I want to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter! You guys are the best!
The next few days seemed to fly by with everyone in Georgia, and as Taylor woke up one morning, she smiled when she felt Cody's arm tighten around her waist.
"Merry Christmas baby," Cody whispered as he nuzzled into Taylor's neck.
Taylor giggled. "Merry Christmas Cody," she replied as she rolled over and looked snuggled closer to Cody. He immediately noticed the goofy grin on her face.
"You look happy. I don't think I've ever seen such a big smile on your face."
"I am happy. I don't know...it's just that it's our first Christmas together, and my family is all here and everyone will be here later on for a big brunch. Plus, it's Christmas day-that is reason enough to be happy!"
Cody chuckled as he leaned toward his night stand and pulled out a small box. "Will it even make you happy to get a present from Santa?" he asked with a smirk.
"Cody, you didn't have to get me anything!" Taylor exclaimed as she sat up in bed and began to un-wrap the gift.
"I know, but I wanted to. I hope you like it."
When Taylor opened the small box, her jaw literally dropped to the ground. Inside the small box was a diamond heart pendant necklace on a gold chain. "Oh my God, Cody I love it! It's beautiful!"
"I'm glad you like it," he chuckled as he pushed aside her hair and placed the necklace around her neck. "I love you."
"I love you too Cody," she whispered as she leaned forward and quickly kissed Cody. When the kiss was broken, a big grin also spread across Cody's face, and then a curious look formed. Taylor noticed the look instantly.
"What are you thinking?" Taylor asked cautiously.
"Do you remember yesterday when you mentioned that you wanted to hopefully get married before the baby is born and that you didn't want anything fancy?"
"Yeah..." Taylor responded.
"Well, I was thinking that since your family is here, and everything will be open tomorrow that maybe we could go to the courthouse. I mean, all of the important people that we would want at the wedding is here in Georgia, and we could get a marriage license in the morning and go get wedding bands. We could then go back in the afternoon."
Taylor giggled as Cody gently pushed her back and quickly kissed her. "You thought of everything, didn't you?"
Cody shrugged. "I mean, if you want to plan a real wedding than that is fine. Personally, I don't need a big wedding. I just want to get married."
"I just want to get married too," Taylor giggled as Cody tackled her with kisses.
"So, it's official then, huh? We will be husband and wife tomorrow?"
Taylor giggled as she nodded. "Yep you will officially be stuck with me!"
"And I can't wait," Cody whispered as he bent down once more and passionately kissed Taylor. As the kissing became more heated, they both heard the door bell ring, and Cody groaned out loud.
"That's probably my family to open presents," Taylor said as Cody got off the bed. "We better go open the door, and plus my grandparents are probably up as well."
Cody nodded as Taylor also got off the bed and stood in front of him, face to face. "Later?" he asked.
Taylor laughed out loud as she stood on tip toe and kissed Cody's nose. "Most definitely later!"
Cody and Taylor then went downstairs, let Shawn, Rebecca and the kids in, and soon the whole townhouse was filled with people opening presents. Taylor giggled as she watched Cameron walk up to Cody, once again with a serious look on his face.
"Cody, guess what? I got the new Raw vs. Smackdown video game!" Cameron exclaimed. "We need to play later!"
"Your on!" Cody exclaimed. "How about after lunch we play?"
"Alright!" Cameron exclaimed as he walked away. Taylor giggled once more as she walked into the kitchen to get a bottle of water. She grew concerned when she saw her grandfather at the kitchen sink, heavily drinking a big glass of water.
"Papa, are you alright?"
"Oh yeah, I'm fine," he gestured. "No need to worry. I'm just thirsty."
"Papa...I am worried. Grams told me about your doctor appointment and I heard you coughing last night. I had never heard you cough that hard before. You just looked like you didn't feel good."
Paul took a deep breath. "I wish your grandma didn't tell you about the doctor appointment. I'm fine, and you don't need to worry."
"Papa..."
