Page 167 of Don't Leave Me

Emily made a big fuss to walk in before me, announcing my arrival to Jack and Adam as if I were a queen. I felt silly as I walked into our suite, Jack and Adam sitting on the couch near the TV. I walked in and Jack’s eyes grew wide. His smile grew slowly as he glanced at me up and down, taking me all in.

“Completely, utterly gorgeous,” Jack said triumphantly, standing up and walking towards me.

I felt my face grow hot as he took my hand and licked his lips, gazing at my mouth subtly.

“I can’t wait for you to be my wife,” he smiled with pride.

I couldn’t wait for him to be inside of me again.

43

Chapter 43

City hall was packed that morning. The doors opened at 9 AM but there was a line just to get a number to be placed. I hugged onto Jack in the cold, February chill, my long peacoat the only thing on my body other than the dress. He held me as we waited, and it was another moment that I was lost in, not thinking about what was actually happening. It was just two people, with their best friends, waiting to get married in city hall. I glanced up at him and he looked down at me, giving me a small smile.

“You are beautiful, Hana,” he whispered to me, studying my face.

I felt my cheeks warm as I smiled and looked down, then played with the ring on my left hand.

“You guys – we’re gonna go pick up a few things. I don’t think we’ll miss it but will you call us if it gets close and we’re not here?” Emily asked, putting her hand on my arm.

“Pick up a few things? Like what?” I questioned. I didn’t want them to leave.

“Just things, don’t worry about it,” Emily smiled at me playfully.

I gave her a crooked smile. She was up to something.

Not long after they left, the line started to move. We finally got our number and were able to wait inside the warm city hall. It was a gorgeous, old building with arches and staircases that would have been beautiful to photograph. It was still only 10:30 AM and we were positive it would be well past 1 PM when we finally got in front of a judge. Jack and I sat next to each other, both of us reading, but my mind not able to focus on the words for long. I glanced up and people watched, giving people stories in my head, imagining where they were from and what they had for breakfast that morning. Were they also taken against their will and were now getting married to save the lives of all their loved ones? I didn’t even feel a lump in my throat when I thought about it anymore. I was being a hero. I was giving everyone I loved the gift of life. I was sparing my life for theirs. I was a selfless saint.

Emily and Adam were back by noon. Adam and Jack talked secretly as they sat next to each other and Emily sat beside me, holding a small bag up.

“We got you guys wedding rings. Jack said you guys didn’t have time to get them, so we scrounged through all of Albany to find some,” Emily whispered to me, giving me a dimpled smile.

Thisis what made me want to cry. The love that Emily had for me to make this day perfect for us was truly heartbreaking. She opened up the small bag and revealed a small jewelry box.

“I picked them both out, don’t worry. They are both simple, classy bands,” she assured me.

I couldn’t help but tear up. “Thank you, Emily,” I nodded, taking the box in my hand.

“Wasn’t that nice of them, sweetheart?” Jack put his arm around my waist, covertly listening in on or conversation.

“Very nice,” I agreed. I turned back to Emily and smiled. “The very best friends.”

It was 1:30 by the time we were in front of the judge, our wedding officiant, and Emily and Adam. A photographer stood closeby and smiled at us, congratulating us, and I politely smiled back, my hands suddenly shaking. Jack presented our marriage license to the judge and he smiled kindly at us. He was an older man in his 60s, salt and pepper hair with a beard to match, and kind eyes behind thick rimmed glasses that you’d see on a Brooklyn hipster.

“Jack Maynor and Hana Anne Miller, I am Judge Meyers. Congratulations,” he said enthusiastically.

Jack and I looked at each other at the same time and smiled.

“Thank you, sir,” Jack answered for us.

“We will now begin,” he paused for a moment and looked between the two of us. “We are gathered today to join these two people in the loving bonds of marriage. In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift,” he started, almost reciting the words from memory.

“Jack and Hana,” Judge Meyers looked between the two of us. “Do you each enter this marriage of your own free will, free of any reason why you should not be joined?”

My heart started to bang in my chest, my eyes almost bolting out of my head.Did they always ask that question?I felt my breathing speed up but I answered before Jack even did. “Yes,” I nodded, a second before Jack said the same.

Jack suddenly took my hand and squeezed it. Was it a squeeze of affection or squeeze of warning?

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