More than a Maid (34 page)

Ramon gestured toward the window. "There's a jewelry store a few blocks away. I figured we could go there after we apply for the license."

Marcy smirked. "Oh yeah? Then what? You wanna walk to the closest fast food restaurant to celebrate over a five dollar value meal?"

Ramon's eyebrows lifted. "Is that what you want? Are you hungry?"

She threw her hands up in the air. "Are you
stupid
?" Shaking her head, she straightened her back against the seat, staring out the windshield. "Geez, Ramon. I can't believe you. Is this all because you want me to move to Turnbrook? Why the hell would any man think a woman would enjoy this?"

Ramon let the back of his head fall against the head rest. He stared up at the roof. "I didn't want you to break up with me on the way to the jewelry store. You know, like you did with that asshole that one time."

Marcy's jaw dropped. "That's what this is about? That was a completely different situation. I realized I wasn't in love with him. That's what really happened."

Frowning, Ramon shook his head. "Well, that story really stuck with me. I thought about whisking you off in a private jet to Vegas but I figured you wouldn't get on the plane till you knew where we were goin'. And if you knew it was Vegas, you'd break up with me on the way there. Like you did with him." He turned to her, his cheek against the seat. "And I
really
didn't wanna go through that."

She gulped, her heart softening. "So, you brought me downtown to apply for a marriage license? You know there's a three-day waiting period, right? So, I'd still have plenty of time to break up with you after we apply."

"Yeah." He shrugged. "But at least we'd have a marriage license with our names on it. That's more than that asshole ever got. And then I could spend the next three days makin' sure you don't change your mind." He reached for her hand. "I fuckin' hate the thought of you with that guy. Or anyone else."

"Okay. Let me get this straight. It's not that you really wanna be with me. You just don't want anyone else to have me. Is that correct?"

"No." Ramon scooted closer and moved his hand to her knee. Slowly, he said, "If I don't want anyone else to have you, it means I want you for myself. You get it? For me.
Only
."

With great reluctance, Marcy felt herself weakening. She was still confused about why he thought bringing her down here to apply for a marriage license was a good way to get her to marry him. And damn it, she wanted to make him suffer for this horribly unromantic display. But perhaps this display wasn't as horribly unromantic as she originally thought. With a thin layer of tears in her eyes, Marcy said, "I'm surprised you didn't try to brand me like one of your cows. Put your mark of ownership on me forever."

"Thought about it but I figured you'd never talk to me again."

Marcy let out one single laugh, then turned in her seat to face him. She peered deep in his eyes. "Do you love me, Ramon?"

His eyes narrowed to tiny slits. "Would I be tryin' to marry you if I didn't?"

She cocked one brow.

Ramon sighed, his glossy eyes showing his pain. He looked as though he could crumble at any moment. In a weak voice, he said, "Damn it, Marcy. Yes. I love you."

She inhaled a sharp breath. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She whispered, "Really?"

Nodding, he whispered, "Yeah." Then he reached across the seat and pulled her into a kiss.

And it became the most romantic moment of Marcy's life.

A minute later when he let her go, he said, "You want a real proposal, don't you?"

Shyly, she said, "Yeah. But that doesn't mean you have to get down on one knee and be all sappy about it. You don't have to put on a suit and take me out to dinner, either. But I'd like a better story to tell people than whatever
this
was."

He grunted. "Yeah, yeah. I know." Then he stared off vacantly at the windshield.

She giggled nervously under her breath. "I'm gonna say 'yes' when you ask. You know that, right?"

Instantly, Ramon's eyes perked up and he gave her a dumbfounded stare. "Really? You're sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Like I said, we just need a good story to tell people, you know, like our kids… someday." She cleared her throat. "You
do
want kids, don't you?"

"Uh-huh." He licked his lips, his eyes bouncing thoughtfully around the car. "So, you really wanna marry me?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Eyebrows furrowed, Ramon nodded as if he was deep in thought. "I figured I'd have to trick you into it."

"Why? Because of what happened with Andrew?" Marcy shook her head. "I told you. I didn't love him. But I love
you
." Marcy grinned at him, and he grinned softly in return. She put her hand against his cheek, then smoothed it up to the top of his head as her fingers wove into his dark, wavy hair.

In response, Ramon closed his eyes and let out a satisfied moan.

