Chapter 74

"Lead the way, darlin'." Richie followed his bride-to-be out the door. Sunlight glinted off the sheen of her deep brown hair flowing over her shoulders. It accentuated the almost fragile line of her shoulders and petite curves. But damn, the lace was distracting as it cupped her ass lovingly. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him, the light in her eyes was so complete that he would have followed her to the ends of the earth to keep it on her face.

She reached back for his hand, pulling him up next to her as they headed across the street. Whitewashed clay sat low against the baking sun. Sunbeams bounced off the small stained glass windows and arched wooden doors that were open and welcoming.

"Our Lady of Perpetual Hope," he read aloud. Richie flipped his sunglasses on top of his head as they headed inside. The simple adobe style echoed in the church with rough hewn pews and an ornate altar with intricate hand carvings were lit with a soft glow.

A graceful hand caressed the aged wood of the pews as she wandered down the aisle, her other hand holding tightly to his. It was such a beautiful little place, so peaceful and quiet. The name too spoke to exactly what they were living with now, hope, for the future, for the day and for forever.

She scanned the darker areas in search of the priest or anyone that could lead them too said priest. "Sure hope he’s not out fishing too."

Richie laughed softly. "Things run on a different schedule when you have a beach like that in your backyard."

Elena huffed out a soft giggle then turned to face the front of the church and called out a quiet, "Helloooo?" She sighed as no response came back, her gaze skittering to Richie.


“Daily, daily sing to Mary,
Sing, my soul, her praises due.
All her feasts, her actions worship”

She turned as the melody and strong bass voice filtered through a recessed area slightly to the front of the church.. Holding tighter to Richie's hand she made her way quickly to the front. Placing a hand on the knob she quickly turned it and opened the door to a small courtyard garden. Stepping through the door her head tilted as she studied the young man busily pulling weeds and singing contentedly .

He was obviously the gardener as he was simply too young to be what she thought a priest could be. Even smudged in the dirt of the garden she could tell he would have been the flirting type, had she had the desire to flirt. He was tall, with dark hair and eyes and a tan to die for. This guy obviously enjoyed living on a beach.

"Umm, hello? Sorry to bother you, but we're looking for the priest?" Her voice was soft, with a slight nervous tremble too it. "Could you tell us where he is?"

The song stopped suddenly as the man stood and looked over the young couple standing in his door. "That would be me mon, I’m brother Martine. How can I help you?" His dark gaze centered on the tall young man who seemed to have a strong grip on the pretty filly at his side.

Richie greeted the man with steady eyes. It was a rare thing for him to actually meet someone's gaze, but as the young man rose to his full height he matched Richie inch for inch. He held out his hand. "We were hoping we could speak with you for a moment, Father."

He wiped his dirty hands on his jeans then reached out to grasp the young man's hand. "One always has time for those who search young man. What can I do for you today?" He studied the long haired fella intently. There seemed to almost been a sheen of urgency and desperation in his gaze, yet it wasn't the bad type of desperation. "Why don’t you come with me to my office? We'll talk there out of the heat of the day." Brother Martine gestured to a door on the opposite side of the courtyard. "Whatever it is that brings you to our small church, I'm sure we can figure a way around your troubles."

He opened the office door and pointed to two chairs for them to sit in. Moving behind his desk he sat and steepled his fingers, his chin resting lightly on their pointed ends. "So tells me what brings you to Perpetual Hope young man?"

Richie followed him into the room, bringing Elena in front of him. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'm here to request the church's blessing and your help for our wedding."

His brow arched slightly as he watched the near possessive move by the young man. "You wish my blessing and help? Before I consider that, how about you tell me who you are?"

"I'm a simple man with a crazy life. My job takes me to some crazy places both in and out of the states, but there's one constant that I've found." He squeezed her shoulders. "This woman is that constant. I'm Richie and this is Elena."

"You wish to get married then.” He studied Richie intently as an idea of what the trouble could be rose to mind. “You haven’t gotten this pretty little girl in trouble have you? How long have you known her? You realize that in making a vow before God it’s never to be broken?" He studied the couple intently, awaiting their response.

