Written by Erica Rose Jackson Over the past weekend, I visited Charleston, South Carolina which happens to be the city where a few of the locations my novella Adventures at Sea takes place. I ventured to those places during my tripe and snagged some pics. Enjoy some excerpts from the story alongside the real-life locations where they took place. Angel Oak Tree The USS Observer was in port in Charleston, SC which meant the crew was allowed forty-eight hours of shore leave. James Scott and Arya Lewis took their opportunity to get off of the ship to visit the Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island. “You know I lived her for a year while I was in the academy,” Arya shared as they walked up to the ancient tree, “I divided my time between here and the pier in Mount Pleasant that looks at the USS Yorktown and the Laffey,” she elaborated. Scotty smiled as he pulled out their lunch, “That makes a lot of sense since I’ve gotten to know you. Your favorite part of nature is the water but you are very careful to make time for other great works of nature,” he theorized as he glanced at her. “You might know me too well, James Scott,” she replied as she sat down on the grass, basking in the shade offered by the old tree. He sat down to join her as he offered her a small sandwich, “Well, I hope I don’t know you too well yet. I would like to think that there are still mysteries between us for the next few years, at least,” he shared. “There will be,” she replied with a smile, “Figuring out I like boats, water, and nature shouldn’t have been too hard, I hope. There are other things I love that you have no idea about … yet,” she teased. Her comment was met with a small laugh from Scotty, “I suppose we’ll just have to get to know each other as we go, won’t we?” “That’s the only way, but I can give you a hint about myself if you want,” she teased as she turned to face him. He gave her a nod. “I want you to be mine and only mine until the end of time for one of us, at least,” she revealed as she sat back to share that fact with him. Her words gave his plan more confidence as he offered her a nod. “I hope for the same, Lass.” “I need you to stay quiet for a few minutes, can you do that?” he requested while sporting the cutest expression she’d ever seen. She nodded in agreement as she gestured for him to move forward with whatever he’d been planning. As the sun began to set, Scotty pulled a small box from his pocket as shifted his position until he was on one knee, which was a challenge for him (one which Arya appreciated). “Arya Lews, I knew from the moment I first met you that you were my soulmate. You’re my everything. I’ve tried thinking of something, someone, anything else but all roads point back to you. You’re what I’m meant to find and I would be beyond honored if you’d agree to become my wife so that I can be yours and you can be mine until the end of time,” he confessed as he held the ring out to her. Arya sat in silence for a few moments so she could gather herself. The man she’d had a crush on for most of her teenager years and adult life was asking for her hand in marriage. She didn’t want to mess this moment up. Arya took a deep breath and faced Scotty before she replied, “Yes, Scotty. I’ll be your wife. There is nothing more in this world that I could ever want more than to be yours in every definition of the word,” she stated as she watched tears form in his eyes. He shook them off as he moved to put the ring on her finger. “You have no idea how happy you’ve made me,” Scotty confessed as he moved to pull her into his arms. William Aiken House Once she was ready, she left her suite and made her way to the hall within the William Aiken House where her wedding to James Scott was set up. They’d spent many painstaking hours at sea planning this event. Her Father was waiting to walk her down the aisle. Arya could see James Scott waiting for her, but she knew he couldn’t see her yet, which gave her a bit of a thrill. As she made her way down the aisle, she gasped when she saw the way her future husband reacted to seeing her in her wedding dress for the first time. Arya stood across from James once she’d been given away, trying hard to hold back her happy tears. They hadn’t written their own vows because their wedding came at the heels of their most recent mission on the USS Observer. Before they knew it, the priest was pronouncing them husband and wife. Scotty was granted permission to kiss Arya and she was no longer Arya Lewis, but Arya Scott now and forever. “I’d like to introduce you all to the newlyweds James and Arya Scott for the first time,” the DJ announced as the newlyweds prepared to enter their reception for their first dance as man and wife. “Give these two a big round of applause!” the DJ added as their song began to play, ‘At Last’ by Celine Dion. “You’ve been awfully quiet since the ceremony, Lass,” Scotty commented as he moved Arya across the dancefloor while their song played overhead. She looked at him tenderly as she responded, “I’m just basking in the newness of being your wife. I had a crush on you for so many years without ever meeting you so this is surreal for me. I never imagined I could be so lucky,” she confessed as she felt him pull her tighter against his body. If you'd like to read the entire novella, you can grab it here!
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