Inception, page 12
part #1 of The Defiants Series
Along with Ryan’s issues at school and Mia acting differently, he also had the proposition of marrying Annie on his mind. It was a no-brainer. Marry the woman, get the government off their backs, and have some semblance of privacy and freedom away from John and his people.
The only reason he slightly pushed back on the idea was the fact that it was his last chance at sticking it to the government. “Living in sin” was the only rule he was currently breaking and technically getting away with. He was still living with Annie, sleeping in the same bed as her, making love to her, and they weren’t officially husband and wife. It was his one way of picking at John, of really grating on the man’s nerves. It was also the only way Charlie felt that he still had some control over his life.
The pain on Annie’s face was haunting. The fear she showed when telling how the man had followed her into the park infuriated Charlie. To make things worse, the man was extremely inappropriate with her, discussing her clothing and calling a pair of leggings a slutty outfit when all she wanted was to be comfortable on her walk.
Under normal circumstances, Charlie would have hunted the man down and taken care of him. With the threat of being taken into custody, though, he had to think twice about any emotion he felt rather than pouring gasoline on a fire that was already raging out of control. Second-guessing his reactions was making him crazy. He was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve.
Thinking about how distraught Annie was over their relationship status made Charlie tense. Despite wanting to get back at the government by not getting married, he thought of Annie’s fear, and it made him willing to give up that last bit of control he had and marry her. If it meant having more privacy, possibly moving down a disciplinary level, and attempting to feel normal, he would do it for her. It was the least he could do after everything he had recently put her through. He loved her. She loved him. It really wasn’t that hard a decision.
The patio door slid open, and Annie sat on the lawn chair beside him, leaning back, looking at the sky he had been admiring all evening.
“What are you thinking about?” Annie patted his leg.
“Several things. At the moment, I’m thinking about how good a beer would taste.”
“Yeah, a glass of wine sure would take the edge off.”
Charlie swung his legs over the edge of the chair and faced her before taking her hand in his. “Will you marry me?”
She looked at him, her eyes widening. “I thought you didn’t—”
“Shh, Annie. Don’t think about anything I’ve said before now. Just forget all of that.” He squeezed her hand. “Will you marry me?” Asking the question was invigorating, and any doubt he had—including doubts about giving in to the last rule he was breaking—dissipated as the words escaped him.
“Of course I will, Charlie.” Her voice shook, and she sat up.
“I don’t have a ring or anything. I’m sorry it couldn’t be more romantic. But I’ve been really thinking about what you said yesterday. A lot of this crap has been happening simply because we’re not married. It shouldn’t be this complicated, and it’s all because of my stubborn pride.”
“Don’t be ashamed of your pride. It’s one of the many reasons I love you.”
“I love you too.” Charlie leaned in and ran his lips over hers. “Tomorrow. At the courthouse. What do you say?”
She laughed, her warm breath tickling his skin. “For once, things seem okay. Tomorrow. I’ll be there.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Yeah, man, we’re getting married at the courthouse today.” Charlie paced, going from his closet to the living room, desperately searching for a nice pair of slacks and a button-up shirt. He had worn the same clothes to the shop for so long that he wasn’t even sure he’d fit into his old dress pants—if he ever found them.
“Why the abrupt decision?” Randy asked.
“I don’t really want to explain it over the phone. Will you come to the courthouse at eight thirty to be our witness?”
“I’d gladly be there, but who’s going to watch the shop? John made it seem like the end of the world if we aren’t there during our posted business hours.”
Charlie gave Annie a thumbs-up as she showed him a pair of black slacks that she’d found in the back of the closet. “Just be there. I’m sure John will be thrilled when he finds out why we didn’t open up. He’s been hounding me since this whole ordeal began. We can make exceptions.”
“Okay, I’ll be there. I hope you’re right.”
“See you soon.” Charlie hung up his phone and tossed it on the bed, eyeing the slacks. “I don’t know, babe. I don’t think I can fit in these. I can’t even remember the last time I put them on. It was likely at my last wedding.” He smiled and held them up.
“I think they’re fine. And if you have to, just wear a nice pair of jeans. You know, a pair that doesn’t have grease stains and holes all over them.”
Charlie put on the slacks, and to his surprise, they fit but were a little snug. Annie finished ironing a pearl-snap shirt, and he put it on, running his fingers over the buttons as he looked at himself in the mirror. He turned, and his heart skipped a beat. Annie had changed into a white dress that accentuated her figure, the skirt stopping just above her knees. The necklace he had bought her last Valentine’s Day rested perfectly against the soft skin on her neck.
“Think this is tasteful enough for the courthouse?” She moved her hips back and forth, brushing her blond hair off her shoulders.
“You look beautiful, Annie.”
“You clean up good yourself, Charlie.” She ran her fingers over his clean-shaven jawline. He had gotten used to a little facial hair, and when she touched his bare skin, it felt weird.
