Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

When Chris heard the noise, he looked up. His gaze fell on my face. I didn't even have to see it to know how dark my expression was. "Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, frowning slightly.

I walked to his desk without a word. Swallowing the bitterness in my throat, I said, "If you don't want to marry me, I can let your mom know."

Chris' frown deepened when he realized that I had overheard his conversation with Derick.

My throat felt dry as I continued, "I never thought that I'd end up being a burden to you, Chris-"

"To everyone else, we're already like a married couple," Chris interrupted me.

So what? Was he marrying me because of what everyone else thought? I wanted him to marry me because he loved me and wanted to spend his life with me.

With a click, Chris capped the pen in his hand and looked at the marriage license application form I was holding. "We'll register next Wednesday."

This was what I wanted to hear, but at that moment, it only made me feel terrible.

I lowered my head and shook it slightly. "Chris, you don't have to force yourself. I'm not some charity case."

"Madeline Crown!" he said sternly.

gaze, only to see him reaching his hand out toward me. My grip on the marriage

jaw clenched, and he ordered, "Give

and

His tall frame loomed over me as he exhaled lightly with a hint of helplessness. "I was just joking with Derick.

the document from my grasp. "Don't believe everything you hear in the future." He then turned around

out frequently, and he would stay out for a

him. "Do you

but he stopped at my words. He fixed his dark eyes on me, and after a moment, a dimple appeared on his left cheek as he smiled. Chris looked good when he smiled. I still remembered how he had approached me with that same

of his had warmed my heart and made me fall

a weight on my head as his large hand ruffled

"Why else would I go halfway across the city to buy you some roasted pears, give you your favorite roses every birthday, or watch the meteor showers with you? And...

began to waver, a smile and a few sweet

string firmly held in his hand. Depending on his

had heard

placated as before. I looked into his eyes and asked, "Do you like me

his hand stop its motion on