Everything was in place as their guests started to arrive for the cookout. Everyone was relaxed and happy, making themselves at home as they helped themselves to a variety of beverages while putting the side dishes into the fridge. Megan and Laura brought their boyfriends. Lizzie, Betsy and Grace all came stag, even though Grace had a husband he had gotten called into work at the last minute and couldn’t make it. When everyone was seated in the backyard Pete remained standing, looking nervous as he wiped his sweaty hands down the front of his jeans. When Marla gave him a questioning look he nodded to himself and stepped in front of Marla’s chair. She looked up at him, her brow furrowed together with concern. Pete bent to one knee and pulled out a small jeweler’s box from his pocket. With a deep breath he began to speak.
“Marla, you are the love of my life, my true soul mate and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know that legally we can’t get married, but if you’ll have me I’ve made arrangements for us to have a small marriage ceremony this afternoon here in front of all our friends. Pastor Swain has agreed to come and perform the ceremony. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Nervously fumbling with the lid of the jewelry box he snapped it open to reveal a beautiful diamond eternity band.
Marla’s mouth gaped open in stunned silence. Her eyes began to puddle with tears and her hand shook as it covered her open mouth. Tears started to roll from her beautiful blue eyes while everyone stared at her with bated breath, waiting for her answer. Once she got a grip on her tears she whispered her answer.
“Yes. I love you Pete and I’d be honored to be your wife.” Her hands trembled as she took the ring out of the box and tried it on. “Oh God, it’s beautiful, thank you.” Now the tears flowed uninhibited as everyone clapped joyfully. Pete kissed her over and over again.
“What time is the pastor coming?” Marla asked.
“He’ll be here in about fifteen minutes. I hope you don’t mind, I bought you a dress I thought you might like to wear for the ceremony. It’s hanging in the luggage bag in the bedroom closet. If you don’t like it I’ll understand, really, don’t think you have to wear it just for me. I thought I’d change into my black suit in the spare room. We can both change back into our jeans after we take a million pictures. I have a bouquet of baby roses with baby’s breath in a cooler in my car for you too.” Pete was nervous again as he rattled off all the arrangements he’d made, afraid he’d forgotten something important.
“God, you thought of everything. You continue to amaze me. Who’s coming to help me get changed?” Marla asked the women.
Everyone laughed when Megan’s boyfriend raised his hand to volunteer. In the end it was her partner, Betsy, who came to help her.
Pete smiled broadly when he heard both of them oooh and ahhhh over the dress he’d chosen. Yes, she liked it. Pete walked into the room and handed Betsy another jewelry box, explaining that it was his wedding ring and that he would need Marla’s back for the ceremony.
Betsy gave him a pat on the back, silently telling him how happy she was.
Ten minutes later he heard Pastor Swain arrive as everyone in the back yard greeted him.
Marla was a portrait of loveliness as she made her grand appearance in the all cream wedding dress. The beading on the bodice of the empire waist gown glittered in the sunlight as she walked to her waiting groom. The tea length dress gently ruffled in the breeze as they took their vows to love, honor and keep each other with respect. Both Marla and Pete spoke vows directly from their hearts as they gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, men included, by the time the rings were exchanged. When Pastor Swain pronounced them man and wife in the eyes of God, everyone cheered and clapped wildly. The dogs joined in with their approval, barking and jumping in the air happily.
After posing for a few camera’s full of pictures, Pete and Marla changed back into their jeans and started cooking the chicken and beef kabobs. They had hoped the pastor could stay for dinner but he had another wedding to perform back at the church. Marla and Pete thanked him profusely, knowing he understood their situation and accepted them anyway.
Throughout the afternoon Pete caught a glimpse of Marla staring at the ring, subtly moving her hand as she watched the way the sunlight glinted off the five round diamonds. When all their guests had left they raced straight to the bedroom, consummating the marriage. After their third consummation they slept. Much later the next morning, both of them feeling too lazy to do anything more than lie in bed and feel their little peanut move about in her swollen stomach. Living happily in their own little cocoon of happiness they fed off the leftovers from the wedding, eating whenever the mood struck, and watched old movies with the dogs snoozing at their feet. Except Curly, he was small enough to worm his way onto one of the pillows at the head of the bed. When no one kicked him off he sighed deeply and fell fast asleep. Tomorrow, with all of its reality slapping them in their face, would come soon enough. For once they were content to wait.