Chapter 2

It was then that the staff at Counter 3 leaned out and asked, "Are you two still registering your marriage, Charlie Gunn and Yvonne Sharp?"

In that instant, a few couples in the hall turned to look at us.

I glanced at the time and noticed that it was already 11:01 am—there were only 29 minutes left before the cutoff. I then spoke up, replying, "Yes, we are."

Yvonne furrowed her brow and said, "Aaron isn't feeling well right now, Charlie."

"What about it?"

Yvonne spoke more gently, persuading me just as she had so many times before. "You should hold onto the papers first. We can reschedule once I take Aaron for a checkup. It won't take long, Charlie."

I had heard that last phrase 26 times before this. Aaron came down with a fever when we tried to register our marriage for the first time. Yvonne didn't even bother telling me and stayed by Aaron's side all night while he received an IV.

Aaron got drunk over a breakup during our 12th time. Yvonne turned right back around to pick him up after receiving his call, even though we were already standing at the entrance of the city hall.

His cat went missing last time, so Yvonne stayed up all night helping him search for it and slept right through the registration the following morning.

Aaron would always say, "You don't have to worry about me, Yvonne…"

Yvonne would then turn to me and say, "Aaron has always been insecure since he was young, so please be more understanding toward him, Aaron."

I actually put up with it 26 times.

Emily quickly returned with the medication and a glass of warm water. "Here's the medicine, Aaron."

Dad said, "You should take it and rest for ten minutes, Aaron. I'll stay here with you while Yvonne and Charlie go inside to sign the paperwork. It'll work out right on time."

Aaron looked at the medicine in front of him, making no move to take it. He remained silent for a few seconds before looking down and mumbling, "I'll pass. I throw up whenever I get anxious, and only Yvonne knows how to look after me."

He turned to look at me after saying that. He then asked softly, "You're not mad at me, are you, Charlie? You two have been together for eight years, so waiting one more day to register won't change anything between you."

Yvonne patted his back soothingly. "You don't have to worry about that, Aaron. Charlie wouldn't be that petty."

I looked at Yvonne and asked, "Do you even realize that this is the 27th time we've tried to get our marriage certificate, Yvonne?"

"I do."

"You must also know how long we've been planning for today, right?"

Yvonne looked slightly annoyed. "Aaron is feeling unwell right now, Charlie. Do you really have to make a scene over a piece of paper right now?"

I was stunned.

Just then, the electronic board flashed another prompt. "Please proceed to Counter 3 right now, A027."

It was 11:05 am, meaning we had 25 minutes left.

I tightened my grip on the document and looked calmly at Yvonne. "If you don't sign these papers with me before 11:30 am, I'm calling off the wedding, Yvonne."

Yvonne's expression hardened. "Are you threatening me, Charlie?"

I hadn't even had the chance to respond when Aaron suddenly cupped his mouth and dry-heaved. He quickly shoved away the pills Emily was holding out and said, "I'm sorry, but I'm feeling really nauseous all of a sudden."

He accidentally knocked over the glass, splashing warm water right onto Yvonne. He rushed to pull out paper towels to wipe it off her. His eyes welled up with tears. "Am I being a burden to you again, Yvonne?"

Yvonne gripped his trembling hand. "You're not, so stop overthinking things, Aaron."

Dad had seen enough. "You don't have to take the pills, Aaron. I already booked us a ride, so I'll go to the hospital with you. Yvonne can meet us there the second she's done signing the papers. It won't take more than 20 minutes, tops."

Aaron looked at Dad with tear-filled eyes and said softly, "I can't do that, Brandon. I get carsick riding with strangers, and Yvonne is the only one who really knows my medical history and allergies."