Epilogue

The following Monday Ben and I were waiting in a deserted classroom for our Health teacher to show up. We had gotten our wedding project returned to us in class that day, and our teacher had written a note on our report for us to come see her after class.

After a solid month of neglecting the project, we had really tried our best to put together a decent report the night before it was due. However, we kept getting sidetracked by each other, and before we knew it, it was midnight and we still hadn't accomplished anything.

In the end, we decided to say that we got married at a courthouse in a private ceremony. I wore a dress that I already had in my closet, and we bought simple rings at an affordable price. On the way to the courthouse, Ben had stopped to pick up a bouquet of roses for me to hold during the ceremony. And the rest of the money? We put it aside to start our lives together, because, in the end all that mattered was that we had each other.

We had gotten a D for this answer, and as Mrs. Dryden sat down at her desk, we waited to hear what else she had to say.

"I have to admit, I'm surprised at the abysmal quality of work from both of you," she began, and Ben and I exchanged a look. "Ben, I thought you understood the importance of applying yourself so that you could finally pass this class. And Lydia, I'm shocked that such a dedicated student could turn in a paper that completely lacks any originality."

The conference pretty much continued on this theme, with both Ben and myself promising to work harder for the rest of the semester. When we finally left the classroom, both of us burst into laughter.

"Wow, she really takes this far too seriously," Ben said, grabbing my hand and lacing my fingers through his.

"Says the kid who went to my house to ask for my father's permission!" I teased him with a laugh.

"Oh well, a D's not a bad grade," Ben said, completely sincere.

"Are you kidding me?" I answered in total disbelief. "I have never gotten anything below an A- in my life. My parents are going to kill me when they find out!"

"Nah, just let me tell them about it. They love me. And besides, it's not like you ONLY got a D on the project, lovely little Lydia. You got me too."

I rolled my eyes. "I think it's the other way around, Benjamin. YOU got ME."

"Whatever you say, dear," he replied, shaking his head.

I laughed, "Spoken like a true husband."

He leaned down to give me the lightest of kisses before we walked out of the school, our hands tightly clasped between us.