"Good evening. This is the captain. I have an important announcement; please listen carefully. A major storm will pass close ahead of the ship tonight. All guests are kindly asked to make sure their possessions are safely stored. Please take care as you move around. The stabilisers are operating, but the ship may pitch violently at times. Thank you."

._..

Alone in Stan's suite, I sat on a sofa in his sitting room. He was on the bridge, doing his job in the terrible storm. I was scared; the ship swayed left, right, up and down, and my head whirled. I heard Stan's announcements on the PA speaker; his voice reassured me, and I felt secure again.

I heard a knock on the door, so I rose and tottered across the room, every lurch of the ship sending me staggering one way or the other. I opened the door to find Tony there.

"The captain asked me to check up on you. Are you okay, Janet?"

"Yes, thanks. I feel very funny, though."

"Ah, you haven't got your sea legs yet. Lie on the bed and wedge yourself in place with some pillows."

"Oh, you're so kind to me, Tony. Everyone has been the same since I was found hiding."

"No problem. We all love you as one of our family."

I closed the door and managed to get myself onto the bed. I followed Tony's suggestion and wedged pillows and bedding around me, and I felt like I was in a womb.

Later, I thought I heard the outer door rattle like someone was trying to get in. I reached for the bedside phone and called the bridge. The officer answered, and I heard him tell Stan about it, and then he took over the call.

"Don't worry, love. I'll get security to check. Stay in bed; you are safe there."

A few minutes later, Stan came into the bedroom and sat on the bed beside me.

"Security has checked everything. There's a CCTV camera in the alleyway, and no one was at the door. When a ship is in a storm, there are a lot of strange noises; I think that is what you heard."

He leaned over me and cuddled me tightly. I felt safe and loved when he kissed me gently on my lips.

"The storm is moving away from us now; the worst is over. I can stay with you for the rest of the night."

He undressed, got into bed with me, pulled the duvet over us, and held me tight for the rest of the night, our bodies rolling around between the wedging pillows as we slept.

._.

The morning after was special for me. We were having breakfast in Stan's suite when he got up from the table, then knelt on the floor beside me and held my hand.

"Janet, my sweet, would you do me the honour of being my wife?"

I was ecstatic, happy beyond all reasoning. So, I burst into tears, kissed the top of Stan's head, and somehow managed to utter the one word he wanted to hear.

._.

When I proposed to Janet, I was on tenterhooks. After all she had been through, would she accept me? When she burst into tears, I thought I had destroyed something incredibly valuable. But her stuttering "yes" was the only thing I wanted.

I was on cloud nine all morning, and our happiness went through the roof when Dan called to say the police had caught Hannibal at an airfield. He was stuck there, trying to charter an aircraft, but there were no flights because of the hurricane.

Janet was ecstatic listening to the call on the phone's speaker, but there was even more good news. They discovered she was right about Wilbur's death. Hannibal had substantial debts, and Wilbur would not bail him out.

"But there's even more," said Dan.

"We took out several search warrants and discovered Wilbur had a bank document box. In the box was his will, witnessed, notarised, and completely solid. In it, he has left the restaurant to you, Janet, and a sealed envelope with your name on it."

Her happiness was infectious, and we danced around my sitting room, her body warm and soft in my arms.

Later, we sat on my sofa, and I told Janet my thoughts on our wedding.

"First, my love, I want Dan and his wife to be on board. I hope they can fly to Funchal, our next port. Second, the ship's master can register marriages in the Official Log, but I can't officiate at my wedding. Fortunately, we have a padre for the crew onboard, who rotates around the fleet. He's a real priest and will be perfect for us. Thirdly, we can use the main theatre as the venue; it seats five hundred, and we can invite crew and guests to witness our joining."

"Oh, Stan, that's wonderful, perfect. But I don't have a wedding dress."

"There's a solution to that. We have a dance troupe that performs in the theatre; they have a huge wardrobe and a dressmaker who can adapt one of their costumes.

