by S. L. Scott
As soon as I hang up, Evan puts his hand on my thigh, rubbing gently, and asks, “Word’s gotten out and it’s complete nuts there?”
“Something like that.”
“Excellent.” He watches me a second longer and smiles before his eyes flash quickly back to the road. He glances at me again and I see the slightest blush in his cheeks.
“What?” I ask, feeling self-conscious.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head and keeps smiling.
“C’mon, spill it. You’re making me paranoid.”
“I’m liking your hair like that.”
My hair flies loose, soft waves of crazy chaos in the air. “Is it too wild because of the wind?” I ask, attempting, and failing, to tame the fly-aways back into place.
“It’s beautiful, like you.”
Rubbing my hand through the back of his hair, he keeps his eyes focused on the road and a smile on his face.
“I think you’re pretty darn handsome yourself, you know,” I say without hoopla, just stating how I feel.
“Do you have any regrets, baby?”
“Yeah, but none where you’re concerned. Oh wait, maybe one. If I could change one thing in our past, it would be that 4th of July party. I would have fought harder to stay there with you, but I also worry that if done differently it would change the whole order of our future, including you finding out the truth about Rachel. Does that make sense?”
“And if that did change things?”
“Then I wouldn’t change anything because I like where we are now.” I look around as he pulls into a gravel lot near the water. “Where are we?”
He runs around to help me out of the car. “Look down there.” He points down a grassy knoll to a little, white chapel sitting on a cliff near the water. The cliff rises about ten feet above the ocean, but it seems to provide enough protection from the waves crashing below.
The stunning view before me causes me to go speechless. One word. Only word comes to me. “Evan.”
With a tilt of his head, he looks down at my high heels and back to the hill in front of us. “I’ll take my shoes off if you take yours off.”
There’s no way of me making it down that hill in these shoes. The spike of the heel will sink into the ground and I’ll probably break an ankle. “Deal.”
Bending down, he kneels in front of me, and slips one then the other shoe off me. He kicks his shoes off and tosses his socks. He steadies me by tucking my arm under his and leads me down the grassy slope. There isn’t anything traditional about what we’re doing, but everything feels real and it feels right.
As we’re walking, a minister appears in the doorway of the chapel and waves. Evan says, “You remember Harold from Big Kehones?”
“Every Tuesday he ordered a burger, rare, with fried onions on top. He’s a minister?”
“In his former life. He’s retired now.”
“I guess I should have watched my language around him.”
“For a religious man, he’s not very judgmental, which is why he tolerates me.” He laughs.
Harold’s nature is calming, grandfatherly. When we reach him, he takes both my hands in his, and says, “It’s nice to see you again, Mallory.” He turns to Evan and motions with his head. “So how’d you get her?”
“I dunno, Sir. I ask myself that question every day.” They share a laugh as Harold pats Evan on the back.
“You two want to get married, huh?”
“Yes, Sir,” Evan’s tone changes. “We’re hoping you’ll perform the ceremony.”
“I see you’re dressed for the occasion. And you don’t have to be so formal. Harold still works fine for me.” He turns and walks inside. “Welcome to Chapel by the Bay. This is my old church. She treated me very well for almost forty years.”
“It’s—”
“Perfect,” I add, looking at Evan.
“Yes, perfect,” Evan says, gently squeezing my hand.
“I hear there are people waiting for your arrival as a newly married couple. Should we get to our purpose? Evan, do you have the certificate?”
“It’s in the car,” he replies as we follow him to the front of the church.
“Good. We’ll need that after the ceremony. Mallory, Evan mentioned you both might want to say your own vows?”
The sun is starting to set, filling the tiny chapel with a warm glow. “Okay. We say what we feel? I can do that.”
“Yes, just speak from the heart,” Harold says, smiling at the two of us. “I can tell this will be a long and fruitful partnership. Your presence has filled this chapel with light, love, and life today.”
