"You may now kiss."
With their caps tucked under their left arms they walked to the top of the stairs and stood there looking down at the scene below. The whole entrance hall had been turned into a marriage room with a dozen large vases full of flowers. At the far end was a table underneath a large portrait of Jean and was covered with half flags of the UK and USA joined together and on it was an other flower vase and either side of that were two candelabra with six candles in each. The Registrar stood in front with the book that held the words of the ceremony.
All the guests were standing around the edges of the room and all mixed with Andrews family and Scott's crew. The crew had been given new uniforms and all now with rank on their sleeves. At the foot of the stairs were William and Walter waiting to greet their sons. Everyone looking up and seeing these two perfect men dressed so beautifully and for the first time all except William realizing their Captain had again been promoted. The pride was all their pride in their Captain and the wonderful Andrew.
They shook hands with their fathers and then crossed to shake hands with the other father. William and Walter turned and led the way to the Registrar as the applause rang out and smiles from everyone. Scott and Andrew laid their caps on the table and shook hands with the Registrar. She smiled back at them. "This will be a day no one will ever forget Scott and Andrew."
"We are here to witness and celebrate the Civil Partnership between
Scott William Arthur Peterson
and
Andrew Broadbent Orvil Marshall Bushman."
The guests listened intently as first Scott delivered his vows to Andrew and then Andrew to Scott, all except Janet were engrossed in this all important solemn exchange. She was busting a gut trying not too!
As each man spoke the others full name Janet became a wobbling mass and she had to put her hand firmly in her mouth to stop herself from loosing all control. Paula thought she was having a seizure until she looked at her and saw tears streaming down her face. She dug Janet in her side that went some way to calm things down a bit, that was until Scott spoke Andrew's full name again!
They both pledged their lawful right in Civil Partnership.................................
They solemnly promised that they would always protect his man with his utmost care, that each would honour (or in Andrew's case honor) and cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer.................................
And now the rings were exchanged. They each said to the other.
"I give this ring as a symbol of my love and our Civil Partnership today........................."
It was now the time for Scott and Andrew to sign the document that would be witnessed and signed by William and Walter and the two most excited of all, Marcell and Jon. Guess who dropped the pen?
"By virtue of signing the schedule in my presents as Registrar of Civil Partnerships and before witnesses, I declare that you Scott and you Andrew have now formed a Civil Partnership in accordance with the law." "You may now kiss."
As they did the room exploded into applause and now at long last Janet could laugh as she had never done in her life before!
For a very long time there were handshakes, hugs, kisses, photographs taken and a hell of a lot of love throughout the room, but it was when they got to Janet they could only hug and hang on to her as she shook with tears once again streaming down her face. "Oh God I love you both SO much. I love you so much, even more now!" They hugged more until Paula came over and took her to go and sit for a while.
The whole celebration was one huge party, everyone was on top form and it could not have been a better time. They all danced, sang, drank, eat and of course the speeches of which there were four.
William. "Apart from Walter no father could be more proud to see his son as happy as mine is today. We have been through a lot together and without him I would not be here to say this. But now I have two sons which makes me even more proud, mainly because of the person Andrew is, the perfect man for my son........................"
Walter. "As with all our children when Andrew was born he lit up our world. Now we have another son who is the best Janice and the kids could hope to keep it that way......................."
Andrew. "The last time I said, "God help me!" He did and sent Scott to me................................"
Scott. "Come here please Andrew." Andrew went and stood in front of his Partner smiling broadly at the love of his life. The whole room was waiting knowing there would be an out pouring of love coming from Scott to his man. Scott picked up Andrew's left hand and took his wedding finger and played with the gold band. He bought it to his lips and kissed the ring and then looked into Andrew's eyes and smiled. They were all waiting for this moment and knew something special was about to be said. Andrew on the other hand...................?
"The second mate's name was Carter By God he was a farter When the wind wouldn't blow and the ship wouldn't go They got Carter the farter to start her!"
