Run To You

Chapter 30

"Kirstie," I sigh, and she looks at me.
"I do not want to."
"Why not?"
"Those are the devil's creatures!" she squealed as I pulled her towards the insect house. She, being as small as she is, couldn't resist, and had to come in. She stood in front of me, and I rested my hands on her waist.
"Attention zoo patrons. It seems that an animal has gotten loose. Please stay exactly where you are so we can locate it."
Kirstie turned around and glared at me. "Guess where we could have been."
"Where, baby?"
"Looking at the elephants! But now we're trapped in here!"
"I'm sorry, baby," I take ahold of her hands, and she looks down. She moves closer and tucks her head under my chin. I move my hands to her waist, and she wraps her arms around my torso. She sighs in the dank room, and the people around us shuffle their feet. Small talk between families and couples is made, but I continue to hold Kirstie, keeping her sane in a room filled with her worst nightmare. The intercom tells us we can leave. I grip onto her hand and we go to see the elephants.
"Do they have African or Asian?"
"Asian I think," I veer off the concrete and look at the signs. I nod, as there are Asian elephants, and we go the path to see them. We reach a small cove like place where it's just me and her. The elephants, one mom and two babies, eat and splash the water of their waterfall. Kirstie smiles at them, and I kiss her forehead softly.
"I want one," she murmured, and giggled.
"Okay, my beloved, let's go get you one," I smile at her, and she looks at me funny. I take hand and we make way to the gift shop. We see a photo booth and hop in. We choose a cute polka dot background. The first picture is us smiling. The second, I place a kiss on her cheek and she giggles. The third, we both super frown (Kirstie tried, at least), and the fourth, I grab the sides of her face and kiss her gently. The camera clicked, and I pulled away. Her cheeks have a slight blush, and I wouldn't be surprised if I had one too. We retrieved our pictures and went to the gift shop. I get her a plushie of an Asian Elephant. I showed it to her m, and she "Aw"-ed and gave me a big hug. We checked out and I went to pull up the car. Kirstie hops into the passenger's seat, and we drive back to the hotel. She grabbed my hand and pulled me down a hallway.
"I do not want to go out with them tonight!" she whispered. I open the door to the staircase and guide her to our floor. I smuggle us to our bedroom, and let Kirstie fall beside me on the bed.
"Will you marry me?" I break the silence.
"What? Is this a proposal?"
"No, but I guess it could be a promise. I have this ring," I stand up and go to my suitcase, "that my grandma said that any girl that gets to wear it is the girl you must marry. I guess since I want to marry you, I should tie you in."
"How romantic."
I roll my eyes. "Kirstie, will you marry me someday."
She opens her mouth to speak. "We don't have to get married right now. We can get married in ten years for all I care. I want you to promise that you'll always be by my side. This ring says that I love you with my whole heart and I need you by my side until I die. Kirstie, will you marry me?"
Tears have been rolling down her cheeks, "Yes!"
I take her in my arms and spin her around. She giggles, and I set her down.
"Let's do it right now," Kirstie holds my hand.
"What?"
"Let's elope. Let's get the boys and Tori and go to a courthouse and elope."
"Are you sure?"
"I still want a big wedding. I just want to be married to you. Right now. Please?"
"Let's get them," I pull her out of our bedroom, and we go to Scott and Mitch's room first. Scott opens the door.
"We're eloping, and we need witnesses. Would you two do the honors?" Kirstie smiled.
"Are you sure?" Scott cocked his head to the side.
"We got kinda sorta engaged, and I said 'Let's elope'!" Kirstie replied.
"Okay," Scott grinned at us, and I pulled Mitch out the door. The four of us laugh and skip to Kevin and Tori's door. The open it, wearing matching sweaters. Kirstie giggles, and they do too.
"Would you do me the honor of being my best man?" I smile.
"When?" he furrows his brow, but a grin stays on his lips.
"Right now," I say, and the couple looks at each other. They shrug, and come with us.
"Esther and Ben and Ryan," Kirstie directs us to their room. We knock on the three doors and they all come out at the same time.
"Would you like to help us get married right now?" I smirk goofily at them.
"Sure," they say, and Kirstie turns to Esther.
"Would you be my maid of honor?" Kirstie hugged her. Tears streaming down her cheeks, Esther nodded.
We all file into cars. Me, Kirstie, Tori, Kevin, Scott, and Mitch in Kevin's mini van, and the others in Kirstie's Prius. We drive to the courthouse in anxious await to get married.