Page 74 of Maddy's Justice

“Are we late?” he asked Maddy.

“I don’t think so,” Maddy replied. “She was very specific, eight o’clock.”

When they reached the door, Marc turned to her and said, “You do look amazingly beautiful.”

Maddy smiled and said, “Thanks. I spent all day getting there.”

“You did not. It took you ten minutes,” Marc said.

“Yeah, I wish,” she laughed.

“I’m just stunned that you’re willing to be seen in public with me,” Marc said.

“Me, too. The heart wants what the heart wants. Mine wants you. Besides, you’re not exactly the hunchback of Notre Dame. I know plenty of women who would gladly take my place.”

“Really?” Marc asked as the front door was opening. “Could I get, like, a list?” Marc added.

“Shut up,” Maddy said.

“Okay,” they heard Tony Carvelli reply to Maddy.

“You have the door duty?” Maddy asked as they stepped through the doorway.

“I’m not tipping him,” Marc said.

“Not exactly,” Carvelli replied. “I was told to hold you up. To make you wait here,” he added referring to the foyer in which they were now standing.

“Oh, no, no, no,” Marc said. “She’s not gonna make a big announcement, is she?”

“Hey, I just do as I’m told,” Carvelli said.

Carvelli stepped up to Maddy, gave her a big hug and a small kiss. “I’m very happy for you. For both of you,” he said looking at Marc. “I love you both, even the lawyer.”

“Thanks, Tony,” Marc said as Maddy kissed him back. “Now, let’s get this over with.”

A minute later, Vivian Donahue, matriarch of the Corwin family dynasty, addressed the attendees. Using a cordless microphone, she introduced the guests of honor to their friends.

The two hundred plus guests gave the couple a rousing ovation as they came across the patio. By the time they reached Vivian, Maddy was so embarrassed she was trying to hide behind Marc.

“You made it!” Maddy practically screamed when she saw Paxton O’Rourke. “You said you weren’t sure…”

“Tony had already called me and told me to say that. He said it would be a nice surprise.”

Paxton O’Rourke was an assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago. She was a former army lawyer with the JAG Corps. They had met while Marc was defending an army officer, a previous client falsely accused of treason. Paxton had been the JAG prosecutor.

Marc appeared with a local celebrity on his arm. Gabriella Shriqui was the host of a local TV show, The Court Reporter. She was also Maddy’s best friend.

“Unhand my man, you harlot,” Maddy jokingly said to her.

Gabriella looked at Marc, feigned the look of a smitten girl and said, “I can’t. I can’t help it. I must have him.”

“Whoa, girls. There is enough to go around. Be patient,” Marc said.

He then saw the look on Maddy’s face and quickly said, “Or, maybe not.”

“Have you two met?” Maddy asked both Paxton and Gabriella.

“Yeah, we did,” Paxton said. “When I was here the first time.”

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