"How was the Morning Show with Angie and Adam?" Rapunzel asks.
She throws her head back, laughing, and flops backward on the bed, then she flips onto her tummy, hangs her head, and tries to lower her voice so I can't hear her. "Ok, ok. Yes, it was great. Best sex I've ever had. Your Bubba is the bomb."
She laughs again at something Cathy says, "I knew they would love you!"
Then she looks back over her shoulder and winks at me. "Cathy, d'Artagnan wants to get married before his birthday. I know, right? I told him that was insane, but he's insisting."
She hangs her head again, relaxes, chatting with her best friend, and says, "You'll have to handle the publicity alone. I'll call Jeri and let her know what's going on. She can fill in for me at the boutique."
She rolls onto her back and says, "Yeah, it's a fairytale romance, alright."
I place the call to Bobby's Bridal. When it goes to voice mail, I say, "This is d'Artagnan Dugan calling for an appointment."
The line clicks, and a man answers, "Mr. Dugan, this is Bobby Barnes. How may I help you?"
"My fiancée and I would like an appointment to discuss handling our wedding arrangements."
"I'm honored you have called me. This will be the wedding of the year! I was at the auction last night. I will be happy to help you. My next appointment is…."
I interrupt him. "Mr. Barnes, we have two weeks."
There is silence on the phone, and I look up to see Rapunzel watching me. She whispers, "You gave him a heart attack!"
"Mr. Barnes?"
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry. Please call me Bobby and get here as soon as you can." The line goes dead.
Rapunzel slides off the bed and shuffles over to me in her bunny slippers. She sits back down across from me and says, "Why don't we elope?"
I'm too stunned to say anything. Then I start laughing, and her beautiful dark full eyebrows meet in the middle. "What are you laughing about? I'm serious."
"And disappoint the entire town?" I grin. "Don't forget, babe. This wedding is open to the public."
So, she continues, "We don't have to tell anyone we eloped. A wedding is just the celebration ceremony of matrimony anyway, and once we satisfy the legal obligation, we can take our time and plan the wedding of the year."
I stare at her.
So, she keeps justifying her rationale. "We can go to Vegas, get married, and return in less than twelve hours."
I reach across the table for her hand. When she sets hers in mine, I tell her, "You are truly perfect."
She smiles and says, "I'll get dressed. Bobby is expecting us."
Zella
After a quick shower, I slip into a light sweater and skirt with matching heels. When I exit the bathroom, d'Artagnan asks, "I hope you don't mind. I scrambled some eggs for breakfast. I saved you some."
"Thanks, but coffee is my breakfast, and I don't mind." I look around my apartment. He has taken his clothes out of his duffle bag, stretched a clothesline from the window to the door, and hung them on it. "I'm glad you made yourself at home."
He chuckles as he eats my eggs. "Home is where you hang your hat." Then he sees me and says, "You have beautiful legs."
I smirk, pleased with the compliment. "Thanks."
We pass Mrs. Petersen and her dog coming up from their morning walk when we leave the apartment. The dog strains against his leash, trying to rush us, wagging his tail, but she keeps him away. When we pass her, she eyes d'Artagnan and says, "I hope you two sleep tonight."
I blush a bright scarlet red, but he just laughs and says, "You know, if you turn on your television, your ears will focus on that sound instead."
"Hmm." She nods. "I'll try that."
