slid around his back and hooked over his shoulders.
After a moment, her hands dropped listlessly to his waist and tugged at the bottom of his shirt. Taking his hands off of her only long enough to pull his own shirt over his head and toss it to the side, he wrapped his arms around her again, matching his previous position, taking her mouth with his once again. He couldn't get enough of her. There was something...almost spiritual about the way this was transpiring. The way her warm skin felt on his, her breasts pressed against him, the light scent of the faded perfume that radiated from her skin--it was almost as if she were an entity more than she was a mere woman. And after all this time, she still hadn't uttered a single word.
That was, until she abruptly stopped kissing him and pulled her face from his. She looked in his eyes and whispered, nearly inaudibly, "You looked incredible tonight. I couldn't keep my eyes off of you. I didn't want to. Sometimes I look at you and I can't believe you're real. And that you chose to spend your life with someone like me."
He looked back at her, searching her eyes in thought. His voice caught in his throat for a second before he finally responded quietly, "It's always been you. Nobody else but you." And then he kissed her again, his kiss deeper, with more meaning. He pulled her closer to him. Tighter. He couldn't pull her close enough.
Jason made love to Mel in that same position. He had to. He couldn't have it any other way. Tonight he needed to see her. To feel her. To have her heart close to his. She didn't say anything else. She barely made a sound. But her eyes were locked into his for the majority of the time and she didn't need to say anything. Her eyes said it all. He could feel her, inside and out. Sexually, spiritually, and emotionally. They had connected when they first met, had a unique bond ever since. But it was nothing like this. Nothing like the connection he felt now. She never ceased to change his life. Every single day, she changed his life.
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MEL
"Mel," Jason said, shaking her gently. "Baby, wake up. Come on, we gotta hurry."
Stirring, Mel opened her eyes and looked up at Jason, who was acting unusually anxious. She blinked for a moment before she realized where she was and then her eyes widened. "Oh my god, Jason! I'm not supposed to be here! What time is it?"
"Getting later. Hurry up, get dressed."
Slightly alarmed and slightly anxious herself, she didn't question him and she did what he said. Throwing on her t-shirt and pants from the previous night, she was caught off guard when she noticed him already dressed and tucking his room key into his pocket. Then he glanced at her, just barely, and grabbed her by the hand. "Come on."
"But I didn't wear any shoes--"
"Not gonna matter."
As they left the room, Mel nearly had to power walk to keep up with him. In the elevator, she finally asked him, "What is this all about? I gotta get back to my room before anyone catches us together!"
"This is more important. I want to show you something and I almost woke up too late."
When the elevator stopped, he grabbed her hand once again and led her through the hotel. They were greeted with looks and smiles of recognition from the hotel staff as they breezed through. Jason didn't pay any attention to them, but Mel was mortified. She looked like hell. She was so glad it was too early for any guests to be milling around the hotel.
He led her out the hotel doors and onto the beach under a dark blue sky, only a speckling of clouds in sight. He led her down the beach, looked around for a second, and then sat down in the sand, pulling her down with him and positioning her between his legs as he sat behind her, rubbing her arms. It didn't take much to figure out what he was up to. "Jason," she said as the light chill of the breeze blew. "What is all this?"
"We're just in time," he responded quietly. "Just be patient. You coming to my room last night was just fate. I know it was."
They sat together in silence, looking out into the dark ocean as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. Within minutes, the sky began to lighten, and Mel was able to start naming colors in the sky. Blue, purple, yellow...she was getting excited and she felt her heart begin to race. She had never had such eager anticipation for something so simple in her entire life.
The minutes seemed to race by and Mel wished they wouldn't. She wanted to sit right there with him like that forever. She never wanted this moment to end. But as she finally began to spy the gold band forming along the horizon, where the sky met the ocean, her heart pounded again. It was like waiting to count down for the new year, except better on so many different levels.
"Mahalo," Jason's rich, deep voice breathed into her ear. She took in a breath and closed her eyes at the sound.
"For what?" She finally responded.
"For coming into my life and loving me. For rescuing me and setting me free."
Mel blinked her eyes, touched and a little overwhelmed by his words. He would never know what he meant to her. There would never be a sufficient enough way to express it. Trying to make light of the situation, to keep herself from crying, she smiled and whispered, "I think you're supposed to save that for later."
"No," he replied. "I needed to say it now. Alone. Before the hustle and bustle of today. I need right now to be our time. Just me and you. Nobody else."
As the minutes passed, they sat in silence as the sky continued to lighten. The gold band began to blend into the lightened blue and the gold softened into yellow. A few more minutes later, and Mel began to see gold budding from the water. Jason's arms wrapped tighter around her and he kissed her cheek. "This is it," he said gently. "This is why I brought you out here."
