From This Day Forward

Epilogue



I, Jason Sinclair, take thee, Caroline Marshall Sinclair, to be my lawful wedded wife," Jason said solemnly.

Caroline stood on the empty patio of the beneficio in a white sarong the women of the fazenda had worked frantically to make for her, listening to her husband's strong, beloved voice. Around their necks they wore garlands of flowers, gifts from the Yanomami women. Ines stood beside Caroline, tears rolling down her cheeks, little Jase nestled securely in her arms. To Jason's right stood Ignacio, proud and silent.

"To love, honor, and cherish...." Faust, the Yanomami high priest stood before them in full regalia—bird feathers sticking out around his head, leaves tucked into armbands, his body painted in red and black geometric patterns. "... in sickness and in health...."Today was her wedding day. Today they were starting over, starting fresh, she, Jason, and little Jase.

"...from this day forward...."

From this day forward, they would be together, a family. The scars of old wounds were still there, just below the surface, but they would face them together. Together.

"...till death do us part."

Turning, Jason and Caroline faced each other expectantly. Joy and love shone clearly in Jason's eyes. No longer were they tormented by a past he could not alter. Now they looked forward to a bright, love-filled future.

Slowly he lowered his head toward her and she lifted hers to receive his kiss, a light brush of his lips against hers that promised more delights to come.

A loud cheer went up from the crowd gathered around the beneficio. The bride and groom turned to face the onlookers, the fazenda workers and their families to the left and the Yanomami to the right.

Behind them, the priest began to chant, his words unintelligible, some kind of incantation to his gods. Caroline didn't think God would mind. They had already been bound together in His eyes, and today was just an affirmation of their commitment to each other.

Drums thundered in the background as Jason bent his head to whisper in her ear. "You'll never know how much I love you."

Caroline smiled, her body suffused with warmth, as she pulled his head down so she could whisper into his ear. "You could show me every day for the rest of our lives."

"I plan to," he replied, his voice thick with desire.

"Starting today?"

Jason gazed into her eyes, uncertainty marring his brow. "Are you sure? It's so soon...."

"It's been weeks, Jason, weeks!"

He swept her up into his arms, walking toward the wagon that had brought them to the beneficio, and Caroline threw her head back, laughing with the joy that coarsed through her body.

"Starting today, then," he said with an ardent smile.

Caroline settled her head against his broad shoulder, reveling in the feel of his arms around her, in the knowledge that they would be together forever, from this day forward.