Chapter 4 Bound in law

"We will now proceed."

A young clerk stepped forward, holding a thin stack of papers. She adjusted her glasses before speaking. "The marriage will be legally recognized once both parties consent, sign, and declare their vows in the presence of the judge and appointed witnesses." She paused, then glanced between them. "Do you wish to recite personal vows or proceed with the standard declaration?"

Talon opened his mouth to speak but paused, giving Halo the opportunity to. He slightly tapped her back signaling for her to say something.

"I......uh, standard, yes i'd prefer standard"

Talon nodded in agreement. He wasn't big on the whole kissing at the altar or court thingy anyways.

The clerk barely reacted to her response before continuing. "In accordance with the law, do both parties understand that this union is legally binding and requires a formal dissolution should either party choose to part ways?"

"Yes," Talon answered.

Halo hesitated, then whispered in agreement, "Yes."

Mr. Vikram straightened in his seat and glanced at the papers before him. His tone remained even, professional, but there was something cautious in his delivery. "Then let us proceed."

The clerk turned her attention to Halo first. "Please state your full name."

Halo inhaled. "Halo Alfred Remington."

She didn't think it would feel like this at first, but the thought of knowing that this would be the last time she would officially refer to herself as Halo Remington felt like.......relief.

The clerk nodded and then shifted to Talon. Despite already knowing him. It was customary that they stated their names themselves. "

"And yours?"

"Talon Sullivan Ashwood."

Mr. Vikram's voice carried over. "Miss Halo Alfred Remington, do you take this man, Talon Sullivan Ashwood, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To honor this contract in accordance with the law?"

Halo's hands clenched slightly at her sides. This wasn't a wedding, not in the fairytale sense. It was a transaction, a legal arrangement sealed with ink instead of love. She glanced at Talon, who stood unwavering beside her.

She inhaled once.

"I do."

The judge's gaze flicked to Talon. "Mr. Ashwood, do you take this woman, Halo Remington, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to uphold this agreement as stipulated by law?"

Talon's answer came without a pause.

"Would I be here if I was going to?". He sighed and continued. "Anyways i do."

A faint rustling echoed through the room as the clerk prepared the final documents. She placed them before Mr. Vikram, who retrieved a pen and poised it over the paper.

"As presiding judge, I hereby witness the signing of this marriage certificate." He signed his name swiftly before looking up. "The couple may now sign."

The clerk offered the pen to Halo first.

Her fingers brushed the cool metal as she took it. She stared at the paper before her, at the space where she was supposed to sign.

This was it.

Once her name and signature was put on the page, she would no longer be Halo Remington.

Her identity, her name, everything would change in an instant.

She exhaled slowly. Then, with a steady hand, she wrote her name.The moment her pen lifted, the weight in her chest settled. There was no turning back now. Even if she wanted to, it would be ruining for her at this moment.

The pen was then passed to Talon. He took it without hesitation and signed his name with effortless precision. His handwriting, sharp and easy to read, while he secretly admired her calligraphic style.

The judge took the document back, scanning it before nodding. "With both parties in agreement and the legal process completed, I hereby declare you husband and wife."

Silence settled.

No applause. No cheers. No emotional outbursts. Just legal finality.

Halo let out a quiet breath. That was it?

She expected.....she wasn't sure what she expected. A bigger feeling maybe? A wave of emotion?

But there was nothing.

The judge handed the finalized documents to the clerk, who began processing them immediately. A staff member approached, passing a neatly enclosed envelope to Talon.

"Your official marriage certificate will be sent in the coming days. In the meantime, this serves as legal proof of your union."

Talon took the envelope without a word and with that, the ceremony was complete. Talon turned toward the door without hesitation Halo followed, though her steps were slower.

As they stepped outside, the quiet hum of the city greeted them. The air was crisp, the streets quieter this time of noon.

Halo wrapped her arms around herself. "So.......it's done."

Talon didn't answer immediately. He handed the envelope to his waiting lawyer before finally meeting her gaze.

"It's done."

She swallowed, she had just become a newly wedded bride. She had no dress, no bouquet, no celebration. Just a business affiliated-arrangement with the most puzzle-ly man she had ever met.

She peered up at him, her new 'husband'.

Talon tilted his head slightly. "Regrets already?"

Halo scoffed lightly, though it lacked humor. "Would it change anything if I said yes?"

"No." His lips curled slightly. "But it is quite amusing to ask." A silence passed between them for quite a while. The lawyer was apparently making a phone call so it was taking him a little while to start the car.

"May I say something?" Halo asked meekly fiddling with her fingers, it looked like something she did a lot.

He gave a crisp nod.

"I don't think I should call you Mr Ashwood in public"

His lips curled up briefly.

"How about Talon, or babe?" His wide smile distracted her for a second. The sun was setting and it's descending glow illuminated his fair skin. Like bubbling milk.

"I think I'll settle on Talon. It has a nice ring to it"

He cocked his head to the side, noticing the way she softly bit in her lip after pronouncing his name. Her wet tongue moving in her mouth.

"What is that lip bite thing you seem to be doing?"

Her lips parted and her eyes crinkled in confusion. Something else came to her mind as she saw the mischievous glint in Talon's eyes.

They had just gotten married a few minutes ago in court. Newly weds, and by right of happening, tonight would be their wedding night.

Her eyes snapped up to him in horror, she hadn't thought about this.

Would they be consummating their marriage tonight?.