"Oh, Stan, I'm completely stunned. You are brilliant, my love, and I want you to fuck me right now. Bed me, take me, I'm yours."

I picked her up, lying horizontally in my arms, and carried her into the bedroom before laying her gently on the bed. This time, I was so impatient that I pulled her skirt up and her knickers down almost instantaneously. I looked down at her, fully dressed except for her waist, her hairy bush, and her legs, while I stripped off my lower clothes.

I put a hand between her legs and pried open her pussy, discovering her wetness. My glans slipped between her labia and into her vagina. We coupled in love, my hips thrust down rhythmically, seemingly without any connection to my brain, which was fully occupied with enjoying the expression on her face, her eyes screwed shut and her mouth open in a small 'o'. She lifted her legs and wrapped them across my buttocks.

My pounding increased, and sweat started rolling down my face. Below me, Janet whimpered constantly; then her eyes flicked open, and she smiled at me, licked her lips, and squeezed my cock with her vaginal muscles.

"Come for me, Stan. I want to feel your cock jumping inside me."

Was it the words or the muscles? I didn't know. All I know is I went over the cliff, feeling my seed jet inside her and my shaft trying to pulse against her strength.

As my convulsions eased, I collapsed on top of Janet, my breath coming in short bursts. I was absolutely exhausted. I kissed her many times, my tongue flicking in and out of her mouth. Eventually, I rolled off and lay beside her, one arm flung across her body.

"Oh, God, that was incredible, my love. Did you cum too?"

"Not this time, Stan, because it was more important for me to feel your cock twitch inside me and the warmth of your cum hit me."

Then she rolled on her side, facing me, and we kissed. The kissing went on and on until I fell asleep.

._.,

As the ship glided between the breakwaters of Funchal's port, I looked across the bridge, where Janet was laughing with Dan and his wife, Laura. I shook the pilot's hand, and he turned to leave and board the trailing pilot launch.

To starboard, the setting sun glowed red just above the western horizon. We were going to head east to Cadiz, our next port. The wedding was tomorrow, the one full day at sea we had.

I handed the con to the watch officer, then wandered off to join my bride and best man.

Dan and Laura had one of the best staterooms on the ship. Arranging a free stay for them was one of my perks. When we left the bridge, Laura and Janet went on to enjoy chatting in the stateroom. I took Dan to my office, where Doctor Smythe was waiting.

I went into my dayroom to collect three glasses and three bottles of pilsner.

"Cheers, guys. Let's go over the arrangements. First, my heartfelt thanks to both of you. Dan, for accepting my invitation to be my best man, and Doc, for agreeing to act as Chief Usher; and please thank Ursula for taking the role of maid of honour. The big secret is Janet's wedding dress. I know the seamstress is a very talented woman, and I have no doubt it will be spectacularly beautiful."

We continued to talk through the ceremony and the reception that would follow. About an hour later, we broke up. Doc went to his little hospital while Dan and I joined our partners in his stateroom, where Tony organised an intimate silver-service dinner, another of my perks.

After dinner, Janet and I met the padre to discuss the service. The three of us went to the theatre and checked our moves and positions. I gave him the rings we would exchange. We had enjoyed a private viewing in the ship's jewellery shop a few days previously, and they had adjusted the sizes to suit our fingers. The manager gave us a very steep discount from the tagged price.

Back in my suite, we hugged in the centre of my dayroom, and I bent forward to kiss Janet's lips. My tongue slipped into her mouth, and she responded with passion as we swayed gently with the ship's motion.

"Stan, I'm so nervous. I'm concerned about tripping on the steps in the theatre or forgetting the words."

"Don't worry, my love. You will be a splendid bride."

Not surprisingly, we were both tired at the end of a long day. Our little snogging session went no further, and we retired to bed to sleep; lovemaking could wait twenty-four hours.

._.

My wedding day was the most consequential of my life. I loved Stan with all my heart, but ten days before, I had never met him. When I worked with the harbour crew, the ship's officers seemed like gods, and the young ones were so handsome, but none of them ever looked my way. I was beneath them in every way. Now, I was marrying a captain, Jupiter of the gods.