Andrew fell into his arms and hung onto him as they all bust a gut.
It took over an hour just going to each and everyone saying private words of thanks. With special words to each father from both sons. They had already changed, the cases were in the car and they were off to London. As they drove away they sank back and stayed quiet just remembering what the Registrar said right at the beginning. "This will be a day no one will ever forget............" No words were ever more true.
The last person to thank and say goodbye to was Thomas as he dropped them off at William's London flat. They waved him off and went inside, now alone for the first time. They of course wrapped their arms around one another each kissed his partner. "Dispite your classical moment I still love you Scott. Christ I do love you!" "There's more where that come from if you wont?" "Don't you dare. Make yourself useful and open the champagne." They sat and talked the whole day through again then remembered they were off to "somewhere" tomorrow. They found an envelope on the bed, it read, "To our dear Scott and Andrew. We hope you both enjoy a trip down memory lane." They were to fly to Iceland and when they got there a helicopter would take them to Dalvik were they had been booked into the hotel and the same room they had first found the love for one another. They looked at each another knowing this was a perfect end to a perfect day.
Jan and Paula, now slightly worse for ware were finally cuddled up in bed. They were outside in their sleeping cubicle as were Andrew's two brothers, all the crew and Simon and Robin. "Jan why were you laughing so much during the wedding?" Paula asked. That only started Jan off again and everyone could hear her. "Go to sleep you daft sod!" "I can't, oh shit I can't!" And off she went again. "Ok Jan spill it then we can all sleep!" Someone called out. After a struggle Jan at last managed to tell all. "Bless them, it's their names, Scott William Arthur Peterson and Andrew Broadbent Orvil Marshall Bushman! Look at their intials guys! Scott's are SWAP! and Andrew's, ABOMB! Oh I just wish Walter and Janice had called Andrew, Atom!!!!!!" It took ages for them to stop laughing!!!! Everyone in the house could hear it and thought they would ask what the joke was tomorrow!
They were welcomed as old friends when they arrived at the Foss hotel in Dalvik and when they got to their room they just stood and looked around them remembering the first time they had been naked together and made love. "I can't believe it Andrew. It seems much longer ago than it was. Think of all that's happened to us!" "And will again big dick, get em off!" Andrew at his most romantic Scott thought and did as he was told. After a long shower they returned to the room and sat on the bed facing one another and not for the first time they just stayed like that, kissing until dinner time.
The two weeks were a joy and also quite busy. The Icelandic tv people asked for an interview with them, which turned out to be great fun and a reunion with the trawler men and their families at a hotel in Akrureyri. They were delighted to see them all and in particular the Captain who although physically unable to return to sea he was working with his fishing company training others. It was a great evening and once again the tv crews were there. Scott and Andrew could do nothing wrong and Iceland would always welcome them. Then of course Marcell and Jon turned up and they spent some time together before the lads went off to Reykjavik to look at the gay scene. "Please take care both of you, it can get a bit bitchy. Take care of one another." They hugged Scott and Andrew and went to pack. "Bit parental Scott!" "I know I just don't want them to get involved with the scene thats all, not that I know fuck all about it. I love them too much and before you say anything I know you think the same so don't lecture me ok?" "I wasn't going to, Daddy!"
As the honeymoon went on Scott became concerned that he was getting out of condition and dragged himself and Andrew to the hotel gym where they spent two hours a day working out, but apart from that they spent most of their time going for long walks over the mountain tracks and that in itself was great for keeping fit. But like all things good, this one also had to end and it was with some sadness they left the hotel and flew back home. They took their memories with them and a few hundred photos as well. ================================================================================ ===========================
Back to reality. ___________
"Welcome home my sons!" William was so pleased to see them again. "My word it's been too damb quiet around here since everyone left. Don't suppose you want to get married again?" They declined the offer and went to the sitting room for drinks. "Right, I have some bad news, sorry to have to tell you this, but you need to know of course. I'm afraid Reg and Freddy wont be coming back. They were involved in a car accident and Reg has a broken hip. It will take months to recover. BUT , there is some good news, Reg says he may have a replacement and would like to talk to you about him." Scott and Andrew were indeed upset to hear this and said they would drive to London tomorrow and see Reg. "Thats not all Scott. There is more which you need to think about."
