Stay(38)

“Just a minor formality.” His tone is all business, and I snap out of my little girl romantic notions.

“Right.”

We’re led into a small courtroom, where the two of us stand before an older man in a long, black judge’s robe. Lulabell and Eli are right behind us.

“Join hands.” He seems bored.

I shift my bouquet and put my hand in Stephen’s again. This is nothing like my first wedding. Dad was still alive when I married Burt. He wasn’t happy, but still, we went all out. Every aunt, uncle, cousin, all the Bartons from up and down the Eastern Seaboard came to see me make that massive mistake. Five years later, it was over.

Today’s little bit of history repeating itself is far more subdued.

“Repeat after me, I, state your name…” Stephen does as instructed. “Take you, state her name, as my lawfully wedded wife. From this day to all the years to come, for good, for bad, in sickness and health, for richer, for poorer, until death do us part.”

He says it so fast, Stephen hesitates then repeats it all perfectly. Cocking an eyebrow, I see this is a challenge. It almost makes me laugh. I’m a little grateful to him for easing the tension of this strange day.

“Repeat after me…” The magistrate leads me through the whole thing, and I only stumble once around the til death do us part line. I’m not sure if it’s subconscious.

“I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride.”

My breath catches. I forgot about this part.

Lulabell makes a little noise of excitement, and I hear a groan from Eli. My eyes meet Stephen’s and his expression is as serious as always.

I’m nervous. The only way he’s ever kissed me is ravenous, devouring, right before we have wild sex. Obviously, we can’t kiss that way here.

Swallowing the knot in my throat, I lift my chin. He reaches up and slides his thumb along my cheek, holding my eyes with his just before he leans down and captures my lips. My eyes flutter closed. It’s a gentle, but firm kiss. He pushes my lips apart, but only briefly swipes his tongue to mine before pulling back.

Heat floods my panties, my breath disappears, and he finishes with one last, quick capture, his lips tugging mine, leaving my insides humming. My eyes open and he gives me that trademark, cocky grin.

Damn him.

I want to hit him for being such a stupidly good kisser. I want to hit myself on the head with my bouquet for being so weak when it comes to his bossy butt. I’m sure it’s clear on my face how much I enjoyed that kiss, and I hate it.

“I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hastings.” The old man holds up his arms, and Lulabell bursts into cheering applause.

I look down, embarrassed, and she rushes forward to hug me, wiping tears from her eyes. “It was just perfectly sweet and beautiful!”

Eli shoves his hands in his pockets, and Stephen passes some money to the magistrate before we file out, back into the bustling foyer of City Hall. Strange how that little room managed to create a sacred space only steps from all this chaos.

Miss Con-Cleaneality is closed for the occasion. Stephen takes us to lunch at Tavern on the Green, and Lulabell is in heaven. She claims she’s never been to the centuries-old establishment. We have a fairly adequate lunch in a beautiful setting in the southwest corner of Central Park.

I have chicken salad with sweet potato fries. Eli orders a fancy pizza. Stephen has steak, and Lou orders roasted lemon chicken under a brick. We finish it off with New York cheesecake topped with blackberries and lemon curd. It’s very elegant, if not the fanciest cuisine in the world.

When we leave, Lou takes my son’s hand and shoos Stephen and I away.

“I’ve got him, I’ve got Kona, I have his medicine, and the number for his doctor—not that we’re going to need it. Now go. Enjoy your honeymoon weekend.”

Eli groans at her words. He hates being treated like a baby, but he hates being treated like an invalid even more. I squat down and pull my little man into my arms. My eyes heat when I think of all the things I would do to give him a perfect life, free of this illness.

“Take care of Aunt Lou for me, okay? Show her a good time.” I kiss his cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you, Mom.” He squints up at Stephen then holds out his hand for a high five.

“See you Monday, bud.” Stephen slaps his palm, and they exchange grins.

I kind of like their special relationship. I like my son having a positive-ish male influence in his life. I wish Ethan were closer. I can’t even think about what my older brother would say about all of this if he knew.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Lulabell calls, dragging Eli in the opposite direction.

“I don’t think there’s anything she wouldn’t do.” I muse, looking up at my new husband.

The wind ruffles his wavy brown hair. His pretty blue eyes crinkle with his smile, and every time I look at him, he’s studying me like I’m a mystery he wants to solve.

“What?” I finally ask.

He takes my hand and pulls it into the crook of his arm. Looking down, he gives me a wink. “What what?”

“Why do you keep looking at me that way? Like it’s the first time you’ve ever seen me.”

We’re walking with my hand in his arm, dressed to the nines. It’s a gorgeous Friday afternoon. The park is full of people jogging, riding bikes, throwing Frisbees, walking their dogs. You’d never know there was so much hustle and bustle steps away from us.