Chris said to leave the reception up to him. He’d meet up with his sisters, and they’d put together some stuff. They could have a backyard barbecue or a picnic in the park, unless her heart was set on a church wedding and a big reception. Though with such short notice, that might be rough. Of course, he wanted to hear any ideas Sam had, but this way Sam could focus on finding a dress and figuring out invitations. He’d take care of the official, the license, and she’d take care of any other loose details, along with where they wanted to honeymoon.
Realistically they’d have to wait a few months after the wedding for the honeymoon, so they had enough money banked, but paying for the wedding themselves, nobody would hassle them about making it so soon.
Finally, after wrangling ideas together, they decided on a picnic in the park. There were pavilions in case it rained. They’d only invite close friends and family, and keep it a manageable size with such short notice. They could have it catered with simple sandwiches and potato salad, cupcakes, and coolers full of beer and soda. They’d share a romantic dinner another day, but this could be a fun celebration.
Sam couldn’t wait to call Becky and tell her. Chris had some details to take care of with transitioning back home, and he wanted to touch base with his family.
Dialing her best friend, she waited as the phone rang too many times. She was so excited, and each ring felt like it took forever. When Becky finally answered, Sam squealed into the phone. “Becks! I’m getting married!”
“What? Congratulations. Wait, back up. Did I miss something?”
“Oh my gosh, it’s crazy. It’s all happening so fast.”
“What’s going on?” Becky sounded as confused as she felt.
“I’m getting married! Chris came home. He couldn’t go. He said he needed me in his life, and showed up on my doorstep. He asked me to marry him!”
“Wow, that’s exciting, and so romantic.”
“Right, so would you...”
“Of course!” She didn’t even have to ask. There was no way she wouldn’t stand beside her best friend on her wedding day. “So when is it? Let me know so I can pencil it on the calendar. Will it be a long engagement? Do I have time to lose the weight after I have the baby?”
“Umm, it’s in two months.”
“Two months?” Becky’s voice couldn’t hide her surprise. “Wow, that soon?”
“Yeah, isn’t it exciting? We’re both so happy.”
“Happy is good.” She was silent for a moment, and then took a deep breath. This wouldn’t be easy; she didn’t want to rain on her friend’s parade. “Don’t you think you’re moving a little fast?”
“I love him, Becky. He’s the one.”
“Then why not extend the engagement? Neither of you is going anywhere.”
“Because,” Sam’s voice grew tense, “that’s the date we chose. We chose it, the two people getting married. We didn’t call around and take a vote on the matter. We chose what we wanted to do.”
“Right. I know sweetie, but I have to be honest with you. You’d do the same for me. I just think you’re rushing things because you’re excited he came back. Do you really want to plan out your entire future in just a few weeks?”
Sam couldn’t believe her ears. “Really? Why can’t you just be happy for me? I was happy for you and Reed. I was happy when you got pregnant. Now something amazing is happening in my life, and I’m happy. Can’t you just let go of your expectations of what I should or shouldn’t do when I get married, and just be happy for me?” The hurt was apparent in her voice.
Becky sighed. “I am, truly. I’m just worried you were feeling vulnerable and made a decision without thinking it through. What do you really know about him?”
“You know what? Just forget it. I’ll talk to you later. I can’t do this right now. I thought of all the people in the world, you’d be tickled for me. Instead, you can only judge me. Thanks, Becky.” Sam hung up the phone. She was peeved, hurt, and wanted her friend to react differently.
Was Becky right? She hated that she was questioning things now. She was certain Christopher was the one for her. Only now, instead of being excited, she was painfully annoyed.
Samantha’s phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. “What?” she snapped as she answered.
“Sam,” Becky soothed. “I love you, you know that. I am happy for you. I just don’t want you to make a mistake you’ll regret.”
“Do you think I’m not smart enough to make my own life choices?”
“Is this what you really want?”
“Yes.” Sam’s voice was strong and sure.
“Okay, then I’m happy for you.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ve got to go.” It was hard to believe her friend was happy for her, when she was just questioning her decision to marry Chris so soon. The cynicism dripped from her voice.
“Don’t be like that.”
“What do you expect? I call to tell you the most exciting news of my life, and you shit on me. Instead of celebrating with me, you chastise me, basically telling me I’m a fool.”
Becky was shocked. “I said no such thing.”
“You meant it.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“What am I supposed to think?”
“Shit. Sam, listen, I’m sorry. It’s just fast. Admit it, if you heard someone was getting married that fast, you’d react this way too. I know you’re caught up in the excitement, so I’m asking the questions you aren’t. The only thing I want for you in life is to be happy. So if you’re happy, truly happy, so am I.”
Sam was silent for a moment, taking it all in. “It’s just... I was all excited. Now it’s like I’m doing something stupid instead of something joyful.”
“I’m sorry.” She truly felt responsible for taking the wind out of her sails, but knew Sam would have called her out the same way. When it came down to it, they had each other’s backs, even if it meant saying the stuff you didn’t want to hear.
“Yeah. I’m going to go. I’ve got a wedding to plan.”