Richie’s brow lifted as he held back the growl that threatened to escape. Yet again how he looked was coloring someone’s impression of how he’d treat someone so important to him. Taking a deep breath he counted to ten before responding. "Not that I wouldn't love to have her carry my babies, but right now it's about us, so no...there's no child. We've known each other for what feels like forever, but by regular definitions, it's been a short time." He rubbed his thumbs over her shoulders. "One thing I hold sacred is the church, which is why I'd like you officiating instead of a justice of the peace."

Elena smiled up at Richie before turning to the priest. "We want it blessed by the church because we believe vows are forever. I love him with all I am. Maybe we haven't known each other for years, but when its right its just right. We just don’t want to wait forever when we both already know its the right thing to do. Please say you can help us."

Brother Martine studied the young woman a moment, then turned back to the young man. Both had that look to them, a look that spoke of deep bonds and intentions. "Before I agree, tell me more about your crazy life."

Unsure if it would work against him or not, Richie nodded at the preacher. "I'm a musician, father. There's very little in my life that's not insane with the type of job that I have. I've felt very lost for a long time, but meeting Elena has been a blessing. I don't," he paused. "I won't ever let her go."

He leaned back in his chair and nodded. "It can be hard to find someone who can center you, especially in that line of work. Consider yourself lucky Richie. So tell me, when did you want to do this wedding? How big ? How many people?" He smiled at them both, as it was rare to find two that seemed that in love.

Richie let his hands slide over her shoulders and down her arms. "Party of two, plus a witness if you're not enough. Tonight, just before sunset," Richie answered with a smile.

The priest nodded and smiled. "Well that should give me enough time to prepare. I'll round up a witness, I don't think you have one in that back pocket of yours. Where do you want to hold the ceremony?"


"We'd like to use the beach, just outside on the hill."

He nodded then stood reaching out to grasp Richie's hand in a firm shake. "I'll see you there at sunset."

Richie's smile was wide as he leaned in. "Thank you, father. I really appreciate this."

The priest smiled, "you just take good care of that pretty little lady. That’s how you'll show your appreciation to me and The Good Lord above young man."

"Well, God was kind enough to give her to me, I'll do anything to keep her."

Elena gave the priest a bright smile. "Thank you so much."

As they arrived back at their Robin Leach get away she smiled. The hours had flown by as they wandered about in town after leaving the church. Richie’s desire to find the perfect sparkly bling for wedding rings had taken them from store to store, to every outdoor market the small town had to offer. She chuckled to herself as he looked at and discarded what had to be over fifty rings before settling on a matching set of white gold bands, the female’s ring having a small set of diamonds encrusting it. She glanced down at her hand and smiled as she pictured the ring that would be a perfect match to the engagement ring next to it.

When they arrived back at the tent, Richie had ushered her inside then excused himself, claiming brides shouldn’t see the groom’s before the wedding. Elena quickly moved about the tent, more in an effort to stave off nerves than anything, the hotel had seen to their needs that well. As she checked the cooler she noticed another meal already waiting and yet another bottle of champaygne cooling in the bucket that had held an empty bottle when they’d left earlier.


The faint sound of guitar music reached her as trembling fingers flicked non existent wrinkles from the bed. The haunting melody drew her to the tent flap like a magnet. Peering out curiously she began to smile as she took in the vision before her. So that’s where Richie had gotten off to. He was leaning against a small rock outcropping strumming his new guitar, making music to put order to his thoughts. It put a smile on her face to just watch him play. For all his boisterous actions, when he played he was graceful, making music a physical expression. Her eyes heated a moment as she wondered what deep thoughts had him looking so intense. Turning slowly she moved back into the tent, her thoughts wandering back over the afternoon.

The sound of a female voice clearing its throat had her turning around and smiling a hello. “Hello can I help you?”

The older lady smiled Elena’s way, “I take it you’re the lucky young lady whose getting married today?”

A soft blush crept up into Elena’s cheeks. “Yes Ma’am, to that handsome guy with the guitar out there.” She moved over to the older woman and gave her a hug, her soft smile seeming to brighten the entire tent. “Well thank you for taking the time out of your day to do this favor for us. I’m Elena by the way.”

The lady grinned at the distracted young woman, who kept trying to fluff her hair with her fingers. “Well I’m Aggie, and Father Martine told me you were a pretty little thing, but he didn’t tell me how much like my precious Jenny you were.”

