Chapter 24: Chapter 24

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Morgan had lost count of how many times he had told himself, and also Charlie, that this marriage was just a contract between the two of them. A plan to thwart Samantha's hidden intentions, whatever they were. So there was no need to overestimate a lightning wedding ceremony that would take place in a chapel covered in flashing neon lights. And there was no reason for him to be nervous as he waited for Charlie in the chapel waiting room, as they would be next in line.

Yet there he was, in a cold sweat, sitting in one of the tattered chairs in the place, dressed in an unnecessarily elegant suit for a wedding that meant nothing. That was what reason told him. That was what he needed to convince himself of, so that he could live peacefully with Charlie and not bother her with his feelings for the year they would spend together. But, of course, he couldn't. His heart was racing and he could barely contain his excitement to see Charlie again, after she had asked for a moment to go to the bathroom, like any other groom would.

Thoughtfully, he pulled from his jacket pocket the velvet-covered box containing the wedding rings that had once belonged to her parents. Robert and Isabella Sullivan might not have had the warmest marriage in the world, there was no doubt they loved each other. Therefore, since Charlie had not had the opportunity to receive the proposal he deserved or to wear Isabella's engagement ring, then he at least wanted them to be able to wear those rings, which had already been blessed by the love and companionship of another couple. And he wanted Charlie to be able to have his mother's ring, if only for 360 days. There was no other woman he wanted to give them to, after all. They were too special and so it was obvious that they should be with the person he loved most in the world.

Hearing the bathroom door close by open, Morgan stood up immediately, straighter than usual due to the anxiety he felt at seeing Charlie again. However, nothing could have prepared him for the sight that suddenly appeared in the small waiting room. A far cry from the gray T-shirt and dark jeans she'd walked into the bathroom in, she was now wearing a wedding dress. In fact, it was just an ordinary satin dress with long sleeves and a skirt that reached just below her knees, letting him see that she was wearing the black sneakers he had put on earlier. Still, eyes in love, he was now the most beautiful bride in the world and her breath completely fled from her lungs.

“Not so bad, is it? “ Charlie gave an uncertain smile, trying to joke, although he knew her well enough to know that she was trying to hide her nervousness and her thinly veiled request for approval, so that she could feel better “ I thought about trying heels, but then I realized that it wouldn't be very nice if I ended up falling and breaking my neck before we got that marriage license. I also thought about doing something with my hair, but I couldn't do anything on my own that would look nice... " she ran her hands through the straight, dark strands, disappointed "I know I don't have to worry about that kind of thing, but..."

"You are perfect." he interrupted her, bending down a little to level their eyes so he could admire her completely “You are not only the most beautiful bride, but also the most stunning woman I have ever seen. In fact…” he sighed, breathless “You look like an angel."

“Oh, wow... “ she gasped, blushing heavily, before looking away to the floor “You… You look amazing too. Not that this is surprising, of course. You always look handsome in a suit..." she bit her lip right after saying that sentence, as if she immediately regretted it, blushing fiercely "I mean, uh... I-I didn't want to make this all more opulent than it needs to be. be, but... I don't know, it seemed strange to get married dressed like I was going to the supermarket..."

“You're perfect, Charlie. “ he repeated, making her shut up as he touched her cheek gently “Today is a special day and nothing else matters." his sentence made both of them smile widely.

Just for that day, he could allow yourself to be selfish and give yourself that gift: pretend, if only to yourself, that they really loved each other and that marriage wasn't a sham. Charlie wasn't by his side just out of necessity and he didn't quite know that she deserved much more than an old-fashioned old man like him. For a few hours, he would live out that perfect fantasy where he and Charlie loved each other and he could show it all he wanted, without guilt and without consequences.

Regardless of how long they were going to be together, when they walked down that altar, he would make his vows to Charlie from the bottom of his heart, even if she would never find out about it.

" Let's go? “ with a smile that made it very clear all his love for her, Morgan offered her his arm, so that they could enter together in the small chapel on the other side of the door, when a small bell sounded, indicating that the couple that was inside had out and it was their turn.

With a charming smile, Charlie silently accepted, wrapping her arm through his so that, together, they opened the door and entered the small church, which was very different from what Morgan had imagined and made him want to punch himself for not having searched better around the hotel. The walls were lined from top to bottom with LED lights, strobe lamps that reflected different geometric shapes all over the floor and large mirrors placed in the most useless places possible.

"Geez. “ Charlie chuckled beside him, looking genuinely amused rather than annoyed by the gaudy decor. “It looks like a hot-sheet motel." he thought he heard her mutter under her breath, between giggles, which made him pause for a moment.

" What?" he asked, shocked.

" What?" Charlie asked back at him innocently.

“ How do you know what a motel is like?" he narrowed his eyes at her, feeling jealousy make his muscles tense “Have you ever been in one?"

“Of course not. But certain knowledge is common sense, in case you didn't know." was hers to raise an eyebrow at him haughtily.

