a mother and a father -- you and me."
He paused before blurting, "Then, if you're okay with it... why don't we get married?" At her shocked reaction, he added, "I think there's some papers your parents can sign for an underage marriage. This way our child would have proper parents, and there wouldn't be any problems, like the issues divorced couples or single parents have." He paused and cleared his throat. What a bizarre conversation for them to be having. “It may seem like an odd time to say so, Nikki, but… this feels right.”
Her eyebrows knit together, but he rushed to finish before she could speak.
“I know this isn’t exactly a desirable situation, but Nikki… in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I love you.” That dazzling grin spread over his face, and he knelt down on both knees, taking her hands in his. “I really do. And if you and I both want to do right by this baby, and if you love me back -- which I really believe you do -- well, it seems crazy not to get married!”
Nikki stared at Matt. A man -- no, her man, with his amazing smile and sparkling green eyes and the power to bring up butterflies just by looking at her -- her man loved her. Even after they screwed up, he wanted to marry her. Matt wanted to marry her! This baby growing in her right now… it could be theirs, forever. She could have a real, live family -- and someone to support her and help raise their child. Without a moment’s hesitation, through a tear-stained smile, she made her decision. "I love you too, Matt. And I think this just might work."
Claire interrupted. "How did you get Grandma to sign?"
Nicole laughed. "It wasn't easy. It took a month, but we found the papers and information we needed. I convinced Dad, he convinced Mom, and they finally signed. I retired from my position as the junior ballet teacher at the community center. Matt and I started dating again, in an attempt to make our marriage work from the start. We went to a marriage class and had special meetings with the pastor. We joined my parents' and Christy's church, which apparently was also Matt's family's church.” She laughed again. “Of course, for such a small town, that wasn’t much of a surprise. Our wedding was small, with just Matt's, Christy's, and my immediate family there."
Nikki adjusted her veil nervously and checked her appearance in the mirror. She wore her mother's wedding dress and veil, since there hadn't been enough time to order her own. There had hardly been time to adjust this dress for the tiny baby bump. She turned to her maid of honor and asked for the eighth time, "Are you sure I don't show?"
Christy laughed and shook her head. "Not through that dress, you don't. Now hurry up! Your dad is waiting by the doors." They bustled into the church foyer, and Christy gave Nikki a thumbs-up before sending Abigail, the flower girl, and Tommy, the ring bearer, through the double doors into the auditorium. Christy slipped out behind the children, and Christy's mom began playing the bridal march on the church's grand piano. Nikki slid her arm through her father's, adjusted her grip on her daisy bouquet, and stepped through the doors.
A lavender silk runner covered the distance from the door to the altar, and more hand-picked daisies adorned the ends of the pews. The church's orchestra began the bridal procession as Nikki took her first uncertain steps. She glanced around the room at the small gathering, smiling shyly. Then her eyes landed on Matt.
He cried.
Shimmering tears slid down his cheeks unhindered as his wonderful green eyes stared into Nikki's soul. The burst of joy that filled her in response lit her soul on fire. She beamed back at the man who loved her and struggled to fight back tears of her own. Nikki and her father stopped just before reaching the aisle, and Nikki tore her gaze from her groom to glance at the preacher.
"Who gives this woman to be wed?"
"I do." Her father turned her towards
He paused before blurting, "Then, if you're okay with it... why don't we get married?" At her shocked reaction, he added, "I think there's some papers your parents can sign for an underage marriage. This way our child would have proper parents, and there wouldn't be any problems, like the issues divorced couples or single parents have." He paused and cleared his throat. What a bizarre conversation for them to be having. “It may seem like an odd time to say so, Nikki, but… this feels right.”
Her eyebrows knit together, but he rushed to finish before she could speak.
“I know this isn’t exactly a desirable situation, but Nikki… in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I love you.” That dazzling grin spread over his face, and he knelt down on both knees, taking her hands in his. “I really do. And if you and I both want to do right by this baby, and if you love me back -- which I really believe you do -- well, it seems crazy not to get married!”
Nikki stared at Matt. A man -- no, her man, with his amazing smile and sparkling green eyes and the power to bring up butterflies just by looking at her -- her man loved her. Even after they screwed up, he wanted to marry her. Matt wanted to marry her! This baby growing in her right now… it could be theirs, forever. She could have a real, live family -- and someone to support her and help raise their child. Without a moment’s hesitation, through a tear-stained smile, she made her decision. "I love you too, Matt. And I think this just might work."
Claire interrupted. "How did you get Grandma to sign?"
Nicole laughed. "It wasn't easy. It took a month, but we found the papers and information we needed. I convinced Dad, he convinced Mom, and they finally signed. I retired from my position as the junior ballet teacher at the community center. Matt and I started dating again, in an attempt to make our marriage work from the start. We went to a marriage class and had special meetings with the pastor. We joined my parents' and Christy's church, which apparently was also Matt's family's church.” She laughed again. “Of course, for such a small town, that wasn’t much of a surprise. Our wedding was small, with just Matt's, Christy's, and my immediate family there."
Nikki adjusted her veil nervously and checked her appearance in the mirror. She wore her mother's wedding dress and veil, since there hadn't been enough time to order her own. There had hardly been time to adjust this dress for the tiny baby bump. She turned to her maid of honor and asked for the eighth time, "Are you sure I don't show?"
Christy laughed and shook her head. "Not through that dress, you don't. Now hurry up! Your dad is waiting by the doors." They bustled into the church foyer, and Christy gave Nikki a thumbs-up before sending Abigail, the flower girl, and Tommy, the ring bearer, through the double doors into the auditorium. Christy slipped out behind the children, and Christy's mom began playing the bridal march on the church's grand piano. Nikki slid her arm through her father's, adjusted her grip on her daisy bouquet, and stepped through the doors.
A lavender silk runner covered the distance from the door to the altar, and more hand-picked daisies adorned the ends of the pews. The church's orchestra began the bridal procession as Nikki took her first uncertain steps. She glanced around the room at the small gathering, smiling shyly. Then her eyes landed on Matt.
He cried.
Shimmering tears slid down his cheeks unhindered as his wonderful green eyes stared into Nikki's soul. The burst of joy that filled her in response lit her soul on fire. She beamed back at the man who loved her and struggled to fight back tears of her own. Nikki and her father stopped just before reaching the aisle, and Nikki tore her gaze from her groom to glance at the preacher.
"Who gives this woman to be wed?"
"I do." Her father turned her towards
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