That First Night Ch. 11

Author's Note: My my, the time does fly. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and an awesome New Year. I'm sure a lot of you spent some time with your family, and perhaps a few of you were "spending time" with your family.

But either way, a new chapter in what I consider to be the jewel of my stories so far is a good way to start the year. There are a few more chapters to this story planned and I'm in the process of writing a few other stories.

This chapter deals entirely with the wedding suggested by the last chapter. No sex in this chapter either.

With that being said, Happy New Year to all... And let's get to reading.

*

I was sitting on the couch with Andrew in our shared apartment in San Diego. Andrew was passed out next to me as we relaxed, watching a movie.

Hearing a knock on the door, I answered it to find my father in front of me. My first thought was that I don't remember him saying anything about coming for a visit.

He pushed past me and moved towards Andrew, my fiancé waking up just as my father pulled out a knife and started slashing Andrew's throat.

"NO!" I screamed as I moved to intercept my father.

Finally I pulled my father off Andrew, but it was too late. As I saw half of his blood on the floor, I knew Andrew was dead.

My father had just murdered my husband to be.

I looked at him, daggers in my eyes.

"I did it for your own good Ashley." My father stated, this clearly being the only excuse he was going to offer.

I awoke with a start in bed, hyperventilating and managing to wake Andrew up. He was in bed with me all along.

"What happ-" Andrew was silenced by me kissing him.

"Oh, god Andrew. I love you so much!" I said as I kept kissing him. I wanted to kiss him forever, never letting him go as I started wrapping my hands and legs around him.

"I- love-" he kept getting interrupted by my kisses.

With every kiss, I felt my need for him growing greater, cascading into a never-ending desire to be close to him, to be there for him, to protect him.

When I finally regained control and stopped kissing him, he certainly looked happy.

"Not to question that... But did something happen? Did you dream something?"

Of course I had to tell him about my dream. When I finished, he had a studied look on his face.

"Hmm... Well your father is crazy enough to do it. But you'd think he would realize your happiness is more important."

I shrugged. Who knows why father's do what they do.

He nodded, as if understanding and agreeing.

Just then, Andrew's phone vibrated on the nightstand.

He reached over to pick it up and chuckled, a chuckle completely devoid of humor and dropping with irony.

He showed his screen to me, letting me see a text from my father.

"Hey Andrew. I'm flying into California in a few days. We need to talk."

I pulled him tighter into me, our bodies pressing against each other.

"No, don't talk to him. Never talk to him." I pleaded.

"It's fine Ashley. He probably just wants to warn me off. When he realizes I'm serious, he'll back off." Andrew responded.

"You don't know that. And if anything happens to you..." I couldn't bring myself to finish that sentence.

He looked at me and kissed me, a kiss filled with love and promise.

When he spoke next, he spoke in a hushed tone.

"I wanted to wait for the wedding to tell you this until after the wedding... But I think the wedding is a formality... I've thought of you as my wife ever since we got engaged... Maybe even before."

I could feel my face burning.

"Husband and wife. You're my wife."

I felt butterflies in my stomach at his confession.

"Truly?" I whispered, not trusting my voice.

"Truly." He answered.

We looked at each other with the affectionate look that people truly in love gave each other. Before Andrew and I started dating, I always thought that it was a corny look.

I still thought I was right to a degree, but now I had known the love that would cause such a look.

I didn't have to say things like "never leave me." Because I knew that he never was. Just as the handcuffs I put on him a few days after we first had sex bonded us together, we were bound together by an invisible tie.

We still used that same pair of handcuffs now and then, but with one key difference. The person that got handcuffed to the other person had the key. They were the "victim" of it, yet they could end it any time they wanted.

So far, neither of us had used the key, such was our trust and love for each other.

"You'll be with me when we talk." Andrew assured me.

I don't know what it was, but the look in his eyes calmed me down, like I knew everything was going to be all right.

We fell back to sleep in each other's arms. In one week's time, I would be Andrew's wife in the eyes of the law.

When I awoke, I found our bodies still intertwined, with my sexy husband still asleep.

My mind flashed back to a few weeks before, when he torrented that movie "Kissin' Cousins". He popped it in the DVD Player as a joke, but we enjoyed the movie.