William went off at some length to tell them of developments that involved the Brit authorities. For some time now there was a security group trying to get support from goverment to have armed fast patrol boats in pirate areas. They would be supported by a converted cargo ship to supply fuel and supplies. In other words have boats out there to patrol a vast area that would make life more than difficult for the pirates. There was conciderable objection to this of course, but it would seem some in authority thought otherwise.
"What all this is getting to Scott is that they are using your experience to argue the point to have these boats and they want to use you more and to make it more official, for you to agree to have a serving Marine with you who will be there to officially represent government support and also allow you to be, officially, armed." Scott's head was doing cartwheels. "SO, i'm to have a Marine on board to do what, tell me how to run my ship, where to go and how to operate? If thats the case they can stuff it. I bloody well know if goverments get involved they fuck it up and the whole point of our being there is gone." Scott was not happy about this at all. "Actually Scott it wont be like that. I had two visitors last week, one from government and a Royal Marine officer and they assured me the Marine would be there as an armed soldier under your command and that you will be asked to accept the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Royal Naval Reserve and that apparently makes you and the Jean offical to carry out armed patrols and with the support of the authorities." "But we are already armed and they know we are. Our people wont take that away because it was the Americans who ARMED us and I know damb well our lot wont argue with them. Dad I just want to carry on as we are and not get involved with outside shit." Scott was pissed off. This was becoming too complicated. William was silent, but he would have to tell Scott what he really wanted to say, he was not sure how his son would take it though.
"Scott, son, I hope you will agree. Look I know how important all this is to you and of COURSE to me, but and i'm sorry if this sounds selfish, but I wont you to stop escorting, it's getting dangerous and i'm shit scared for all of you. Look if there were other boats out there doing what you do, it could releive you and you could follow a different path. Bob Taylor is retiring soon and I will give you both the O6, or even convert the Jean to sail in another way like surveying, Artic tours and the like." Scott looked at Andrew. "You two have been talking haven't you!" "William is my dad as well Scott and sons do talk to fathers, don't they?" That did it, Scott pulled Andrew to him and put his arm around his shoulders. "Ok, what do I do now?" "There is a meeting here in three days time with the same two that came to talk to me. They will explain everything. Meanwhile you have to go and see Reg and get a new doctor."
Reg was still in hospital laid out, but more or less pain free. Freddy was there as well and all greeted one another as the close freinds they were. "Sorry Scott, I know i'm a real pain in the ass." "Chance would be a fine thing!" Freddy laughed at his joke.
They sat and chatted about the wedding, the honeymoon and how long Reg was likely to be in recovery. "It will be at lease six months Scott and only then can I think about physiotherapy. If i'm lucky it will take anything like a year to get back to what I was and even then i'm sure my sailing dats are over. I am so very sorry, Freddy and I would have been with you for as long as you wanted us. Still, as I say I do have a chap we both know well and I can recommend him as a doctor and an excellent individual."
"Ok Reg who is he?" But before Reg could say anything they were interupted when a doctor came in and asked Scott and Andrew to wait outside. After half an hour the guy came back out and spoke to them. "Reg is free now. He tells me you are great friends of his and Freddy. He is doing well because he is so fit, but it will take time even then for him to get back to normal. Anyway, i'm Louis de Bois from South Africa and Reg taught me just about all I know! They are great guys. In you go they are waiting for you." They went back into the room. "So, what do you think of Louis? Thats the chap we recommend to you."
"Does he know about us and the Jean and needing a doctor?"
"Oh yes and I bet he did not say. Scott. He is everything you need. A great chap, VERY good at what he does and will be more that an asset to you both."
"Why didn't he mention it when he was talking to us?"
