Chapter 4
ST. LUKE'S
It had now been five years since Bo, Hope, Shawn-D, Belle, Philip, and Melanie had set sail on the Fancy Face VI. And, for the two younger couples, this was the happiest day of their lives.
JANSEN: Shawn-Douglas, do you take this woman as your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?
SHAWN-D: I do.
JANSEN: Isabella, do you take this man as your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?
BELLE: I do.
JANSEN: Philip, do you take this woman as your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?
PHILIP: I do.
JANSEN: Melanie, do you take this man as your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?
MELANIE: I do.
JANSEN: If there is anyone here who has a reason either of these two couples should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.
The church was silent for a moment.
JANSEN: May I have the rings, please?
The rings were handed to Father Jansen. He gave one to Shawn-D, Belle, Philip, and Melanie, each.
SHAWN-D: Isabella Brady, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Shawn-D put the ring on Belle's finger.
BELLE: Shawn-Douglas Brady, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Belle put the ring on Shawn-D's finger.
PHILIP: Melanie Jonas, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Philip put the ring on Melanie's finger.
MELANIE: Philip Robert Kiriakis, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Melanie put the ring on Philip's finger. The four turned to the congregation.
JANSEN: Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Shawn-Douglas and Belle Brady, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Philip and Melanie Kiriakis. What God has joined together, let no man separate.
Father Jansen turned to the two couples.
JANSEN: Gentlemen, you may kiss the brides.
Belle and Shawn-D kissed passionately, as did Philip and Melanie. The entire church, which was packed almost to the bursting point, broke out in cheers and clapping. Philip and Melanie were remarried. Belle and Shawn-D were remarried. Finally, everything was right.
WHITE ROOM
JAN: No!
MAN: Jan, don't you want Shawn to be happy?
JAN: Of course I do. All I want is for Shawn to be happy. But, not if I'm dead!
MAN: So, you don't want to take that choice?
JAN: How can I? If I take that choice, Mendez will kill me, Shawn will get over me in less than five years, and he and Belle will go sailing off into the sunset. I can't take that choice.
MAN: Are you saying you want to see the other choice?
JAN (voice only, narrating): I wanted to say no. I wanted to tell this Guardian, whoever he is, that he couldn't make me choose. I wanted to...
There is a bright flash, and everything goes black...
