Sometimes…
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye!
Chapter Thirteen
All too soon, the day that they had both been looking forward to and dreading at the same time arrived. Jackson was going to be released from the hospital and so was Amy. She had demanded that they be released at the same time, even though she could have been free much earlier. She had nowhere to go and felt lost without. She refused to be separated him, even when the doctor's need to run tests and such she remained beside him and vice versa.
Jackson planned their wedding in the evenings while Amy slept curled up against him in his bed. She had never once slept in her own bed. She could not stand to be parted from him and he enjoyed it. It was a perfect example of his control over her.
He decided on a small ceremony with no visitors in a tiny church. It was best to keep their marriage a secret because of his employers. They had tried to kill her once before and thought they succeeded. If they learned that their former top manager was getting married, then they would be suspicious. And then his game would be over.
Jackson drove them to the church in a black BMW. It had been the same Beemer that he associate had driven to Joe Reisert's house on that fateful day, but he had ordered it painted black to avoid scaring her and causing any memories to return.
Always the gentleman, he opened the passenger door for Amy, who carefully stepped out in a gorgeous white gown that he had picked out for her. She had not minded because she wanted him to be happy. That was why she left the wedding to him and kept him in control.
"Ready?" he asked her, noticing her nervousness as her green eyes glanced at the church.
"Just a little bit," she said with a slight smile. "In a good way."
This was great. She was no longer lying to him at every turn and trying to deceive him. That was his job. He was the manipulator; the one in complete control. He needed to be for sanity's sake.
"That makes two of us," Jackson said with a sly smile as he led her into the church. He was nervous for other reasons though, mainly concerning how long they could go on like this.
Amy was remembering things daily. Her memories of her true name, of her family, and of he had done to her remained hidden. If she remembered any of those, then his plan was shot to hell and she would be out for his blood. He was playing with fire and Amy was a walking, talking, ticking time bomb. At any moment, she could learn the truth.
Jackson blocked out the priest's words until it came time to say 'I do' and make it official.
"Do you, Jackson Rippner, take Amy Adams to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, honor, and cherish until death do you part?" questioned the priest, praying that this speedy wedding would end up all right and that the bride would not bolt for the door. That was common occurrence in these speedy weddings.
"I do," Jackson replied, a wide, smirk-like smile upon his face. Lisa was almost his. There would be no escape from him soon.
Her heart was racing. This was it. This was it. In a few seconds' time, she would be married to Jackson. She would legally belong to him, even though she had already given her heart to him freely and unknowingly sold her soul a while ago.
She was sure she wanted this—she wanted to his wife. Yet, a little nagging doubt sprung at the back of her mind, telling her that it was too soon, that she should wait. She should know him better before going through with this.
Her mind said no, but her heart took the plunge, leaping from the cliff and into Jackson's arms.
"Do you, Amy Adams, take Jackson Rippner to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish until death do you part?" the priest was asking her.
"I do, I do," she sobbed, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the priest officiated.
Jackson's lips descended upon hers, forcefully and with a surprising passion. She threw her arms around his neck and he pulled her closer.
She was his. She was his…
After thanking the priest, Jackson drove Amy to the recently bought, freshly painted, and newly furnished house by the water. Amy has gasped upon spying the house, which was set a ways back from the road and protected by a forbidding steel gate and fence surrounding the property. The stone wonder was large enough, and fancy enough to be called a mansion.
"Welcome home, Amy," Jackson said, smiling and then leaning over to kiss her.
"Oh, I love it, Jackson!" Her delight showed through her excited words.
Jackson pulled in the circular drive and parked in front of the marble steps. He helped Amy from the car and scooped her up. She giggled as he tried to unlock the front door without dropping her. Somehow, he managed it, and carried her across the threshold and into the expansive entry hall. A glittering chandelier hung high from the cathedral ceiling. Amy's jaw dropped as she took in the high quality and expensive interior of her new home.
"How…how could you afford this?" she wanted to know, thoroughly impressed. She never would have guessed that Jackson was rich. He had never once spoken about his job.
"I made good money and I saved for several years. I worked non-stop while you were gone. It was easy to afford this," Jackson gestured to the house.
"Wow."
"Do you want to see the rest of the house?"
"Um, yeah, but first," she turned to whisper into his ear. His blue eyes held a mischievous glint as he nodded.
Jackson Rippner then picked up his new bride and carried her upstairs to their bedroom. They teased each other for a good long time before making love for the first time as husband and wife.
Author's Notes:
I think this was the longest chapter so far! The story is quickly coming to the end. This is the last time jump in the story. Enjoy!
