Page 65 of Big Island Moonlight
“You’re sure you want to do this?” he asked.
Irritation spiked in her chest, hot and fierce, and she stepped away from her father.
“I just don’t want you rushing into anything, Jun. You’re barely eighteen. We could still–”
“Don’t do this,” she pleaded.
“I don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret.”
“Why would I regret this?” She wanted to shout, but Wilder was asleep on her chest, so she had to settle for a fierce whisper.
“People change, Jun.”
“I’m not doing this right now.” She turned and walked away, gravel crunching beneath her feet. “I have someplace to be.”
It was a minute before her dad caught up to her. For a moment he just walked next to her in silence. Then he said, “I’m sorry. That was stupid.”
“Apology accepted,” she said stiffly.
He offered her his arm again – and after a minute, she took it.
They walked across the hot black cliffs, and Juniper pulled a bit of fabric over Wilder’s bald head to protect her sleeping baby from the hot afternoon sunshine. Cool salt water drifted past them as waves exploded against the rocks below, splashing up over the sides of the cliffs and creating a rainbow mist in the air.
“I think that giving his daughter away is hard on any dad,” Ethan said quietly. “I never expected to have to let go of you so young.”
“Dad, we livewalking distancefrom each other.”
He chuckled. “We do, don’t we?”
She paused and looked up at him. “I’m still right here. I’m still me.”
“So am I, junebug.” He put his hand over hers. “I’m right here.”
“Ready?” she asked.
He took a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be.”
A small crowd of well-wishers awaited them in the cool shade of the ironwood forest. The salt smell of the sea gave way to a fresh green scent as they walked across the pillowy floor of fallen pine needles.
And there was Cody, nervous and handsome in a simple white button-up. He had a fresh haircut that made him look older than he was. That plus his height, his confidence, and the way he carried himself… he was every inch a man, even if he was only eighteen.
Juniper felt deeply proud of him in that moment – proud of both of them, and of the life that they were building together.With one last smile for her dad, she let go of his arm and walked up to stand beside Cody.
When she reached him, he took her hand and brought it up to his lips for a fervent kiss. He put a gentle hand on Wilder’s back, and his eyes shone with unshed tears.
“Hi,” he whispered. “I love you.”
Juniper’s smile radiated out from her whole body. “I love you too.”
Her heart felt full to bursting with happiness… and at the same time, completely serene. She was exactly where she was meant to be, and that filled her with a sense of peace that subsumed both her joy and her nerves.
Uncle Mano, ordained the year before, led them through a simple ceremony. They exchanged a plain pair of golden rings… and that was it. Married.
“Easy as can be,” she whispered as Cody leaned down to kiss her.
Their wedding was followed by a reception right there on the floor of their makeshift church. The aunties laid a checkerboard of blankets down on the soft forest floor, and Tara unveiled a gourmet picnic lunch.
Juniper sat in the center, legs crossed beneath her sunshine skirt. She held her nursing baby in one arm and ate with her free hand. Cody was up and pacing, bringing her food and making sure that everyone was comfortable, until she finally caught his hand and asked him to sit on the blanket beside her.
