Page 103 of Forever Fickle

“I love you, Mrs. Sorensen,” he whispered, reaching forward to kiss her again. “We are going to do this…”

“Not if your father wrings your hide…” she laughed softly, “Go.”

“I’m going…” he chuckled. “I’m going. Who knew my bride would chase me out of her room in my jammies.”

“Jace…”

He winked at her as he opened the door slightly, disappearing into the hallway. For a moment, she listened to see if he was heading down to his room to change… and heard his sister’s howl of laughter moments later.

“Nope. Guess not,” she whispered to herself, realizing he’d gone out there as he was. “… And I’m going to marry that goofy, sweet man.”

* * *

Thirty minutes later,Karen emerged from her room nervously, expecting almost to get bombarded or have Jace back out of his crazy suggestion made so spontaneously. She wondered if he would change his mind, or suggest something else to throw her for a loop.

As she walked into the kitchen, her heart seized in her chest as Jace got to his feet proudly… in uniform. He was wearing his dress uniform from the Air Force and his hair was still wet.

Everyone else was sitting around the table, waiting, and watching her. Karen was wearing a cream-colored cashmere sweater that she’d bought for Christmas one year

“Hey there…” Jace whispered, his eyes watching her as he held out his hand towards her. “You look absolutely beautiful, and the courthouse opens at eight… unless…”

“Perfect,” she smiled, taking his outstretched hand and feeling her eyes sting with emotion as she looked at him. He was serious about this, about them, and looked so indescribably happy.

“My brother loves the very air you breathe,” Jana said tearfully, getting to her feet and walking over to hug her. “We have time to get a bouquet for you, and I’m still crashing on your couch next year to help with the wedding…sister.”

Karen drew in a shaky breath, feeling her throat burn as she realized she was indeed getting married to the man of her dreams today. Lindsey muttered something and withdrew several Kleenexes at once, handing her a few and dabbing at her own eyes.

“Welcome to the family, honey,” Lindsey said proudly, glancing at Jim. “We are skipping the shopping for the biggest event this proud mama will ever witness. My only son is getting married today.”

“My boy has always been headstrong when something means a lot to him,” Jim said gruffly. “Just remember, a house full of laughter and love can withstand any challenges. There are going to be highs and lows, but together you can get through it all.”

“Thank you,” she said tearfully, smiling at Jace. “Life is certainly full of laughter and love since the moment I met him.”

“I try…” Jace grinned, his own eyes shiny with emotion as he gave her hand a slight squeeze. “I made your coffee, Tink.”

“Ahhh…” she chuckled thickly, smiling. “You might be a keeper.”

“I sure hope so, woman, because I’m never letting you go.”

* * *

Two hours later,Karen was trembling nervously as they waited for their turn at the courthouse. It was surprisingly crowded, and they closed early because of the holiday, which caught them all by surprise. If they had waited, this would never have happened before Jace had to leave.

Sitting there on the benches that lined the hallway to the courtroom, Jace’s leg bounced nervously, in almost a jarring manner, because their fingers were laced together as he held her hand. She didn’t say a word because she knew he was antsy, and her own pulse was racing ninety-miles-a-minute.

In fact, she was extremely nervous.

She’d called her parents and explained what was going on… and after several rounds of questions, her parents sighed heavily, asking for photos, and demanding that her father still walk her down the aisle next year.

“You don’t have to rush…”

“Why don’t you wait…”

“You aren’t pregnant, are you?”

“Isn’t this all so fast, Karen?”

Oh yes, Karen went through the gamut once again, as a litany of questions flew and the phone was passed from her mother to her father, then back to her mother again.

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