Chapter 7
1491 Words
Claire’s point of view.
Charlie walks over to the curtain and whips it open. He motions to Elaine, who comes in, followed by her entourage.
She stands at the end of the bed, a smirk of derision on her face. It is like she wants this to fail. I have no clue what I have gotten myself into, but I won’t let this woman win.
The padre walks to the other side of the bed, facing me and Tyler.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the nuptials of,” He pauses, waiting for our names.
Tyler’s posture has changed from relaxed to uptight. His shoulders sit back and he holds his head up high.
“Padre, skip with the formalities. Let’s get this marriage over with.”
Tyler’s father looks up, a small smile comes over his face.
“What is your rush, son?”
Tyler ignores him.
The padre can tell that there is an obvious tension between Tyler and his parents. He decides the best option is to listen to Tyler and continue with a shortened, less formal version of his previous speech.
I whisper, “our names are Tyler and Claire.”
He answers me with a nod.
“We are here today to marry Tyler and Claire to one another. Despite the unorthodox venue their love will stand the test of time. Now do you have vows?”
Elaine says, “of course they have vows. Don’t you?”
I watch as a small flicker of worry flits through Tyler’s eyes. His body doesn’t flinch.
“I’ll go first.” I say, grabbing Tyler’s hands and holding them in front of me.
“I promise to trust you, respect you, and care for you.”
Tyler squeezes my hands for comfort as if we are an actual couple.
“I promise to trust you, respect you and care for you.” Tyler repeats.
The tone in his voice makes our facade believable.
“Great. Does anyone object to these two being wed in holy matrimony?”
There is a moment of silence.
“Then I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Oh s**t, I forgot about the kiss. How do you kiss someone you are supposed to be engaged to when you don’t even know their last name?
Before I have a moment to process my thoughts, Tyler leans over the bed. He slides one hand into the back of my hair and pulls me into a kiss. Our lips lock, intertwined as our tongues explore each other’s mouth. My hands slide onto his back, pulling our embrace closer.
The padre breaks us up by clearing his throat. We both pull away as if nothing had happened. We kissed like that to sell it. Right?
Elaine places a marriage certificate in front of me. I sign the document, but before I can read it, she has yanked it away and placed it in front of her son to sign. Charlie signs as a witness.
She snatches it out from under him, saying, “That comes home with me for safekeeping. I will see you tonight, Tyler. Leave her somewhere else. We have family matters to attend to.”
“Excuse me?” I say. “I just married your son. That makes me family.”
She scoffs. “Ridiculous. Tyler is MY son and will come home alone tonight.”
Okay, this b***h’s attitude is getting to me. My hand is throbbing, and I just entered a legally binding marriage with a stranger. I don’t have time for this.
“I didn’t get my dream wedding, and I won’t get my honeymoon. The least I want is my wedding night with my new husband.”
I rub Tyler’s arm to bring home my point.
“Fine then. You can come and stay at our house tonight. Tyler has business to attend to.”
I look at Tyler, who stays silent, but gives me a quick nod of approval.
“I’m not sure you want that, Elaine. The things I am going to do to your son. He likes to scream, you know.”
Her nose crinkles, and her lip turns up with disgust.
“Tomorrow b***h, and if you keep my son from his responsibilities any longer than that, I will destroy you.” His father says.
Tyler stands, stepping away from and in front of his father.
“If you EVER call my wife a b***h again, I’ll throw you out on your ass.”
The chill in his voice sends shivers down my spine. He can be downright frightening.
“I will come home when I chose. Get out.”
He sits next to me on the bed and points to the door. Charlie follows them out and makes sure they leave.
A slight tension builds in my gut. Was I too rude to her? What did Tyler think of me?
“I’m sorry, my behaviour towards your mother was uncalled for.”
“Your joking, right? It was great. The look on her face. Priceless.” Tyler chuckles to himself.
We spend a few minutes chatting before the doctor comes in.
“Okay, so all your tests look good. I am going to give you a shot for your pain. It will make you woozy and loopy. Can one of these men make sure you get home safe?”
Tyler nods. “We will make sure she is safe.”
The doctor pokes me in the arm and then brings me some paperwork to sign before I can go.
As I jump off the bed, the world spins around me and I grasp the handle as I feel faint. Tyler slides himself under my arm to support me.
“You okay Claire?”
I nod. “I think those meds are kicking in. The world is spinning.”
He smiles and directs me out of the hospital and to the car. As I slide in, a wave of elation fills my mind. My hand no longer hurts. I stare at the bandage, investigating it for too long. I then rub the soft leather seat in front of me. I continue to pet it.
“Ya, know. These seats are really soft.”
Charlie smiles and says, “Claire, you need to buckle up.”
I fumble with the seatbelt as the elated state of the medication overwhelms me. Tyler reaches over and helps me click in.
“How do you know where I live?” I then turn to Tyler and place my uninjured hand on his chest. “Oh muscley”
Charlie says, “Tyler’s dad told us.”
I stare at him through the reflection in the mirror. “Wow! You remember that? It is like you work for the CIA.”
He replies, “Not anymore.” I can’t tell if his tone is serious or not.
My hand is still resting on Tyler’s chest as we pull out. He doesn’t seem bothered by this gesture. That or he understands that my mind is not my own at the moment.
“You are a good kisser.” I say, sure that my words jumble on the way out.
“So are you wifey.”
He teases me. The next words out of my mouth are not my own.
“I should have wrapped my legs around your waist. That woulda really pissed off your mom.” I tap his chest for emphasis. His body flinches a little with the idea. He replies with a small smile and a wink.
If my mind was my own, I would have realized that the rest of the drive should have happened in silence, but I continue talking in my befuddled state. I made mostly jumbled comments on the passing scenery.
When we arrive at my building, I struggle with the seatbelt. Tyler tries to help me, but I slap his hand away.
“Nuhu, mister. I can do it myself.” I say.
He watches over me as I crinkle my face to focus and hit the button for release.
“See. Told ya.” I open the car door and watch as the ground spins around me. “Boy, it’s spinny out here.”
Tyler comes around and helps me out of the car. He walks me over to my front door. I reach into my pocket and fumble for my keys. He helps me unlock the door.
“Oh good. Home sweet home. Tyler I am sleepy.”
He helps me to the couch, where he takes off my shoes. Most of what happened next is fuzzy, but I think he took out my hair and laid me down on the bed.
The last thing I remember is asking, “Tyler, what is your last name?”
“Henderson.”
“Oh s**t. I married the Tyler Henderson.”
Then I passed out.
- Writer
