Chapter 25

They walked into the church at half past nine. Father Coates was waiting for them, seated on the bench.

Sonny extended his hand, "Thank you for this father. We apologize for any inconvenience."

"I understand that sometimes the excitement and love is far too great to wait."

Elizabeth nervously looked over at Jason. Diane saw her nervous gaze and stepped in. "May I have a minute with the bride before the ceremony?" She quickly guided Elizabeth into the small room off to the side of the chapel. Once they were alone, Diane took her hand, "Are you ok?"

Elizabeth took in a deep breath and managed a courageous nod. "It will make everything easier. It will make everyone safer."

"I know how you feel about him, you love him. I'm worried about you getting hurt."

"Diane, I am not avoiding the obvious here, this is an arrangement for security and though I may someday wish this was for real, I know that this, right now, is strictly just the solution to a problem."

Diane looked at her as if she was analyzing the look on her face. "You may think you mean it but…"

"Diane, thank you for your concern but I know what I am doing and it is what is best for me and my boys right now. I need to think of them first."

Diane pursed her lips, "If you are sure."

They exited the room and after a quick search found Sonny, Jason and Father Coates standing at the altar. Elizabeth paused in the back of the church for a brief moment to collect herself. Jason looked gorgeous and regardless of the situation, she would never forget how he looked at that moment. She sucked in a deep breath then followed closely behind Diane until they reached the men waiting for them. "Is everything ok?" Jason asked.

Elizabeth smiled sweetly as she nodded and placed her purse on the pew beside her. She removed her jacket and placed it there as well and Diane did the same. The men had already removed their offending jackets and were ready and waiting. "Ok."

Jason felt anxious. Marrying Elizabeth seemed so right but the situation seemed unfair to her. She deserved better and from the moment she insisted they get married, he did nothing but worry that she would regret the decision later.

Father Coates began, "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Jason and Elizabeth in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore, is not by any, to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. "

Elizabeth gazed into Jason's cobalt eyes and felt at ease. Over the years she had imagined the moment that she would marry Jason and ironically she pictured a scene like this one. Simple, personal and without many onlookers. He paused for a brief moment then continued, "Jason, will you have Elizabeth to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sick-ness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will." He hoarsely whispered, surprised at his own emotion with the idea that he was marrying Elizabeth.

Satisfied with Jason's answer, Father Coates spoke, "Elizabeth, will you have Jason to be your wedded husband to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you submit to him, serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"

Elizabeth nodded as she said, "I will."

"Rings?" Father Coates prompted. Elizabeth was surprised when Jason pulled two rings from his pocket, a simple white gold or platinum band for him and another for her. The band he had for her was a beautiful simple band that was lined in diamonds for the entire circle.

"Oh my…" Elizabeth started to say but stopped herself.

"I am good." Diane mumbled proudly taking responsibility for getting the rings.

Elizabeth looked over her shoulder at Diane and giggled. After blessing the rings, Jason took Elizabeth's hand and slid it onto her left ring finger, "This ring I give you, as a sign of my constant faith, and abiding love. With this ring, I thee wed"

Elizabeth repeated the same line as she slid Jason's band on his left ring finger.

Father Coates smiled, "Forasmuch as Jason and Elizabeth have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands I now pronounce you are husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride!"

Surprising Elizabeth, Jason kissed her. She'd expected a chaste kiss but he made it so much more. His hands released hers and he pulled her body into his. He did not hesitate as his head dipped and his lips covered hers. For longer then they both planned, they stood in their embrace, their lips joined in a soulful, slow kiss. When he finally released her, she had a light blush and it darkened when she watched him flick his tongue on his lips to taste her.

Diane and Sonny cleared their throats and Jason and Elizabeth snapped out of their spell. Sonny then paid the priest in cash, what seemed to be an extremely large amount of money and in mere minutes, they were on their way home.

The limo ride back to Elizabeth's house was awkwardly quiet as the weight of the situation hit them. Jason wondered what would happen now. While Elizabeth was wondering the same thing, she also wondered if it would lead to more. She had assured Diane that she did not expect a true marriage, however deep down there was a hope that eventually it would lead to that.

Elizabeth brushed her fingers on her beautiful new wedding band. She had been married before and so had Jason so they were both going into this with their eyes open. They both knew what it was like to be married as well as everything that goes with it. This marriage was slightly different because it is merely an arrangement, at least for the time being.

They stopped in front of her house and she exited followed by Jason. She thanked Sonny and Diane for witnessing for them and the limo pulled away leaving them standing in front of her house as newlyweds.

"I should get in and check on Cam."

Jason nodded, "We will work out the arrangements in the morning. I know you've had a long day so I'll let you get some sleep and we can talk about it all tomorrow."

Elizabeth got a knot in her stomach, she didn't exactly expect him to stay the night but she had hoped maybe he would. She was now confused because she was not sure what any of this meant. If this was only on paper then why did he kiss her like that. So much was changing in their relationship but they had yet to sit down and discuss what they both wanted. The marriage for 'security' further complicated the situation but it was the logical decision. If it does not make Alcazar back down then it gave Jason and Sonny more options to deal with him, like going to the other families to create pressure.

"Oh, ok… well I will see you tomorrow then." She mumbled then turned to walk away.

His hand reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her. "Hey…" he whispered. She stopped her movement and looked up at him. "I uh…" he started to say but didn't know what he really should say. Instead her took a step toward her and brought his hand to cup her cheek. Elizabeth closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. She didn't open her eyes but could feel his breath on her face. She softly whispered his name and his lips finally found hers. His hand released her wrist and he threaded his fingers through her hair. He kissed her passionately, parting her lips with his own and searching out her tongue with his own.

Elizabeth held him against him with her arms wrapped around his waist as he nipped at her lips before finally reluctantly separating. His forehead came to rest against hers as they both came down from the high of their kiss. He didn't want to leave but was not completely sure if he should stay. If he stayed over would it confuse Cameron even more, but at the same time should he stay over to keep up the ruse of their marriage.

Staying over was definitely what he wanted, to hold her all night as he had a couple weeks ago. He wanted to wake up with her and eat breakfast with her. He wanted the family that Elizabeth and her children promised. "I should go." He found himself saying. He was a coward and he knew it.

Elizabeth nodded, "I'll talk to you tomorrow… husband."

Jason placed one last lingering kiss on her lips. "I'll see ya." He whispered.

With a sigh, Jason slid his key into the lock. This was not where he wanted to be and part of him wanted to run back to his car and fly back over to Elizabeth's house. He decided that he should wait until after they talk about everything even though he was not the best at expressing his feelings. Tomorrow everything would have to be discussed, there was not another choice. In the morning, Diane was going to call the paper and leak the information about the marriage and hopefully soon after the word will get to Alcazar.

He pushed his door open and stopped in his tracks. All of the lights were off but after a quick survey he estimated about thirty candles lit throughout the room. Standing in the middle was Sam dressed in a sheer black teddy. She loved dressing up in slutty outfits for him when they were together and he just found what she put on trashy and without taste.

"It's about time you came home, happy Valentines day." She said in a seductive voice.