Groom To Be
1416 Words
Dominic Crane
“I sent you a prenup with the other files. Did my soon-to-be, work-a-holic wife not look at them?” I teased, kissing her temple and taking another bite of my donut.
“You already sent me one? Why?” Maddie asked, her expression stern.
“I like to be ahead of the game, Miss Thorn. Once your lawyers look over it and verify I’m not trying to swindle you out of your company; we can be wed. I’ll need you to send me a list of anyone you would like to invite?” I asked, pulling out my phone, to take down any details she offered.
“Jane is the only person I need to invite.” She says, matter of fact, taking a bite of her donut.
“J-Nevermind, are you sure you do not have anyone else you would like to invite? Friends, colleagues?”
Her green eyes soften as she looks towards the window watching the first rays of the sun break through the distant skyscrapers. “No one else Dominic. It’s just Jane and I.”
“Alright, then I will make the preparations and we can have the ceremony tonight.”
“Tonight!” She shouts, turning towards me.
I heard the small click of Jane’s hard drive starting, most likely from Maddie’s sudden shock. “Yes, tonight. You have given me 363 days, Maddie. I will not waste them. Do you want to go dress shopping or would you like me to order one for you?”
“I-I would like to pick out my dress. Jane can help me find the shops in the city.
“What kind of dress are you looking for Maddie?” Jane asks, stepping out of her charging pod.
“For our wedding tonight!” I said, turning towards the droid with a smile. “I need you to take Maddie to all the wedding dress shops in the city. Make sure she chooses her favorite.
Maddie, would you mind if my sister went with you? She will probably kill me otherwise.” I turned to my bride, hoping she wouldn’t hate the idea.
Her eyes focused on me like she was lost for a moment, “Umm, sure. I don’t think I’ve ever met your sister though.”
“Probably not. She was ten when I left school. Her birthday is actually in a few weeks. She is the only family I have left since dear old dad kicked the bucket last night. I’m sure Isadora will be so excited about meeting you.”
“Okay, sure what can it hurt?” She shrugs, looking down at the ring I gave her.
A flower made of seven diamonds rested in the center, white gold vines and thorns twisting themselves around it and back over to create the band.
“Thank you, Maddie. Jane, please have your mistress at Prince Plaza tonight at 6 pm sharp.” I turned back to Maddie, “You’re not going to stand me up again, correct?”
She gives me a soft smile, “Not at this moment, no.”
I leaned down, whispering against her lips, “I’ll be seeking my woman in the white dress. Now be a good girl and enjoy the day of your wedding.”
She laughs, “T-thank you, Dominic, I will be there tonight and promise to marry you for the next 363 days.”
I smiled, noticing her words stumble, placing a gentle kiss on her fingers, “See you tonight, my bride.” I straightened, heading for the door. “Call your lawyers, I will take care of everything tonight. Jane, make sure she pampers herself today. My sister will meet you at the first shop at 8. I have emailed you a list of the top boutiques in the city. Don’t spare any express.”
“Of course, Mr. Crane,” Jane called as I shut the door behind me.
I put my phone to my ear as I got into the car. I drive back into the city with excitement coursing through my veins as the phone rings a third time before picking up.
“What the f**k are you calling me at 6 am for, Dom?”
“I’m getting married, Zach.”
“You’re what!” I heard him sputter, most likely choking on his coffee.
“I’m getting married tonight, to Maddie Thorn.”
“f**k me sideways.”
“No, thanks. Isadora can do that for you.”
“You’re right, your sister is the best wife. So, what did you tell her you were her Dom the night of the purge and f*****g purposed?”
“Not exactly. Is Iz around?”
“What do you mean not exactly? What the f**k did you do, Dominic?”
“f**k, nothing, stop jumping down my throat. Is my sister nearby or not?
“Yeah, hang on a second.” He sighs into the phone, and the sound of shuffling takes over the line for a few moments.
“Hey, bro. Why are you up?” My sister’s soft sleepy voice asks through the phone.
“I’m getting married tonight.”
“OMG ARE YOU! ZACH WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME!”, her tone holding none of the tiredness from before.
“Ouch! I just found out too.”
“Wait! Is it the Sub from the other night?”
“Yes.”
“f**k Dominic, what did you do? You know the club's rules are strict about outside encounters for a reason. How are we going to justify this to the other members and keep everyone in line?” Isadora sighed.
“I didn’t tell her I was her Dom during the purge. She has no idea.”
“Then why the f**k did she agree to marry you?”
“I told her I wanted to get the press off my back and have a friend to spend time with. She only agreed to a year of marriage.”
“What the f**k Dom? Why marry her for a year when she’s already planning on leaving you? Besides, last I knew you hadn’t given two f***s about Maddie Thorn in fifteen years,” Zach countered.
“Don’t pay coi, Zach. I know you were the one to send her the invitation.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Isadora sighed, “I did, but only because I found out she had nowhere safe left to go. She was from your school days and I remember Zach telling me stories about how you always stood up for her when she wasn’t around. I figured the brothel could keep her safe. I didn’t expect you to match up then propose the next day to the damn woman.”
“Well, it happened. After having her at the purge…I want Maddie Thorn forever.”
“but she’s giving you a year?” Isadora asked, her voice holding doubt.
“363 days to be exact, but yeah, I have that time to prove to her, that I can show her life again. She’s living like she's already dead.”
“How so?”
“It’s hard to explain, she's like a shell of the girl I used to know. I mean even her apartment is blank, there is nothing in there that is her.”
“Mmmm, so you’re going to marry her and make her life grand, brother? I suppose you're making the wedding preparations then?”
“Yes, the ceremony will be tonight, Prince Plaza, at 6 pm. Zach, I will need you and Grant to help me with securing everything.”
“Of course, Dominic, whatever you need.”
“Thank you.”
“What can I do!” Isadora cried about her need to be showing heavily.
“You are going to help take care of my bride. I want her to have a full before-wedding experience. Do not skim on anything. Use my card to pay.”
“Oh hell yes! That means I get to buy a bridesmaid dress too, right?”
“As long as you make sure Maddie is happy and walking down the aisle tonight in a wedding dress. I don’t give a s**t what you buy.”
“Did you hear that, Zach? We can get whatever we want.”
“Ugh whatever, Isadora, your meeting Maddie and her droid at 8 am. Zach, I’ll see you and Grant in twenty minutes.”
- Writer
