by Keyes, Janae
We spent the better part of the afternoon walking around the museum and taking in the modern art. Although most of it didn’t appeal to me as much as it did to Megan, seeing the joy on her face as we bounced around from exhibit to exhibit was enough to make me appreciate it. At times we found ourself sitting on a bench in front of an eclectic piece, just talking about it. With her hand in mine, a peace settled over me and cocooned my spirit. This was what life and dreams were truly made of. This is what people strived to achieve.
“Are you ready to head to dinner?” I asked her.
“Dinner sounds fantastic, but can we go back to the hotel so I can change my shoes?” She questioned.
After changing her shoes, Megan and I went to somewhere I had always wanted to try. A place called ‘The Grey’. I knew she would love it, and seeing her eyes light up as we walked in was nothing short of spectacular for me.
“Is this? Spencer is this what I think it is?”
“You bet your sweet ass it is, Peaches!”
“This is gorgeous,” she remarked as we walked in the front door of the remodeled Greyhound Station turned restaurant.
“Not as much as you.”
Unexpectedly, she turned in on the spot and flung herself at me, “You’re the absolute best husband in the entire world.
“I know,” I whispered.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Megan
I’d wondered how much trouble Spencer and I would be in for ditching our responsibilities in Atlanta and going to elope. Though every time I wondered, I honestly couldn’t give a single fuck. I didn’t care what the consequences were, I was a new woman. Hell, I was a wife now.
Leaving Spencer at home was hard, but I did have another obligation that was very important to me.
The fundraiser evening was getting near and I’d missed a couple dance practices while in Savannah. Plus, the first person that needed to know about my surprise nuptials was Joe.
Entering the community center, I was early, but that was good. I could hear hip-hop tunes coming from the room we used and knew Joe had already arrived. I slipped in to see her stretching in front of the large mirrors. She saw my reflection as I entered and stood up straight, hands on her hips as she glared at me.
“And where were you?” she asked, turning to me, but keeping her angry look. I knew the moment I told her the news, any anger would melt away.
“Sorry Joe, I was just.” I took a dramatic paused and shrugged as if I couldn’t come up with a reasonable excuse. “I was just getting married.”
Instantly, I shot out my left hand, displaying both my rings.
Joe gasped, her eyes going wide as she grabbed her hand. “What the actual fuck?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I expressed to my best friend. “It happened so fast. First, Spencer was proposing. The next minute, he was saying we were getting married right away, and he took me to Savannah.”
“No way! I knew he was going to ask you. Kyle told me about ring shopping with Spencer and how he was bored out of his mind, but you guys got married and everything. This ring is perfect, so you.” Joe’s eyes were glued to my rings before she looked up at me, a grin on her face. “Moe, I’m so happy for you!”
“Thanks, I’m still in shock, but so happy. Nothing has ever made me happier than Spencer and now I’m his wife,” I cheered, unable to control how happy I was.
“What did the wicked bitch say about it?” Joe asked, clearly referring to my mom.
“She doesn’t know yet. We’re telling Spencer’s parents tonight. We’re going over for dinner when I get home and I guess my parents’ tomorrow.” That was what I was really nervous about, telling my parents. Mom and dad were okay with our relationship, but I don’t think they considered the fact that we could get married.
I knew Heather and Steve would be most upset about not being there, but we made up for that and got them a beautiful photo album done with all the photos the photographer took during and after the ceremony. We’d also gotten my parents a book in hopes they wouldn’t want to murder us after receiving a gift.
“Did Spencer really kick his brother’s ass?” Joe asked as I sat my things down and began stretching. “Kyle told me that Spencer texted him about it because they weren’t letting Spencer around you and he was locked in an office. Some crazy shit.”
“Yeah, Chase is a fucking creep and I’m thinking of pressing those charges. I know it’s going to be hard to go through, but I need to, because there are apparently other girls. If not for me, I need to do it for them,” I explained, knowing I had until the end of the year before the statute of limitations was up.
