Page 113 of Love Resurrected
“I’m not either. Anymore.”
“Really? So that your dad is waiting to walk you down the aisle, with what, wife number seven in the audience, that doesn’t freak you out?”
“Number six. And, it does now, thanks a lot.” I stop walking, forcing Sadie to stop with me.
“Look, Ten, maybe youareafraid of marriage, and that’s okay. But you aren’t afraid of being with Brad, and that makes all the difference in the world.”
“I just don’t see why we couldn’t leave everything as-is. Why muck it all up with vows and a piece of paper?” My body temperature rises, and I fan my face with my fingers.
“You know why.”
“Right. It’s important to Brad. And Brad is important to me. So, this is what we do.”
“Exactly.”
“How come it doesn’t work in the reverse?” I ask. “How come he doesn’t have to bend for me? Do what’s important to me?”
“Tenley, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting married.”
“You’re right.”
“I am right.”
I nod.
“Look,” Sadie says. “Let’s say that you didn’t take the vows or sign the paper, and everything stayed as-is?”
“Okay.” I can’t help the excitement that creeps into my voice at the thought.
“How doesthatmake the relationship any more stable?”
“It doesn’t.”
“See?”
“But, marriage weakens the stability,” I counter.
“Does Remi’s marriage seem weak?”
“No.”
“They’ve been married for over six years.”
“Okay.”
“And you and Brad have been strong for over a year.”
“Right.”
“A few of your dad’s marriages haven’t even lastedthatlong.”
“Is that supposed to help?”
She puts her hands on my shoulders. “Do you love Brad?”
“With all my heart.”
“Does he love you?”
