Triplets Make Five

The clerk took his place. “Now, if you’ll come forward, we’ll get started.”

She crossed the last few inches to stand at my side. Without thinking, I took her hands in mine. My hands shook, but she held me rock solid. I could count on her. I could rely on her to support me at a time like this. I could calm down, now that I had her in hand.

The clerk rambled on about something. I didn’t hear much of the ceremony. I swam in her eyes. I delved into her soul. I understood everything I needed to know about her at that moment.

All of a sudden, I heard the clerk say, “And do you, Gray, take this woman Gabriela as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?”

I swallowed hard. Well, did I? Did I really take this woman as long as I would live? I was losing my damn mind. She was beautiful, but this was forever.

Or was it?

I couldn’t get my voice to work. She squeezed my hands to encourage me, and I croaked out, “I do.”

The clerk went on with the ceremony. “And do you, Gabriela, take this man Gray, as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?”

That bright glowing smile spread across her face. The veil did nothing to dilute its stunning beauty. “I do.”

We exchanged rings. The icy gold burned into my finger. Already I sensed it infecting my blood with its alchemical magic. What did I get myself into? Just putting that ring on and saying those words did something to me. I couldn’t stop it. I was married. This was not just a business arrangement. This was real—really fucking real.

I slipped the ring on her tiny finger. Did she feel it, too? Did that ring change her in the same way? We took an oath before God and the State of New York. We couldn’t turn it into a lie. It really happened, and we really were married.

The clerk said, “You may kiss the bride.”

I froze in my tracks. What should I do? Should I stick my tongue down her throat right there in the court clerk’s office? I would have stood there all day trying to figure it out, but Gabi rescued me. She darted forward and pecked me on the lips. Lightning quick, she was gone, back to her place.

As soon as the clerk said, “I now pronounce you man and wife,” I turned away. I took Gabi’s hand and led her downstairs. The courthouse door swung open, and a solid wall of sound blasted us in the face. The crowd trampled faster and harder than ever. The reporters rushed up the steps to snap a million pictures.

Pete and Jason appeared on either side of us. The police formed a ring around us and escorted us through the frenzied crowd to the limo. I held the door open while Gabi slipped inside. I took my place at her side, and the door closed on the chaos.

Gabi let out a shaky breath. “Thank God that’s over with.”

“It’s not over yet,” I replied. “We have to do the photo shoot. Then I’ll take you back to my place.”

I looked out the window, but when I sat back in the seat, I discovered her studying me. Her mesmerizing eyes sucked me in. I couldn’t look away. I had to stare at her and get lost in her.

“Was that your brother in there?”

I laughed, “Yeah and my best friend, Felix.”

She shook her head.

“What?”

“You mentioned your brother was an important guy, you failed to mention he was the President of the United States!”

“Oh, well yeah. And a shareholder in my company.”

“Fabulous.” She turned away and looked out the window.

We were married, for better or for worse. Did she regret it? Did she hate herself for giving in this way? Holy shit, she looked good in that dress. I wanted to preserve her like this forever. I wanted to keep her clean and spread my cloak on the ground for her to walk on. I wanted to protect her from everything happening outside.

All too soon, the limo pulled up in front of Central Park. We got out and I showed her where to go. We stood under the trees while the paparazzi shot a lot more than a million pictures. They called out orders. “Turn left. Smile wider. Face each other. Now kiss.”

I found myself face to face with the most stunning woman I ever met in my life, and I had to kiss her. We eyed each other for a long moment. Did she quail at the idea of kissing me in front of the cameras?

If she did, she showed no sign. She glanced down at my mouth. She searched my eyes for any answer. I had to do this. I had to make a convincing show of loving her beyond anything in the world.

I didn’t give myself time to question. I swept my arms around her and planted my lips on her mouth. She collapsed in my embrace, and her whole majestic body responded to my attention. I bent her over backward. I didn’t really mean to. It happened by itself. One of her legs flew up, and her weight rested on my arms.