As she massaged his scalp with her fingers, she said, "If you really wanna marry me, you're gonna have to meet me halfway on a few things."

He opened his eyes and smirked.

"Just hear me out." Marcy cleared her throat and withdrew her hand to her lap. "We can go in there and try to apply for a license but I think they require two forms of identification. I remember that from when I helped a friend a few years ago. They need—"

"Your social security card?" Ramon patted his pocket, over his wallet. "I have yours. Got it when you were in the bathroom getting ready earlier."

Her mouth dropped open. "How'd you know where to find it?"

Shrugging, he said, "I saw it a couple weeks ago when you were looking for something in your closet." He smirked. "You should probably do a better job of hiding stuff like this. But it's okay. I'll hide all your important shit with my important shit after I move you back into my house."

"I can't believe you already have my social security card." Marcy sighed. "That's sweet, but kinda creepy."

"Yeah." Ramon nodded proudly. "So, you wanna go in there and apply? Or would you rather go to Vegas? Or somewhere else?"

"I don't know. This is happening so fast. I haven't had time to think about it."

"I get it." He looked at her thoughtfully. "You want a big wedding or something?" His expression changed; he looked like he was in deep pain. "'Cause I gotta tell you, I've been in two weddings recently, and they were nice and all, but they were both a real pain in my ass."

Marcy laughed. "Yeah. I was in Patty's wedding, then Cara's. I completely understand."

"You get me. I love that about you." Ramon sighed, combing a lock of hair away from her face with his fingers. "So, Vegas? Or do you wanna have a small wedding here in three days?"

"Wow. You really wanna do this soon, huh?"

"Yes." His eyes widened. "I want you to be my wife. And I don't like waiting."

Marcy smiled, her heart swelling.

Ramon took both of her hands. "I have an idea. Let's go in there and apply for the license. In three days, we have a little wedding. Hell, we can have it in your living room. I don't fuckin' care."

"Or we can go back to Texas? Apply for a license there and have a quick wedding at the ranch?"

"Hmm." His face scrunched up as he thought it over. "Nah. It'll be a hassle there. I'd rather have it here and stay here with you till then." He smiled. "And then spend another week or two on a honeymoon."

"Wow. That's a lot of time off. You never do that."

"I know. But I need to. Besides, I got Victor helpin' out. Henry's there for a little while longer. I need to spend some time with my woman." Ramon stretched his arm around her shoulders. "Just us."

Marcy snuggled against him. "I love that idea. But we gotta start looking for someone to officiate the wedding. And we need witnesses. Tom and Patty will be there. But we should probably tell everyone else in case they get upset later—"

Ramon groaned. "All right. Fuck it. Vegas. I don't have the patience for all that bullshit. Let's get goin'."

Marcy sat up straight. "Okay. But you're still taking all that time off, right?"

"Absolutely." Ramon put his arms behind her back, his warm lips descending on hers.

Marcy let a moan slip into his mouth. She reached up and locked her hands behind his neck as she surrendered to him, his tongue dancing slowly around hers

After a little while longer, Ramon slowly broke the kiss and put his forehead against hers, breathing heavily. "Come on." He took another breath. "We got places to go."

"Wow." In a lovestruck stupor, Marcy asked, "You're really anxious to do this, huh?"

"Yeah. Never thought there'd be a woman who'd make me wanna run off and get married." His eyes, suddenly thick with tears, peered into hers. In a weak voice, heavy with emotion, he said, "I really do love you."

Marcy inhaled, sharply, blinking as tears blurred her vision.

"I mean it," he said. "Should've told you before now. Never should've let you think otherwise. You know words don't mean as much to me as actions. I'd rather show you how I feel, not give you a bunch of empty words, but this ain't empty. I love you. And I've known it for a long time. And now I want
you
to know it." Ramon slid the back of his hand across his eyes with a sniffle. "I never want you to doubt it. I love you."

Marcy brought both hands to her face, covering her nose and mouth as she cried.

Ramon pulled her in for an embrace, holding her tight against his chest until both of them stopped crying.

Marcy sniffled one last time and said, "I think
that
was the proposal I was waiting for."

"No it wasn't. I don't have your ring yet."

"It doesn't matter." She pulled away and smiled at him. "I didn't want you to put on a fake show for me. I just wanted it to come from your heart."

