Justin stood on the balcony, hidden in the shadows of the old oak trees. He knocked at a glass-paneled door and waited for her to open it. Her. Justin smiled fondly at the very thought of her. But this wasn't just another visit. He had business and needed to see her. Finally the door opened, and Justin entered her bedroom. She was mad.
"Justin, what are you doing here?! If my parents find out, they'll kill you --"
"I don't care," he said quickly, and gave her a kiss that kept her from speaking.
She pushed him away, "No! Don't do that, please. You're just making things worse. I don't want to see you!"
Their troubles began months earlier when Jocelyn met the blue-eyed curly haired Justin on Christmas Eve. They soon fell in love, but there was trouble when Jocelyn's parents found out because there was a feud between the two families.
She was kept under constant supervision and they hardly saw each other. This was difficult because they wanted to be together forever.
"Jocelyn," he asked, "What's wrong?"
"Everything, Justin, everything! Oh, I can't believe it! The guards are always following me, and I'm not allowed to do anything. It makes me feel like what we're doing is wrong. It's awful. Sometimes I wish that I'd never met you!"
Justin stared at her. Her attitude shocked him. Hadn't they always said that no matter what, they'd be together? He bit his lip and headed back for the window. His heart hurt. She didn't try to stop him. As Justin stepped over the balcony's edge, he looked at her one last time.
"No matter what I love you, Jocelyn." When she didn't answer, he carefully jumped down.
Justin was quickly making his way off the estate when he heard footsteps. Nervously, he walked faster. Justin was sure that Jocelyn's parents had ordered the guards to do something terrible, like kill him and hide the body, if he was caught. His tracker followed even faster, too, and in a panic, Justin broke into a run. He made his way carefully through the dark.
This was the first time a guard had ever come so close to catching him. He finally rounded a corner and stopped.
Justin panted soundlessly for breath. He didn't want to, but he pulled out his belt knife. He'd have to use it. It was going to be either him or the guard, and he wasn't about to let it be himself. A shadow crept closer and closer, and Justin was about to attack when he heard the slightest whisper.
"Justin? Are you there?" Came the soft voice. It was Jocelyn.
"Oh my gosh," shaking, he dropped his knife and ran to her, pulling her close. "You scared me to death! What are you doing out here?"
"I . . . I just came to tell you . . . that I love you, too . . ." she stuttered, "I mean, it would have been an awful thing to have you leave without telling you so."
Justin released her from his tight grasp. There was an awkward silence, and then he took her by the chin and kissed her.
"You shouldn't be out," He muttered, and she just laughed, so quietly that the lovely sound barely reached his ear.
* * *
April 17th, First Year
The next day a friend of Jocelyn's came over. His name was Joshua, but most people called him J.C. He was well liked by everyone. Jocelyn's parents even excused the guard because they thought Joshua was a very "nice boy". But then they didn't know that J.C and Justin were good friends.
As soon as they were alone, Jocelyn asked about her beloved. But J.C had bad news. He told Jocelyn that Justin had to leave for Spain that night because he'd received an urgent letter from the Spanish courts. There wasn't time for them to see each other again before he left.
That night she crept out of home and went to the docks. Justin was there and very surprised to see her.
"Jocelyn! What are you doing here?" he asked in the middle of his kiss.
"I had to see you before you go . . . Promise me that you'll come back soon . . . " she whispered.
"I promise," he said and kissed her one last time before boarding.
* * *
June 28th, Second Year
Everyday Jocelyn could only keep going with the thought that Justin would soon be home. Then one day Jocelyn died. Not literally, but she felt as if she had because she received a heart-breaking letter from J.C.
June 27th
Dear Jocelyn,
I'm not sure how to tell you this . . . but I will just come out and say it. The Dread Pirate Roberts attacked Justin's boat, the Mariner, on its way to Spain. As you know, Roberts never takes prisoners. His orders are immediate death, and all doubt that he'd make an exception in Justin's case.
It has only been discovered now because the Mariner should have returned last week. It's hard to believe that the good passengers of the Mariner have been gone for over a year without anyone realizing it. We're all overcome with grief, and I am certain that you, most of all, will not take this turn of events lightly.
Sincerely, J.C.
After that, there was no hope for trying to control Jocelyn's grief. All she could do was cry.
* * *
The Cause of Grief
The crying ended when there were no longer tears left to shed, and Jocelyn sank into a state of grief. This confused her parents, and one night they were talking about it.
