A lot has changed at work in the last five years. With the advice of my brother-in-law, Magic Media PR escaped a long legal battle. We settled out of court for a lump sum, plus the asshole got to keep his pension. This made him drop any sort of personal charges as well. It's a small price to pay, and it didn’t pain me to do it. Although part of me still yearns for justice, I heard he’s already been fired from his new job for pulling the same kind of shit.
I put on my tux and glance in the mirror. Not bad, I have to say, but I’ll let my baby be the judge. As soon as I step out, she whistles, and I know I have her seal of approval. “You clean up real purty.” She puts on a funny, southern accent.
“Thank you, Mrs. Rockford.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Rockford.” Sierra hands me a flute of champagne, and we drink it quickly enough for it to go straight to our heads, killing a portion of social anxiety that comes with mingling in a room full of hundreds. I hold her hand as we head to the elevator.
As soon as the door opens, I start to step inside but realize someone’s already in there. Two people, actually. “Oh, I’m sorry—” The words die in my throat. Sierra grips my arm, her jaw slack.
The older woman pulls herself away from the older man, swiping her hand across her lips. “Oops! Ted, it’s our floor.” I recognize the woman instantly from that night so many years ago.
“Good. Let’s get to that room, Estelle!” The older man pinches her bottom as they exit the elevator.
“Is that?” Sierra points over her shoulder once they’re out of earshot.
“It is.”
“No? Oh my God!” Sierra squeals as we step into the elevator. “Remember when we used to do that?”
I take a step toward my glorious wife, as beautiful now as the day I first laid eyes on her. “We still can if you want, Sierra.” I plant a kiss on the tip of her nose, and she cuddles up to me.
“Oh, we will, but not until after the ceremony.”
“Sounds like a deal.”
I take Sierra’s hand and lead her into the ballroom. To think if I wouldn’t have changed the rules about dating at work, all of this might have been lost. Since then, there have been three company marriages. It’s something we’re now known for. That, and having a top-notch director of design, my beautiful wife, Sierra Rockford. What more could a man ask for?