How Not To Start Your Marriage

Chapter 3: Dylan

The rest of the morning went by in a blur. Both families had been overjoyed, laughing and toasting, smiles all around. Only she and her groom remained quiet. Natalie and Amily had both left shortly after the union had been blessed by a priest. The day wore into evening and suddenly Dylan spoke up.

"We will miss our flight if we don't leave now," he stated simply to her. No further explanation was offered, so she gave him a little push.

" Flight? To where?" She asked impatiently. How many more decisions were to be made without her input?

Dylan smirked," We just got married, didn't we? Now we have a honeymoon to go on. "

He was already wheeling his way to the door while she followed. Her mouth hung open, and as she realized, she snapped it shut. A honeymoon? Really? As if they were a true couple. She scoffed as he opened the door for her. She got into the car and sat looking at the back of the driver's head. He went around and lifted himself out of the chair, and was working himself into the backseat beside her. She watched him struggle as he had to lift his legs by hand to get them into the vehicle.

They rode in silence for a while, it was Lily who finally spoke, curiosity eating away at her, and to hell if it was rude to ask. "So." she tried to think of the best way to word the question "Have you always been like this? " His eyes snapped to her, and she worried she had offended him as he seemed to assess her intentions before he spoke.

" Nerve degeneration. I have my good and bad days. I regret having to meet my new wife on a bad one" he stared out the window as he spoke. More silence followed, and she found herself fidgeting with the beading on her dress. After a bit, he spoke up. " This honeymoon is supposed to be a chance to get to know one another. Maybe we should get started with the basics. What is your birthday? "

"October 4th. Yours?"

"December 12th. Favorite flower?"

"Sunflowers. Hobby? "

"No time for them. "

"Same"

The rapid-fire questions back and forth felt so serious they both broke into laughter. As they relaxed, he offered that playful smile at her again. "We don't have to fit a lifetime into a car ride. We have time. In the meantime .... what music do you like?" he began scanning the radio in search of something suitable, settling on a station playing the type of cheesy pop tunes no one would admit to liking, and he began to sing along. She couldn't help but laugh at his renditions of the Spice Girls, Fergie, and Katy Perry. By the time they arrived at the airport, she was feeling much more at ease and truly viewing the man in front of her for the first time. As he swung himself into his chair and arranged his legs, she walked beside him as they made their way to their gate.

They were met by attendants, moved through security quickly, and led to the Jetway where he was transferred to a smaller chair before they were led to first-class accommodations. Their little cabins were separated by a wall they could roll down at the touch of a button and plenty of room for Dylan to navigate in his chair to access the amenities the plane had to offer. The seats reclined back fully into little beds. She sat in her seat as he was transferred into his, and they were approached by another attendant. "Pre-flight drink, Mr. Thorn?"

"Give us a sweet red wine. Leave the bottle" The two were left to get settled as the wine was retrieved. He wasted no time declining the seat and flipping through the movie options and the time was spent sipping wine and chatting over cutesy rom-coms. He was much more laid back and fun than she had imagined. A little goofy and not at all the overly serious spoiled rich boy she'd imagined. As the night grew long they lay facing each other in their cabin, the wall was rolled down, and the two had been chatting for hours when it occurred to her that she still had no idea where they were flying to. When she asked, she was confused that she was still shocked by anything at this point.

"Oh, nowhere special... Greece," he smirked.

She scowled at the fact he still seemed to be having fun with her, but if she thought about it, this was the most fun she could ever remember having. She felt her head grow heavy and a yawn escaped her. He grinned at her as he began arranging his pillow. "Yeah, I'm tired too. Let's get some rest". The lights were dimmed and they both lay down. She rolled up the divider between their seats. She liked him but didn't quite feel ready to share a sleeping space. She smiled to herself as she drifted off. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be so bad after all.

She woke up to the speaker announcing that they were preparing for the descent, and the divider rolling down between them "You snore", he teased playfully. She grumbled under her breath. How could he already have the energy to be goofing off? " Coffee for my lovely bride", he called to a passing attendant, who quickly returned with a travel cup and tiny packets of sugar and cream. He chuckled as she glared into the cup, opening packet after packet and giving the drink a stir. " Not a morning person, I'm guessing" she only grumbled again in response. She sipped at her coffee and was surprised at how clean it tasted, with no sor or bitter traces in the flavor at all. The plane's descent was smooth and as they began preparing to leave the plane, a thought occurred to her.

"I can't spend the whole weekend in my wedding dress". She had no warning, no opportunity to pack a bag, so they stopped at one of the shops nestled within the airport, and she took a few minutes to grab a white sweater and jeans, sneakers, and a pretty grey-blue cardigan. She stopped off into the restroom to get changed and let her hair down, brushed it out, and tied it back. By the time she came out, he already had an attendant pulling their luggage along, leading them to their rental car and driver for the weekend. His breathing hitched as she came from the bathroom carrying her wedding dress over her arm. As they loaded up," Athina Luxury Suites," he told the driver, and she watched the streets of Santorini pass her by. As they arrived at the hotel, she carefully hung her dress and watched as his bags were brought in. "Let's go shopping", he grinned and she groaned.

"Shopping is... not my favorite pastime, "she tried to explain. He didn't take no for an answer, however, and she soon found herself walking through the Fabrica shopping center with him flashing tops, shoes, and whatever else he found that he liked. She scowled at every piece at first but soon found herself warming up as he joked along. His enthusiasm was contagious, it seemed, and the clothes were beautiful. They found themselves carrying several bags before they stopped off for lunch.

As they ate, he announced they needed to make one last purchase, and he dragged her to a jewelry shop not far off. She stared into the cases, and before she knew it, he was talking to a clerk who disappeared into the back and came out, handing Dylan a tiny box which he quickly turned and presented to her. As she opened it, she marveled at the little band that looked as if it had been braided rather than forged, tiny diamonds sparkled between the strands of metal. "You don't have a wedding ring", he explained. He slipped the ring onto her finger, and she couldn't help but stare at it. It was obvious he had called ahead and reserved the ring, but when did he find the time? She studied the band for a moment as slowly, her stomach began to knot, it took her a moment to realize what was bothering her.