Page 3 of Secrets of the Past
Nicole laughed nervously.“No worries there.Just love and college for now.”
Paige hugged her tightly.“You’re crazy.But maybe crazy in love.”
Yes, she knew she was taking a huge risk with Tripp, but she loved him.
Paige turned to Tripp and jabbed a finger into his chest.“Don’t screw this up.”
“I won’t,” he said quietly.
They slipped out the side door, away from the string lights and laughter and into the warm coastal night.
Tripp’s Mustang purred to life, and they drove in silence for a few minutes, the weight of what they were about to do pressing in from all sides.
Nicole stared out at the dark sea beside the road.“Do you think we’ll make it?”
He took her hand.“I don’t think.I know.We love each other.We’re going to be happy.I guarantee it.”
When they arrived at the small chapel, the inside smelled like lavender and old wood.Candles burned softly on the altar.
They stood at the altar, hands entwined, hearts pounding, gazing at each other.
“How old are you?”the pastor asked Nicole.
They had come this far; she had to convince him.
“I’m eighteen.I just graduated from high school.”
The man frowned.“You’re awfully young.”
They gazed at one another.
“I’m pregnant,” she said.“We want to keep our child, and our families will make us get an abortion.”
The man shook his head.“All right.”
She wore her sundress and the white veil she’d hidden under her bed for two months.Tripp looked at her like she was the only thing that existed in the universe.
When they spoke their vows, her voice trembled.His didn’t.
“I promise,” he whispered, “that nothing and no one will ever come between us.Until death do us part.”
Nicole’s eyes filled with tears.“Together, we are invincible.”
They kissed, and the world shifted.They were husband and wife, until death did they part.
After they signed the marriage license, they ran out of the chapel, laughing.
It was done.Not the wedding she’d dreamed of, but that didn’t matter.They were together, and soon, they would be attending college.
“I love you,” Tripp said.
Nicole sighed and kissed him.“I love you.Let’s go celebrate our wedding night.”
Tripp grinned at her and started up the Mustang.“I can’t wait a moment longer.”
The bangingon the door rattled the tiny house.Maria Reyes sat bolt upright in bed, her heart clenching, sending up a prayer that all her children were safe and sound in their beds.
“Dios mío,” she whispered.“Who’s knocking like that at this hour?”
