Monday, October 10, 2016

The Rights of Ham and Civil Matrimony

Sunday Night

A Douglas family thanksgiving in the home of Cedar Point's most beloved Mayor

Shirley Douglas opens her door to welcome in her yearly Thanksgiving dinner guests plus one more new family member this year. Her little dog Coco barks up a storm around everyone's ankles and Shirley ushers the family while trying to shush the animal "Shhh Coco. Let them in now...." After a minute she scoops the dog up under one arm and steps back "Coats to the back closet, shoes off.....come on out of the rain." It's a grey day with an ongoing chilly mist of light rain on the West Coast. The warmth of the fireplace glows from the living room and the aromas of food from the kitchen wrap themselves around guests like a welcome blanket. Shirley is not a turkey lover so baking in her oven are a juicy ham, roasted Brussels sprouts with pecans and pearl onions and and a big bubbling pan of her famous scalloped potatoes.

Adum Brate walks in with Megan. He feels a little anxious. His secret hope is to some day marry into this family, but the idea had made Megan so anxious that he'd told her long ago that SHE would have to ask HIM to get married. Now they'd been together for about seven months without tiring of each other, as her sister Tams had expected he would of her sister. Megan was even now running her own business on Alexandra Island and Adum was immensely proud of her. He steps in and looks down at the tiny woman and smiles. "Mayor Douglas." granted, he is smiling, but he realizes that he is being far too formal, as he had been with Jack while he was in the hospital so long ago. "Shirley?" he tries to correct himself and realizes just how nervous he is. He inhales and the smell of food fills his nostrils. "God ...." he had not eaten today for exactly this reason and was now glad he hadn't.

Shirley giggles at Adum's fumbling and pats him on the arm as she looks at Megan "I like this one. He's cute AND polite." She turns her head to look up at Adum "Shirley is just fine dear. Have a seat by the fire."

Tams had been walking in behind Adum with the usual stony expression she reserved for him but couldn't help but laugh at the situation. She slid out of her shoes and then took a pie into the kitchen, her laughter still audible through the swinging door.

Jack slapped Adum on the back and teased "Big tough police chief eh? Go sit. I'll find us some beer."

Megan grinned at Adum as he fumbled with her great aunt. He was so adorable when he had these moments. She heard her sister laugh and raised a brow. Wonders never ceased. As they moved towards the living room and she figured no one was watching she sidled by Adum and quickly pinched his ass before whispering "You're hot when you're shy."


 Adum toes out of his shoes and walks inside blushing. He heads in to sit by the fire. "Yea. Well. I'm tougher on duty?" but he laughs at himself, glances over his shoulder at Tams a bit in surprise, and pulls away when Megan pinches his ass. "Hey." he stage whispers. "Be good." he chuckles and sits near the fire, pulling Megan into his lap and kisses her cheek.


Shirley took Coco to the back door and put her out on a chain. She barked incessantly for a full 2 minutes and then got quiet having found a way to tip the garbage bin over outside. It was quiet out there now...too quiet, and a small dog's heaven. Meanwhile Shirley came back in and went into the kitchen, returning with both Tamela and some hot apple cider. Behind them, Jack had a beer in each hand for he and Adum.

He passed Adum a beer and went to sink into the couch "Watch the game yesterday? I thought the Lions were coming back finally but no such luck."

Megan had leaned into the kiss with a huge grin and now shook her head at her Dad "Sorry Dad...it's hockey with Adum." She stays in his lap, not caring that the family is filing into the room.

Tamela offers Megan a cup of cider after Shirley passed her two of them. She extends the conversation to Adum "I'd pass you one but you already have a drink. I make this every fall though from Okanagan apples. Gives me something to drink and offer on holidays that's not booze."

Megan smiles and accepts the cup "And it's delicious. Thanks Tams."

Shirley sips a cider of her own and raises her cup "To family. I am thankful for you all."


Adum takes the beer. "Thanks" and sips as he is asked about the Lions and then Megan corrects him. "Yea, mostly hockey but the guy who owns the local tavern is a Chicago Cubs fan. Baseball. If they will it'll be the first time in over a hundred years. He may make a one man riot." he chuckles and looks over at Tams, setting down his beer and stealing a sip of cider from Megan. "It IS good." he pauses. "You don't drink?" he can't remember for love or money, but remembers well how drunk he was between Alison and after. He relinquishes Megan's drink and picks up his beer. "To family." and he toasts and sips again, not actually including himself in 'family'.