As touched as she was by the gesture, she couldn't help but remind him, "But--Jason--we've watched the sun rise so many--"
"No," he said. "Not this one. This one is special. It's unique. THIS sunrise--this particular one right here, right now--will never happen again. It's the only time you will ever see it. And this is the one you'll never forget."
A gasp caught in her throat at his words. She loved when he spoke like this. It felt like the first time she met him. All his words of wisdom and the beautiful way he expressed himself absolutely amazed her then and they did now, to this day. They would for the rest of her life. It was one of the many things for which she fell for him.
Her hand reached up and found her necklace, her fingers caressing the moonstone that sat in the middle of the gold rays. She had never taken the necklace off. Not once. She never knew so much meaning could live inside such a tiny object.
They sat and watched the sun rise in silence for a few minutes. She couldn't deny the magic of it as it seemed to rise from the water like it ruled the ocean. "It's so beautiful," she found herself whispering, in awe of the sun that had now finally risen in the sky. The full, golden circle, barely above the water, shined a golden hue onto small sections of the water, causing the water to subtly sparkle as if sprinkling glitter into the calm waves. The rays splayed themselves out through the thin clouds that rose above the sun as if to crown the sun god as he rose from his nightly slumber. Beyond commenting on the beauty of it, Mel couldn't speak. There were no words to be spoken.
Except by Jason. "The very next morning, after I left New York and landed here, I couldn't sleep. And I didn't. Didn't even try. I sat out on the beach all night long. I tried not to think of you, but you were all I could think about. I didn't want to admit to myself that I had fallen for you. It wasn't right. But I did it anyway. I sat on that beach and you were on my mind all fucking night long--"
"I had no idea..."
"I tried to play it cool. Anyway, so I sat. And I played our night together in my head over and over and over again. I took in every facial expression, every smile that came my way, every word you said to me--everything. I couldn't stop thinking about you. When you called me on my layover and you told me how I changed your life, that's when mine changed. Forever. I never knew I made such a difference in someone's life and it was then that I realized that I was a changed man, as well. We changed each other that night. And there were so many things I wanted to say to you then. SO many things. I was ready to spill it all out for you right there with no shame at all. But I couldn't."
"Jason--"
"But I can now. When the sun rose that morning, it finally hit me. I wished you were with me in Hawaii. I wished I had never left New York. I wished that I could be everywhere you were and that you could be everywhere I was. But most of all, I wished you could have been with me right there, in that moment, to watch that beautiful sunrise. That single, unique sunrise that would never be seen again. And so I took a picture of it, to capture it forever, and I sent it to you. Mel, my heart is here in Hawaii. It's in that water out there, it's in this sand and up in that sky. And when I sent you that picture, I sent you my heart." She heard a faint laugh escape his lips. "When I gave you that necklace and you told me you still had the picture, I nearly died right there. You'd never know in a thousand years what that particular sunrise meant to me. And now, here we sit, together, in Oahu, on the morning of our wedding, watching the sun rise. This is a moment that's been years in the making, whether we knew it or not. This is fate. I wanted to show you what you truly mean to me." He raised his arm and pointed to the golden sun in the sky. "And that is it. That is what you mean to me. You're the sun in my sky, my Melokia. You're the water that glitters underneath it, the wind that blows past it, and the clouds that shelter it. And you will be for the rest of my life."
Mel couldn't speak. Instead she cried. She bawled as the sky lightened above them. She hadn't wanted to cry, but she was so incredibly moved and appreciative of his words, grateful--so grateful--that in just a few hours, she would be marrying this man.
JASON
"Jason. Jason!"
Jason stirred at the sound of Mel hissing his name into his ear. If this was her attempt at "gently" waking him up, it wasn't working. Then again, who said being woken at all from a deep sleep was gentle? Nobody liked that shit. She gently shook his shoulder and said his name again. "Jason. Sweetie, wake up."
"Mrmph," he mumbled, his face half buried in his pillow. He was so comfortable. Moving should have been a crime.
Her giggle made him crack his eyes open just a little. Slightly more alert, he could smell her before he could see her. The floral-scented lotion she wore on her skin was intoxicating. Had he had the energy, he would have had his mouth all over her in 2.5 seconds. Except this pillow was his mistress right now.
Until Mel leaned over into his ear.
"Do you know what today is?" She breathed into his ear.
With a playful growl, he hooked his arm around her waist and wrestled her into the bed with him. What the hell was she doing, awake and ready for the day anyway? Either way, she giggled wildly and worried over her face and hair and it was so adorable, he only wanted her more. But instead of having his way with her, as he would have liked, he instead smiled down at her as she lay across the bed underneath him. "Yeah. I know what today is."
She grinned. "So why are you still in bed?"
He raised an eyebrow flirtatiously. "Well, because you're here now, and..."
"No," she commanded. "We have no time for this now."
He looked at her, offended. "Do what?"
