Love on Paper

Chapter 3

"Today!!" I screamed "How?

"Quiet down and stop yelling"

"I know but don't we need to plan the wedding, my dress or your suit?" I say stating the obvious

"We won't be having a big glamour wedding but a court one and the rest of the stuff I can have everything ready for us in two hours

"Wow what of the contract we are supposed to sign?" I ask

"I texted my friend who's a lawyer last night to draw up the contract and his trusted so our secret is safe" he explained

He truly meant it when he said it was easy to get everything done because two hours later we are standing in front of the courthouse about to meet his friend, truly money makes the world go round.

The courthouse stood stoically in the heart of the city, its grand architecture contrasting with the urgency that propelled Abel and I through its doors. We were on a mission, driven by circumstances that demanded haste. The scent of bureaucracy lingered in the air as we approached the marriage license counter, fingers tightly intertwined.

"Cara this is my friend Mark and Mark, Cara "he says

"Nice to meet you" I say shaking his hand

"Do you have the papers? " Yeah here you go"

"Here read and go over it properly before signing them" he hands over the papers to me

"Alright everything seems okay, hand me a pen please " he gives it to me, I sign the papers and he also signs it

"Ok the contract is settled let's move quickly please" he stated gesturing towards the courthouse.

My dress, a simple yet elegant choice, whispered against the polished floor as we joined the queue. He dressed in a hastily chosen suit, I stole glances at Abel, a mixture of determination and nervousness playing in his eyes.

As we reached the counter, a middle-aged clerk greeted them with a practiced smile. "How can I help you today?" she inquired, pen poised over a stack of forms.

"We're here to get married, I called earlier Abel Blackwell" he replied, my voice steady despite the racing of my heart. "Quickly." The clerk nodded, unfazed by the urgency in his tone. "Alright, let's get started. Fill out these forms, and make sure everything is accurate. Once you're done, we'll move on to the next steps."

Seated at a nearby table, Abel and I huddled together, our pens moving swiftly across the forms. The questions were routine, names, addresses, occupations, but the weight of our answers held the gravity of the situation. Our eyes met occasionally, a silent reassurance that we were in this together, no matter how hurried the circumstances.

Once the forms were completed, we returned to the counter, handing them over to the clerk. She reviewed the information, typing diligently into the computer. "Everything seems to be in order. Now, we will proceed to the ceremony. The clerk provided them with details about the ceremony, guiding us through the process with a detached efficiency that seemed at odds with the significance of the occasion.

As the afternoon sun bathed the courthouse in warm hues, Abel and I stood before the small gathering of his friend. The officiant, a courthouse employee with a warm smile, led us through the vows. Each word carried the weight of our journey, a journey that had brought us to this moment of commitment.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant declared, sealing the union with a simple yet profound statement. We exchanged rings, the metal cool against their skin, a tangible symbol of the choices we had made in the face of adversity.

As we exited the courthouse, hand in hand, like the perfect couple we claim to be.

I glance at him, a shy smile playing on my lips. "Well, that was something, huh?" I say still feeling nervous.

He chuckled, squeezing my hand. "Something indeed.

"Now the next stop of today

"And where will that be?

"We are going to my grandfather's house.

"What do you mean I am meeting your grandfather?" I asked horrified

"Well this is one of the reasons we got married in the first place, so I have to introduce you to him

"What didn't you tell me this earlier" I asked

"I forgot with everything going on but don't worry everything will be alright just be aware of my dad's wife Sandra and my half brother Jayden."

He drove us over to the house, I was awed by the exterior structure as Abel knocked on the door.

"Oh you're here" a woman in a slutty dress said as she opened the door, she must be sandra

"Who's this " she asked pointing at me with disgust itched on her face

"This is my wife cara" Abel answered, his voice dripping with venom giving off the vibe that they don't like

"Wife!! You no what? Whatever you can do whatever you want I can't be bothered." She says and walks off in the house

My heart raced as he led me through the ornate front doors of his grandfather's majestic home. The scent of polished wood and old books filled the air, invoking memories of his childhood visits. Tonight, however, carried a weight of significance that made the familiar surroundings feel charged with tension.

I adorned myself in a flowing dress, looking at Abel with a mix of Anxiety and nervousness. I could sense the importance of this meeting and the mixed emotions that would unfold.

Abel guided me into the dining room, where his grandfather, Daniel, Jayden and Sandra were already seated.The table was set with fine china, and the soft glow of candlelight created an ambiance both elegant and intimidating.

His grandfather, a distinguished figure with a commanding presence, looked up from his seat at the head of the table. "Abel,good evening. What brings you here, and who might this be? he inquired, his eyes keenly observing our expressions.

Abel took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "Grandfather, Dad, Sandra, we have something important to share with all of you."

Daniel, Abel's father, glanced up from his plate, curiosity etched across his face. Sandra, sitting beside Daniel, raised an eyebrow but maintained an air of indifference.

"Go on," urged Abel's grandfather, folding his hands together.

Abel cleared his throat. "Cara and I are married."

A silence enveloped the room as the gravity of Abel's announcement hung in the air. His grandfather's stern expression softened for a moment before he spoke, "Well, that is quite unexpected news."

Daniel exchanged a surprised glance with Sandra, who arched an eyebrow in response. Abel could feel the tension escalating, but he pressed on.

"We wanted to share this moment with all of you, especially considering the family ties we have here," Abel continued, glancing at his father and then at Sandra.

Sandra, realizing the implications of Abel's words, shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Daniel, caught off guard, tried to maintain composure.

"And why, may I ask, why the sudden marriage? We didn't even know you were seeing someone" Abel's grandfather questioned, his tone now laced with a touch of irritation.

Abel looked directly at Sandra, his gaze unwavering. "We wanted everyone to know, including Sandra."

"You didn't bother to tell us you were engaged why bring it up now, when everything is done " Sandra asked

Sandra's eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance passing over her face. Daniel, sensing the tension, interjected, "Abel, this isn't the time or place for such discussions. We can address this matter privately."

But Abel persisted, driven by a desire to assert his choices. "Dad, I wasn't done talking, cara is pregnant" The moment he said that I freezed because this isn't how we planned for this to go and I wasn't pregnant yet.

Abel's grandfather sighed, recognizing the complex dynamics at play "wow really?

"I knew she was a good digger, got pregnant and forced you to marry her" Sandra stated with a condescending tone

"Wow nice going Abel" Jayden said

"I don't need your fake sympathy Sandra and she didn't trap, she got pregnant after we got married and shut up Jayden you're irrelevant in this conversation."

I felt the tension rise, gently placed my hand on Abel's arm trying to give some sort of support. "Perhaps we should give everyone some time to process this. We can talk later."

Abel nodded reluctantly, realizing that the timing and setting might not have been ideal. As we left the mansion after dinner I couldn't stop myself from confronting Abel.

"Why did you tell them I was pregnant, when we haven't done anything towards that yet." I asked

"It just came out and I wanted to annoy my father and Sandra

"I have a feeling there's more to the relationship you have with Sandra"

"I don't understand where you are heading to with this?"

"Well_" I started but he interrupted me half way

"They found her" he says looking at his phone

"Found who?" I asked confused

"Your mother."