“No, thank you. Just looking.” It was difficult to describe what you were looking for when you weren’t sure yourself.
At last, she found what she was looking for—a soft champagne satin design with spaghetti straps that could pass for elegant or more casual depending on the occasion or accessories. She tried it on and it flowed down her body, hugging her curves in all the right places and flowing down to her calves. She lingered in front of the mirror, twirling one way then the other as the satin gathered around her in slow-motion. This was it, it was perfect. Her wedding dress.
Caitlyn picked out a simple pearl necklace and matching earrings. She had a pair of strappy sandals that would work fine. Wonderful. She was all set.
On the drive back to the base, she realized she was missing a couple of things: something borrowed, and something bluethree of the four criteria.
Guess it's a simple wedding. Correction: a fake wedding. Besides, it's not like I have any family or friends around, or any bridesmaids to help me with this stuff.
****
Caitlyn’s uncertainties about their upcoming wedding almost vanished once they began their apartment hunt. They both couldn’t contain their excitement.
“Check us out, Slade. Young twenty-somethings living on our own in an apartment in Okinawa, Japan. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“Pretty cool.”
“I know. Being on base is okay, but living on the island with the locals is—I don’t know—awesome!”
Slade laughed. “All right. Practical matters. We need an apartment not too far from the base so we can get to work easily. Two bedrooms. Off the main highway. And it needs to be affordable.”
They were only E-3s on the pay scale, which wasn't exactly high up the totem pole. They should get a living allowance since the on-base housing for families were completely full, yet they weren't sure if it would cover the full amount of rents in Okinawa, which could be astonishingly high for such a small living space.
If they made a decent salary, they wouldn't even have to do this wedding thing. They would simply pay rent for an apartment like normal people, like roommates. But this was the military and they had to play by their rules. Or bend them a little to make them work for them.
Thursday afternoon at work, she couldn't get it out of her head that it was the last day she would be single. When she returned to work on Monday, everything would be different. She would be married to Slade.
After work, they were going to visit a few more apartments that Slade had called about that afternoon.
At the first apartment they entered that evening, Caitlyn squealed with delight. “Oh, this is perfect, Slade. It's quaint, so homey. I would love to live here.”
The apartment was small, but it had character. There was a living room/dining room with a tiny kitchen and two small bedrooms off a hallway. Nothing special there, but Caitlyn envisioned all the things she could do to spice up the place, make it a home. She'd have a place of her own. In the barracks, her chance to decorate or spruce things up was greatly dampened by restrictions and routine inspections. The main draw to this apartment, however, was in the main room. It had two glass doors leading out to a beautiful, shared courtyard with a fountain surrounded by stone benches. The courtyard was filled with all sorts of tropical plants and tiny trees making it appear like a miniature paradise.
“Do you like it?” she asked.
Slade opened closets and cabinets and peered in. “It seems all right.” Checking out the two bedrooms, he said, “We'll have our privacy, our own space.”
“Come and look at this view,” Caitlyn prodded.
Slade came over and scanned the courtyard with an appraising eye. “It looks like a quiet spot to read.” Then he turned to Caitlyn and said, “Yes, I like the place. Shall we take it?”
“Yes,” Caitlyn said nodding vigorously.
“You sure you don't want to check out the other apartments tonight? You might like another one better than this.”
“No, this is it. This is the place.”
“Okay,” Slade said. Then he turned to the building owner and said, “We'll take it.”
After going through some paperwork and exchanging a check for some keys, the owner said they could move in over the weekend. The apartment had been vacant for a month after another military couple had lived there and he was eager to rent it out.
“Are there many military families who live in the complex?” Caitlyn asked.
“Two others. One with a couple of young children. Most of our other residents are locals and have lived here for years.”
On the drive back to the base, they were both in a great mood. They had an apartment and tomorrow they would be married.
“Let's get something to eat first,” Caitlyn said.
Slade smirked and then said, “Let me call about the two other apartments and cancel.”
After making the calls, they decided on a little Okinawan restaurant near their base that they often went to for some quick, healthy food. One thing Caitlyn loved about Okinawa was the food. Everything was clean and light. Even the fast food chains seemed healthy with seaweed on their burgers.
Over their noodle and vegetable dishes, Caitlyn asked, “So are you ready for tomorrow?”
“Absolutely,” Slade said. “I've been preparing for it all week. Finally, it's here.” Then, he asked, “You?”
“Yes,” Caitlyn beamed. Laura’s cautious warnings had quieted in her mind, drowned out by the excitement of what lay ahead. Almost all her doubts were gone. But she wasn't going to let doubts spoil her mood now. She had an apartment and tomorrow she would be Mrs. Slade Masters.
Later that night, though, she found it hard to sleep. The doubts began to come back to her. Should she really go through with this?
Yes, damn it, she would. This was her life and she could do whatever she wanted with it. The tiny voice in the back of her mind came back—even if she wanted to screw it up.
After tossing in bed for a couple of hours, Caitlyn finally climbed out of bed. She was so frustrated that it was the night before her wedding and she couldn't sleep. One technique she relied on in the past when she couldn't sleep was to write down what she was thinking about. Usually with her thoughts on paper, she could get them out of her mind enough to fall asleep. She pulled out her journal and poured out her conflicted emotions onto the pages.