When Elvis started singing the namesake song and Andrew started lip syncing, I laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants. There was no way Andrew could be Elvis.

But he knew that, and he saw me laughing.

And here we were, just a short time away from our wedding. When I had to wonder what the hell my father wanted.

It was entirely possible he could have had a change of heart, but it would take a pretty big shock to do that.

A week after I proposed to Andrew, he decided to bite the bullet and ask my father for his daughter's hand.

You would think from what had occurred earlier and his bravery in asking that my father would have said yes. But he as much as told Andrew to go fuck himself. Harsh, but neither of us could see it was unexpected.

He was going to try to change my mind about marrying Andrew. That's the only reason he could be coming here.

Well he was going to fail. If he didn't like it, too bad.

There was a part of me that took a bit of joy in defying my father. I had never been a rebellious teenager when I was growing up, so finally giving my old man the finger felt like I was taking power away from him. Which I suppose I was.

Andrew and I gradually woke up and got ready to go to work. Before Andrew left, he took my hands in his and looked me in the eye.

"It's going to be okay Ashley. Once he sees how serious we are, he'll back off."

I could tell he was saying that as much for himself as for me.

But I needed to believe it, with every fiber of my being.

***

"Andrew, my father just texted that he's 15 minutes away." I said.

Andrew stopped preparing dinner for a second and looked like he was deep in thought.

"Alright. Good." He finally said, making no other comment as he continued chopping carrots for stew.

"You ready for the clusterfuck?" I asked.

"As ready as I can be. Is there any way you can truly be ready for the clusterfuck?"

Not a word passed between us until we heard the doorbell.

Andrew went for it, but I stopped him.

"He's not going to hurt me." I insisted.

I opened the door just enough so my father could get in, but not enough to see Andrew just yet.

"Hi." My father said.

"Hey dad. Come on in." I invited him in.

He saw Andrew as he walked in, and his eyes changed for a second. What they reflected, I had no idea.

"Uncle Bruce." Andrew regarded with a nod.

"Andrew." My father regarded back without a nod.

We all stood in silence for a very long moment before my father spoke up.

"Andrew, leave my daughter and I to discuss something for a minute." He demanded.

"Whatever you need to say to me, you can say in front of Andrew." I protested.

My father looked at me, then at Andrew.

"I'm not leaving." Andrew stated.

"This isn't a battle you want to fight, Andrew." My father warned.

"Well if it is a battle, it's our battle. Not his battle." I argued.

We all paused for a moment, waiting to see how my father would respond. He appeared to be mulling something over in his mind.

"You're really not going to let this go, are you?"

"I love her, she loves me. That should be enough." Andrew said.

My father then tried to draw Andrew into a staredown. Andrew kept his eyes soft, but didn't look away.

I knew why he did that. He wanted to project strength without appearing to challenge my father.

"... Congratulations Andrew." My father began as he stopped the look. "You passed the test."

We both must have had a stupid/silly look on our faces, because he chuckled.

"I had to know you were serious Andrew."

"So... You're okay with us getting married?" I asked, somewhat stunned at this turn of events.

"Andrew has my blessing. I can see how much he makes you happy, Ashley."

We both had big grins on our faces.

"Thank you dad." I murmured, almost to the point of tears.

"Wait, wait, wait. I'm not finished."

Andrew and I looked at him, wondering what else there could be.

"A few years ago, I got ordained as a minister. So if you two will have me... I'd like to officiate your wedding."

Andrew and I looked at each other for a long moment.

"I'd be honored." Andrew began. "If Ashley wants you to officiate, it's fine with me."

I was doing a wonderful job keeping it together on the outside, because I was so gleeful on the inside that I could no longer speak. I could do nothing but nod vigorously.

"Well that settles it. When's the wedding?"

"We were planning on going to see the justice of the peace in a week." Andrew said.

"I'm only here for another four days." Dad responded.

"We can move it up." I stated.

"Okay by me." Andrew replied.

"Let's see, today is Tuesday, so we can do it... Friday?"

"Sounds good to me." I said.

Andrew agreed.

We talked for a while longer, then dad left for his hotel.

Andrew and I were overwhelmed by what had happened. Neither of us could believe it.

***

The next few days were a whirlwind of calls, texts, and talking with everyone who was planning on coming.