Elena’s brow arched in curiosity. “Jenny?”

Aggie moved over to the table and sat, settling a box on the table before looking back at Elena. “Yes, she was my daughter, not much older than you when she died.”

Elena walked over, her instant affinity with the woman had her wrapping arms around her shoulders. “I’m sure she was a wonderful person Aggie. I’m so sorry you had to lose her so young. Tell me about her?”

Aggie smiled. “She was a pretty little thing, had studied for years to be a nurse, and when the time came, she chose to put off her own wedding to go overseas to help those being hurt in the war. She was just like that, always bubbly but always ready to help. It was just bad timing I suppose. The day after she got to the missionary hospital it was hit with a stray bomb and she was killed.” Aggie looked up at Elena and saw a tear racing along her high cheekbone. “Now, now, don’t you go to crying and make your face all red for the wrong reasons. She died a hero’s death, and I’ll always have her in my heart.” Standing up Aggie looked around the tented area and grinned. “That young man out there must think the world of you to set something like this up. I bet you he hasn’t given you time to breathe or prepare has he?”

Elena started to giggle as she watched Aggie begin to take items out of her box. “Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting it, I came here without much more than my purse and a comb, and although marrying him is more important than anything, I’m beginning to wish I had brought a bit of make up or something to freshen up.”

Aggie snorted softly. “Well I had a feeling something like that might be the deal, so I came prepared. How’s about we give that young man out there something to really be surprised about? Now you sit right here in this chair and let little old Aggie fix your hair and get you ready for that wedding?”

Elena sat and almost sighed in pleasure as Aggie’s hands began to brush through her hair. Within moments the older lady’s talented fingers had brushed and twisted her hair into a simple romantic upsweep that left soft tendrils of hair whispering around her neck and face. With that done she started winding small bits of baby’s breath into her hair carefully. “Well now, don’t you just look like an angel with a halo?” Aggie gave her a devious grin. “Now tell Aggie what you were planning on wearing to this wedding of yours?”

She looked over at Aggie and laughed nervously, “I bought this today for the occasion Aggie." Elena gestured to the lacy white pants and blouse. "It’s white and lacy. I thought it would do. Not many wedding type dresses here to be honest.”

Aggie’s hands went to her waist as she stared down at Elena. “Well no truer words I suppose. Being a vacation get away you’re lucky to find something that’s not made in bikini style, and although I’m sure that pretty little outfit made that handsome man outside all hot and bothered a girl should still have a special dress for her special day.” Aggie reached into the box and pulled out a dress with a gentle smile on her lips, “You seem to be the right size, so if we’re lucky you’ll be able to use this. I won’t take a no for an answer young miss, so quit giving me that doubtful look. It was to be my Jenny’s wedding dress and I just KNOW she’d want you to have it.”

Elena stood and took the dress from Aggie and gasped with amazement. It was just perfect from its unevenly edged skirt to its pure but sexy lacy paneling. “Oh my God Aggie its just beautiful.

“Yes, well,” Aggie started, “Let’s get you ready so your young man won’t think you’ve changed your mind.”

They continued to chat and laugh as Aggie helped her into the dress. Within moments Aggie had her zipped and carefully arranged the off the shoulder lace and straps to perfection. “Now don’t you just look lovely?”

Elena took a deep breath and tried to quell the New York sized butterflies that were suddenly dancing the fandango inside her tummy. “I’ll have to take your word for it, doesn’t seem to be a mirror here.” She giggled a moment, then took another deep breath. “I don’t know how to thank you Aggie, for going out of your way to make this day even more special. But when I think on this day I’ll always remember you and your Jenny because you’ve helped it be even more special.”

Aggie smiled, “Well thank you young Elena. Now I’m going to go out there and take my spot. You follow me in a moment or two. Let’s not keep that pretty young man of yours waiting any longer.” Aggie gave Elena a quick hug then moved to the tent flap and went outside.

Elena moved to the exit and took another deep breath and tried to again will the fluttering in her tummy away. Closing her eyes a moment she whispered softly, “Welcome to your future Elena Masters.” Opening her eyes she reached out and opened the tent door and stepped through it, her soft brown eyes finding Richie as she began to smile and make her way towards him.

