by T. E. White
Maybe it had only been about five months since we’d known each other but many people had decided to get married in less time.
“We can go to Vegas,” I tossed out.
She shook her head adamantly. “No, I don’t want to marry in Vegas. That’s just… I don’t know.”
“Fine, skip class with me tomorrow. We’ll get a marriage license. It can’t take any longer than a few days.”
“You want to do this now?” She searched my face for answers. I gave her a quick definite nod.
“What about our parents?”
This again. “We’ll get married now, and if you want to have a big wedding later, I’m all for it.”
Her eyes searched my face, so I held mine still intent on her. I wanted her to see I was dead serious.
“Okay.” Her agreement lit my world aflame. I kissed her. In the back of my mind I knew I’d made the right decision. I may have only been twenty two, but I wanted to spend my life with her.
26
She shared my bed that night, and I planned for that to be a permanent solution. In the morning, we had to stop by the vital statistics office to get a certified copy of her birth certificate. While she was filling out paperwork, I was busy making other arrangements. We wouldn’t get married by a justice of the peace in the courthouse. She deserved better for our first wedding even though it would most likely fall short of her perfect wedding. Still, it would be memorable for us both.
Saturday after my rowing meet, we headed to the mall. Gavin and I were running on adrenaline because with him back at the helm we’d won all the races.
At a high-end department store, Gavin and I headed to the men’s section while Red and the blonde went to the women’s.
“I can’t believe that’s your answer to her little problem,” Gavin said, echoing the blonde’s sentiment after we told them of our plan.
“It’s not her problem. It’s ours.”
He held up a hand. “Yeah... right. Just tell me one thing.”
“What’s that?” I asked checking out the rack of suits.
“If she wasn’t pregnant, would you have married her?”
That was easy. “Yes.” His stiff nod said he understood but I added more. “Maybe I wouldn’t be marrying her today, but I would have asked her eventually.”
“Good. I like her. She’s good people even though she thinks I’m an asshole. I don’t blame her, though. You haven’t told her?”
“No, I said I wouldn’t.” He’d made me promise that I wouldn’t share his secret. His thing was, if the blonde told her, so be it. But he didn’t want me to tell her.
“What are you two in the market for?”
A gazelle of a woman stood before us.
I spoke up as Gavin eyed her and a slow smile began to form on his face. “I’m in need of a tux, and so is he.”
She led us to a fitting room where we tried on tuxes and thankfully, money talked. Once we settled on Tom Ford, an on-duty seamstress came in to see what alterations we needed. After explaining that we needed it done today, with a little incentive, she re-arranged her schedule to take care of us on the spot.
“Did you see the price tag on that thing? Why can’t you wear something you already have?”
Gavin was on scholarship. He hadn’t told me, but I had found out by accident in our second year. I wouldn’t make him feel bad so I said, “This is last-minute, and I’m getting married for the first and last time of my life. I have to do this right. And I’ve got this. I know you can handle it.” I waved him off. “But this is my wedding. When you get married, you’ll take care of it.”
I’d chosen a classic tux with an ivory bow tie. Gavin’s tux was similar but his had the black tie. The alterations would be done in an hour. That gave us time to meet the girls to get something to eat.
“You’re done already?” I asked Red when I found her not in the dress department but the underwear section across from it.
“Don’t look,” the blonde warned.
“What does it matter? She won’t be in it long,” Gavin chided.
Red stepped between them. “Please, can you two call a truce for today?”
The blonde’s lips thinned, but she nodded. Red raised a questioning brow to Gavin, and he acquiesced with a slight nod of his head.
Feeling like we were stepping on fragile glass, I said, “Did you pick a dress?”
Red turned her eyes on me. I wanted to drown in their tropical depths. Her smile was filled with hope and a promise. I was reminded that this choice was right.
“I did. And it’s been bought and paid for. Just a tweak or two here and there. It should be ready soon.”
“I would have taken care of it.”
“No need, pretty boy. We have this, and we’re headed to the spa downstairs. There is no way she is getting married without doing her hair and makeup,” the blonde said, patting me on the back.
Gavin unable to resist said, “Do we really have time for this?”
“We have to wait for alterations,” I said, intervening.
“Besides, pretty boy here needs a trim too. And…” The blonde gave Gavin her measure. “…and I’m not sure what they can do to help you, but they’ll give it their best.”
“Okay. Time out. Tade, I think we should split up.” These two couldn’t be in the same room without arguing. She angled her head and I dipped down to kiss her.
“Sure. Later,” I said to their retreating forms.
After they walked off and we were left standing in the middle of bras and panties, I said, “Dude, you are not helping matters, yeah?”
Gavin, unwilling to concede, started off. We followed the ladies some distance away as they headed outside and towards a large red door. I smiled at it. Red was fast becoming my favorite color.
“Bro, that’s like an omen or something.”
I smiled. “Yes, I know.”
He caught my attention and said, “I don’t mean in a good way.”
