Disclaimer: All recognized characters and places are not mine. The plot and any spelling/grammar mistakes are...
Again I want to thank Loki's Only Love for betaing this for me...
Chapter 2
"Yes," he answered without hesitation.
"Why?" The question came out of my mouth before I could think about how it might sound. I didn't even think we had defined what we were yet. Sure we had talked and declared ourselves but we haven't even gone out on a date yet and now Charlie was asking about marriage! Marriage was sacred and not something to take lightly.
Reverend Kelley gasped at me but Charlie looked as if he expected it. He pulled me off to the side so we had some privacy and kissed me. "I let go of you once. I'm not doing so again."
My heart literally skipped a beat at his words. Those words were so romantic and very un-Charlie like. I searched his eyes and found they were filled with nothing but love and sincerity. I then thought of how crazy this all was and unexpected. We had only known each other for a short time and that was two months ago. But I had come to Claire's wedding for him as much as for her. I couldn't deny that I was in love with him and that I wanted to see where a relationship with him might lead. If we did this we would be jumping the gun but seeing his expression dampen at my speechlessness I knew that I wanted to bring a smile back to his face; knew that I did want this man forever. I brushed my lips over his. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"I will marry you."
His expression was something I knew I'd remember forever. In one word it was glowing. Before I could think of more adjectives Charlie lowered his lips onto mine. His tongue languidly stroked my bottom lip and I parted my lips deepening the kiss. A cough reminded me that we weren't alone. We glanced over at Reverend Kelley. His lips were twitched up in a smile.
"So will you marry us?" Charlie asked.
"It's unconventional but...romantic," Kelley said sounding intrigued by the idea.
"So will you marry us?" Charlie inquired again.
"Are you two serious about doing this?"
I turned to Charlie who was watching me expectantly. I nodded and he smiled before answering "yes".
"Then to do this properly we need a location and at least one witness."
"I know of the perfect place," Charlie stated."
"You do?" I queried.
He nodded before pointing upward. Looking to where his finger pointed I saw a balcony protruding from the building behind us.
"Charlie…"
"It's perfect isn't it?"
"Who are you?" I murmured. "When I first met you, you were the most unromantic person and now…"
He smiled sheepishly. "I knew it would be something you'd like."
I smiled back at him. His considerate nature was a bit unexpected but remembering how he helped his grandmother when he didn't really believe she would find Lorenzo made me realize that there were many layers to Charlie Wyman. He had peeled back some of the layers allowing me to fall in love with him. "I do like it," I told him hoping that my eyes conveyed that I liked more than the location.
"Who are to be your witnesses?" the reverend asked.
Charlie thought for a moment. "I think Patricia should be a witness."
"And Isabella," I added.
"Your friend that answers Juliet's letters in Verona?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Why don't you go get her and I'll get Patricia. We can meet back here in five minutes."
I nodded in approval and with a quick word to Reverend Kelley stating that we'd return promptly Charlie headed to the left while I headed off to the right. Claire and Lorenzo were having their first dance as husband and wife when I reentered the reception. I stood for a moment and watched them. They moved so effortlessly together. The one time I danced with Victor, at his sister's wedding, he had stepped on my foot. As I watched them my mind wandered to how Charlie and I would fit together while dancing. Would someone step on the others toes or would we fit seamlessly together like Claire and Lorenzo? I shook my head of the image of us moving together like the happy couple before me and went back to my task. Isabella was easy to find. She was sitting at the same table where she was during dinner. I quickly made my way to her side. "Isabella," I said quietly.
"Sophie," she answered quizzically.
"Will you come with me?"
She looked like she was going to ask a question but instead said, "Sure."
I led her to where Charlie awaited with Patricia and Reverend Kelley.
Patricia glanced at me and Isabella before turning back to Charlie. "Okay, what's going on?"
"Charlie asked me to marry him," I answered before he could.
Both Patricia and Isabella gasped in surprise at my announcement.
"And we'd like you two to witness it," Charlie added.
Isabella's eyes widened in realization. "You want to get married right now?"
"Yes," Charlie answered before I could.
"I thought you were engaged?" Those words came from Patricia.
"I broke things off with him before I came here. Truthfully I wanted to see Charlie and see if we'd maybe have a chance together. I never dreamed that not only did he love me but he wanted a spur of the moment wedding."
"That's so romantic and very unlike you Charlie," Patricia stated.
"You more than anyone know how I've been these last two months Patty. I'm not squandering this second chance."
Patricia tapped her lower lip with her index finger. "He has been moody. Moodier than he usually is."
"Is this true?" I asked him.
"Yes. I love you Sophie and I hated letting you go or thinking that you were happy with your fiancé."
"Ex…" I reminded him.
He nodded before facing the others. "So will you be our witnesses?"
They both nodded back in answer.
"Great," Reverend Kelley said. He had been quiet since we returned. "I think the stairs to the balcony are around the corner."
"Balcony? If I didn't already think aliens kidnapped the real Charlie and replaced him with this one, I do now."
I laughed at Patricia's comment. Charlie smiled at me before rolling his eyes at his cousin as I took his hand in mine.
