54. Sean
SEAN
L owri and I are standing in the Athena’s VIP driveway, waiting for Justin to pick us up in the limo.
She’s beautiful as always. Her burgundy business suit and cream, cowl-neck, satin blouse show off the confident lawyer that she is.
While she’s busy checking emails on her phone, I’m straightening my shirt cuffs.
It’s a habit I picked up from my dad and has become a pet peeve of mine.
The cuffs look best when they have three-fourths of an inch showing past my jacket sleeves.
When my fingers brush across Dad’s cufflinks, it reminds me of his strength and his belief in me. That reminder is reassuring today.
The last few days have gone by in a blur. Lowri has been catching up on her work while I’ve been busy in my office. As far as she knows, I was way behind on hotel and casino business due to the murder investigation. While somewhat true, I’ve been busy with plans for today as well.
When we found her tied up, bruised, and in pain, I was both relieved and horrified. Her life was put at risk because of me and my hotel. If she had been killed, I’d have been devastated. Given a second chance, I was determined to get this right, so I called my lawyer first and then Evan.
As we climb into the back of the limo, Lowri says, “I thought we needed to wait two more months for the annulment. What changed?”
“My lawyer did more research. He learned that the judge can issue an annulment that takes effect on a future date. That makes our case a little different than the norm, so the judge insisted on a hearing. He had an opening on his calendar today, so my lawyer grabbed it.”
“But what about the Athena? I don’t want you to lose it.”
“I won’t. If we stay together until the official date, then I won’t lose the hotel.”
“Okay. Let’s get this over with then.”
My lawyer is waiting for us in the courthouse lobby. “Hello, Sean. Ms. Upton, I’m Gabe Santini. It’s a pleasure to meet you. The judge is expecting us.”
We enter the judge’s empty courtroom. His clerk is there to greet us. “The judge will see you in his chambers. Please follow me.”
“What’s the deal? Why isn’t the hearing in the courtroom?” Lowri asks.
“I requested privacy, if possible. Ideally, we’ll avoid the tabloids catching wind of our situation.”
“Thanks for that.”
We walk through a door at the back left side of the courtroom and enter a beautiful office with dark wood paneling and walls of books. A black-robed man sits behind a massive desk.
We stand before the desk, and our lawyer says, “Good afternoon, your honor. I’m Gabe Santini, here on behalf of Mr. Cartwright and Ms. Upton. They are seeking to annul their marriage.”
The judge nods, saying, “I have a few questions for the parties. According to the papers that were filed, you two did not intend to be married. Ms. Upton, is that accurate?”
“That’s correct, your honor,” Lowri says in her all-business, lawyerly voice. I’m not sure why that turns me on, but it does.
“Then how did you end up married?”
“We participated in an event to set a world record for the most wedding photos of couples taken at the same place on the same night,” Lowri explains.
“So, you were aware that you were having wedding photos taken?”
“Yes, sir. But we didn’t realize that they were real wedding photos. We thought everyone was dressing up for fake wedding photos.”
“Then why is there a copy of your signed marriage license in the record? Do you deny signing it?”
“No, sir. We didn’t read what we signed.”
“Ms. Upton. Aren’t you an attorney?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Mr. Cartwright, you’re an extremely successful businessman. Don’t you typically read what you sign?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then please explain how you didn’t know you were getting married.”
“We were drunk, your honor,” I say.
“I see. But I’m confused by one of the other requests in your filing. It says you do not wish the annulment to take place today. Instead, you want it to be effective seventy days from now. Why? Most couples who seek to end a marriage want out immediately.”
“You see, due to an unusual clause in a trust agreement, Mr. Cartwright will lose the Athena unless we stay married another seventy days.”
“Are you okay with that? Is he compensating you for delaying the annulment?”
“I’m fine with it. And, of course, he’s not paying me, your honor. He’s a wonderful person. I don’t want him to lose his legacy from his father because we drank copious amounts of alcohol one night and took a reckless chance. That wouldn’t be fair.”
“Mr. Cartwright, you are one lucky man. I don’t know that I would have let you off the hook this easily.”
“I know, your honor.”
“Have you exchanged anything of value during your marriage? Any personal property?”