"Darling," said her father to her mother, "I've no idea why Jocelyn is being this way."
"Yes, Dear, I've been thinking about it too, and I may have discovered the cause."
"Really, what is it?"
"Well . . . remember a few months ago when we went to Jennifer's wedding? I noticed that our dear child couldn't stop crying. Then the same thing happened at Brenna's wedding."
"Yes, I remember that. Wasn't it because she was happy for friend?"
Her mother nodded, "I thought so too, but then at Orlando's wedding last week, Jocelyn still couldn't stop crying. He's not her friend, so why should she cry?"
Jocelyn's father considered this for a while; then he said, "Maybe she just likes weddings?"
"No, Dear," Jocelyn's mother said gently, but firmly, "They didn't look much like tears of joy. I think that she is sad because everyone is getting married except for her." (But, of course, Jocelyn was actually crying because it would never be she and Justin getting married.)
"And this means that . . ."
"Darling!" Jocelyn's mother jumped in bed, "She wants to be married!"
"Are you sure . . .?"
"Yes, of course! Now . . . All we need is the right boy."
* * *
July 31st, Second Year
"What!" Jocelyn screamed in shock, "Mother you can't!"
"Dear," said her father. "You said yourself that you like him."
"As a friend! I said I like him as a friend!" Jocelyn cried as they followed her around the house.
"Can't friends also be loves?" Asked her mother.
"No!" She shouted, "I am not going to marry J.C., and that is final!"
They chased her throughout the house pleading for her to do as they asked. But her answer was always no. Finally her father lost his temper.
He caught Jocelyn by the arm and said, "You are going to be a good girl and listen to your mother. You are going to marry Joshua, and you are going to be happy or else --"
"Or else what?!" Jocelyn demanded.
"Or else . . . or else I'll get so angry that I -- I'll . . . Well, I don't know yet what I'll do yet, but I assure you that it will be bad!"
She managed to wriggle out of his grasp and started running down the hall.
"Jocelyn!" called her mother, "Jocelyn, you come back here now! Do you hear me?"
Jocelyn ran through the endless corridors until she was sure that no one had followed her. She was also sure that she was lost. One of the doors to a room was unlocked, so she went in and stayed there for the night.
* * *
August 1st, Second Year
The next morning she found the way back to her room, and on her bed was a letter from J.C.
July 31st
Dear Jocelyn,
Your parents have sent word about your refusal to marry me. Please reconsider. No, I am not in love with you; you're my best friend's one and only. But you are also my friend, and I am worried about what would happen if you were to marry someone else. What if they were to demand of you the love that you are no longer able to give? I would not do that. We'd still only be friends, but everyone doesn't need to know that, if you understand what I'm trying to tell you.
Reply soon, J.C.
And she did answer, that very day . . .
August 1st
Dear J.C.,
I've been thinking about your letter, and I will marry you. I must remain faithful to the memory of Justin. I cannot be with anyone but him, and you understand that. Thank you. I will tell my parents today, and let's not write to each other any more unless absolutely necessary for fear that they may discover the truth.
Your soon-to-be fianc�e, Jocelyn
Jocelyn didn't see her parents until that night when her mother visited her room.
They sat on the bed, and before she could say anything, her mother began, "Now, Jocelyn, please, your father and I just want to see you happy . . ."
She tried to speak, "Mother, I --"
"Dear, I know how you and Joshua are just friends, but after a while . . ."
She tried again, "Mother, I --"
"Jocelyn, I'm sure that you'll be --"
"Mother, listen! I'm going to marry J.C.!"
* * *
So all the arrangements were made, and a week later Jocelyn set off by horse carriage to the town of Abbey, where J.C. lived. She had two guards with her, Mitchell and Stevens, and was to arrive a week and a half before September 21st, the first day of fall, the day that she would be married.
* * *
The carriage ride was long and bumpy, and they didn't reach the ocean coast until August 29th. They were less than halfway to Abbey and days behind schedule. That night Jocelyn had the strangest dream:
Jocelyn was walking down the aisle and J.C. stood at the end. Justin suddenly appeared, and the priest asked her which one she was going to marry. Jocelyn said that she wanted Justin, but then a masked man dressed in black stepped up to the altar and lifted his sword. She knew it was the Dread Pirate Roberts. Before she could say a word, Roberts spoke. "Too late!" He said, and raising his sword higher, he decapitated Justin.
The loud screaming of a horse woke Jocelyn, and suddenly the carriage began rolling over and over downhill. She screamed and screamed until the carriage hit the bottom of the ravine with a thud.
