Suddenly a Bride

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “Yes, but then I didn’t think about it anymore. I had no idea that trunk bothered you. Is that why you thought I was still mourning his death?”

  “Yes.”

  “And that’s why you were trying to look like him?” she asked with a smile.

  “I knew you loved him and thought if I looked like him, you’d love me too.”

  “No, I wouldn’t love you if you looked like him because I adore the Chris who looks like Chris.” She caught the pleased look on his face and decided to whisper, “I especially enjoy the way you make me feel as if I’m the most important person in the world. You’re perfect the way you are.”

  “You are too.”

  She giggled and kissed him. As his tongue traced her lower lip, she felt his hand cup her breast so she pulled away from him. “Chris, you can’t do that here!”

  He chuckled. “Why not?”

  “Because we’re in a hospital.”

  “There’s no one in the room but us.”

  His fingers brushed her nipple, making her skin tingle with delight.

  She groaned and put his hand down. “It’s nice to know you’re not sick.”

  The door opened and a nurse walked in. Caitlyn gave Chris a pointed look, secretly hoping he understood why he couldn’t grope her in a hospital. His response was to pat her butt. Granted, the nurse couldn’t see it from the angle Caitlyn stood, but she still felt an exasperated sigh escape her lips. She took Chris’ hand and held it.

  “So Chris is going to be okay?” Caitlyn asked, needing to hear it again.

  The nurse smiled and went over to his IV. “Everything looks good, but we’ll need to monitor him overnight. I’ll get this IV out and then we’ll move you upstairs.”

  Relieved, Caitlyn squeezed Chris’ hand, thankful things turned out okay this time.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  On Monday, Caitlyn waited at the photography studio for Chris to arrive. As she browsed through the different backgrounds she and Chris could use for their picture, her cell phone rang. She sighed. She’d been delaying the inevitable talk with her mother but decided she better get it over with. Taking her phone out of her purse, she headed outside so no one else would have to hear how annoyed her mother made her.

  “What is it, Mom?” she asked, not hiding her irritation.

  “You’re not still mad at me, are you?” her mother sweetly replied.

  “No, I’m not having my wedding at the fancy hotel you picked out.”

  “I never mentioned a wedding.”

  “You were thinking it.”

  Her mom sighed. “I spent a lot of time and money arranging that wedding for you. If you don’t want me there, fine. I’ll graciously back out, but you should at least go there.”

  Caitlyn saw Chris pull into a parking space and stop his car. With a groan, she said, “No. I don’t want the wedding you planned for me.” She watched as Chris got out of the car and headed in her direction with an excited smile on his face. She waved to him. “Mom, I want the wedding I planned for myself, and just so you know, Chris and I are already married so there’s not even a need for a wedding.”

  “Every woman needs a wedding, Caitlyn. It’s a romantic memory,” her mother said.

  “No. What every woman needs is for her mother to let her live her own life as she sees fit.”

  Chris mouthed the question, Your mother?

  Nodding, she rolled her eyes.

  To her surprise, he took the phone from her. “This is Chris, Mrs. Rogers.” After a moment, he said, “No. We’re doing what Caitlyn wants, and right now, we’re getting our picture taken. Have a nice evening.” He hung up and handed her the phone back. “I’m learning it’s best to keep things short and to the point instead of dragging a subject out when it comes to dealing with women on topics you can’t win.”

  Caitlyn laughed and hugged him. “Oh Chris, thank you.”

  Chuckling, he hugged her back. “It’s nothing.”

  “Are you kidding? It was everything.” She kissed his cheek. “You look especially handsome today in that dark blue suit. I feel underdressed.”

  “Don’t. I love that white sundress you have on. It reminds me of the first day we went shopping at the mall. That was a good day.”

  “It was. And this one is too. In fact,” she continued as she slipped her arm around his and led him to the door, “we’ll have many good days together.”

  “I look forward to each one.”

  “Me too.”

  After they got their pictures done, they went to her uncle’s jewelry shop to return the rings.

