For the next few days I debated on what was the best thing to do. I considered finding another job but I was already working myself into exhaustion as it was. Meaning that option wasn't going to work.
So, imagine my surprise, when a few days later I got a call from Edward himself offering me the same thing I offered Jacob a few days earlier.
I was beyond surprised, and a bit suspicious as to why he was calling me. But I listened to what he had to say regardless.
When I asked him why, he told me he wished to meet me at a local diner to discuss things in person, not over the phone. Especially this heavy topic.
I thought about ignoring him and doing door dash instead but curiosity got the better of me.
I arrived thirty minutes earlier, and decided to pull out my laptop while waiting and do some work.
He showed up five minutes later.
As he walked in, I quickly saved everything and put the laptop back in my purse.
"Hi." He greeted as he walked over.
He looked rather tense as he sat down across from me.
One of the waitresses walked over and set down the food I ordered, and coffee. "Thank you." I told her.
"Hi." I replied.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet with me. " He said.
I turn, and gasp mockingly as I turned to look out the window. "Is your dad in the parking lot waiting to cuff me?" I asked sarcastically.
He scoffs a laugh, "Funny." He replies dryly.
We stare at each other for a second before turning and looking around curiously.
"You're acting kind of sus." I whisper mockingly at him.
"Yeah. Well, if we do this, if… We need to be very careful. Alright? We need a story. You and I didn't exactly get along at the bar the other night. The others saw that, but the next night— But the next night, I was very charming and persistent, and I convinced you to go out with me." He said.
I smiled, "Oh, did you?" I asked him.
"Mm-hm." He replied.
I snorted, looking out the window again, to try to stop myself from laughing."Was it hot? When you asked me out?" I asked, amused.
He was lecturing Jake and me for even thinking about this and now he wants to do the same. This all seems sort of ironic to me.
What was his deal? I could see the desperation in his eyes. But what was it?
He smiled, "Very." He replied.
I chuckled, before biting my lip, "I'm sorry. I'm just gonna need you to explain yourself because almost a week ago you were lecturing me on how this is fraud, so… " I said, gesturing.
"It is fraud. I don't want to do this." He cut me off.
"Okay, so… don't." I told him.
He sighed, "Believe me. If I had any other choice, I wouldn't be. Marriage should be for love. And where I come from, it's for life." He said, smack the table with his palm.
I scoffed, "Do you come from a fantasy land?" I retort, "Because, where since from, in reality, marriage is really just a pointless legal arrangement that turns lovers into enemies, so…" I told him sarcastically.
We stared each other down with narrowed eyes."Why don't you have any other choice?" I finally asked him.
"How is that any of your business?" He asked me evasively.
"It kind of is. I am possibly about to marry you. Why?" I repeated.
He sighed in defeat, "I need the extra two grand a month married guys get." He said.
I scoff, "That's it? And I'm supposed to trust you here?" I asked.
"Trust me? Okay. Look, if I can trust a lib who doesn't give a shit about the law or the military, I can sure —" He began, leaning towards me angrily.
"I have an ethical code that doesn't include blind obedience, and I desperately need this to literally survive. Whereas you could be, I don't know, stockpiling supplies for your bro-militia." I cut off angrily.
"I'm leaving." He growled, shaking his head as slid out of the booth. "This was a mistake. 'Bro-militia'." He grumbled. "Liberal nut." He mumbled.
Fucking hell, that wasn't how I thought this was going to go. But he has a way to get under my skin. Still this is a deadly situation I was in, and he could be the only person who can help me.
"Edward. Edward." I called.
"What?" He asked, turning around annoyed, just a few steps from the door.
I sighed, trying to calm myself down. "Look, I don't like you." I said.
He scoffed in response, "No shit." He grumbled, smiling tightly as someone passed him by.
"But you do seem solid. So…I'm sorry. Okay? Please, sit back down." I whispered.
He looked around with a sigh and walked back over to his seat, sliding in a second later. "Listen, I need you to know what we're getting ourselves into. If we're caught, I get court-martialed. As in, arrested and maybe doing time." He told me.
"Okay." I replied softly.
"Look, this is already gonna be a shotgun wedding. We're going to be on their radar. So, once I get over there, to Iraq, we've-- we've got to just, like, set up consistent times where we're gonna speak, okay? We have to make this look normal, like a real marriage. We'd have to write some romantic emails, in case somebody reads them. We just have to keep it tight for my tour. And once I'm back here, we file for divorce. And that gives you a year of free health insurance." He told me, causing me to sigh in relief, and cheer, silently lifting my fist in the air.
He gave me an eye roll before sighing again. "And we can split the cash down the middle." He adds, to which I nod, to show I'm listening.
"Yeah?" He asks.
"Great." I sigh in relief.
"There's one more small thing." He says. "I deploy Friday morning. That means, we'd also have to go out with my company." He informed me, causing me to inhale sharply.