“Let’s go get hitched.” He went into the living room, where Ryan was waiting. He was dressed in a pair of black jeans and a shirt with a collar, his hair fixed almost identical to Charlie’s. “You ready to go?” Charlie asked, sitting down by him on the couch.
“Where are we going?”
“Down to the courthouse. Annie and I are getting married.”
“Married?” Ryan’s eyes lit up. “But how come Annie isn’t in one of those big fancy dresses? And you’re not in a…” He snapped his fingers as if trying to remember the word he was searching for. “You’re not in a t…”
“Tux?” Charlie wondered how Ryan knew what people wore at weddings. He couldn’t recall him ever going to one unless Mia had taken him and hadn’t mentioned it. “It’s just a quick ceremony. We’re basically just swearing an oath and signing papers.” Charlie looked up at Annie. “One day, I’ll give her the ceremony and reception that she deserves. We just don’t have time right now.”
“Charlie, I didn’t think about a marriage license. Do you think we’re going to need one?” Annie sat beside him and Ryan on the couch. “Those things take a while to get, don’t they?”
Charlie reached for his phone and Googled the number for the courthouse. “I guess we can call and ask. I didn’t think about it either.” He put the phone on speaker and set it on the table. If the new administration wanted people to get married, maybe they would make the process a little easier. Keeping a positive attitude was tough when every hoop they jumped through seemed to have flames and piranhas waiting on the other side.
“County courthouse, this is Elaine speaking.”
“Yes, Elaine, I have a question about going through your office to get married. Do we have to have a marriage license before we can go through that process?”
“Technically, yes, you need a marriage license, but there are extenuating circumstances where we can waive the certificate. Can you tell me your name as well as your fiancée’s name?”
Charlie hesitated. Giving his name over the phone to a county office didn’t feel right, but they already had him on their radar. Annie nodded, giving him the go-ahead. The phone call was probably already being monitored, and they were likely tracing the address. No privacy. Maybe getting married would fix some of that.
“Charlie Cooper and Annie Russell.”
He could hear typing, then Elaine said, “I see that you both have been labeled Defiants. You’ve been labeled that due to several disciplinary infractions and Annie because she’s living with you and you’re not married. Our new policy states that if a citizen is making an effort to abide by the new rules and laws, certificates can be waived. You don’t have to worry about obtaining the document before the judge will marry you and Ms. Russell.”
“Do we need to make an appointment?”
“No, sir. You will be expedited due to being a Defiant. This will please John, your caseworker, to see that you are attempting to downgrade your disciplinary level.”
Charlie nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Elaine. We’ll be by there today to get this finalized.”
“Can I help you with anything else?”
“No, ma’am. We’re good. Thank you.”
Charlie ended the call and leaned back. “Well, at least we’ll please John for the time being.” His tone was dripping with sarcasm. The last thing he cared about was making John happy. The biggest reason for getting married was to ease Annie’s worries and so they could possibly get some privacy. He looked at his watch. “I told Randy to meet us at the courthouse at eight thirty. I guess we better head that way.”
Annie squeezed his hand and smiled. “Are we really doing this?”
“We are. I just wish it was under better circumstances. More romantic. An actual ceremony with all of your friends and family. But here we are.”
Annie looked away and released his hand. “You don’t feel forced into this, do you?”
“Kind of, if I’m being honest.” Charlie reached for her hand again, her palm soft in his. “But I would never do it if I didn’t love you. You have to admit, we are sort of being forced into it.”
Annie nodded and faced him. “We are being forced, but you’re right. No matter the circumstances, we love each other, and this will make for a better life.”
“I hope so.”
The drive to the courthouse was quick, and Charlie’s stomach was in knots as they walked into the building. The jail where they’d held him was in the basement of the building, and several men in suits stood and watched all of the activity. The new rules and laws were painted on the wall, much like the Ten Commandments used to be posted in government buildings.
The county clerk’s office was on the second floor, and Randy was waiting in the hallway when they got there. He patted Charlie on the shoulder and hugged Annie.
“I never thought I’d see the day. This guy swore to me a few years ago that he’d never do this again!” He nudged Ryan. “How’s it going, little man? Haven’t seen you in a while.”
“A few years ago, the country wasn’t going psychotic on everyone either,” Charlie replied, mentally reminding himself to stop saying things out loud, especially considering where they were. “Let’s get in here and get this done.”
Elaine sat at the front desk, her nameplate on display for everyone to see. “You must be Charlie Cooper. The judge just got in, so this shouldn’t take long, and I’ve got the paperwork right here for you and Ms. Russell to sign.”
Charlie took the clipboard. It was two pages long, listing the vows and rules and specifying that all marriages must be between a man and a woman, with that part typed in bold font to ensure that no one would miss it. Both he and Annie read everything on the pages. The last thing he wanted to do was sign a legal document that would hinder their chances for a normal life, whatever that meant anymore.
He signed the document and handed the pen to Annie. She poised the pen in her fingers, holding the tip right on the line where the bride was supposed to sign. Looking up at Charlie and back at Elaine, she didn’t move the pen.
“Charlie, promise me you’re sure you want to do this.”