After breakfast, the men went to the theatre, ostensibly to manage the preparations; still, the real reason was to keep them away from us girls. Staff from services all over the ship came to pamper us in Laura's staterooms. Beautician, hairdresser, nail expert, and podiatrist, but I was most impressed with the masseur. He was beautiful but as gay as the day is long. There were flowers everywhere from the florist, and the room smelt of them, as did I.

Ursula looked fantastic. Wearing her nurse's uniform, she appeared plain and professional. In makeup, Ursula was a radiant beauty. The big surprise of the day was when she spilt the beans about her and Doc Smythe. They were lovers but had to keep their relationship secret to avoid tension with the other nurse.

During my massage, Laura was sitting on a chair next to where I lay, and she asked me the question I had been dreading. What is in the envelope? I smiled and told her I was in limbo.

"I haven't seen it. Dan said that it is not time yet."

"He can be like that; it's his job to be careful."

"Shall we four share a meal in Cadiz?"

"Lovely idea, Janet. We'll have to set it up."

After the massage, I went to Stan's suite with Ursula, where our dresses were laid out. Laura came with us to help with our dressing, but she had to prepare alone, as she would watch the ceremony but not participate.

The chef had laid out plates of snacks for us in Stan's pantry, but I was so tense I could not touch them.

I was the centre of attention and felt transformed, and I kept going to the long mirror to see my transformation. My hair was long down my back, and the hairdresser had curled ringlets around the ends. The bunch was held in place by combs with a baby's breath crown. Ursula had a matching half-crown. Our two dresses complemented each other, though mine was fuller. It looked like a slip, pale cream, with a lacy skirt and laced butterflies. My breasts were pushed up by the half-cup top, and it fit me perfectly. Ursula's dress was a mixture of iridescent blues, and she shimmered as she walked around the room. We were in girly heaven before we set off for the theatre.

._.

We stood, side by side, in the lobby of Stan's suite, waiting for Dan to knock.

Ursula touched my arm, gently stroking a path from my shoulder to my elbow.

"You are beautiful. Stan won't be able to resist you tonight."

I smiled at her, knowing she was right.

"I can't resist you either, Janet."

Then she turned to face me and leaned close. Her cheek almost touched mine as her other hand touched my cheek and pulled our lips together. I felt her tongue gently probing my mouth, and I let her in. The aroma of Ursula's perfume was heady and supremely erotic. I felt my knees tremble as the kiss went on and on. I had never kissed a woman like that, and I forgot about my wedding and Stan, just living for the moment.

I did not think about what I was doing; all that mattered was her tongue in my mouth and the surge of feeling in my pussy.

Three sharp raps on the door destroyed the moment; Ursula parted from me, and I opened the door to start my walk to marriage.

My hand under Dan's arm, Ursula trailing behind, we walked along the deserted corridor, and the only sound was the rustling of our dresses.

As we approached the atrium, I could hear a rumbling of voices. When we emerged onto the landing, rope barriers led us towards the open lift, and on either side, a crowd of people clapped and cheered us. As we descended, I realised every spot on every level was filled by people watching us. We left the lift and walked across the plaza, driven on by cheering and clapping from the surrounding throng. At the entrance to the theatre, we paused while Dan signalled to someone inside.

"Now, Janet, let's go to meet your future."

We moved forward until we were at the head of the steps through the auditorium. Then the band started to play the wedding march, and my heart filled with joy. As we went down, a spotlight followed our progress. The light blinded me. I could see nothing outside its small circle, but I heard five hundred people clapping in time with the music.

Dan guided me perfectly, and I did not stumble once. When we finally stopped on the stage, the spotlight shut off, and I saw Stan standing a metre away, resplendent in his best blue uniform, gold braid glistening under the stage lights.

The ceremony was a blur, and meaningless words were uttered through my lips. My attention was totally on Stan, my man, my captain.

._.