Joe came to me and pulled me into a sisterly hug. She was the sister I never had and my best friend. There was so much I would have never survived without her by my side and I knew it was vice versa with her. I wouldn’t be who I was without her, and now Spencer.
“I bet you guys had some hot sex after,” Joe mentioned.
If she only knew how good it was. I only gave a sly shrug in response, which caused Joe to laugh.
Starting to stretch, I couldn’t help myself, I was filled with joy. It was an all-consuming joy that kept me aflame with the love Spencer and I shared. I’d known I loved him since I was a kid, but this was something so different than that. This love was so deep in my soul that it latched onto my very being.
“I don’t know,” I turned to Joe, who peered over at me as I was bent over, but slowly rose up. Seeing myself in the mirror as I rose my body, I understood the sexiness that Spencer saw and grinned to myself. “It’s like he sets my soul on fire.”
“Well, I don’t have much experience on that end, but I’m guessin’ that’s what a husband is supposed to do,” Joe joked with me as she turned the music down. “What happens when you go back to school?”
I sighed. Spencer and I had talked about it plenty of times. I had to head back to Boston in a month. I didn’t want to leave, I couldn’t leave now, he was my husband. Spencer insisted that I go back and finish. He said we’d figure things out.
“I’m going back for at least the next semester, but I don’t think I can survive it. I can’t just leave my husband.”
It still felt weird saying I had a husband, but it also felt so good. I could say it all day, at every chance I got. I had someone who loved me with no conditions. It was not something I was used to, I always felt like the love of my parents came with a cost and many times, I couldn’t afford that cost, no matter how hard I worked towards it.
* * *
My husband, Spencer, squeezed my hand as we stood at his parent’s front door. I held a gift bag in my other hand that would be the reveal to our news. I peered up at my man, who grinned down at me before he pecked my lips lightly enough to not get any lipstick on himself.
The door swung open to Heather, who always looked gorgeous. Her green, white, and black colorblocked sheath dress fit her like a glove. For a woman in her early 50s, she was a goddess.
“There’s my baby boy,” Heather cooed as she pulled Spencer into a hug.
“Mom, I’m not much of a baby anymore,” Spencer playfully chided. It was obvious that no matter how old Spencer got, he was going to be Heather’s baby and nobody was to challenge that and truthfully, I think Spencer revelled in it.
“And Megan, my favorite girl,” she gushed as she threw her arms around me in a hug before shuffling Spencer and I into the house.
While Heather ran off to grab us drinks, Steve joined Spencer and I in the plush living room. I loved Heather’s taste, she was able to mix modern with southern charm and make it work.
“So, the two of you have some unexcused absences at work,” Steve began and he eyes the two of us.
I peered down at the floor, ready to take whatever consequences we had to face.
“Steve, leave them alone. They needed the time off. After what happened, they needed out of the office,” Heather said as she brought Spencer and I each a glass of wine. “Plus, Megan is my employee, as
I’m over the interns. Honestly, she’s the hardest working one, besides that Jeannie Mae.”
“We got the two of you a gift,” I quickly spoke up, I wanted to change the subject and not think about what happened with Chase. Every time I thought of those moments in the mailroom, I wanted to hurl.
I handed Heather the gift bag and she quickly took a seat next to Steve for them to open it together. Spencer pulled me in close, his nose in my hair as we both awaited their reaction.
Each second that passed was agonizing. Heather pulled the gift box from the bag and sat the box on her lap before shimmying off the lid. She grinned at the cover of the velvet photo album.
“Megan & Spencer,” she cooed as she read the cover and pulled the album out. From the moment she opened the first page, a scream left her mouth and her blue eyes shot up at us. “Did you?”
“Yeah mom, we did,” Spencer said with a chuckle as Heather stood and rushed towards us.
The next thing I knew, Heather had pulled me into a bear hug as she screamed in pure excitement.
