Alfred laughed, but didn't answer that comment except with a kiss. It played out like a sonata, soft and slow. When he pulled back he remained quiet for a moment, savoring the taste of her lips on his and watching the moonlight reflected off the nearby water dancing across the surface of her eyes.

"I'm going to marry you someday," he said, as though the matter were quite settled. And he felt as though it was. They may have gotten off to a rocky start — and a bit of a rocky middle — but since they'd started their courtship they had been partners in crime, as it were. He felt they'd gained the ability to communicate from across the room without a word involved, and so he didn't need to ask the question and wait for her response; he could feel her yes before he'd said anything at all. Her family might still have a good deal to say to the contrary, but the Fisks were like so many rocks on the edge of the ocean — a little time would smooth everything over. And they had plenty of time. They were only borrowing from the forever they would have once they'd done it.

"If you'll have me, of course," he added with a wry smile. He reached down to find her hand and lightly kissed her knuckles. "If having a husband who goes out to sea for months at a time wouldn't drive you mad."