Jack toasts too and then chuckles at Adum's story about his baseball friend before he sips his beer and looks apologetically at Tams "Sorry."

Tamela shakes her head at her father "It's been long enough. I can handle it." She sits down beside her father on the couch and divulges more to Adum than she's spoken to him in words the whole time he and Megan have been together "After Eryn died I had a problem so I started going to AA meetings. So now it's cider and pop for me."

Shirley quietly nods along, supporting her niece.

Megan encourages Tams "You've done amazing. I know it was hard. I can take it or leave it with booze so I'll drink pop with you anytime you know...and this...." She kisses the mug "This is the nectar of the heavens."

Adum listens to Tams, glad they seem capable to get along. "Yea ... I had problems when Alison and I split ... shit with her son." he shrugs. "Then I quit for a long time. Now ... a beer once every six months and I'm set." he realizes he hasn't had a beer in a LONG time. "But when Alison died ... not so much." he shrugs. "I know. I'm an ass."


Everyone in the Douglas family suddenly just looks at Jack, since Alison's attack on him was their last real memory of her alive.

Jack was listening of course but when all eyes turned to him he smiled uncomfortably and then tried to deflect the attention by joking back to Adum "Sometimes it's like the song says man "She ain't pretty she just looks that way."

Adum picks up his beer at Jacks words. "Amen, man." and he sips.

Shirley tilts her head to one side listening for Coco outside "Goodness she's awfully quiet...Megan would you go check on her out there dear?"

Megan pushes herself off Adum and stands "Sure Aunt Shirley." She walks to the back and steps into her undone runners and opens the door "Coco....Coco?" The door clicks shut behind her as she walks further into the yard and then you can hear her exclaim "Holy shit Coco! Aww...why?"

Tams winces "The garbage again.....fuck. I'll go get the rake and help her." She follows her sister's path and there's the sound of a shed door being opened and the muffled voices of the sisters sounding irritated as they grab tools.

Jack chuckles "You need a shorter chain Auntie. I'll get them some garbage bags."

Shirley just sighs and then looks at Adum "She's spread it all down the driveway no doubt, ripped all the bags open."

Adum watches everyone go off on the Coco clean up and looks at Shirley. "I'm glad we're just cat collectors?"

Shirlely laughs "A cat person. That's why Megan loves you so much. Well now there's two in the family at least." She sips her cider and then asks "You eat ham right? We're not turkey people."

Adum chuckles. "Yes, ma'am." he confirms. "We have two now, but Megan will probably bring more home. My father had eight at one point." he nods. "I'm kind of a food man. Not too many foods I won't at least try. I find turkey kind of dry."

Megan, Tams and Jack come back in looking exasperated with Coco. Coco looks like it's all been a grand adventure and wags her little tail with a happy pant as Jack carries her in "Where's the bad doggie pen?" he jokes.

Megan shudders "I need to wash my hands." she dashes through the hall and up the stairs.

Tamela goes to wash hers in the kitchen and groans.

Shirley wags a finger at Coco "You are too much trouble today. Any other mischief and you will be in your carrying cage Missy. You can put her down Jack. Hopefully she's gotten it out of her system."

Jack follows Tamela to the sink after muttering "Worse than kids."

Shirley laughs "He's right." She looks at Adum with twinkling eyes "You can agree with us after a few babies."

Adum watches all with an amused grin. When its just him and Shirley, he tries and fails to keep the wistful look out of his face and eyes. "Maybe someday..." his tone suggests the couple is at odds on the subject.


Shirley gives a little "Hmmm." but doesn't stay on the topic. As Jack and Tamela emerge from the kitchen she says "I think it should all be ready in there now. Let's get the table laden. You too Adum. I hear you know your way around a kitchen. Come on dear."

Tamela scoffs "He'd have to or he'd starve." Jack laughs in agreement.

Jack and Tams turn back around and head in, taking on various tasks. Shirley turns to Adum and says "Would you carve the ham Adum?"


Adum chuckles at the banter. "I'd love to, Shirley." he doesn't mention that they are right .... they are Megan's family. Who would know better her uselessness in a kitchen. He takes the fork and knife and begins to carve.

Megan comes back in to everyone working in the kitchen and smiles "Oooh how can I help?" Almost in unison her father and sister say "Cutlery." Megan snorts and rolls her eyes and opens the drawer, counting out the pieces now.

Tams walks by Adum and her hand darts in like a ninja, stealing a piece of ham "Shh..." she mutters.

