"Nine in the morning. Courthouse. Just us, Olek, and Katrina as witnesses."
"That's insane."
"You keep saying that."
"Because it keeps being true." She tilted her head back to look at me. "What happens after we're married?"
"We figure it out. One day at a time." I kissed her forehead. "But you finish school. That's non-negotiable. And we wait on kids until you're ready. Could be a year, could be five years. I don't care. We do this at your pace."
"And Dmitri?"
"Becomes a non-issue the moment you're my wife. You'll be protected. Untouchable. And if he tries anything, he'll have to go through me first."
She studied my face for a long moment. "You really love me."
"Yes."
"Even though this is crazy."
"Especially because it's crazy." I cupped her face. "I don't do things halfway, Shanice. When I commit, it’s completely. So when I say I love you, I mean it. When I say I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I mean it. And when I say I'm going to make you happy, I'm going to die trying."
Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "I'm scared."
"I know. But I'm not going anywhere. And I'm not letting you go, okay?."
She nodded and settled back against my chest.
We stayed like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other, both of us on the edge of something we couldn't quite name. Tomorrow, everything would change. Shanice would become my wife. And I was going to spend the rest of my life proving to her that saying yes was the best decision she'd ever made.
The next morning came too fast and too slow all at once. I woke with Shanice still in my arms, the early morning light painting her skin gold. She was already awake, staring at the ceiling.
"Second thoughts?" I asked quietly.
"About a thousand of them." She turned to look at me. "But I'm still going."
"Good."
We got ready in silence, both of us moving around each other with careful precision. She chose a simple pink dress that was so light it was almost white. It made her look like something out of a dream. I wore a suit, dark and formal. When we came downstairs, Olek and Katrina were waiting.
Katrina's eyes filled with tears when she saw Shanice. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you." Shanice's voice was steady, but I could see the tremor in her hands.
I took one of them, threading our fingers together.
"Ready?" Olek asked.
I looked at Shanice. She looked back at me.
Then she nodded.
"Ready."
We drove to the courthouse in silence. Inside, we were led to a small room where a judge waited. Everything had been arranged, expedited, paid for. All we had to do was say the words. The ceremony was quick. Efficient. Nothing like what Shanice probably dreamed of as a little girl. But when the judge asked if I took Shanice to be my wife, my voice was strong and certain.
"I do."
And when he asked if she took me to be her husband, she hesitated for only a second before saying, "I do."