“My goodness, I’m so happy. You’re my daughter!” she cried, as tears fell from her eyes and the biggest smile I’d ever seen was on her face.
She took my hand to observe my rings. She Oooo’ed and Ahhh’ed at my diamond covered bands before she hugged me again and then hugged Spencer.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy with any decision you’ve ever made,” she confessed to her son.
“You don’t have to worry about me anymore, mom, I have a wife and the best wife,” Spencer proclaimed.
“Well son, I actually have the best wife, but yours is quite the amazing woman as well,” Steve challenged as Heather returned to him and sat on his lap, pulling the photo album onto her own lap.
I adored watching Heather look at each photo and gush with joy. With every page, she sniffed and wiped happy tears from her eyes. She landed on one photo that made her gasp and beam. A new onslaught of tears also arrived.
Peering at the photo, I knew exactly which one it was and it was one of my favorites. It was one after the ceremony. Spencer held me tight with one arm and his other hand stroked my cheek with his thumb. My hands were on his chest and we lovingly gazed into each other's eyes. It was a candid moment the photographer caught and it was perfection.
“I take it that Derek and Marian don’t know yet,” Steve mentioned.
“Tomorrow,” I said, as I felt my nerves fill me. I knew telling my parents wouldn’t be as jubilant as telling Spencer’s family. I only hoped my parents supported my decision as an adult, but something told me they wouldn’t and a pit sat in my stomach.
A buzzing rang from the kitchen and Heather jumped up.
“That’s the breadsticks, want to come with me, Megan?” she asked as she started towards the kitchen.
“Sure,” I answered, following my mother-in-law into their large kitchen.
Heather rushed to the stove with her oven mitts and got the delicious smelling breadsticks from the oven. I always loved Heather’s homemade breadsticks and would beg her for them as a kid.
“You have no idea how happy I am,” she mentioned to me. “Spencer has always been special to me. I know a mom is not supposed to pick favorites, but he and I were very close. I always wanted him to find someone who could give him the love he deserved. He went through the ringer in Europe and I’m glad he has someone like you. Hell, I’m so happy it’s you. I was in the room when you were born and watched you grow up. You’re a beautiful and intelligent young woman, exactly the type of woman my Spence needs.” Heather was teary again and I hugged her.
The Grants were always my second family, the family I could escape to when I needed it. Now, I had them permanently as mine.
“Now, to tell my parents,” I mentioned, feeling apprehensive.
“Derek won’t be a problem, he might be upset but will come around. Your mother, on the other hand. She is my best friend and all, but chick needs to take a chill pill.” I couldn’t help, but giggle at Heather. “I love her like a sister, but she’s been unfair to you and I never wanted to open my mouth and say the wrong thing. You turned out wonderful and you’re a grown woman, she can lighten up. I know we all want the best for our kids, we really do. I think she’s done a great job and can relax now. Spencer will be good to you, and for you.”
“Thanks,” I whispered kindly to the woman I’d known from the moment I was born, but was now my mother-in-law. I quickly hugged Heather again in gratitude.
“Mmm, mom’s breadsticks. I remember little Megan stuffing her face with them at every chance she got,” Spencer teased as he entered the kitchen and came behind me, his arms wrapping around my hips and pulling me as close as he could.
My eyes gently closed at the feeling of his arousal pressed to my back. I bit my lip to suppress the moan that wanted to escape. My breath hitched in my throat.
“Are you okay there, Mrs. Grant?” Spencer asked in my ear, clearly knowing the way he affected me.
I nodded.
“Mmmhmm, I’m good,” I breathed.
“You sure.” He pressed into me just a bit more, teasing me. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that sweet pussy of yours wants some love from your husband.” I bit down hard on my lip. He knew just how to get me, but in the middle of his parent’s kitchen was not the place.
“Hey you two, you can be adorable at home, come eat!” Heather called from the table.
