Swearing to Love You

“Maddy, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

“With this ring, I thee wed.”

“By the power vested in me by the State of Minnesota and our Lord God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” I don’t have to be told twice. I lean into her and kiss her eagerly. Everyone claps. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Leif Larson.”

Fuck yes. She is finally my wife. “You look beautiful,” I whisper in her ear as we walk down the aisle and out into the reception hall.

The reception hall is decorated in purple and gold, Maddy’s favorite colors. We drink and dance the night away. I have never been this happy and nothing and no one can take her away from me.

“Are you happy, wife,” I ask as we sway on the dance floor.

“Beyond happy, husband.” She leans up, looking at me intensely. People clink their glasses, a lot.

“What the fuck is that?” I ask confused.

“They want us to kiss.”

“Done.” I say, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck and kissing her like the world is ending. Fuck. Her lips are so soft. So, so, soft.

After the reception, we get ready to head to the airport, for our red-eye flight. We are about to introduce Greece to the Larson’s. Three glorious weeks of beach, sand, and so much sex.

Chapter Twelve

Maddy

Three Weeks later

Ugg. The last day of my honeymoon and I am spending it making the toilet bowl my best friend. This sucks. Over the past three weeks we have seen it all. Though Greece has been our basic destination, we did leave for a few days and go to Bulgaria during week one. And during week two we went to Italy. That was my personal favorite. I have always wanted to go there after seeing ‘Under The Tuscan Sun’. I mean, come on. Who didn’t love that damn movie? The view of Tuscany itself was enough for me. I must admit though that going to the vineyards and tasting all the wine and cheese was decadent. I even talked Leif into going on a day trip to Umbria to go shopping.

The last week, we decided to just hang around here and soak up the nativity. It has been so amazing. Just being here with him, my husband, I never get used to saying that, has been the time of my life. Last night, we joined some of the locals for a wedding that was taking place and talk about fun. The Greeks sure know how to party.

I didn’t drink, because I was not so sure what everything was, but I did gorge on the Baklava and the Amygdalota cookies. Mouth-watering. But it looks like I am paying for it now.

“Maddy, baby, I wish you would let me call a doctor. This has been going on for hours now. You have nothing left to vomit.”

“Leif, I’m sorry. I hate that I am ruining our last night.”

“My Diamond, you aren’t ruining anything. I am simply worried about you. At least let me call the hotel concierge. Please.”

I love a man that can say please. Especially when he is mine.

“Ok.” I stand up and brush my teeth. Don’t want to scare the poor person when they come to see me. I want to at least brush my hair, but I have no energy. He is back in less than five minutes with the cutest little woman I have ever seen.

“Love. This is Mrs. Agda Komninos. She was a nurse. She offered to look at you.” My first instinct tells me she is harmless. She looks to be about 55-60 years old. About my height. Very pretty and her smile puts me at ease.

“Hello.” I say. Not really feeling like saying much else. The less I speak, the less likely I will retch again.

“Hello, dear.” She says in a thick Greek accent. “Your new husband says you had something that doesn’t agree with you. I don’t agree with him. Greece is one of the most agreeable places you will find. Tell me what you ate.”

I run her down the list. “I had the Baklava, some cookies and some Keftethes with basmati rice.”

“Ah. As I suspected. You ate everything my granddaughter prepared. Definitely not the food. Now, tell me, is it ok to talk in front of him?”

“Leif? Absolutely. We have no secrets.”

“Ah, to be young and in love again,” she says with a chuckle. If I wasn’t feeling like they could read me my last rights, I would take offense to her insinuation that later we might have secrets. Not me and Leif. Our love, devotion, and complete honesty with one another is forever.

“When was your last woman’s time?” I spend the first few seconds confused at what she is asking me until she winks at me. Then it hits me. And then, I start to freak out because I cannot remember. After about a minute, I recall that I haven’t had it since our first time. Holy shit! I can feel my eyebrows go up. I look at Leif and he looks about as proud as a matador.