"I have my camera and will be taking pictures throughout the ceremony. We should head down to Buckingham Fountain for more formal shots. Now Irene, when I start the music," Eleanor said, producing her iPod, "you escort Alexia in."
Eleanor dug in her bag and produced three corsages and one boutonniere. She started pinning flowers on each of us. The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out. We headed down the hall to the judge's chambers. Ben stopped at the door and opened it.
A striking man in a black robe wrapped Ben into a bear hug. Eleanor licked her lips, and Irene fanned herself. I leaned into them.
"Hot guys attract hot guys," I said.
"Ladies, meet the Honorable Stephen George Graul: statesman, scholar, friend to the common man," Ben said.
"Your servant," he said, bowing to us.
"I wish," Eleanor said under her breath as she offered her hand.
"My imminent sisters-in-law, Eleanor and Irene Hale."
Irene smiled, shaking his hand.
"My bride-to-be, Alexia."
He leaned in and kissed my cheek.
"I'm delighted to meet you and question your taste in men. My guess is you are much younger than Ben. You will surely outlive him and be a rich widow," Stephen said.
"You know we can take our business elsewhere," Ben said.
"Just returning the favor. At my wedding, Ben arrived two hours late, tripped my mother-in-law, stepped through the train of my wife's dress, and punched a waiter. All before the first dance."
The three of us waited for an explanation from the love of my life.
"I was a drunken fool and sent his lovely bride flowers on their anniversary."
"The least you could do," I said.
I didn't know much about my future husband and father of my child and didn't care. Love was blind and tone deaf.
"Shall we?" Stephen asked, leading us into a smaller room.
Eleanor arranged the chairs, blared a tinny Wedding March, took pictures, and cried.
As we exchanged vows, I felt a fluttering. Too early for baby movement, according to the seven websites I checked. Yet, a presence joined us. I hoped he or she approved.
When it came time for the ring, Ben produced pictures of a few stunning settings. Eleanor snuck a peek.
"Nothing can be fitted until the baby weight is gone," she declared.
"You're pregnant?" Stephen asked Ben.
He smiled and nodded his head.
"Double congratulations," Stephen said, kissing my cheek again.
"Excuse me, can we get back to the ceremony? I have a bar to tend," Irene said as she rolled her eyes.
"Ever the romantic," Eleanor said.
"Girls, please behave. I apologize, your honor. They skipped their naps to be here," I said.
"Mom used to bribe us with lollipops. This time, Alexia is keeping the sucker for herself," Irene said.
"Please say 'man and wife' and 'you may kiss the bride,' so I can get them back to their cells," I said.
Both of my sisters laughed and hugged me.
"Are we married?" Ben asked.
"Sure, all I need are a few signatures, and you're gone," Stephen said.
My hand shook as I signed my new name for the first time: Alexia Margaret Hale-Cobb.
"Welcome to the sisterhood, brother," Eleanor said, hugging Ben.
Irene wiped away a quick tear.
"My allergies are bothering me," she said.
"Mine too," I said as I cried and hugged her.
Irene shrugged me off and extended her hand to Ben.
"I hope you realize you're one lucky bastard," Irene said.
"Yes, I have a beautiful wife, two adorable little sisters, and a baby on the way," he said as he took her hand and kissed it. "I hope you and I can join forces as the tough guys in the family."
"Right now, you're on the bubble. I'll let you know when your probation is up. Alexia, call me when you get back from Florida. I'm grabbing a cab back to the condo. Care to join me, Eleanor?" Irene asked.
"Yes, give me a minute with the happy couple."
Irene shook her head and left.
"I'm surprised she came," I said to Eleanor.
"She's the keeper of the box. She attended in her official capacity only. I have to get back to the shop before someone else plots against me. There's a little something in the fridge at home. Be creative." Eleanor said with a wink, and then she, too, left.
"We've been dismissed. Thanks, Judge," Ben said.
"Both of them, Ben, and a baby? Alexia, you'll never have a moment's peace," Stephen said.
"My life has an underlying current of chaos. Thank you for your time," I said.
Stephen saw us to the door. We floated down the hall to the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, Ben kissed me.
""How are you, Mrs. Cobb?"
"I feel much better. I hope all the morning sickness is gone."
"Me too. We have business to tend to later," he said as he leaned in and playfully bit my neck.
"Yes, we have to be legal," I said as I bit him back.
We were on the ground floor and walked out onto LaSalle Street.
"What happened to Mark? I thought he would be at the wedding," I said.
"He texted he had trouble parking the limo. I told him it would be a problem."
"Eleanor insisted on the limo. I'm sorry I should have stopped her."
"I doubt a city bus could stop her. The limo does have a few benefits over a regular car."
Poor gas mileage, hard to steer, impossible to park, limited color choices?
"A stocked bar and a double back seat," he said, kissing my hand.
The limo waited at the corner. The window slid down and Mark waved at us. He got out and opened the door.
"Did you get married or did Alexia come to her senses?" he asked.
"Get back in and close the screen," Ben said as he helped me in.
"We aren't having sex in the back seat of a moving car," I said.
"Perish the thought," Ben said, opening a bottle of sparkling grape juice.