"Come on, I'm ready to go! I thought we'd go on a little breakfast date--if I can even eat--and then head into Honolulu and pick up our marriage license." She said the last part with the giddiness of a teenage girl.
He couldn't help but smile at her. "You're that excited."
"Yes!" She said, crawling out from under him and off the bed. "Now get up and get ready or I'll drag you to the shower myself!"
He sat up in the bed, pulling the comforter back in his lap. "Is that an option?"
His question was met with a folded bath towel to the face. "Come on, get moving!"
Jason laughed. "Okay, okay. Damn, woman, you'll be the death of me yet."
"But we'll be married first!" She grinned.
Smirking at her, he made his way to the bathroom.
-----------------
Jason guessed it had finally gotten to that point. Even in his own hometown he couldn't go anywhere without being followed anymore. He had grown somewhat accustomed to the invasion of privacy, but it didn't make it any less infuriating. The small groups of cameras followed them to breakfast and even to the Honolulu Health Department where they were picking up the marriage license. When they found out that's where they had to go, Mel and Jason had both looked at each other like they were crazy. But if that's how Honolulu wanted to do things, that's how they did things.
As they sat there, side-by-side, in front of the license agent, he sweated bullets. He didn't understand why. Was it actual nerves? Was he getting cold feet? Or was it mere excitement like Mel's, just expressed differently? He had no idea. On one hand he wasn't more sure of anything in his life. On the other hand reality was starting to set in.
The application process was quick and painless. In Hawaii there was no waiting period, so once they signed with the officiant after tomorrow's ceremony, it would be official. In just over twenty-four hours, Mel would be his wife. This day had almost never happened. His stomach churned at the thought of the near-miss.
Once they'd filled out the application, supplied the correct documentation, and paid the fee, the couple sat out in the car, silent, Mel with the license in her hand. It was apparent that they both needed a moment to take it all in and they sat there in thought. Finally, Mel looked over at him. "This is it. We're doing this. Isn't this crazy?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Is what crazy?"
"This. Getting married. Being together a couple of months. Being engaged for less than two weeks--"
"If we had just met, then sure, that would be crazy. But our hearts have been in it for a few years. Why argue with that?"
Mel smiled. "I'm not arguing. Just reflecting."
"This is the most exhilarating ride I've ever been on, gorgeous," he said, reaching over and taking her hand. "But I would never have taken the ride with anyone else but you." Then he smiled. "So what's on the bride's agenda today?"
She blushed. "I was hoping to spend the day with the groom before Nikki and Kate and Leona dragged me away from you after the rehearsal dinner tonight. What are your plans after dinner?"
"I think the guys have a poker game planned."
She giggled. "Poker? No bar-hopping, kegs, strippers..."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "What the hell are YOU ladies doing?"
"Bar-hopping, kegs, strippers..."
Jason laughed and she laughed with him. "I honestly have no idea. Probably not much. Leona will probably have Isabel with her, so we'll probably just stay in." Then she hesitated before she spoke again. "Hey, um, since Nikki and Kate are spending the night with me...how would you feel about dealing Ike and Zac into your game? They can both play, I've played with them before. Anyway, I think that would be nice..."
"Taylor's in town," he found himself blurting out. Shit! Probably not the best way to bring that up.
The car fell silent. Finally, Mel looked at him and blinked her eyes. "What does that mean?"
"I, um, I took a risk that I probably should or shouldn't have taken and I...I invited him to the wedding."
Mel searched Jason's face as if trying to make sense of his words. "Why would he want to come to our wedding?"
"Well--because--to support you. Because he's your friend. And sort of a member of your extended family. And any friends and family of yours are friends and family of mine. Is it a problem?"
"I haven't spoken to him since before I moved to Malibu. And I've been so happy."
"Maybe the distance was good for you. Maybe this will jumpstart your journey back to friendship, huh?"
"Why is this important to you?"
"Because he is important to you. Whether you want to admit it or not. I know he is. And so are his brothers and so is their family. You've known them since you were a kid. After that amount of time, you're just not easily rid of someone like that--even if you voluntarily put ten years between you." He nudged her at the reference. Then he dropped bomb number two. "I also invited them to the rehearsal dinner tonight. They'll all be there."
Mel was silent for a moment. "I don't want our wedding ruined," she whispered.
"Baby, nobody's going to ruin anything. Especially if I have anything to say about it. And, honestly, I really don't think there will be any problems. I was thinking maybe, uh, maybe you wanted to invite him to lunch today. Get the icebreaker out of the way."
Mel shook her head and rested the marriage license on her lap. "There's no need for that," she said quietly. "I'll see him at dinner tonight."
"You sure?"
She nodded. "Yep."
