Page 50 of Suddenly Single

The elevator doors slid open, and there was no one else on it. When the doors shut, I heard Asher’s phone buzzing. “God, I hope it’s not family.” He fished it out of his pocket, and a moment later it clattered to the floor.

“Oh shit.”

I picked it up and read the message. It was from Marjorie.

Lori Stallings is threatening to sue for breach of contract

“How can she sue when we didn’t sign anything?” I asked, and for a moment I worried we had signed something while we were stoned last night. Asher took the phone back, and a smile spread across his cheeks.

“She can’t. But,” he took a deep breath. “The good news is she’s not threatening us with a lawsuit over that stupid party last night.”

The elevator opened on the third floor in front of the courtroom we were going to. “Let’s hope there isn’t a line.”

Asher held the door to the courtroom open for me. There was only one couple ahead of us, taking their vows before the judge. We sat down and waited for our turn. The couple being married was a middle-aged man and woman, and they had huge smiles plastered on their faces.

My phone buzzed, and when I pulled it out, I saw a message from Mom.

You eloped

I wanted to see you get married

“Hey, do you think they’d let us record our wedding?” I whispered to Asher.

“Is that your mother?”

“Yes.”

“I doubt the judge will have a problem with it. It’s not like this is a sensitive court case.” Asher pointed at a man in a police uniform. “That’s the bailiff. When it’s our turn, I’ll ask him to hold the phone so Sissy can see it live.”

Mom you will see it

Turn on FaceTime

We’re in a courtroom so don’t make a sound

A moment later, Mom’s face filled the screen, and I saw Asher’s grandmother too. I nudged Asher, and we both waved at the screen. Granny opened her mouth to say something, but Mom hushed her.

“Next.” The judge’s voice boomed, and my heart rate skyrocketed. Asher and I stood, then walked toward the bench. Asher handed the bailiff the paperwork, and the judge looked it over.

“Everything’s as it should be.” The judge signed the papers and grinned at us. She was an older woman with what had to be a black wig on.

“Your honor, is it okay for the bailiff to hold a phone so our families who couldn’t be here today can see us being married?” Asher asked, and I held up the phone so Mom and Granny could see what was happening.

“What a lovely idea.” She smiled, then I handed the phone to the grinning bailiff. “This happens all the time.”

The bailiff glanced down at the screen and snickered. Then he held the phone so we could see the screen, and Granny was holding a champagne flute up to us.

“Are we ready to begin the ceremony?” The judge asked, and despite cold sweat running down my sides, I nodded. This was a dream come true, to be married twice to this wonderful man I loved more than life itself. Asher took my hand in his, and he turned to me and I saw a solitary tear slide down his cheek.

“The step that each of you are about to undergo is one of the most important events in life that any two people can undertake. It is the entering into a union, a union between two men founded upon mutual respect and affection. Because of this unique relationship that you both are voluntarily partaking in, your individual lives will change, and, resulting from this change, your responsibilities will intensify significantly, but your joy will also intensify significantly if you are sincere with your pledge that you are about to make to one another today.” The judge said, then she proceeded with the rest of the ceremony.

“Asher Bartholomew Yates, will you take Carter Camden as your husband, to love and comfort him through life’s ups and downs, and forsaking all others?”

Another tear escaped his eyes, and he whispered, “Yes, I will.”

“Carter Camden, will you take Asher Bartholomew Yates as your husband, to love and comfort him through all of life’s ups and downs, and forsaking all others?”

I opened my mouth, and a sob tore through me. “Yes, oh yes, I will.”

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