I giggled and slipped away from Spencer’s grasp before joining Heather and Steve at the table. Nights like that is wanted I wanted for the rest of my life, a real family. One day, we’d have our own children to join us for dinner with grandma and grandpa. I peered over at Spencer who joined us at the table, he took my hand into his and stroked the back with his thumb. Perfection.
* * *
The morning came too fast for me. Spencer and I would have to face my parents and I didn’t know how to do it. I was my own woman and I’d let my heart guide me, yet still, their thoughts mattered to me.
In the elevator, Spencer’s hands rested on my hips as I straightened out my powder blue top and smoothed my black pencil skirt, gift bag in tow.
As it always did, the elevator opened on our floor. We stepped out together, hand in hand. The receptionist greeted us as Spencer held the door open for me and I slipped into the main hall and started towards Spencer’s office.
Leaving our things in Spencer’s office, we started towards my mom’s office. I knew she would be there, as she could be the first person in the building some mornings. Spencer squeezed my hand as we approached the door and could hear the voices of both my parents.
I knocked.
“Come in!” my mom’s voice called from inside.
Spencer and I entered to a scowl on my mom’s face. She wasn’t happy and I knew it was because I’d missed days of work without a call or explanation to my absence, Spencer as well.
“Good morning!” I tried to sound chipper. “Spencer and I brought a little something for the two of you.” I handed the gift bag to my mother.
Dad stood behind mom’s chair as she took out the box and opened the lid. She seemed confused at the cover, but removed the book and opened it. Her eyes shot up at me and glared, searing right through me before she allowed dad to see.
“I don’t know how to respond to this, Megan.” Mom knew exactly how to say my name, where it felt as if someone was stabbing me through the heart. I swallowed.
“Megan Reese, explain this,” Dad growled.
“Megan Grant, actually,” I whispered as I looked down at my feet, already cowering to my parents. Spencer held onto me tight, giving me a small bit of confidence.
“Yep, Megan Grant. We got married two days ago in Savannah,” Spencer said as he spoke up for me.
I knew my parent’s reaction would be the opposite of Heather and Steve, but I never expected it to be so cold.
Spencer pulled me close and kissed my temple to show some affection. I held onto him tight
as I saw the rage building in my mother’s eyes, she just hadn’t released her words yet. I knew they were coming and they would be flying fast.
“Megan Nicole REESE, how could you be so irresponsible?” she questioned as she stood from her chair. “Marrying and doing it without a thought to your future. You have school to return to and marriage isn’t the right path.”
“It was the path you thought was okay with Hampton,” I countered.
“That was different,” my father joined.
“How?” I asked the two of them tearfully.
“Hampton is settled and has experience. He’s someone who could care for you without a thought,” my mom tried to explain.
“And I can’t?” Spencer questioned. “I can’t care for Megan?”
“You stay out of this,” mom shot at Spencer.
“There is nothing to stay out of. Megan is my wife, end of story,” Spencer clearly indicated, tensing. I knew Spencer wouldn’t explode on them, but he might get fairly close.
“We won’t stand by this,” Dad said, a blow to my heart. “Did you even think before you jumped into marriage? We didn’t raise you to not think about your decisions.”
“She didn’t think. She never does,” Mom spat, and that alone snapped the thread holding me together. I’d seen the disappointment in their eyes and now they were expressing it to my face.
“That’s all I’ve ever been, a disappointment,” I cried, my tears flowing down my eyes.
“Peaches, don’t say that,” Spencer insisted.
“It’s true, I’ve always disappointed them. What can I do to not be a disappointment? That’s all I want to know.” I couldn’t help but plead with them. Inside, somewhere deep in there, I wanted to be that perfect daughter they tried to raise. I wanted to have little flaws in their eyes and show them that their hard work was not in vain.
“You want to not make us disappointed in you?” mom questioned.
“Yes.”
“Stop making stupid decisions, walk in the path we’ve set forward, and be responsible. Getting married was not responsible,” she explained to me. “I thought better of you, Megan, I really did.”
