Loyalty

Chapter 49: Celebrate.

Jessica's POV

"Surprise!" everyone yelled.

I walked into our backyard, seeing all my closest friends and family there. Tables decorated with gorgeous flowers were set up for our guests. There were also tables filled with lots of different food options, each one looking more delicious than the next. There was also a beautiful three-tiered cake and cupcakes from my favorite bakery. The backyard also had Christmas lights and several beautifully decorated trees. All these details were truly a surprise to me. But not everything was a surprise.

Everyone gathered around for what they thought was a surprise Christmas party for me. What they didn't know is, they were the ones getting surprised. I was one of the only ones that knew what Brian was actually planning this whole time.

"Guys... we have something to tell you," Brian announced to our guests.

"This isn't just a party... This is our wedding. Brian and I are getting married today," I told them.

A few days earlier...

My first day in the hospital, the doctors and nurses kept referring to Brian as my husband. I didn't really mind it, but I just didn't understand why they were calling him that. Did they just assume that he was my husband because he was always by my side?

"Hey Brian, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, baby. Ask me anything."

"I know I had a concussion, but the doctors didn't say anything about memory loss. But I don't remember us getting married," I told him.

I feared that maybe the damage to my brain was more significant than the doctors had thought. Maybe Brian and I did get married and I just couldn't remember it.

"No, sweetheart. We didn't get married. We're still engaged. I just told them I was your husband so I could make sure they'd let me see you," Brian explained.

"Oh, okay. Well, that's good, I guess. At least I didn't forget our wedding," I told him. But somehow I was a little disappointed. I really liked him being my husband.

"I'm sorry if I confused you," he said.

"That's okay. I don't mind calling you my husband. It feels natural. I can't wait until we can do it for real," I told him.

"I like being called your husband too. It actually got me thinking..."

"Thinking about what?"

"The moment I got that phone call was terrifying. I feared the worst. I wondered if that argument would be the last thing I said to you. If waking up to you that morning would be the last time I'd hold you. I was so relieved when I found out that you were going to be okay. But I still can't help but feel like we shouldn't wait any longer," he told me, as he grazed his fingers over mine, staring at my engagement ring.

"Baby, I love you so much. And I don't want to wait much longer either. But are you suggesting that we get married right here, right now, in this hospital room?" I asked him.

"Well, Sal is an ordained minister. If we get the paperwork, he could probably marry us right now. But you don't seem so thrilled by that idea."

"Brian, I love you. And I want to marry you. But I just don't want THIS to be our memory when we think back on our wedding day. I don't want to remember this hospital room or the accident."

"That's understandable. It was a silly idea. We should wait until you're ready. I'm sorry if I pressured you," he apologized.

"You don't have to apologize. I agree that we shouldn't wait much longer. So how about a compromise?" I suggested.