Page 34 of Matrimonial Merger

“Cal, you need a marriage license for me to officiate. This is… unconventional… but seems on-brand for the whole Delphine family.”

I snickered. “Yes, David could beimpulsive. But this isn’t Daphne. It’s me. She makes me a little crazy.”

“First of all, congratulations on the baby. I should have said that first. That’s such a happy thing.”

I smiled. “We’re both very excited even if the timing isn’t super ideal. But, we already had the venue. She wants to wear this dress and not be miserably pregnant. I am trying to make it work?—”

“That brings me to point number two. You need to get yourself to the County Building and get the marriage license today. It is good tomorrow, but I cannot marry you without it.”

“Oh.” Panic set in. “Really?”

“Yes. Quickly. Because it could take a few hours.”

“I didn’t think about that detail,” I admitted.

“I think they might give you special treatment, buddy.” John chuckled. “I’ll call ahead and tell them the mayor is heading over.”

I blushed. “I feel like an idiot, John.”

“Nah. You’re just a man trying to keep his soon-to-be-wife happy.”

“She’s gonna probably kill me.”

“Yeah, no. She won’t. She might give you a little grief, but I think she wants this or you wouldn’t have attempted the stunt, right?”

“Probably not. Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

“Now, I will get myself together for tomorrow. I need details on your planned script, though. Just shoot me a text later.”

“We want to do our own vows,” I said.

“You were surprising her and planning on that?”

I winced.

“I’m glad you called me in,” John chuckled. “Go get her and get this all wrapped up, man.”

As he left, I looked at Daphne’s calendar. We had a three-hour window to get this done by some miracle if I raced there like my legs were on fire. I emerged. “Sandy, hold all my calls. Ineed to go to the county building. And… I need you to reschedule my one if I’m not back.”

She furrowed her brow.

“Daphne and I are getting married tomorrow—don’t say anything. That was why the hold was on my calendar. I need to get a marriage license.”

She erupted in a smile. “Well, don’t wait around. I will transfer them to the deputy mayors as-needed.”

“Bless you,” I said, rushing out on a mission.

11.COVERT OPS

Daphne

“Cal?”I murmured to myself, standing in the hallway. I was just leaving the conference room with Chloe and our CMO when I spied him talking to my assistant.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Chloe laughed.

Cal heard Chloe first, but his eyes met mine and he was on a mission. He raced over, looking like the world was ending. My heart sank.

“Cal, do not say our party is cancelled,” I said, sensing it had to do with tomorrow’s evening plans. “I took the day off?—”

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