“Thank you,” Evan says, nodding to him.
“Time to start. Face me please.” We reluctantly drop each others’ hands and stiffen as we turn toward the minister. He laughs. “You can still hold hands if you want.”
Stifling a giggle, we smile while taking the others’ hand again.
Evan whispers, “Sorry, we’re both kind of new to this.”
“No worries. I’ll walk you through it. What are your full names?”
Harold looks at me and I reply then Evan responds as well.
He clears his throat, then begins. “Evan, Mallory, you’ve come here today to proclaim your love in front of God and with Nellie as your witness…” We both turn as he acknowledges the older lady sitting in the back corner of the chapel. We hadn’t noticed her at all. “That’s my wife. You have to have a witness other than myself and God in the state of Hawaii for this marriage to be legal. Only a formality. I hope you don’t mind that I brought her.”
“Not at all,” I say, smiling at both of them before leaning my arm against Evan with our hands still clasped together.
“Well, we’re all here to bear witness to the union of Mallory Elise Wray and Evan Theodore Monroe Ashford. Face each other, and Mallory you may begin your vows.”
I take a deep breath while turn to Evan. He takes my other hand. “Evan,” I say, trying to calm my nerves. “There’s a sparkle in your eyes that has always meant life to me. When you wake up—” Oh no, I realize I just admitted, in church, that we’re sleeping together. I glance at Harold, but he smiles, non-judgmentally, like Evan said about him earlier, which eases me.
I take another deep breath and see a small smile on Evan’s face, encouraging me. “You’re the sun that brightens my day. When we go to bed, you’re the moon that comforts me at night. I vow to keep that light, that sparkle in your eye and to always be there for you. I’ll be there to support your dreams, your goals, through failure and success, sickness and health, richer or poorer. I’ll always be there for you, my love. Your light has given me life and I willingly go forth into marriage with you to spend my days showing you how much you mean to me. I love you, Evan.” Tears fills my eyes again, one slipping down my cheek.
Suddenly, a handkerchief is handed to me by Nellie. I thank her while dabbing my eyes carefully.
When I look up, Evan’s eyes are full of tears as well, the moment overwhelming us both. When he blinks, they run over his lids and roll down his cheeks. I wipe each cheek, gently drying them.
“Evan, your vows,” Harold says, a gentle reminder.
“Mallory, you are beauty—your soul and entire being—inside and out. I’m not a perfect man, but I’ll spend my life striving to be what you deserve. I vow to treat your heart with care and fill it with love. The light you see in my eyes is only a reflection of the love you show in yours. I promise to treasure every day you give me and every night that you’re next to me. I promise to spend my life bringing you happiness.”
He brushes some hair from my shoulder with care. “Mallory, when I look at you, I see the woman who will be my wife, my lover,” Evan says, pausing when he looks down at our joined hands. He gulps then continues. “And the mother of our children.” When his eyes look directly into mine there’s a confidence in his words. “I see a lifetime of laughter, love, meaningful touches, and many years of heaven on earth. I used to think the day I met you was
the best day of my life, but it pales in comparison to today. I’m honored to be your husband, your biggest supporter, and your partner in this lifetime and the next. Thank you for loving me as much as I love you.”
I wipe my eyes again, fully aware I must look a mess after all the tears I’ve shed from his sweet words.
Harold’s voice cracks, the emotion in the chapel affecting him as well. “Evan, Mallory, do you have rings?”
“I do,” he says, reaching into his inside pocket. He pulls the simple platinum bands out and the minister takes them.
He tells us how the circle represents eternity and how our love will go beyond this life. Then I slide Evan’s ring onto his finger and he does the same to me.
“It’s my pleasure to announce you as husband and wife. I know you’re not waiting for me to give the word. Get in there and kiss your wife, son.”
Evan caresses my face while I grab a hold of his arms, bringing him closer. Our gazes lock and I can see forever in his eyes. Our lips touch, the kiss slow and tender, and like every kiss he’s ever given me, my world shifts on its axis and I get lost in all that is him.