Ramon flashed her a wry grin. He turned off the car and said, "Wait right there."

Marcy watched as he opened his door and ran around to her side.

Then he opened her door and reached inside.

She took his hand and stepped out of the car.

Ramon guided her to the empty parking space beside them, smiling down at her.

He stepped back. One knee dropped to the pavement as he gazed up at her with those sparkling brown eyes.

Marcy gasped, then a nervous chuckle slipped out before she could stop it. "No! We're in the middle of a parking lot!"

"I don't care. You've given my life so much. Let me give you this one thing." He took her hand. "Marcy, baby doll, I love you. Will you marry me?"

With tears streaming down her face, Marcy nodded rapidly and squeaked, "Yes!"

Ramon jumped to his feet and pulled her into his arms, kissing her for several minutes until he heard a car horn honking for them to get out of that parking space.

Ramon and Marcy went straight to a jewelry store after the proposal. It took ten minutes for Marcy to find an engagement ring and matching wedding band. Ramon took approximately thirty seconds to find his ring.

And then they rushed to Marcy's apartment where she immediately started to pack.

An anxious Ramon opened drawers in her bedroom. He pulled out a pair of socks and said, "Do you need these?"

Marcy's suitcase was spread out on the bed. She folded a pair of shorts and placed them inside. "No. I think I have enough socks."

He closed the drawer and went to the closet, grabbing a blouse. "What about this?"

Frustrated, Marcy sighed and said, "No."

Ramon reached down to the floor for a pair of shoes. "What about these?"

She lifted her hands, forced a smile, and said, "I know you mean well but please stop! You're driving me crazy. Just give me fifteen minutes."

Ramon shook his head, then ran up behind her. "Can't help it. I'm ready." He threw his arms around her waist and held her tight. His voice was soft in her ear. "I'd throw you down on the bed if I wasn't in such a hurry to marry you."

Marcy closed her eyes and leaned back against him. His words made her blush from head to toe. "Can't you just throw me down anyway?"

He kissed her cheek. "No, because then we'll be here all day. You know I'm not a 'quickie' kind of guy."

Whining, Marcy said, "Yes, I know. Let's stay here tonight and leave in the morning."

He chuckled and let her go, giving her a quick slap on the butt before heading back to her closet. "No. Come on. Get packin'."

"Fine." She sighed and plucked a shirt from the bed to fold. "Are you gonna tell your brothers we're going to Vegas tonight?"

Snorting, Ramon replied, "No. It's just us. Don't tell Cara or Patty either."

"But we're taking the private jet, right? That's how you got here today." She cleared her throat and gave him a knowing look. "Armando hooks you up with that jet. You think he's not gonna hear about this?"

Ramon shrugged. "Not till tomorrow, at least."

She shook her head. "Didn't you guys make an agreement at Victor's wedding about taking turns to be best men at each others' weddings? Armando's supposed to be yours, right? He's gonna be upset. So will Victor."

He smirked and plopped down on the bed, his eyes darting around the room as he gave it some thought. After a moment, he inhaled deeply and said, "Damn it." He took his phone out of his pocket. "I'll send 'em a text message. Tell 'em if they can't make it to Vegas tonight, then tough shit."

Marcy rolled her eyes and continued to pack.

Less than a minute after Ramon sent the text message, his phone rang. He said, "It's Armando," then shook his head and answered.

Marcy's phone rang the next second, and she saw it was Katie. "Hello?" she answered.

"
Hey! You're really gonna go to Vegas and marry Ramon tonight? Really?
"

Prepared to defend her decision, Marcy said, "Yes, I am. And I—"

Katie interrupted her in a frenzy. "
I can't believe it!
" She inhaled quickly and continued, "
Have you guys called a chapel yet? It's best if you can book a reservation before you fly out there, otherwise…
"

Marcy listened as Katie went on for several minutes with what she'd learned when various friends of hers eloped in Las Vegas over the years.

Katie barely let Marcy speak again, ending with, "
But don't worry, I'm an event planner. I've done this before. Armando and I will get there before you do and I'll have everything ready to go. Just give us a call when you land. Okay, bye!
" And Katie hung up.

Marcy put her phone down, her eyes wide and dazed.