He nodded, "We have to act like—" he exhaled.
"Like we like each other?" I asked, rhetorically.
He laughs, " Yeah more than that. Like, we love each other." He says, reaching up to run a hand through his hair. "And, um… one last thing." He says.
"What?" I ask, raising a brow.
He better not suggest what I think he is going to suggest because I'll take my bag and smack him upside the head.
"So, all married couples spend the night at this motel near base. It means we would have to, too." He informed me.
My shoulders dropped, "Oh, super." I say unenthusiastically.
He nods, looking down at his hands.
"So, are we out of 'if' territory? Are we going to be doing this?" I asked him, unblinkingly.
He stared at me with an unfathomable expression, some emotion flashing through his eyes as he looked before he blinked, and looked away. When he looked back, his face and eyes were clear of emotion.
He nods, "Yeah." He replies quietly. "Yeah, we're doing this." He says louder. "But you can't tell anyone that doesn't need to know. You have to promise." He said, looking at me intently.
"I promise." I whispered back. "In fact, I pinky swear." I told him raising my pink towards him.
He moved back to leaning into the seat, "No, I'm not doing that." He told me firmly.
"We're getting married, man." I told him, moving my hand closer and wiggling my smallest finger in his direction.
He sighed, looking around before interlacing his pinky with mine for a second before quickly letting go and rubbing the back of his neck, before sitting up straight and looking at me again.
"I'll text you." He finally said before getting up and leaving without a look back.
As soon as he left I let out a sigh of relief. This was actually happening.
I sat there for a moment, waiting for it all to sink in, when it did, I got up and paid for the untouched food and left.
I needed to do a few things before work that day.
Two days later, I fiddled with my computer as I watched the time slowly approach.
I wasn't wearing anything special since I figured that since it was a shotgun wedding, as he mentioned before see. So, I went with a pair of jean shorts, a sleeveless shirt and my combat boots. Figuring it wouldn't matter.
Even then, my friend Alice managed to get me a cream colored, angel sleeved, shoulderless lace, maxi dress, saying that she knew this would look good on me the day before. Not realizing that she had unintentionally gotten me something I truly needed but didn't want. I debated whether or not I should wear it, but I decided later it wouldn't matter what I wore.
Only making a small effort to put my hair off my face, tying it with a hair tie, before I heard my cell phone vibrate.
I checked the screen, with a frown.
It was Edward, telling me he was down stairs.
Without giving it much thought, I grabbed my bag, slipping my phone inside before rushing out.
As I got down the first flight of stairs, I saw him standing on the sidewalk in his Marine blues.
"No." He called up to me.
"What?" I called down.
"You can't wear that." He called back, exasperated.
I looked down at my outfit, frowning at him. "Why?"
"Because we're taking wedding photos." He said, in exasperation. "You have to dress a certain way."
I sighed, "Really?" I asked, with an eye roll.
"No. I'm coming up." He told me as he quickly walked over to the stairs and rushed up.
I sighed, before shrugging and moving back up the stairs.
He quickly reached where I stood , and I looked at him. "There's no fluffy virgin white wedding dress in there, Commando." I told him.
"Stop calling me that." He snipped annoyed.
"Alright, jeez …" I mumbled, before turning around.
I grabbed the doorknob from it's usual spot and opened the door, as I felt his stare.
Quickly unlocking the door before allowing us inside, and dropping my bad in the table.
"Make yourself comfortable." I said, before walking into my room.
I noticed he took off his hat, as he moved around to look curiously.
I quietly looked through my bedside table to look for something I needed for later.
"Do you play?" He asked me, pointing to the instruments in the sunroom.
"No, it's just to impress guys." I replied dryly.
He chuckled in response before turning around.
"You impressed?" I asked, in the same dry tone, with a laugh as I moved away from the drawers.
"I'm a musician." I explain, "It's what I do. My band and I have been working at it for like, five years." I told him.
"That's gotta be tough." He said, amused, as he continued to look around.
"Rough would be punching the clock at some soul-sucking job while I'm just making the rich richer." I replied, honestly. "I'd rather hustle for my art anyday.." I added as I looked through my closet.
I sighed in defeat as my eyes fell on the dress, before taking a deep breath and pulling off my shirt.
"Uhh…." I heard him say before clearing his throat.
I turned to look, only to realize he could see me through the mirror. "Uh, hi." I replied, before kicking one of the doors of my room closed with my foot.
"Sorry." He mumbled, apologetically.
I rolled my eyes at him as I slid the zipper of the dress down.
"So, what does the tattoo say?" He asked. "'Socialism Now'?" He teased.
I laughed as I slipped the dress over my head, and over my body. "You're really clever, aren't ya?" I called back, as I slid the zipper up carefully before looking at myself in the mirror. "No, it says 'El Que No Arriesga No Gana'." I told him.