Hand in hand, we walked up the steps out of the theatre and into the atrium. The guests were still crammed against the rails on all the levels, waving and cheering as we proceeded across the great open space. A cloud of confetti fell from above; I squeezed Stan's hand and felt his response. The glass lift was waiting for us, the doors held open by a smiling attendant. I pulled my skirts in, the doors closed behind us, and we rose to deck three. Here, the corridor was cordoned off. Much broader than those on lower decks, we swept past the doors to the premium passenger suites.

At the end, double doors led us into the Royal Suite. Only mega-wealthy patrons of the company could afford it. It was our good fortune that it was vacant on this leg of the voyage. Inside, a waiter showed us to our place at the top table, and Stan gallantly lifted my chair as I arranged my dress.

While we waited, a pianist played beautiful music on a baby grand piano in one corner of the room.

Our reception guests dribbled in from the theatre. Dan, Laura, Doctor Smythe, Ursula, Stan, and I shared the top table. Tony volunteered to be our waiter, a position he declared an honour.

The meal was a dream. Dan gave a brilliant speech, and the meal was the best the chefs could produce.

Later, when the guests started to leave, Dan came to us and asked if we could accompany him into the adjoining lounge.

I sat with Stan on a soft, white leather sofa. It must have cost many thousands.

Dan walked to one side to pick up a small case, sat on an armchair facing us, flipped open the lid, and lifted a large brown envelope. It bulged out in all directions.

"This is for you, Wilbur's bequest. The lawyers require you to sign this document to say you have received it intact."

He handed me one sheet of paper and a pen. It was headed with the style of a legal firm I had never heard of. I signed in the space marked with a pencilled X.

I gave the pen and paper to Dan, who passed the envelope to me. It was heavier than I expected.

"I can leave now if you want privacy."

"No, Dan, you have done so much; I want you to witness the opening."

I looked at the envelope from every side. At one end were two strings wound around fixings on the flap and body. Over the strings were two large blobs of red wax, impressed with a symbol.

"Here, use these."

Dan held a pair of small scissors, and I used them to cut the string.

With the flap opened, I held the envelope upside down and let the contents slide onto the carpet.

Six bundles of green banknotes stared up at me. Every one was a hundred-dollar bill. There was also a sheet of paper, which I picked up and read aloud to Stan and Dan.

._.

"Dearest Janet, you have been like a daughter and brought joy to my life. My business is yours, as is the twelve thousand dollars in this package. Keep away from Hannibal. He might be my son, but he is a nasty man. My eternal love to you, Wilbur."

._.

Dan stood and kissed me on the cheek, then walked out, closing the door behind him. Tears flowed down that same cheek. Old Wilbur was always kind to me, but this was something else.

Stan knelt on the floor and put the bundles back into the envelope. He then took my hand and pulled me further from the reception room towards the next part of the suite.

"Where are we going, love?"

He did not answer, but when we entered the room, I stared in disbelief at the huge bed and great porthole windows overlooking the foredeck.

"Welcome to the honeymoon suite, Janet."

He turned to me and gently tipped my head back.

"Time for your first married kiss, Missus Captain."

His lips touched mine, and I opened my mouth to let my husband in.

We stood there, his hands resting on my waist, my arms around his neck, kissing deeply, our tongues playing together, our juices joined as we were. The lengthiest kiss of my life.

Eventually, our mouths moved apart, but our eyes remained locked together.

"Come with me, my love."

I thought Stan meant to go to the bed, but he turned, held my hand, and walked us to a pair of closed double doors.

His hands reached for the handles, twisted, and thrust them open. I gasped at the sight. It was a bathroom unlike any I had ever seen.

A free-standing bathtub with gold taps caught my attention. Then, my eyes found two tubs set into the deck. One was rectangular, about three metres long and one wide. The other looked like a conventional hot tub, with steam rising from the water's surface.

"Oh, wow, Stan."

He laughed, a deep rumble in his throat.

"You can see how the other half live, just for one night."

"What's the long one for?"

"It's a swim spa. Pumps set up a current, and then you can practise swimming. And we are going in it now."