By the time we made it inside, the girls were being ushered off. In light of the extra time needed because they were getting the works, I opted for us to get a trim and massages. Somehow, we also ended up in leather padded chairs with our feet in pedicure bowls.
Gavin’s eyes bored holes into me. “I can’t fucking believe you talked me into this shit.”
“Me?” I began. “This wasn’t my idea.”
Red and the blonde snickered.
“Yeah, it’s your dick that got us here,” Gavin whined.
“Well, your feet are like sandpaper when you put them on me at night.”
Red and I stared at the blonde and her admission.
“And your boobs are like watermelons and you don’t see me complaining,” he retorted.
She huffed. “My boobs aren’t a problem.”
“They are when they’re out on display for every guy to see.”
This was only going to get worse. The attendants continued to scrub away dead skin. They were quiet and watched the show from ringside seats.
“Guys,” Red called out, trying to stop them.
“No,” the blonde fumed. “He’s trying to make like this is all my fault. He won’t take blame for the fact that he can’t keep it in his pants. That he has to share his dick with the world.”
“Spreading love is what I do.” His arms went wide as if to show that the world extended beyond his fingertips.
“Stop it, Gavin. Don’t fuck up this day with your shit,” I bellowed, having enough.
They both went quiet. The blonde snatched up a magazine and began flipping through it. Gavin leaned back in the chair and folded his arms behind his head. I gave Red a reassuring smile and hoped we could make it through the ceremony without the two of them killing each other.
27
Seeing Red happy was the pinnacle of my existence. Her approval of my choice of venue brought a small measure of satisfaction to me. I wanted this to be special for her.
“I have to give it to you, pretty boy. You did a go
od job.” The blonde’s smirk was the exclamation point on her approval.
“Go big or don’t go at all, huh?” Gavin’s wide eyes suggested he’d never been on board a yacht.
“I never would have thought about it. But it makes sense. You love the water.” Red’s eyes were trained on me, ignoring the other two.
“I do love the water, but this day and night is all about you.”
“No, it’s amazing. I thought we’d get married at the court house.”
“A courthouse wouldn’t do. I could whisk you away to the Caribbean if you prefer.”
“No, this is perfect.” She kissed my cheek before turning to her friend and squealing. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
The blonde glanced my way, then said, “Let’s go get ready.” Red nodded.
“You guys have about two hours,” I called after them.
Left standing with Gavin, he said, “You know they’ll need more than that.”
“Two hours won’t be enough?”
He patted my back like he was comforting a disillusioned child.
Two hours later, we stood on the moonlit deck with a small army of people. The minister and a violinist talked to one side while we waited on the signal from one of the crewmembers that came as a part of the rental package. A photographer and a videographer all waited. I knew Mom would die when she found out that I’d done this. I figured pictures and a video might pacify her, and possibly Red’s parents too. I knew though, there would be another wedding in the near future. One I wouldn’t have a say in.
When the signal came, we all took our spots. The violist began what I was told to be aptly named the Wedding March.
Gavin leaned in and whispered, “I can’t believe that is the name. It should be called a death sentence. Do you know that in some states you can murder someone and have a shorter sentence than marriage?”
“Gavin,” I chided. I was experiencing a mix of nerves and excitement.
“I’m just saying,” he said, then took a step back.
Breaking all traditions, the blonde entered with her arm looped in Red’s. I barely paid attention to Penelope. I couldn’t even tell you what color she wore. But Red was draped in some shade of white, maybe ivory, with something that shimmered attached to the fabric. Her shoulders were bare, exposing the expanse of collarbone I loved to kiss. She wore a necklace of some sort that pointed directly to her cleavage. A burst of jealousy almost had me taking off my jacket to cover the tops of her breasts, which were there for everyone to see. When she reached me it was her red lips that stopped my heart. I had to find her eyes if I didn’t want to kiss her right then and there.
The blonde nodded to me and took her place behind Red, leaving her to stand before me. I briefly glanced down at her hands to see she held a bouquet of water lilies like the one I’d given her that day long ago. When Red’s eyes held mine and didn’t waver, I too broke tradition.
As much as my lips wanted to form the word Biscuit, that was a name only between us. So I took her hand and said, “Reagan, I want to do this right.”
When the minister came on board earlier, we had done a quick run-through of the ceremony. Although according to my plan, everyone but Red and the blonde knew what I was about to do.
I kneeled to one knee. “I know you already answered me, otherwise we wouldn’t be here.” That got a little laugh from the few people who were witnessing this. “But I want to do this right.” I cleared my throat because I felt a little choked up. “You are the sun that brightens my day. You are the moon that lights up my night. You are the starlight that dazzles my world. You Reagan, are everything to me. I know we’ve only known each other for a few months, but I know I want to spend the rest of my years with you. And I hope you will do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
Although I wasn’t a poet, her glassy eyes told me that I’d said the right things, and that she wasn’t going to deny me after all of this. Her free hand muted a sob as she said, “Yes.”