"Mitchell?" Jocelyn called, stepping out shakily. There was no answer. Through the shadows, a faint odor drifted towards her and became stronger and stronger. She was grabbed from behind, and a heavy hand closed over her mouth.
She tried to scream and struggled, but her captor was too big and the scent too strong in her mouth. Jocelyn's vision became cloudy, and everything went black.
* * *
Part II
The Sea
August 30th, Second Year
"Look at all the jewelry here!" A heavy voice exclaimed.
"Aye, and see the pretty dresses -- we'll get a good price off of these." Said a second voice.
"You two are idiots!" A third said angrily. "She is obviously a wealthy young woman, and off to be married from the looks of it. She will fetch a heavy ransom!"
Jocelyn stirred from her seat, and the three men stared at her.
"Ah . . . so you are awake." The third addressed her with a bow. He was a short balding man dressed in fine clothes -- clothes that belonged to Mitchell and Stevens. "As you can see, you are our captive aboard the Red Sail, my humble ship. I am Vinney, the brains of our small group. You have had the honor of being taken prisoner by the finest group of captors in the world!"
"Well I can't say that I'm pleased to be here," Jocelyn frowned, pulling at the ropes that bound her hands. "Where are my men, Mitchell and Stevens?"
"Bound below deck. They put up such a fight, you know. I had no choice . . . These are my men, Erik," he acknowledged a tall, heavyset man, "and Francisco." The other man was also taller than Vinney, but he was still a head shorter than Erik. "Now, is there anything we can do to make you more comfortable while we decide what to do with you?"
"You can untie me," Jocelyn grumbled.
Erik moved forward to do so, but Vinney stopped him. "Wait a minute, how can I be sure that you won't run off?" He asked Jocelyn.
"We're in the middle of the ocean. Where would I run?" Jocelyn said so plainly that Vinney allowed her to be untied. She rubbed her wrists furiously. "Do you have any water? I'm thirsty."
Francisco handed her a wooden cup and she sat down again. "What are you planning to do with me?"
"That is for you to find out," Vinney said.
"Will you untie my men?"
"No. You will do no harm, but what's to stop two grown men from killing my associates and me?"
"I'm not sure. Why don't we untie them and see?" Vinney gave her a pointed look, and Jocelyn shut her mouth. She sat in silence as Vinney and Francisco talked about what they were going to do with her. After a while she grew bored and began to speak to Erik about her wedding. Vinney and Francisco listened, and she ended up telling everything.
"Then last month J.C. sent me a letter telling of Justin's death. It was awful."
And so night fell as Jocelyn's captors listened to her story.
* * *
September 2nd, Second Year
Jocelyn awoke as Vinney shook her. "You know how you wished to have your revenge on Roberts? . . .Well, here's your chance. His ship is upon us."
Jocelyn ran to the boat's edge and saw in the distance a small dark spot. She ran back to Vinney at the helm. "How can you be sure that's him?"
"This isn't my first encounter with Roberts. I literally stabbed him in the back the last time we met. I can't say he's going to be happy to see me."
"Well can't you go any faster?"
"My vessel, she's an old boat already at top speed. Roberts will be on us by nightfall."
Slowly the dark spot on the horizon took form. And as the sun set, it loomed over Vinney's small craft, seeming ten times the boat's size.
"Ahoy, there Vinney!" An old man called. "I can't say the master's pleased to see your ugly mug. P'haps you should just slit your own throat while you're ahead!" He cackled as men slid onto Vinney's ketch.
They raided Vinney's ship, taking the rations and Jocelyn's trunks.
"Hey, those are mine!" She pulled at a sailor's arm.
"Don't worry, Missy, my wife'll keep it safe for ya." He laughed at his own joke and moved on.
Jocelyn frowned then saw Mitchell and Stevens. She ran to embrace them.
"Are you all right, Jocelyn? These fine chaps untied us, they did."
"Mitchell, these are the Dread Pirate Roberts's men!" Jocelyn exclaimed.
"Is that so? Well they seem to want us to go onboard their ship." Stevens said as a rope ladder was lowered.
Angrily pulling back her skirts, Jocelyn pouted and climbed the ladder to Roberts's ship.
* * *
Onboard the Silver Blade
Jocelyn sat in a corner sulking. Roberts had not come out all evening. Mitchell and Stevens did not seem to care about her worries. Instead they were off drinking and singing with the sailors. Vinney had been carted off to Roberts's room and had not been seen since.
