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"And him?"
"He died five years ago." He put the picture up and she started walking toward the door.
She turned and looked at him, "You said they laughed a lot."
"Yes, they were very happy together."
"Did they have a long courtship?"
He laughed his eyes twinkled as he thought about it. "Hardly. He met her and married her in two weeks."
Her eyes widened, "Two weeks."
"Hey, we didn't know each other at all!"
"Well, yes of course, but that was just a mistake."
"We're just as married." He reminded her.
She swallowed hard. She didn't want to have this discussion in his bedroom. She licked her lips. "I guess we are, but I can't consider us really married until Priscilla either comes here and you settle this, or you get an annulment."
"Do you want an annulment?"
She turned away, "That's entirely up to you? You can't seriously marry one woman and be in love with another. It isn't right." She whirled around to see him standing over her. "We never consummated the marriage; doesn't that allow for an annulment?"
"I don't know. We came really close to doing just that. You've got an edge over Priscilla. You've seen me naked."
She almost laughed, but she saw something in his eyes that scared and thrilled her, desire.
She had to remind herself that Priscilla was between them. Consummating their marriage would only complicate things.
"If I hadn't drank that champagne, I would never have let it go that far… "
"It's nothing to be ashamed of, we were married, in a church, by a preacher no less. You said, 'I do' and you weren't drinking then. Can you tell me now, why you married me?"
She stared at him with surprise. "I wasn't expecting you."
"What do you mean."
She grabbed the bedpost and leaned on it with her hands behind her back. "What happened at the train station was like some exciting dream. Something you never expect to happen. It didn't feel real. I was sure I'd wake up any minute." She cried as a tear escaped down her cheek. "There you were, pulling me off the train, and into your arms and kissing me like—like you meant it. Then you dragged me to the church and set me in front of the preacher. There was such a crowd, it was hot, and I was in a state shock. And then… you nudged me and told me to repeat after you. So, I did. At that point, I was almost afraid not to. What shocked me even more, was when I found out who you were."
/> "You had no idea?" he looked shocked by this news.
"Of course, I didn't. I had no idea what you looked like. It wasn't like we exchanged pictures or something. I was applying as a cook, not a bride. I had no idea who you were. To me you were simply a handsome stranger, who swept me off my feet. Then I looked down at myself and realized that the dress caused it all. You were expecting a bride, and I looked like one. I didn't even realize when I bought it that it looked like a wedding dress. I just thought it so beautiful. It was like a piece of candy?"
"How's that." He smirked.
"You know, something you see in a store window that takes your eye, and you can't live without it suddenly."
She looked up at him, "I realize how pathetically stupid I sound. I'm sorry. But then you kissed me at the church, again! And the people, there were so many of them. they were all gathering around us and were so happy for us. When I stood there realizing what I'd done, I was afraid to even look at you again. I didn't know how to face all those people or you! The room started spinning and I fainted. And I have to tell you, I'm very glad I did, as I didn't know what to do next."
"Have you ever asked yourself why you said, 'I do'?"
"Many times, but I'm still searching for an answer. My stupidity has caused you a lot of strain and stress. It seems as though a quick annulment would settle it for you."
"And what would it do for you?" he whispered softly.
"It isn't important what happens to me. Our getting married was my fault. I should have done like you suggested, thrown a fit, made a scene? But I've never been good at throwing tantrums unless I'm galled into it with anger. And there were all those people standing there, and so happy for us. And it would have been terribly embarrassing for you, if I had thrown a fit."
