Midnight Masquerade

Chapter 19: Finally a Family

June 1:

Age 21

Adriana:

"By the power vested in me by the city of Washington District of Columbia, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Travis doesn't wait another minute before wrapping me in his arms and kissing me fervently.

"Dada." Athena smiles. Travis pulls back grinning picking her up from Calliope's arms. The Nordstroms and the Grimms met us here to be a part of today.

"Hi precious," He kisses the top of her head where her almost blonde hair is a bit curly, we were both surprised at that because neither of her biological parents are blonde. Maybe it will darken? Hopefully not, but it's a possibility.

"Thanks for coming out." I tell Caleb and Calliope. "It means a lot."

"What kind of stand in parents would we be if we missed the wedding?" Calliope jokes as I give them both a hug as Travis talks to the Grimms.

"Now that's not a toy Sweetheart." The judge says, he's an older man, maybe about 60 or 70. "Aren't you a funny little rascal." I turn to see her pulling on his glasses chain.

"Athena," I begin walking over to take her from the poor judge he holds out his hand to stop me.

"She's fine, I happen to have a few grandchildren of my own." I smile appreciatively at him before turning to Tarek and Hannah. Travis takes my hand pulling me to his side wrapping his arm around me.

"Thank you so much for everything." I tell them giving them both hugs. "And thank you for watching Athena these past few years. It can't have been easy. She's quite a handful."

"She's darling." Hannah says, "A little angel."

"Now don't you two have a flight to catch?" Calliope asks.

"Yeah." I answer. "Thank you for that too."

"Athena will be in good hands." Caleb promises taking her from the judge. She immediately clings onto his necktie putting it into her mouth with a grin.

"Athena," I sigh.

"I've got hundreds," Caleb says with a smile, "Now go catch your flight."

"Come here sweetheart." I take Athena from Caleb pulling her into a hug. "I've never left her for more than a few hours."

"This will be good for you then." Tarek says. "She'll be fine."

"Okay." I press a kiss to the top of her head Travis takes her from me and says goodbye. "I love you beautiful."

"Daddy loves you princess." He tells her softly kissing her head as she rests it against his chest to sleep. Caleb picks her up and nods for us to go. Travis takes my hand and walks toward the judge. "Thank you so much for doing this for us."

"I'm glad to have been able to. No big white wedding for you two?"

"Caleb, Calliope, Tarek, and Hannah offered, but I thought this would be nicer." I admit, "Just family." I look back at the rest of my family and smile, "Thanks so much for doing it on such short notice."

He smiles and ushers us out. Travis opens my door for me and drives us to the airport where we check in.

The flight is peaceful in first class.

"Two of your best champagnes." Travis says to the flight attendant when he comes to take our order. "Thanks." The attendant leaves and Travis kisses the top of my head as I lean my head on his shoulder closing my eyes. "I love you."