Chapter 73

((Happy Birthday Richie!!))


His gaze flickered over her smug look, a slight smile on his face. Shaking his head slowly he offered her a wry smile. "Haven't dated anyone in over a year Katie, broke up with the one girl I dated in high school, been too busy to really care, up until recently that is. But the one girl I’d even consider only wants to be friends," he grinned, "so we're friends. So Katie, no squirrels gonna come nibbling atcha."



"More like too busy to care what her name is, I bet." She bumped his hip. "Just making sure I don't have to fight anyone off. Girls are crazy."



Jon snorted, "You don't have to worry about that one Katie, ever." He winked her way and nearly laughed at her expression, "besides I can always hire a body guard if need be.'



She sent him a sidelong glance as he laughed outright and saw the twinkle in his cereulean gaze. "I was kidding, but I don't think you are. Is it really that crazy?"



"It can get a little wild on tour yeah, that's why we never sight see much and stick to our rooms, but when I'm home? Nah, it’s not that bad. Hell Jersey ain’t impressed with us, too many come outta the state ya know?"



"Wow, I had no idea. Med school really put me deep in a cave. I swear by the time I'm done with a 32-48hrs shift the only thing I see is my car, my bed and a shower if I'm lucky."



His voice was quiet as he watched her more than where he walked, "If ya only knew how that impressed me Katie. I can't even start to imagine how much work goes into doing what you do." Damn if she wasn’t just the type of woman he liked, driven to the point of obsessiveness about her work, independent and strong, yet sassy and fun.



"Well, I don't know about impressive, stubborn and hard working, yes. Now that I'm done with my boards I have to do my rotations and residency. It's a killer. They do love to torture us. I swear I've never dealt with so much blood in my life." She side-stepped a crack in the sidewalk and slid her arm companionably through his. "Enough of my shop talk. It's boring. No one cares about blood unless it's their own coming out," she laughed.



His brow arched as she put herself down. "Hey Katie, I happen to care. I'm impressed ok? You have it going on, a plan for life and your working for it. I admire that in a person." He shook his head, "I couldn't do it, man I'm just a singer, don’t confront me with blood ok?"



She bumped his arm. "Big bad rock star doesn't like blood splattered everywhere?" Kate smiled up at him. "Being a doctor sounds glamorous but it's just like your job some good, some bad."



He gave a snort, "Nothing I do will save a life Katie. It will entertain them and keep them from being bored, and maybe sometimes if it touches them just right it can help a sad heart feel better. But can it heal a wound or repair one that’s ill? It’s my life though, can't remember a time I didn't wanna sing or write. But if we were all doctors you'd have no patients, so it works right?" He flashed a bright smile her way as they walked. The more he knew of her the more he wanted to know. She was just perfect.



"Well, I don't know...I picked up your album after our meeting. Had to know just what I was getting myself into with you in my life, even if it's on the outskirts. I think you fix and break a few hearts just with those words. You and Richie have a lot of talent."



He felt the heat in his cheeks as he blushed then managed to get a non stammered reply out. "Well thank you. I just write about what I know, or what I want to know so to speak."



"I think that's great. Now that I know who you are, of course I hear your damn name everywhere. I can't believe how in the limelight you are. And seriously," she paused and gave him an up and down look. "This man is not the man I saw in your video. Talk about holy layers, Batman." She sighed, "And you know what kills me, you have like four layers on in a video and don't look at all fat. So unfair." She slapped each hip. "If I wore more than two, I'd look like a heifer."



She had made it a point to get his album, see his video. That in and of itself made his heart do a little jump for joy. She had very little free time but she’d spent some of it looking up his music. "It’s all in the lighting Katie. But let me tell ya, and don’t go getting all weird on me here, but I happen to think your ass is just fine." He turned towards her a moment, and waited on the come back, even a slap. "Yep, don’t go putting down that ass, it’s totally nice."



She just let her eyebrow quirk as his eyes twinkled even more. "Well thanks. It gets me into far more trouble than it helps, that's for sure. Its hell on a woman who has Betty Boop curves and wants to have a serious career."



