The Marriage Pact (Viral Series)

by Mara White

  “Your last serious girlfriend was religious,” Jackie said. She was biting her pinky nail, squirming in her seat, messing with the big black buttons on her coat. In her distress, he could vividly picture Jackie as a little girl. She’d told him before that she was a tomboy growing up, that she never wore shoes and couldn’t be bothered to put a shirt on underneath her overalls. He’d laughed until he cried when she once recounted that at the tender age of seven, her mother, tired of pulling twigs and burrs out of her tangled long hair grabbed a bowl, stuck it on her head and cut it off. For a year, everyone thought she was a boy and it didn’t faze her a bit. She’d spent entire summers outside catching frogs, exploring the woods and creek beds, sleeping under the stars in her Hello Kitty sleeping bag. Her father let her steer the farm tractors from his lap as a toddler and she claimed she could drive them unassisted by the age of eight. She took a pail lunch with her into the woods and didn’t return until the mosquitos started to swarm at sundown. Her legs were covered with welts and scratches, her knees scabby, feet muddy. Jackie could operate a backhoe, army crawl under the old farmhouse and thaw frozen pipes with a blowtorch. She knew how to shoot a deer and how to gut it. And here she was sitting next to him in a dress, heels and pearls, nervous about hymns at church. Good God he loved her.

  Ryan watched her profile as she stared out the window, eyes fixed far away, probably comparing herself to Carol. Jackie had curled her hair and put on lipstick for the church service. Ryan loved her both ways. Her wild, quick-witted tomboy side and her softer, compassionate, feminine side. He loved the Jackie who could win a game of darts three sheets to the wind and the Jackie who was humbled by dinner with his parents. His love for her gushed forth, impossible to contain. He felt thick with it, didn’t know what to say.

  “Jackie, it means a lot to me. Not only this, but Thanksgiving, putting up with my family, all of it.

  He wanted to tell her she was a part of them, that it wasn’t just him but that his whole family thought so. But somehow, it felt insensitive, given all that she’d gone through. His family couldn’t replace the people she’d lost.

  Ryan’s church was neither grand nor extravagant, it was simple. Humble and wholesome, it was his parent’s lifelong commitment to leave the world in better shape than they’d inherited it. Their congregation was strong, loyal and steadfast; they didn’t worry about dwindling parishioners because it had never been a problem. They were more concerned about standing room only for his father’s famous sermons. The yellow-orange carpet had been put in when Ryan was a toddler, it was one of his earliest memories. The first two rows on the right side were unofficially reserved for his family. Not a Sunday had passed where he didn’t spend it squirming in his seat, him and his brothers in ties or itchy V-necked sweaters. Lucinda, the organist, had been there his whole life; she came to their house and taught the boys piano lessons when all Ryan had wanted to do was get outside and play football.

  Having Jackie on his arm, was extravagant. He’d never known such a feeling of pride, not when he scored the most touchdowns in a game and was hoisted onto the shoulders of his teammates and fans, not when he’d graduated college and his parents cried. Jackie on his arm felt like the biggest moment of his life. He felt his devotion and loyalty to her like a welcome weight in his chest. Ryan knew someday he’d walk her down the aisle and that day would be a defining moment, making Jackie his wife. Her body was flush was his and his arms alternated from her shoulder to her waist as they navigated the crowd. She nodded, shook hands and delivered pleasantries like a champ. Often, when Jackie said she wasn’t cut out for something, she’d nail it in one try.

  “What?! I’m a quick study!” she’d say.

  “Yeah, or a hustler,” Ryan would tease back,

  “Oh, yes! No, we know one another from college. Well, I certainly hope so! Everything I’ve seen so far has been fabulous. I love it! Diane is a saint and the best pie-maker on the planet!” Ryan watched her mingle in awe of her fluidity. Her smile was genuine and she sometimes touched a person’s arm or their shoulder while she spoke to them.

  “And you said you were scared and that, I quote, you blew at mingling and small talk. You’re better than I am and I’ve been doing this my whole life!” They were walking down the aisle on their way to their reserved seats

  “Shingles,” Jackie said. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. He squeezed her hand and together they sat in the wooden pew.