Jack pretends to scold her "I saw that. Just because he's a Douglas noob doesn't mean you can swindle him Tams."

Shirley is taking the potatoes to the table "Is she stealing meat again?"

Adum chuckles when the whole family puts Megan on cutlery duty. He's done that to her and didn't even realize. He smiles being called a Douglas noob and looks at Tams. "My hands are busy. Read yourself your rights and don't do it again." he commands.


Tamela smirks and shows a side of herself Adum is seeing for the first time "I am under arrest for stealing and eating ham. I understand. I have the right to retain ham without delay. You will provide me with toll free ham. Any ham I don't eat can and will be used in court as evidence. I understand. I would like to speak to a carver."

Megan laughs so hard she almost drops all the cutlery. Jack rolls his eyes and laughs as he takes Brussels sprouts to the table.

((Miranda Rights in Canada in case anyone was wondering: "You are under arrest for _______ (charge), do you understand? You have the right to retain and instruct counsel without delay. We will provide you with a toll-free telephone lawyer referral service, if you do not have your own lawyer. Anything you do say can and will be used in court as evidence. Do you understand? Would you like to speak to a lawyer?" ))

Adum finishes carving the ham and turns to Tams, dead panning. "No carver. The judge sentences you to dinner at the table. You can appeal, but that would need to go to a higher court." he looks at Shirley, his face still looking serious. "All the way to the mayor."

Shirley chuckles "Alright kids, just go sit down." She holds the door open and indicates for Adum to carry the platter in.

Megan and Jack are already seated and scooping potatoes and sprouts onto their plates.

After everyone is seated Shirley closes her eyes and says "Today we thank the creator and the generosity of this land that feeds us." There's no expectation for anyone else to join in, close their eyes or stop moving. she just needs to say it.

Adum picks up the platter heaping with sliced ham ... more or less evenly ... and moves it to the center of the table. He sits near Megan and waits until various dishes are free to fill his own plate.

The scalloped potatoes are famous for a reason, velvety smooth cheese sauce over thinly sliced potatoes and onions with a topping of bread crumbs and extra shredded sharp cheddar, baked to a perfect brown bubbling state. At a certain point there is not talking, only chewing and the occasional "Mmmm." and Oh yeah."

After the plates are empty Shirley smiles, satisfied with the feeding of her guests and asks Adum "Does your family do anything on Monday for the holiday? Your father is well yes?"

Jack sits back and looks at Adum, waiting for his reply too.

Tams turns to Megan and starts her own conversation but related to Adum "Ok, he's funny. I'll give you that one."

Megan beams "Oh he's so much more but I'll spare you those details..."

Tams pretends to put her fingers in her ears "La la la la la.....do not defile the carver in my mind."

Adum thoroughly enjoys the meal and afterward he replies to Shirley. "Dad is in England someplace, accepting another architectural award." he reports. "But when it was still the three of us, we did the whole meal thing. My mother did the cooking and cleaning for three days before hand thing and I'd help. It was nice. Thanksgiving is the major October holiday in Alexandra. No Halloween, you know."


Shirley nods "I have heard that about the island. Strange man your mayor. A little hard to communicate with for my style." Her tone is exceedingly polite and both Jack and Tams snicker a bit, knowing she's holding back.

Megan pouts "I had to move somewhere with no Halloween." She gives Adum a shove "I must REALLY love you Chief Brate." She grins after to let him know she means it.


Adum bites his lip. "Yea ... well ... he's not a huge fan of yours." he understates. "And we're sister cities ... whos bright idea was that?" he looks over at Megan. "I love you too, so if you want to go Trick or Treating, we can come back here ... but after that is Winter Festival ... and I LOVE that. You know I have never had a date for it? So you'd be the first." his eyes shine. Winter is his favorite time of year.

Megan looks lovingly at Adum "We'll work it out and I'll be your date for them all if you'll let me."

Tamela snorts "God you guys...I just barfed a little in my mouth."

Shirley chuckles and shakes her head about the mayor and her family.

Jack points towards the kitchen "Somewhere in there is a pie and we need to eat it.I'm going hunting."

Adum smiles at Megan. "I will definitely let you." he promises. he looks at Tams. "Well, at least you can't deny it now .. can you Tams? She's serious ... and so am I." it was the first time he mentions that she had basically once told Adum that Megan would fuck and forget him in no time.


Tams looks at Adum with a wry smile "Alright Ham Carver. You can stay. Never let her cook and leash her if she drags you to a Harry Potter convention...and don't let her name any of your children Hermione."

