She Woke Up Married by Suzanne Macpherson

he’d always been known as a guy who could be counted on to comfort someone in a bad situation. He guessed that was still his role in life, and that must be why he had been reunited with Paris. His job with her wasn’t done yet.
    And his own life was obviously about to take a drastic turn of direction.
    Mary Finelli brought him a drink order and smiled a sympathetic smile.
    “I know a man with woman trouble when I see one,” Mary said.
    “You’re a wise woman, Mary Finelli.”
    “Never you mind, Turner Pruitt, there are plenty of ladies in the sea,” she replied.
    “I think I’m lost at sea today, Mary. I better have a nice cup of your coffee and stay on shore.”
    Mary winked at him. “That’ll do it.”
    He filled the order quietly and smiled back. He was lost in his thoughts. He better focus on present time.
    But then present time held its own complications. He was just going to take one day at a time. Maybe he’d even have to do moment by moment with Paris.
     
    Turner knocked on the door and said, “Paris, it’s me, Turner,” before he set the key in the lock and turned it. It was quite late, and he didn’t want to frighten her.
    Paris was not asleep. It looked like she’d been very busy since he’d left.
    Whatever order he had created previously was now chaos. Her dishes and food littered the kitchen, her clothes were strewn over the bedside chair again; it almost looked like she’d been gutting her closet, because the piles had multiplied into mountains.
    Well, the woman had a great deal on her mind. He wasn’t going to bother about domestic details at a time like this.
    “I’m packing.”
    He shut the door and spun the dead bolt.
    “I take it you’ve come up with a plan?” he asked.
    “I’m going to Switzerland. It’s a neutral country.” Paris flung another sequined something on one of the piles while she spoke.
    Turner took off his jacket and hung it on Paris’s empty coatrack. “What’s the rush?”
    “The sooner I get out of here the better. People won’t be counting months if I leave while I’m not obviously pregnant.”
    “Have you spoken to your agency yet?”
    “I called Rita today.”
    “You told her you were going to Switzerland?”
    “I told her I was taking a year off. Our marriage has really come in handy, Turner, I have to say that.”
    “Can I fix you anything? I’m going to have a cup of tea.”
    “People who try and make me hot tea always have something bad to say.” Paris stopped sorting clothes and stared at him. “You aren’t actually going to try and talk me out of leaving, are you?”
    He went to the kitchen and set down the small bag of tea and fresh fruit he’d bought at the market down the block.
    “No,” Turner replied, picking up leftovers and dishes as he walked through the kitchen. He disposed of the trash and stacked the dishes in the sink. The kettle on the stove was bone dry, so he filled it with cold water. Tea always tasted better when he started with cold water, then got a good boil going.
    “Come over here and join me, Paris. I’d like to talk about a few ideas.”
    “I don’t want to talk.”
    “I don’t think you have a choice.” Turner kept his voice calm, but this time, he was determined to have his say.
    “I can take care of my own problems.” Paris’s voice was getting very edgy and loud.
    “Paris, your problems are my problems. You are my wife, and that is my child you are carrying,” Turner said firmly.
    She took one step in his direction. “Our marriage was an accident, and I don’t even think it’s legal. I know it’s not legally binding when you are too drunk to know what you are doing.”
    “Been consulting attorneys?” Turner got out two cups. The Garfield cup for her. He took Bugs Bunny. He’d never seen Bugs Bunny lose an argument.
    “I saw it on Oprah. ”
    “Ah. Come and sit down, please.”
    Paris crossed her arms over her chest, but she came over to the table and sat herself down. She looked very