"Okay, then." As he drove out of the parking lot he cursed himself. Shit! Was she upset? Surprised? She certainly didn't look thrilled. Maybe she was right. Why WOULD Taylor want to be there? He thought he was doing a good thing by inviting him, and so help him if Taylor tried any tricks or funny business, he wouldn't survive to see the results. Nobody was going to keep Jason from marrying his Melokia. Nobody.
As they rode down the road, he reached over and took her hand one more time. "Hey. It's just you and me, gorgeous. Okay? That's it."
She looked over at him and a smile crept across her face and he winked at her in response. "You're right," she said. "You're absolutely right." And with that, she let out a breath and stared out the window.
------------
When they were planning this impromptu wedding less than two weeks from the date Jason proposed, it had started as a small, private wedding, most likely on his family's portion of the beach. Then it seemed that the guest list started to grow overnight and the area was becoming a bit impractical to host the growing number of RSVP's. Besides his own family, Mel's parents would be in attendance, along with all three Hanson brothers, the ladies from the record label, Andy, Martina and her family, Gerard Cline, and several of Jason's friends from LA and a couple of Mel's, including Sarah and David. They had also invited Isolde Wilson and her film crew--the only media allowed within a five mile radius of Turtle Bay Resort, the venue that had jumped all over their wedding plans the moment Mel had said Jason's name over the phone to inquire about the hotel. This was only the highlight of the guest list and didn't include the guests' plus ones.
Despite the wedding being at the resort, Mel still found a way to make their wedding seem private and intimate, working closely day and night with the resort staff and planners to make sure every small, minimal detail was just right in the short amount of time they had to do it all in. As Jason watched her, on the small patch of beach allotted for their wedding, he was mesmerized by how precise and exact she was with the staff in the placement of the guest chairs and the gazebo they would stand under. They didn't have any décor. The simple, wooden gazebo would be draped in an opaque, white cover tied on with Hawaiian flower bouquet accents. The chairs would boast a small amount of décor but that was the extent of it. The table where the license would be signed would be off to the side and beyond that, their only décor was the sand, the water, and the waves crashing against the craggy rock alongside the shoreline. It really was a beautiful location. However, Jason was too busy watching the breeze blow through Mel's hair to notice his surroundings.
He had no idea what she was saying. He had tuned it out long ago. He just liked to watch her work. She always knew exactly what she wanted and how she wanted it done. She was a bit of a control freak, but it was part of her charm and he wouldn't have had her any other way.
Jason's heart pounded when it came time for the actual rehearsal. It pounded out of his chest as he stood in the same location he would stand in tomorrow for the real thing. Kona stood by him as his best man, along with Kelani and Gerard Cline. The bridesmaids, Nikki, Kate, and Leona made their way down the imaginary aisle where lines had been drawn in the sand to signify where the chairs would be. Traditionally, to some, it was bad luck for the bride to walk down the aisle before the wedding. So her father walked down the aisle alone and she bounded up the side past the women and parked herself in the sand in front of Jason. She grinned up at him. His heart pounded harder.
As the officiant stood with them, he went over the ceremony. "Okay, so the ukuleles have played, the processional has taken place. The bride has been given away. I blow the ceremonial conch shell to start things off, signifying the beginning of a new journey and to ward off evil spirits--or crazy wedding guests."
Mel and Jason, along with the rest of the wedding party, chuckled lightly.
"Anyway so then I say my opening speech--" he eyed Mel hard. "--which you have fervently read over with a fine-toothed comb--I will ask who gives this woman to this man and then I will seat the guests. Then I talk again..."
"When do I get to kiss her?" Jason interrupted. He winked down at Mel and she blushed.
The officiant smiled. "In time, in time. I can already tell, this is gonna be an anxious bunch."
"You have no idea," Jason replied.
"Okay. Then we do the lei exchange...are we still on board with that?"
"Yes," Mel and Jason said simultaneously.
The officiant smiled again. "Okay...so we've exchanged leis, I've said my piece about them. Then we exchange the vows. It's my understanding you've prepared your own?"
Jason's eyes widened and his blood ran cold. Prepared their own? Nobody said anything about that. He hadn't prepared shit! Suddenly, Mel smiled warmly and reached up to touch his face. "Don't sweat it. It's okay. It'll come to you when it comes to you."
"Did you write any?"
She shook her head. "Nope."
Relief washing over him, Jason grinned, suddenly feeling weak at the knees.
"After the vows, I say something else and then we do the 'I do's.' Then we'll do the hand lei ceremony where you hold hands and I lay the lei over them and recite the symbolism of it. We'll exchange rings...then we'll blend the sand..."
Mel smiled. "I love the sand ceremony," she whispered. "I think it's beautiful."
Jason grinned at her.
"Then I'll say my closing words, pronounce you man and wife and then you may kiss the bride and I introduce the couple. The end."
Jason grabbed Mel by the waist and jerked her close to him, only to be interrupted by a chorus of women screaming, "NO! Don't kiss her!"