"Someone, something I --" He chuckles.
I snorted, "No, it means Nothing ventured, nothing gained. It's something my grandma said to my mom when she moved to America." I told him as I stepped out of the boots and into a pair of tan colored Chelsea boots.
I quickly grabbed a few flower pins I had, before twirling my hair and pinning it back, leaving a few whips of hair to frame my face.
"Hello, my prince," I say, mockingly, as I open the door.
The moment he turned back, his jaw dropped. It made me feel good that I could still do this to a man. But something stirred at the look he was suddenly giving me.
"Today is the day our credit scores shall become intertwined." I add sarcastically, as I push away the feelings.
He stares at me wordlessly, before helping me with the overnight bag.
We walked silently to the car and silently got in.
I drove in the direction he told me, smirking as he fidgeted in his seat.
Once we reached the court, we both got out, and stopped in front of the car.
"How'd —?" I began, frowning.
"I made the appointment the day we spoke. After I left. Shall we?" He asked.
I nodded, walking alongside him, as I wondered for a moment if this is the correct thing to do.
"You know, you really look the part." He told me quietly.
"Oh, is that right?" I asked him, amused.
"You look pretty." He finally adds.
I smiled at him, "Your blushing bride." I said teasingly.
As we walked in, I could hear a conversation between some parents and their daughter as we slowly went through the line of security.
"Ahh! You look so beautiful! Congratulations!" She gushed.
"Thank you." The bride told her mother.
"Come on, give me a hug." The father told the bride.
"We're so proud of you." The mother told her.
"This is the best day of my life." The bride said dreamily as she stared at her soon to be husband.
"Oh my goodness. This is so exciting." The mother gushed.
They looked so happy to be doing this, as opposed to us, me.
Somehow that small conversation struck a cord as Edward and I walked through security.
I mean, I definitely looked the part. But I didn't feel it.
I always thought my mother would be by my side the day I got married. Her not being here with me felt like a punch to the gut. Yet, it was too late to turn back.
As we passed the happy family, I saw a familiar figure sitting in one of the chairs that aligned the wall.
I sighed, smiling as I extended my arms to him.
"Hi. Thank you for coming." I whispered.
"Of course." He said as he moved to nod at Edward, before pulling out a black velvet box.
I frowned, "Oh, did you get rings?" I asked surprised, as I turned to look back at Edward.
"Uh.." he mumbled.
"Here." Jake said, handing him the box.
Edward looked at him before looking down and opening the box to reveal a small dainty gold band with a diamond.
"Oh my God, you bought a real ring?" I gasped.
"Well--" he began.
"Me." Jake interrupted with a smile. "I did." He told me.
I looked at him, wide-eyed. "What?" I asked, surprised.
"I got it for Tan." He explained, smiling. "I've been saving up since I enlisted." He told me
"Jake." I said, unable to hold back the smile, "No, I can't accept this." I told him.
He shook his head at me, "I didn't want to ask her now and then ship out. Like, I want to be her husband. You know, do it right." He explained, smiling.
Edward nodded in understanding.
"And… and my mom wants me to wait until I'm twenty-one, when I get back, so, uh… Just keep it warm for me." He said.
I smile before looking down at it again. "I will." I promised.
"Edward Masen and Isabella Salazar." The clerk called.
I sighed, "Shit." I murmured as we made our way into the room.
We quickly signed and filled out the paperwork, presenting our I.Ds and birth certificates before making our way to the judge.
The judge quickly informed us of what she was going to say, asking if we wanted to change, remove, or exchange anything within it. To which we said no.
She nodded before beginning.
"We are gathered here today to join you two together in lawful matrimony. And your witness today?" She asked.
I smiled, before pointing at Jake. "Jacob." I told her as we both turned to realize he was recording everything on his phone.
"That's me. How ya doing?" He said as he pointed the camera towards him and smiled at the camera.
"Hi Jacob." The judge said amused.
"Hiya." Jake replied, happily.
She took a second to scan the room, before proceeding.
"Edward Masen, do you pledge to love this woman, to be true and loyal to her, and to comfort and keep her in sickness and in health?" She asked, looking at Edward.
He swallowed thickly before nodding. "I do." He said.
The judge smiled and then turned to me, "Isabella Salazar, do you pledge to love this man, to be true and loyal to him, and to comfort and keep him in sickness and in health?" She asked me.
I looked over at Edward, watching his jaw flex, before turning away, and nodding, "I—I do." I softly said.
Edward then pulled out the ring, and slid it into my finger.
"By the power vested in me, by the great State of California, I now pronounce you man and wife." She declared.
We hesitated, turning to look at the judge, who smiled and nodded, "You may kiss the bride." She added, amused.
Without another second he leaned down, as I reached up to kiss him. Our lips met for a brief moment and we stepped back.
"Congratulations!" The judge said, smiling at us.