“Want some help?” Becky offered.
“Maybe later.”
“Sam, please.”
“Yeah, whatever. I have to call a few more people. Hopefully they’ll be happier for me.”
Hanging up the phone again, Samantha stared out the window. Of all the people in the world, Becky was the one she was most excited to share the news with. Only now, she almost didn’t want to tell anyone else. Would she have to defend her choices over and over again?
She got the same reaction from others. Sam was angry. Instead of people letting her have a moment to shine and bask in her joyous announcement, they shut her down, questioning her judgment. It was painful, but made her sit back and think that if everyone was saying the same thing, maybe it was something she should look at. What if they were right? Would she go through with the wedding just to prove a point?
Confused and frustrated, she waited on Chris to get home.
“I’m not sure how to say this,” he started. “My family was less than enthused, thought I was rushing things, and kind of left me feeling dumped on. I thought they’d be excited for me.”
“I was met with the same reaction. I’m hurt and angry. Not one person gave me the benefit of the doubt that maybe, just maybe, I know what I want.”
“Do you think we should wait?” He hated to ask.
“Do you?”
“I want to marry you. I want you in my life. I don’t care if it’s today, tomorrow, or ten years from now,” he answered truthfully.
Sam leaned into Christopher’s shoulder. “What do we do? Appease them or do what we want?”
“This is our wedding. They don’t have to show up, but I’m ready to marry you.”
“We could elope.”
“That makes me sad for you. You were excited to tell your friends.”
“Yeah.” She didn’t know what else to say. “It just feels weird starting off marriage without our friends and family supporting us.�
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“We can wait.”
“I don’t know what to do.” It felt like an elephant was standing on her chest. The weight of this wedding went from spontaneous fun to frustration. Her voice was sullen, and closing her eyes, she just wanted it to go away. It’s not that she didn’t want to marry Christopher. She just wanted it to be a happy occasion, not one filled with doubt.
It wasn’t her doubt, either. It was everybody else’s. Why couldn’t they trust her to know who she was? To know what she wanted? She’d never wanted anybody more... that was one thing she was certain of.
Finally, she whispered her answer. “Let’s elope.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’d rather it be a celebration, even if it’s just the two of us, then wondering if people are talking behind our backs.”
Chris ran his fingers through her hair. “Mrs. Remy...I like the sound of that.”
“So, you want to fly away with me and get married this weekend?” Sam smiled.
Chris laughed. “Can we make it next weekend? I need to take care of one or two things.”
“It’s a date.”
Chapter 21
She avoided calling Becky or Winnie. Every time she went to dial, Sam stopped herself. Maybe she was overreacting, but it hurt. She thought her friends would stand by her side.
Packing her bag, she tucked things in neatly and then finished rescheduling the last of her appointments. This time next week, she’d be Christopher’s wife, Mrs. Samantha Remy. She smiled, and her heart beat a little faster. Any doubts had faded. Thinking about being married to Chris felt right. She couldn’t explain it; she just knew he was the one for her.
Maybe it was in the tiny gestures she saw over time. He had a good heart. He made her feel incredible, and the only thing she wanted was to make him happy in return. She wasn’t entering into marriage lightly. To her, it was for keeps. People always say “you’ll know,” and that was the only way she could explain it. She knew.
Chris printed out their boarding passes, and tucked them in his wallet. “Early tomorrow morning, we’ll be on the way to the airport. Are you ready?”
Sam nodded, beaming. “I wish Becky would be there, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
As the day turned into night and then morning again, the couple got up and headed to the airport. Becky and Reed were waiting for them at the gate.
“Becky?”
“I couldn’t let you get married without me. Chris came and talked to me.”
Sam hugged Chris. “You did that for me?”
“I can’t have my wife unhappy on her wedding day!”
“I’m sorry,” Becky said, lowering her head. “I should have been there for you. Can you forgive me?”
Samantha opened her arms and gave her a big hug. “Thank you for being here.” She couldn’t hide her smile. Things felt so much better with Becky by her side.
Reed and Chris made small talk while they waited for the plane to board. The girls talked a mile a minute about what was going on. Within a few hours they’d land, and Chris and Sam would become man and wife.
Becky and Sam were giddy with excitement discussing details, and how this was a big adventure.
“I’m getting married!” Sam radiated her happiness.
“Yeah, that’s pretty cool.”
“I found a nice tea length dress at Showman’s Bridal. I didn’t want to overspend, and it had to fit in my bag. It was short notice, so I found what I could.”
“I can’t wait to see it. You’re going to be a beautiful bride.” Becky smiled at her friend, pleased to see her so happy.
“Thanks. I can’t wait to see Chris in his tux. He said there’s a rental place there, and he already called ahead.”
“This is really happening.” She clasped Sam’s hand. “It’s nice to see you excited. I’m sorry again.”
“You’re here now.” Sam patted her hand reassuringly.
“I should have been there for you.”
“You were looking out for me.”
“I love you, Sammy. I just want you to be happy.”
“I love you, too, Becks.”