"Don’t let it get to you Katie. Hell the people who see just the outside of a person are stupid. You’re more than your body, and as rockin’ as that body is your brain? That’s the sexiest thing about ya." He grinned and slid his arm around her waist as they walked. "That can turn a man on quicker than any Betty Boop curve, trust me."



"Well, I don't know about that, Sugar, but there is hope in the world if a man in your business can see past the curves, unless, of course, it's a line to get me on my back, sneaky boy." She felt at ease with him. More so that she probably should have given the topic.



"HEY I'm just a guy!" He laughed softly, "Should I say it’s amazing you can appreciate music cuz you’re a doctor?"



"No, amazing me can appreciate your music even if you're a cocky bastard, Sugar." She walked ahead and caught the door. "Now, you'll be able to listen and learn what true music is," she opened the door. "Welcome to Nirvana."



"Well thank you Katie." He grinned and walked in with her, ready to experience what got her creative juices to flowing.



Kate followed Jon into the smoky recesses of the bar she'd lost a year of her life to. She heard the soulful sounds of the sax first. As she took the small stairs up to the main floor, she felt the familiar stirring in her gut. James was there.



She'd known he would be, but seeing him again was always a jolt at first. The front tables were full to bursting with females as always and James played to them. Loved them. Jimmy came up the rear with his guitar mellow and powerful, layering the rich jazz until she could feel it in her marrow.



Her fingers itched for her own sax, itched to be a part of that, as she was in another life. She scooted Jon to the back, in a dark corner where no one would recognize her. "Is here alright?"



He gave her a curious glance as she tried to hide them in a corner, began to wonder if she was protecting him or what she was hiding from. Seeing her slight fidgets he gave her a gentle smile. "Perfect place Katie. You have a seat I'll go get us a drink. What would ya like?"



"I'll just have a red wine, Sugar." She dug into her pocket and handed him a ten dollar bill. “Just tell Clarence to start a tab for Killer Kate."



"Kate," he tsked her way, "I think I can handle a couple glasses of wine babe." He winked at her and turned to make his way to the bar, wondering how she'd gotten the moniker Killer Kate in a place like this. It was definitely a question he stored in his brain for later. Motioning to the tender he grinned and ordered up two reds for Killer Kate and blinked wide-eyed as the tender opened a bottle of a better wine than he saw sitting on the counter. Damn she must be special here.



When the tender refused cash, he shook his head in bemusement and thanked him before turning and moving back to the table. As he sat her glass of wine in front of her and slid into his seat he chuckled. "One day Katie, you'll have to explain how a big bad tender like that knows sexy doctor Katie."



Kate blushed. "Yeah, well a girl's gotta have a few secrets." Clarence had been one of the few men who'd finally let her in on the joke that her life had become as one of James Dupris' harem. She watched as the man himself, moved forward on the stage, his height only magnified by the houselights and stage. Thick ebony arms strained as he lifted the huge tenor sax. White teeth gleamed as he flashed a smile to the women and then his nearly iridescent cat eyes found her in the crowd.



He dipped, powerful thighs bulging under the dress pants as his graceful fingers found his notes. And he watched, knowing it was their song. Knowing it would effect her. Knowing he still had an edge, even now. She lifted her wine and gulped, hoping to wash away the memories of him and the stupid hold he'd had on her once upon a time.



Jon watched as she grew more and more fidgety, his eyes swinging to the stage and catching exactly who she had honed in on up there.



Secrets indeed, pretty deep ones if he was to guess.

Chapter 72

Elena stood before the dusty ancient office door and took a deep breath.Please let him like it, please? Shaking off the worry she put a smile on her lips, opened the creaky salt air swollen door and walked back inside. "Hello honey I’m baaaaaaaaaack."

He glanced up then back at the triplicate forms, his pen suddenly pausing as his eyes whipped back to Elena. A whispered "Mercy," flew from his lips. Some type of flowy stark white lacy cloth hugged her in all the right places, sun kissed shoulders bare, teasing him more with their promise than anything less revealing could have done. Her tiny belly ring winked a deep dark purple from the crop length of the shirt that led to her smooth belly and gently curved waist.

White lace hugged and teased its way over her hips to her ankles with another crazy pair of stilts that made him groan to get it off of her. It was slightly see-thru making his dick jump in reaction to the high waisted thong she wore underneath it. "God, you're beautiful," he whispered.

