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Kent stood, while Palmer sat, in line for what felt like hours. The licensing bureau had four of their ten windows open, and each couple seemed to take their sweet time filling out their paperwork. Kent had already filled theirs out, so all they had to do was sign it in front of the clerk, show their identification, and pay the fee, and then they’d be on their way to the hotel.
Palmer sighed, and Kent tilted her chair back to plant a kiss on her lips. He kissed her every chance he got, whether it was when he parked the car or helped her into the chair. Even if he had to pause pushing her to lean down for a quick nip at her lips, Kent took every conceivable opportunity to kiss Palmer.
She giggled, like a smitten high schooler. “One of these days, you’re going to tip me over,” she said, even though she didn’t believe he’d ever do anything like that. Honestly, she sort of liked it when he acted a bit crazy, because normally he treated her like a fragile flower. Sure, her body had weakened over time, but she still had some life left in her.
“I’d catch you.” He did it again, and this time it was longer. The upside-down kiss was awkward, but she secretly loved it. If she did anything for the rest of her life, she was going to kiss him as much as he’d let her. Kent made her feel like she didn’t have a care in the world, that she wasn’t facing death’s door.
When it was finally their turn, Kent helped her out of her chair, and they stood side by side while the clerk processed their paperwork. After all that waiting, it took them only fifteen minutes to get their license, and then they were out the door. Kent walked hurriedly through the halls to get them outside. She suspected he had something up his sleeve, but she hadn’t found the nerve to ask him why he was in such a hurry. Their ceremony wasn’t until later. They didn’t need to rush.
“Hang on to that paper,” Kent said when they got to the car. Palmer got into the passenger seat and held the envelope with their license to her chest. There wasn’t anything in the world that could pry that away from her. Except for Kent.
He drove down the Las Vegas Strip, pointing out each hotel as they passed. Kent talked about having dinner in Italy later and taking a gondola ride, since they were sleeping in France. He cracked up at his jokes. Palmer liked that she could have a little bit of authenticity in Vegas. It gave their stop even more meaning.
They waited in another line after they had the Jeep valeted at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. When Kent got to the front and gave his name, he asked, “We’re getting married tonight and forgot our wedding attire back home. Is there a place where I can get a suit and my fiancée can get a dress?”
“We actually have a place right in the hotel,” the clerk said as she wrote the name of the boutique down on a card. She then gave Kent and Palmer instructions on how to get to their suite.
“Wow,” Palmer said when they entered the room. She got out of the chair and walked gingerly to the window. They were on the twentieth floor, and the view was absolutely stunning. “I think we should sleep with the curtains open tonight.”
Kent came up behind her and moved her hair off her shoulder. He kissed the soft angle of her neck before wrapping his arms around her waist. “What an amazing view.” Palmer was certain Kent hadn’t even looked out the window yet. They stayed like that for a moment, until he told her they had stuff to do. Tomorrow, they could stare at the view.
Palmer walked behind the wheelchair and pushed it for a bit while Kent walked next to her. She wanted to stretch her legs, and the carpeted hallway seemed like the best place to do it. When the carpet turned to marble, she happily sat down and let Kent take over.
The hotel was abuzz with noise, lights, and cigarette smoke from the casino. All things that worried Kent. Thankfully, they headed away from where most of the people congregated. They found the boutique, went in, and were greeted by the clerk.
“Welcome, I’m Mabel. What can I do for you?”
“I’m Kent, and this is my fiancée, Palmer.” He smiled lovingly at Palmer and then looked back at Mabel. “We’re getting married tonight and need something to wear.”
“Congratulations. If you want to head next door, Grady will help you with your suit.”
Kent looked from Mabel to Palmer. She saw the hesitation on his face. She put her hand on his chest and persuaded Kent to look at her. “I feel really good right now. I’ll be okay,” she told him. He nodded quickly and gave her a kiss. The torment he felt by leaving her was evident on his face.
