However, here we were. Literally every dream I had ever had about being with Matthew again was blown out of the water as the reality of him here with me was a million times better than I ever imagined. After so many years of sadness and feeling lost, of pushing interested guys away because they didn’t measure up to the ideal in my mind, my prayers had come true. Matty loved ME, just as much as I loved him. He wanted to marry ME. He wanted to be with ME, forever. Joyful tears fell down my face as I let myself finally feel happiness.
Matty and I reluctantly separated and gave each other several kisses, the huge smiles on our faces making it difficult to lock lips for long. “Dammit,” Matthew said suddenly, bringing his hands to his face. “A ring. I don’t have a ring. Who gets down on one knee and proposes without a ring?” Matt slumped back down to the bed. “I really messed that up. But,” he stood back up, grabbing me by my arms, “I was serious when I said I want to marry you now, Leah. I don’t want to wait. But,” he paused, with a look of realization on his face, sitting back down on the bed again. “I’m sure you want to plan a big ceremony, right? And of course, have your family attend? I’m sorry, I’m rushing you into this; I don’t want to take away from you having your dream wedding. No ring and no wedding. What the hell am I thinking? Leah, you’ve made me go mad,” he said matter-of-factly, putting his face back into his hands.
I couldn’t hold back my laughter. I had always been the one to have some sort of irrational fit; it filled my heart to see Matty have a bit of a melt down over me.
“Matty,” I said sincerely, “you are my dream….my dream everything. I do not need a ring or a big wedding or any wedding at all. I just want to legally be your wife as soon as possible. And if that means we go down to the courthouse and get hitched in shorts and tee shirts, then so be it.”
“You don’t want a church wedding?” Matty asked sincerely. “I’m sure your folks do. God, they will kill me if I take that away from you, from them. Maybe we could throw together a wedding this week? This is a small town, so I bet we can find a church that’s available. I have a suit; we can surely get you a dress. We will get your parents a flight out of Florida today, if possible. And maybe Nonna’s could host a small reception for us? Is there a bakery in town? We need a cake. Oh, and the rings! Who is the best jeweler around here? Is there a jewelry store here? When is Krista getting back? You need a maid of honor or bridesmaid or whatever she would be. It’s only three a.m. now, but stores should start opening around eight, don’t you think? I need to make a list of places to call.”
“Matty, get ahold of yourself,” I said as I stared at him in disbelief. “I’ve never seen you so worked up!” He stood up again and asked where he could get a piece of paper and a pen, but I stopped him and pushed him back down into a sitting position onto the bed. To keep him there, I sat in his lap.
“Matthew, listen to me. I am a grown woman. Yes, if the situation were different, I would want a church wedding with a white dress and a grand reception with all of our friends and family in attendance. But what I want more than anything else is you. My parents can fuss over my sister’s weddings. They loved you, Matty; and I know they will love you again once they know you are back in my life. I want to marry you now; we’ll just tell everyone the truth: we eloped. And if they want to plan some sort of party for later, they can do that. My only concern is you and me, together, as man and wife. I just want us to be bound together so that nothing can separate us again. None of the pomp and circumstance matters to me as long as I have you.”
“Leah, Leah, Leah,” Matty moaned as he grabbed me again for a long kiss. “My Leah. You do not have to convince me; I just don’t want you to ever look back and wish we had done it differently. But if you say it’s a go, I say we make it official as soon as possible.”
“Yes, I can call the courthouse in the morning and find out what they need from us. We may be able to get it done today even, although most likely by tomorrow. It’s quiet around here in the summer, as you have seen. So, there’s not much action at the local government offices. I am positive they can get us in.” I paused a moment before continuing, “If this is what you really want, Matthew? It’s okay to slow things down and give it more thought. I’ve waited sixteen years for you; I can wait longer if you need more time.”
“Oh, Leah, baby; apparently I haven’t done a good enough job proving to you exactly how much I want this. How much I want you. Let me fix that.” Matty unwrapped the blanket from around me and gently guided me back down on the bed. He leaned down and put a hand on one breast, lowering his mouth to the other. Using his tongue, he circled my nipple before gently sucking on the tip. He then opened
