Chapter 29 Monroe #2
They’d be astonished to learn how charming he can be in his own way as he scrubs at the plates and entertains my mother’s latest story. She talks his ear off and yet he attentively listens, interjecting with smart quips that make her laugh and show how important she is to him.
He fits into my family like we were always meant to be.
It’s crazy when I think about the obstacles that tried to prevent it from happening. From the two of us being together and finding our happy ending.
The loss we suffered almost destroyed us. We spent months apart struggling to grieve and deal with the dangers and threats that were lurking.
So much time wasted when we’ve loved each other all along.
If there’s one thing losing our son has taught me, it’s that you can’t take a single moment for granted. You can’t predict what’s to come or how long you have with a loved one. The people you love might not always be there, and the future you’re looking forward to might never arrive.
Time is that limited; it’s truly that precious.
I love Jin now. He loves me the same. We’re engaged and together and wanting to build our life together.
So… what are we waiting for?
It’s half past nine by the time we gently ease Mom into the idea we’re leaving and we emerge from her townhouse. Jin clutches my hand tight as he walks me down the block to the rental car we’ve parked on the street.
The rest of the neighborhood is quiet and dark, with only streetlights and a few windows glowing in the homes we walk by.
We’re silent ourselves, so full and content that we’re at peace.
There isn’t much to say until Jin stops to open the passenger’s side door for me and I look up at him and utter the most spontaneous words I ever have.
“Let’s get married,” I say simply.
He blinks at me, confusion flickering across his features. “We are getting married. I proposed this afternoon, remember? You were there, Tokki-ya.”
I shake my head, my heart pounding. “Um, I mean... let’s get married now. Tomorrow. This week.”
The confusion remains on his face, and I almost laugh. I know I sound crazy and it’s out of the blue, but sometimes it’s called for. This is absolutely one of those times.
“Jin, I’m tired of waiting,” I say, stepping into him and resting my hands on his chest. “We were talking about a summer wedding anyway, remember? We’ve never wanted anything big or elaborate anyway, and we always wanted my mom to be there.
So why not now? Why not here in Philly? We can finally make it real. ”
He stares down at me, searching my eyes. “Are you serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.
I don’t want to spend another day as Monroe Ross when I could be Monroe Seo.
I don’t want to spend weeks or months planning silly details for a wedding when all that matters is marrying you.
I just want to be your wife and I want you to be my husband.
As soon as possible. While we’re both here together and we have the chance.
Before we lose any more time. Is that crazy? ”
His expression relaxes as his large hand comes up to cup my face. “No, it’s not crazy, Tokki-ya. Time is never guaranteed.”
“I’ve learned that enough times to last me a lifetime. My dad, Eli, our son. Jin, I love you, and I just want to start our life already.”
“I would marry you right now,” he confesses. “On this street in the middle of the night, if there was an officiant who happened to walk by.”
I laugh, then I’m kissing him. I’m rising on tiptoe and he’s bowing his head to meet me halfway as our lips come together. We kiss slowly and sweetly and part only once we’re satisfied, sharing small smiles.
“So we’re doing this?” I ask. “We’re eloping?”
He nods, tracing the curve of my cheek with his thumb. “We’re eloping. Tomorrow.”
We meant what we said when we agreed to elope and get married the next day. Once the sun comes up, we’re sorting out how we’ll go about it.
Thankfully, Mom’s not only supportive, she personally knows the pastor and his wife at the small chapel in the neighborhood.
It’s the same place where my parents got married over thirty years ago. It almost feels serendipitous so many moving pieces would click together in this way, allowing for me and Jin to wed at the same place.
The chapel is modest and private, with wooden pews well-worn from decades of use and stained-glass windows that welcome the sunlight at all hours. The altar is simple but ornate with fresh flowers, and the pastor is more than happy to carve out some time in his morning to officiate our happy union.
Even our attire is nothing fancy or flashy.
Mom wears a church dress with a floral pattern and serves as our only attendee.
Jin’s in a simple white button-down shirt with a tie and some slacks, his messy jet-black hair slightly less unruly for the occasion.
I’ve been lucky enough to dig a summery white dress out of my old bedroom closet at Mom’s house, with thin straps and flowy material that easily translates to bride.