Xxx
Hand in hand, Charlie and I traversed the stairs following the reverend who seemed to know where he was going. Patricia and Isabella fell in behind us. Upon the last step we entered a sparsely furnished room; the furniture that was there all covered with white sheets. Since our destination was the balcony we didn't linger. Reverend Kelley led us straight to the balcony. I let go of Charlie's hand and paused at the opening to the balcony. I finger combed my hair and smoothed down any unsightly tresses before joining Charlie on the balcony.
"Why don't you and Charles face each other holding hands," Kelley suggested. We did as he said. "And your witnesses stand in the opening indicating Isabella and Patricia. They were already standing where he indicated so they just nodded.
Reverend Kelley stepped closer to us and opened the book he had previously used earlier. I didn't remember him holding it before. He must have had it in a pocket somewhere on him. He turned to a page and cleared his throat before saying, "Dearly beloved we are gathered here today in the sight of God and these two witnesses to bring Charles and…"
"Sophie," I imparted.
He smiled at me gratefully. "…Sophie together in holy matrimony. Charles, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? "
"I do," he answered immediately.
"And do you, Sophie, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"Okay now repeat after me. I, Charles, take you, Sophie, to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us."
As Charlie spoke his vows tears formed in my eyes. They were perfect. I couldn't imagine how reverend Kelley was able to find vows that describe us so perfectly so quickly. One tear fell and Charlie wiped it away with his free hand.
When Charlie finished it was my turn to speak. "I, Sophie, take you, Charles, to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the man you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us."
Charlie's face was lit up with a tender smile as I said our vows and I was surprised to find his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. I gently squeezed his hand and smiled back.
"Do you have a ring?" From the slightly guilty expression the reverend must have realized that he just recited the question in habit since traditionally after the vows rings are exchanged. Since this wedding came about so suddenly I doubted that Charlie would have a ring. I didn't have one to place on his finger. Reverend Kelley probably just figured that out himself. Isabella came forward tugging at her fingers. She held up a ring. It was silver ring with a blue oval stone in it. Several small clear stones set in marcasite rested on both sides of the blue stone "You can use this. It's a sapphire and the smaller stones are cubic zirconia."
"Isabella, it's lovely but we can't…"
She gave it to Charlie. "Of course you can. You can't get married without a ring and I'm giving it to you. I want you to have it."
The expression on her face brooked no refusal so I gave her a quick hug. "Thank you." She bussed my cheek and stepped back so the ceremony could continue. Reverend Kelley appeared as grateful as we were at her gift. "Charles, please place the ring on Sophie's left hand and repeat after me. "I give you this ring as a token of my love and affection. I hope that each time you see it you are reminded of everything we have together."
Charlie repeated the words as he placed the ring on my finger. It wasn't a perfect fit but it also wouldn't fall off.
The reverend turned a few pages in his book forgoing my placing a ring on Charlie's finger. "As you have now pledged yourselves to one another before God and these witnesses I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Charlie eagerly yet gently pulled me closer to him. He touched my chin with his hand and tilted my head. Shivers danced down my spine as he tenderly caressed my lips using his thumb. My eyes unconsciously fluttered shut at the tingling sensation that his touch induced. Slowly, his fingers created a path from my chin to my cheek ending up round my neck to cup my head. The palm of his other hand cupped my cheek. The thumb on that hand leisurely slid back and forth cross my skin.
"Sophie?"
"Hmm?" I asked opening my eyes.
His eyes were glowing. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
His lips hovered over mine briefly before he kissed one corner of my mouth. He brushed his lips lightly across mine and kissed the other corner. He repeated that move again but before he could do it a third time I tugged on the lapels of his jacket and captured his lips with mine in a heart-melting kiss. His tongue glided over my lower lip asking for entrance before someone cleared their throat reminding us that we weren't alone. I stepped back and Charlie did the same as we turned to see Patricia, Isabella and Reverend Kelley watching us.
"Well, Chuck, I thought I'd never see the day when you got married," Patricia said as she came up to us. She playfully hit in on the shoulder. He scowled at her but it didn't hold long soon being replaced by a soft smile. Patricia then turned to me and took my left hand to examine the ring. "Welcome to the family Sophie. I look forward to getting to know you."
"I look forward to getting to know you too."
Isabella came up to us. "May I?" she asked indicating my left hand.
I nodded and she took it in hers. "I knew that it would fit."
"Thank you," I told her. There was nothing else I could think of to say to those words.
"I can't believe you're married!" she added.
Truth be told neither could I. This was not how I envisioned the day turning out but looking at my new husband smiling nothing else in that moment mattered.
Charlie took my hand back in his. "And now it's time to get back to the reception before anyone comes looking for us. I want to keep this just between us for a bit longer."
"Are you sure you don't want Gran to know? She'll be so ecstatic," Patricia asked.
"We'll tell her. Just not now," Charlie answered her.
"Okay," she conceded though she sounded like she wanted to argue with him.
Isabella and Reverend Kelley agreed to keep our marriage quiet for the time being as well before we all headed downstairs.