Alarmed, he looked over Mel's head as Nikki, Kate, and Leona approached. "You can't kiss her right there," Nikki objected. "It's bad luck!"
"That's a bullshit superstition," he replied.
"I don't care," Nikki insisted. "You are NOT going risk putting bad luck on your wedding!"
"I think we're through with the rehearsal," Mel said. Then she pulled him toward her and whispered in his ear, "Maybe I'll let you get a little handsy with me before we get ready for dinner."
He straightened up. "Deal. Okay, you guys. Dinner in a couple of hours at Ola. Thanks for coming out here. We'll see you then."
And then, anxiously, he took his future bride by the hand and led her toward the hotel.
----------------------------------------------------------------
MEL
Mel walked into Ola on Jason's arm, proud to be there with him, but nervous as hell. First of all, she hoped her dress was appropriate. Jason sure loved it, but she knew he would. It was short, well above the knee, sleeveless with a high neck that hooked in the back. The rest of it was backless and it had a nude underlay with a navy lace overlay, adorned with navy rhinestones. Her dark hair was piled into a mess on top of her head and a pair of subtle, silver ear cuffs curled along her ear, boasting navy beads.
Ola was a gorgeous, open air, seafood restaurant that sat on the beach, located at Turtle Bay resort. Mel and Jason hadn't been the last to arrive, but they hadn't been the first, either. After greeting her parents and Jason's mother and a few of Jason's cousins, and after introductions went all around, everyone began migrating to their seats to order drinks. Mel didn't waste any time on the wine selection.
As Mel and Jason laughed and talked with their families, Isaac and Nikki and Zac and Kate walked into the restaurant. Taylor brought up the rear. There was tension. Immediate tension. Before Taylor had the opportunity to make eye contact with her, Mel took Jason's hand and looked up at him. He searched her eyes for a moment and then glanced over her head. He didn't even need to ask her to know what the matter was. "You can't avoid him all weekend," he said quietly, leaning in close to her. "Especially not tonight. He's your guest, you can't be rude to him. I know this is a little awkward for you, and I'm sorry I put you in this position before clearing it with you first. But don't make him feel awkward, too."
"But this is our rehearsal--"
The eyebrow that Jason raised at her was his final say and there was no objection after that. He had put his foot down in that one small gesture.
"Okay. You're right," she mumbled, rising from her seat. She looked at Jason one last time before she crossed the room.
Having seen Ike and Zac and Nikki and Kate earlier that afternoon, the greetings were brief and they exchanged a couple of words before making their way past her to greet Jason. Against her will, but much expected, that left her alone with Tay, face-to-face with him.
They looked at each other for a moment before he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Hey," he said quietly. "You, uh, you look great."
"Thanks," she responded with a light smile. "So do you." She didn't lie. He looked spectacular in his tan chinos and his blue, button-down shirt. His blue eyes popped against the shirt and his skin was lush in color. He looked healthy. He looked better than ever.
And she couldn't control the goddamn flutter in her heart. She would always be attracted to him. She loved Jason, but it didn't hinder her ability to appreciate a beautiful man.
"So," he said, taking a deep breath. "Congratulations."
"I can't believe you're here," she blurted.
"Yeah," he said nervously, running a hand through his hair. "Neither can I. Uh, actually--I wanted to be here. I was glad to get the invite."
Mel was a little surprised. "You wanted to be?"
"Yeah. How could I miss it? You're my best friend. What kind of a friend would I be if I ditched your wedding?"
Unable to help it, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I'm glad you're here," she whispered in his ear, fighting tears. "Thank you so much for your support. You always supported me."
"You always supported me, too. That's what friends are for." He pulled away and took another deep breath. "I gotta say, though, it's kinda funny how the tables have turned as quick as they have."
"Tay--"
"But it feels right. Even I can't deny how right this is. I knew it was right the night I met the guy, the first time I saw you together. We spent at least two years fighting against this very moment right here. Who knew that if we had just let it happen, we'd have both been so much happier?"
She searched his eyes for a moment. "Are you happy, Tay?"
He paused before a smile crept across his face. "Yeah. Yeah, I am. I'm, uh, I've done a lot of soul-searching. A lot of finding myself. And I'm learning tons. I've never really been single before and, to be honest--and no offense--I actually like being single. It's peaceful. There's a sort of freedom in it, you know?"
She smiled and nodded. "Yeah. I know. I'm happy for you."
"I'm happy for you, too."
"People think we're crazy, you know. All of us. You, me, Jason...people think we're criminally insane or something."
Tay waved the comment off. "Bah, just let them think what they want. We're all doing what's right for ourselves and each other. If nobody understands us, that's their problem, right?"
She laughed lightly. "You're right. That's true."
