THE FOLLOWING MORNING
I'm very excited as Craig and I pack up his car. I don't feel like I'm making a mistake, I feel like my life is about to truly begin. I feel my phone buzzing inside my pocket. I take my phone out looking down to see it is my mom. I don't feel like talking to her right now. I see Clyde coming out of the house for his morning jog.
"Craig you're actually up early?" chuckles Clyde walking over to us.
"I would still be sleep if it was not for this guy here," he states.
"Where are you guys going?" asked Clyde noticing the bags.
"We will be back in 2 days," I reply. "Craig has to work on Monday." Clyde notices that I dodged the question giving me a look letting me know he wants more information. "We're going to get married."
"Holy shit, are you serious!" exclaims Clyde. Craig closes the truck.
"Yeah," says Craig. "He was serious." Clyde is still surprised.
"Well congrats," he says touching my shoulder. "Is this what you really want Tweek, I mean the both of you?"
"It is what I want," I reply. I look over at Craig and I can tell he nervous. I feel myself get sad as I wrap my arms around myself. Craig sighs.
"We have to get going," he tells Clyde. Clyde nods giving us both hugs. He takes off jogging down the street. I get into the car as Craig does the same.
"Do you not want to marry me, Craig?" I ask softly.
"I'm just scared," he admits. "I do want to marry you but I'm still scared."
"Why?" I ask. "I mean we love each other." Craig grabs my hand holding it tightly.
"I know babe," he replies. "It's why I'm doing it. You know you're the only person I love." I nod yes as Craig backs out of the driveway. I wonder if he is thinking about Matthew. Matthew, I think is the first person Craig came to love but he broke Craig's heart by cheating on him with his cousin Red. He doesn't mention Matthew or every compare us but I still feel like in the back of his mind he is scared of the same thing happening. "So we got a decent little drive here. I figured we can make this fun. Stop to get something to eat along the way, take funny cool pictures."
"Great," I grin. My phone is ringing and I see it is my mom yet again. I huff turning my phone off.
"Was that your dad?" asked Craig.
"No," I reply. "He hasn't called once. It is just my mom." Craig is silent for a moment.
"I think you should talk to her," he replies. "She seems more reasonable than your dad."
"Gahhh….."I cry with hitting me again that I was fired. "What am I going to do for work? I have only ever worked with my parents."
"Don't think about that right now," says Craig. "We will focus on that when we get back okay. I can cover you for now."
"Awww Craig," I coo. I'm so glad in a few hours he is going to be my husband. We drive 3 hours before stopping at KFC to get something to eat. I'm glad because I left my food in my car last night. I didn't want to risk eating it and getting sick. I really wanted my chicken tenders from last night. I mostly get chicken at KFC. I find the tenders to be too salty so I don't really like eat them. Craig is about to bite his chicken leg when his phone rings.
"Tricia, why are you calling so early," he greets. "Oh yeah, you're 3 hours ahead of us. What do you want?" Tricia will usually call Craig 2-3 times a week. "Uh huh, well spit it out, I'm out with Tweek and we are trying to eat." I begin to eat not really paying attention until Craig says "You're kidding!" I look at him as he looks at me and I know he will fill me in. "I shouldn't be surprised. No, I'm not being mean. Whatever we can talk later, bye." Craig ends his call with Tricia.
"What was that?" I ask.
"So Red is pregnant," says Craig.
"Oh my god….."I muttered.
"I know right," says Craig. "She refuses to tell us who the father is."
"Why?" I ask. "Does it even matter?"
"That's what I'm saying," he replies. "God makes me wonder how they will react if I tell them I'm married. Somehow I don't think they will care much." I begin to smile seeing he is more accepting of us being married. Craig and I begin to discuss rings as we finish our meal. I'm pretty excited about this. We're going to get the rings when we get to Vegas. So many places to get married at. I will research that further when I get in the car.
During the remainder of our drive, I am able to find a hotel for us to stay at and well as a wedding chapel. It is not cheap but not expensive either. The reviews on Google are good. I don't know how someone could screw up a marriage ceremony but you never know. I schedule a time for us to get married as this place can get busy. We are scheduled to get married at 11:30 pm. This gives us time to buy the rings.
We get checked into the hotel with no issues but Craig wanted to take a nap. I know how he is when he is tired and his sleep is interrupted. I advise heavily against it but he does it anyway. As predicted Craig did not want to get up to go get the rings but once he was up he was pretty happy. We managed to find a decently priced set at Zales totaling in 210 bucks. Not bad for two silver rings. We didn't get anything fancy. Craig said we can always upgrade later. We found a really nice buffet place to eat at. We just loaded up on food and ate more than we probably should have. We are now both dressed in our best clothes headed to the chapel. During the drive, it is actually quiet and I silently begin to wonder.
"It's okay Tweekers," says Craig grabbing my hand. "I want to do this, we will be okay." I glance at Craig but he focused on the road. All I needed to see was his smile and I know he is at peace with us getting married, no more doubts. We pull into the parking lot finding the first open space. "All right let's do this." We climb out of the car heading towards the doors. I'm actually nervous although I know for sure I want to be married to Craig. Before Craig could open the door this couple walks out.
"Yeah, baby!" cheers the girl. I notice she is wearing a motorcycle jacket just like her husband I'm assuming. They are both decorated in tattoos.
