Page 104 of Forever Fickle

They weren’t mad – just surprised.

“Sorensen?” a man called out loudly down the hallway from one of the courtrooms.

Jace shot to his feet, nearly pulling Karen with him. He pulled her towards the courtroom, and she nearly stumbled, only to have him catch her.

“Sorry,” he smiled anxiously. “I’m excited.”

“Me too,” she grinned, looking up at him, “but I’d like to not end up at the hospital with a broken ankle, too.”

“Makes for a tough wedding night, doesn’t it?”

She looked at him wide-eyed in surprise, realizing she hadn’t even thought that far ahead. They were actually getting married… which meant a wedding night.

… And a distinct lack of jammies!

“I booked us a room,” he said quietly, as if he could read her mind. His eyes searched hers as he drew to a stop, right before entering the courtroom, and she knew his family was right behind them. “Do you still want to get married?”

“I do…” she whispered nervously. “I’m just excited too.”

“I’ll be your rock, if you’ll be mine?”

“Always.”

“Let’s do this, Mrs. Sorensen,” he smiled tenderly, holding out his arm towards her. They walked up the aisle towards the officiant who was waiting at a pulpit nearby. It looked like they did weddings in this room repeatedly because there was an arbor with fake greenery all over it to serve as a backdrop for photos.

The white roses tinged with pink of her bouquet shook slightly in her hand as they took their places besides each other. This all felt so strange, so surreal, and if she had any doubts?

They were gone the moment she looked at Jace.

He stood there proudly, his expression full of love as he blinked back tears, smiling so widely at her, his face alit with joy. She couldn’t help but smile back at him, regardless of the tears that tracked down her own cheeks as they listened to the quick service.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness this union of Jace Marcus Sorensen to Karen Marie Marks on this day as they begin their lives together as one. Marriage is a commitment of time, emotions, resources, and trust. It’s not to be taken lightly nor discarded at the first obstacle.”

They looked at each other in that moment, knowing that they had several obstacles down the road to overcome – as well as time. She saw his slow subtle nod and knew he was silently telling her that he was committed fully to this between them.

“Do you, Jace, take Karen to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, support, and accept the things that you cannot change, yet growing in your bond to one another?”

“I do,” he said gruffly, clearing his throat and chuckling as he quickly wiped his eyes. “I absolutely do.”

“Karen, do you take Jace to be your lawfully wedded husband? Also to love, support, and accept those things that cannot change, growing in your love for one another?”

“I certainly do,” she smiled up at him, feeling him give her fingers a light squeeze of encouragement.

“Do you have the rings?”

Jace froze, suddenly looking ill.

“I got the engagement ring, but…”

“It’s okay,” she said, smiling at him.

“Sir?” the officiant interrupted, holding out a small box towards him. “This happens a lot. People forget them at home, drop them, or lose them because they are overwhelmed. We have stand-ins and you can give your bride the bands later.”

Jace reached in the box, picking up two cheap metal rings that looked like something you would have on a keychain.

“Karen, I…”

“You can put a real band on there when we renew our vows,” she said tenderly, smiling at him. “Deal?”

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