Marrying A Snapping Turtle

Wedding

Ida never found out what Kensley came for that Saturday and didn’t have the time to care. The final week before the marriage was pure chaos; even though it was a family-only event, pomp and circumstance were not spared. The Jacques estate halls were decorated with lace and fresh flowers smelling and looking like a botanical garden.

Ida sat quietly as the makeup artists scurried around her fixing her hair and makeup. Every once in a while, her mother would stuff a small canapé into her mouth. Charles had been firm the night before when he called the whole family together, excluding Ida.

“Keep an eye on her until the ceremony is over. Once she says, ‘I do’, she becomes the Hendricks’ problem but until then, we need to make sure she walks up that podium to take her vows.”

This was a far cry from the concern he had shown Ida a week ago. Her denial of a lover solidified his belief that she would be the one to unite the two families through marriage. Furthermore, after his talk with Kensley, he was confident this was the right decision– Ida would find happiness with Kensley… eventually.

The chef carefully prepared a balanced plate of finger foods and snacks so Ida wouldn’t get hungry. No bride was going to starve at her wedding on his watch.

Fern forced a smile and blinked back her tears. Ida glanced at her mother and sighed.

“What’s wrong, Ma?”

Fern sniffed and took a tissue to dab at the corner of her eyes before she replied, “My baby is all grown up. I can’t believe you’re getting married now.”

Ida reached over and patted Fern’s hand gently. “It’s bound to happen one day. Did you think I’d become an old spinster with three cats and a dog?”

Fern scoffed. “No, I imagined you single with a tank of piranhas.”

Ida covered her heart, her eyes wide with indignation. “Ma! Now what gave you that impression?”

Fern chuckled. “The way you all grew up, I’d think you’d want to feed Kensley to the fishes.”

Ida closed her eyes and hummed. It wouldn’t be a far cry from what she imagined countless times but murder wasn’t her cup of tea. Kensley was an infuriating contentious prick but he was blessed with good looks and a hot body…

Ida choked on the thought and began coughing violently.

‘Agh! If I give in to his charm I’m an amoeba!’

She could already imagine his smug look if she were to develop feelings for him. Never in a million years would she give him that satisfaction.

***

The wedding went off without a hitch. Ida had been so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t realize she was already walking down the aisle with her father. She was busy imagining how she would make her escape. She first imagined hitching her dress up and bolting across the grounds only to be tackled to the ground eating a mouthful of grass. The second one, she managed to get away but ended up tripping down the stone steps and landed in the back of an ambulance. She knew it was unreasonable to think of such things since this was a contractual marriage but perhaps it was the wedding jitters, she felt the need to escape.

Before she could act on any of her plans, she was already standing in front of the priest. The ceremony was short; no one cared to listen to a sermon so within minutes things progressed to the exchange of rings.

Kensley went first.

“I’ll honor and protect you for as long as I live.” He slipped a modest gold band over her finger.

Ida suddenly felt a lump in her throat and blanked on what to say so she slipped the ring on his finger and mustered a smile.

The priest coughed and ended the ceremony. “What God has joined together, let no man separate. You may kiss the bride.”

Everyone cheered as Kensley removed the veil and leaned down. Ida’s eyes grew wide and his soft lips pecked her stiff cheek. He was a gentleman and leaned so he blocked the view of the family so they didn’t see much.

Ida looked up at him bewildered only to see his kind eyes twinkle a little. Taking her hands, he smiled at their family and walked her back down the aisle.

“I’m a little tired,” Ida whispered.

Kensley looked down at her and squeezed her hand. “Alright.”

He bent down, one hand behind her back and the other went behind the back of her knees scooping her up into a bridal hold.

Ida stifled a squeak and threw a hand around his neck to hold on for dear life. The parents looked a bit shocked but the younger men all hollered and jeered at the new couple.

“GET A ROOM!”

“Aren’t you embarrassed?!”

Ida buried her head in Kensley’s chest, her face a shade brighter than a tomato.

Kenlsey only chuckled and retorted. “Our families eat all the time. My bride is a little tired so I’ll take her home now to rest. Please enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Without waiting for a response, Kensley strode off the grounds and went to his Bently at the front. After securing Ida in the passenger seat, he quickly walked around the front, got in, and started the ignition.

The car roared to life drowning the noise behind them and the vehicle streaked off the Jacques estate.

Ida looked at the side view mirror to see her brothers racing behind the car shouting. She turned to Kensley to ask offhandedly, “Are you sure we could do that?”

Kensley gave a half smile. “Why not? We’re married. To them, we are probably just in a rush to consummate the marriage.”

Ida eyed him nervously and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Remember our agreement!”

Kensley scoffed. “I won’t do anything but for the sake of our marriage, we need to sleep in the same room. Don’t worry, the bed is big enough that we won’t touch unless we want to.”

Ida nibbled her lower lip but didn’t say anything. It’s not like they can’t have s*x… it wouldn’t be bad to do it with a handsome man, but she couldn’t swallow her pride and just held her silence.

The car ride was quiet until they reached the scenic road, driving under a thick pink canopy.

“Your butler said there was a touching story behind these trees…” she trailed off hoping Kensley would continue the story.

“Yes, I took a leaf out of my grandfather’s book. I planted the cherry trees so my family can always find their way home.”

Ida felt a dull ache in the back of her head. She frowned and squeezed her eyes shut shaking her head slightly.

Kensley, noticing her strange movement from the corner of his eyes, asked, “Are you okay?”

Ida gritted her teeth. “Yes, I get a headache sometimes when I try to recall something...”

Kensley didn’t say anything but increased the speed of the car. When they arrived in the garage he smiled and looked over to Ida.

“We’re home. Welcome–”

The rest of his words died in his throat as he detected the pale pallor of her skin. Her chest heaved strenuously and sweat beaded on her hairline.

“IDA!”

Ida only saw Kensley’s panicked face before her vision blurred into darkness.