Get Geri
Page 11
“Geri,” he asked, “do you have an answer for me?”
“You’re rushing me, Josh,” she protested in a far less strong voice than she wanted to use. “Sweeping me off my feet.”
“I know,” he confessed unashamed, with a large smile. “Have you ever known me to waste time going after anything I wanted?”
“No. You generally go after what you want,” she answered. “Generally, you get what you go after. And I’ve never yet seen you fail to care for anything you’ve acquired.”
He smiled at her. “I want you. I intend to have you as my wife, today.”
“That much is quite obvious,” she replied, her voice low. “If we are going to do this, we need a pre-nuptial agreement drawn.”
A prenupt? “Why would you want one?” he asked in surprise.
“Some people might think that I’m marrying you for your money. I don’t want you or our children— if we are so blessed— to have any reason think that.”
“Some people might think that. We know that you’re marrying me for the babies I can give you,” he countered. “I believe you said you would not like anything more than to have a family of your own.”
“You never had children with Amanda in the more than thirty years that you were married. I just assumed children weren’t a possibility.”
“Pregnancy would have been too dangerous for Mandy, with her heart condition, so she had herself surgically sterilized before we were married. Given her health, we couldn’t adopt through an agency. We tried private adoption, twice. Neither time worked out. But, there’s nothing wrong with my fertility.”
“How do you know?”
“Mandy and I tried to have children through surrogates. The lab verified there was no problem with my fertility.”
“Tried?”
“There were several pregnancies. Two women miscarried. One woman got eclampsia and on medical advice aborted the baby to save her life. One woman decided she couldn’t give us her baby after she bonded with him. And after that, we decided we didn’t want to try again.”
“So, you have a son.”
Christopher’s laughing face flashed in Josh’s mind. The pain of loss had long since mellowed allowing him to remember the good times. He sighed. “Christopher died eleven years ago, before you came to work for me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. I loved Christopher. He was a joy, all boy. Wanted to be a surgeon. Bright in math. Terrible handwriting. Played a mean third base in Little League. Francine, his mother, and I worked out visitation and support arrangements. She moved them home to Oregon, after he was born, and told everyone that her husband had died, which he had just before she had become a surrogate. Oddly enough, that was why she’d become a surrogate. She wanted life to triumph.”
He shook his head. “Anyway, Francine wanted Chris to grow up solidly middle-class, so I made sure they lacked for nothing, but that he wasn’t spoiled.”
“Wise. What happened to him?”
“He was ten years old when he was hit by a drunk driver while walking home from school one afternoon.”
“Did they catch the driver?”
“Yes. But Oregon didn’t have a vehicular homicide statute. So, the driver was charged with involuntary manslaughter. He was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison. He was paroled after serving eighteen months.”
“That’s the criminal justice system for you.”
Josh nodded. “Well now, we’ve traded deep dark secrets.”
“We certainly have done that.”
“Geri, please don’t take this wrong. But, how do I know you will be able to give me babies?”
“I’ve been pregnant,” she said with reluctance in her voice.
“You had Delgado’s baby?” he asked, his voice harsh. The thought of her carrying another man’s child, especially a man who had abused and nearly killed her, made him see red.
* * *
Geri was too lost in the wave of misery that always hit her whenever she thought about the whole period of her life, to pay much attention to his reaction. “No, I didn’t give birth to his baby. I barely knew I was pregnant before I miscarried. The doctors said it was for the best. All the x-rays and medicines they gave me in the hospital would have likely caused the child to be deformed. In fact, that’s probably why the baby died, he was just too damaged to live. But the doctors have all told me they don’t see any problem with my having other children.”
Any physical problems, at least, she mentally added. The emotional problems were another issue entirely.
* * *
Josh nodded. “Then, there should be no problem with fertility.”
“There’s no indication that there would be. My cycles are regular. Granted, I’m a woman in my mid thirties, so I’m not exactly in prime childbearing years.”
“Well, then?”
“The timing still is terrible, Josh. I’m scared to death to give this idiot another target.”
“Are you going to let him dictate your life to you?”
“I wouldn’t give Albert the satisfaction.”
“Then you will marry me tonight?”
She sighed. He didn’t like that sound. “Yes. I’ll marry you, Josh. Was there really any doubt in your mind?”
Of course, there had been doubt. But he wasn’t about to tell her that. She had agreed to be his wife. And he intended to make this promise a reality before she had time to have second thoughts. He knew her well enough to know she held marriage to be a lifelong commitment. Once she made the commitment, she would consider herself bound by it.
“Then it’s settled.”
“How in the world do you intend to get married tonight? Texas has a seventy-two hour waiting period after the issuance of a wedding license. And the clerk’s office isn’t open today. It’s Sunday, in case you haven’t noticed. Were you planning to fly us to Vegas?”