“I’m sure. If I didn’t want to do this, we wouldn’t be standing here.”
Looking at the paper, she signed the document and slid it to Elaine. “Okay.”
Elaine notarized the document, stamping the back sheet where their signatures were. “Let me get Judge Sanders out here, and he’ll make it official with his signature.”
The judge came out of his office and followed Elaine to her desk. He was a big man, dressed in the same style suit that all of the Millstone staff seemed to wear. It must have been a standard-issue suit. Charlie couldn’t help thinking about how ridiculous they all looked, walking around in the same outfit, likely used as an intimidation tactic.
Judge Sanders signed the same page. “I now pronounce you man and wife. Congratulations,” he said, though his tone sounded less than thrilled.
Elaine copied the papers and handed Charlie a stack. “This is your copy. The original will be filed here in this office. John will also get a copy, confirming that you are now complying with one of the rules he documented that you were not following.”
“Will this move me down a disciplinary level and get Annie completely off the Defiants list?” Charlie asked.
“That’s something you’ll have to discuss with John. He’s the authority over you and makes those decisions.”
Charlie grabbed the papers. “Did you not need my witness to sign anything?”
“Nope. You’re free to go. Congratulations on your marriage.” Elaine smiled and turned to her computer.
On their way out of the courthouse, Charlie felt optimistic. Maybe John would go easy on them and get Annie off the Defiants list. He really wasn’t concerned about his disciplinary level since he wasn’t locked up and was still free to live with her. He knew it concerned her to be on the Defiants list. Maybe getting off the list would give her some peace of mind.
“I’m sorry we wasted your time, Randy. They didn’t even need a witness.”
“No problem. We don’t know what to expect with all this new stuff happening. Besides, I was your best man at your first wedding. Even if this one was just pencil whipped, I still wouldn’t wanna miss it.”
Charlie smirked. “That’s right, you were at my first wedding. Maybe you’re the curse. If this marriage goes south, you’re the one to blame!”
“You two lovebirds go enjoy your day. I’m gonna head to the shop and see if we have any appointments or anything. Want me to take Ryan? I can teach him how to change the oil in a car while you two are off, you know…” Randy wiggled his eyebrows.
“Nah, I think we’re gonna spend the day as a family. Officially a family.” Charlie pulled Annie in for a side hug. “The shop has been dead. I’m sure you can handle it all on your own.”
As they walked to the pickup, John leaned on the bed, his arms folded over his chest. Charlie assumed John would be happy with the recent events, but his body language showed otherwise.
“We’re officially hitched, John.” Charlie held up the paperwork. “I’m sure you already know that, though.”
“You are.”
“And we can’t even get our hands on some champagne to celebrate.”
“Nope.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Charlie motioned for Annie to put Ryan in the truck. He didn’t want his child to witness whatever John had to say, and from the way the man was acting, Charlie could tell that he wasn’t in a good mood.
“What time did you tell me your shop opened for business?”
“Eight.”
John looked at his watch. “It’s after nine o’clock. And there’s no one there to handle it.”
“I was using Randy as a witness. Back before Millstone took over, weddings at the courthouse required a witness.”
“You have a commitment to your business, Mr. Cooper. And no one was there to take care of it.”
Charlie couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Clenching his jaw, he said, “I’m satisfying one of your rules. Annie and I are no longer living in sin.”
John stepped back, holding his hand up against Charlie’s chest. “I’d ask that you settle down, Mr. Cooper. Yes, you have satisfied the rule against living together in sin, but you also have a commitment to your business that you told me just a few days ago you would run. You have a percentage of income you’re required to give the government. How are you going to pay the government if you’re not there working?”
“I see how it is, John. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. You’re gonna find anything you can that I’m doing wrong. Once we’re on the Defiants list, it’s over, isn’t it? There’s no such thing as getting off that list.”
“I can tell a true rule follower when I see one. One who wants to do their country good. One who doesn’t want to rock the boat. Mr. Cooper, you are not one of those people.”
Charlie scoffed and felt Annie’s hand on his arm, attempting to calm him down. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
John turned and walked away, waving as he did. “You know what it means, Mr. Cooper. Get to the shop. You have a business to run, and Randy isn’t going to do it by himself.”
Charlie wanted to follow him. He wanted to tell him to go to hell. Worst of all, he wanted to beat the hell out of the guy. He was so livid, he was literally seeing red. Luckily, Annie was there, guiding him down to reality, her voice calming his racing pulse.
“Charlie, please. Don’t ruin this. Please. Ryan’s in the truck. Don’t let him see this.”
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. “No matter what I do, they have it out for me.”
“I know. But now’s not the time or place to do anything stupid. Think it through.”
“I’ll take Ryan to work. Be careful today.”
Charlie was at a loss. Any hope he had for a normal life as a result of marrying Annie was completely gone.
Chapter Fifteen
“Do you think we should keep him out another day?” Charlie asked Mia, putting the phone on speaker as he walked through the shop, making sure everything was locked up before he and Randy left for the evening.
