Killer Results

Bells will be ringing

David's fingers wrapped gracefully around mine as we entered the New York City Courthouse. He approached the front desk and was immediately pointed to a side door by an older woman wearing glasses too large for her face. She smiled at me and I returned the gesture as David led me to the appointed doorway.

He knocked and we were greeted by my parents on the opposite side. My mother immediately embraced me and started to pull me off to the side into another room. I was still confused about what was happening, but my father gave me a reassuring smile, moments before I lost sight of him.

"Momma, what is going on?" This had gone on long enough, what were they all up to?

"Close the door Lauren." With her back to me, she crossed the room to lift something off the chair nestled in the corner. The small, single windowed room, felt cramped with the door shut. I rubbed my arms briskly, trying to call my rising nerves.

"You're getting married today!" Her voice held excitement as my mother turned holding the most beautiful cream colored dress. She bounced on the balls of her feet holding the dress out in front of her.

I stared in shock, the dress was stunning. Empire waist, hand embroidered flowers and pearls, full length with lace overlay.

"Momma." I just reached out and touched the fabric. I knew this dress, but it had been transformed. "Did you do this?"

"I did." The pride in her voice was well earned. This dress had been passed down for over six generations and I recalled the photos of my mother wearing it. The once white fabric had yellowed with age and the fabric had worn from years of use.

"How?"

"Well, I couldn't save the color, but I was able to dye the original fabric to disguise the age, and made it a soft cream color. To cover the fabric damage, I embroidered flowers and vines and I used my original lace wedding veil to add the overlay. Shorter veils are currently in style, so I hope you don't mind the sacrifice." She paused. "Do you like it?"

"Momma, I love it. It's almost too pretty to wear." I started pulling my simple attire off, excited to try on my mother's creation. I would wear the gown that so many generations of women in my family wore before me. I felt empowered, I had them with me today.

My mother assisted me in changing into the gown. The cut allowed for a very flattering fit. Cuffs at the wrists secured the puffy long sleeves. The dress was light and flowed when I moved.

She sat me down and made quick work of taming my hair into a bun and attaching a short, forward facing veil with pins.

"You look like a princess." My mother stood back to admire her handy work. My eyes began to tear up.

"Thank you momma."

"Let's get you married and off on your honeymoon! I want more grandbabies while I'm still young." I chuckled at the thought of having more babies, I wasn't even twenty years old and I didn't know if David wanted children. I followed my mother out of the small room and back into the office where my father awaited us.

"Where is David?" I glanced around, but he was nowhere in sight.

"He is waiting for you." My father approached and kissed my cheek. "You looked beautiful." My father offered me his arm and I took it.

"Wait..." My mother jumped in front of us. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue."

She paused. "The dress is old and the rings are new." Then she crossed the room to where she had her bags and lifted a beautiful arrangement of flowers. While small, it was perfect, babies breathe and blue flowers. "The bouquet."

"What about something borrowed momma?" My mother stepped back and then she removed her pearl necklace. "Momma, I couldn't!"

"Nonsense, you're just borrowing it. It's bad luck not to have the four necessities." She laughed. Then stepped behind me and latched her pearl necklace onto my neck.

"Ready?"

"I'm ready."

--

POV David

I waited patiently for Lauren and her parents to arrive in the judge's chambers. I hoped that she wasn't getting cold feet, or disappointed at the hastily arrangements. I was contemplating going to look for them when I saw Rose open the door and take her seat opposite where I stood. She smiled at me and I knew, everything would be alright.

The door creaked again and I drew my eyes to the opening. Samuel entered with Lauren on his arm. She was a sight to see. Her almond colored skin popped against the soft cream and lace gown. The pearls around her neck highlighted her collarbones and I never noticed how long her neck looked with her hair tidied up. The look was completed by a small veil covering her beautiful face. I couldn't look away.

"David." Samuel released Lauren's arm and offered his hand towards me. I shook it. "Take care of my baby girl."

"I will." With that. Samuel stepped back and took the seat beside his wife. Rose stood and relieved Lauren of the bouquet so she could hold my hands during the ceremony.

The judge began the proper legal description of marriage before asking, "Do either party wish to recite any vows?"

David paused, "I know this was a surprise, so I don't expect anything, but I would like to say something Lauren." I held her hand and took a breath.

"Lauren, I have never felt so much myself as I do when I’m with you. You have opened my eyes and changed my life. On this day, I vow to do everything I can to make you feel as wonderful as I’ve felt with you. I vow to keep you safe, protect you from harm, and never make you feel unwanted, for as long as I am breathing. I vow to be there for you as your support. What you hold dear, I will hold dear. I cannot wait to build a future with you as my wife."

Lauren squeezed my hands and I knew she heard what my words didn't say. I would do whatever it took to make her happy. I would give her life and limb if it made her days on this earth easier.

"Lauren? Do you have any vows prepared?" The judge asked?

"I do." Lauren looked at me and I knew she was going to speak from the heart.

"Words cannot explain how your presence has impacted my life, but I will try anyway. From the beginning, you have loved me exactly as I am. You stood beside me when I was at my lowest point and pulled me up, you were my air when I was drowning. You have let me heal and grow in my own ways, with tears and compassion. David, today I take you as my husband, but I will work a lifetime to show you how you mean more to me than any word. I love you."  Tears fell freely from her cheeks, her veil covered her beautiful face, but I knew she was smiling.

"Do you have the rings?" The judge asked. I removed the matching gold bands from my pocket and proceeded to repeat the words after his honor spoke, sliding the ring onto Lauren's left ring finger. Lauren repeated this process, then slipped the gold band onto my finger.

"By the power vested in me, by the state of New York, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The judge spoke the words as he signed the final documents.

I reached forward lifting the small veil away from Lauren's face and cupped her cheek as I leaned forward and kissed her gently. She leaned into me, taking a possessive hold, she wrapped her arms around my neck. I gave into the passionate kiss she craved, until we parted breathless. My smile was unmistakably genuine, she returned the gesture with a grin all her own. I married a temptress.