Why shouldn't we live together? What's the difference between having two rooms across from each other in one building than two bedrooms inside another building?
I know, I know, I could have it much worse right now and be in a tent in a war zone. But it looks like we’re going to be stationed here for three years. Why not settle in someplace livable?
Why shouldn't I marry Slade? I have feelings for him. There's nothing illegal or wrong about that. Even if he doesn't feel the same way about me, I know that he cares for me as a friend, or maybe more like a sister.
How do I really feel about him? Is it wanting someone because I can’t have him? Or is it more than lust—could it be—love?
No. I can’t think that way. I’d be setting myself up to get my heart broken. Am I being a fool? Marrying a man who has informed me that this is only a fake marriage, only a temporary marriage, and here I am like an idiot, playing the part of the fool.
To hell with it. This is my life, my chance, my decision. I'm going to go through with this wedding. And if it doesn't work out, well, I knew I was being a fool. Better to take the chance than to wonder...
Before she knew it, she had several pages filled. With that torment out of her mind, she figured she might be able to relax now. Maybe a long, hot shower would ease her body first.
After several minutes in a steaming hot shower, she put her pajamas back on and climbed back into bed. This time she was able to fall asleep. Mercifully, she slept hard until the morning, not being awakened by any dreams, which she was sure would be all too colorful and remind her all too vividly about her decision or its potential consequences.
The next morning, Caitlyn took her time getting ready, lingering over a cup of coffee. This was her wedding morning after all. She had to dress the part, even if she wasn't wearing a traditional wedding gown. She ritually went through the motions of doing her hair and makeup as if this was a true marriage ceremony. She curled her hair in loose ringlets, allowing a few tendrils to escape to soften her appearance. Since she pinned up her hair in uniform, she wanted to have her hair fall down her shoulders on her wedding day. Then she applied a tasteful amount of makeup to enhance her features. After putting on her dressing gown and shoes, she added the jewelry that she bought from the PX and added a spritz of a floral perfume she had bought back in the States to remind herself she was a woman, even if she wore shapeless camouflage and combat boots almost every day.
Since she didn't have a full-length mirror in her room, she pulled over a chair and tried to get a glimpse of herself in the mirror above her sink. It was awkward with the heels and dress, but by maneuvering herself this way and that, she managed to piece together a full picture of what she actually looked like.
Then, as she was climbing off the chair, her heel caught in her dress and she tripped.
“Ahh,” she yelled as she lunged toward the floor, landing in a crumpled heap. So much for being the elegant bride.
Naturally, someone had to knock at the door to marvel at her distress. It had to be Slade. He had a knack for catching her at her most clumsy moments, such as when she tripped over a branch when they were marching in formation at military school and fell right into his back.
“Hold on, I'm coming,” Caitlyn said, trying to buy herself more time to smooth out the wrinkles she caused with her graceful swan dive.
Just before she opened the door, she put on her most enchanting smile she hoped would dazzle Slade. However, when she opened the door, she was the one rendered speechless.
Slade gazed down at her dress as if appraising a painting he was thinking about purchasing. “Very nice. Ready?”
She was momentarily disarmed by how handsome he appeared in a suit and tie. She was so used to him dressed in a Marine uniform or in his adventure garb, but never in a suit. He appeared fantastic in military dress, but now, he could have stepped out of the pages of GQ. His broad shoulders were accentuated rather than masked by the dark fabric. His steely expression radiated a confidence that reinforced his masculinity. A strong, vital male.
Man, was he a fine specimen of the male species.
“Uh,” she mumbled. “Yes.”
****
Slade was not prepared for how stunning she appeared in that dress. His eyes had lingered on her curves far too long as they raked over her luscious body. He didn’t dare peer into her jade eyes as he’d be unable to function. So he mastered his game face again and focused on the plan ahead.
Even so, he couldn't believe they were actually doing this. All night, he worried that Caitlyn would change her mind or at the last minute.
Hold on, Slade. You're not married yet. She can still bail on you, you know.
Yes, he knew all too well. A friend of his back home got ditched at the altar when his fiancée decided she was too young to get married. He would never forget the crushed look on his friend's face when he realized that she wasn't coming. To be humiliated like that in front of all his family and friends was unforgivable.
This was only a simple, civil ceremony. No frills, no audience. It made taking this plunge much easier. Even if Caitlyn did decide to play the part of a freaked out runaway bride, he wouldn't have to face an audience in a most dreadful moment.
But, he'd still have his hopes dashed.
Slade gauged Caitlyn for signs of flight in her body language. She did appear concerned, not scared, but not exactly confident and relaxed the way she usually appeared.
“Are you okay, Cait?” he asked tentatively.
“Yes, of course. I'm fine,” she said all too quickly. Then she flashed him a smile.
He knew that smile, it was a cover for nervousness. Slade squeezed her hand to show her some support. Her nervousness didn't bode well. He was hoping she'd be jubilant, in happy spirits, but she appeared conflicted.