She leaned forward and pressed a kiss onto his lips. "Thank you." She was almost vibrating with both anticipation of the wedding and her surprise. "Bout finished?"

"Uh," he stammered and dragged her in for a longer kiss. His fingers tunneled into the long, waving locks as her taste exploded into his mouth. His wife. Almost. When he pulled back, he was pleased to see the sultry smile wiped away, leaving only the soft sweetness of his Elena.

A soft whispery sigh whispered over her thoroughly kissed lips, a smile twising them upwards as it hit her hard and fast. She was gonna be a married lady with a husband, from now on, never having to be alone. It was exhilarating and mind boggling all in one. Taking a deep breath she glanced down his paper work and saw it all filled out signed. Shivering slightly she looked up into those sinfully dark brown eyes and whispered, "You got the time to back out now ya know, once the words are said I'm not ever letting ya go."

"Good, I'm not much of a runner. I figured I'd have to chase you down."

"You done with those forms yet?" called the old man.

Richie stood, "Yes, sir." He cleared his throat, his long stride taking him to the counter as he quickly shuffled the paper work into the hands of the man who had suddenly become the most important official in his life to date.

She moved over to stand next to her guy, her tiny hand reaching for his, a soft smile fleetingly crossing her lips as she felt his light shivers. He was as excited and nervous as her and that made her smile grow even wider.

Richie linked fingers with her beneath the eyes of the window, his grip a little more intense than he'd intended as he forced himself to ease back. His guts churned a bit as the old man read through each form, stamping each with a huge metal seal that said the day's date. "Seventeenth," he said softly, turning to watch soft brown eyes begin to glow with impish humor.

“It’s a day ya best remember Pony," she giggled softly, "October 17.. forever hmm?"

"Good day for forever, Lains." He leaned in brushed his nose with hers. It seemed endless as one paper after another was notarized, dated and shuffled by. He'd been no good at patience when it came to forms. Stick him in a room with a guitar and he could be occupied for days without a murmur of protest. Forms and white walls, he was ready to fly. Finally the last form was pushed under the stamp and the little old guy shuffled the papers together. He pulled out another form and rolled it into the ancient typewriter.

Richie bit back a groan.

She watched him, a slight smile on her lips, "Pony?"

"Hmm?" he asked, not glancing away from the achingly slow tap of one key after another as the man looked from what he filled out to the license that was painstakingly being typed up.

She turned and pulled him towards the chair he was sitting on when she entered, "You need this now more than later I think. Just a small wedding gift." She lifted the wrapped box and smiled, "Maybe it will help ya wait."

"For me?" he said, splaying his fingers over the wide rectangular box he’d barely noticed before, so taken with the white lace that had teased his senses and imagination when she’d returned.

She nodded, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Yes all for you."

"But I didn't get you anything yet," he said and touched the purple bow with reverence. He ripped off the white pinstriped paper and found a cream box beneath the paper. Flipping the top of the battered box, he found a guitar case. His eyes rose to hers and the smile he gave her would have promised anything.

"I’m getting you; that’s all I want Big guy." She smiled at the delight in his eyes, her instinct having been dead on. He had needed this more than he realized.

He flicked the spring locks and opened the top slowly as the gleaming wood shown even in the dim fluorescent light. Gingerly, he traced his fingertips over the flowing vine that trailed up the neck of the guitar. It repeated itself in the fingerboard and left him itchy to try it out. "It's beautiful," he breathed. Staring up at his soon-to-be wife, he just shook his head. "How did you know?"

"You didn't bring one, and it’s your second self. I dunno Pony, I just knew somehow that ya needed something to take the edge off. Man at the music shop said this was for a serious player, and well, you’re as serious as they get right? I hope it’s as nice as he claimed." She paused a moment, her fingers reaching out to trace his chiseled cheek, a soft chuckle leaving her at his shocked expression. "I just knew, now go on and play, you know you want too."

The gentle understanding smile took his breath away. He snagged her wrist, drawing it close to his mouth, pressing a kiss in the center of palm. "It's perfect, in every way." He stared down at it, letting her hand slide away as he lifted it out of its case. He settled it on his lap, strumming softly as he corrected, tightened and loosened the strings, quickky finding the tones and the pitch he wanted.

