Page 26 of Marriage Masquerade

The judge began again, and as soon as he reached the wordobey, Gemma stopped him.

“No.” She turned to Nikos. “No ‘obey’ in the vows. I never agreed to that. I’m not some child to be directed by someone else.”

“Gemma, it’s just part of the ceremony.”

“No.”

With a suppressed sound of frustration, Nikos took her arm and walked her across the room, where they’d have a modicum of privacy.

“What’s going on?” he asked, leaning close, his glare capturing Gemma.

“I will not promise to obey you unless you promise to obey me and say your part first. That’s all. I didn’t know he would use such an antiquated ceremony. I know the newer version doesn’t say ‘obey’.”

“For goodness sakes, it’s just a ceremony.”

“And can you promise me in all the time we’ll be married you will never say to me you must do it my way or you must obey me in this because you promised when we were married?”

He stared at her for endless moments.

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“I’ve worked with you for five years. I know how you operate. When you really want something, you go after it with everything you have. And this is just the perfect thing to add to your arsenal when making a point.”

“I can’t believe you’ve stopped everything over one word.”

“Then eliminate the word or include it in your vows. Your choice.”

He shook his head and looked around. The others were waiting near the judge, watching them curiously. Susan fought a smile. Abe seemed amused.

Looking back at Gemma, Nikos asked softly, “Are you going to be this difficult all the time?”

She smiled at him and shook her head. “Consider this our first compromise. And isn’t that a big part of marriage? Compromising, so we both come out ahead?”

“Fine.”

He inclined his head once and then started back toward the judge.

Gemma didn’t know if she could claim a victory or not. But at least she’d stood up for herself. She knew she had to make sure Nikos didn’t overwhelm her.

After a brief conference with the judge, Nikos indicated he should continue, which he did—omitting “obey” from her vows.

“You may kiss the bride,” the judge ended.

Nikos brushed a light kiss across her lips and turned to shake the judge’s hand.

Gemma felt disappointed. She’d expected more. For a moment she thought she might cry. Was that it? A light brush of lips for the wedding kiss? The kiss in the apartment the other night had held more emotion, more passion.

“Congratulations. And best wishes.” Susan hugged her.

Then Elise. Abe shook her hand, offering his best wishes.

“I brought a camera. Want some pictures with the judge?” Susan asked. “I’m your official wedding photographer.”

“I brought my camera,” Elise added. “Wouldn’t be a wedding without pictures.”

Gemma smiled, though she felt uncertain inside. Would Nikos stand for further nonsense about a wedding, or now that the deed was done, would he hasten back to work after lunch to have the legal department contact the INS?

He surprised her. When Susan told him what she wanted, he posed with Gemma, his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. She could smell the scent of his aftershave, which brought memories of the night at his apartment.

---