Page 29 of Hooked on Dallas
“Laura Stevens and Dallas De La Cruz,” I say. Nothing can dampen my enthusiasm today.
She stamps a few forms with a rubber stamp and slides them across the counter. “That’ll be fifty dollars. Cash or credit?”
He pays the fee and tucks the marriage license into his jacket pocket. I throw my arms around him, overjoyed that tomorrow I’ll be Mrs. Laura De La Cruz. Our unconventional wedding suits us perfectly. All that matters is that we are committing our lives to each other, ready to face any challenge that comes our way.
The next morning, Valerie helps me pick out an outfit for the wedding while we chat on the phone.
“Something simple but elegant,” she advises. “You don’t want to be overdressed for the courthouse, but you still want to look special.”
I settle on a knee-length ivory dress, a string of pearls Dallas gave me on our first anniversary, and a pair of nude heels. When I emerge from the bedroom, Dallas’s eyes lit up.
“You look stunning,” he says, enveloping me in a hug.
“So do you,” I say, admiring how handsome he looks in his gray suit.
We arrive at the courthouse a few minutes before our scheduled appointment, clutching each other’s hands to steady our nerves.
The same bored clerk meets us at the counter, barely glancing up from her phone. “You’re late. Go on in. The judge is waiting.”
My heart races as we enter the courtroom. Judge Collins, an older man with kind eyes and a warm smile, greets us from behind the bench. “Welcome. Whenever you’re ready.”
Dallas and I walk up to stand before him, our hands still clasped together. We wrote our own vows to keep things simple.
I clear my throat, hoping my voice wouldn’t shake. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were special. You’ve brought so much joy and love to my life, and I cherish each day we spend together. I give you my heart, and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor, as I join my life to yours forever.”
He blinks back tears, gazing at me with such tenderness it makes my breath catch. “Laura, you make me want to be a better man, and together, I know there’s nothing we can’t face. I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. You are my best friend and now you will be my wife.”
Judge Collins dabs at his eyes with a handkerchief. “What beautiful vows. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”
Dallas sweeps me into his arms and kisses me, eliciting cheers from our witnesses. When we break apart, I see tears glistening in his eyes to match my own.
We sign the marriage license with trembling fingers, the permanence of our union hitting me in a wave of joy and nervousness. We are married. Mr. and Mrs. De La Cruz.
As we walk down the courthouse steps into the sunshine, he squeezes my hand. “What would you like to do to celebrate, Mrs. De La Cruz?”
I smile up at him. “Anything, as long as we’re together. But maybe we could do dinner at our favorite Italian place and then go dancing?”
“Perfect.” He kisses the top of my head. “Then whatever comes after.”
A delicious shiver runs down my spine at the promise in his tone. I have married this complex, passionate man, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. “To the future, Mr. De La Cruz.”
“To the future, Mrs. De La Cruz.”
20
Laura
Our honeymoon in Bora Bora feels like a dream, the turquoise waters and swaying palm trees already fading into a hazy memory. But the silver band on my finger is a cold hard reality. I am Mrs. Laura De La Cruz now.
“Morning, wife.” Dallas’s deep, gravelly voice startles me out of my thoughts. He rolls over and pulls me into his arms, peppering my face with kisses. I giggle, swatting him away.
“We have to get up! Our first day back at work, remember?” As much as I want to stay curled up in bed all day, work is calling.
Dallas groans, tightening his grip around me. “Do we have to go in today?” His breath is warm against my neck, and my resolve weakens. “I can think of better ways to spend the day than dealing with clients and paperwork.”
I sigh, twisting in his arms to face him. His hair is mussed from sleep, eyes heavy-lidded, a lazy smile on his face. My husband. The thought makes my heart skip a beat.
“You’re not getting out of it that easily, Mr. De La Cruz.” I kiss the tip of his nose, then rolled out of bed before he can protest further. “Now get up. We’ll be late for work!”