"Fuck yeah!" cheered the guy grabbing her by her ass kissing her. Craig and I awkwardly walk around the couple heading inside. Once inside I notice everything is decorated in wine and white. Well, at least they didn't use red. That would have been rather cheesy.
"Hi," greets this guy. "Can I help you?"
"We have an appointment," says Craig walking over to the counter. I follow close behind. "Craig Tucker and Tweek Tweak." The young gentlemen looks inside the book.
"Excellent!" he replies. "I see you here. I am going to need both of your ID's so we can get the needed information keyed up for your marriage license." We both pull out our wallets handing it the guy. He is keying our information into a computer. Once done he turns back to us. "Do you all need a witness?"
"Yes," replies Craig. I can barely talk as I'm beginning to shake. Craig grabs my hand before I can even get to my twitching stage. He walks over locking the front door.
"This way," he replies. "My name is Ryan and I am going to be your witness. Wait right here as I go get the pastor." He walks off and Craig immediately looks at me.
"Are you okay?" he asks. I nod my head yes. He lets go of my hand so he can start rubbing my shoulders. "I just wanted to check…..this is a big deal."
"Not really…"I muttered looking at the ground. Craig grabs my chin forcing me to kiss him. I return the kiss nervously. I don't think Craig was feeling that I'm nervous as he wraps his arm around my waist pulling me towards his body. "Ha…"
"I love you…." Says Craig against my lips. I deepen the kiss wanting him to take me right now. His hand begins to hold me tighter than I thought possible.
"Ready?" asked Ryan scaring the shit out of me. I jump out of the kiss. Craig nods following Ryan into a small room. I see a very short lady standing in front of a cross. When I say short she is short, looks about 4'6. I can tell she dyes her hair because the job is so terribly done.
"I'm pastor Martha," she greets. "I will be joining you together this evening. Did you want to walk down an aisle?"
"No," says Craig. "We just want to do the quick ceremony." She smiles.
"All right then boys," she says grinning wide. "Come closer…and let go of each other's hands. You can get it back in a minute." She chuckles watching us get settled in front of her. She turns around grabbing a bible of this basic podium. She begins to talk but I don't hear her at all. I'm looking at Craig who is looking at me. After some time, he begins to smile. "Tweek….Tweek…." I look at the little lady.
"Huh?" I question. She chuckles.
"Do you have any words to say to Craig?" she asks. I look at Craig and there is so much I want to say to him. I try to think of how to say it.
"Gah….um…."I shake a little before twitching. "You mean everything to me…I…..I don't know where I would be without you…" I have to close my eyes because I'm getting so worked up. "You're the only guy I have ever loved and I won't ever stop…..I just want things to stay as they are forever…..e-even when we are old and in wheelchairs." Craig actually laughs along with Martha. I open my eyes and Craig is smiling. I begin to smile back at him.
"Craig is there anything you want to say to Tweek?" asks Martha.
"It's simple," replies Craig. "I love you Tweekers, all of you. When we met back on the beach, I knew you were special. I didn't know how special you were until we were deeper in love. Living my life with you…..forever is all I want." I sniffle. "Awww babe…..don't cry…" I'm trying not to but how can I not. Martha says a few more words and Craig and I pull out our rings and do the exchange. I look down at my hand that is shaking as I gaze at the beautiful silver band.
"You may kiss your bride," says Martha. Craig grabs my face without hesitation kissing me. I can't help myself as I begin to grin into the kiss before giggling. Craig chuckles pulling away from me. "Congratulations!" Ryan starts clapping.
"Would you like me to take some pictures?" asked Ryan.
"Yes!" I exclaim pulling out my camera phone. Craig does the same. We have Ryan take a few pictures of Craig and I. We also took one with Martha and one with Ryan as well. I have to say I was expecting much from this experience but I'm glad everything went so well. We say our goodbyes ready to head to the hotel for the night.
Craig holds my hand as we walk outside to his car. We walk over to the car and only then does he let go of my head. He looks at me smiling again.
"God Tweekers, you're blushing," he chuckles. I laugh a little rubbing my cheeks.
"I can't help it…."I mutter. Craig kisses my forehead. "Let's get back to the hotel so we can make things official." We pile into the car heading back. As Craig drives I pull out my phone sending a group text to Clyde and Token.
Tweek: It's official.
I make sure to attach the picture of Craig and I plus a picture of my ring. I unbutton my shirt a little bit. I am not a fan of dressing up at all. My phone ding rights away.
Clyde: Aaahhhh, you guys look so good. Seriously congrats.
Token: Congrats and call your mom
Clyde: He can do that in the morning, I know what I would be doing right now
Tweek: Clyde!
Clyde: No need in being shy. We know you guys have sex.
Token: Tweek I'm seriously happy for you but your mom actually called us and showed up at the house
"What's going on?" asked Craig becoming concerned after hearing all of the dinging my phone was making.
"I just sent Token and Clyde some of the pictures we took," I explain. "Token said my mom showed up to the house."
"I'm not surprised," says Craig.
"She wants me to call her," I continue. "I'm not ready to speak to her yet….."
"Let's not think about that right now," says Craig. We finally arrive at our hotel. We head inside heading up to the room. Craig is holding my hand and rubbing my shoulders. I told him how Clyde and Token are at least happy for us. We're discussing if we want to post our marriage on social media, I'm undecided. "You okay?"