Family Ties

Chapter 28

"Marry me Lizzie." He said softly as he gazed down into her delicate features. 

She raised her bright blue eyes to meet his gaze with astonishment, then her lips slowly curled into a smile. She chuckled, "Really Richie, you know my answer to that already, eighteen can't get here soon enough! " She leaned up and brushed his lips. He was looking at her so adoringly. It warmed her from the inside out. 

"Yeah well, I don't wanna wait til' your eighteen," his face formed a petulant pout. He was still gazing into her ocean blue eyes, lost to all reason apparently. "I mean like, soon or, now."

"Richie," She reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair out of his eyes. "I can't without my parents consent. Did ya forget I'm jail bait? I still got another year before I can 'make my own decisions'," She rolled her eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. 

"Yeah well," He turned up the charm by letting his face take on a smirky, sexy half smile and his voice took on a deep exaggerated drawl, " You're almost 17, AND I know there are states where the legal age to marry is alot younger than 18." He waggled his eyebrows crazily. "Hell, I'm sure down south there's gotta be places where fourteen is grown ya know, so, whatta ya say?" He reached over to the nightstand and rummaged around a bit as Lizzie sat there not knowing whether to smack him or laugh or what. When he turned back around, he was holding out the most beautiful silver and diamond ring she had ever seen. She gasped, "RICHIE!?" Her eyes were wide and disbelieving. 

He was grinning full force now as he dangled the beautiful bauble before her, "What Lizzie? Did you think I was kidding?"

"I--you--Richie! You know your insane right?" She exclaimed with a squeal tenatively reaching her left hand out to him. 

"Darlin'," he drawled as he slowly slid the ring onto her finger, "If you don't know by now that I'm a few fries short of a happy meal..."

Lizzie laughed when he growled playfully nuzzling her neck and whispering "Does this mean your answer is yes?" 

She sighed happily. Twining her arms around his neck she looked deep into his dark glittering brown eyes. "Yes Richie, I'll marry you--and the next day we're both gonna be dead, but at least I'll die knowing what it is to be your wife." she grinned a bit then laid a kiss on him that was hot enough to melt iron. 

"Baby, I can't think of a better way to leave this world." he purred as he started once again building her desires to an exploding point. 

Both knew what the had just agreed to do would be life altering. Not only for them, but for thier loved ones as well. But neither one could stand the secrecy any longer. And once the words were said and the vows spoken. No man, only God would be able to part them. 

It had to be done... and soon...

Dave,



Please don't be angry or worry about me, I'm safe. I am with Richie. I know we were supposed to fly home for the weekend but please tell mom and dad I'll explain everything when we get back. I know everyone is going to be angry but, I hope someday you will all understand. We had to. I'll explain more when we get back.

I love you!
Your sister
Elizabeth

Dave sat at the bar in the airport reading over the note for the thousandth time wondering what the hell was going on. 

Lizzie and Richie had disappeared last night and no one had heard from them since, not a single word. They were just gone with nothing left but this note. 

Dave was waiting for his boarding call and wondering just how the hell to explain this to thier parents. He had no idea where his sister had gone or why. But he got the feeling when he found out he wasn't going to like it. Not at all. 

He better keep his hands to himself. I don't know what he is thinking or her,but he just better keep his hands off! 

He'd watched them the last few weeks and he had a suspicion but he played it off as just him being a worrisome brother. Sure Lizzie and Rich were close, always had been. Hell, there'd been times Dave was jealous of how Lizzie seemed to go to Rich when he was around for advice instead of him but it all seemed so innocent. The closeness, the whispers he'd seen the last few weeks, the playfulness, the pecks on the cheeks, lips, the hugging even when there was no reason to hug, he knew he should have said something but he didn't want to be the overbearing big brother. He'd even caught them asleep together in bed a few times but it never seemed too out of place, they were always fully dressed and just innocently sleeping. If they were doing anything wrong wouldn't they have had their door locked to keep people out? 

ah who knows what the fuck is going on anymore! 

Dave swallowed his last bit of whisky along with the anger and betrayal he was feeling. 

Now wasn't the time to blow his stack. That could wait til he was face to face with those two, cause if he was right, right now he had to get thru explaining to his parents that his guitarist ran off with his little sister.








"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The justice of the peace said in a soft yet authoritative voice. 

Rich and Liz locked eyes as the words washed over them. Both were near in a cold sweat from nerves and excitement.

Wearing nothing fancy, just jeans and t-shirts, they had done it! As secretively as possible they'd gotten all the necessary licenses and they had done it. Once all the paperwork was filed it hadn't taken more than 15 minutes.


Richie leaned in and brushed his wife's lips gently yet with a sigh full of passion as his grip tightened on her waist. She was his, now and forever. 

His Wife 

He loved the sound of that. He broke their kiss and peered down at her. Her face was flushed and he noticed her fiddling with the rings on her left hand. Her blue eyes sparkled with love and happiness as she looked back at him. 

"ya scared?" he asked softly. 

"petrified," She admitted then asked in return "You?" 

"Absolutely!" He chuckled nervously then got a very sincere look in his eyes and said " But Lizzie girl, for you, I'll face anything. I love you." 

She sighed and shed one single tear of complete and utter rapture "I Love you too Richie! So much!" She hugged his waist and snuggled contentedly "I'll be the best wife you could ever have, I promise." 

He ran his hands up and down her back gently and whispered, "You already are darlin'," He pulled away long enough to look down at her one more time, "Now, let's go make love!" He flashed her a flirty smile. "Monday will come soon enough! I want to thoroughly enjoy my wife before shit hits the fan!" He groaned with a bit of humor. 




Lizzie gave a nervous laugh, tapping down the nervousness she felt when she thought of returning to the tour and facing up to what they'd done. Now wasn't the time for worries. She slid her hand into his and followed him out the door. Now was the time for loving.









Lizzie sighed and leaned her head back against the seat closing her eyes. 


Damn this headache! I wish it would ease off, I need my senses clear when we get there.

She was stressed she knew, but still ever since last night her head would not quit pounding.


"You ok Liz?" Richie reached over and squeezed her hand a bit. "It'll be ok." He reassured her. "He's gonna yell we know that, and so will your dad, maybe your mom but honey just let me handle it ok?" 

She smiled weakly and squeezed his hand before raising it to her lips and kissing his knuckles, "No I am not just gonna let you handle it. I said for better for worse and all that so no matter what, I will be right there beside you." She closed her eyes and groaned "If only I could get rid of this damn headache!" 

He snickered a bit and mumbled "So much for love, honor and OBEY" and rummaged around in his bag as she peered at him thru one open eye, an amused look on her face. 

"ok, so I lied on THAT part." she quipped and stuck her tongue out at him. 

He laughed and handed her a couple Tylenol PM's "Here sweetie, take these. At least you'll sleep the rest of the way and maybe when we get there it'll be gone?" 

"Thanks," She took them emptying her can of soda. "You're such a good husband baby, you take such good care of me." She smiled, leaning her head over onto his shoulder. 

He cuddled her close and let his fingers massage her temples. As she slowly drifted off, he too closed his eyes.


5 hours til D-day....where's my bulletproof vest