The Emergency Wedding
965 Words
4 days after the hospital.
12 weeks pregnant.
Jessica woke up to chaos.
Flowers. Everywhere.
White lilies. Her favorite.
A dress hanging on the door.
And Starling.
In a tux.
At 7 AM.
On a Saturday.
"Good morning, Mrs. Hale," he said. Grinning.
Jessica sat up. "It’s today?"
"It’s today," Starling said. He walked over and kissed her forehead. "In 6 hours."
Jessica’s heart raced. "Starling, are you sure? We can wait—"
"I’m sure," Starling cut her off. He sat on the bed. Took her hands. "I almost lost you. I’m not waiting another day to call you mine. Legally. Publicly. Forever."
Jessica’s eyes filled. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay," Jessica said. "Let’s get married."
Starling whooped and picked her up. Carefully.
"Easy," Jessica laughed. "The baby."
"The baby’s fine," Starling said. "And so are you. Today’s going to be perfect."
---
*10 AM - Getting Ready*
Jessica’s mom was crying.
The makeup artist was crying.
The hairstylist was crying.
"My baby," Evelyn said, holding Jessica’s face. "You look like a princess."
Jessica looked in the mirror.
White dress. Simple. Elegant. Flowy at the waist to hide the bump.
Hair down. Soft waves.
Minimal makeup. Just glowing.
And the ring.
"Where’s Starling?" Jessica asked.
"Losing his mind," her mom laughed. "He’s been pacing since 6 AM."
---
*11:30 AM - The Rooftop*
The same rooftop from the proposal.
But transformed.
500 white lilies.
Hundreds of candles.
String lights.
100 chairs.
All of Starling’s board. All of Jessica’s family.
A string quartet.
And at the end of the aisle...
Starling.
Dark navy tux. No tie. Top button open.
Hair perfect.
And he looked like he was about to cry.
The music started.
Jessica appeared at the end of the aisle.
On her mom’s arm.
The entire rooftop went silent.
Starling’s breath caught.
"You’re beautiful," he mouthed.
Jessica smiled through tears and walked.
Every step felt like forever.
When she reached him, Starling took her hands immediately.
"You didn’t have to wait," he whispered.
"I wanted to," Jessica whispered back.
The officiant cleared his throat.
"Dearly beloved..."
---
*THE VOWS*
Starling went first.
"Jessica," he said. His voice shook. "3 years ago I let you go because I was scared. 30 days ago I asked you to marry me in a contract because I was stupid."
Jessica laughed through tears.
"Today I’m asking you to marry me because I love you," Starling continued. "Because I can’t imagine a day without you. Because you’re having my baby. Because you’re my home."
He squeezed her hands.
"I promise to love you. To protect you. To choose you every day. To be the father our baby deserves. To never let you go again."
Jessica was sobbing.
"Your turn," Starling whispered.
Jessica took a shaky breath.
"Starling," she said. "You were arrogant. And bossy. And infuriating."
The guests laughed.
"But you were also the first person who looked at me and saw me," Jessica said. "Not a waitress. Not a contract. Just me."
She put his hand on her stomach.
"You gave me hope when I had none. You gave me a family when I was scared. You gave me you."
She looked up at him.
"I promise to love you. To annoy you. To build a life with you. To raise this baby with you. To be yours. Forever."
Starling kissed her knuckles.
---
*"I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE"*
Starling didn’t wait.
He kissed her.
Not sweet.
Not soft.
Desperate.
3 years.
30 days.
Forever.
The guests cheered.
Confetti fell.
The string quartet played louder.
"Mrs. Hale," Starling whispered against her lips.
"Mr. Hale," Jessica whispered back.
---
*THE RECEPTION*
Dinner.
Dancing.
Speeches.
Starling’s best friend: "I’ve never seen him like this. With her."
Jessica’s mom: "Take care of my baby."
"I will," Starling promised. "For the rest of my life."
First dance.
Starling held her close. One hand on her back. One hand on her stomach.
"Our wedding," he whispered.
"Our baby," Jessica whispered back.
"Our life," Starling said.
They swayed.
Halfway through the song, Starling stopped.
Pulled back. Looked at her.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too," Jessica said.
He kissed her. Right there on the dance floor.
---
*10 PM*
The guests were gone.
The flowers were still there.
The candles were burning low.
Starling and Jessica were alone on the rooftop.
In their wedding clothes.
Starling pulled her into his lap on a chair.
"How do you feel, Mrs. Hale?" he asked.
"Happy," Jessica said. "Scared. Excited. In love."
Starling kissed her. Slow.
"We did it," he whispered. "We made it."
Jessica nodded. "We did."
Starling put both hands on her stomach.
"Hey little one," he whispered. "This is your mom and dad. And we’re going to take such good care of you."
Jessica leaned into him.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"For what?"
"For choosing me," Jessica said. "Again. And again."
Starling hugged her tighter. "Always."
They sat like that until the candles burned out.
Until the city went quiet.
Until it was just them.
Husband and wife.
Mom and dad.
Forever.
---
*ONE WEEK LATER*
Doctor’s appointment.
"Everything looks perfect," Dr. Okoro said. "Heartbeat strong. You can stop worrying now."
Starling exhaled.
In the car, he turned to Jessica.
"Wife," he said, testing it.
"Husband," Jessica said, smiling.
Starling grinned. "I like that."
He drove them home. To their home.
To their nursery. Already half done.
To their life.
---
*That night*
Jessica was asleep.
Starling was awake. Watching her.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Text: `You think you won. You didn’t. -V`
Starling deleted it. Blocked the number.
Then he looked at Jessica.
At his wife.
At his baby.
At his everything.
"No one’s touching you," he whispered. "Not ever again."
He kissed her forehead and went to sleep.
- Writer