Megan protests "It's a nice name from a strong female role model Tams. How can you object? How bout Luna? I always figured her for a lesbian...."

Shirley bursts out laughing as Jack brings in the pumpkin pie pie, dessert plates and forks and looks around suspiciously "What'd I miss?"

Tams points an accusatory finger at her father "Whipped cream!" and then runs into the kitchen for it.

Adum smiles, victorious. Megan protests and he looks at her. "The next two female cats you can name Hermionie and Luna, okay?" heperks at the pie, but also at the mention of whipped cream, but as Tams comes back he is already warning Megan "Hush."

Megan bites her lip and winks at Adum, sliding her foot up his pant leg a bit under the table. When a piece of pie is set in front of her she dollops on the whipped cream without making eye contact with Adum because anything she might say or do is just beyond her unless she reigns it in.

Tamela takes a bite of her pie and asks "Dandelion?" at her father.

Jack nods, eating.

Shirley smiles "I do like that place. Best coffee ever. This is lovely. I think the rain's slowing down." She looks at Adum and Megan "You kids should go for a walk on the beach after dessert. Take Coco with you maybe?"

Adum enjoys but mostly ignores the foot on his leg, not wanting to egg Megan on. He smiles and nods. "Great pie." he agrees and glances up. "We could. You game?" he wonders.

The pie is eaten and Megan had smiled and nodded at Adum when he asked "That would be nice."

The rest of the Douglas folk clear the table and Megan puts on her shoes and coat and takes the leash from her aunt, fastening it to Coco's collar. She's a merry little dog who trots along to the front door and out with Megan.

Adum finishes up and realizes he could use a walk. He gets his shoes and coat on and moves out with Megan. Immediately he puts his arm around her. "Man, this was a hell of a night. Am I crazy or did your sister not act like she wanted me strung up?" he chuckles as they head for the beach.


Megan laughs "Yeah a bit. But that was good in there. She got really silly. She only does that with her best friends...and family...and you are family now Adum. Good thing you can carve a ham." She teases.

Adum smiles as if hes gotten a present he really wanted. "I knew that talent would come in handy." he looks heavenward. "Thanks, Mom." he leans forward and kisses Megan on the cheek. "I love this." they walk a lot in Alexandra .. and he loves doing it. Overall, he is just as happy as a clam.


Megan gives him a little squeeze with her arm that's not holding the dog leash and then says "I love it too. Adum I have to tell you about some crazy thoughts I've been having. It's like the universe just keeps throwing something at me over and over again and I'm having trouble not being affected by it...and now...wanting it..."

Adum watches Coco run ahead a little bit and stop to do ... whatever dogs do. "What's that?" he asks, still distracted by Tams not trying to bust his nuts.


Megan freezes up as if suddenly nervous "Um well I....it seems everywhere I go I'm surrounded by it right now...like they're calling me or inviting me into this little idea.......little being the keyword really....shit...I'm...." She's stammering more than he's probably ever seen her.


Her stammering gets his attention. "What?" he takes her in his arms, looking a bit concerned. "What do you want, Megan? You now I'll give you anything in my power to give." he barely flinched when she and Kitty got the idea for the condom shop. Personally he loved the idea .. professionally he thought maybe he'd get more shit for it than he wound up getting.


Megan's eyes fill with tears, very happy tears and she manages to loud whisper "Adum I want to have a baby with you...and marry you..." She blinks, laughing at herself "Maybe in the other order than I just said. You have no idea how many babies have been like magnetically sucked into my path every day. the way they smell...their big eyes...I just want one!"


Adum looks at her with wide eyes. "Seriously?" he knows how she HAD felt about it. He laughs a little. "I don't care the order ... I mean ... you already know how I feel. I mean ... are you asking me to marry you, Megan?" he wonders and part of him is ready to drag her right back to the house and demand the mayor marry them right there and then.


Megan beams and gives him a little shake "Yes Adum Brate I am asking you to marry me. Will you?"

Adum looks down at her as if she has given him he moon ... which in a way she has. "Hell yes, I'll marry you!" he says emphatically. He looks over his shoulder. "Think your aunt would ....." he shrugs.

Megan giggles "You mean right now? We could ask her. Your Dad's not here though....do you want to..I dunno Skype him in? We don't have any rings..." She just starts laughing now "This is crazy awesome...let's do it."

