The gentle rocking of the yacht, the sun glistening on the water’s surface, and the distant calls of seabirds created the perfect backdrop for Rock and Vernice’s quiet escape.
For Vernice, this kind of honeymoon was enough. She leaned against the rail, the ocean breeze brushing through her loose hair while a fishing rod in hand.
Rock sat beside her, lazily holding his fishing rod, though his attention was clearly more on her than the sea.
"You’re supposed to be watching the rod, not ," Vernice said with a sideways glance, trying not to smile.
She couldn’t help but love the way her husband looked at her, eyes full of warmth and affection. Even now, it still felt surreal. She was really married to Rock. After all the years of quietly loving him from a distance, she had finally won his heart.
"I’ve already caught the best catch of my life. What’s the point of trying for another?" Rock replied smoothly, winking.
Vernice’s cheeks ward, and she rolled her eyes, focusing back on the water. "Flatterer."
Rock chuckled and said in his defense, "I’m just doing what you told , being more vocal. I can’t help but admire how beautiful you are."
He reached over, gently pulling her closer before pressing a soft kiss to her head. "Thank you for staying by my side, Vernice... and for never giving up on ."
Vernice leaned into his warmth, her heart full. "I love you so much, Rock. So rest assured, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be with you no matter what."
They had spent most of the morning fishing, laughing when Rock lost his bait twice, and squealing when Vernice caught a decent-sized snapper. It was simple and peaceful, sothing both of them hadn’t experienced in a long ti. After a quick lunch onboard, they’d changed into their swimsuits and dived into the warm blue sea.
Now, back on deck, they lay on towels side by side, drying off under the sun. Rock had his arm casually draped behind his head, the other gently resting near Vernice’s waist.
He turned his head toward her, grinning. "You’re still shy with ."
Vernice avoided his eyes, fiddling with the edge of her towel. "I’m not used to this. Being... like this with soone. With you."
"You’re my wife now," he murmured, tracing circles on her hip. "And we only have until tomorrow before we fly out to Palan Island. I want to spend more days with you like this. How about we go sowhere else first? Just a short honeymoon trip, say... five days?"
She sat up, instantly scowling. "Rock."
He chuckled but sat up too, holding up both hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, don’t give that look."
"Don’t ’okay’ ," she snapped, though her voice shook slightly. "You promised! Palan Island is where they’ll assess you. That’s your treatnt, your surgery. You said you’d go as soon as possible and now you’re trying to delay it again."
"I’m not trying to delay it," he said, reaching for her hand and gently pulling her closer. "I just... I want a little more ti with you. Just us. I’m scared, Vernice. What if the surgery doesn’t work? What if-"
"No." She cupped his face, cutting him off. "Don’t go there. We fight this. You promised you’d fight." They must not delay it anymore or Rock’s condition would get worse and she couldn’t bear that.
Rock searched her eyes. She was trembling, lips pressed tight, but her eyes were fierce.
"I know," he whispered. "I will. I just, being with you like this, makes feel alive. And selfishly, I want to feel that for a few more days."
Vernice blinked back the sting in her eyes and shook her head. "You’ll have plenty of ti to feel alive, Rock. After the surgery. After the treatnt. But we won’t get there if you keep putting it off."
He sighed and leaned his forehead against hers. "You’re right."
"I know I am," she said softly, threading her fingers through his. "We’ll go to Palan Island tomorrow, and when we co back, we can have all the honeymoons you want."
He chuckled. "Even a second one?"
"As many as you want. But first, get better. That’s what I want most."
They stayed like that, the sea breeze carrying the scent of salt and sun between them. In that quiet space, Rock tightened his hold on her hand.
"Then I’ll fight," he said.
And she smiled, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Good. That’s all I ask."
After a long, heavy silence between them, Rock finally sighed and broke it. "If things take a turn for the worst... I want you to move on, Vernice. Don’t stay stuck in sadness. You deserve to live a full life. Remarry if you et soone worthy."
Vernice turned to him with a deep frown, her heart sinking. Rock smiled gently and cupped her face in his hands. "Promise you won’t grieve for too long. Just in-"
"Stop that!" Vernice snapped, her voice trembling as she fought back the tears rising in her eyes. "You’ll get through this! Look at Kelly, she survived, and she had the sa diagnosis. So will you!"
"I know," Rock said quietly. "But nothing in life is certain, Vernice. Things can change in a heartbeat. And I’m not as young as Kelly either..."
He brushed his thumbs gently across her cheeks, his voice almost a whisper. "Just promise you’ll stay strong. Move forward. Live your life to the fullest. That, more than anything, would give peace."
Vernice shook her head as tears slipped from the corners of her eyes. She gripped Rock’s wrists, holding his hands in place as he cupped her face.
"No," she whispered fiercely. "Don’t talk like that. I didn’t wait all these years for you just to lose you now. I didn’t take that risk, didn’t confess, didn’t fight for you... just to prepare myself to live without you."
Rock’s gaze softened, but the sorrow in his eyes remained. "I just want you to be ready. In case-"
"There’s no in case, Rock!" she snapped, her voice breaking. "You are going to survive this. You have to." She leaned forward and rested her forehead against his. "We still have so much to do together. Places to go. mories to make. You promised , rember?"
"I rember," he murmured, his arms wrapping around her tightly. "And I ant every word."
They sat like that for a long mont, clinging to each other as the gentle sway of the yacht rocked them in silence.
Vernice finally pulled back and wiped her cheeks. "Let’s not waste today talking about endings. We have right now and tomorrow and the trip to Palan Island. And after that, treatnt. No delays. No excuses."
Rock gave her a sheepish grin. "So, a honeymoon abroad is completely off the table?"
She narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at him. "Don’t even think about it. You’re not buying ti with romance."
He laughed, genuinely amused and touched. "Well, it was worth a try."
Vernice smiled, shaking her head as she looked out at the horizon. "We’ll take that trip after your surgery. When you’re healthy. That’s my condition."
Rock reached for her hand and held it tightly. "Then that’s what I’ll aim for."
They sat side by side, fishing rods forgotten, their hands clasped and hearts a little steadier, facing the future together, uncertain, but full of hope.
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