Chapter 6 – Declarations

Our old partner Merrie Brody was getting married in the February. The weather can always be iffy in this part of the country that time of the year. Chris flew out to spend a couple of days with me before we drove to Philly for the wedding.

I picked Chris up at the airport about 5 p.m. I had ordered dinner and we picked it up on the way back to the condo. Chris loved Iowa beef and there was a chef who I had heard could make the meat melt like butter.

I had sat a formal table before I left for work that day. The rooms were filled with candles. "I hope you're hungry" I said as we arrived at the condo. "Why don't we eat sooner than later while the food is still hot and not dried out?" I had sat our table setting side by side allowing us to better interact after the time that we had been separated. I knew that Faith Hill was one of Chris' favorite artists and had picked up several of her CDs and one of her husband's from the library. After dinner we danced, laughed and swayed to her music.

Chris seemed reluctant to be aggressive given our past history. Finally, I handed him his wine glass from the table and picked up the bottle and my own glass and led him to my bedroom. He was even further surprised when I threw him a box of his favored protection and went into the bathroom to take care of myself. It was a night that neither of us would soon forget. Three and a half years of pent up lust came to the surface.

Friday we stayed in bed until just before noon when hunger got the best of Christopher. I had bought him bacon and eggs so he was in heaven as soon as he saw them in the fridge.

We left about 2 to drive the short distance to Philadelphia. We found the time for another round in the boudoir before we went to the rehearsal dinner. It was nice to see Loretta and Sabastian again.

The next day Merrie walked down the aisle with Pride. Chris and I walked down together. My song went well and I was going along fine until I looked over to see Merrie crying.

Merrie had a small band for the reception. As we danced, Chris whispered in my ear "you know we could try this wedding thing too!" I looked at him in shock speechless. "Don't say a word Sonja. We can talk about this back at the hotel room."

Well there was no talking. I was still in shock as we drove back to the hotel in silence. I quickly stepped out of my dress and jumped in the shower. I was lost in another world when I heard Chris pull back the shower curtain.

"Sonja come out! You will turn into a prune if you stay in there much longer."

"Did you mean that Country Mouse?" I asked as I dried myself off back in the bedroom.

"Yes, Sonja."

"Did you think about what that would entail?"

"Some. So much that I stopped to buy this." At that he holds up a beautiful engagement ring.

"So Sonja Percy, now let me ask you properly, will you marry me" he asked on bended knee?

The ring fit perfectly and that night was special as I reminded myself how bad I had always wanted Christopher LaSalle.

We drove back to D.C. the next morning and found more time for intimate moments before I drove Chris to the airport for his red eye return flight to New Orleans.

We were both surprised at how fast we settled our wedding plans. We knew we wouldn't have a lot of time together and selfishly decided to keep our marriage ceremony to just the two of us.

Christopher

We chose Copenhagen and spent three fabulous weeks together. An overseas marriage requires a lot of planning. Fortunately details were Sonja's thing. There were numerous forms that we had to submit. All of ours were there in the four month buffer period. The law required us to be in Copenhagen for three days before the ceremony. The Wedding Office was a busy place and our detailed pre-planning allowed us to be married in the beautiful City Hall.

While our friends and family were disappointed that they would not be able to attend our marriage ceremony, we were able to carve out two weekends before the wedding to visit 'Nola and Alabama for 'couple's showers'. Sonja's work buddies gave her a personal shower of which the remnants I was able to appreciate as well on our honeymoon.

The pre-martial counseling was a little more difficult to coordinate. We managed to get it done. I can't even imagine what Sonja went through in her sessions. Between my dad, Cade and Savannah's death, I had to add two extra sessions.

I gathered from Sonja that her sessions were no easier. Later as the years passed by, she divulged the difficulties of her life particularly the complications with the men in her past. Those confessions gave me profound insight into who this tough as nails woman was.

I was glad and sad at the same time to have her confide in me. Sonja had kept Mary and me at arm's length for a long time. I found it odd how the both of us took Tammy into our confidence. She played a significant role in our finally being together by reminding Sonja that it was possible to be with me and advising me to quit being a woman chaser and finally realize what I could have with Sonja if I worked at gaining her trust and love.