Minutes later they parted ways as Tay made his own way across the room to greet Jason. Beside her, she felt a soft hand on her bare arm. "Are you gonna be okay, sweetie?" Her mother asked her.
Mel turned her head and took a deep breath, smiling at Susan. "Yeah," she nodded. "Yeah, I think I am." The euphoria she felt from the relief that washed over her in that moment was indescribable.
---------
Mel was on glass of wine number three by the time dessert rolled around. And she hadn't had lunch due to the big breakfast she had consumed. So by this point, she was feeling it a little. Taylor had ended up at their table. She didn't know how and by this point, she didn't care how. He seemed to get along pretty well with Kona, who was also at their table, along with Barb and Mel's parents. Mel took a moment to look around the table. Tay, Kona, Barb, Susan, and Paul. Mel's and Jason's immediate family. This was how it was meant to be.
While everyone was still seated around drinks and dessert, Mel's father stood from his seat and cleared his throat. "If I, uh, if I could have everyone's attention for a quick moment. I'm Paul Banks, I'm Melody's father. My baby girl is getting married tomorrow. To this guy right here. I gotta admit, I didn't care for Jason when I first met him. The first weekend he ever visited us in Tulsa a few years ago, my baby girl came home with tattoos and I knew immediately that this wasn't gonna fly with me. He was direct, he was blunt, and he never made excuses for himself. I didn't like it and I didn't want to admit it then, but he reminded me a lot of me when I was a much younger version of myself. And then, not so long ago, he and I had a...sort of difference in opinion. I said some things that maybe I shouldn't have said, and damn if this guy didn't put me in my place. He showed me what he was made of and made his intentions with my daughter precise and crystal clear--and since then he's had my utmost respect. He takes amazing care of my Melody, he makes her happy, and I've seen changes in her I never thought I'd see--changes for the better. And that's what true love is--when one person can bring out the best in the other. With that being said, I will be extremely proud to call Jason my son-in-law tomorrow." He raised his glass and smiled at Jason. "Welcome to the family, son."
Tears welled up in Mel's eyes as Jason stood and shook her father's hand and then pulled him in for a hug. It was such a touching moment, especially for her father to stand and say those things out loud. As she dabbed her eyes carefully with one of her clean cocktail napkins, Paul sat and Jason remained standing.
"So while I'm up," Jason started. "I, first, just want to thank everyone for being here tonight and for attending--and participating in--our wedding tomorrow. I realize that everything was extremely short notice for all of you and I could never truly express my appreciation for you all taking the time out of your busy schedules to witness our marriage. It really means the world to both of us." Then he paused and looked down at Mel, winking at her. "I met Mel several years ago in New York City. At the time, I was closed for business. I had never been in a serious relationship and I refused to be in one. I had emotionally shut myself off from the world and I made it a point to not have time for such foolishness. Things like love and relationships were useless to me. At the time, all I needed to get through life was a couple of beers, a good trainer, and a few cars to crash in front of some cameras. That about summed up my life. I didn't care about anything else." He took a deep breath. "And then I ended up in the living room of a house in the Upper East Side on a whim with a friend of mine who had twisted my arm to be there. And Mel rounded that corner and--everything I thought I knew about life instantly became a lie. One look--one glance--and I was ready to lay down my life for her. I have been ever since."
By this point, Mel was done for. She was crying full tears now, desperately trying to keep her face dry, worried that her makeup was running.
"I know that tomorrow, when I marry her, it's supposed to be the proverbial beginning of my life. But the truth is, I'm only confirming the vows I made to myself on our first date. I'm simply making it legal. She's turned my entire world upside down. She found me and showed me the man that I really am. She saved my life. And for that, I dedicate this toast to her. My love, my life, my Melokia."
As applause sounded around the room, Mel couldn't help herself. She stood and threw her arms around his neck, the tears flowing freely. She hugged him and she kissed him and she couldn't tear herself away from him. "I love you so much," she whispered to him between kisses.
---------------------------------------------------------------
JASON
It was dark. Jason had cracked the sliding glass door in the hotel suite he was sleeping in so that he could fall asleep to the sound of the crashing waves below his balcony.
Except that sleep evaded him. The customary, old wives' tale of not seeing each other the night before the wedding was bullshit to him. But if the wedding parties insisted, then--why the hell not, right? The anticipation might be good for them anyway.
Except that he missed her. He missed Mel. And he supposed that feeling would never go away. And in the next week, when he had to leave her for Europe--and she couldn't join him for another four weeks--would be the most brutal time he would ever have to endure. It was one thing, globe-hopping and being in love with her all this time, with no real outlet to get it all out in. But now they were together? And married? The separation alone could possibly kill him.
He didn't know when he fell asleep, but the next thing he knew, he was waking up to the sound of his name, for the second time that day. Curled up on his side, he struggled to crack his eyes open, barely making out the fuzzy outline of the person standing at his bedside. "Jason," Mel said quietly. "Are you asleep?"