I watch as he slowly opens his eyes, aware for the first time that he feels the same all-consuming way I do. I can’t stop the smile that covers my face and it appears he can’t either.
Harold is already waiting at the chapel doors with his wife when we turn, hand-in-hand, and start walking toward them, both of us beaming with happiness. Flashes of a camera burst as we walk back down the aisle as husband and wife.
“Congratulations. You make a beautiful couple,” Nellie says, shaking both our hands. “I’ll send you the pictures.”
“Congratulations,” Harold adds. “I’ll get the certificate from the car and give you a few minutes alone while I fill out that paperwork. There’s a gazebo right out these doors with a bench that catches a nice breeze and the best sunset on the island.”
“Thank you.” Evan hands him the car keys then tucks my arm under his and we walk over to the white gazebo.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Ashford.”
“Congratulations, yourself, Mr. Ashford.”
He sits on the bench and I wrap my arms around his neck. Leaning down, I kiss him because I can’t resist him any longer.
“You taste so good that you make me want to do very un-church like things to you,” I say, feeling light and relaxed now that we’re married.
“You always make me want to do un-church like things to you. You sure you want to go to this party? We could just skip it and go straight to the honeymoon.” He puts his hands in front of his chest, pressed together like he’s praying, and begs, “Please.”
“We’re already gonna get wrath for skipping the ceremony. We can’t skip the reception too.”
“What about a detour then?”
Making myself at home on his lap, I drape over my husband. “Hmm… that might work.”
“That’s a yes in my book.”
Right when we’re about to get a lot friendlier, Harold walks in. “Here you go. I need you both to sign the certificate. Nellie and I have already signed.” After we sign, he says, “Your hearts have committed to each other for eternity and that doesn’t require a piece of paper to bind you. Your hearts are already bound. I’ll mail this in for you, so you won’t have to worry about this detail.” He starts to walk away, but stops. “Stay here as long as you’d like.”
Reaching for his wallet, Evan asks, “What’s the fee for the service?”
“The church would appreciate a donation. Whatever you want to give.”
I already know the chapel will receive a hefty donation when it comes to Evan getting to choose.
“Thank you again,” he says, “And please join us at the reception. We’d be honored to have you both there.”
Harold smiles. “We’ll see you there then.”
When we’re alone, Evan’s finger slides down my bare arm, a sexual suggestion as it goes lower. “So where were we?”
82
Evan
I take Mallory by the hand and we walk back up the hill to the car. Spinning her around until her back is against the Maserati, I lean forward, trapping her between my arms. Taking her mouth with mine, I don’t waste time with sweetness. I want my wife to feel how much I fucking want her, hoping to convince her to see things my way.
Our lips part and I watch as she seems to float back to earth before my very eyes. Her eyes slowly open—the green, a deep emerald like the pool of Manoa Falls in winter—and she sighs sweetly. I smile. “So I was thinking…” I drag my thumb over her lower lip, “…that we could make a detour on the way back to the reception.”
“You want to keep people waiting even longer?” she asks.
“We can fast forward straight to the consummating part of the night.” I kiss the side of her mouth, my tongue dipping out just enough to taste her as my breath fills her parted lips.
She smiles and says, “That does sound quite enticing, but...”
Turning her head, she tries to kiss me, but I pull just out of reach. “But?”
“But we just ditched a large gathering of people in lieu of doing things our way. Most of the guests flew to Hawaii just to come to the wedding. I think we owe them an appearance at the reception.”
Damn. She’s not going for it. “You’re right. We should do the responsible thing and go to the party,” I say with a heavy sigh. “But just know that every minute we’re there, I’ll be thinking about what I’m going to be doing to you later.”
“Doing to me, huh?” She leans in again and kisses me. “Well, I have some things I want to do to you too… but later. Let’s go do this reception thing so we can get to the later part of the night’s festivities.”
