City Hall Vows

I sat in the clerk's office at San Francisco City Hall, the damn marriage license application sitting on the desk between us.

It looked less like a new beginning and more like a death certificate.

Brandon's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, and his face instantly changed. Shit. Emily, I am so sorry

"Don't," I said. I already knew. I always knew.

"It's Chloe. She fell down the stairs at her place. Could be a broken ankle. I have to"

"Go," I said, my voice terrifyingly calm.

"Babe, we can just come back tomorrow, okay? It's the same thing, just one day later"

"Sure. Whatever."

He hesitated for a second, pressed a rushed, meaningless kiss to my forehead, and bolted.

Just like that, I was alone.

Sitting in a government office surrounded by couples holding hands and giggling like idiots.

My phone buzzed. A text from Brandon:

"Chloe's ankle is worse than we thought. Might need surgery. We have to push the wedding back. Really sorry, babe."

I stared at the screen, fighting the urge to laugh hysterically.

How many times?

How many times had he ditched me for Chloe?

How many times was I the option he left behind?

The clerk looked over, giving me a pitying look.

"Miss, are you... still proceeding?"

"Yes," I heard myself say.

"I'm getting married today."

She blinked in confusion.

I pulled out my phone and texted another man.

The man I saved six years ago at my grandmother's winery in Napa.

The man who owed me a favor.

"Remember you owe me? I'm cashing it in. City Hall. Be here in twenty minutes."

The read receipt appeared immediately. Then, three dancing dots.

"On my way."

I placed my phone face down on the table and took a deep breath.

Okay, Emily Carter. You're finally doing something completely batshit crazy.

My mother's call came in while I was staring blankly at the fluorescent lights.

"Emily! Did you sign the papers? Hurry up and get to the Ritz-Carlton, both families are waiting to celebrate"

"Mom," I interrupted. "We didn't sign. Chloe twisted her ankle, and Brandon went to the hospital to hold her hand."

I waited for the explosion.

My mother, Margaret Carter, the woman who made venture capitalists on Sand Hill Road tremble, was silent for three whole seconds.

Then she detonated.

"What the hell is he doing?!"

"Mom"

"Postponing the wedding?! Do you know how many people we invited? State senators, the board, your father's investors! He thinks he can just reschedule?! Does he think this is playing house?!"

"Mom, stop"

"And that little bi" She took a sharp breath, swallowing the word.

"You know what, I'm calling Patricia right now. The Scotts owe us an explanation"

"Mom!" I finally yelled. "Mom, stop."

She paused.

"The wedding is still on."

"...What?"

"I said, the wedding is still on. It's just..." I closed my eyes. "The groom has changed."

Dead silence on the other end.

Then I heard my dad in the background: "Margaret, what is that look on your face? You look like you've seen a ghost."

My mom's voice became very careful. "Emily, baby, are you saying..."

"I'm marrying Nathan Black. Today. In twenty minutes."

Another silence.

Then my dad's voice came through, clearly having snatched the phone: "Fantastic! Oh, thank God! Margaret, our daughter finally woke up!"

I couldn't help but smile, even though my eyes were stinging.

"Emily, sweetie," my mom's voice returned, softer this time. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"That bastard didn't deserve you. He never did."

"I know, Mom. I know."

I hung up just as he walked in.

Nathan Black.

He was still wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, looking like he just stepped out of a board meeting.

His hair was slightly messy, like he had run here.

Six-foot-three, dark eyes, a jawline that could cut glassa Stanford legend who took over his family's tech investment firm at twenty-six and turned it into the most aggressive VC in Silicon Valley by thirty.

He saw me, and an unreadable expression crossed his face.

"Emily."

"Nathan." I stood up. "Thanks for coming."

He walked up to me, studying my face intensely.

"Have you been crying?"

"No," I lied.

He reached out, his thumb brushing my eyelashes, coming away damp. "Liar."

I looked away.

"Can we just... get this done?"

"Marriage?" His voice was low, carrying an emotion I couldn't place. "Alright. Let's do it."

He paused. "But Emily, if you have even a shred of hesitation"

"I don't." I grabbed his hand. "I'm sure. Are you?"

He looked at me, those dark eyes holding a depth I couldn't read.

"I have never been more sure of anything in my life."

Fifteen minutes later, we walked out of City Hall.

I held a marriage certificate in my hand that read: Emily Marie Carter & Nathan Christopher Black.

Married. Just like that.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked, his hand resting lightly on my lower back.

"Fine." I sounded calmer than I felt. "Yeah, I'm okay."

His phone rang.

