“Leave it to me to keep it quiet,” Justin said, his tone absolutely unshakable. “I can be very discreet.”
Chapter Eight
It took no time at all to get the marriage license. The clerk looked only politely interested as she processed the paperwork and gave them their document. “Here you go. Congratulations.” Her tone indicated it was the fiftieth time she’d said it that day. Vanessa was just relieved she didn’t seem to connect the dots.
She and Justin went to their hotel afterward to freshen up before the actual ceremony. Justin had booked a sumptuously decorated suite overlooking the Falls.
Since she didn’t want to draw any attention, she’d brought a lacy white cocktail dress with matching shoes and the pearls she’d inherited from her grandmother. Justin put on a tux with a white tie¸ while she commandeered the vanity to touch up her makeup and hair.
She kept her hand steady as she applied a thin coat of lipstick. It felt so surreal to think that soon she’d be a missus. She pressed her palm against her still flat belly. At least Justin hadn’t accused her of lying about her pregnancy or denying that it could be his child. He’d treated her right, and the least she could do was return the favor.
So long as they were married…so long as he was faithful, she’d be a good wife.
“Hey, you look beautiful,” Justin said from the doorway. One arm was held behind his back. He walked over, sweeping the arm out with a magician’s flourish and producing a large plumeria blossom. “Here.” He put it carefully into her hair. “Your favorite.”
Something she couldn’t quite identify welled in her chest, and it felt like her ribcage would snap. “Where did you get it?” Her voice shook slightly despite her
best effort.
“Concierge.” He gave her a quick kiss on the mouth, careful not to smear the lipstick. “We have to get going now.”
She draped a long black coat over her shoulders and left the suite with Justin. Their limo took them to a helipad not too far from their hotel, where a helicopter was waiting. The setting sun streaked the sky with orange, gold and purples, and the shining white finish on the helicopter reflected the warm colors.
A young woman in a pink dress came over with a bouquet made with fresh tropical flowers and white roses. The plumerias matched the one in Vanessa’s hair, and the florist placed a boutonnière on Justin’s tux.
Four men stood outside and said hello at the sight of Justin and Vanessa. The oldest was in his mid- to late forties, his face round and plump with laugh lines forking out from the corners of his eyes. He wore a cheap but well-fitting suit, and his receding hair was slicked back from his face, making his forehead look exceptionally large.
The second oldest was probably in his early forties, his face weathered and uneven like avocado skin. He wore a suit that was a size too small, and thick blue veins covered the back of his hands like spider webs. He snapped a few photos with a huge black camera.
The other two were younger, in their mid-twenties. Their suits were identical—dark and expensive but not necessarily better fitting than the older man’s. They carried well-cared-for briefcases. Their expressions were relaxed, but something about them told Vanessa they didn’t smile much. She knew without asking that they were the lawyers Justin had been talking about.
The oldest man introduced himself as Aaron, and turned out to be the minister. “You make a beautiful couple.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The other two handed out business cards embossed with their firm’s name. She put them in her coat pocket and climbed into the helicopter with Justin’s help.
The interior was all cream leather with tropical blossoms and pale pink and white ribbons. The walls were lined with padded panels. The air smelled of sweet flowers and powdered sugar.
Aaron and the photographer took a seat facing Justin. She slowly lowered herself next to Justin and consciously relaxed each of her muscles. The lawyers sat behind them. The door shut when everyone was settled, and the pilot started the engine.
The helicopter was much quieter than Vanessa had expected, better soundproofed even than her father’s helicopter.
The sound system played Wagner’s “Here Comes the Bride” as they flew over the falls. The dark water churned and foamed underneath. Water drops spread out in a white mist and split the sun into rainbow arcs.
After some time to appreciate the scenery, the music faded and Aaron started the ceremony. His voice was surprisingly resonant and carried clearly over the muffled sound of the blades chopping the air. He didn’t drag out the ceremony with a flowery speech about true love and commitment, which relieved Vanessa—this had nothing to do with love—but he didn’t seem to rush things, either.
As a hammer beat inside her head, she focused on the majestic natural surroundings and drawing air into her lungs in a steady rhythm. This isn’t permanent. It was just for the baby. She wasn’t like her mother. She didn’t need a husband to afford a decent lifestyle. She could opt out at any time and still create an excellent life for herself and her baby.
There was simply no reason to worry about the marriage or her future.
She blinked when Justin poked her gently on the side. She glanced at the minister and blushed. “I do,” she said, hoping that was the right answer.
He beamed at her and moved on to the next part of the ceremony.
Relieved, she let out a soft sigh and slumped in her seat until the minister ordered them to exchange rings. He held a pair of simple platinum bands.
Her hands grew clammy and started shaking.