  “I didn’t think this was your style,” her uncle said as he took them back.

  “Well, she’s not going to be dictating my life anymore,” Caitlyn replied.

  “Yes, I heard about the small wedding you and Chris will be having at the beach.”

  “She told you all about it, huh?” That didn’t come as a surprise. “We didn’t tell her she couldn’t come. We just told her she had to keep quiet.”

  “You’re asking an impossible thing.”

  “Then she doesn’t have to come. She wasn’t there the first time we got married. She doesn’t have to be there the second. It’s not my fault she won’t recognize our marriage until there’s a formal ceremony.”

  He smiled. “I agree with you, Caitlyn.” Motioning to the counter, he asked, “What ring do you want?”

  “We’ll get a ring for Chris too.” She glanced at Chris and added, “Randy didn’t have one.” As she suspected, his grin widened so she took his hand and squeezed it. “Do you see a ring that you like?”

  “I have sets that match,” her uncle said.

  “That’s a good idea,” Chris replied. “Why don’t you pick out the rings you like, and I’ll pick the one I like from among the ones you choose.”

  After some consideration, Caitlyn chose the wedding rings she would like to wear. “To be honest, I like this one best,” she began, pointing to a gold band with a small diamond embedded into it, “and it’s got a nice heart-shaped necklace with it. It’s a locket, isn’t it, Uncle Gerald?” When her uncle nodded, she told Chris, “I could put our picture in here. I’ve always wanted a locket so I could do that.”

  Chris chuckled. “That’s the set I wanted to get you. To be fair, your uncle pointed it out, but I thought it might suit you.”

  “Well, you were right. See, I told you my mother doesn’t know what I like and don’t like. What do you think of the husband’s band? It’s a simple gold one. Not flashy but it matches.”

  “I like it,” Chris said.

  “Can we get them engraved?” she asked her uncle.

  “Sure,” Gerald replied.

  With a grin, she looked at Chris. “What do you think of putting Caitlyn’s Forever on the inside of your ring and Chris’ Forever on the inside of mine?”

  Chris nodded. “I like that a lot.”

  “Can you have them engraved by Saturday morning?” she asked her uncle.

  “I can do that.” Gerald took the rings and necklace out from under the glass counter and put them on top. “For what it’s worth, I think you both made a good choice.”

  Caitlyn winked at Chris. “We make a pretty good couple.”

  “Mind if I ask when you’re due?” Gerald asked, glancing at the slight mound at her abdomen.

  She rubbed her stomach. “Maybe late November. The doctor’s not exactly sure about the due date.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. On Wednesday we go in for the ultrasound. The doctor thinks that will give us a better idea of when the baby is due.”

  After they made their purchase, her uncle told them their rings would be ready on Friday.

  On their way out of the store, Chris walked her to the minivan and cupped her face in his hands before he gave her a soft kiss. “Thanks for getting me a ring, especially with that engraving on it.”

  Smiling, she kissed him back. When she felt a distinct flutter in her abdomen, she b
rought his hands to her belly. “I felt the baby move.” She didn’t know if the baby would cooperate and move again, but the baby did and she noticed the surprised look on his face. “That’s the baby, Chris. Our baby.”

  “That’s amazing.”

  “It is. I’m glad you finally felt him or her.”

  “Me too. I can’t wait for the ultrasound.”

  She kissed him again and opened the car door. “Me neither. I hope you don’t mind if we get something to eat. I’m in the mood for chocolate and pizza.” With a shrug, she added, “And when I say that, I mean chocolate is the topping.”

  He laughed and squeezed her butt.

  “Chris!” She glanced around to make sure no one had seen him.

  “What?”

  She groaned. “You can’t do that in public, not in a parking lot.”

  “Why not?” With a wicked grin on his face, he stepped closer to her and set his hands on her hips. Leaning forward, he kissed her neck before he whispered, “You feel good.”