Josh smiled. “No. Texas has a provision in law for what’s called ‘marriage without formalities’. A couple can be legally married just by representing themselves as married and living together as man and wife. We can have the marriage recorded just like any other marriage by going into the Clerk’s office tomorrow morning and filing the forms. Just like any marriage license for a weekend ceremony wouldn’t be returned for recording until Monday morning.”
“Common law marriage? You’re proposing a common law marriage?”
“Take it easy. I’m suggesting we become legally married as precipitously as possible with a minimal level of publicity.”
“That actually makes a degree of sense,” she admitted.
“But?”
Geri shook her head negatively. “Getting married is a landmark event in a woman’s life. I’m old fashioned enough to believe marriage should feature solemn vows exchanged before the couple’s family and friends, as well as having the blessing of the Church.”
Josh looked at her for a long moment. “You want a Church wedding?”
“You have something against that?”
“Do you know how long Church weddings take to plan?”
* * *
Geri walked over to the desk and dialed the number of the rectory, from memory. “Hi, Jenny, it’s Geri Erikson. May I speak with Padre, please?”
“Gerianne, what can I do for you?” the priest asked.
“I know this is an irregular request,” she began.
“Life is irregular, my dear,” the priest countered.
“Isn’t it, just?” she replied with a sigh. “How would you feel about blessing a civil marriage?”
“Yours?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“We’re getting married tonight.”
The priest was silent for a long moment. “Flying to Nevada?”
“No. Josh says we’ll register the marriage under the informality provisions of Texas law.”
“Josh?”
“My fiancee, Joshua Sutherland. You’ve met him.”
“What’s t
he hurry, Geri?” he asked in concern. “You can’t be that pregnant.”
Geri blushed to the roots of her hair. “No, Padre. I’m not pregnant, at all. Josh and I, we haven’t….”
“You’ll be pregnant soon enough,” he said just loudly enough for the priest to hear the comment over the phone.
* * *
Josh watched as Geri blushed even more boldly. He hadn’t thought that any one woman could ever be quite that red. He tried not to smile, and failed.
* * *
The priest laughed. “Sounds as though he has plans.”
“There would be precious little sense in marrying if similar plans weren’t in the offing, now would there?” Geri asked, using a far too dry tone to cover her embarrassment. “Do you recall the reasons for marriage from the 1549 Prayer Book?”
“Quite well.”
“All three apply here, and in that order.”
The priest was silent for a moment.
“It’s old-fashioned, I know,” she almost apologized.
“No. It’s refreshing. Not many people worry about avoiding fornication these days. And not many would put children ahead of companionship as a reason for getting married.”
“I’m just a throwback to an earlier generation, I guess... There are no impediments to the marriage. Josh is a widower. He’s been baptized as a Presbyterian. I’ve never married. We both are taking this seriously. But, if we followed the normal channels, this would become a media circus, or worse.”
“The worse being giving notice to whoever tried to kill you,” the priest stated.
Geri sighed. “That’s about the size of it, Padre.”
“Sounds like as good of a reason to have a private marriage as any,” the priest agreed. “We can work this out. Are you sure that you are making a considered decision on this, Gerianne?”
“Have you ever known me to be rash?”
“No. And that’s why this concerns me. You may be acting out of character.”
“We know what we are doing.”
“I’ve found people contemplating committing matrimony seldom truly know what they are doing,” the priest offered, a chuckle barely hidden in his voice.
“Will you give us the Church’s blessing on the marriage?”
“Of course, I will. Once all the formalities are taken care of and this is recorded as a legal marriage. I won’t bless an irregular arrangement. So, have your paperwork in order.”
“I understand that.”
“Very well, Geri. When would you like to have the blessing on your marriage?”
“I’d like to wait until all this settles, and then to have all our friends and family around. I know we ought to have it done quickly, but I still want a quote Church Wedding unquote.”
“Yes. Marriage should be celebrated with one’s friends and family around. But, I agree that given the circumstances, it shows the most charity for your guests to wait until everything resolves, until they won’t be potentially endangered.”
“Yes, I think that’s for the best.”
Father Small said, “I won’t ask again if you are certain of this, Gerianne. But, I don’t much like it. Are you certain you’re willing to live within your obligations if you actually survive this danger?”
“Padre, yes, I’m certain about that. I’m making the best choices I know how to make.”
“Very well, Gerianne. Make sure I get a copy of the recorded certificate for the church records. God Bless you!”
“Goodbye.”
As she hung up the telephone, she looked at Josh. “You heard what I told him.”
“I did. What are the reasons for marriage from the 1549 Prayer Book?” Josh demanded.
Geri smiled. “They are listed in this order: the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and praise of God; for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication, that such persons as be married, might live chastely in matrimony; and for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.”
Josh looked puzzled. “Chastely?”
“Marital chastity. Faithfulness. I won’t tolerate infidelity.”
“Honey, I doubt that either of us will have the energy to be unfaithful, even if we had the inclination, which we don’t.”
“I want to be a good wife for you, Josh. I just wish this were happening under better circumstances.”
“I’m going to call my sister and invite her family over for dinner tonight. Talk Brad into staying when he gets here. That way, we’ll have both families here when we announce we are married.”