He checked it and frowned. "Damn it, I have to go. The City Council bid meeting, I can't miss it"

"Go," I said. "I'm fine."

He hesitated, then leaned in and gave me a brief, light hug.

"Tomorrow. The wedding proceeds as planned."

I nodded, watching him walk away.

Then my phone rang.

Brandon.

I almost didn't answer, but eventually, I hit the button.

"Emily, babe, I am so, so sorry." His voice sounded exhausted.

"Chloe's ankle is worse than we thought"

In the background, Chloe's helpless voice drifted through: "Brandon? Where did you go?"

Then her voice got closer; he must have put it on speaker.

"Emily? Oh my god, I feel terrible. I really didn't mean to... I went to your place to grab something for Brandon, saw your dress, and just wanted to try it on. Then I tripped on the hem and... the dress ripped. A big tear. I am so, so sorry!"

She started crying.

Brandon immediately comforted her.

"Chloe, it's okay, don't cry. You didn't mean to... Emily won't blame you, right Emily?"

I closed my eyes.

"And Emily," Brandon continued, "Since the wedding is postponed anyway, we can go to Vera Wang next week. I'll order you a better one, okay?"

"Brandon," I interrupted. "Why was Chloe in our new house?"

"Oh, uh... the heating in her apartment broke. I told her she could crash there for a few days"

"And why was she trying on my wedding dress?"

"She was just... you know how girls are. She was curious"

"No, Brandon. I don't know. Because I don't try on other people's wedding dresses."

He went silent for a moment.

"Emily, are you being jealous? It's just Chloe"

"You're right." I suddenly felt drained. "It's just Chloe. It's always just Chloe."

"Babe"

A car horn interrupted him.

Chloe's voice came again. "Brandon, the doctor is calling you... he says he needs you to sign the consent forms because I don't have family here..."

"Shit, okay, coming." Then to me: "Emily, I gotta go. We'll talk later, okay? Love you."

He hung up.

I stood at the entrance of City Hall, looking at the marriage certificate in my hand, and suddenly laughed.

Too late, Brandon.

You have your Chloe.

I have my Nathan.

And we are done.

A black Maybach pulled up to the curb. The driver stepped out, a calm Black man in his fifties with a kind smile.

"Mrs. Black?"

It took me a second to realize he was talking to me.

"Oh, uh, yes. I guess that's me."

"I'm Michael. Mr. Black sent me to take you home." He opened the door for me.

"He wanted to ensure you got back safely."

Inside the car, there was a bouquet of white roses and a card.

I opened it. Nathan's sprawling handwriting:

Tomorrow.

2 PM. My place. Don't be late, Mrs. Black. - N

I couldn't help but smile.

My mom was waiting at the door.

As soon as she saw me, she rushed over and hugged me tight.

"Oh, baby. My baby girl."

"Mom, I'm okay"

"Okay? Okay?" She pulled back, cupping my face.

"You just got married! You didn't tell me! I didn't get to... I missed your wedding..."

She was crying.

My fierce mother, the woman who never shed a tear in a boardroom, was crying.

"Mom..." I started crying too. "I'm sorry. I just... I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't stand there and let him choose her over me one more time."

"I know, baby. I know." She pulled me inside.

"Come on. Your dad popped the champagne. He says we're celebrating getting rid of that bastard."

Sure enough, my dad was in the living room, two glasses of Veuve Clicquot already poured.

"There's my married daughter!" He handed me a glass.

"To Emily, for finally getting some damn sense!"

"William!" My mom glared at him.

"What? It's the truth!" My dad grinned.

"Nathan Black. Now that is a man. Smart, successful, respectful. And most importantly, he's loved you from the start."

I almost choked on my champagne. "What?"

My mom and dad exchanged a look.

"Oh, sweetie," Mom sat down, patting the sofa for me to join her.

"Did you really not know?"

"Know what?"

"Nathan," my dad said, "Has been crazy about you for years. Since you saved him at your grandmother's vineyard."

I remembered that summer. I had just graduated high school, spending the break at Grandma's in Napa.

Nathan was twenty-four then, fresh out of his Stanford MBA, attending a wine tasting.

He was severely allergic to grapes. Of all things.

I happened to have an EpiPen.

I saved him, went with him to the hospital, and brought him food every day he was admitted.

I thought he was just being nice when he gave me his number before leaving.

"If you ever need anything, and I mean anything, call me. I owe you one."

"After that summer," Mom continued, "He started showing up a lot. At first to thank us, then it became regular visits. At least once a month."

"He would ask about you," Dad said.

"How school was, what you were studying, if you were dating anyone..."

"We thought it was sweet," Mom said.