Adum shrugs and smiles. "My father would honestly not leave his build sites for anything short of the birth of our triplets." he isn't angry, he knows he's loved. "But I can try and call him. And rings .... you pick them out and I will wear mine, I promise." he moves in and kisses her, picking her up in his excitement.

Megan kisses him back so enthusiastically she almost loses hold of Coco when he lifts her up. She grins into the kiss as the leash strains and Coco barks at them. Afterward she steps out of Adam's embrace and grabs his hand "Come on....I want time for the wedding night so let's get to it."

Adum looks down at Coco. "Sorry about that, pup." he apologizes and both he and Coco are half dragged down the street. "Lets go." he agrees.

Megan literally burst in the door and shouts out "We want to get married...right now! Aunt Shirley?"

The Douglas's in the house all peer around the corner of the doorway to the living room, three heads stacked in a column like an episode of Scooby Doo. They reply in vertical ascension, with Jack half grinning "Huh?" followed by Shirley beaming "That would be lovely! I'll print off a license." And Tam's bluntly demanding "Jesus H. Christ, are you prego?"

Adum kneels to get Coco off of her leash and toes off his shoes as the family reacts. He looks at the family. "Megan asked me to marry her, and I said yes." he looks at Tams. "No ... she isn't pregnant." he looks at Megan, actually brightening a bit. "Are you?" he can't imagine how, as he's been drowning in spermicide for months now.


Megan giggles "Not yet." And then just beams at her family and waits. Shirley has gone to her computer now upstairs. Eventually Megan kicks off her shoes and walks to Tam's "Will you be my maid of honour?"

Tams gets over her shock, laughs and hugs her sister, nodding. Then even more shockingly she walks over to Adum and pulls him into a hug while Megan moves to hug Jack.

Adum shakes hands with Jack, glad his soon to be father-in-law isn't getting a shotgun. He turns to look at Megan when Tams hugs him. Reflexively, he hugs her back, then looks at her. "Wow .... this really IS a dream come true." he chuckles.


Tams laughs and lets go from the hug and then swats Adum "I'm only in it for the toll free ham buddy. Don't get all mushy now."

Shirley comes back into the room with a document, a pen and a small black velvet box box "Now this is just a photocopy so we may have to order an official one but it is legally binding in the short term. I have something to lend...or pass on to you kids...if you wish." She opens the box to reveal two simple silver wedding bands. "I've had three marriages so I have a few things like this around, but these were the most modern looking of them all. Albert won't mind. He's dead."

Jack smirks at his aunt's blunt approach.

Megan looks a little taken aback and looks to Adum for his reaction.

Adum chuckles. "Ham for my sister-in-law. Noted.". He looks at the rings and smiles. They are simple and he is a pretty simple guy. He looks at Megan. "Are family heirloom rings okay with you?". He swallows, truly touched. He hadn't known he was that well liked.

Megan smiles, misty eyed and nods and then throws her arms around Shirley "Thank you..."

Shirley hugs Megan back and gives her a pat on the back "Oh don't start crying yet. We haven't even started yet dear."

Megan steps back and wipes at her eyes futilely, tears escaping through her hands "I know...I know.....I'm just....so happy right now."

Jack gets misty now too as he watches Megan. Tams clears her throat and looks forward like she's trying not to be affected.

Adum watches the family with a smile. He takes his phone out of his pocket and sends a text message. Then he moves to slip the phone back in his pocket when it vibrates in his hand. He looks at it and shakes his head as he answers. "I thought you'd be asleep.' he says by way of greeting. "Yea .... She asked me ... and I said yes." he pauses. "Dad ... no .. Dad ...' he sighs and taps a button. From his phone comes the voice of Adam-with-an-a Brates voice. "Megan! About time! I guess prayers CAN be answered!" and Adum blushes.

Megan giggles "Hi Adam. Well mine too...he said yes. My Great Aunt Shirley is marrying us tonight.....right now....do you want to stay on speaker?"

Jack, Tams and Shirley keep quiet but smile at the phone.

Adum glances at the phone in hand, but before his father answers a female voice calls from the background. "No thanks, Megan. It's late here. But I will get to visit as soon as I can. Night Adum Congratulations, son!" and the call cuts off. Adum turns it off with his thumb. "I just hope that one was older than me." he pockets his phone and reaches for Megan's hand. "Ready?" he asks, betraying not an ounce of anxiety.

Megan shrugs and takes his hand, still misty and beaming.

