Her mom had miraculously agreed to be Rebekah’s witness, but she wouldn’t be meeting them here. They had somewhere else to go after they picked up their license, but he wasn’t going to tell Rebekah where. He wanted to surprise her. Even more so now that he’d seen how she’d reacted to her wedding gown surprise.
“We have to get the license first,” he said. One of many things he’d learned when he’d called the courthouse late that morning. He’d also asked who could perform the ceremony. Which had started his mind churning on another way to make Rebekah’s wedding day more meaningful.
People were grinning at Rebekah as she passed them in her wedding dress. They were probably wondering why she was with the tall goofy guy in jeans and a T-shirt. He hoped Trey was able to find the tuxedo in Eric’s closet. He’d worn it to the Grammy’s a couple of years ago and was pretty sure he still had it stuffed it in a box somewhere. Eric also hoped that the guy didn’t get distracted by something far more interesting than wedding attire on the way to his house.
While he and Rebekah were waiting in line to get their license, Eric discreetly checked his text messages. He was glad he’d been able to keep Rebekah distracted with trying on costumes while others put together his preparations for him. It hadn’t been easy orchestrating things right under her nose.
One text from Brian: Still waiting on Trey. Everyone else is here and ready to roll.
One from his soon-to-be mother-in-law, Mrs. B: Thanks for making today special for her. I’m sorry for the way I’ve been treating you.
One from Sed: Don’t you think I have better things to do on my day off than attend your wedding?
Eric knew he was just messing with him, so didn’t take offense.
One from his soon-to-be brother-in-law, Dave: If you ever break her heart, I’ll run over your balls with my wheelchair.
Eric winced and shifted uncomfortably at the very idea.
One from Rebekah’s ex-fiancé, Isaac: You didn’t have to invite me, but thanks. I’m glad she’s happy.
And one from Jon: Sorry, can’t make it. But kiss her once for me.
“You’re certainly popular today,” Rebekah said, craning her neck, trying to see who he was texting.
He tucked his phone into his pocket. “Me?” He placed a hand on the small of her back and urged her closer, even though it buried his legs in her cumbersome skirt and made him feel off balance. “Everyone is looking at you today.”
“I feel kind of dumb wearing this huge, fancy dress in the courthouse,” she said. The train was draped over one arm. She lifted the skirt in front and gave it a shake.
“You shouldn’t feel dumb, you should feel beautiful,” he said. “Because you are.”
When they reached the front of the line, they showed the clerk their IDs to have their marriage license prepared.
“How do you want the names to read?”
Eric froze. They hadn’t exactly discussed that. His birth name was Anderson, but his legal name was Sticks. Would she even want his name? He wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t. He knew it was chosen-by-an-eighteen-year-old lame.
“Rebekah Esther Sticks,” Rebekah said without hesitation.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Of course. Unless you think I should lose my horrible middle name while I have the chance?”
“I was referring to the last name.”
“I definitely want that one,” she said, beaming up at him.
He didn’t understand why her taking his chosen last name filled him with pride. “You’re the boss, Mrs. Sticks.”
“Where do we go next? Is a judge performing our ceremony?” Rebekah asked.
“Nope, not a judge,” he said.
“A magistrate?”
“Nope.”
“Justice of the peace?”
“Nope.”
Rebekah’s brow crinkled. “Then who?”
“You’ll see.”
“You are certainly being mysterious today,” she said.
“I’m always mysterious.”
She laughed. “You’re never mysterious. Your openness is one of the things I love most about you.” She slid a hand up his neck, and there was no way he could resist that open invitation to indulge in a lengthy kiss.
When he drew away, he cupped her cheek. “Sometimes surprises can be good things.”
“I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me,” she said. “I’m sure it will be memorable.”
She said memorable as if he’d hired a circus clown to spell out their vows in balloon letters and marry them on a trampoline. He grinned. She really was going to be surprised when she saw what a hopelessly traditional sap she’d agreed to marry.
Marriage license in hand, he escorted her out of the courthouse and back to the car.
“Um, where are we going?” she asked.
He grinned at her, working hard at maintaining the mystery when all he wanted to do was tell her every little detail of his plan.
“You’ll see,” he said.
While they’d been inside, Jace had done his part and tied a collection of empty cans to the bumper of their car. He’d also attached a sign to the trunk that read, Almost Married.
Rebekah giggled when she saw it and gave Jace another hug. This time he actually hugged her back.
“I know today is all about making the bride happy,” Jace said quietly, “but take good care of that crazy man of yours. He’s sort of important to me.”
Eric rolled his eyes and slapped Jace in the back of the head, as if hearing Jace spout sentimental drivel didn’t make him one happy bastard.