Wuthering Lights
Epilogue
By AHA/Holden
A warm spring breeze blows tiny ripples on the green water. It flips up the edges of the gauzy white canopy on the small strip of sandy beach. Huge bouquets of white roses tied to the poles supporting the tent send their fragrant scent into the air, as large crowd gathers under the canopy. They talk and laugh excitedly.
The lighthouse towers proudly over the beach, lovingly restored to its former glory. There had been a rush to remove the scaffolding surrounding it before the wedding. The work was completed the previous day, and the workmen were paid large bonuses for their efforts. After today, it would be the property of The Springfield Historical Society, on the condition that it be closed to visitors, except maintenance workers, who would periodically enter to make any necessary repairs. Today, however, a handful of women is upstairs putting the final touches on their hair and make-up.
"Oh Michelle!" Maria exclaims, as she watches the bride twirl around in her gown. "You look beautiful! I wish your mother could be here to see you. You look so much like she did on her wedding day, and I know she would be so proud of you."
Michelle gives Maria a kiss on the cheek, and says, "The only mother I have ever known is right here."
Maria blushes and returns her kiss. "Thank you," she replies. "You have always been like a daughter to me."
Lizzie Spaulding takes a quick look in the mirror, and straightens the bodice of her dress. She glances at her watch, and cries, "Ok ladies! It's time to go. We wouldn't want to keep the groom waiting!"
Michelle giggles, and takes Maria's hand, pulling her down the stairs, with Lizzie and Marina following behind them. Jason and Justin Marler are waiting below, and they take the bride's maids arms. Music drifts up from the beach, as a trio of violinists begins the wedding march.
Michelle turns to Maria, and loops her arm through the older woman's. "I know it is not traditional," she whispers, "but I am so happy you agreed to give me away."
As the procession makes its way through the tent, all of the guests turn their heads to watch. Lizzie gives Mr. Lockwood a wide grin as she passes by his chair, and he returns her smile with mischievous wink. Everyone smiles when Michelle enters the tent. Maria leads her to the front, then takes her seat.
Mick gasps when he sees his bide. "This can't be real," he thinks. "There is no way the most beautiful woman in the world could be standing here waiting to marry me." He reaches out and lightly touches her veil.
Michelle playfully pushes his hand away, and whispers, "Not yet Mick." She smiles at him sweetly through the filmy material. Then they turn to the priest standing in front of them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Mick Santos and Michelle Lewis...."
Maria beams at the bride and groom, as her thoughts drift to another wedding many years ago. She was in attendance as a servant on that occasion, but she would never forget the look of joy on the bride and groom's faces. Tears pool in her eyes, and she brushes them away with her handkerchief.
A year had passed since Danny's death. At the reading of his will, everyone was shocked by the bequests he made. He returned Lewis Oil and the other holdings he stole back to Michelle. Mick received Santos Imports, and the remainder of his estate was given to the National Kidney Foundation in Lewis's memory, with the exception of the lighthouse and the funds to restore it.
Mick and Michelle moved into the Lewis house after Mr. Lockwood took an apartment with Lizzie. Mr. Lockwood said things were just casual between them, but everyone knew better.
Michelle was just finishing her freshman year at Springfield University, majoring in English literature. Mick's graduation was just a few months away. He planned on taking over as CEO of Santos Imports, and then merging it with Lewis Oil. He and Michelle laughed the night they tried to come up with a name for the new corporation. Michelle suggested "Slewis Oil", and Mick thought up "Santos & Lewis Importers of Stuff and Drillers of Oil". Finally, they decided on "S&L Enterprises".
The sound of Mick's voice brings Maria back from her daydream. He is speaking his vows to Michelle.
"Michelle, I will never forget the day I saw you leaving the lighthouse, just as I was pulling into the driveway. You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and I made some off-hand remark, trying to sound cool. Then I made the mistake of introducing myself. You flew into a rage, cursed me, and locked yourself in Maria's car. I fell in love with you the moment I heard the car door slam. I was tempted to jump in that car with you and drive off into the sunset. Some days I wish I had done just that. I promise to love you until the day I die, even longer; I will love you forever."
"Mick, I love the way you look in the morning, when you just open your eyes, and your hair is tousled like a little boy's. I love the way you compliment my cooking, even though it is always burned to a crisp. I love how you crinkle up your nose when you are studying for an exam. I love the days you surprise me with breakfast in bed. I love the little curl that drops down on your forehead, even after you have brushed it away a million times. I love the way your eyes sparkle when you talk about our future together. Most of all I love your soul, and today I place my heart in your hands, knowing that it will finally be exactly where it belongs, from now until eternity."
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After the ceremony, a full orchestra joins the violin trio. Mick takes Michelle's hand, and they dance their first dance as husband and wife. He whirls her around, and she throws her head back, laughing at the pure joy of the moment. The guests applaud, then join them when the orchestra starts the next song.
Later, the unmarried women gather around Michelle waiting to catch her bouquet. She turns her back to them and tosses it into the air. Lizzie's face turns a bright crimson when it lands in her hands. She glances nervously at Mr. Lockwood, and he bows to her with a flourish.
Maria looks up at the sun setting behind the lighthouse. The sun is still bright, and it leaves an impression inside her eyelids when she blinks. Still, she is compelled to look up, and she sees two shadowy figures standing on the balcony around the light. The figures become clearer, and she sees that it is a man and a woman. The man reaches out and takes the woman's hand. They smile as they look down at the bride and groom below. Maria blinks again, and they are gone.
The past is the present, and the present is the future. The magnets finally meet, defying the laws of physics, and they fuse together as one.