Suddenly a Bride by Ruth Ann Nordin Page A

probably wonder if she got married because she was pregnant, and that was the part she was dreading.
    When she drove her minivan down her parent’s street, she inwardly groaned.  In the front yard stood her father and Randy’s father.  It was just her luck that her parents saw it fit to invite their good friends over at the same time, and their good friends happened to be Randy’s parents.  This was bound to get awkward.  She slowed the car and considered turning around and going back home.
    “There is something wrong,” Chris insisted.  “What is it?”
    “Randy’s family is there.”
    “Why?”
    “Probably because my parents are best friends with his parents.  I guess everyone wants to check you out.” Taking a deep breath, she pulled into the driveway and waved to the two men.  She turned off the ignition.  “Here goes nothing.”
    As she opened the door, her dad and Randy’s dad came over to the minivan, but they didn’t go over to her side.  They made a beeline right for Chr is.  She sighed.  And so it started.  She could only hope Chris passed their inspection.
    By the time she made it over to Chris’ side, her dad was already beginning his interrogation.  “So, how long did you know Caitlyn before you married her?  I don’t recall hearing about you before you two eloped.”
    She quickly stepped up to Chris and slipped her arm around his waist.  “Oh, I met him at the diner.  He came in to eat, and we started talking.  One thing led to another and we got ma rried.” She patted his chest and smiled.  “He was one of the nicest people I’ve ever served.” That was true .  So far, so good.
    “I guess you getting married again was bound to happen sooner or later,” her father admitted, turning his attention to Chris.  “Where do you work?”
    “Eglin Air Force Base,” Chris replied, putting his arm around her shoulders.
    “Yes.  He’s an engineer.” Now that was something she loved to say.  She actually jumped for joy when she saw his first paycheck.  Her dream of having a home of her own was quickly coming true.  “T hey were only going to hire one, but he and the other guy were so good, they hired both.”
    Her dad nodded.  “That’s good news.” He shifted from one foot to the other .  “You know, Caitlyn, w e would have liked to have been at the wedding.”
    Considering the fact that the wedding took place in her van , she bit back her laughter.  “Yeah well, we wanted a private affair.” And how private it’d been indeed!
    “Well, i t’s your marriage ,” her dad began, “but your mother was devastated.  You know how she can get with these things.”
    “Yeah, I know.” Caitlyn glanced at her watch.  If she and Chris stuck around for about three hours , that should be long enough.
    Chris squeezed her shoulders.  “Did you want to tell them the good news?”
    Her eyes grew wide and she shook her head.
    “What good news?” Randy’s dad asked.
    “It can wait,” she said.  “Is everyone here?”
    “Oh come on,” her dad argued, motioning to Chris.  “Your new husband is obviously excited about it.”
    She glanced at Chris and saw the big smile on his face.  If her family found out she was pregnant, they’d assume she married as quickly as she did because she got knocked up, and it wasn’t like she could tell them the truth—that her new husband was from another planet and that he released a hormone which drove her to the point where she had to have sex with him.  What do you mean you had to have sex with him? her mother would ask.  Yeah, Caitlyn, that’s pretty lame, her dad would chime in.   Never mind what the others would say.
    “Yeah,” Randy’s dad said.  “What is it?”
    Before Chris could speak, Caitlyn cleared her throat and laughed.  “You should meet everyone else,” she told Chris.  Taking his hand, she headed for the house.  Might as well get it over with.
    The two men followed them.  “Everyone’s out