  “You sure do cry wolf a lot.”

  “I’m genuinely terrified. But I trust you. I trust your family, too.”

  Relief poured through him again, it felt like a drug. Lucinda cued the music and everyone stood.

  “We hear and repeat the mantra that we’re all God’s family, and while absolutely true in theory, it doesn’t always work out that way in real life. Many of God’s children are estranged from their families for a myriad of reasons. We move, change, our opinions differ, we break bridges or maintain ones that are in terrible disrepair, there are, literally thousands of reasons that we fall out of sync with our natural families. There is death, destruction and war that tear families apart daily.”

  When Ryan thought of Cal, he always imagined him either behind the pulpit or out back behind the house, throwing the football. Those were his two natural habitats. Ryan was proud of his father, his family and all they’d achieved. Jackie squeezed his hand and when he looked at her, she had tears in her eyes. Ryan handed her a tissue from the box on the end of the pew. He looked up at his dad.

  “Sometimes family is who you choose to surround yourself with, or they can choose you and make you become a part of it. Some expand the definition of family to mean their neighbors, their sports team, their church parish. Others retract the term family from their real blood relatives. During this time of year, so many of us long to be with those we love and it isn’t always possible, so many families face separation due to military service, divorce, immigration status, or even death. I’d like to remind every family in this church to look for those in need this holiday season and invite someone in need into your family, for a meal, a prayer or even just a cup of coffee. God will guide your hearts and lead you to one another. Remember, after the service today, check in with one another, your friends and neighbors, find out who is in need and make a plan. We’re all in this together.”

  Jackie squeezed Ryan’s hand again and he noticed the tears were still falling. Jackie didn’t usually let herself be so vulnerable and Ryan felt moved that his father’s sermon had touched her.

  “Before we pick up our hymnals, I’d just like to add that our son Ryan’s girlfriend, Jackie, is finally here with us to celebrate this year. Diane and I trusted that God would lead these two hearts back together, but it took a long time and we are so grateful to have her in our lives. For many years now, she’s been the missing piece in our patchwork family quilt and we’re humbled and honored to have her share a place at our table this year and hopefully, for many more to come.”

  Cal was smiling down at both of them and Ryan expected Jackie to look mortified, but instead, she was smiling back up at his dad and she lifted her hand and waved. Ryan had to stifle a nervous laugh. The very thing he thought would make Jack suffer the most, seemed to have the opposite effect and make Jackie feel right at home. She looked up at him as the congregation starting singing, her cheeks were flushed and she was still grinning.

  “That was actually really cute. I love your parents. They’re like the real deal.” Jackie said.

  “They can be your parents, too,” Ryan shot back. He hadn’t meant to make it sound so weighted, but he could feel the heat surge between them and he had the desire to rip all of her clothes off in church—a first, in his standard repertoire of feelings. Jackie looked at his lips like she was aching to devour them. He put his hand on her thigh and squeezed and she tensed and released her muscles in response. Ryan couldn’t imagine that getting this turned on in church was keeping with the scripture or respectable for a preacher’s kid. But
he knew in his heart that his life with Jackie would always be unpredictable and he liked it that way.

  “Whoa, Sport!” Jackie whispered, eyeing the bulge in his pants. She crossed herself like a Catholic and a laugh burst right out of him.

  Chapter 45

  Jackie

  Though happy to be home, Jackie found herself missing Ryan’s family. The trip had been easy and comfortable—even church. Rose had laughed when she admitted it wasn’t so bad. Said Hell must have frozen over, if Jackie Bowen set foot in a church. She practically laugh—yelled it into the phone—so loud that Ryan had heard and had burst out laughing right alongside Rose. Since Jackie couldn’t smack Rose, she’d opted for Ryan.

  Digby laid on his back between Ryan and her while they watched TV in bed. His little tail wagged every so often as Ryan hit a particular spot on his belly that he liked. As they relaxed in bed, the three of them, Jackie teared up. She wasn’t sure why. It was a simple moment. She felt content and bursting with gratitude.

  “This is perfect,” she said.

  Ryan rolled his head toward hers. “What? The dog? Bed? Weekend lounging or the show?”