'Well, I WAS.' Those were the first words that came to mind, the ones that nearly escaped his lips. But curiosity got the best of him and, wordlessly, he lifted up the corner of the cover to allow her to crawl in bed with him.
Except that she didn't. Instead, she turned on the bedside lamp and switched it to its lowest setting, then wordlessly began to take off her clothes. She pulled her shirt over her head, let her pants drop to her ankles, and stood before him, completely nude, in the dim lamplight. Her tanned skin seemed to glow. Was he dreaming?
A little more awake now, and still bewildered, Jason slowly rose from his position on his side, and sat up in the bed. Blinking to focus, he shamelessly let his eyes fall over her body as she stood there and looked at him. He wasn't dreaming. This was his reality. He couldn't believe that this was his reality.
Leaning forward, he extended his arm and reached for her as she stepped toward the bed. Close enough to touch her, he took her by the hand and said gently, "Come here." She had gotten one knee onto the bed before he leaned further forward and slid his hand around her bare waist and pulled her close to him. She straddled his lap on her knees and rested her hands along the sides of his torso as he wrapped one arm around her neck and the other around her waist, his hand splayed out against her back. Pulling her tight, pressing her body against his, he kissed her deeply, passionately, a light moan escaping his throat as her arms slid around his back and hooked over his shoulders.
After a moment, her hands dropped listlessly to his waist and tugged at the bottom of his shirt. Taking his hands off of her only long enough to pull his own shirt over his head and toss it to the side, he wrapped his arms around her again, matching his previous position, taking her mouth with his once again. He couldn't get enough of her. There was something...almost spiritual about the way this was transpiring. The way her warm skin felt on his, her breasts pressed against him, the light scent of the faded perfume that radiated from her skin--it was almost as if she were an entity more than she was a mere woman. And after all this time, she still hadn't uttered a single word.
That was, until she abruptly stopped kissing him and pulled her face from his. She looked in his eyes and whispered, nearly inaudibly, "You looked incredible tonight. I couldn't keep my eyes off of you. I didn't want to. Sometimes I look at you and I can't believe you're real. And that you chose to spend your life with someone like me."
He looked back at her, searching her eyes in thought. His voice caught in his throat for a second before he finally responded quietly, "It's always been you. Nobody else but you." And then he kissed her again, his kiss deeper, with more meaning. He pulled her closer to him. Tighter. He couldn't pull her close enough.
Jason made love to Mel in that same position. He had to. He couldn't have it any other way. Tonight he needed to see her. To feel her. To have her heart close to his. She didn't say anything else. She barely made a sound. But her eyes were locked into his for the majority of the time and she didn't need to say anything. Her eyes said it all. He could feel her, inside and out. Sexually, spiritually, and emotionally. They had connected when they first met, had a unique bond ever since. But it was nothing like this. Nothing like the connection he felt now. She never ceased to change his life. Every single day, she changed his life.
-------------------------------------------------------------
MEL
"Mel," Jason said, shaking her gently. "Baby, wake up. Come on, we gotta hurry."
Stirring, Mel opened her eyes and looked up at Jason, who was acting unusually anxious. She blinked for a moment before she realized where she was and then her eyes widened. "Oh my god, Jason! I'm not supposed to be here! What time is it?"
"Getting later. Hurry up, get dressed."
Slightly alarmed and slightly anxious herself, she didn't question him and she did what he said. Throwing on her t-shirt and pants from the previous night, she was caught off guard when she noticed him already dressed and tucking his room key into his pocket. Then he glanced at her, just barely, and grabbed her by the hand. "Come on."
"But I didn't wear any shoes--"
"Not gonna matter."
As they left the room, Mel nearly had to power walk to keep up with him. In the elevator, she finally asked him, "What is this all about? I gotta get back to my room before anyone catches us together!"
"This is more important. I want to show you something and I almost woke up too late."
When the elevator stopped, he grabbed her hand once again and led her through the hotel. They were greeted with looks and smiles of recognition from the hotel staff as they breezed through. Jason didn't pay any attention to them, but Mel was mortified. She looked like hell. She was so glad it was too early for any guests to be milling around the hotel.
He led her out the hotel doors and onto the beach under a dark blue sky, only a speckling of clouds in sight. He led her down the beach, looked around for a second, and then sat down in the sand, pulling her down with him and positioning her between his legs as he sat behind her, rubbing her arms. It didn't take much to figure out what he was up to. "Jason," she said as the light chill of the breeze blew. "What is all this?"
"We're just in time," he responded quietly. "Just be patient. You coming to my room last night was just fate. I know it was."
They sat together in silence, looking out into the dark ocean as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. Within minutes, the sky began to lighten, and Mel was able to start naming colors in the sky. Blue, purple, yellow...she was getting excited and she felt her heart begin to race. She had never had such eager anticipation for something so simple in her entire life.
