I look at him in confusion, my eyes wide with shock, because I’m not understanding how we’re going to pull this off. Brick just laughs and runs to the door.
“We’re ready!” he yells back to the kitchen. “Come on, everyone. Follow me.”
We all follow him out into the main room of the restaurant. There, the entire staff has assembled, and they’re now clapping and cheering in celebration.
I look around, my bewilderment slowly melting away. Not only am I with the people I love most in the world, but Brick invited some of my friends from home and a few of my new acquaintances I’ve met since we’ve started our lives in New York. I almost burst into tears once I notice his father in the room too. Then suddenly, I feel a sense of calm come over me.
Brick steps to my side and grabs my hand, squeezing it tight. “Surprise.”
“This was always your plan?” I ask.
“Absolutely not, but you know how I can think on my feet.”
“This was an amazing plan.”
He kisses me chastely on my cheek.
“Tonight we’re going to make this official so you can stop all of this Kaya Hudson stuff,” he chuckles. “It’s irritating the hell out of me.”
“I never said I’d take your last name, cave dweller. That’s very baby boomer of you.”
“Kaya Jennings is already pre-written on the marriage license. Are you going to back out now?”
“This feels like a sinister plot.”
“For us to dominate and rule the world as one, beautiful.”
I nod and let out a contented sigh.
“Let’s rule it then,” I agree.
The staff quickly arranges the chairs and decorations, and an officiant appears from the back with a Bible in hand. Brick thought of everything. I smile to myself.
We sign the marriage license and say very basic vows to each other, since we’re not prepared with ones in our own words. It’s simple but sweet and gets the job done.
Once the officiant pronounces us husband and wife, everyone in the room cheers and claps for us as we seal the deal with a long romantic kiss.
“I love you, Brandon,” I tell him.
“And I adore you, beautiful. Until death us do part.”
I’m euphoric as each guest approaches us with their well wishes and words of wisdom. One by one, I hug each person and thank them for being a part of our impromptu wedding day.
“I’m so glad you could be here,” I say to Brick’s father when he approaches to offer me a hug.
“And I’m just grateful that you allowed me to be a part of your celebration. I wish you both years of happiness,” he offers.
“Thanks, dad,” Brick responds as he shakes his father’s hand. “That means a lot.”
While Brick’s father still has a lot to do to gain Brick’s complete trust, the fact that he just called him dad instead of Dennis is a huge start and makes my heart swell.
Brick clinks his glass with a fork to get everyone’s attention.
“Excuse me, family, but since I surprised Kaya with this wedding tonight, we didn’t have a chance to write any personal vows, but I did want to say something tonight. A promise I want to make to her in front of all of you.”
“We’re waiting.” John shouts.
“Make it good,” Uncle Zee adds.
