Page 191 of Tarek

“Our home. If you don’t like it, I will buy a new one.” I kiss her forehead inhaling the scent of cocoa butter and vanilla.

“I like it…Oh God.” She closes her eyes in pain.

“I love you with my very being, Penny.”

Her face scrunches as she cries harder. “I love you to Tarek.”

“Penelope. We have to go, right now!” Miranda screams.

“Tarek, I don’t want our children to be born like me. My parents weren’t married,” Penelope screams.

“We can get married after.” I signal Miranda to get the door, as I guide Penny to it.

She stops cold. “We have to find a priest.”

Without a word, I lift her in my arms, and I begin to walk her down my stairs.

“I can be ordained in an hour or maybe less. The internet is a great place.” My father shouts.

Miranda opens the door, and I place Penny inside the car.

“Do it, Dad. Miranda, call St. Mary’s hospital. Asks for Doctor Emma.”

Miranda nods already dialing

“Are you coming with me?” Penny cries as I shut the door.

I close the door and rush to the driver’s side. “Of course Treasure. Miranda back seat. I will drive.”

I have never been this fucking scared. Every groan, every wince tears through me. The drive is hell, traffic is everywhere. I cut through lanes like a madman, white knuckled and praying.

“Got it,” my father shouts.

I glance up in the rearview mirror, locking eyes with Penny. “You ready?”

She nods. “Ready.”

“Do you Tarek Damien Fairisles take Penelope -” He pauses as Miranda whispers Penny’s name. “Take Penelope Ariel Holt to be your lawfully wedded wife.”

I hold her gaze. “I do.”

“Do you Penelope Ariel Holt take Tarek Damien Fairisles to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

She squeezes her eyes, holding her belly. “I do.”

“Well by the power vested in me by the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Miranda and my dad clap in excitement.

I just got married in a G-wagon with my very pregnant wife about to give birth.

I drift into the hospital’s driveway. Thankfully they were waiting for us. Everything becomes a blur: voices shouting, medical terms flying, dilated, push, breathe. My wife is in full labor, the problem was we were too late for an epidural. One doctor speaks too harshly to her. I lose it and kick him out.

Thankfully Miranda had some friends in the hospital and at 3:42 a.m., my wife and I had the privilege of welcoming Grayson and Heath Fairisles into this world. No one prepares you for the feeling your heart gets when your children enter this world. I want to grab my family up and protect them from everything. My sons. My beautiful wife gave me two dark-haired perfect boys.

I bend and kiss her on the lips. “You did great, Ma.”

Penny nods, her body still trembling from shock. “Are they okay?”

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