Loading onto the plane, the couples found their seats and waited for take-off. After what felt like forever, the pilot’s voice came across the speaker.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman. We’ll be departing shortly. There’s a small mechanical issue we need to address. Once we’ve gotten clearance, we’ll be able to go. Sit back and relax, and we should be in the air within the hour.”
Chris put his hand on Samantha’s. His palm was sweaty.
“Are you okay?”
“Just a little tighter in here than I expected.”
“Claustrophobia?”
He nodded. “I wish I had something you could take to ease your nerves.”
“It will be okay. Once we get moving, we’ll be that much closer to landing.”
The couple sat, hand in hand, waiting for the aircraft to start.
After what felt like way too long, the pilot’s voice made another announcement. “We’re sorry folks; it seems that the problem is bigger than they anticipated. We’re going to get another plane out here, and get you loaded onto that one. You should be out of here just as soon as the other plane arrives.”
Chris looked at Sam. His face was pale, slowly getting more translucent.
“We don’t have to go,” Sam assured him. “We can go home.”
“We have a wedding.” He didn’t want to disappoint his bride to be, and was trying hard to hold it together.
“We can get married here.”
He breathed, sucking in air, pursing his lips, and then blowing out slowly. They were measured breaths, like he had to think to breathe. “I should be fine.”
Sam looked at Chris. “We’ll do it next week, locally.” She leaned over and kissed his nose.
“I wanted to do this for you.”
“You couldn’t have known the plane would have issues.”
“I don’t know if I can get on another one today.”
“I understand. We’ll gather Becky and Reed when we unload, and let them know.”
“You’re sure,” he asked, still afraid to disappoint her.
“Positive.”
“We’ll get married yet, I promise.”
“I’m not worried about it. It will happen when it’s supposed to.”
“You’re an amazing woman.”
Once the plane was emptied and the next was brought in, Chris decided he was ready to try again.
“You don’t have to do this.” Sam was worried about his claustrophobia.
“I know, and I appreciate your understanding, but I need to. When it comes down to it, marrying you is more important.”
“You’re sweet.” Sam kissed his cheek.
“Are you sure?” Becky chimed in. “We can do this here at home. Maybe if we pull some strings, we can have something set up by next weekend.”
Christopher shook his head. “Let’s just do this.” Exhaling, he was ready to board the new plane.
As they boarded the aircraft, Chris took a deep breath and told himself it was worth it. At the end of this journey they’d be husband and wife. He needed to do this, to show her that she could count on him at all costs. How would it look if he couldn’t even make it to his own wedding? Sure, she said it would be fine, but the very first thing she’d remember was that he backed out of getting on a plane. He refused to let that turn into something it wasn’t. He’d get there, come hell or high water.
Once they took off, he relaxed a little bit. Having an aisle seat helped, but he hated that there was no way out. Well, there was, but it was a long way down. It was the lack of control that bothered him most, and an inability to escape if panic set in. He didn’t ask for claustrophobia, and he had no clue where it came from, but things like elevators and airplanes were not his favorite places. Though he was warming up to elevators after meeting Sam; she made them much more enjoyable.
The f
light was uneventful, but Christopher was more than happy when the plane landed. He was good and ready to get out of the flying capsule. He felt the tightness in his chest easing up as he moved from the airplane to the airport. It was a building, a big open building, with high ceilings and plenty of space. He especially appreciated the high ceilings. He could breathe again. It was almost as if someone had inflated his lungs with pure, clean oxygen.
He felt alive again, perking up. “Are you ready? I can’t wait!”
“Wow, you’re like a brand new person.” Sam was relieved to see him back to himself again.
“I’ve got a car coming to shuttle us to the hotel. It should be down this way.”
“Wait, potty break!” Sam turned off to the side, seeing the restroom sign.
“Be right back,” Becky added, following Sam.
“How are you holding up?” Becky asked Samantha.
“Surprisingly well, though I was worried about him with the plane trouble earlier.”
“He adores you.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you ready for this? No second guessing?” Becky needed to make sure her friend was fully committed to her present course of action.
“I actually am. I’m not stressed at all. It feels natural. I don’t even know how, but I’m not nervous.”
“Okay then, let’s get you married.”
***
Sam stood at the back of the aisle of the tiny chapel. Looking around, it felt surreal. The chapel held four pews on each side. It was a quickie wedding place in the tourist ridden town, and chapel after chapel dotted the neon highway. Whether you wanted a wedding with Elvis, a drive-thru wedding, or something in between, there were a dozen chapels to choose from. Each held a sign trying to outdo the next. Neon lights flashed with hearts and arrows, trying to grab your attention.
Sam’s dress skimmed her calves, with tulle flaring it out the slightest bit. She wore ballerina style flats, since they took up less room in her luggage than heels did.
As the music started, it was time. Samantha started down the short aisle.
Music cost extra, and as the old lady piped the wedding march through the organ, Sam took a step closer to her soon-to-be husband. The old woman sat poised, her grey hair towering over her head in some twisted bee-hive concoction. She wore cat-eye, black-rimmed glasses on a chain. She could have easily stepped out of a fifties television comedy.
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