Page 44 of Seize the Night

“I know it’s a little sudden,” Julien admitted, wincing. “But it was the best way to guarantee…What did you call it, Merrick?”

“A merger,” Merrick said. “And these two crazy kids have been merging like crazy. In your house last night even.”

“I can’t help it,” Remi said without apology. “I missed my husband.”

“My daughter and Julien Brite got married,” her mother repeated. “Married? Married to Julien Brite?”

“Say ‘married’ a few more times,” Merrick said. “It’s starting to sound like ‘Merrick.’”

“It was definitely a wedding. There was a French minister, and we were in a church and it was all quite romantic,” Remi said, her voice strong and true. True because it was true—the church, the flowers, the ceremony. “Sorry you missed it.”

Her mother looked at Remi, then Julien, then back at Remi, and sat back down in her chair. But she didn’t faint so that was good.

“Are you telling us the truth?” her father demanded. He stared her straight in the eyes. Everyone knew she always choked when she had to lie to anyone.

Remi calmly faced her father.

“Church. Minister. Wedding ceremony. Me. Julien. Vows. Document signed, sealed, and…” She grabbed the document from Merrick’s hand. “And delivered.”

She gave the marriage certificate to her father.

“You’re not lying,” her mother said, looking wild-eyed at the document.

“Mom, you’ve been telling me for two years to find a nice guy and settle down. I found the nice guy. We’re settling down. And yes, it is sudden and shocking, but it is also the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”

“Can’t wait for the honeymoon,” Julien said.

“Will you marry me?” Merrick said to Salena.

“Absolutely not,” Salena said.

“Why not?”

“You’re bizarre, arrogant, and insufferable.”

Merrick didn’t seem at all surprised or disappointed.

“We can keep fucking though, right?”

“That goes without saying.”

Remi’s mother had her hand on her forehead. Her father looked like he might throw up. Julien’s father and mother were arguing with each other. No one was having a heart attack.

She’d call it a win.

“Want to get out of here, Mr. Brite?” she asked Julien.

“I’ve made a miraculous recovery overnight, Mrs. Brite,” Julien said.

“And you did say something about a honeymoon,” Remi said.

“Any suggestions?” Julien asked as he shoved his feet into his shoes and grabbed his jacket.

By the next morning, all four of them were on their way back to Paris.

Epilogue

Shenanigans

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