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The waves crashed along the shoreline of the beach, the white foam creeping closer to the blanket Charlie sat on. She watched as Sin threw a ball to William, the dog splashing in the water to retrieve it then swimming back to shore to repeat the process again. The sun shone down, warming her through the thick sweater she wore. She looked over at the gray seals sleeping lazily on the outcropping of rock, understanding them a bit better, their gentleness and docility. She didn't think Sin's selkie woman would be returning; something in her gut told her she had somehow found her true love and finally returned to her home under the sea. And she, herself, what had she found? She ran her hand through the coarse sand. A place possibly where she could find her own seal skin that was stolen from her and time, time to reconcile the wounds of her family and Michael. Both still tore at her heart. William barked in the distance, having found a gull to chase along the water's edge. Sin walked back over to her as she started to clean up their picnic.

"Not yet," he said, taking the empty bottle of wine from her. "We have a bit longer before the tide comes back in."

"I could stay here forever."

"Aye, it's like that. Enchanting." He rubbed his hands against his thighs and kilt. "I wanted to ask you something, but I'm finding myself a bit nervous."

Charlie smiled. "I don't think I've ever seen you nervous. Just ask."

He pulled a box from his pocket. "I wanted to ask you if you'd be my wife." He opened the box. The amethyst and diamond ring sat nestled against the black velvet.

"I'm already your wife in case you've forgotten." She laughed then looked up into his eyes, quietening. "You're serious?"

"Aye, I'm serious. I want you to be my wife, not because we were forced, but because you want to."

Her hands began to shake. "Yes, I'll be your wife."

He took the ring out of the box and slipped it on her finger. "I, Sinclair McKay Stuart, vow to always choose you first, Charlotte Iris Stuart. To love you, protect you, and keep you safe in my heart until the end of my life." He kissed her gently on the mouth.

She looked down at the ring. "I don't have a ring for you."

"I have Jock's." He took it out of his pocket. The silver band was worn smooth, the dark lustrous patina aged with time and devotion. "He gave it to me."

"You told him what you were going to do?"

"Aye. I was worried you would say no."

She took the ring from his hand. The metal was warm against her skin, alive with history, imprinted in the silver energy whose memories she knew weren't false. She slid it on Sin's finger. "I, Charlotte Iris Stuart, vow to always choose you first, Sinclair McKay Stuart. To love you, protect you, and keep you safe in my heart until the end of my life."

"I think this makes us officially married." Sin took her mouth in his, kissing her long and hard.

"I think it does," she said, lying back on the blanket.

"You know you could have said obey instead of protect." He smiled wickedly. "That you'd vow to obey me."

"Never," she said.

"At least in our bed." He lay down next to her and pinned a hand above her head.

She felt her heart quicken. "Maybe in our bed."

He arched an eyebrow. "Always in our bed, Mrs. Stuart."