  Jackie laughed. “All of the above. I’m just feeling . . . blessed, right now.”

  “Are you crying, babe?”

  “No.” Digby licked at her face.

  “You are. What’s going on?”

  “I told you. I feel an insane amount of happiness right now.”

  “So, it’s not sad tears.”

  “Nope.” She pushed Digby away from her face and grabbed Ryan’s hand. “Happy. I am really happy.”

  He lifted their entwined hands and kissed hers. “I love you, Jackie Bowen.”

  “I love you, too. I’m sorry I made you wait so long.”

  “Cut that out. You don’t apologize for anything that happened between us. I could have stalked you, hunted you down. Shown up at your door. I could have tried to move on, marry someone and start a family. You could have, too. Our choices were all part of a bigger plan. We’re here now, because it’s time. Because of all the time apart.”

  “God damn, man, can you just be an inconsiderate male for like five minutes?” Jackie teased, while tears streaked down her face. Ryan laughed and rolled his eyes at her.

  “So,” he said tucking his hands under his head. “What do you want to do for your birthday?”

  “Something low key. Maybe just dinner and a movie?”

  He slid his eyes to hers. “Really?”

  She shrugged. “Yeah. We always have fun going to movies in the park. And there’s that new Thai place I’ve been dying to check out.”

  Ryan nodded. “Yeah, okay. Sounds like a plan.” He clicked the TV off. “Any big items on your birthday present list?”

  Jackie snorted. “I have everything. I have you and Digby and a job I enjoy. I don’t really need anything.”

  “What about a new couch?”

  “Oh,” she smiled, “one that doesn’t stink like dog pee?”

  “Exactly.”

  “I’d take that. I mean, I’m not asking for it but I’d definitely be happy if it showed up in our apartment.”

  “Noted.” Ryan pushed out of the bed. Digby whined and cocked his head. He did this whenever Ryan and Jackie weren’t in the same room together and it always made her chuckle.

  “Grab me a glass of water while you’re up?” she hollered after him.

  “As you wish,” he called back.

  Jackie was in a fabulous mood. It was her birthday. Her thirtieth. Rose and Lola had called. Actually, had woken her up at six am to sing Happy Birthday to her. Her Dad, too, by seven a.m. and Ryan had treated her to breakfast in bed with two mugs of coffee before she had to get ready for work. The driving academy had all chipped in and left an edible arrangement on her desk, no doubt coordinated by Jenny.

  Jim Fontaine was a lousy driver but there wasn’t much that could ruin her mood at present. “Turn left here,” she instructed. Jim was her last student of the day. She didn’t want to rush him, but she was anxious to get home and celebrate with Ryan.

  “Uh, yeah. This left or the next?” he mumbled. Jackie tapped her window.

  “This one. Right here.” It was useless though, Jim had already missed the turn. Jackie bit her tongue and sank in her seat. “Just make the next one.”

  She checked her phone while they were stopped at an intersection. No messages. She frowned and tucked her phone back into her purse.

  “Slow down, this is the turn.”

  Jim sped past it.

  “Dude. What are you doing?” she asked.

  “I’m sorry, Ms. Bowen.”

  “You need to turn left.”

  “I know, but . . .”

  “Jim Fontaine, I will take control of this car,” she stated. A blush crept up Jim’s face. His knuckles whitened against the steering wheel and he stomped on the gas. Jackie gasped. Reason kicked in and she grabbed her wheel and pumped her brake pedal. The car lurched at the brake and gas game they were playing.

  “Miss, please stop. Just . . .”

  She took her foot from the brake. “Spill it, Jim.”

  He shook his head. He was holding his breath. Finally, at a cross street of the park, he turned. Slowing, he found a space alongside the park and parked the car.

  Jackie turned to him. “What the hell was that? You are not the instructor. I am.”

  Her door flew open. Jackie whipped her head away from Jim. Ryan’s grinning face was inches from her. “What the—” He silenced her with a kiss. Pulling back, he looked to Jim.

  “Your mom is over there.” He pointed to a minivan a few cars up. “Thank you, son, and, good job.”