  Her body shivered with delight, and she became aware of his arousal. “Oh for real, Chris. You know how horny I am these days.”

  “I can help you with that,” he murmured as he kissed her neck again.

  “Not here, you can’t! And not in front of my uncle’s store. Seriously, this isn’t good. I don’t like choosing between food and sex, especially when we’re talking about chocolate.”

  His lips left her neck and went up to her forehead where he gave her a brotherly kiss. “Food first. Then we can spend the rest of night in bed…or out of it, depending on how creative you want to get.”

  With a heavy sigh, she got into the minivan and gave him a pointed look. “I hope you’re happy. I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off you at the pizza place.”

  “Oh, that won’t be a problem. As soon as you smell the food, you’ll forget all about me.”

  At that, she laughed. “Yeah. You have no idea what I was thinking that day you wanted to go to the mall to buy jeans and t-shirts. Believe me, I’ll still be thinking of sex.” Though he didn’t look convinced, she started the car and blew him a kiss. “I’ll follow you to the pizza place, hottie.”

  Grinning, he winked at her and headed for his car.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  That Saturday, Chris stood by the minister in the gazebo next to Mark as they waited for Caitlyn to be ready. Among those who attended the wedding was a small group of Caitlyn’s closest friends and family. Her mother sat quietly for a change but had a frown on her face. Chris knew she was disappointed by the simple affair but didn’t care. This was what Caitlyn wanted: to be married at the gazebo on her favorite beach with a restaurant close by to have their reception.

  Chris turned to Mark and said, “I forgot to tell you. When I went to the ultrasound with Caitlyn, we found out we’re having a girl.”

  Mark patted him on the back. “That’s great, Chris!”

  “It is, isn’t it? Can you imagine that after what we left on…” He glanced at the minister who glanced in their direction. Clearing his throat, he turned to Mark. “After where we came from, it’s amazing I’d even say that,” he whispered.

  “I hope I have one when I get married. It’s important more girls are born.”

  Lexie ran up to the gazebo with an excited smile on her face. “Caitlyn’s ready. Chris, thanks for letting her do the wedding her way. I can’t remember when I’ve seen her this happy.”

  That made Chris feel good. He liked knowing he made her happier than she’d ever been, and Randy’s memory no longer bothered him. He and Caitlyn were making their own lives together and creating memories that didn’t have anything to do with Randy.

  After Lexie went to her seat, Caitlyn’s brother walked up to the gazebo and began playing music on his violin. Chris turned his attention to the boardwalk where Sandy walked between the rows of chairs, smiling and holding a bouquet of yellow roses. Right behind her, Caitlyn strolled with her father toward him, and Chris couldn’t help but smile. She looked absolutely radiant, her skin glowing and a big grin on her face.

  “Your bride is excited to be marrying you,” Mark whispered.

  Chris thought to answer, but he was too busy watching Caitlyn. His eyes drifted for a moment to her mother since he wondered if the woman would protest, but her mother simply took a look at the slight mound that was Caitlyn’s belly and rubbed her forehead. Lexie patted her mom on the arm but smiled in Caitlyn’s direction.

  Chris sighed but refused to let her mother’s displeasure that her daughter was before family and friends in her white sundress while visibly pregnant deter him from enjoying the moment. They could deal with her mother some other time.

  Sandy stepped onto the gazebo and Caitlyn and her father followed. After her father kissed her on the cheek and handed her over to him, Chris took her hands in his, unable to hide how excited he was to be taking part in the Earthly custom of getting married.

  The minister began to speak and Chris listened to the vows, wondering why so many people on Earth opted to get divorced when the vows made it clear that the intention was for people to stay married for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as they both lived. It didn’t seem any different from the life-mate bond on his home world, except maybe there was no way physically out of the bond unless one of them died.

  He repeated the vows, and she did the same. Before they slipped the rings on each other’s fingers, he took a moment to look, once again, at the engravings, liking how the symbol for unending love was sealed with the promise that they would be each other’s forever. He was hers and she was his, and together, they were one.