“Only our wedding rings,” I say.
“Sean paid for both of them.”
“Do you have them with you?
I pull mine from my pocket, and Lowri removes hers from the chain she wears around her neck.
“Please place them on the desk. We’ll have them placed in trust until the annulment becomes effective. At that time, they will be returned to Mr. Cartwright.”
I watch Lowri gently run her thumb over the diamond one last time before setting it on the edge of the desk next to mine.
“Do you wish to say anything to each other before we proceed? Ms. Upton, ladies first.”
“Sean, I never intended to marry anyone, but the last weeks with you will be wonderfully ingrained in my memory forever. Thank you.”
“Mr. Cartwright. Would you like to say anything?”
“Lowri, I don’t know where to start. When Evan told me you were on your way to help me plan a party for Cassie, all I could think about was how fantastic it would be to see you again.
Then when I set eyes on you in the bar, you were better than any memory.
This strange journey is one neither of us planned.
You know that relationships have always been a hard no for me.
But these last few weeks have had me questioning that.
I’ve wondered if a special relationship might be worth the risk.
The idea of you leaving made me wish marriage was meant for me because the thought of you going back to San Diego is upsetting. ”
Lowri reaches for my hands, her eyes moist with unshed tears. “Oh, Sean. That’s so sweet. I’ve had some of those same thoughts, so I understand. I’m going to miss you too.”
Squeezing her hands, I continue, “When I saw you tied up in that tree, I wanted to make sure no one ever has the chance to hurt you again. I knew then that losing you would be painful.”
I reach for Lowri’s ring on the desk and kneel. “That’s when I could no longer deny my feelings for you. I want to work with you, protect you, and cherish you every day for the rest of our lives. I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me for real today?”
Her hands fly to cover her mouth as tears stream down her cheeks. “Are you serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you too.”
I put the ring back on her finger where it belongs and stand, pulling her into a tight hug.
“Your honor, we’d like to get married,” I say.
“To be clear, you are already married. I’d be happy to preside over a renewal of your vows if you would like.”
“Yes, we would like,” Lowri says as Cassie and Evan burst through a side door, followed by a guy playing the violin, a photographer, and someone pushing a cart covered in miniature cupcakes with white icing and topped with tiny lilac rosebuds.
Cassie runs to hug Lowri, handing her a bouquet of white roses, as Evan slaps me on the back with one hand, shaking mine with the other.
“Oh my god! You had this all planned. How did you know I would say yes?”
“I didn’t. I just hoped you would be willing to take another chance on us and stay married to me.”
“I knew it was odd to have an annulment hearing. Your honor, you were in on this too, weren’t you?”
“It’s rare that I’m able to help a couple turn a separation into a happy occasion, so I went along with the plan.”
With a quick pounding of his gavel to begin the impromptu ceremony, the judge says, “Mr. Cartwright and Ms. Upton, you both appear sober. That means an annulment will not be an option after today. Do you understand?”
We both nod.
“Then let’s get started.”
The violinist plays softly in the background as we exchange vows, meaning every word this time.
Once the judge says, “You may kiss your wife,” I take her in my arms and press my lips to hers.
When we come up for air, Cassie insists that Lowri and I feed each other the champagne cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.
I’m careful not to smash it into Lowri’s face.
That wouldn’t be her style, but I have other ideas for the sinfully delicious frosting when we’re alone later. Hopefully, there will be leftovers.
Lowri looks at me, grinning, as if she can read my dirty mind and likes what I’m thinking.
As we’re about to leave the judge’s chambers, Evan says, “Cassie and I have a surprise wedding present for you. My royal jet is waiting to take you to France for your honeymoon. Walter and Jenny packed your bags and put them in the limo. Your driver knows to take you to the airport.”
“Really?” Lowri asks.
Cassie nods.
“Thanks, man. I mentioned taking Lowri to France for a honeymoon, but I didn’t want to jinx the proposal by preplanning the trip.”
“That’s why we did it for you. Now take off. Enjoy,” Evan says.
“Can we take cupcakes with us?” Lowri asks.
“There’s a boxful in your limo,” Cassie says.
Yet another reason Lowri is perfect. We’re both thinking of cupcakes.