Ben and Edna shuffled to the window, and Skye and Ash trailed behind them, supportive of their newly-to-be-wed-again friends.
“May I help you?” The woman with flame-red streaks between her ebony hair barely glanced at Ben. She looked down at the paperwork on her desk, filing the requests of the previous couple. Afaded smiley face decorated her name tag that proclaimed her as Marge.
Edna’s voice warbled as she explained what they wanted, “We’re here for a marriage certificate. Ben and I want to renew our vows.” She cupped Ben’s cheek, the light of her love shining in her glistening eyes.
Marge took in Ben and Edna and then blinked when she saw Ash. “Hey, you look familiar.”
Ash rocked back on his heels and answered, “I have a familiar face.”
“Well,” Marge said with a sniff, “I need identification from the bride and groom for the marriage certificate.”
Ben fumbled, pulling his wallet out of his pants pocket, while Edna had her massive purse open, digging through its contents.
Ben clasped Edna’s hand and brought her knuckles to his lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Edna said with a tear forming in the corner of her eye.
Marge jabbed the eraser of her pencil against the glass. “Are you the witnesses?”
Marge looked to Skye and Ash. The clerk’s tone turned irritated as she rolled her eyes and held out her hand. “I need IDs.”
“Ours?” A confused expression crossed Ash’s face.
The woman nodded with a look of incredulity. “If you’re going to be a part of the ceremony, I need ID.”
Marge pulled out two sets of paperwork and marked them with her pencil. Meanwhile, Skye and Ash fished out their identifications, and along with Ben and Edna, they slid their passports through the window to a grumbly Marge.
Skye whispered to Ash, “What’s her problem?”
“Shh,” Ash said, “be nice.” He beamed a rock-star smile at Marge, who flipped through the stack of identification.
Her eyes widened when she looked at Ash’s ID.
“Oh, shit,” he said.
“What?”
“Didn’t think this through.” He discreetly nodded toward Marge and the shocked expression on her face.
“At leastsherecognized you,” Skye whispered with a slur. She poked him in the ribs.
Ash stepped to the window. “Um, Marge,” he said, using his ultra-sexy voice, “this is supposed to be a quiet weekend for me and my girl.” He smiled at Skye, and then turned back to Marge. “You know, no fuss?”
Skye gave a dorky half-wave to Marge.
Ash laid the charm on a little thick, pressing the tips of his fingers on the glass. “Can we keep this kind of…quiet?”
Marge stared at him with starstruck eyes. She slid a piece of paper along with a ballpoint pen over to Ash. “I can’t believe who’s standing at my window.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I promise not to say a word.” She brought her fingers to her lips and mimed zipping them, tossing away the key. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you, Marge. We’re here to support Ben and Edna.”
Marge moistened her lips. “Got that. Renewing vows and the wedding.” She pointed to the paper. “Can you sign an autograph for me?”
“I’d love to.” He graced Marge with another sparkling smile. “Now, is there any way to speed up this paperwork?”
Marge collected the forms. “Normally, I wouldn’t…but considering who you…” She laughed and then waved at the four of them. With a deep breath, she paused. “I’ll take care of everything. Give me a sec, and I’ll have all the forms filled out. No one will know you are here.”
Ben glanced at Ash. “You some kind of hotshot?”