With the top still down, we drive back to the reception, the weather nice, making for the perfect sunset tonight. She tousles my hair and out of nowhere laughs, really laughs. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her more happy. The wind is blowing her hair around and her eyes shine as the ocean in the background frames her gorgeous face. “What’s so funny?”
“Not funny. Happy. We’re married, Evan,” she says, a trace of astonishment found in her words.
“We are married,” I reply, punctuating with my big, happy grin.
Her hand slides between us and she rests it on my thigh. With a small smile lingering on her lips, she adds, “Life is perfect.”
Covering her hand with mine, I feel it too, and repeat, “Life is perfect.”
When I pull into the driveway, I can hear the music out back and the chatter of the crowd. Looking at Mallory, she says, “I need to freshen up when we get there.”
“We can detour upstairs.”
She nods, a lot on her mind by her quietness.
“Want to talk about it?” I ask.
That makes her smile. “Just hoping they aren’t too mad.”
“They’ll be mad, but they’ll get over it.”
“Yeah.” She pauses. “I guess. I don’t regret it though.”
“Good,” I say, stroking her shoulder. “I don’t either.”
I put the car in park and cut the engine. After tossing the keys to the valet attendant, I run around to help my bride out of the car. We grab our shoes and make a beeline straight for the front door and inside the house unseen. Holding hands, I pull her quickly up the stairs and around the corner.
“Ah!” We yell along with Sunny and Zach as we all run right into them.
“You scared us,” Sunny says, holding her hand to her chest.
“You scared us,” Mallory replies. “What are you doing here?”
They look at each other with guilt written all over their faces and Sunny starts to straighten her hair.
“Oh my. Don’t even answer that,” Mallory adds, rolling her eyes. I know what that look is about and I’m glad not to have it aimed at me.
Right when she starts telling them she can’t believe they were having sex during our reception, I cut her off when I hear people talking downstairs. �
�Shhh,” I whisper, putting my finger to my mouth. “Come with us.”
We scurry down the hall single file to my old room and I shut the door behind us.
“Are you married?” Zach asks, curious.
I look at Mallory just as she looks at me. She answers, “Yes.”
“Congratulations!” Sunny squeals, throwing her arms around Mallory’s neck.
“Keep it down,” I whisper.
“Congratulations, man,” Zach says, pulling me into a hug. “You skipped out on your own wedding. That’s so badass.” He claps me on the back.
“Thanks,” I answer with a chuckle. With Zach it’s always been easy. We don’t have to use words, just looks we learned from being friends for so long. He likes Mallory and he told me back in New York he’d support my decision to marry young. He sees how much my life has changed and knows Mallory is to thank for it. He had to put up with a lot of shit from me over the years, yeah, good and some really fucking crazy times too, but my life is better than ever. I’m just glad he’s here today to celebrate with me as my best man.
“Let’s go to the reception and do a toast,” Sunny suggests, fluffing the skirt of Mallory’s dress.
“Actually…” Mallory says, touching her hair. “I should really fix my hair.”
Sunny looks at Mallory. “I can help you, if you like.”
“I want to pull the front of my hair back? I think it will be prettier for the party that way.”
Sunny’s smile softens, and she says, “Yes, I think that will be very pretty.”
“I can wait here for you,” I say.
Zach hits me on the arm, “Beer?”
When I look back at Mallory, she says, “Go. We’ll meet you downstairs.”
“Awesome. Don’t mind if I do have a beer then. I’ll be waiting.”
The girls disappear into the bedroom and we head downstairs to raid the fridge.
83
Mallory
We rejoin the boys ten minutes later. Sunny has taken the front of my hair and carefully spun it in two sections on either side of my face then rubber-banded them together at the back. She tucked three small Plumeria flowers from her hair into the rubber band to hide it, leaving most of my long hair down and wavy in the back.