Maybe she was going to run on him after all. He better find out sooner rather than later.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
Automatically, Caitlyn replied, “Of course. Why do you ask?”
“You seem,” he searched for the word, “tense.”
“Oh, well, I'm nervous after all. Aren't you?”
I'm nervous you'll bail, Slade thought. “No, why should I be?”
“Well, you've never been married before, have you?”
“No. You know I haven't.”
“It's just a little—scary.”
“Cait, there's nothing to be afraid of. After all, this is only a formality. It doesn't even mean anything. It's not real.”
Caitlyn forced the smile once again. “Right,” she said. “Come on, let's go.”
Slade automatically grasped her hand in a protective hold. It was a good idea, too, as no sooner had Caitlyn closed her room door behind her when the questions began in the hallway.
“Where are you two going all dressed up?” Private Fernandez asked.
“Wouldn't you like to know?” Slade said with a grin, leaving Fernandez hanging.
A few steps later, Lance Corporal Richards asked, “What's with the fancy duds?”
“We'd tell you–but we'd have to kill you,” Slade replied.
He felt the tension leave Caitlyn's body as her tight grasp on his hand loosened ever so slightly. Glancing over at her, he saw a slight smile forming at the corner of her mouth. His attempt to lighten the mood was working.
On the stairwell, another Marine asked, “My, my, my, where are we off to this fine Friday morning?”
“Top secret,” Slade said. Then in a mock-serious tone, he whispered, “Classified information. A need to know is necessary.”
That time Caitlyn chuckled. This is good, Masters. Keep it light, and keep her from being nervous. She's less likely to run that way.
At the bottom of the stairwell, another Marine asked, “Has the Marine Corps Ball come early this year?”
“No, it's today, McNeel. Did you black out the date again?”
“Ha ha ha, Masters. You should be a comedian.”
The questions continued all the way to the car.
“What is this, the Miss America contest?”
This time Caitlyn jumped in, which Slade thought was a good sign.
“No, it's the Miss Okinawa contest, Rivers. Forget where we are?”
Slade chortled and Caitlyn barely stifled a giggle.
Then, after Slade opened Caitlyn’s door, another Marine asked, “Why are you two all dressed up?”
Slade forced a serious expression as he turned to the Marine. “Why aren't you dressed up, Stone? Didn't you know? We're all supposed to wear our finest clothes to work today in honor of the master of spiffiness, General Spiff.”
Stone scanned the parking lot to see if this was true; if others were dressed up as well. Then slowly it dawned on him that Slade was joking.
Behind him, he heard Caitlyn cackle and he couldn't resist joining in.
“No camouflage today, Marine. You better go back in and change,” Slade managed between breaths.
Stone shook his head with a grin. “What are you smoking, Masters? Can I have some?” he asked as he walked away.
As soon as they climbed into Slade's car and closed the doors, they both burst into laughter.
Caitlyn stammered, “General Spiff?”
Slade laughed.
“Did you see the look on Stone's face? Making sure he wasn't the only one wearing cammies?”
“Yeah, what a rock.” Then Slade asked, “Jeez, is this what you have to put up with every day, all the comments?”
“No, not usually,” Caitlyn responded. “It’s usually an all-out leer.”
“Yikes, I'm glad I'm not a female Marine.”
“It's a small price to pay for being one of the fewer and the prouder. Besides,” she continued, “you'd probably love it. Imagine being one of the few men on an island full of horny women.”
When Slade didn't answer her, she asked, “Slade?”
“Shh, I'm imagining...”
Caitlyn playfully slapped his arm. “Yes, I knew you'd like the reverse.”
“We have to restructure this Marine Corps,” Slade said with a grin. “Let's get the recruiters to start recruiting more women than men.”
“Just drive, will you?” Caitlyn said.
Chapter Five
Highway 58 was clogged with traffic as usual as they fought their way to Naha's City Hall. When they finally pulled into the crowded parking lot, Caitlyn asked, “Did you remember to bring all the paperwork?”
“Of course I did,” Slade replied. “You're not going to turn into a nagging wife on me now, are you?”
“Oh, be quiet, you. I was just making sure.”
Once inside, they handed over the paperwork and waited their turn in line. Luckily, Slade knew enough Japanese and the clerk knew enough English so they could communicate. Several minutes and some paperwork later, the clerk said, “You are married.”
When they walked away, Slade said, “We did it. We’re married.”
Caitlyn replied, “We are? That was so quick, so, oh, I don't know—unromantic.”
“What do you want for a city hall wedding. You're in, you're out, it's like a fast food wedding.”
“I guess so.”
Caitlyn found the informal life-changing transaction utterly ridiculous. They were now married, but the transition was no more than signing some silly government paperwork. For a momentous, life-changing occasion, it seemed devoid of any sort of emotion. She was now a married woman, married to Slade Masters. So why didn't she feel any different?
Slade said, “We can't check into the hotel until three, so we have some time to kill. Anything you want to do?
“What?” Caitlyn replied, still incredulous.
“It's only mid-morning. We have a few hours to kill before we check into the hotel. What do you want to do?” Slade repeated.
A Marine’s Proposal Page 5