Closing his eyes he started to strum. No words, just the haunting melody of the sea, right there in the courthouse.

She leaned back against the wall and watched as the nerves and jitters melted away from his face. Damn if he didn’t just become more gorgeous with the intense emotions that played over the plains of his face as he found the song of the sea within him. She could almost hear the surf right there in the dusty old office. He was amazing really, such a simple thing and he was ok. The music just flowed around her and through her, settling even firmer her decisions and how right they were. "That’s beautiful love."

He let the last note fade as he looked up at her, stood and put the guitar back in its case. "You know me so well, darlin'."

She winked his way, "wife's job right?"

"You got that right," he dropped a kiss on her upturned mouth. "I love it and I love you," he said softly.

She returned his kiss her hands brushing over his hair, "And I love you."

"Well, girly and music man, c'mon over and get this license. You can come in here and play anytime, though. That was the sweetest sound these old ears have heard in a long time." He waved the paper.

They both rose and went to the window, signing the bottom with a flourish. "Thank you," Richie said simply. Knowing the need for flowery words was irrelevant there.

Elena smiled at the old man as she signed her name for the last time. Turning to Richie she grinned suddenly as it finally hit her. "Well that was a last for me."

"A last?" he asked with a raised brow.

She looked up and gave him a big silly grin, "It’s the last time I sign something Masters, the next time I have to sign something my name will be all different."

With a matching grin he flicked the tip of her nose and held out a hand to the old man. "Thank you for taking pity on us."

She slipped around the little counter and leaned in to give the old man a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you sooo much."

"Alright, alright, enough of the smoochin'. Save that for the man who wants to quickly lock you up in the bonds of matrimony," he gruffed. "Beautiful talent you have there, young man. Don't waste it," he said and shooed them off. "Alright, go on. I may have given you the license, but you still have to convince Pastor Martine to marry you. The judge is out on a fishing boat until Sunday."

She slipped back around and wrapped an arm around Richie, a smile on her lips. "My guy is pretty persuasive when need be."

"Don't remind me," he said, but Richie saw him fighting a smile. "Go, on now."

She turned to Richie and waggled her brows, "Well come on Big Guy. Preacher to find and all that."

Chapter 71

Richie grinned as the skirt of her dress rode up, sneaking fingers below the hem, he cupped her upper thigh. "So soft everywhere," he murmured against her mouth as he coasted higher on her hip and around to her ass. "I love feeling all of this snug at my back," he said roughly as his fingers squeezed gently.

She trembled, his simple touches turning her to jelly as usual. "Not as much as I like feeling you pressed close to me." She stepped into her heels and still he loomed over her. God, she loved how big and broad he was.

He grinned against her mouth and pulled away, letting his fingertips coast all the way back down to her hemline. "Glad I'm not being replaced by this big vibrator," he said smugly and climbed on.

The blush had to go straight through his jacket when she pressed her cheek against his back. "Not even close to the same!" She laughed loud enough to cover the roar of his engine. The quick grin over his shoulder pulsed through her even more than the increased throttle.

He gunned the engine, the coastline was still one of the most beautiful he’d ever seen, but he had a purpose and the stretch of road was keeping him from it. He'd convinced her to marry him, now he needed to get the deed done before she slipped away. He didn't want to give her time to figure out that he was a bad bet. He'd do anything to keep her now. Anything.

Pulling up to the small weathered building, he turned off the engine. He turned around, suddenly a stupid thought formed. "Silly question, but you don't have a record right?"

She tilted her head and gave him a wicked grin, "And If I did?" She giggled when his eyes widened. "Course I don't silly man."

He sighed in relief. "I'd marry you anyway, but when they do an overseas license, it's the first thing they look at."

"You have nothing to fear, Pony. No record here, I leave the records up to you."

He snorted, linked their fingers and headed up the crumbling steps. Sea air and sand had stripped a lot of the landscape, leaving it a pale sun streaked beige and powdery white. Opening the door, he blinked against the quick change from blinding sun, to dark wood and shadow. He looked around for something that said main office, dragging her behind him.