  Jackie burst out laughing.

  “What nonsense is this?”

  He pulled her from the car, shut the door behind her and caught the keys Jim tossed to him. It was dusk. The sun was setting, casting a glorious coral wash across the sky. Ryan held up one of his ties. “Close your eyes.” Jackie made a face and shook her head. “For once—don’t be stubborn. Close ’em.”

  She did as she was asked. Ryan stood behind her and gently used the tie as a blindfold. His hands fiddled behind her head. She reached up, but he pushed her arm down and kissed her collarbone. Taking one of her hands, he started them walking.

  “What are you doing? Is there a couch store near here?”

  “Shh. Just . . . trust me.”

  “I do,” she answered.

  Jackie counted one hundred steps before Ryan told her to stop. She could hear people in the park laughing, dogs barking and kids squealing. Ryan kissed her lips as he untied her blindfold. Face to face, she beamed at him. “Now, will you tell me what’s up?”

  He looked to her chest. An odd thing for him to do. Although he was a sucker for her boobs.

  “Jackie Bowen, it’s your thirtieth birthday today.” He took her face between his hands. “You and I have known each other for so long now, it seems silly I’m only doing this now.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I knew it from the first day I saw you. I knew it during the blizzard. I knew it all the years we didn’t speak. I’ve always known it and now it’s time to do something about it.” He released her face and dropped a hand between her breasts. “Look at my hand.” She did. “It rests on your heart. Where it will always rest, because I will always be with you. I love you so much, Jackie. Will you marry me?” He lifted his hand. On a chain between her breasts, a large diamond solitaire ring hung. Her hands flew to her mouth. Overwhelming didn’t cover how she felt. Jackie’s eyes welled up and tears spilled over.

  “Jesus! Answer the poor guy,” someone yelled. She knew that voice. She leaned to the side to see past Ryan. Mack Bowen stood with a hand on each hip and an ear to ear grin on his face. Lola and Rose, too. Ryan’s parents had Digby on a leash and Jenny held a bouquet of balloons. A sob ripped through her. She looked to Ryan. He cupped her chin. His gaze captivated her. “Don’t make me ask again.” She grinned, wiped at her eyes and yelled ‘Hell, yes.’ Rya
n scooped her into his arms and spun them around until she begged him to stop. Their families whooped and clapped. Digby even barked.

  As he set her feet back on solid ground, she asked, “So no couch?”

  Ryan kissed her.

  Jackie squeezed Lola to her followed by Rose and finally her dad. “I can’t believe he pulled this off. I can’t believe he flew you all out here.”

  “If you fuck this up, I will leave my hot doctor and marry Ryan myself,” Rose said. She elbowed Jackie playfully.

  “I like her,” Ryan’s mom said. Jackie was blown away at all Ryan had done to make his proposal memorable and special. Everyone had blankets and takeout from the new Thai restaurant. They were all going to stay for the movie in the park and eat picnic style together.

  Jackie fingered the engagement ring with her thumb. She wasn’t one for ostentatious jewelry, if any at all. A solitaire was perfect for her. In the dim park lights, the diamond sparkled brilliantly. Diane scooted closer to her.

  “That diamond was my grandmother’s. I refused it to the other boys because the ring needed to go to soul mates, two people who were meant to be. No offense to any of my glorious children, but I don’t see the same spark that you and Ryan have in spades. I knew you were meant to have it, Jackie. I’ve known a good long while now. I gave that diamond to Ryan when you visited. He didn’t ask. I just knew it was time.”

  “I . . . I’m so touched. I don’t,” Jackie’s nose tingled. A sure sign tears were near. “I don’t have a mom.” Diane required no more from her. An arm slung around her and Jackie was pulled into Diane’s chest. Ryan laughed nearby with her father and his own. As her tears soaked Diane’s cardigan, Lola’s giggles echoed. Digby was on top of her, licking her pimply pre-teen face. How on earth had she ended up this fortunate? When she regained her composure and sat upright, Jackie saw Rose wiping tears from her eyes. She smiled at her best friend and shook her head. Rose nodded back, just before Lola body slammed her- Digby hot on her heels—in a bear hug.