Suddenly the noise came to a stop, and Jocelyn heard footsteps behind her. She turned around, and all could see the fire and hatred that burned in her eyes for the Dread Pirate Roberts.
He was a head taller than Jocelyn. She found it strange how he was exactly as she'd imagined him to be in her dreams, or rather, her nightmares. Roberts was clothed completely in black, from his boots to his cape to the bandana completely masking the top half of his head in Zorro-like fashion. He met her gaze with a detached look on his face.
"So . . . You would be Jocelyn."
"Yes, and you would be the murderer of innocent men, women, and children."
He bowed low with a cruel smile on his face. "I am pleased to meet you."
"The feeling isn't mutual," Jocelyn returned coldly. All eyes were on her, but as Roberts wheeled around to look at his men, each went back to his own business, and the singing began where it left off.
"Come with me," Roberts said shortly.
* * *
Part III
Unmasking the Enemy
Roberts
"Welcome," said Roberts as he led Jocelyn to the helm, "This is my ship, the Silver Blade. What do you think of her?"
"It's no better than any other death trap."
"Why are you so bitter?" He asked as his hand went to stroke the ship's dark wood. "She's a beauty, no?"
"I hate it. 'Tis no better than a slave ship, harboring death as it sails the sea." Jocelyn's eyes were dark as she spoke.
"Come now, if you weren't a lady, I'd slit your throat for speaking so of my craft." He haughtily joked, drawing his sword.
"Yes, and why don't you just do so?" Jocelyn's voice rose in anger, and the fire was back in her eyes. "You should know that I hate you for everything it's worth. I have no doubt that you'd easily slay me if provoked. You did so to my fianc�."
"Ah," Roberts lowered his sword. "Well . . . that seems to explain everything. I thought you were just full of blind hatred."
Jocelyn looked at him sharply, "Sir, do you dare to mock me? You stand before a woman you've widowed and make fun? Are you made of ice?"
"No," he sheathed his sword, "But you may as well be. For you, Madame, are lying through your teeth. From what Vinney has told me, a young man is dead, and you are daring to say that you had any intention of marrying him."
"How dare you!" Jocelyn said as she pushed past him and fled down the stairs.
Again drawing his sword, Roberts followed at a run. "Jocelyn, you come back!"
She ran into the midst of the sailors calling back at him. "Are you going to kill me now as you did my fianc�?"
"Move aside!" Roberts scowled at his men as he headed towards Jocelyn. He laughed bitterly in her face, "Fianc�, hah. First of all, you weren't even engaged. You only said that you would be."
Jocelyn's face didn't shift as Roberts threw this cold truth at her. It had disturbed her deeply that she hadn't even been engaged to Justin when he'd died.
Roberts continued in his biting tone. "And secondly, if you had any real love for him, you wouldn't have gone off to be married to another. You didn't waste any time, did you? How long have you known of his death? One month, two months, three? If you had had any love for the man I've slain, you would have waited 'til his return."
"Well, you made sure that that will never happen!" Jocelyn screamed at him.
"That man I killed, I did him a favor. Death is truly better than to have one's heart ripped out and stepped on by a woman like you."
Jocelyn's anger flared, and she slapped him. "Don't you dare speak that way, you bastard. I love him. I am engaged because I'm marrying a friend who won't ask for my love before my parents force me on someone who will. Can't you see that I have left all my love in Justin? I cannot and will not relinquish it to another . . ." The last came out in the softest of whispers. "When I learned of his death, I died. But, no, you can't understand that because it is you who has the heart of ice. And I wish that you were dead."
The look Roberts gave her was unbearable. It was a million times worse than if he'd plunged his sword through her heart. Jocelyn gave a sudden cry and threw her arms around him, weeping bitterly, "Oh, Justin, why do you torture me so?" She asked as she pulled off his mask and kissed him dearly.
* * *
Justin
"I can't believe that you're growing a mustache!" Jocelyn exclaimed, sitting close to Justin, her hands cupped around his face as she examined his mouth.
He smiled, "Do you like it? I think it's becoming for Justin-Roberts."
Jocelyn sighed and laid her head on Justin's shoulder, "I still can't believe it. You're a pirate -- and the Dread Roberts on top of that! Oh, why didn't you send word that you were alive?"
"How could I? What would I say to your parents? 'Hi, I'm the Dread Pirate Roberts, and I've come a calling?'"
