The Checkered Life of Erik Cantrell

Chapter Six: Misdirection, Disinformation or Just Plain Fake News AKA The WEEKEND, part three

From the get-go, things went a little wonky. If Erik worried about his own gaffs, he was glad he made a big deal at the Romance Festival. Openly sharing. Then he began to worry. Had someone or someones blabbed about last night's moment? Was his family privy to the ruse? He couldn't think of any other reason many of them came to the house dressed in their formal wear. They were supposed to come casually dressed and change once here. Yet, here they were, the men in dark blue suits and the bridesmaids in their matching dresses, each of a different color, although Erik was aware this was a thing, these days.

In they came, while not only was his Stan on the front porch, taking advantage of the unlocked gate, as he caught a glimpse of her through the window, but he also spied a Paparazzi standing in the street of the cul-de-sac. Consulting her phone! Thankfully, Kayleigh arrived while it was still dark outside. Erik couldn't sleep either, the second night in a row. He let her in and ushered her up to Brianna's suite so she could change.

"Do you think they know? Kayleigh said, as they waited in the foyer for their grand entrance.
"Not likely, unless somebody spread the word last night. I haven't seen anything on my Simstagram. That would explode, I'm certain."
"What do we do? I mean, what if they ask questions?"
"We say our vows, just like we did last night, only kindly leave out the commentary on my mental state, this time, okay? I love you. And by the way you look gorgeous."

The sounds of the Wedding March came from the Grand Piano. Joey, Jr. was busy playing away. The couple drew in a deep breath and walked to the beautifully adorned Wedding Arch.
"No time like the present," Erik said, taking his bride's hands in his. He was clearly nervous. Erik stood as still as a statue. A silent statue, at that. Kayleigh smiled, trying to silently reassure him. Finally, he spoke, "Kayleigh Anne Can — Golden," Erik faltered. "I take thee to be my lawfully wedding wife …" leaning closer to her, "Sorry 'bout that," he whispered.
"Not your only gaffe," she returned, "You forgot to take off your ring," she whispered. Then added, "Gosh, I hope I don't fall to pieces, too." shaking her long golden blonde hair, she gave Erik's hands a little squeeze. "Erik James Gold — Cantrell," she winked. "I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband."

The family began to laugh. Erik hoped they put it all down to nerves. He even fumbled with her ring, to help direct them to that line of thinking. What he really was doing was removing his own ring, and deftly placed it into her palm. And then both he and Kayleigh started to laugh. Almost hysterically. "Ha ha ha — With this ring, I thee wed."
Placing the warm gold ring back onto Erik's hand she said, "With this ring I thee wed."

Leaning in close to her again, Erik whispered, "I love you more today than I did yesterday. You are my life."
"Oh, my sweet, sweet husband, I love you, too."

"I hear there's cake, this time," Erik quietly said. The couple walked over to the banquet table covered in a blue fine-linen cloth to cut the cake. As they each put a bite on their forks and fed each other the first bite, Erik whispered, "And so, my dear children, that's how your mother and I came to be married, twice."
Kayleigh laughed and slapped playfully at his arm. "Sh," she warned.

The hour was late, or very early depending on which way you looked at it. Four o'clock or just after. Erik was wide awake. He had a date. Kayleigh dressed in a casual outfit left the Cantrell House after the families finished celebrating Labor Day. For the second time, the two didn't have a wedding night. This was unacceptable, so Erik concocted yet another plan. This time he hoped things panned out the way it was intended. So far, the only thing they had been successful at was breaking up in public, getting back together in public and then getting married. Twice. He really, really, really felt married, yet it hadn't been consummated. For the longest time, in the chill of the early morning, he waited. No Kayleigh. He stood at the top of the dirt path, watching. Finally, he saw movement.

"There you are, I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it," Erik said, taking her hand. They chatted as he led her away from the path.
"Sorry, I overslept. Then it was hard to get out of the double bunk without Astrid noticing. Mostly she's all over the bed. I had to lift her arm off of me. I tend to have to cliff-hand all night. Sandi is the only one of us who has a bed to herself, the top bunk."
"Here we are, the bridal suite," he said.
"Bridal suite? It's a bush."
"Yes, yes, it is. But I've heard others talk about it."
"Well, what are you waiting for, the sun will be up pretty soon," she said, swatting him on the fanny.
"Oh, okay, yeah." Erik stepped carefully into the odd-shaped green bush that sprouted red flowers.
Kayleigh dove in right after him.

After a time, they decided to come out. After a long time, that is.
"Is the coast clear?" she asked.
"Maybe, I'm not sure," Erik said, popping his head through the branches to have a look.
"Yeah, I think we're safe, come on out," Erik said. Trying to peek over his broad should, Kayleigh also poked her head out.
"Well, that was risky, but fun," she said with a smile.

"I hope you don't mind, but we're going to have to put-off our honeymoon until after Uni," Erik said.
"That's okay. We've had a wedding 'night' and it was worth the wait. I love you, my dear Husband. But no more goofy plans, okay?"
"You've got a deal."