"Taylor," Paul said calmly but firmly, "I am fine."
Soon, Taylor, her grandma, Rebecca and Cody's mom Michelle all started on brunch, and within a couple of hours, everyone was sitting down to eat. As everyone was talking amongst each other, Cody glanced at Taylor and winked. They both knew it was time to share their announcement.
"Hey guys, we have an announcement to make," Cody said after he took a drink from his orange juice.
"Well, we already know that Taylor's pregnant," Cody's brother Dustin said with a smile. "So what's up?"
"No one is to make plans for tomorrow afternoon," Taylor said firmly.
"Why is that?" Shawn asked. "Do you have something in mind?"
"Yes actually we do," Cody responded. "Taylor and I are getting married at the court house tomorrow afternoon."
Everyone exchanged glances. "Boy you guys don't waste anytime, do you?" Dusty said.
"Well, it just makes sense to us. All of the important people that we would want at the wedding is around us today, and we wanted to do something small before the baby is born. We will probably do something bigger later on down the road," Taylor explained.
"Well everything sounds great," Irene said. "You just let us know what time we need to be at the court house."
"Our plan is to get the license in the morning and then go buy wedding bands, so hopefully we'll be able to go back in the afternoon," Taylor said.
The next morning, Cody and Taylor successfully got their marriage license and were told they could come back at 2pm. After making a quick trip to the jewelery store for the bands and lunch, Cody and Taylor parted ways so they could get ready for the ceremony.
As Taylor looked through her closet, she knew she wanted to find something special to wear. "Ugh! Everything that I find that I want to wear won't fit!" she exclaimed.
Rebecca giggled as she handed Taylor a bag. "Well, luckily I went shopping earlier, and bought you this."
Taylor looked inside the bag, and pulled out a beautiful white dress with a multi-colored pattern. "Rebecca, it's beautiful! Thank you," she said as she hugged her step-mom.
"Your welcome, and congratulations. I know that you and Cody are going to be happy and are going to be great parents to the baby."
Taylor felt tears in her eyes as she once again hugged Rebecca. "Thank you."
Meanwhile, back at Cody's parents house, Cody was straightening his tie in his old room when he watched his dad come in. "Hi son. Are you about ready?" Dusty asked.
"I have been ready since the day I met Taylor," Cody said confidently. "Honestly, I've never seen myself being married or having a family. But...I see things differently because of her."
"Good," Dusty said with a smile. "We all love Taylor, and I know that I've seen changes in you...and don't worry it's for the better," he chuckled.
Cody nodded as the two quickly hugged. "Thanks Dad."
Another hour past, and everyone drove up to the court house. When Taylor walked in with her step-mom and grandma, she noticed Cody in the hallway. He glanced her way, and both exchanged smiles.
"You look beautiful," Cody said as he kissed Taylor's cheek.
"Thank you," she said. "You look nice as well. Are you ready? Are you sure that you want to be stuck with me for the rest of your life?"
Cody laughed out loud as their names were called. "I am as sure as my hair is dark and your dress is white. So, obviously I am very sure. I love you," he said as he pressed his forehead to Taylor's.
"I love you too."
Once they joined hands, they walked into the court room and stood before the judge. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to join Cody and Taylor in holy matrimony..."
The smiles never left Cody and Taylor's faces as the judge continued to talk. "Do you Cody take Taylor to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
He nodded. "I do."
"Taylor, do you take Cody to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," she responded as tears began to well in her eyes.
After exchanging rings, the judge looked at both Cody and Taylor with a smile on his face. "By the power invested in me and by the state of Georgia, I pronounce you husband and wife. Cody, you may kiss your bride."
Cody and Taylor exchanged smiles as he cupped her face and placed a long, soft kiss upon her lips. When the kiss was broken, they both heard the clapping and cheers from their family, but Cody and Taylor were in their own world as they looked into each others eyes. Cody knew that he had just made the best decision he had ever made in his life.