Meet the Howlters

Worth the Wait

YEAR: 2052

[Delilah's POV]

"Girls! We gotta go soon!" I yelled.
"Ugh! Mum!" Fiona yelled.
"What?"
"Kat stole my bows!"
"Katherine Elizabeth Howlter! Give Fiona her bows back!"
"But mum!"
"Do not make me come up there!" I yelled up the stairs.
"Ugh! Give them back!"
"Joseph! Go get Fiona's stuff back!"
"Mum," Evan pouted.
"Yeah bub?"
"I can't find my glasses..."
"I'll help you look," I said. "Sorry for all the yelling, by the way,"
"It's okay," he whispered.
"Okay, where was the last place you remember seeing your glasses?"
"My backpack but I can't find my case..."
"Okay," I smiled as I pat his head. "They're here somewhere. We'll find them, don't worry,"
"Evan," Joe said as handed him his case.
"Thanks dad,"
"You're welcome," he said. "Hey Dil,"
"Yeah?"
"Give me your ring?"
"What? Why?"
"Cause it's been five years," he said.
"Oh, for god's sake," I laughed.
"Hand it over,"
"Fine," I mumbled, sliding the ring off my finger. "Hurry up, we gotta go,"
"Fine," he said as he got down on one knee. "Delilah Rose Howlter, will you-"
"Yes, now let's go,"
"Let me finish," he laughed. "Will you marry me, in town hall, in twenty minutes?"
"You're joking,"
"Not in the slightest,"
"You want to get married? Today?"
"Yes,"
"I look like shit,"
"You look lovely,"
"Liar," I frowned. "I'm in a flannel, my jeans are fucked, I don't know what the fuck my hair is doing, I-"
"You rock the flannel, you look amazing in the jeans, and I happen to like your hair when it's in a ponytail,"
"I miss it being short,"
"Then get it cut,"
"I can't! Would you hire a lawyer with dads hair?"
"No,"
"My point exactly," I said. "Kids! Let's go!"

Winston: you still home?
Delilah: yeah why?
Winston: cause I'm running late and it'd be weird if one of us showed up early
Delilah: hey wanna do me a favor?
Winston: depends on what the favor is
Delilah: I need a witness at my wedding
Winston: okay... When are you getting married?
Delilah: 20 minutes. Town hall. Don't miss it.
Winston: wait are you gonna tell dad and bear?
Delilah: should I?
Winston: YES
Delilah: fine, I'll tell them

***

"Come on guys, stay with me," I said, walking into town hall. "Fiona," I called.
"Behind you," she mumbled. "Why are we here?"
"Cause mum and I need to get married," Joe said.
"Why?"
"Cause its been ten years and we really need to get to it,"
"God, you're such a dad," Fiona uttered.
"Well, I kinda have to be," he smiled as he nudged Fiona's arm.

We all waited around for a bit, then we were called up; thankfully, Winston had just walked in.

"Hey," he said. "Where's dad and bear?"
"Not here,"
"Why the fuck not?"
"Cause it's their anniversary and we're about to ruin it by marching into their house, with our kids, and fucking it up with our birthday party,"
"They'd understand!" he said. "You're getting married, we're turning thirty-"
"Don't remind me," I sighed. "God, we're old,"
"Joseph Taylor and Delilah Howlter!" An elderly lady called.
"We're right here," I said. "Where's Jen?"
"The car with the kids. Why?"
"Can she watch our kids?" I begged.
"Just bring them in,"
"Yeah mum," they all said. "We wanna watch you get married!"
"Alright then," I sighed.

We all headed into the room, where the "ceremony" would be held, and we all gathered around the small table with the little old lady sitting on the other side.

"Hello," she smiled.
"Hi," everyone said.
"Who's Delilah and who's Joseph?"
"We are," Joe said.
"Hello and congratulations,"
"Thank you," I giggled.
"Who's your witness today?"
"I am," Winston huffed.
"Great, let's get started," she said as she put on her glasses.

She pulled out a notebook and started spitting out whatever the hell needed to be said. When it got to the part with the vows, Joe and I turned to each other and said them flawlessly.

"Okay," the lady said. "Do you have the rings?"
"Yes," Joe said. "We do,"

He pulled out a small red box that contained our wedding rings; I don't even think mine could fit me at this point. Joe removed the rings from the box and handed me one. Joe gave me his hand and I have him mine; with a bit of effort, we got the rings on.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife," she said. "You may now kiss the bride,"

I turned to Joe and cracked a big smile. I wrapped my arms around his neck, as he placed his hands on my waist, and gave each other a passionate kiss. When we pulled away, I have Joe a hug, and he kissed my cheek.

"That was worth the wait," he whispered. "I love you,"
"I love you too," I whispered back, giving him one more kiss. "Okay, let's go. We have a party to get to."