Karen's POV
As planned earlier with the family, I walked Brody around to his backyard at precisely Twelve o'clock that Afternoon. "Surprise!" Everyone yelled, along with Diego.
I grinned. I wasn't expecting this, I was expecting a photographer for the photoshoot and not a surprise party. I stole a glance at Brody, he looked worried too. Looking at Helen, she seemed like someone who was having fun as she took pictures of some guests with her phone.
"Aren't you surprised?" Diego ran to Brody and clamped both his arms around his father's kegs.
"I should be." He confirmed with an excited grin. I lifted Diego into my arms for a hug and gazed at the balloons tied to the fence. "Who did those?" I asked.
"I did." Diego answered quickly with a smile and I kissed him on his forehead.
"This is really nice." I told Brody.
He frowned and slanted a look at me. "Something definitely looks suspicious. You're dressed in a wedding gown and I'm dressed in a suit. This does not look like a coincidence."
"Of course, it doesn't. I'm modelling for Helen, that's what she told me."
"It's supposed to be a photoshoot then and not a party." He replied as we walked through the assembled guests to the other end of the beautifully landscaped yard. "This doesn't look like a celebration or a wedding entrance." He joked and I chuckled.
Once again, I was speechless as my heart raced. I silently hoped that I wasn't getting married to anyone. Assorted shapes and colors of lawn chairs were set in rows, with a center aisle. There was a long, linen-covered table off to one side, and in the corner of it sat a four-tiered white cake with a bride and groom on top. "It's a wedding party." Helen screamed and my heart skipped a beat.
I suddenly felt scared. No, there was no way I would marry Brody. Marriage was a commitment and not a joke. I couldn't get married right now.
"For Brody and Karen!" Diego added.
Henry and Alex were also there. Henry was the first to come out. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you Brody. It was meant to be a surprise." He said apologetically.
Brody nodded and looked at me, I shrugged and almost cried but I couldn't.
"There's plenty of food!" Brody's mom announced loudly as she licked her lips.
Silence draped the yard. No one was ready to say anything again. I couldn't even say a word. I was totally not prepared for all of these. I wasn't fucking informed.
"I...uh...."
Brody looked at me with a frown and I kept quiet immediately. What was he doing? Did he want to get married to me? It was a relationship contract and not a marriage contract.
"We're happy that you guys did this for us and we want to say thank you."
My heart almost shattered into pieces. Why was he speaking on my behalf? I wasn't happy and I wouldn't thank anyone either. "Brody, can we speak for a moment?" I whispered to him.
"It can wait."
"We were afraid you would be angry," Helen said.
"Of course not." Brod replied and she handed him a box. He opened it for everyone to see and I saw two rings. I stole a glance at him, was he really happy about it or he was pretending?
"Wedding rings," he muttered and the guests cheered.
My lower lip trembled and I looked near tears. "We can't get married today." I said and everyone turned to look at me.
"But why?" Helen asked.
"We wanted an official marriage because we need a marriage license."
Brody's mom cleared her throat. "You don't have to be sad. I've got the minister and everything here." She said.
"Your veil is also here." Diego chirped in.
"Huh...." I and Brody looked at each other uncertainly.
"I love this." Reverend Horton said with a smile.
"Do you mind?" Brody asked as he smiled at me.
I managed to control my anger. "Brody, I'll kill you immediately we get home." I murmured.
Cheers erupted from the guests.
"Congratulations," Helen said and hugged me. "I'm sure you're excited about this. You've always loved Brody, I always saw it in your eyes."
I looked at her and faked a smile. Some of the guests came forward to offer their congratulations.
My dad came out of the house and I went to meet him. "Dad, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"I'm here for your wedding." He answered bluntly.
"Were you aware?"
He chuckled. "Of course, I was."
My heart broke, I didn't expect to be betrayed by the people I loved. "Dad, marriage is a commitment and you shouldn't rush me to get married."
"That's not what 's important." He answered.
"I can't marry him."
"Yes, you will." He replied.
Finally, the reverend came out and asked everyone to stand. It was my turn! All eyes would soon be on me. The flower girl lined the path with white rose petals as the music started. I only took two steps out before my father held my hands. He escorted me down the aisle, which seemed longer than before. He became my strength; without him I would faint. The guests looked at me, taking pictures of my dress, waving at me, smiling- one thing was for sure, though… no one made a sound. Up ahead I saw him, Brody. My future husband.
He stood taller, his shoulders back and his eyes on me. If I wasn’t mistaken I could have sworn tears filled his eyes. No, this was definitely not part of this contract.
At the end of the aisle my father hugged me, said “I ‘m proud of you” and then presented me to my groom. My father placed my hand in Brody's and smiled. As a couple, Brody and I stood in front of the priest. Before my father walked away, he patted Brody on the shoulder. That was his way of welcoming him into the family.
The priest began. "Brody and Karen, today you are surrounded by your friends and family, all of whom have gathered here to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Today, as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great; and now falls upon your shoulders the task of choosing your values and making real your dreams. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life."
"Brody, I'm not comfortable doing this." I whispered to him.
"We have to pretend." He replied gently.
Diego watched us, his eyes shining with happiness. "I, Brody, take thee, Karen...."
"To have and to hold..... from this day forward.....as long.....as we both live."
Reverend Horton smiled at us. "This is where you kiss the before," he advised us.
And to the happiness and cheers of everyone, Brody kissed me deeply.