"He wouldn't, he will be waiting for you to talk to him. He came from a pretty poor background and was determined to get himself out of it. His love for medicine was his motivation and his determination in his school and college education got him into medical school. It's a long story, but the bones of it was he came to this hospital and that's when I first met him. Freddy and I sponsored him and he came to live with us for a year until he managed to find his own friendships and moved out. He is a very shy young man and although very confident when dealing with patients he is not so in other ways. He is gay and had a rough time back home because of it. Now he is getting more confident and even had a brief relationship, but it did not last, why we don't know, but we do know he is one of those guys who will know when it's right for him. At least that's what we think."
To cut an even longer story short. Scott met him, liked him and asked him to join the Jean. His smile told Scott all he needed to know! "If Reg and Freddy tells me you will be good for us, then that's all the recommenation I need." They fixed the date he should report to the Jean. They said goodbye to Reg and Freddy and once more the parting was extremly difficult. They would be missed very much by all of the crew.
The visitors arrived spot on time and were taken into William's study. The goverment guy, Dr. James Cartwright was about 50/55, overweight and stunk of cigars. He was something to do with the Ministry of Defence in recruitment and in particular special forces. His qualification as a physcologist was apparently an asset. Scott had no idea why, but he did not like him the moment he felt the mans sweaty hand. The other guy was different. Tall, smart and had an air about him that said, "military." Major Patrick Smart, Royal Marine, lived up to his name.
Scott had thought about what his father had said about the Jean giving up the role of escorting his ships and get involved with more peaceful occupations. He had already mentioned to Andrew that he was thinking about how much longer the Jean could carry on anyway and his attitude towards these men was different now. IF this company got the support it needed and the Jean could continue to prove it's value it could mean that this security company could get the approval it needed from the various authorities involved in issuing licences to operate and will be able to provide much better support than the lone Jean Peterson could. He was all ears.
Cartwright banged on about everything they already knew and went on to say that a Marine had already been selected to join the Jean a couple of days before they were due to sail. "As I am involved with recruitment of personnel for special forces I have all the records of personnel and I have found a chat idealy suited and after talks with Major Smart he has agreed this man will be suitable to sail with you Captain Peterson. Over to you Patrick. May I smoke Sir William?" William glared at him. "You may indeed, outside." William did not like the guy either! Fat man snorted and got up and left the room. "Glad he is interested in hearing this out Major, anyway what can you tell us?" William and the other two waited after all this was the most important bit.
"Marine Colin Masters is a fine young man and one of the best Marines I have ever encountered and I can assure you I have seen many. He is heading for the SBS and I have no doub't he will make it. He is already on the short list and after another years service he will be at the top of it. He is an excellent gunner with all weapons and in particular the GPMG. Loyal, resectful, disiplined and proud is the best way I can describe him Captain and I am sure he will fit in with you extremly well." Scott had to ask this one. "Do you and Marine Masters know anything about the Jean Peterson's crew Major?" Scott watched him to see the reaction. "Yes he does and yes he is. Military life has come on some what in the past couple of years Scott." "And presumably Dr Cartwright is aware?" "Yes he is and I know bloody well I should not say this, but the fat bugger is as well!" They were still laughing when Cartwright came in. "Good joke?" "Very good indeed Dr Cartwright." William said. That was it then Masters would join the Jean and would be ready with his gun!
It was only polite to shake hands, but none of them wanted to. "It was a great pleasure meeting all of you and I will be definitly be seeing you again i'm sure." Cartwright said. "Not if I have anything to do with it!" William said after they had left. "I don't know why but he is a very unpleasent individual, or am I just being a shit?" Andrew rushed over to William. "No daddy, no your not daddy, can I have a ship as well daddy, pleeese daddy? You DID give one to Scott and it's not fair!" Andrew kissed his cheek. "Fuck off you ponce and get me a whisky. NO! A double. What with you and that slob I need it!"
Dr James Cartwright would become much more than just a slob in the not so distant the future.
winchesterbornbred@hotmail.co.uk