She looked at him, "I've been meaning to ask you about that. How can you be Roberts if he's been pirating since before you were born?"
"You really want to know?" At her nod he stood and helped her to her feet. "Come with me."
Justin led Jocelyn to the captain's room. As he turned on the lamp, Jocelyn gazed at the walls. They were covered with maps, weapons, and pictures of Roberts. Except . . .
"They're all different," Jocelyn remarked.
"Yes. Here I am," Justin said proudly, "the latest Roberts. And here -- here is the first Roberts." He pointed to a dark-haired bearded man.
"Why, he looks nothing like you."
"I know. That Roberts, the original Roberts, Samuel Roberts, pirated over twenty-five years ago. He became the terror of the seas, but his reign didn't last long. In a little over four years, he'd accumulated enough wealth to live pleasantly in Barbados. He took aside his first mate, released all of his crew, and started the man with a new crew, calling him Roberts . . . You see, Jocelyn, it's the name, and not just the man, that strikes fear into the hearts of sea goers. This is Riley Nor-Roberts, my predecessor. He held the longest claim, eight years as Roberts. He wasn't a bad fellow either."
"But he attacked the Mariner, and he killed all of the passengers -- except for you."
"No. That's only what's been reported. Actually, a storm blew us clear to Barbados. We met the original Roberts. He's in his fifties now. Anyway, Nor was visiting Roberts, and seeing that our ship was wrecked, he took us aboard. No one died, and he took me as a mate. I learned all the pirating bits, and when Nor retired, I took his place."
"Well, you seem to have found your calling."
Justin smiled at the compliment and pulled her into a hug, "I just can't believe that you're taking it so well, I mean, after the first initial shock is over. Listen, I know that all this must have driven you over the edge and back, and I have to apologize. You've gone through what no person should have to. I love you, Jocelyn." He kissed her forehead as the dinner bell rang.
* * *
Roberts Again
September 18th, Second Year
And so the days passed, and Jocelyn lived comfortably aboard the Silver Blade. Not a single thought went through her mind of the town of Abbey or of her engagement to J.C. She was happy with Justin and imagined that she could spend all her days with him on the Silver Blade.
"Morning, Love," Jocelyn greeted Justin on the morning of September 18th.
"Morn'," he muttered. Jocelyn blamed the grumpy look on Justin's face on his recent lack of sleep and ignored his mood.
"It's a beautiful day today, isn't it?" He gave a grunt of acknowledgement, and Jocelyn put down her fork. "Justin, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," He smiled faintly and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Sir, we are approaching the coast of Abbey," one of the men approached their table.
"Abbey?" Jocelyn looked from the deck hand to Justin. "Justin, why are we going to Abbey?"
"You have a wedding to attend. After all, one can't have a wedding without the bride."
"What are you talking about?"
"You're going to be married to J.C." He told her, his face expressionless as he said so.
"Don't be stupid. If I marry anyone, it's gonna be you."
"Be that as it may, I won't marry you . . . I'm sorry. Don't look at me that way. I have responsibilities here. Besides, what would your parents say if you married a pirate? It's better this way -- you go on with your plans and I go on with mine."
"And what are your plans?"
"To . . . to uphold the name of the Dread Pirate Roberts. Jocelyn, I can make so much of Roberts. I can have a greater life than I did as Justin."
"And what kind of life will that be without love?" Jocelyn asked, wanting to cry.
Justin shook his head, "I'm sorry. I want you to have a good life, too. I can't give you that, but J.C. can. We'll reach Abbey in under an hour and go our separate ways." He stood up and left the table . . . and Jocelyn.
* * *
Abbey
"Justin, you can't do this!" Jocelyn called from the lifeboat hanging at the ship's side.
"I can and I am," he grunted as he hefted her trunk into the little boat. "Good day, Mitchell, Stevens," Justin nodded at each man and then wiped his hands on his pants. "Well, cast away!" He ordered, and the men lowered the ropes.
"Listen to me, Justin Timberlake, if you do this, I will never speak to you again!" Jocelyn called from the lowering dinghy. "Tell me who was spouting bitterness because of my engagement to J.C. You! It was you! How can you send me off like this? I hope you regret it every second of your lonely pirating life!" Jocelyn turned and sat down, casting fierce glances at Mitchell and Stevens. And with a last loving gaze at Jocelyn, Justin turned away.
* * *
Melissa
They arrived on schedule at the Chasez residence, but J.C. was not there. "I'm sorry, Ma'am," said Melissa, the head woman, "Mr. Chasez is out on business. He'll return shortly before the wedding." Melissa spoke curtly as she showed Jocelyn to her room and then left.
