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.

and looked up to meet his impatient gaze, only to see him reaching his hand out toward me.

jaw clenched, and he ordered, "Give

didn't move, and

later, he got up and stood in front of me. His tall frame loomed over me as he exhaled lightly with

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

and he would stay out for

after him. "Do

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 warm

and made me fall hopelessly in

my head as his large hand ruffled

like you," he replied. "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... why else

to waver, a smile and a few sweet words from Chris were enough to make me

the end of the string firmly held in his hand. Depending on his mood, he controlled my joy

the words I had

time, I didn't let myself be as easily placated as before. I looked into his eyes and asked, "Do you like

stop its motion on