  “You may now kiss the bride,” the minister said.

  Squeezing her hands, he leaned forward and kissed her. Caitlyn’s brother picked up the violin and ran the bow over the strings in a sweet melody while Caitlyn and Chris stepped down from the gazebo to greet the guests.

  “That was a beautiful wedding,” Sandy said as she hugged Caitlyn.

  “Thank you, Sandy. I’m glad you could be here,” Caitlyn replied.

  “Yeah, I just love how you threatened to eat all the chocolate in the diner if Jack didn’t let me off for a few hours today.”

  “I could eat all the chocolate he has, Sandy.” Patting her stomach, she added, “This little girl is a child after my own heart. She knows that few things are better than chocolate.”

  “Chocolate is good for energy,” Chris said. “It helps the baby develop.”

  Sandy laughed. “As long as the mother doesn’t gain weight, but I admit, Caitlyn, you are keeping the weight off remarkably well for all you eat.”

  “Speaking of which, I’m hungry.” Caitlyn looked at Chris. “Are you ready for the reception?”

  He nodded so they joined everyone and went to the restaurant further down the boardwalk where they had reserved a room for their party.

  During the meal, Caitlyn dug her spoon into another portion of her sundae. “I can’t believe how good this stuff tastes. I should try chocolate syrup on hot dogs. I bet that would taste good.”

  She stood up to go to the all-you-can-eat buffet to get a hot dog while Chris glanced around the room and thought everyone looked happy, which meant the wedding had turned out well.

  Caitlyn returned to him with a hot dog and bun and glanced around the room to make sure no one was looking before she put syrup on it. He hid his smile. If she knew how normal it was to eat everything with chocolate for women on his world when they were pregnant, she wouldn’t feel so self-conscious about it. She took a bite of her hot dog and sighed with pleasure. Slipping his hand under the table, he rubbed her thigh.

  She groaned. “Chris, I’m trying to eat.”

  He laughed. Now that he knew how horny she was while pregnant, he couldn’t resist messing with her. “What?” He raised his eyebrows, hoping to look innocent while his fingers brushed the inside of her thigh.

  She gave him a pointed look and shook h
er head. “You don’t play fair.”

  Pulling up her dress until he felt her bare skin, he said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  She took his hand and placed it on top of the table. “Be good, Chris, or I won’t give you the wedding present I picked out for you.”

  Intrigued, he turned toward her. “You got me something?”

  “Kind of.”

  “Really? What is it?”

  “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  Slipping his hand back under the table, he caressed her knee. “Not even a hint.”

  She took another bite of her hot dog before she put his hand back on the table. “No. It won’t be fun if I spoil it.” She stood up. “I’m going to get relish to put on this hot dog.”

  He didn’t usually cringe when she blended foods, but thinking of a hot dog with chocolate and relish made him shudder. And not only did she come back with relish, but she had two more hot dogs, cottage cheese and a slice of pizza. She added chocolate a little at a time, always checking the other people before she did.

  When she was done eating, she whispered, “I’ve had enough of everyone. Let’s slip out of here.”

  Since the only person he was comfortable talking to was Mark, who happened to be busy talking to others in the group, he figured there was no need to stick around anymore, so when Caitlyn took his hand to sneak out of the room, he didn’t protest. Once they were out of the restaurant, he said, “Your mom did a good job of staying away from us. Maybe she won’t try to bother you about doing things you don’t want.”

  “One can only hope,” she replied as she unlocked the doors with the remote on her keychain.

  He opened his door and slipped into the passenger seat. After she got behind the wheel, he said, “I think it’ll be fine. Your mom got the message.”

  “Like I said, ‘One can only hope’,” she mused. “I don’t think she’s done intervening into people’s lives.”

  “She did well today.”

  “Yeah, but we’re dealing with a lifetime of behavior for her.” She started the car and smiled. “But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re on my side.” She took his hand and squeezed it. “As long as it’s you and me, we can handle anything she throws at us.”