"He clearly liked you, but he never pushed. Waiting for you to grow up a bit, to be ready..."

"Then your sophomore year," Dad's tone changed, "You called and said you were with Brandon."

I remembered that call. I was so excited. So happy.

What I didn't remember was how...

cool my parents' reaction had been.

"Nathan came by once after that," Mom said softly.

"He said... since you had someone you liked, he would step back. He asked us not to tell you about his feelings, said he didn't want to complicate your life."

"He stopped coming around as much after that," Dad said.

"He'd send gifts for holidays, show up for big events, but... the light went out, you know?"

I stared at my champagne.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you seemed happy," Mom said.

"In the beginning. You glowed with Brandon. We thought... maybe we were wrong. Maybe Brandon was the one."

"But after Chloe came back..." Dad shook his head.

"We watched you dim. Every cancelled date, every broken promise, every time he chose her..."

"We wanted to shake you," Mom said.

"But you wouldn't listen. You loved him so much."

"I was an idiot," I said.

"No," Dad said firmly. "You were in love. It's not the same thing."

Mom squeezed my hand.

"So when you called today and said you married Nathan... Emily, I haven't been this happy in years."

"Me neither," Dad admitted.

"That kid... he's a good man. And he loves you. Really loves you. The kind of love that waits."

I thought of Nathan's eyes today, when he saw me at the clerk's office.

It wasn't surprise.

It was... relief?

"The wedding is tomorrow," I said.

"What?" Mom sat up straight.

"Nathan said the wedding proceeds as planned. Tomorrow at 2 PM."

Mom and Dad exchanged another look, then smiled simultaneously.

"That clever son of a bitch," Dad said.

That night, lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling.

My phone kept buzzing.

Brandon: 15 missed calls.

Texts: 27 unread.

I didn't look at them.

Instead, I opened Instagram.

Brandon's story: A photo of a hospital room, Chloe's foot wrapped in bandages.

Caption: "Long night. Here for a friend."

The comments were full of "You're such a good guy!" and "Chloe is lucky to have you!" and "#FriendshipGoals."

I felt... nothing.

No jealousy. No anger. Just... empty.

Then I saw Sophia's story.

A photo of me from three years ago at Dolores Park, sun shining, laughing.

Caption: "To new beginnings. You deserve better, @EmilyCarter. And girl, you got better. ????"

I smiled and texted her.

"You posted that?"

"Hell yes I did! The world needs to know you upgraded."

"Harp..."

"What? It's a fact! Nathan Black > Brandon Scott, any day of the week. Not just the bank account. The man looks at you like you hung the moon."

"Does he?"

"Girl. Everyone knows. Apparently except you."

I bit my lip, typing:

"I married him today."

Three dots. Then:

"YOU ARE JOKING"

"EMILY MARIE CARTER"

"YOU MARRIED NATHAN BLACK AND DIDN'T TELL ME?!"

"I'M COMING OVER"

"Don't. See you at the wedding tomorrow. 2 PM."

"THERE'S STILL A WEDDING?!"

"Long story. I'll explain tomorrow."

"You better! God, I need a dress. Wait. What's the dress code? Please tell me it's not that ugly bridesmaid dress Brandon picked out."

I laughed out loud.

"Definitely not. Wear something gorgeous. At Nathan's place."

"His place. Jesus Christ, Emily. You really upgraded."

Yeah. I guess I did.

The next day, 1 PM.

I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself.

Monique Lhuillier. Ivory silk, simple but elegant.

Not the dress Brandon and I designedthe one Chloe ruinedbut a new one.

One that felt like... me.

Sophia stood behind me, eyes red.

"You look freaking amazing."

"Language," Mom said, but she was wiping tears too.

"I can't believe this is happening," I said.

"Yesterday I was marrying Brandon, and today..."

"Today you're marrying the right guy," Sophia said firmly. "Big difference."

A knock on the door.

Dad poked his head in. "Ready, princess?"

I took a deep breath. "Yeah. I'm ready."

Nathan's estate in Woodside sat high on a hill, overlooking the entire Bay Area.

The wedding was set up in the backyard.

Simple but breathtakingstring lights between ancient oaks, white roses and hydrangeas everywhere, a small arch facing the valley.

Intimate. Maybe fifty people.

Only the people who actually mattered.

Michael handed me a glass of champagne. "Nervous?"

"Terrified," I admitted.

"Don't be. The man inside?" He pointed toward the house.

"He's been preparing for this moment for six years."

Music started. Pachelbel's Canon.

Dad linked his arm with mine. "You sure, baby girl?"

I looked toward the arch.

