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“By the power invested in me by the State of Texas, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride, Mr. Morrison,” the magistrate announced… but Madison wasn’t able to look away from Eric as they stood there, unmoving.
She didn’t think about any of this past the fact that she was going to be binding herself to a man she barely knew. She didn’t think about rings, a bouquet, a wedding night, nor the kiss… but he had – and she knew it now.
“May I?” he said softly, and she nodded nervously in a jerking motion.
Part of her expected him to take her in his arms, bend her over, and kiss her senseless like some great big display… but that wasn’t him. He was quiet, stoic, calm, and even, as immovable as the sea and always constant.
Instead, he leaned forward, hesitating as his lips barely brushed hers.
She felt herself make a slight noise in her throat at the feeling of the whiskers from his beard, the soft warm sensation of his lips, and treasuring his soft intake of breath as he paused before kissing her… and then it was over.
“Thank you,” he breathed softly against her lips, before pulling back slightly.
Her eyes met his in surprise, touched that he was so gentle underneath that tough exterior… and suddenly curious at who exactly it was that she married. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, she heard the magistrate slamming down the gavel angrily.
“Who brought a dog into my courtroom? Can someone take that animal outside before it uses the restroom again?!”
“Uh oh,” Eric uttered, his eyes widening in alarm. “I’ll meet you up front – okay?” – and bolted, snatching up Trigger where she was assuming the position to use the restroom, right there in the aisle, before everyone.
She watched, unable to fight back a smile as Eric slammed bodily into the door to shove it open, holding the dog in front of him, and rolled slightly against the heavy door the moment there was a gap, allowing him to slip out, making a quick exit.
“Uh, ohhhhh!” Greg volunteered. “Trigger left a mess by my shoe.”
“Oh my gosh,” Madison groaned in disbelief, putting her face in her hands, as she realized that not only was she changing diapers at home? There was a mess here too now – and on her wedding day!
She wasn’t the only one having to chase someone when they went to the bathroom either. Eric was a ‘daddy’ of a very different sort – and now there were two little ones to watch carefully around the house when he visited.
“I’m not cleaning it,” Greg announced. “If I make a mess? I have to clean it. I think Trigger should clean it.”
“Greg, honey,” Holly was shushing him gently as people were laughing around them and looking vaguely uncomfortable, moving away from ‘ground zero’.
Grabbing Max’s diaper bag, she went into ‘Mom-Mode’ and snatched a plastic grocery bag, several baby wipes, and cleaned up the mess within minutes, knotting it inside the bag… only to stand up and see Eric standing there, looking ashamed.
“I’m soooo incredibly sorry,” he began.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I’ve been so preoccupied and…”
“Eric,” she interrupted as they were all walking out of the courtroom in a massive group. Her mom was there, his parents, his brother, and Trigger was jumping around and wanting to play, catching Max’s attention. They were both overwhelmed by this afternoon’s life changing event – and she understood.
“It’s fine, but I would like to wash my hands and go home. Are you coming?” she finished quietly, feeling her face flushing in awareness.
“Yes,” he hesitated, causing her to pause again.
“Do you have a ride to the airport tomorrow? What time is your flight?”
“It’s at five in the morning – and my parents were going to take me.”
“Okay.”
“Unless…” he hesitated, and Madison braced herself. “Unless you want to take me, or I could call an Uber? Maybe I could sleep on the couch? Would that be so bad?”
“Told youuuu…” her mother whispered loudly walking past her and moving towards Eric’s parents. “Holly and Alan, do you think I could get a ride home, and we can let the lovebirds be alone tonight.”
Madison’s eyes widened as she met Eric’s immovable expression.
“It’s okay,” he said simply, withdrawing immediately.
