Thorne: Full Circle

by Atonia

Part 2

Toni was brought up on dec, but hidden behind  a sheet of canvas by a group of grinning able seamen. She was a little nervous, she had no idea what to expect, she heard a drum beating and suddenly Jack appeared by her side and took her arm, the canvas was dropped and she stepped out with him to where the Reverend Martin stood behind a dais, she caught her breath when she saw Terry. Close fitting white breeches, a red coat decorated with gold braid and epaulets, shinning gold buttons and a red sash around his waist a sword slung low on his hips completed his attire. A smile decorated his face.

Jack walked her up and stood beside her. The Reverend Martin began in a high voice:

DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.

Toni recognized the passage from the Common Book of Prayer, the ship swayed softly and she moved her feet to steady herself, Jack had a firm grip on her arm.

First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.

Toni moistened her lips, they’d already procreated.

Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.

Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

You could have heard a pin drop on the deck of the Surprise.

I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.

Jacks eyes strayed upward, the wind was picking up a little, he wished the good Reverend would get on with it.

Terrance Thorne. WILT thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

Terry answered, “I will.”

Toni Stanley, WILT thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

“I will,” answered Toni.

"Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?"

“I do,” Captain Jack Aubrey answered. He took Toni’s right and placed it in Terry’s right hand and stepped back and slightly to her left.

Reverend Martin smiled slightly at Terry, “Repeat after me,”

I Terrance Thorne take thee Toni Stanley. to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

He turned to Toni and nodded and she repeated her vows as she looked into his eyes:

I Toni Stanley take thee Terrance Thorne to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

Stephen Maturin produced Toni’s ring that Killick had remembered to get from her just before she came on deck. He handed it to the Reverend who then gave it to Terry, and once again he repeated after Rev. Martin:

WITH this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow:

 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

                                                                     Let us pray.                 

O ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this Man and this Woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Martin then joined their hands together

Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

Asunder, Jack rolled the word around in his mind, no she was whole now, he would not.

FORASMUCH as Terrance. and Toni. have consented together in holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Terry met her eyes for a moment before placing a soft sweet kiss on her mouth, she’d seen something there that hadn’t been there lately. Had it happened, she tried to catch his eye again but he was being congratulated and Toni was kissed by Jack and handed back to Terry. A cheer went up down the lines formed on the deck by Jack’s crew, “Huzzah, Huzzah, Huzzah!”

Jack, Stephen and the Reverend Martin went down to Jack’s cabin to sign the piece of paper that would make their marriage legal. Jack complained about the amount of room allowed for his signature, Stephen who wrote in a small cramped style had no problem but Reverend Martin’s signature was nearly unreadable for the flourishes. Toni and Terry came down for a celebratory drink before disembarking for shore.

Jack handed the marriage certificate to Terry, “I should put this in a safe place my brother, it’s worth gold.”

“I know what it’s worth,” Terry replied and looked around for Toni and took her hand. “Are you ready, luv?”

“Yes, I’m ready to be Mrs. Thorne,” she smiled. They said their goodbyes and came back up on deck. They were handed down to the boat and rowed to shore.

“That’s a first, Jack,” Stephen leaned on the railing with Jack.

“Aye, and it has rekindled a strong desire to see my Sophie again.

Terry felt it the nearer to shore they came, the water was receding, he turned back and looked at the ship the wind ruffling his hair and an understanding of the magic at the House of Four Seasons came to him, why the four elements and why they could not occupy each other’s seasons. He also understood the strengths of the four elements and realized his was not the strongest one but somehow he had prevailed. He tightened his arm around Toni and she looked up at him, her eyes full of love.

Terry helped Toni climb the cliff path and they walked to the bluff and watched as the boat returned to the ship.

“Two souls as one,” Terry said and kissed her ring.

“You peeked?”

“I did not, I know what is engraved there because I asked for it to be there.”

“Terry, has it come back?”

“Some of it,” He ran his hand down her back and turned and looked at the house, “I’m about ready to get out of these clothes, I can barely breathe.”

“You look beautiful, Terry you really do.” He gave her a half smile and steered her toward the house.

“You’re the one who is beautiful today, Toni, you’re blooming.” Once inside he took off the jacket that was pulling across his shoulders and held it out and looked at it.

“Where did you get these clothes?”

“The coat belonged to one of the Marines; it was modified by a seaman to resemble an officer of the British Army. The sash was made for me out of a piece of silk taken from an American privateer and who knows where they got it, the pants belonged to Captain Pullings as do these boots which, by the way are killing me. The sword, and I have no idea why it was necessary, belonged to one of the marines. Quite an assembly.”

“We should keep these clothes forever they’re very special.”

“Where did you get that dress anyway it looks like something from Jack’s era.”

“It is, it’s from him he requested it for me from the House, it’s from a painting in his room.”

He turned her around looking at the dress, “I’m not going to ask how you laced the back of it up?”

Toni smiled, “Then don’t. Oh, Terry we are well and truly married now.”

He took her in his arms, “Almost,” he kissed her deeply, “I love you Toni, let’s go upstairs.”

Toni carefully held her skirt up as they climbed the stairs she started for her room and he shook his head and opened his bedroom door.

She knew as soon as she stepped into his room, it shimmered with vibrant colors, the reds and blues in the Turkish carpet, the icy blues of the bed linens and the scent surrounded her nearly making her woozy. Terry sat down on the bed and removed the offending boots and unbuckled his sword. The ruffled shirt did not suit him and he pulled it over his head and looked at her, “Your turn.”

“You’ll have to help me.”

“With pleasure,” he moved behind her and unlaced the ribbons on the back of her dress and loosened, it fell at her feet and she stepped out of the pale slippers. Terry untied the ribbon in her hair and parted the braids Jack had so carefully worked and ran his hands through her hair and pulled her face to his and kissed her.

“Toni, I want you to drown me, drown me in your love because I can take it, I need it.”

“Oh God, Terry,” He picked her up and put her on the bed and worked the unfamiliar breeches off.

Later he lay with his head on her belly listening to the swooshing sounds his child was making, “Where do you keep it, Toni?”

“Keep what darling?”

He propped on one arm running his hand over her body, ”Where do you keep my love warm.”

Tears came immediately, “In my heart.”

He looked at her and everything she wanted, everything she ever needed was in his eyes.

TBC

BACK                                                                                       HOME                                                                       NEXT