"Hmmm…" he replied with a grunt, walking back towards the bored-looking priest before them, until another barely audible sigh from Charlie brought him to a halt.

“But you might as well introduce me to one while we're here..."

" What?" he stopped in his tracks again, but this time Charlie was quicker, repeating the phrase aloud immediately, to reassure him.

“I said we better hurry or that guy is going to kick us out of here. “ she pointed towards the priest, who now had his hands on his hips, in fact not looking very friendly “ He doesn't seem very pleased with these breaks we're taking."

"Yes, you're right…" he sighed, wondering what kind of trick his hearing had decided to play on him on such an important day, as he continued to guide Charlie down the aisle simple and sober than the rest of the surrounding chapel.

" Finally. “ the priest, a short and almost skeletal bald man sighed, in a bad mood, as the two finally stopped before him and began the ceremony, with a monotone and automatic tone that made Morgan think he had already memorized that generic speech so well that I would be able to repeat it even with my mouth closed.

“Now is the time to exchange rings. If they have written their vows, they can speak to each other. But keep in mind that we only have 4 more minutes until the next couple's time arrives." The man grumbled, checking his wristwatch under the long sleeve of the ceremonial robe he was wearing. “Then hurry up."

“I… I didn't even think about it…” Charlie bit her lip, as if she was feeling guilty. “I didn't prepare anything."

" Everything is fine. You just need to say something if you want to." he calmed her down, with a smile “But, if you don't mind, could I say a few things?" as soon as she nodded in agreement, Morgan began the vows he had always held close to his heart for longer than she would ever know, “Charlotte Dawn Foster…” he began, making sure to keep the Manson family name out of the her name, as she knew Charlie preferred “You brought joy back into my life the minute I saw you for the first time, standing in a fountain, soaking wet and holding a bunny in your hands. With that ring... " Removing the box from his jacket pocket, Morgan took the smallest of the rings and slipped it on Charlie's finger, feeling his heart race at the sight of the gold ring, encrusted with small diamonds, sparkling. in her hand, as a symbol that they were now linked “I promise to dedicate my life to protecting and loving you. I know that life hasn't given you many reasons to smile lately, but from now on and forevermore, I will watch over your smile and your heart, for you to be sure that no suffering can overtake them again."

" Very good. “ the priest commented, not looking the least bit touched “Now…"

" Hang on! “ Charlie interrupted him, making him grunt, grumpy “ Could I also say something?"

" As long as you can do it in three minutes..." the man grumbled, crossing his arms and diverting his attention elsewhere.

"Morgan Anthony Sullivan..." taking the other ring that was still in the box in his hand, Charlie slipped it through his finger, with all delicacy " You were one of the few reasons I still smile lately and I will be forever grateful that you were by my side. I know that life hasn't given you many reasons to believe that you too deserve to be cared for and find your happiness, but... With this ring, I promise to always be by your side, to ensure that joy never leaves your life again."

“I'll always be with you too, Charlie. “ he swore, intertwining their left hands, so that the rings could touch each other.

" Very good." The priest spoke again in the first second of silence that followed, as if he was afraid they had something else to say. “Now sign here and here." Laying a small sheaf of papers across the table separating him from Morgan and Charlie, the man offered them a pen, and before their signatures could dry on that marriage certificate, he held his hands up in the air over the top of his head. head of the two “ With power vested in me, I officiate this marriage union and pronounce you husband and wife. The groom can kiss the bride." he ordered, without any emotion.

Placing her hands gently on Charlie's face, Morgan admired her face for a moment as her beautiful brown eyes widened, as if she were burning with anticipation for something he couldn't quite guess what it was. With all delicacy, he began to lean in, moving his lips towards her forehead...

Until Charlie suddenly pulled at his tie, pulling him toward her, and crushing her lips to his, in a kiss as hungry and hot as the one they'd exchanged in the Manson mansion office a few days ago. However, this time, still determined to live out that love fantasy as long as possible, he didn't let surprise get in his way for even a second, immediately wrapping his hands around her waist and kissing her back, wanting to find a way to feel the taste of her on your tongue forever.

Not even breathlessness was able to separate them at that moment and it was only when a loud clearing of his throat sounded behind the two that Morgan finally made the effort to move his neck back a little, coming face to face with a heaving expression and enraptured by Charlie.

“Uh…” a man's voice rang out beside them, just then making them realize that now another couple, clearly dressed for the wedding, were now also inside the chapel, looking embarrassed as they stared at them “Sorry , but I think it's our turn..."

“Don't be rude, Ben." the bride nudged him, smiling at Charlie sympathetically "Can't you see they're in a special moment? Oh, it's so romantic... Why can't you be like that?" she snarled at her fiance, elbowing him again, this time hard enough to make him flinch.

“Sorry, we're on our way out." Morgan assured, loosening her hold on Charlie's waist a little only to pull her to her side. “Ready to go, Mrs. Sullivan?" he smiled, full of emotion in his voice.

" Like you? “ she mimicked, with a beaming smile, wrapping an arm around his waist “Anywhere, Mr. Foster."