Cat In A White Tie And Tails

“Maybe that they’re two independent people, not an extension of family druthers and pressure. Maybe they just want to make their commitment fun and impromptu before making it official and solemn back home,” Temple finished. “Quit sweating the small stuff.”

“Temple, marriage is a serious step, a sacrament in my church—”

“Take it from a fallen-away UU. These two adults have been through the mill and know what they want … and that’s no family interference, including yours. Although I think your approval and participation would mean a lot to your mother.”

Matt sat back and almost squished Louie, who’d again lofted up during their discussion.

Louie yelped and gave Matt a claws-in bat on the arm to emphasize Temple’s points before jumping down and stalking away again.

Matt leaned back into the soft cushion. “You’re right. I’m freaking. I’m trying to force my concerns on people who’ve been through enough already. I’m really relieved, Temple. My biological parents are much better off apart. So. What can we do to show Mom and Philip a wild and crazy Las Vegas time?”

“That’s better.” Temple smiled and cuddled into his opening arms. The consultation had become a billing and cooing session, as if they were discussing their own wedding arrangements.

“I don’t know,” she said, “what I’d do if my parents were single and embarking on matrimony on my watch. I’d probably freak too. What you will do is calm down and collect the happy couple from the airport. PR whiz here will handle the rest.”

“You’re thinking of having it here at the Lovers’ Knot Chapel?” he asked.

“Perfect. They’ll have that impulsive Vegas feeling, but well in hand. We are talking about folks in their fifties.”

“Who are acting like impulsive kids.”

“When you think about it, they’re being super smart. They don’t need all the family drama and angst. They need to show up back home, decision made, deed done, and get on with their lives.”

“My family was actually upset when Mom called off the marriage,” Matt pointed out, “but the ‘deed’ isn’t done if it’s not performed at a Catholic church.”

“The families will grouse that it wasn’t held at St. Stan’s Cathedral, but older people don’t care for all that pomp and circumstance anyway. A lot of people don’t nowadays, given the economy. There’s a reason so many people get married in Las Vegas. Isn’t there some way they can get the Church to bless their union?”

Matt thought hard for a few moments. “Yes, actually. They could arrange a private marriage with the parish priest afterwards. They’ll have had the honeymoon first, but I was marrying couples who’d lived together and got separate residences three months before the ceremony back when I was still officiating.” Matt got a funny look on his face. “Do you suppose this … tomorrow night, would be their first, uh, time? You know. Together.”

“You are blushing. Probably. From what you’ve told me, they’re both devout rules followers. This whole trip is only because your Mom really wants you there.”

“Why? To okay her … living in sin for a few days?”

“No! To okay her making a good choice for her life going forward … and maybe … to okay your ‘living in sin.’ What is that about, Matt, really? Where’s the sin if labeling people makes a hell of her life and yours? I say the shame is in the labeling.”

Matt was silent for a moment. “Okay. What do we need?”

“While you’re picking and dropping tonight, I’ll alert Van von Rhine at the Phoenix and get Electra on the case here. The only thing that would thrill Electra more would be marrying you and me. First thing in the morning, eight A.M. sharp, we whisk them to the LV Marriage Bureau. They show ID, sign the paperwork, pay a sixty-dollar fee, and they are ready to commit matrimony.”

“You’ve got this routine down.” Matt raised an eyebrow, then ended organizational matters for the time being with a definitely living-in-sin kiss. “How long have you had designs on me?”

He was kidding, but Temple felt her cheeks warm. “Longer than even I knew.”

Well, that called for another pause in the proceedings.

Temple explained herself. “It’s part of my job to know how things work in this town. Also, we did talk about doing a civil marriage before a church wedding, once upon a time.”

“Doesn’t seem so long ago,” Matt said. “Maybe we should do that now, make it a double ceremony.”

Temple produced an expression of mock shock. “Now that your mother is skipping over the fences, our status worries you?”

“Your well-being worries me. If we were married, one way or another, I could forbid you getting involved in events that could kill you.”

“Think again. I bet ‘obey’ is excised from the vows even in church weddings these days.”

“You’re correct,” Matt said, “but I could keep you so busy and distracted that you’d never want to leave home again.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Temple said finally, “but we don’t have time for you to prove your point. Before you collect the bridal couple, let me make sure Electra can do the ceremony.”