“Oh, we have plenty of time,” Lisa chirped. “Now, you two bought the Standard Happy Chapel package that comes with one photo.” She eyed them up and down. “Such a handsome couple! You really should consider upgrading to the Ultra-Deluxe Happy Chapel package. It comes with five eight-by-ten color glossies to help you remember this special day.”
Sam hesitated. It might be nice to have pictures to show their child when he or she was older. She looked toward Duncan.
“No,” he said, jaw set in a rock-hard line.
“Maybe we—”
“No.” His tone brooked no argument and Sam, for once in her life, backed off. She felt as if he’d tossed cold water in her face.
This isn’t a real marriage, Sam. Whatever else you do, don’t forget that fact.
“He’s right,” she said. “No pictures.”
Lisa, however, wasn’t about to give up that easily. “We have our Happy Chapel Honeymooners package. Only two photos but we add one wonderful night at the Mirage.” She paused for effect. “And tickets to see Siegfried and Roy.”
“We’re happy with our choice,” Sam said.
“We’re happy,” Duncan agreed.
From the look on Lisa’s face, it was obvious she didn’t believe a word of it and Sam couldn’t blame her. They must look like they were about to face the executioner rather than Reverend Bob, Las Vegas’s Marryingest Minister.
They sat in silence for what seemed an eternity until Duncan again checked his watch. “Our flight leaves at midnight,” he said.
“We have time,” Sam said. “The airport’s not more than ten minutes away.”
That seemed to be Lisa’s cue to join them once again. “You’re next,” she announced, beaming at them like a happy bride herself. “Now you didn’t want the Elvis package, did you?”
Both Sam and Duncan shook their heads.
“Okey-dokey,” Lisa said, checking off something on her clipboard. “Then we’re ready for you right now.”
They didn’t hold hands as they followed Lisa down a plushly carpeted hallway toward an enormous pair of brass double doors.
“Now you wait here just a sec,” Lisa said. “We want to get the music cued.”
A second later the strains of the “Wedding March” filled the air as Lisa returned with a small nosegay of flowers.
“Sorry,” Lisa said with a shrug. “If you’d like to upgrade to the Happy Couple package, I can give you a stunning bouquet.”
“This is fine,” Sam said stiffly. “It’s lovely.”
“Well, then,” said Lisa, “I’d say it’s time for the ceremony to begin.”
Reverend Bob was waiting for them at the glitter-dusted altar. He was a round little man with a Santa Claus beard and wide professional smile. Sam disliked him on sight.
“The happy bride and bridegroom,” he boomed. “Step right up.”
For a split second, Sam considered cutting her losses and running for her life. Anything had to be better than this travesty. She looked at Duncan’s serious face and wondered if he was thinking the same thing.
They took their places as Lisa introduced them to Mary and Art, their two witnesses. Mary was a pleasant-faced woman in her mid-forties. Art looked like her male twin. Duncan nodded at the couple but didn’t smile. Sam tried very hard to smile but failed miserably.
Reverend Bob said something but all Sam could hear was the sound of her heart thundering inside her chest. This is for the rest of your life, Sam. Forever. She realized Reverend Bob was waiting for her to say something.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “Could you possibly—?”
The reverend’s eyebrows shot up toward his receding hairline. The witnesses exchanged glances. Duncan, however, continued to look straight ahead.
Reverend Bob intoned the vows again and this time Sam parroted them perfectly. Then it was Duncan’s turn. He sailed through the drill flawlessly.
“The ring?” asked Reverend Bob.
Duncan’s eyes met Sam’s.
“The ring,” he said.
Sam nodded. “We forgot the ring.”
“We have rings,” the female witness piped up. “Four hundred dollars for a nice gold band, but if you’re looking for something special, we can offer—”
“We’ll use this.” Duncan removed the heavy signet ring from his right hand.
Sam’s fingers trembled as he easily slid the ring onto the middle finger of her left hand.
The Reverend looked dismayed. “I’m sure we have something that will fit the bride better than that.”
“It’s fine,” Sam said, covering the ring with her other hand. “Go on with the ceremony.”
“Now where was I?” the Reverend muttered, flipping through his little book. “Oh, yes. By the power invested in me by the state of Nevada, it is my pleasure and privilege to pronounce you two fine young people husband and wife.” He looked at them and burst into laughter. “So what are you waiting for?” he said to Duncan. “You’re entitled to one photo with your wedding package. Kiss your beautiful bride!”
“You don’t have to do this,” Sam murmured so only Duncan could hear.
“I know that,” he said. “This is for posterity.”
She understood immediately. He placed his hands on her waist. She rested her palms lightly against his chest. He lowered his head. She raised hers. His mouth brushed hers, gently at first, then with more insistent pressure. Her lips parted and he deepened the kiss. She could taste the wine they’d had at dinner and, for an instant, she wished this could be a real ceremony, with her family gathered around her instead of strangers, and that their first kiss could have been given in love and happiness.
“Wonderful!” cried the photographer as the quick flare of a flashbulb captured the moment.
Duncan abruptly broke the kiss and looked at his watch. “We’d better get to the airport.”
“You’re right,” Sam said, as reality crashed down on her. “We don’t want to miss our plane.”
It was good to be reminded that hadn’t been a real kiss any more than this was a real marriage.
“SIR?” The flight attendant stopped next to Duncan’s seat. “Would your wife like an extra blanket?”
Duncan stared blankly at the pleasant young woman.
“Your wife,” she repeated, grinning at him. “Would she like an extra blanket?”
“Yes,” he said, his face reddening with embarrassment. “Thank you.”
The flight attendant handed him a neatly folded