Trailing behind, she curled her fingers around his bicep, peeking around him to the little old man sitting behind an ancient metal desk. "I sure hope he speaks English, Pony," she whispered. If it was possible, the nearly typewriter sitting was even older and the telephone looked like it came out in the 50's.

"I can hear you, girly!" came a creaky voice. "Just because I'm old doesn't mean I'm deaf." His accent was rich with the tropics and as dark as his cocoa skin. "What can I do for your fine folks?"

Richie couldn’t help but grin at the thickly accented Jamaican man. "We're looking to get married, Sir."

Elena peeked over the partition and gave him her brightest, sweetest smile. "You can help us right, Sir?"

He pushed up a dozen forms on the small shelf. "Fill these out and we'll get a license to you in two weeks."

Elena blinked back a quick prick of tears. "Two weeks?"

"Yup, standard procedure," he said and looked back down at his typewriter, painfully punching one letter at a time.

She glanced up at Richie, sliding a hand across his back warm back before she peeked around the half wall. "Please is there a way to do it sooner?" She crouched down next to his desk so they were eye to eye, letting the crocodile tears fall. "I love him so much you see, but I'm a good girl. I have to wait ‘til I’m married, and it’s so hard to not give in.” She looked up at Richie, his lips pressed tight and his brown eyes dancing. “I love him so much and if you don’t help me it’s going kill my mama. I just love him too much to wait anymore. Please Sir, I know you have a kind heart, please help us."

The old man cackled. "Try another one, girlie. Especially when you come in here with whisker burn and sand in your hair."

She gripped his gnarled hand, the tears free flowing. "That’s just from kisses and laying on your beautiful beach, Sir.” She pulled his hand up to her cheek. "Didn't you ever love someone so much you’d die for them?"

Richie tried desperately not to laugh. She was laying it on a bit thick. God, he loved her.

"You think I can't smell bullshit after seventy years in this office? Forms are there, sweetheart. You can keep your panties up around your waist for two weeks."

"I know you remember being so in love, you just can’t stand another day apart. I bet she was a fine woman." She sniffled softly. "I’m not bullshitting you, I love him that much. Tell me sir, what would the love of your life have thought if she saw you do this to two young loves?" Elena’s saw him finally begin to relent. Sensing victory, she wrapped both her hands around his. "Don’t make us wait. Please?"

"My Elena was a beautiful woman," he sighed. "We had to run away to get married, her Papa didn't approve of me." Wistfully, the old man turned on Richie. "You haven't said anything there, mon."

Richie smiled, letting his dimple flash. "Well, this is my Elena. I'll wait for her if I have to, but I sure don't want to, sir. I want her to be mine by morning on that pretty beach you have up the coast. Great way to start off my life, I'd say."

She gave the old man a soft kiss on the cheek and moved back to Richie and leaned against him, her eyes intent on the old man. "Please?"

"Elena, you say?" He looked at her, his rhuemy eyes softer now. "You even look a little like my Elena. Same way with the waterworks too," he laughed. "Fill 'em out and I'll see what I can do." He said and pushed the papers off the shelf into Richie's waiting fingers.

Richie inclined his head. "Thank you."

She reached for the two pens on the desk and handed one to Richie. She took her half of the papers, swiftly filled out each section, signing each place carefully. She peered over his shoulder, his eyes intent as he read through and answered each question, as if his very life depended on each word.

Signing her name with her usual flourish, she straightened and smiled. "Well I’m done."

Richie looked down at her, then her pile. "No way."

"Yes way. All done." Elena giggled, her years of filling out college forms finally came in handy.

Huffing he took the forms and found a chair. "I guess you get to go see if you can find a dress," he grumbled.

She handed her half of the papers to the old guy and moved to him, dropping a kiss on his head. "I'll be back in a flash." Walking to the door she wandered out, glad for once she had her daddy's little gold card in her pocket.

Three shops later, she found the perfect thing…something she knew would have Richie going both gaga and hot with desire. She made her purchase then convinced the clerk to let her wear it from the shop, her purple dress riding comfortably in a small bag.

As she moved back down the street her eyes wandered to a small music shop tucked into a corner. Her eyes widened as a thought occurred to her. Racing over to the shop, she searched out a saleswoman.