“Could we exchange vows, have a little ceremony, with our families?”
“If you want. It’s not legally required. All that’s required is that we live together as man and wife and hold ourselves as married to one another.”
“I want to exchange vows. Will you wear my wedding ring?” she asked.
* * *
Josh looked down at his hand. He pulled off the wedding ring he had worn for most of his life. Mandy’s ring. He put it in his jeans pocket. Mandy had wanted him to go on with his life. That he was picking up with Geri would have pleased her. “I will wear your ring, Geri. I’ll call a jeweler and have some brought out for selection. What do you want? And what size do you wear?”
“Five, I think. I’m not overly into jewelry.”
He shook his head and smiled. “That’s going to make anniversary gifts difficult.”
“Not really. I like horses. Simple vacations. Time with you.”
Josh smiled as he gently pulled her into his arms.
“I have to be nuts,” she told him. “People just don’t get married at the drop of a hat.”
“I do. Mandy and I were married within a week of when we first met. And we stayed married until her death. I’ve known you for more than ten years.”
“During most of which time, you didn’t even look at me twice,” Geri countered.
He shook his head. “Oh, I looked. But, like you, I play by the rules.”
“When it suits you to do so,” she added.
He smiled at her. “You know me far better than any engaged woman should know her intended.”
Geri leaned up slightly and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “I know you are strong, gentle, and sometimes ruthless.”
“Ruthless?” Josh replied in mock affront. “Me?”
“Only when you need to be,” she answered.
From the doorway, Brad said, “Then you and he should be well suited, Gee. So, when’s the wedding?”
Chapter Nine
“Tonight, as a marriage without formalities,” Josh said.
She saw the look of utter disbelief on her cousin’s face as he said, “This from the woman who had her church wedding planned by the time she was thirteen? What happened to wearing our grandmother’s dress and having ten bridesmaids, a bishop to officiate, and a boy choir to sing in a grand cathedral? Followed up by a sit down dinner and dancing to a thirty-piece orchestra?”
She sighed. “I grew up. Gram was much shorter than I am. Besides, Gram’s dress was lost in the explosion along with almost everything else I owned.”
“I’m sorry, Gee,” Brad said, his voice heavy.
“Me too.” Then she sighed. “But, I can’t change it. I just have to make the best of this situation.”
“But a common law marriage, Gee?” Brad asked.
“It’s legal, isn’t it?” Josh demanded.
“To protect yourself, Gee, you need to have the relationship registered,” Brad said.
“That will happen tomorrow morning,” Josh said. “First thing. At the courthouse in Richardson.”
“You’ve obviously thought this out, Sutherland.”
“I generally find a way of getting what I want,” Josh acknowledged.
“You’ve suddenly decided you want Gee? That’s real convenient.”
“There’s nothing convenient about any of this,” Geri denied.
“Just one minute, Counselor,” Josh said tightly. “You aren’t seriously suggesting I created this situation for my own benefit?”
“You are certainly more than capable of doing so.”
“You suspicious son-of-a-bi…” Josh began.
“Calm down, Josh,” Geri said as she placed her hand on his arm. “Suspicion is part of his training. And he’s overprotective of me, anyway. Always has been. That’s just the way things are.”
Josh looked at Geri. The woman had a way of damping the fire of his anger with just a smile. “Okay, sweetheart,” Josh said. “I’m not going to punch him in the nose.”
Geri laughed. “I wouldn’t suggest that you try. He’d probably wipe the floor with you.”
The look on his face told her she had said the absolute wrong thing. His voice sounded disappointed when he asked, “Do you think that little of my ability to take care of us, Gerianne?”
Geri shook her head negatively and smiled an apology. “I don’t doubt you at all. But, I won’t be put in a position of needing to choose between my birth family and my chosen family. I won’t have it! It’s not fair of you to put me in that position.”
She read the acknowledgment of that in his eyes as Josh nodded.
“Let’s be serious here for a moment. It’s a common-law marriage, Geri, he’s proposing,” Brad replied. “He’s not even offering you the dignity of a wedding with your friends and family around you.”
“Come on, Brad, don’t be so disapproving. You know as much theology as I do. Maybe more,” Geri said. “A man and a woman minister the sacrament of marriage to one another, anyway. The priest is there only as a witness and to give the Church’s blessing. We’ll have legal witnesses. Padre will bless the marriage, after all the legalities are observed, and when it’s safe for us invite everyone for a celebration of this marriage. This is the way it’s done in most of the Western world—the civil ceremony comes first, followed by the religious ceremony. And in most of the world, the civil ceremony is little more than simply the signing of a declaration of marriage before a registrar. You know this.”
“True,” her cousin conceded a long moment later.
“So, stay for dinner. Josh is going to get on the phone and invite his sister and her family. Tonight will be a family event. Josh and I are going to exchange vows and rings as a declaration of our marriage. Then we’ll have dinner, and maybe dancing.”