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.

to see him reaching his hand out toward me. My grip on the

and he ordered,

didn't move, and the atmosphere grew

frame loomed over me as he exhaled lightly with a hint of helplessness. "I was just joking with Derick. Did you take it seriously?" Was it really just

my hand. Then, he pulled the document from my grasp. "Don't believe everything you hear in the future." He then

he had been going out frequently, and he

him. "Do you like

on his left cheek as he smiled. Chris looked good when he smiled. I still remembered how he had approached

warmed my heart and made me fall hopelessly in

on my head as his large

I 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

few sweet words from Chris were enough to make

a kite, with the end of the string firmly held in his hand.

I had heard

be as easily placated as before.

stop its motion on my