He produced two champagne glasses and poured without a spill. Another point for the limo: smoothest ride ever.
"I propose a toast: to Benjamin Nance Cobb, painter, husband, father-to-be, and lover extraordinaire," I said.
We clinked glasses and downed our juice.
"Well-spoken and all true," he said, topping off our drinks. "Another toast: to you who makes all brighter and beautiful."
After I polished off my second chilled glass, I kissed him. My first mistake as his hand traveled up my skirt and rested on my thigh.
Fifteen minutes of lip locked nirvana then my bone-melting climax. My skirt wrapped around my rib cage. My panties were drenched, ripped, and dangling from one of my ankles. He put his handkerchief between my legs and I left it in place. I smoothed down my skirt and sat back on the seat. He draped his suit coat on me like a blanket.
"I don't know what was in the bottle, but I think it was mislabeled. Sparkling aphrodisiac fluid would be more appropriate," I said.
"Think of the ad campaign," he said.
"Now I know why kids love it."
"As soon as we get home, we'll finish our legal business," he said in a low gruff voice.
"And buy more fake champagne."
The limo suddenly came to a stop. He knocked on the window, and Mark lowered the screen.
"What's wrong?" Ben asked.
"The street's closed. A water main break. We are being detoured."
"Beautiful. Have some carbonated apple juice."
"Thank you. Are you okay?" Mark asked me.
"Fine," I said.
"Close the screen. I don't think she wants to be sick in front of you," Ben said.
"The wedding or the sex?" Mark's voice lifted barely above a whisper.
Ben glared at his soon-to-be dead friend.
"If it's rocking, don't come knocking. It's written all over your face, buddy. You had a little romp," Mark whispered.
>
"Don't you dare breathe a word of it to anyone."
"Are you crazy? I don't give a shit about you, but I like Alexia too much."
Mark leaned over and retrieved a small waste can. He handed it to Ben, winked, and closed the screen.
"Do you need this?" he asked, offering me the bucket.
"No, I think the wedding and sex helped my morning sickness. I should write a new chapter for my pregnancy book."
"I'll provide the illustrations and a how-to manual."
"My husband is generous to a fault. Do you believe in Fate?"
"No," he replied as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"I mean it. We have very little in common, but I feel we were meant for each other."
"I'm glad you feel that way since you're stuck with me for life. We met and fell in love. Complete strangers have been doing this for centuries."
"We have a spiritual connection."
He laughed out loud.
"I'm serious."
"I'm listening to every word," he said, pouring me another glass of juice.
"Our parents had trouble conceiving children. We have known each other four months, and I'm already expecting."
"Do you think our parents made love as often and as furiously as we do? My guess is neither set almost did it on their wedding day in the back seat with a potential audience a few feet away. My father was crazy about my mother, but she would have never done what we just did."
"I've lost my mind. I admit I'm addicted to you and shameless. Mark isn't even five feet away," I said as my blush warmed my neck.
"Don't worry about him. He's not easily shocked or affronted. I think you need sleep and solid food. I would be more concerned if you dreamed professional wrestling was real." He kissed me, and I snuggled in next to him.
"I'm pregnant, not insane."
"We leave for Florida in the morning. Do you need anything before we go?" he asked.
"No, I packed yesterday."
"Bathing suit, lingerie, and plenty of oil?"
"Yes and clothes. How long will we stay with your father?"
"A couple of days. If he bugs us too much, we'll go to a hotel."
"Have you told him anything?" I tried to hide my concern. Mr. Cobb may think I got pregnant on purpose to snare his most eligible son.
"No, I want to see his reaction to the news."
"Will he be angry?"
He took my hand to reassure me.
"He's crazy about you. He might rant about what a mistake you've made," he said, kissing my fingers.
"I mean upset about the baby?"
"Heaven help him. I won't tolerate any vulgar remarks from him," he said as he put his hand protectively on my stomach.
"You tell him about the wedding. I'll tell him about the baby."
"Are you sure?"
"I've got to deal with him sooner or later. May as well jump in with both feet."
The limo pulled into the parking garage of our building. Ben picked up my panties and the handkerchief and put both in his pocket. I had to step out delicately. Flashing the security cameras in the garage was something I wanted to avoid. Mark helped me out and kissed my cheek.
"Kissing brides brings good luck," he said.
"Or a fractured rib," Ben said.
I kissed Mark back.
"I'm sorry you missed the wedding. Thank you for tolerating all the theatrics today. We couldn't have done it without you," I said.
Bad choice of words.
Mark peered around me into the back seat and smiled. In the dictionary for the word tart were pictures of a fruity dessert and a mussed up me.
He hugged Ben, got back in the car, and drove away.
"Mark's a sweet guy," I said.
"No matchmaking eyes. Your sisters would eat him alive."
"Neither one of them would suit Mark, and I like him too much to throw him into the death cage."
He led me to the elevator and up to our home.
"Sex or food?" he asked.
"Bed, sweet bed," I said
"Good, I'm not hungry either."
The elevator doors opened, I stepped out and was immediately swept off my feet. He held me comfortably against him.
"It's customary to carry the bride over the threshold," he said.
