Adrenaline

He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I know I should have talked to you about it, even Adaline told me I needed to tell you, but I honestly was just trying to surprise you. If this is something you’re not interested in doing, we’ll figure it out.”

I took his hands in mine. “Malcolm, I really am excited for this new adventure you’re going on, but I’m not going to lie and tell you it doesn’t make me nervous. It does, especially with you not talking to me about any of it. One thing you have to do is talk to me about something before you go off and do it. We’re a team now, Malcolm, and we need to decide on our future together.”

He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. I knew deep in my heart everything would work out, and a part of me was excited but I wouldn’t let myself jump ahead.

“I agree with everything you said. I’m not used to sharing my decisions with someone else, and I’ve always kind of left everything up to everyone around me. I know that all needs to change and it will, I promise you. It may take me time adjusting to it, but I swear to you I’ll never put you in a situation like I did today.” With a smile that had my knees wobbling, he whispered, “It’s you and me now.”

The smile on my face grew as his words settled into my mind. “You and me always.”

When he slowly lowe

red me to the bed, I let every worry slip away. “I’m going to make love to you, Paislie.”

I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. There was nothing better than being lost in Malcolm.

“ARE YOU NERVOUS?”

Glancing over to Paislie, I smiled. “No. Should I be?”

She gave me a sweet grin in return. “I don’t think so. Even though Elizabeth is like my mother, and father, and sister, and best friend all rolled into one.”

My heart sank. “Okay, now I’m nervous. Do I earn any extra points for being raised Catholic?”

She chuckled and squeezed my hand. “Nope, but I’m sure she is pleased about that.”

“She’s not going to ask me to recite anything, is she? Paislie, I haven’t stepped foot in a catholic church in a number of years. Even then I always had headphones on.”

Shaking her head, she looked forward. “There, pull over and park in front of that store. The restaurant isn’t too far from here.”

I did as she said and parked her car. We got out and walked hand in hand down the busy street. I’d already been by St. Patrick’s and talked to the bishop. The wedding date was set for six months out and he had insisted Paislie have a wedding with a mass. Memories of my cousin Jenn’s wedding flashed through my mind. I’d never tell Paislie, but I got up thirty minutes into the ceremony and left.

When she stopped walking and took both my hands in hers, I knew she was nervous. “Are you sure you want a catholic wedding?”

It was as if she had been reading my mind. “What would you like, babe?”

Her eyes fell to the ground as she kicked at a pretend rock. “I’ve always wanted a traditional wedding, but if you want something simple, we can do that too.”

Pulling her to me, I gently kissed her on the lips. “I want what you want, baby. I’m in this for the long haul.”

Her eyes lit up and I knew there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

“Paislie, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you to make you happy.”

“I love you so much,” she whispered. “You ready?”

Taking in a deep breath, I nodded. “Ready.”

The moment we walked into the restaurant, I searched for a nun. When Paislie said, “There she is!” I looked in the direction she was facing.

“Where?” I asked as I followed her. A slightly older woman stood and smiled warmly at us. “Is that her?”

“Yep!” she said as she wrapped the woman in her arms. “Elizabeth, I’ve missed you so.”

I couldn’t believe my eyes. The woman standing before me was beautiful. She was dressed in a simple black dress with a belt that wrapped around her waist, showing her figure. Her blue eyes took in Paislie with so much happiness, I could practically feel the love she had pouring out of her. Her hair was in a sleek ponytail and she wore very little if any makeup.

“Elizabeth, I’d like for you to meet Malcolm. Malcolm, this is Sister Elizabeth, but you can call her Elizabeth.”

“Sister, I mean, Elizabeth. I um . . . well you’re not what I expected.”