Jocelyn's stay over the next three days was not enjoyable. She ached for Justin. She had no friends in Abbey except for J.C., and he wasn't in town. Jocelyn had to deal with Melissa's rude talk and unpleasant manner, and she wondered why the headwoman treated her so.
* * *
"Where is that Melissa?" Asked one of the maids as she fixed Jocelyn's hair for the wedding on the third day.
"I don't know. I haven't seen her all day," Jocelyn answered.
"I know where she is," said a young lady as she entered. Jocelyn knew her as Beth. "Don't tell Master Joshua, but she's crying in a corner of the pantry."
"Crying?" Jocelyn looked up from her seat at the young lady. The hairdresser tugged softly at her hair.
"You're goin' to muss my fine work. Sit still, Miss."
Jocelyn apologized then said, "Why is Melissa crying?"
"Oh, I can't say, Miss," said Beth as she began to help Jocelyn with her wedding dress. "This is quite lovely -- "
"Beth, why is Melissa crying in the pantry? She doesn't seem like the crying type to me."
"Really, Miss, I can't say why," Beth said, beginning to work more quickly.
"You can't say, or you won't say? I just want to know. Why won't you tell me?"
"It would vex you, Miss, really. I don't want to put it over your head."
"Put what? You must tell me; I really want to know now."
"And you won't be angry?" At Jocelyn's response, Beth said, "Melissa can't stand this, the wedding. She -- she's in love with Master Joshua."
For a moment Jocelyn was speechless. " . . . And does he love her in return?"
"Yes, or so we thought he did until he announced his engagement to you. It broke her completely . . ."
"And I thought she was just full of blind hatred," muttered Jocelyn, carelessly echoing Justin's remark. When the words hit her and brought her back to that moment on the ship, Jocelyn became withdrawn and stayed so until the wedding began.
* * *
The Wedding
Jocelyn saw her before she began her walk amid the sea of faces. She felt the fury and sadness as Melissa gazed upon her with eyes full of tears. Jocelyn resolutely walked the aisle in seconds, even though the trip seemed to take hours. Her stone features kept the spectrum of emotions raging within her from crying out. There was no turning back before her parents, J.C.'s parents, their families' friends, and gatherers from near and far.
Her fianc� was kneeled before the minister, his face low and shadowy, and Jocelyn did the same. He took her hand, and she was surprised at the warmth, friendliness, and tenderness in his touch. The minister's voice became a drone, as did the murmurings of the wedding guests, as his comfort and love flowed to her. All thoughts of despair, of her parents, of Melissa, and of the wedding left her in that moment.
"I pronounce you man and wife." Jocelyn and her husband stood before the guests, and the audience gave a cry.
"How could you fool me twice?" She asked lovingly as she gave the kiss that sealed their fates. Justin and Jocelyn, best friends and dear loves, became one that day.
"What! How can this be?" Jocelyn's mother exclaimed. "Where is Joshua?"
* * *
Part IV
Closing
And so, as it tends to happen in stories like this, Jocelyn and Justin lived happily ever after. It almost didn't come to pass, but their marriage became possible when Vinney decided to raid Jocelyn's passing carriage. Justin's ship happened to see Vinney's and followed. When Justin learned of Jocelyn's presence onboard his ship, it took everything to keep him calm enough to find out how she truly felt about him. When he learned the real reason why she was engaged to J.C., Justin contacted his friend and the plan was set. J.C. left Abbey a few days before the wedding on supposed business, and Justin took his place at the altar, surprising everyone.
During his early pirating days, Justin had sailed to Spain in the company of Nor-Roberts, and he found that a relative living there had died and left him a fortune. After the wedding Justin passed on the name of Roberts to his first mate and became the Roberts with the shortest reign ever, three months and a year. With his inheritance and his earnings as the dread pirate, Justin and Jocelyn resided in a house halfway between each of their families. The feud was broken, and their house was one of love, friendship, and happiness for all.
Though Jocelyn's parents weren't happy with being deceived, they were soon drawn by the warm company of their daughter and son-in-law and became frequent visitors to their home.
Joshua and Melissa were soon married, and any feelings of hatred for Jocelyn were forgotten and replaced with complete friendliness.
And all this happened in the days when pirates were feared and parents forcing marriage was more common than marriage for love. But, thankfully, those days are gone for they were a shocking long time ago.
The End