Our honeymoon date was set with us staying at The Carneros Inn. Ah, I could just see that Cottage now. Andrew and I relaxing on the garden deck, alone and in love, truly enjoying each other's company.

And here we were on the big day. An impromptu "aisle" was set up in a nearby public park, with several monitors up around us.

Both my mom and Andrew's parents had planned on coming into California in a week, so it was decided they would join the ceremony via Skype.

My father was standing at the front of the aisle, looking somewhat stoic behind a small "podium" that looked like a book stand.

It couldn't have mattered any less to me.

Overlooking our ceremony in person were a few choice friends from both Andrew's and my workplaces who knew the truth about our relationship-- Or figured it out, in one case... But that's a story for another time.

Everyone who agreed to attend on the new date was accounted for... And yet... it felt like someone who would want to be here was near, but not here yet.

As the final preparations were made, with just minutes before Andrew walking down the aisle with me, I heard her.

"Is this what I think it is?" I heard Sazzy's voice call out.

I turned to face her just in time to see the stunned look on her face as our eyes met.

"No fucking way! Oh my god! This is..." Sazzy uttered as she walked towards us.

"You're getting married?" she gasped.

Andrew walked over to me and put his arm around me.

"I guess you're not as dumb as you look after all, Andrew."

"Wonderful to see you too Sazzy." Andrew said, ignoring the jibe against him.

"Sit down Sazzy, we're going to begin in a few minutes."

Sazzy promptly sat down, and as Andrew and I looked around, we noticed questioning looks on everyone's face, either towards us or Sazzy.

Andrew and I briefly explained how we came to meet Sazzy and we just went from there. We all remarked that it felt like fate had drawn Sazzy here for this.

As everyone recovered from this little shock, Andrew and I realized it was time to begin.

We interlocked our arms with one another and started to walk down the aisle.

Once we had reached the podium, my father began a speech that made him sound older than life itself. Partly from his words, partly from the dusty wisdom that accompanies a full life.

"Friends and family of Andrew and Ashley...

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, the joining of two hearts and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite this couple in marriage.

If anyone has a reason why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

The silence here spoke volumes. No one was about to say anything, and even the birds in the park stopped chirping. They too were in attendance of this wonderful day.

"Today we have all joined together in our friendship and in our family relations to these two people. In their case, something extraordinary happened between them. They fell in love and decided to overcome laws and prejudice so that they might be together. They have overcome hardships and fears, good times and bad times. In some senses, they are already married...

But today, they finalize their marriage and have agreed to this small ceremony where both society and the law will now designate them as husband and wife, rather than boyfriend and girlfriend."

A few people let out a silent exhale. Were they feeling the power of these words as well?

"Romance and lust can be fun, but true love is something far more and it is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today.

A good marriage must be created.

In marriage, the "little" things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say, 'I love you' at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is standing together and facing the world.

It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is not only marrying the right person... it is being the right partner."

That was our cue to take the rings out of our pockets.

Andrew spoke up as he took my hand and slowly put his ring for me on my finger.

"I, Andrew take you Ashley to be my lawfully wedded wife, my partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to cherish our friendship, our relationship, and our love as long as we shall live."

Even after all Andrew and I had gone through, I couldn't help but blush at his words. It wouldn't be long now...

I took the ring I had for him and slowly started to slide it on his finger.

"I, Ashley take you Andrew to be my lawfully wedded husband, my partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to cherish our friendship, our relationship, and our love as long as we shall live."

Everyone in attendance remained silent, awaiting the next words from us with baited breath.

My father began again.

"Andrew, do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect Ashley, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?"

"I do." Andrew replied. I could see in his eyes that he meant it with every fiber of his being.

"Ashley, do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect Andrew, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?"

"I do." I replied, meaning it just as Andrew did.

"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

You may now kiss the bride."

Andrew wasted no time pulling me into him and kissing me deeply and slowly, our first kiss as Husband and Wife in deed and now in name.

I had always suspected it up until now... But now I KNEW that Andrew and I would be together forever.

And as we reached our limo, I realized that I thought everything Andrew and I had done, from the first moment I saw him as a baby to my father offering to be our minister, had led up to this. I always knew, in a way.

As we started our travels, I knew that I was going to spend every day from now on as the happiest and luckiest woman in the world.