The minutes seemed to race by and Mel wished they wouldn't. She wanted to sit right there with him like that forever. She never wanted this moment to end. But as she finally began to spy the gold band forming along the horizon, where the sky met the ocean, her heart pounded again. It was like waiting to count down for the new year, except better on so many different levels.
"Mahalo," Jason's rich, deep voice breathed into her ear. She took in a breath and closed her eyes at the sound.
"For what?" She finally responded.
"For coming into my life and loving me. For rescuing me and setting me free."
Mel blinked her eyes, touched and a little overwhelmed by his words. He would never know what he meant to her. There would never be a sufficient enough way to express it. Trying to make light of the situation, to keep herself from crying, she smiled and whispered, "I think you're supposed to save that for later."
"No," he replied. "I needed to say it now. Alone. Before the hustle and bustle of today. I need right now to be our time. Just me and you. Nobody else."
As the minutes passed, they sat in silence as the sky continued to lighten. The gold band began to blend into the lightened blue and the gold softened into yellow. A few more minutes later, and Mel began to see gold budding from the water. Jason's arms wrapped tighter around her and he kissed her cheek. "This is it," he said gently. "This is why I brought you out here."
As touched as she was by the gesture, she couldn't help but remind him, "But--Jason--we've watched the sun rise so many--"
"No," he said. "Not this one. This one is special. It's unique. THIS sunrise--this particular one right here, right now--will never happen again. It's the only time you will ever see it. And this is the one you'll never forget."
A gasp caught in her throat at his words. She loved when he spoke like this. It felt like the first time she met him. All his words of wisdom and the beautiful way he expressed himself absolutely amazed her then and they did now, to this day. They would for the rest of her life. It was one of the many things for which she fell for him.
Her hand reached up and found her necklace, her fingers caressing the moonstone that sat in the middle of the gold rays. She had never taken the necklace off. Not once. She never knew so much meaning could live inside such a tiny object.
They sat and watched the sun rise in silence for a few minutes. She couldn't deny the magic of it as it seemed to rise from the water like it ruled the ocean. "It's so beautiful," she found herself whispering, in awe of the sun that had now finally risen in the sky. The full, golden circle, barely above the water, shined a golden hue onto small sections of the water, causing the water to subtly sparkle as if sprinkling glitter into the calm waves. The rays splayed themselves out through the thin clouds that rose above the sun as if to crown the sun god as he rose from his nightly slumber. Beyond commenting on the beauty of it, Mel couldn't speak. There were no words to be spoken.
Except by Jason. "The very next morning, after I left New York and landed here, I couldn't sleep. And I didn't. Didn't even try. I sat out on the beach all night long. I tried not to think of you, but you were all I could think about. I didn't want to admit to myself that I had fallen for you. It wasn't right. But I did it anyway. I sat on that beach and you were on my mind all fucking night long--"
"I had no idea..."
"I tried to play it cool. Anyway, so I sat. And I played our night together in my head over and over and over again. I took in every facial expression, every smile that came my way, every word you said to me--everything. I couldn't stop thinking about you. When you called me on my layover and you told me how I changed your life, that's when mine changed. Forever. I never knew I made such a difference in someone's life and it was then that I realized that I was a changed man, as well. We changed each other that night. And there were so many things I wanted to say to you then. SO many things. I was ready to spill it all out for you right there with no shame at all. But I couldn't."
"Jason--"
"But I can now. When the sun rose that morning, it finally hit me. I wished you were with me in Hawaii. I wished I had never left New York. I wished that I could be everywhere you were and that you could be everywhere I was. But most of all, I wished you could have been with me right there, in that moment, to watch that beautiful sunrise. That single, unique sunrise that would never be seen again. And so I took a picture of it, to capture it forever, and I sent it to you. Mel, my heart is here in Hawaii. It's in that water out there, it's in this sand and up in that sky. And when I sent you that picture, I sent you my heart." She heard a faint laugh escape his lips. "When I gave you that necklace and you told me you still had the picture, I nearly died right there. You'd never know in a thousand years what that particular sunrise meant to me. And now, here we sit, together, in Oahu, on the morning of our wedding, watching the sun rise. This is a moment that's been years in the making, whether we knew it or not. This is fate. I wanted to show you what you truly mean to me." He raised his arm and pointed to the golden sun in the sky. "And that is it. That is what you mean to me. You're the sun in my sky, my Melokia. You're the water that glitters underneath it, the wind that blows past it, and the clouds that shelter it. And you will be for the rest of my life."
Mel couldn't speak. Instead she cried. She bawled as the sky lightened above them. She hadn't wanted to cry, but she was so incredibly moved and appreciative of his words, grateful--so grateful--that in just a few hours, she would be marrying this man.