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After Peter’s death, Madeline wanted nothing more than to just get on with her life. Todd was worried about her, so he suggested taking some time off work and school to stay with her.
“I’m fine, Todd.” She told him. “In fact, I’m better than before. I have nothing to fear anymore. I just thank God that you were here with me when he came.”
He touched her face, looking sadly at the bruise Peter left behind. “I am too. I know you’re tough, Madeline, but you’ve been through a terrible ordeal and I just want to be sure that you and my baby are ok.” He smiled as he put his hands on her belly. He felt his child moving inside of her and was so thankful that the doctor said everything was fine. “Look at that,” he said “he wants me to take care of you, too.”
Madeline laughed. “what makes you so sure it’s a he?” she joked. “He just might be my baby girl!”
Todd laughed with her. “You’re right, it might. And that’s perfectly fine with me.” he smiled. “Except she’d be daddy’s girl.” He smiled.
Madeline laid her head on his shoulder. “I know you’re worried about me Todd, but really, I’m fine. I just want to forget the whole thing and get on with our lives.” She said, her face in his shirt. “If you ask for time off, you’ll get behind in school and at work… it’s just not necessary, really.”
Todd rocked her back and forth. “Alright, honey, if that’s what you want. But if for any reason you change your mind, promise you’ll tell me.” They kissed. Todd heard Madeline’s stomach growling. He pulled back, laughing. “Are you hungry? When you are living with a chef, you should never be this hungry!”
Madeline giggled. “I’m always hungry lately. I’m so lucky to have a man that cooks.” She grinned.



Todd prepared his special recipe lemon pepper salmon for the two of them. He set their plates and pulled out the chair for Madeline like he did every night. He loved spoiling her. They both started eat.
“Todd, I want to get married this weekend.” Madeline said, very casually in between bites.
Todd nearly choked on his salmon. “Do what?” He said, surprised. “I want to get married. You asked me to marry you, I said yes, we don’t have to wait anymore… so let’s get married.” She said, matter-of-factly.
Todd put his fork down. “But wait a minute,” he said “we don’t have money right now for a wedding. Or a dress, or a cake…” Madeline put down her fork as well. “What, you don’t want to marry me anymore?” She made a jokingly sad face.
Todd laughed. “Of course I want to marry you, I just want to give you a real wedding. I don’t want our life together to start at some courthouse with some random dude telling us we’re married.” His expression got serious.
Madeline reached out and grabbed his hand. “I would love a real wedding, Todd, but I want to marry you more. If we have to do it at the courthouse, so what? At least we’ll be husband and wife before our baby’s born. That’s what I really want.” She squeezed his hand. He rubbed his fingers on hers and sighed. “Ok, if that’s what you want. We’ll get married at the courthouse this weekend.” He leaned over the table and gave her a kiss. “But we’re gonna take an awesome honeymoon… in a few years.” they both laughed.



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Todd went back to work the following evening. In between the lunch and dinner rush he decided to take a break. He took off his hat and had a seat at the bar.
“What can I get for you, Todd?” asked Kimberly, the bartender. He had gotten to know everyone at Londoste really well since working there. It felt good to have real friends. “I’ll just have a ginger ale, Kimberly.” he said, brushing his hair back with his hands.
Kimberly grinned as she pulled out a glass. “What, they won’t let you drink when you’re on shift?”
Todd smiled. “Yeah, I reckon they would, but I never have drank much. Ya’ll don’t want me passing out at the grill.”
They both laughed. “So you don’t drink, you’re the best cook we’ve got, and you go home every night instead of out with the guys.” Kimberly poured his ginger ale and passed it across the bar. “Does your girlfriend know how lucky she is?”
Todd took a sip. “Fiancé,” he corrected “and she’d better!” he joked.
Kimberly smiled at him.. “I’m sure she does. She’s not gonna let you go.” She walked around to the other side of the bar.
Todd sat there, stirring his ice around in his cup. I just wish I could give her more, he thought.
Just then his boss and the owner of the restaurant, Tracy, walked up to the bar. “Hey Todd! You look a little down, what’s up?” She said.
Todd put his cup down. “Eh, my fiancé wants to get married.” Tracy smiled. “Well darn Todd I sure am sorry to hear that.” she said, sarcastically.
Todd laughed. “No that’s not the bad part. She wants to get married before the baby’s born but we just don’t have the cash right now to have a real wedding. I don’t want her to have to settle for a courthouse deal.” he said, sadly.
Tracy listened, then put her hand on her chin, thinking. “You know, Todd,” she said “we do a lot of weddings here, in our event room.”
Todd looked up at her. “I know, and they’re incredible! But I can hardly afford a cake, much less renting this place for a night.” Tracy leaned against the bar. “Well, we don’t have anything booked for Saturday night. How about if I book it for you and you can just owe me one?” She smiled. “You know you need to marry the girl before the baby gets here!”
Todd smiled and looked at her in surprise. “I couldn’t ask you to do that, Tracy…” he started.
She interrupted “You’re not asking, Todd. I’m offering. Just say yes.” She grinned.
Todd was thrilled at her generosity. “Alright, yes! Sounds perfect. She’ll be so friggin happy, Tracy, thank you.” He reached out to hug her. She hugged him back.
“Don’t be lovin’ on me too much, Todd. People will start talkin’.” she joked. They both laughed. This is amazing! Todd thought. This Saturday, I’ll give her the wedding of her dreams, and she’ll finally be my wife.