Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
There's something about the lights, the city that never sleeps, the entertainment, the food, and the excitement of all that's so radically different from the way I was raised, I love it.
Timeo gleefully takes care of all the wedding details, which is fine by me. Apparently., There's no waiting period in Nevada, which is one of the reasons why people get married there so often. We get our marriage license. On the same day we applied, we chose a generic little chapel, with nothing religious about it, decorated in flowers and whites. And we had nobody come with us.
We didn't even tell our family where we were going. I just told Eden, "we need a little time alone away from everything." She understood, of course. I don't know what the conversation between Sergio and Timeo was, but when I left, Sergio held me a little longer than he normally did, and kiss my cheek when I parted.
"I'm so happy you're happy.” Sergio is kind of the king of understatement, so this means a lot to me.
I look at myself in the mirror and smile. I am all women choosing their own clothes, for designing how they look, and for not living under the thumb of a man. But I also believe that if my man's eyes shine at me when I slide into a dress that accentuates my cleavage, the flat of my belly and the curves of my hips, and makes me feel like a million fucking dollars? That's the dress I get married in.
You could blind someone with my diamond, and I find myself staring at it, looking in the rearview mirror of my car, taking subtle pictures to post online.
Somehow, posting and sharing about my past has lost its appeal. It served its purpose for time, but now that I am marrying to Timeo, I don't feel the need to share much about my life anymore.
I crave privacy, togetherness, quiet.
And surprisingly, the little wedding venue is perfect. It's adorned with flowers of every kind, and smells like I'm living in a bouquet.
"You look stunning, baby.”
So does he. He's healed completely, now that enough time has passed between his confinement and everything we've gone through. I make him drink green smoothies, we go to the gym together, and we walk the streets of Boston, hand-in-hand, reaping the benefits of sun, exercise, and sleep. So much sleep. We sleep entwined in each other's arms, and we love our bed.
I love the feel of his hand coming around my naked belly, or when he cups my ass. I love the possession and total ownership. He cherishes me. And when he sees my body, he loves what he sees. He makes that abundantly clear.
I can’t get the zipper to work on the dress.
“Come here," he says softly when I can't get my zipper to work.
I like the way it feels with his fingers at my back when he tugs the remaining length of the zipper. I like the way it feels when he reaches for the pearl necklace and clasps it.
We head to the venue in an almost surreal state. It all goes so quickly, it feels like we’re being seated in a restaurant for dinner.
The officiant stands in front of us with a smile. "You have good energy," she says. I look over to see Timeo to wonder if he's going to roll his eyes, but he doesn't care. Instead, his eyes are shining at me.
“She does.” He winks. “You have good everything.”
Mercedes functions as our witness, because the law requires we have at least one, and the only other person in the room is a photographer, who’s under strict directions to send pictures directly Timeo and only take pictures when given a cue. Timeo gave him enough money, he’s more than happy to oblige.
The officiant smiles at us. “You have no guests and you got your marriage license yesterday, so I’m going to assume you want the sweet, get to the point version of vows?”
I nod. “Let’s get straight to the I Do’s.”
We’ve spent years on the formalities. Now it’s time to make it official.
“Excellent.” She adjusts small wire-framed glasses on her nose and recites from memory. “We’re gathered here today in the city of Las Vegas to join Starla Soul and Timeo Montavio in the state or marriage. They have chosen to take this step together, and wish to express their love.”
She turns to Timeo first. “Timeo, do you take Starla to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"
Timeo looks at me when he answers. “I do.”
I swallow. My turn.
“Starla, do you take Timeo to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”