“No, actually, we only met while on this vacation,” I respond to her.
“Oh, well, you’d never know. If you change your mind and want to go get married while you’re here, we offer a package deal.” She hands Decker a piece of paper and then walks off.
“That was weird, don’t you think?” I ask Decker.
“Nah, she’s probably earning a commission if she sells the package.” Maybe he’s right, but I’m not so sure. “Though it wouldn’t be a hardship to get married here, especially to you.”
We only just started walking again after being stopped, yet this has me doing so again. “You mean that?”
“Fuck, yes, I do. I’d marry you right here and now,” Decker blows me away with his omission.
“Holy shit,” I whoosh out.
“What do you say? Let’s get married.” He doesn’t ask; it’s more like a suggestion. My mind goes back to the phone call I had with Montana days ago, and I think, What the hell? The time we’ve spent together so far has been bliss. Sure, we’re in a vacation setting, but the man doesn’t snore, hasn’t once left his clothes on the floor when he goes on his morning runs or goes to the gym in the main building, and yes, I’ve heard my best friend and both sisters-in-law complain about one thing or the other. That’s normal, but apparently, clothes and snoring are the two things that are hard to change.
“Yes, let’s get married,” I reply with basically the same response. The sun is setting, the beautiful colors of yellows, pinks, and oranges of dusk setting in the distance giving me more than enough light to see Decker’s face. The closing of his eyes, the way his tongue slides along his lips, it’s like he’s in a moment of rapture, and if he’s anything like me, I’m committing this moment to memory, never wanting to forget the contentment that’s swirling around us.
“Decker.” You know that moment in life when you realize with every depth of your being that your heart is his, that your mind knows this is where you’re meant to be? That’s the place I am right now. The only thing that would make this better is seeing his Baltic-colored eyes, reminding me of the clear water we both enjoy so much, the perfect light blue with small flecks of yellow surrounding his irises.
“Baby,” he whispers in a husk so deep it reminds me of when he’s inside of me, no one around, the still of the night on the back deck. “I won’t fail us. I won’t fail you.” His hands cup my cheeks, forehead meeting mine, and his nose slides along my own.
“I know that, Decker. Just because this is a sweep-you-off-your-feet whirlwind romance doesn’t mean I know your intentions aren’t true.” I move one of his hands from my cheeks, pressing it against my heart before continuing, “You’ve become a piece of me, one that I don’t ever want to let go.”
“Leena, you’ve got to keep all that sweetness until we say our vows.” Decker’s mouth goes to mine, kissing me deeply, full of want and need and pent-up desire even though we literally just had each other hours ago. That doesn’t stop me from lifting to my toes, wrapping my hands in his hair, and loving every moment.
“Okay,” I say breathlessly once our kiss ends.
“Alright, you’ve got a key to my place. I’m going to go track down that lady and get us married tonight. If you have a dress, I’ll scrounge up a decent shirt, a pair of pants. When we get back home, my ring will be on your finger, alright?” Decker is four steps ahead. His mind seemingly works best that way, a planner to my go-with-the-flow personality.
“I can’t wait to be your wife.” The admission comes out without me thinking about it. Not that it isn’t the truth, but he did just ask me to wait until we say our vows.
“Baby, you have to stop, or I’m never going to leave, and we won’t be getting married. And the way you’re feeling and what I’m feeling, I’m thinking we both need that. Tonight.” That last word, Decker means it. It’s succinct in every way of the meaning.
“You’re right. Hurry back.” We kiss again, this time briefly. I squeeze his hand gently, and then I’m heading to my place, already knowing the clothes I have at his won’t do even for an impromptu wedding. But at my place, there’s something perfect. Between Marlie, Alana, and Montana, they are part of the reason my suitcase was overweight, yet this time around, I’m thankful because I know exactly what dress I’m going to wear to my wedding. I’ll have enough time to do something with my rat’s nest of hair and to throw on a few swipes of mascara. Thank you, Belize sun, for making my complexion perfect for one of the most important days of my life.