I pick my flowers myself and then add a few to my hair—white gardenias tucked into my tight curls like my own crown.
It’s simple and modest and most importantly, befitting of what we wanted.
Just a small, intimate ceremony where our love and relationship were the focal point.
Jin is waiting for me at the altar, his dark eyes never leaving mine as I walk toward him down the short aisle. Mom’s already crying in the front pew, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief that’ll probably be soaked through before we’ve even reached our vows.
A little smile teases my lips as I hold my bouquet and walk to Jin. My mind runs the gamut of everything we’ve been through together and how hard we’ve fought to make it to this moment.
It feels unreal that we’ve survived what we have. That we’ve come out on the other side and now we’re finally going to be married.
The ceremony itself is short and sweet, exactly what we wanted. The pastor is warm and kind, delivering a sermon and then guiding us through the rest of the ceremony. Soon it’s time for our vows, the pastor offering an encouraging smile as Jin goes first.
He takes my hands in his, once again looking more uncharacteristically nervous than usual.
“Monroe,” he begins, “you brought my cold, black, shriveled heart back to life. Before you, I didn’t know what love was.
I didn’t think I was capable of it. But you showed me that I was wrong—behind the walls I built, I was capable of love.
You not only gave me yours, you trusted me to give you mine.
” He squeezes my hands, his eyes gleaming with warmth.
“I promise to spend every day of the rest of my life loving you, protecting you, cherishing you. You are my heart, Tokki-ya. My little rabbit. My wife.”
My cheeks are wet with the tears that have started sliding down. I have to draw a breath as he finishes his vows and it’s my turn.
“Jin,” I say, giving him a watery smile.
“Honestly? I never thought we’d be here.
When we first met, I was pretty sure you hated me.
You were so cold and intense and terrifying, and I couldn’t figure out why you kept showing up everywhere I went.
” I pause long enough for a small laugh as Jin grins, understanding the references.
“But then I realized that your obsession was your form of love.
It was how you expressed yourself before you knew other ways.
“Since then, you’ve grown so much. We’re learned so much from each other.
You’ve made me braver. You’ve made me feel so loved for a man who claimed he didn’t know how.
” I squeeze his hands back like he had mine, my heart overflowing.
“I know you’d walk to the ends of the earth just to make me happy.
You’d do anything for me. Literally. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life as Mrs. Seo. ”
The pastor smiles, his eyes a little misty too, and pronounces us husband and wife.
Jin wastes no time drawing me into his arms and pressing his lips to mine in a happy, celebratory kiss. We take our time as Mom’s sobs get significantly louder and she blows her nose. The pastor and his wife (who’s snuck into the room through a side door) applaud.
My eyes flit up to connect with Jin’s once we’ve drawn back, and I find myself reflected in his dark gaze. I see the incredible look of wonder on his face as he holds me close and stares at me as if he can’t believe it’s happened.
We’re married.
Rarely one to be flashy, I’m surprised when Jin insists on staying at the Bellamy Hotel—and not in one of the regular rooms either.
Jin books us a stay in what’s known as the king suite, the most luxurious accommodations the hotel has to offer. Considering the Bellamy is already the nicest hotel in Philly, it’s a little crazy.
But I know not to argue as my husband carries me over the threshold into our huge suite and my eyes round drinking in the fancy furnishings. We’re on the top floor of the five-star hotel, which means huge windows and panoramic views. It means plush furniture and champagne on ice.
There’s the ginormous bed that could easily fit four adults and the fireplace that looks cool but won’t be seeing any action in a warm month like June. Complimentary robes and slippers are ready by the closet, and I’m pretty sure I get a glimpse of a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom when I glance over.
So many amenities and so much luxury, yet Jin and I couldn’t pay it less attention. We’re in such high spirits, still reeling from our marriage today, we’re much more focused on each other.
I’m laughing as Jin finally sets me down and I kick off my heels. I wiggle my freed feet against the soft carpet and bask in how good it feels to be barefoot again.
“I still can’t believe you stepped on my toes,” I say. “Twice. During one dance.”
The incident happened after our nuptials, when we’d gone to the courtyard outside the chapel and shared in our first dance as husband and wife.