“I don’t care. I told Barry we needed a delay.”
He did, many times, but Barry insisted on being live and Josh cleaning up his language. Looks like Barry will be getting a fine.
Josh and I adjust and make sure we’re standing on the blue taped X. We’ve rehearsed this part over and over again so we should know better.
“You really are beautiful.”
“You’re pretty handsome yourself.”
“Joshua and Joey began their lives together in the most unheard of circumstances. Instead of following the age-old techniques of courtship, they married each other with blindfolds on, sight unseen. They didn’t even know each other’s names until they were husband and wife.
“Surely a marriage that starts like this is a hard road to travel, especially when you’re forced to live and compete with other married couples. For Josh and Joey, love prevailed as millions of friends watched Joey chip away at the walls Josh put up. And when their time was up, Josh did it for real by proposing to his wife. He wanted to give her this.” He spreads his arms out wide and I find myself looking around as well. The view is breathtaking and even the onlookers who are being held back by tape and security can only see two people standing here, but can enjoy the scenery.
“If you would join hands.”
I turn and hand my mother my bouquet of peonies and roses. My bridal party is dressed in mermaid-style dresses that flare at the knee, not the ankle. I wanted them to enjoy the party later and not have to shuffle their feet. The light blue satin is perfect against the light brown sand and crystal blue ocean backdrop.
“Joshua, if you would please.”
Clearing his throat, he squeezes my hands. We chose to write our own vows or speak from our hearts instead of using the traditional ones. We figured there’s nothing traditional about us yet, so why start now.
“Joey, sometimes I find it hard to express what I’m feeling when it comes to you. Love doesn’t seem like a strong enough word to fully grasp the way I feel or how you make me feel. Marrying you all those months ago was a game changer for me. You opened my eyes to a world that I never wanted anything to do with and showed me how easy it is to fall in step behind you. I can’t promise you that I’ll never do something stupid, or piss you off, but I can promise you this … I am going to love you for the rest of my days. I am going to do everything I can to make you smile, hear you laugh, and show you that you mean more to me than anything. I love you, Joey.”
Everyone aws as I catch the tears pooling in my eyes. It’s my turn and for a few weeks I have struggled with what I’m going to say. I thought I had it down until everything changed for me.
“Joshua Freaking Wilson,” I start, causing everyone to laugh. “There aren’t a lot of people here who don’t know how infatuated I was with you. And yes, I say was because now that I know you I can easily say that reality is far better than what I made up in my head. The person I thought you were pales in comparison to the man you are. You’re thoughtful, caring, and the most generous man I have ever loved. Every day with you has been a challenge and a blessing. I can’t wait to love you tomorrow, the next day, and every moment in between. My love for you is only going to grow stronger with each passing day and I can’t wait to see what our future holds. I love you, Josh. You’re going to make an amazing father to our baby.”
My teeth catch my lower lip as his mouth drops open and our family gasps. Only my mother and Rebekah know that I’m pregnant and behind me I can hear them giggling.
“Wh-what?” he sputters.
“I’m pregnant,” I whisper for him. Telling the television audience was never my plan, but I figured it would be better than trying to hide it and dodging all the questions about my weight.
“You’re kidding?”
Smiling, I shake my head.
“Holy fuck,” he says, smashing his mouth down on mine. The justice of the peace is reminding him that he hasn’t given him permission yet, but I don’t think he cares. When we part, I’m breathless and wanting more.
“We’re having a baby?”
“Yeah, we are.”
“Ahem, do you think we could finish?”
“Oh right,” Josh replies, stepping back slightly.
“Rings?” the JP says, sighing. Rob and my mom hand us our rings and the JP goes through his spiel. Josh kisses my ring after he places it on my finger.
“I suppose I can skip the ‘do you’ parts because it’s clear that you do,” the JP says, causing everyone to laugh. “By the power vested in me in the great state of Hawaii, I pronounce you once again, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. You know what to do Josh, let her have it.”
And he does!
“What are you doing?”
Wrapping her hands around my waist from behind, Joey kisses my bare shoulder. I’m leaning against the doorjamb, watching. This is where I am every night about three a.m., waiting.
“I’m addicted.”