Chapter 17
Thanks wx4rmk for your review. As long as the story is 'pretend' I hope you'll forgive me my geographical and any other location errors. And Linda Weir, Adam's Gal, lainielou, fanclaire and Gaben (how good to hear your voice again, so to speak), I thank you all so much following my story. So here's the next chapter – Enjoy.
The following morning, Monday, Adam was first to wake, he washed and dressed then knocked on the bathroom door on Julie's side hoping she was awake too.
"Rise and shine, we've got a busy day today."
"I'm awake and wish you would return to your room so that I might wash up and dress."
"Of course. On my way." He returned to his own room and closed the connecting door. He heard the key turned in the lock from inside of the bathroom. He smiled, wondering how she will act this night. 'We made a bargain and I'll keep to it,' he thought, 'but it's going to be very difficult.'
Sitting at their breakfast table a while later, Adam informed Julie that they had an appointment with Judge Denham at ten o'clock.
"How did you manage to arrange that, Adam?"
"I sent a telegram to him via the hotel, as I didn't know the address. The hotel delivered it to him and he replied that he would be pleased to officiate at our marriage."
"Oh Lord, I still think you should think this through again."
"I've thought it through, Julie." He put his hand gently over Julie's. Then leaned over and whispered. "Don't worry, everything will be as we planned. Just husband and wife on paper. Let's just think of what you're going to do with any monies coming your way."
"I know, I'm sorry. I'm still very anxious that he will find us and that I've put your life in danger."
"We'll deal with that should the occasion arise. So for now try and relax, finish up your breakfast and we'll be off." ….
It was 9.45am as the cab drove up to the civic building. Adam paid the driver and helped Julie down and arm in arm, entered the building. They were directed to where Judge Denham's office was and knocked. The door was opened by a woman who said she was Judge Denham's secretary, and to please come in.
"Please take a seat, the Judge will be here in a moment. I'm Mrs Susan Denham, the judge's wife, and your first witness. Mr Arthur Ridley, our DA, will be here shortly, and he will be your second witness. I hope that's okay with you two."
"Oh yes, thank you," Adam answered. He was now holding Julie's hand and she was duly looking embarrassed. Adam thought, 'even though he knew she was very nervous and embarrassed, the look of it all seemed good to him'.
Just then there was a knock on the door and a gentleman walked in.
"Hello, there," he said, walking over to Adam holding out his hand. "I'm Arthur Ridley, and you must be Mr Adam Cartwright and Miss Alexandra Bridgeman." Adam shook the offered hand and Julie did the same. The connecting door opened and, Adam assumed, was Judge Denham himself.
"Hello, I'm Judge Edward Denham, and have the privilege to be performing this ceremony." He shook
hands with both Adam and Julie. "Will you come this way please," he said, indicating another door which led into his court room. "You've met your witnesses?"
"Yes, Sir, we have, and I thank you for your attendance here today," Adam told them.
"Well then, shall we proceed," Judge Denham said. "Now Susan, you stand next to Miss Bridgeman and you, Arthur, next to Mr Cartwright, and I will stand right here, facing you two. Are you two ready?"
Together they said, "Yes, we are."
"Then let us begin. This ceremony will be in accordance with the Civil Law of this country. This requires the couple to declare there freedom to marry one another. Do you, Adam Cartwright, declare that you are free to marry Alexandra Bridgeman?"
"I am."
"And do you, Alexandra Bridgeman, declare that you are free to marry Adam Cartwright?"
"I am, your Honour."
"Adam, would you repeat after me: I call upon these witnesses here present to witness that I Adam Cartwright do take thee Alexandra Bridgeman to be my lawful wedded wife."
Adam took hold of Julie's two hands and repeated the words, "I call upon these witnesses here present to witness that I Adam Cartwright do take thee Alexandra Bridgeman to be my lawful wedded wife."
"Alexandra, please repeat after me: I call upon these witnesses here present to witness that I Alexandra Bridgeman do take thee Adam Cartwright to be my lawful wedded husband."
