“Did he say why it had to be today?” AnnieMarie asked as Cainan held the car door open for her.
“No babe, he did not say.” He took her hand into his. “Whatever the reason, Myles will explain when we go inside.” He kissed her on the lips. “The sooner we do,” he kissed her neck, “the sooner we can go to my place, pack my things and go back to your house.”
“Our house,” AnnieMarie moaned from his touch. She grabbed his hand then rushed inside.
“Oh man, it smells good in here.”
“It sure does,” AnnieMarie smiled as she walked into the kitchen. “Daisy?”
“Hey, you are right on time,” Daisy said as she walked from the direction of the family room. “Myles is in the family room waiting for you two. Hurry up, now.” She scooted them out of the kitchen.
“Well look who came up for air,” Grace stood.
“Hi,” AnnieMarie glanced back at Cainan. “Look honey, the whole family is here. Kind of makes you wonder who is running the office.”
“Warren,” Grace replied.
“Sydney has my office,” Jonathan replied.
“Annatasha is holding down the executive offices and I am certain Phillip is handling public relations just fine,” Myles added.
“And this is a friend of Grace’s,” Chrystina pointed to the one person in the room they did not know. “Her name is Sue Evans and she is the City Clerk for the city of Richmond. We need you to sign these documents.”
“What documents?” Cainan asked as they walked over.
AnnieMarie gasped. “A marriage license?” She frowned.
“Yes, we figured you two didn’t want to wait, so Chrystina filled out the application and I asked my friend to come over in her official capacity as City Clerk, witness your signatures and give you the oath.”
“All you have to do is sign the document, take the oath and you are on your way down the aisle.” Gary said from the doorway.
“You’re late.” Myles frowned.
“True, but I am here now,” he said as he walked into the room. “What are you two waiting for? Sign the document.”
“Cainan?” AnnieMarie looked up into his eyes. “I have no idea what they are up to.”
“You will not know what comes next until you sign the document,” Chrystina smiled.
Cainan stepped forward pulling his hand from AnnieMarie’s. “We were planning on getting married so we might as well get the license out of the way.”
The Clerk asked each of them for identification. She verified their identities then asked each to hold up their right hand. She read the oath then held out a pen. Cainan signed the document then gave the pen to AnnieMarie.
Mike immediately grabbed Cainan by the neck. “Come with me.”
Grace took AnnieMarie’s arm. “You are going this way.”
“What is going on Grace,” AnnieMarie hissed. “Where is Mike taking Cainan. And where in the hell are you taking me?”
“To your mother.” Grace replied as she stomped up the back staircase pulling AnnieMarie behind her. “I bet you’ve been in that house of yours fornicating all night long.” She stopped suddenly when they reached the top of the staircase. AnnieMarie bumped into Grace as she turned to face her. “Suppose you got pregnant? Did you stop to even think of protection?”
AnnieMarie was a bit flabbergasted as her sister started pulling her towards her mother’s bedroom. “I knew we should have whipped your ass more when you were little.”
“Wait a damn minute,” AnnieMarie jerked away from her sister. “Have you lost your mind, Grace?”
“No,” she pushed open the double doors to her mother’s room. “We are finally helping you to find your peace of mind.”
In the center of the room, Winnie was standing next to a wedding dress on a mannequin. Monica was on the other side with a needle and thread.
“This is the dress I wore on the day I married your father,” Winnie said. “Monica has touched it up a bit to fit your taste. I hope you like it.”
Tears came to AnnieMarie’s eyes just looking at the dress. She stepped into the room forgetting all about the argument with her sister. “Oh my god Mother, it’s beautiful. Now I know where I get my taste in these vintage dresses.” She wiped a tear from her eye, then looked around. “But where am I wearing it to?”
“Funny you should ask.” Winnie smiled.
“Surprise!”
AnnieMarie turned to see Chrystina, Grace, Kennedy, Kandace and Mrs. Wagner standing in the doorway. “Hey,” she beamed as she walked over and hugged each. “What are you all doing here?”
“This is called a surprise wedding.” Kaitlyn smiled.
“For who?”
“You,” Chrystina laughed. “Come on. Start getting out of those clothes. Cainan has waited long enough.”
“Wait….wait…wait.” AnnieMarie shouted. “What?”
“You’re getting married,” Kennedy exclaimed.
“Today, preferably soon,” Kandace said as she rubbed her stomach. “This baby isn’t going to wait much longer.”
“Oh no,” AnnieMarie gasped. “Are you in labor?”
All eyes turned to Kandace. “No. I am just anxious to see Cainan get married.”
AnnieMarie looked around at everyone in the room. Then she looked into her mother’s eyes. “Are you serious?”
“Yes darling, we are.” Winnie took her hand. “You and Cainan have wasted enough time.” She started walking toward her dressing room. “Knowing you, that poor boy would have to wait until after Myles and Christina’s wedding.”
When they walked into the dressing room a hairstylist and a makeup artist were already there. “Go on, take a shower. You’re getting married…today.”
AnnieMarie’s hands cupped her mouth. “Really?” The excitement was beginning to build up inside. “I’m getting married?”
“Yes, darling you are.”
$ $ $
Cainan stood in the gardens of the Dunning’s home. Nervously waiting. The Mayor was on his right while his father stood on his left chuckling in his ear. “This is not funny.”
“It is to me, son,” Scott laughed. “A year ago I would not have thought this day was possible. Now I’m standing next to my son, who I consider a hero, as his best man as he is about to marry the woman of his dreams.” He nodded. “Yes, I not only find this funny, I’m proud as hell to be standing here with you.”
Cainan turned to look at his father who always seemed to know exactly what to say at any given time. He smiled then turned back to watch his mother who was walking down the walkway that ran through the rose garden. She sat down next to Kennedy, Kandace and Wayne. “You married the woman of your dreams, setting an example of heroism.”
Scott laughed out loud just as the music began playing.
It was the traditional wedding march, Cainan acknowledged as he watched Winnie walk into the garden then sit on the opposite side of his mother. Chrystina hurried out to sit next to Winnie followed by Daisy and Jonathan. Then Grace appeared dressed in an off-the shoulder, A-line, tea-length, satin dress, with a single strand of pearls round her neck and pearl-drops in her ears. She was beautiful, Cainan thought as she marched up the walkway. He glanced over her shoulder and had to do a double take at the vision that stood in the open French doors. A breathless whisper escaped his lips. “My AnnieMarie.”
He was there, dressed in a dark suit, with that deer in the headlights look. AnnieMarie smiled at him and just like that he smiled back. She had on a tea-length, lace dress, with a fitted bodice, and a flared skirt. Matching open finger lace gloves covered her hands that held a single red rose. She wore her hair up in a French roll and had on a chic, vintage hat with a birdcage veil. Her only jewelry was a pair of linear teardrop earrings dangling along the side of her neck. As she walked with Myles at her side, Gary and Mike behind them, her mind drifted to her father. Myles must have felt her tense. He placed his hand over hers.
“He is here.”
AnnieMarie looked up at her brother and smiled. “I know. He’s in you.”
They stopped in front of the Mayor.
“Which of you are giving the bride away?”
“All of us.” Mike, Gary and Myles replied.
The family in the garden laughed. Myles kissed AnnieMarie on her cheek.
Cainan stepped forward, clasping her hands in his.
The Mayor greeted and congratulated them, then proceeded to unite Cainan Scott Wagner and AnnieMarie Dunning as man and wife. Before he completed the statement, Cainan pulled AnnieMarie into his arms, kissing her with every ounce of love he had for her.