He opened the door and set me on the floor.
"How about a little wedding cake? Eleanor said to be creative with what she put in the fridge. It's either devil's food or dildos," I said as I set my purse on the foyer table.
"That won't make our union official," he said, dropping his shirt. "I looked it up, back seat quickies don't count."
"When did you have time?"
"I'm an expert on such important matters. Trust me. First we need to set the mood."
He closed the blinds, selected a sultry cd, and lit some candles.
"Why don't you slip into something more revealing?" he suggested.
"I'm already commando. What did you have in mind?"
"How about some heels and the garters?"
"Okay."
We met up in the kitchen. The floor and the table would be too hard and cold for my back. The wall wouldn't be comfortable either. The chair looked wide and sturdy.
I put the cake on the table then selected a knife.
"I think we cut it together," I said.
He angled around behind me, wearing only boxers.
"Are you okay? You move like you're in pain," I said.
"I am. Hurry up."
We sliced a big piece. I put a small bite on my fork and held it out to him. He took my hand, slid the piece in his mouth, and licked the frosting from my fingers. He cut off the next piece and put it in his mouth.
"We're supposed to take turns," I complained.
He pushed the cake in my mouth with his tongue. I started to laugh, but he held my chin and kept the cake inside. I swallowed the piece, and he let go. He licked the frosting off of my lips.
"Sit down," I said.
"Are we done with the cake?"
"Hardly."
He seemed intrigued as he sat. I picked up the cake plate and straddled his lap.
I used the fork and started serving both of us. By the end, I used my body to feed him. I held the fork above my nipple so he would take both in his mouth. I offered another on my tongue. He took the plate and had me lean over the table. He pushed the remaining cake on my back and licked it clean. When he finished, I stood and faced him.
"Would you like another piece?' I asked demurely.
His smile grew slowly.
"Of you or the cake?" he asked, picking me up again.
I anticipated liking this marriage business. We adjourned to the bedroom.
He slid into bed next to me and fingered a garter.
"All the promises I made today I meant with all my heart. You are the best part of me now. I will love, honor, protect, adore, cherish, treasure, admire, respect, desire, defend, and spoil you all the days of my life. We'll be excellent parents. Our children will want for nothing. I've never felt better about the future, and I owe it all to you," he said, kissing me.
"I've never been so happy. I love you, too. I'll work hard to be worthy of your praises. Our son or daughter is a lucky baby to have such a well-rounded role model. You will be his or her hero."
He cupped my breasts, kissing and tickling them with his unshaved cheek. I moaned softly as he snaked down my body with his tongue. So far, marriage agreed with me. And then some.
The morning came too soon. Our flight had been scheduled to leave at noon. I had to move, but it was too much work. Maybe he would feed me breakfast in bed. I conjured up an image of Ben using his body as a breakfast tray. Did we have any donuts? I should join him in the shower. A little soap here and there. Too late. The water switched off. He walked out wearing a towel around his waist.
"You probably need to get up soon," he said.
After a shower, I dressed casually: khaki skirt and a navy T-shirt. We picked up our luggage and h
eaded out.
I closed my eyes and let the dread of the weekend seep in.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
We flew down on Mr. Cobb's private plane and arrived around three in the afternoon. A chauffeur met us and brought us to a palace.
"Dad's version of laid back," Ben said.
It would take a week to finish the house tour.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Cobb," a man said.
"Gavin, good to see you again. This is my wife, Alexia,"
"Mrs. Cobb, welcome and congratulations," he said, shaking my hand.
"Please call me Alexia."
Gavin received a nod from Ben.
"Alexia, please let me know if you need anything. Mr. Cobb, your father will be down shortly," Gavin said.
All of a sudden, I had a dizzy spell. We had lunch on the plane, but I felt dehydrated and a little hungry. I put my hand on Ben's arm. He had me in his arms and rushing through the house.
"Take her to the library to lie down. I'll send some drinks in," Gavin said as he left.
Five minutes later, two women came in with trays of drinks, fruit, cheese, and crackers. I latched on the glass of lemonade and downed it.
"Feeling better?" Ben asked.
I nodded and went for a glass of iced tea.
"You need sturdier air legs, my girl. Practice is the only way," Mr. Cobb said as he strolled in.
"Dad, notice anything different about Alexia?" Ben asked.
I stood, hoping to pass inspection.
"Even prettier than the last time I saw her."
"And married. Benjamin Emanuel Cobb III meet Alexia Margaret Hale-Cobb," Ben declared.
Mr. Cobb hesitated then smiled.
"Alexia, don't say I didn't try to warn you," he said, kissing my cheek. "When was the ill-advised occasion?"
"Yesterday," I said.
"Did you put up a fight?"
"No, I went willingly. Now I know what to call you."
"I hope you haven't taken any suggestions from your husband to heart," he said.
"No, I think Grandpa will suit you fine," I said.
Ben whipped out his phone and snapped his father's reaction.
"That one's going in the baby book," Ben said.
"Things are moving quickly between you two," he said to Ben.
"Family trait, when it comes to women," Ben said.
Spicing Up Trouble: a romantic comedy Page 20