And so she did with a very shaky voice: I call upon these witnesses here present to witness that I Alexandra Bridgeman do take thee Adam Cartwright to be my lawful wedded husband."
"Do you have the ring, Mr Cartwright?" Judge Denham asked.
"Yes, I do." He reached in his pocket and produced a small pouch, opened the pull strings and brought out a lovely ring. A small sapphire set in the band of gold.
"Then place it on Alexandra's finger and repeat the words…." Judge Denham began.
Adam spoke the next words without hesitation as he placed the ring on Alex's third finger of her left hand. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my vows and with all that I am and all that I have. I honour you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
"In the presence of these two witnesses, I now declare you to be man and wife. You may kiss your bride." He did so and he could sense a response he wasn't expecting.
"Congratulation you two," Susan Denham cried, and threw a handful of rice over the couple.
"Susan, I told you not in here," her husband scolded her.
"Oh hush, Edward. I'll clean it all up later." They all laughed at their little banter.
"Congratulations, Adam and Alexandra," Arthur Ridley said, shaking both their hands. "Shall we get on with the business of signing the certificate of marriage."
"Yes, of course, Edward." Judge Denham said. "Let's go across to my private office and do the signing there." He led the way with everyone following him, except Susan, who had slipped away.
"Here we are. Please Mr Cartwright sit right here at my desk the certificate is already waiting for you to sign."
Adam did so and vacated the seat for Alexandra to sign, which she did. Then just as Mr Arthur Ridley signed as witness, Susan Denham came in carrying a tray with five glasses on it. Put it down on the desk and took over where Mr Ridley had left off.
"There, all legally signed," she said, "and now a toast to the happy couple as she handed each person a glass. "To a long and happy marriage to you both. They all drank.
Julie spoke up, "Thank you very much. You are too kind. Thank you."
"Yes," Adam added, "We thank you, Judge Denham, and our witnesses for your kindness in carrying out this ceremony."
They finished up their glasses of wine, shook hands and happily left the building with the marriage certificate safely stored in Adam's inside jacket pocket. As they walked from the civic building, arm in arm, Adam asked,
"How are you feeling, Mrs Cartwright?" He said jokingly.
"I guess I'll have to quickly get used to my new name."
"Yep, and sooner than you think."
"How so?"
"We have an appointment at the First Bank of Denver at twelve. So I think a coffee and a sit is in order right now."
"Yes, with maybe some brandy in it," Julie said, making Adam laugh.
"Look," Adam said, pointing across the street, "that looks like a nice looking café just over there. Would you like to go there?"
"Yes, anywhere right now is perfect."
"Okay. Just one thing, don't forget to behave like a newly married lady, because…."
"I know, I know. We need to put on a show for all to see and especially Mr Manson, if he's still at the bank. It's been quite a few years since I met him and he wasn't a young man back then."
"That's right. I don't want him thinking this is just a man marrying a woman for her money."
"But in view of our very recent marriage, he's bound to think just that."
"Then we may have to take him into our confidence and relay to him a little of the circumstances."
Over their coffee they talked of the family back home and what they were going to tell them.
"We'll have to sleep in separate rooms, of course," Julie said.
"That's out of the question."
"What!"
"Keep your voice down, sweetheart."
"We're not sharing a bedroom, Adam."
"We'll have to, once we tell them we're married now, unless, of course, you wish to tell them the whole story."
"No, I don't want to do that. You can tell them once the money has all been settled and we get the marriage annulled and I'm on my way elsewhere, just as we agreed."
"They won't be happy, but they will understand."
"I sure hope so." She sighed deeply. "What time is it, Adam?"
He took his old pocket watch our of his vest pocket. "Just 11.30. Have you finished?"
"Yes, thank you. Let's get this over with."
Adam stood and helped Julie with her chair, left money with the bill on the table, with a little extra for a tip. He was feeling good about what happened today. 'A married man, who'd have thought it. I wonder how Julie really feels about it,' he thought, as they walked out of the café.