Ramon was still talking. "Yeah… yeah… All right…" He turned to Marcy, widening his eyes as he spoke. "Yeah… I got it… I'll call you." Then he hung up and let out a labored breath. "Shit. Was your conversation as exhausting as mine?"

"Uh-huh. Katie's planning the entire wedding."

Ramon scoffed. "What's there to plan? Isn't that the point?"

Marcy hit her forehead with her palm. "I don't know."

Then both of their phones rang again, simultaneously.

Ramon said, "That's gotta be Victor and Cara."

Marcy spent the next several minutes on the phone with Cara while Ramon spoke with Victor.

Ninety minutes later, Ramon and Marcy were on the private jet with Patty and Tom, who had packed quickly and canceled their plans in order to tag along. During a good portion of the flight, Patty reminded Ramon and Marcy that she was the one who orchestrated their meeting from the beginning. And she hoped they would give her a testimonial for her new matchmaking business.

Ramon and Marcy simply nodded, unsure whether Patty had gotten lucky with them, or she actually knew what the hell she was talking about.

* * *

At ten o'clock that night, Ramon stood at the altar of a small chapel in Las Vegas, awaiting his blushing bride. Armando was beside him, with Victor rounding out the group.

As they waited, Armando put his hand on Ramon's back and said, "Thanks for letting us be a part of this."

Ramon simply nodded, trying to downplay the emotion he felt inside.

Victor spoke up, laughing. "I can't believe you're getting married. Am I dreaming?"

Ramon shot him a mean look, trying not to smile.

Back in Turnbrook at Ramon's house, Henry, Elsa, and Mrs. Perry gathered around a laptop at the dining table, watching the ceremony via webcam. Victor arranged for Mrs. Perry to be there, figuring it was the right thing to do since Ramon seemed to think of her as a second mother… even though Ramon would never admit it. And Henry couldn't make the flight since he was under house arrest until his trial. But he called Ramon a half hour earlier to congratulate him and tell him he'd be watching.

It was the most emotional day of Ramon's life, even though he didn't let himself show it. He was glad he'd invited his brothers, and he was touched that they showed up in Las Vegas before he did. He assumed they both must have dropped everything they were doing and headed out immediately. And to think, it was only a matter of months earlier Ramon feared they secretly wanted to get him out of their lives. There was no doubt in his mind now that regardless of how they were related—even if they were biologically half-brothers—they would always have a bond that was thicker than blood. Victor and Armando were more than Ramon's brothers; they were also his closest friends.

Isaac entered the room after taking a short trip to the restroom with Patty. He smiled at Ramon and rushed up to him, hugging his leg.

Ramon bent down to pick him up. "
Hombrecito
. Glad you could make it. You sure you don't wanna be the ring bearer?"

Isaac frowned. "No! I hate that." His face lit up. "I get to stay up past my bedtime tonight! You and Mah-cy gonna come to my woom and watch TV with me and Gwammah?"

Laughing, Ramon said, "No. Sorry. I think I'm gonna be busy. But I'll make it up to you when I come back home in a few weeks."

A few minutes later, the organ music started. Patty was the first to walk out, followed by Cara.

Ramon's heart raced as he looked for Marcy. Then suddenly she appeared, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. She wore a rented wedding dress that Katie helped her find. Her eyes were locked on Ramon's as she drifted down the aisle toward him.

The wedding was short and sweet. They didn't have time to write their own vows, but they didn't care. All that mattered was the promise they made to each other. Ramon would go back to his ranch a happily married man, waking up every morning to the only woman who'd ever made him want to settle down. Marcy was no longer his maid or his girlfriend; she was his wife.

When they kissed, he lifted her in the air, everyone whooping and clapping around them.

They hurried down the aisle hand in hand, stopping outside the room. Their plan was to spend five minutes on pictures and talking with family before heading down the street to their hotel.

Marcy smiled. "I can't believe we did this! I feel like I'm floating."

Ramon kissed her forehead. "Me too." He put his arms around her, his lips at her ear, his voice soft. "Can't wait to get you alone. Who knows? Maybe I'll get you pregnant tonight."

Marcy gasped. "What?" She leaned away from him, looking in his eyes. "You're not serious."

Chuckling, he said, "So what if I am? Told you I want kids. Got a lot of bedrooms to fill."

Staring at him, Marcy gulped. "One thing at a time, okay?"

He nodded. "Okay. But soon."