And from my pocket, as I willed my hand steady, I pulled out a twisted diamond band crowned with an Asscher-cut diamond. I’d selected one that was large enough that my parents would be proud I’d put on her finger, but small enough that Red didn’t balk about needing twenty-four hour security just to wear it. All of the stats about it including cut, carat, and clarity I knew only because they were painstakingly explained to me when I picked it out earlier that day.
Luckily as I slipped it on her slim finger, the band fit, and damn if that didn’t make me smile. I stood and gave the minister a slight head shake indicating that he could move forward.
The blonde handed Red a tissue from out of nowhere and the minister began the ceremony. I absorbed every word, knowing my life had taken a turn for the better. When it came time to our vows, I once again locked eyes with my future wife.
“Reagan, I pledge to you my trust and loyalty. You never have to worry that I will stray. You are it for me, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in heath. You have my vow that in all things, I will love you unconditionally. Finally, know that you and whatever kids we have will come first in my life. It will be my goal to keep you and our babes happy for the rest of my life.”
A lump caught in my throat when the minister asked, “Reagan Abby, do you take this man, Tade Astor, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.” He nodded at her for her to proceed.
“Tade, I love you. Even though it was hard to give at first, you have my unwavering trust. And in all things, you have my unquestioned loyalty. I too will love you unconditionally, through better and worse, whether richer or poorer, in sickness or in health. It is my pledge to make you happy and keep our future kids happy too.”
“Tade Aster, do you take this woman, Reagan Abby to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
I cleared my throat. “I do.”
He called for the rings. Gavin placed the ring in my palm. The infinity diamond ring, with its individual diamonds strung together in a perfect circle, felt cool in my hand. To Red I said, “This ring has no beginning and it has no end. It represents my wish that our time together as one will be endless. With it I thee wed.”
The blonde handed Red a ring, but when Red slipped it on my finger it hadn’t been the one I’d purchased, not thinking that Red would have gotten one on her own. It was silver in color and bore a pattern that resembled a basket weave. The blonde winked at my shock over her friend’s shoulder.
“This ring is woven with a permanent bond. It too is endless, with no beginning and no end. It represents my unbreakable love for you. With it I thee wed.”
The minister grinned and announced, “By the power vested in me I now pronounce you man and wife.”
I didn’t wait for him to give me the go-ahead, I kissed my wife like I’d wanted to when she first stood before me. It was a long time before we came up for air. After pictures, at a small reception, we had our first dance. At the violist’s suggestion, she played a song called “At Last.”
Caught up in Reagan, we danced to more songs. I could tell you that I was in awe at the woman before me. I’d gone into this thing with her like a game, but came out the other side a better man. She was beautiful inside and out. And I couldn’t imagine doing this life thing with anyone else. Who would have thought it?
~~~
After we docked back at port to drop off all our passengers, we stood in front of our friends.
I folded my arms. “You both are welcome to join us for a trip down the coast and back, but you have to promise not to be at each other’s throats the entire time.”
Gavin and the blonde glanced at each other and nodded.
“Fine.” I gave the signal to the crew to disembark again. “We probably won’t see you guys for the rest of the trip but avail yourselves of everything— except our room.”
With Red’s hand in mine, I took my wife to our room, to stay for the rest of the weekend.
28
As the door closed to ou
r cabin, I forgot about our friends. They could kill themselves for all I cared at the moment. My mouth dipped and hers opened. The kiss was unhurried while I searched for the fastenings that bound my wife in a pretty package. The hidden zipper almost eluded me, bringing me on the verge of ending our tongue tie so I could focus on stripping her out of the dress. The sound of me releasing the tiny teeth was small but filled the silence of the room. Not held up by anything, the dress pooled at her feet once enough zipper was released. I stepped back to see Red clad in more white, with less fabric and bits of lace.
She was stunning.
“You are the most amazing creature I’ve ever encountered.”
She blushed and I stood gaping at her breasts, which looked like offerings out of petals. Her lower half was clad in a swath of diamond fabric held in place by two strips that raced over and around her hips towards her backside.
I held up two fingers and rotated them in a circular motion, hoping she would get that I wanted her to turn around. She did, and I thought I would lose my shit right there. The wide strings in fact came together in the back to form a single strand that dipped into the crease of her ass. Everything else was left on display.
It didn’t matter that I’d seen or had the goods before, my dick was rock solid and burned to be in her.
“Your turn.”
Never taking my eyes off her, I undid my jacket and tossed it at a chair I barely noticed. The room had a bed, and that was about the extent of what’d I’d paid attention to when we stepped in there. By the time I got to my pants and let gravity have them, Red gasped.
“You went commando?”
I had. I was wearing enough and didn’t need another layer to hold me back from my prize. I stalked towards her, crowding her against the door. My cock was locked and loaded. I pressed it against the damp material at her apex.
“You’re wet.”
I devoured her, Yes, and ate at her mouth like a hungry man. I bit and kissed my way down the breasts that begged to be sucked. I nursed them like a newborn babe. My hand skimmed down her still-flat belly and over the wet cloth underneath my fingers. I rubbed circular patterns until she was begging me to take her.