"What about my wedding dress?"

"It will get wet."

He picked me up, lifted me over the water, and dropped me in.

It was warm, like a bath. I stood up, spluttering from the immersion, with the water level just under my boobs. My dress floated up my body, and my beautifully tended hair was plastered against my back.

I rubbed my eyes and saw Stan standing above me, stark naked, his cock standing up, hard as iron. Then he jumped in beside me.

We hugged and kissed deeply again, and then I felt his hands pushing the dress's shoulder straps down my arms before pulling my bodice down.

My boobs were free for him to bend down and kiss my nipples. Left, right, and left again. Then he started to suck one while gently pinching the other between thumb and forefinger.

Such delicious feelings. But I could not reciprocate to reach Stan's cock. Everywhere I tried, the only thing I found was wedding dress material.

Did he sense I was frustrated? Possibly. Because he picked me up and laid me on the tub side before climbing out and hauling me to my feet.

"Turn around, let me unzip you."

I felt my bodice's grip relax as the zip ran down. Stan peeled the sodden material off my body and let it fall to the deck; then he took my hand and led me to the hot tub, resplendent in wet white panties and hold-up stockings.

We lowered ourselves into the bubbling, hot water and sat together on an underwater seat. Stan put his arm around my waist and pulled me into a deep kiss.

The water jets were on my legs, and I opened them to let the water play on my pussy. It felt even better with Stan pushing his hand inside my panties and rubbing me there.

I completely forgot about his cock, then lay back, soaking up the delicious pleasure. Stan wanted my love and stood up with his shaft in front of my face. I grasped it eagerly and took him in my mouth just as the water jets increased in power. The feeling between my thighs was exquisite, and I felt my body respond immediately.

Sucking Stan as the jets pushed me towards orgasm was incredibly erotic, and I came fast, juddering and moaning past the member filling my mouth and throat. The pleasure did not stop with one. I lost count; my only connection with the world outside my body filled my mouth.

At some time, I felt myself being lifted from the water and carried by strong arms, then laid on a soft field of white.

I stared at the ceiling and felt soft fingers explore my labia and push on into my vagina. I was surprised at my internal wetness, wondering why the water had not washed it away.

In the distance, I heard Stan's voice, then saw his face above me and felt his body between my legs. Then, there was the sensation of him entering me, slipping deep inside. I wrapped my legs over him and relaxed as he thrust into me, time after time, . Every stroke rubbed on my clit, and I felt my body flexing under him. I wasn't in control; he was, and the moment I felt the warmth of his life squirt into me, I came again. Lost in orgasm, for the first time, under my husband

._.

I went from being a stowaway to being the captain's wife in eleven days. It seemed like a fairy tale. Tomorrow Stan's tenure as master on this ship ends, and he will hand over to his relief for the next two months.

After the flight back, we are going to buy our first house together, and that will be a massive task, seeing I am actually homeless and have virtually no possessions.

Then there is the restaurant, closed and dark. I want to make it as good as it was when I worked there. Its new name will be Wilbur's. Stan says we can invest his savings in the business and possibly open a second if the original place is a success.

Tony is interested in being part of my new team; I think he would make an excellent maitre d'.

I was sad when Dan and Laura left the ship at Cadiz, but Dan only had a few days' leave from his job. Still, we will see them regularly back home. Stan's tour of duty still had several weeks to run, so we had to stay aboard.

We have become very friendly with Doc Smythe and Ursula. We all call him Doc, though Ursula has admitted she uses Tim, his proper name, in their bed. A few days ago, Ursula kissed me again. She says she loves me. I like kissing her, but I don't understand why I get funny feelings below because she is a woman like me.

Hannibal is in jail, awaiting trial, and likely to face a prison sentence for all the horrible things he did to me. He is out of sight and out of mind, permanently, I hope.

Every day, I look at the temporary passport the consul at Cadiz issued and then run my finger over my new name, Janet Accrington, thanking God for my husband, Captain Stanley Accrington.