Nathan stood there. Dark gray suit, white rose boutonniere. The way he looked at me...

God. Like I was the only person on Earth.

"Yeah, Dad. I'm sure."

The ceremony was simple.

No fancy speeches, no complicated vows. Just us, an officiant, and simple promises.

"Do you, Nathan Christopher Black, take Emily Marie Carter..."

"I do." His voice was steady.

"Do you, Emily Marie Carter, take Nathan Christopher Black..."

I looked into his eyes. Those deep, dark eyes I thought were beautiful the first time I saw them.

"I do."

"Then, by the power vested in me by the State of California, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the"

Nathan didn't wait for him to finish.

His hands cupped my face, and he kissed me.

Gentle, soft, but with a kind of...

hunger. Like he had been waiting a lifetime for this. The crowd erupted in cheers.

When we pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine, whispering:

"Finally."

During the reception, Sophia pulled me aside.

"Okay, spill. Everything."

I told her about yesterday.

The City Hall clerk, the license, everything.

"Holy shit," she gasped. "This... this is Rom-Com level drama."

"I know."

"Are you okay? No regrets?"

I looked at Nathan.

He was talking to my dad, laughing, relaxed. Then, as if sensing my gaze, he turned and smiled at me.

That smile...

"No regrets," I said.

"Good." Sophia squeezed my hand.

"Because girl, that man is down bad. Like, tragically down bad. Look at how he looks at you."

"Stop."

"I'm serious! Brandon never looked at you like that. He looked at you like... like you were a convenient accessory. Nathan looks at you like you're oxygen."

Before I could respond, Nathan walked over.

"Mind if I borrow my wife?" he asked Sophia.

"She's all yours," Sophia grinned. "Literally."

He led me to the dance floor as the band started playing.

"What is this song?" I asked.

"'Can't Help Falling in Love,'" he said.

"Elvis. Your grandmother used to play it in the vineyard all the time, remember?"

I did.

That summer, Grandma played this song constantly.

"You remember."

"I remember everything about that summer, Emily." His hand tightened on my waist.

"Every conversation. Every smile. Every moment."

"Nathan..."

"I know this is fast," he said.

"I know we basically just... jumped off a cliff together. But I want you to know... I meant every word of those vows. All of it."

"Me too," I whispered.

"Really?" His eyes searched mine.

"Really."

He kissed my forehead.

"Good. Because you're stuck with me now, Mrs. Black."

I laughed. "I can think of worse fates."

Halfway through the reception, I went to the restroom.

When I walked out, someone was standing in the hallway.

Brandon.

He looked wrecked. Eyes bloodshot, clothes rumpled, like he hadn't slept.

"Emily."

My heart raced, but not in the excited way it used to.

It was...

alarm.

"Brandon. What are you doing here?"

"I had to see you." He stepped toward me. "I had to... Emily, what the hell? You married Nathan Black?"

"Yeah. I did."

"Why?" His voice cracked. "To get back at me? To prove a point?"

"To move on," I said calmly.

"To marry someone who actually shows up."

"That's not fair"

"Fair?" I laughed, a little hysterically.

"You want to talk about fair? You left me at City Hall, Brandon. On our wedding day. For Chloe. Again."

"Her ankle was broken"

"And my heart was broken!" I finally shouted.

"Every time, Brandon! Every date, every promise, every momentyou chose her! Over and over and over again!"

"I was trying to help her"

"No, you were trying to save her. You always are. Because you feel guilty about her parents, or you feel like you owe her, I don't know! But Brandon..." My voice softened.

"I needed saving too. From a relationship where I always came second."

He stared at me. "I love you."

"Maybe you do," I said.

"But not enough. Not the right way."

"And Nathan does?" Bitterness crept into his tone.

"You barely know him"

"I know he shows up," I cut him off.

"I know that yesterday when I needed someone, he came. No questions, no hesitation. He just came."

"Because he wants something from you"

"No, Brandon." Nathan's voice came from behind me.

"Because I love her. Actually love her. Not that 'I love you but let me prioritize Chloe first' bullshit."

Brandon flushed red. "You don't know what you're talking about"

"Don't I?" Nathan stepped up beside me, his hand finding mine.

"I know you stood her up seventeen times in the last year. I know you forgot your six-month anniversary. I know you gave the Lego Millennium Falcon Emily spent three months building for you to Chloe because she 'looked like she needed cheering up.' Should I go on?"

Brandon looked at me. "You told him all that?"

"She didn't have to tell me," Nathan said.

"I've been watching you break her heart for three years, wondering when she would finally realize she deserved better."

"You have no right"

"I have every right. Because I've been in love with her since she was eighteen."