Shirley takes charge now and gets right into it, reading from a page of notes she's printed off as well "Been awhile since I did one of these but I'm honoured." She looks at the couple and then at Tams and Jack "We are gathered here for the union of Megan Isabella Douglas and Adum..." she pauses and looks at Adum "Do you have a middle name dear?"

Jack can't help but chuckle a little. Tamela suppresses a grin and swats at her father.

Adum keeps Megans hands in his and looks at Shirley. "Oh .. right ... Colm." an Irishman through and through.

Megan smiles at him with absolute adoration, like no one else is in the room.

Shirley continues "And Adum Colm Brate. If any persons can show just and sufficient reason why these two persons may not be joined in matrimony, let them now declare reasons, or else from this time forward, keep their peace." She pauses and no one objects so she goes on "I now call upon you both in the presence of these witnesses, to repeat after me. Megan dear you first. I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Megan Douglas, may not be joined in matrimony to Adum Brate."

Megan repeats it word for word, her eyes locked with Adum's.

Shirley then turns to Adum "And now repeat after me please.I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Adum Brate, may not be joined in matrimony to Megan Douglas."

Adum looks into Megans eyes, hearing Shirley just fine, even if he's focused on Megan. "I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Adum Brate, may not be joined in matrimony to Megan Douglas."

Megan sniffs, getting even more emotional. This is actually happening!

Shirley smiles warmly at them both and continues "As no impediment was declared or admitted, I require you to give answers to these questions: Do you Adum, promise to give to this woman the love of your person, the comfort of your companionship, and the patience of your understanding? Will you share with her equally the necessities of life as they may be earned or enjoyed by your self; and to respect the dignity of her own personal rights?"

Adum stares down at Megan. "I do. Absolutely." he intones simply.

Megan inhales looking weepier than ever at Adum's "I do"

Shirley goes on " And do you Megan promise to give to this man the love of your person, the comfort of your companionship, and the patience of your understanding? Will you share with her equally the necessities of life as they may be earned or enjoyed by your self; and to respect the dignity of his own personal rights?"

Megan chokes on a full sob and then after says evenly "I do." with another little sniff.

Jack smiles and watches, misty eyed again and you'd miss it if you blinked but Tam's just wiped away a tear.

Adum sees nothing but Megan. He squeezes her hands in his.

Shirley reads further down the page "Now the last parts to repeat, but they're the good ones I promise." She chuckles and goes on. "Adum repeat after me again please. I call upon these persons present to witness that I Adum do take thee Megan to be my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward in whatever circumstances and experiences life may hold for us."

Adum nods, absently at the sound of Shirley's voice. Clearing his throat, gruffly, he repeats."I call upon these person present to witness that I Adum do take thee Megan to be my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward in whatever circumstances and experiences life may hold for us."

Megan is smiling and crying and squeezes Adum's hands. She knows what comes next and jumps the gun on her aunt "I too call upon these persons present to witness that I Megan do take thee Adum to be my lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward in whatever circumstances and experiences life may hold for us."

Shirley laughs and gets the ring box passing the larger to Megan and the smaller to Adum "Alright let's make this part fast since Megan is so eager. All you have to say in turn is "With this ring I thee wed." Adum you go first or you know what...at the same time is fine too." She winks at Megan.

Jack and Tams both look highly amused.

Megan giggles and poises her ring to go on Adum's finger.

Adum chuckles when Megan jumps the gun and his eyes fill with tears a bit. It was unexpected and he loved it. He takes the ring and positions it on her finger. "With this ring, I thee wed." he says as he slides it on her hand.

Megan pushes the ring onto Adum's finger and then struggles a bit at the knuckle "With this....ring.." she's trying to push it but not be forceful "I thee...."It's stuck for a second and she twists a tiny bit and it slides on "wed! Oh my god..." she bursts out laughing.

Tam's teases them "I was about to get the butter."

Jack cracks up completely.

Shirley lets out a little hoot and laughs heartily "Sorry dears...moving along now that that's sorted. Adum Colm Brate and Megan Isabella Douglas you have consented in marriage, and have declared your solemn intention in this company, before these witnesses and in my presence. You have exchange these rings as the pledge of your love to each other; you have joined your hands to accept one another. Now upon the authority vested in me by the Province of British Columbia, I pronounce you “husband” and “wife”. You can kiss each other."


Adum chuckles. "Too much of my own cooking." he deadpans and then, when they are announced husband and wife, he pulls Megan close and kisses her deeply.


Megan kisses him back and the world falls away around her. There is no living room family dinner, Cedar Point even, just Adam Brate, legally hers for the rest of their days.


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