Chapter 18 - Dave

I crank up the air conditioning in my car as I wait for Izzy. She said she’d be right out after she changed out of her work uniform. I check the clock and sigh. I hate waiting.

Just when I’m about to get out of the car to see what’s taking so long, the front door opens and my jaw drops. She steps out of the house holding Pop’s arm but I can’t look away from her.

She’s taken her hair down so it falls around her shoulders in loose waves. She’s wearing a knee-length white dress that hugs her curves perfectly. I’m almost entranced as I watch her hips move from site to side with every step. Her legs look a mile long. My arms are almost aching reach out and touch her as I watch her lead my grandfather to the car. All I want to do is run my fingers up her sides and feel every curve of her body. The dress dips down to show just enough cleavage to make my heart beat a little bit faster.

She helps Pop into the passenger’s seat and then opens the back door.

“Sorry, took a little longer than expected.”

“You look great,” I say, almost breathless. I can see Pop glance over at me out of the corner of my eye but I decide to ignore him. I glance in the rearview mirror at Izzy, watching her as she tucks her hair behind her ear and puts her seatbelt on. I don’t want to look away. I can feel my cock twitch in my pants just from being this close to her.

“Thanks,” she says, smiling shyly. “This might be the only chance I have to get married so I figured I might as well wear white.”

“It’s perfect,” I respond. My throat feels tight and I try to swallow. Why do I feel like this?! This is business, I shouldn’t be getting emotional. The thought of getting married is getting to me.

“Look at you two lovebirds,” Pop says with a grin. “No one would guess you’re just getting married as a cold, calculated business move. And I get to be the official witness!”

Izzy laughs and I roll my eyes. Pop is enjoying this far too much. I start the car and head towards the courthouse. There’s an almost palpable excitement in the car. It’s a sort of quiet nervousness as we drive down together. When we park up outside, I get out of the car and turn to open Izzy’s door. She smiles and blushes as I take her hand and help her out of the car.

“Well aren’t you a gentleman,” she says with a smile. I grin back and lead her towards the steps, letting my hand drop to the small of her back. Her body feels electric under my touch, and all I want to do is run my fingers down her spine a little bit further. Her dress is hugging her ass so perfectly it’s taking all my self-control not to reach down and sweep my hand over it. I drag myself away and go help my grandfather out of the car.

The three of us head up the steps towards the reception. Within a few minutes, we’re filling in forms and paying a fee. The lady behind the counter hands us a certificate.

“Congratulations,” she says, beaming. “You know, it’s no big fanfare to come down and do this here but I always love watching a beautiful young couple getting married. I can tell you love each other very much, it’s obvious by the way you’re looking at each other.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Pop interjects with a twinkle in his eye.

Izzy and I exchange a glance and her eyebrows shoot up towards her hairline. Her lips twitch upwards into a smile and I think I see her wink. My heart is pounding against my ribcage as I take the marriage certificate from the officiant.

“All the best, Mr and Mrs Langley,” she says, shaking both our hands. “I just know the two of you will be very happy together.”

“Thank you,” Izzy says with a smile. She turns towards me and hooks her arm into mine, smiling up at me with a mischievous grin. We head outside and as soon as the door closes behind us, Izzy bursts out laughing. Pop and I follow suit, and the three of us laugh until we’re breathless and our cheeks are flushed on the courthouse steps.

“Well, that’s done!” Izzy says. She squeezes my arm and I realise how natural it feels to have her here beside me. This was a million times easier than any other business deal I’ve ever been involved in. I can’t help but feel relaxed and - what’s the right word - happy when she’s beside me. I glance down at her and see the way the sunlight catches her eye and makes them look almost green.

Suddenly I’m tongue tied. My grandmother’s ring is in my jacket pocket and I can feel it as if it weights a thousand pounds. I reach in and take the box out, feeling the smooth velvet before flicking it open. I turn it towards Izzy, whose eyes widen in shock.

“Izzy,” I start.

She shakes her head. “No, Dave, I can’t. I’m sorry Arthur, I can’t accept that. It’s too nice. This is…”

“Izzy,” I say again, softly. She stops talking and looks at me with wide eyes. Her mouth is hanging open. “This was my grandmother’s and then my mother’s wedding ring. My grandfather gave it to me.”

I pull the ring out of the box and take her left hand. My hands are shaking. The ring slides on her finger effortlessly. It fits perfectly. She glances down at her hand and holds it out, watching as the diamonds catch the sunlight and make it dazzle.

“Looks like it was made for you, dear,” Pop says gently. He leans over and kisses Izzy on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, finally.”

Finally? What does that mean?

Tears start streaming down Izzy’s cheek and she just nods in response. I put my hand on the small of her back again and guide her down the steps. My chest is tight but I feel light on my feet. I can’t help but smile to myself. Against all odds, I actually feel like celebrating. I’ve just done something I never would have imagined in a million years.

Izzy Daniels and I are officially husband and wife.