Page 28 of Unwrapped By the Grumpy Mountain Man
“If you have any questions, please ask. Don’t ever be afraid to tell me the truth of how you feel,” I reassure. “It’s going to happen quick. Tomorrow.”
“But I can’t be your flower girl. I’ll be at Mom’s!” Lucy’s puckered, cranky face is back.
“It’s going to be simple. At the courthouse. For now,” I say, hoping to appease my daughter. “There can always be a bigger one later.” Probably a stupid thing to put in their heads.
“You love her?” Silvie asks.
Shit.Okay. This is the part I’m struggling with. If Violet and I do this, we can’t let the girls know it’s not real. They’ll tell their mother, and the entire reason for this arrangement will fall apart. I have to convince them most of all that Violet and I are madly in love, so much so that we’d rush to marry.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I hate lying to the girls. I encourage us to always be honest. I take Silvie’s hand.
“When I met her, I didn’t expect to feel what I did. Each new day, she surprised me with her joy, her kindness, and big heart. She’s like sunshine. I’m lucky to marry her. And I hope all of you feel how much she already cares about each of you.”
Not a lie.
“Daddy loves Vi,” Lucy giggles.
“We can’t be at the wedding?” Angie asks.
“Not tomorrow, baby. But, if Violet and I choose to do a bigger wedding in the future, I will make sure all of you are there.”
A loud, incessant honk announces Kristy’s arrival. My heart literally hurts in my chest at the thought of letting them go back to her and whatever homelife they’re experiencing.
“Alright, girls. Your mom is here. Be good and call me anytime.” I kiss each of them and get them out of the house.
Kristy doesn’t even bother getting out of the car. I help buckle Lucy into her car seat.
“Kristy,” I try to be the bigger person and acknowledge her.
“Hi, Mommy,” Lucy greets loudly.
“Hey, Luce. Buckle up, we have to go,” Kristy tells them.
My back molars clench.
“Love you girls. See you next weekend,” I remind them. We get to see each other every weekend now. And hopefully soon, every day.
The girls smile at the reminder while Kristy finally acknowledges me with a glare. I subtly shake my head, making it clear this is not the time to get into shit. Especially in front of the girls.
I watch them leave, that string that ties each of them to me pulling uncomfortably tight. Last night, Sanford drove to the ground the necessity to make this marriage look as real as possible. Without the girls during the week, Violet and I at least can drop the farce and just be, adjust. But when we’re in public and the girls return next weekend, we’ll have to be on twenty-four seven. Sleeping in the same bed. Touching….kissing.
I scrub my hand down my face, letting the cold December air bite into my skin, welcoming the sting. I left my coat inside, but I don’t mind. I stand out here and let my mind race.
Tomorrow, Violet Huxley will be Violet Wilder. My wife.
Holy shit. I need to go chop some wood.
I paceoutside Eden Ridge Municipal. All I could find was one navy blue sport jacket I’m wearing under my thick brown coat, and black slacks. I cleaned up my full beard and loosely slicked back my hair as I usually do.
Violet texted me this morning, reminding me that our two witnesses, her father and best friend, who’s with a Hunter, know the truth. We don’t have to play it up in front of them. But we do in front of the officiant.
I’m not ready.
I pull the longer strands slightly curled at my nape. It’s a lot for one day. Marriage and moving in a woman I don’t know. Not a stranger. I think we’re past that, but there’s too much unknown still. Small facets of her that we both need to learn before we’re interviewed, and spontaneous inspections show up.
If it didn’t look bad, I’d be sipping on whiskey. I need to calm the fuck down before I pass out.
