Page 13 of The Escape Room
Despite a very fun round of shower sex, we managed to only be ten minutes late. When we climbed out of the cab in front of The Great Escape, both of us put on our top hats, and Ryan asked, “How do I look?”
“Absolutely gorgeous and amazing.”
His vintage-inspired suit was a beautiful shade of purple, and it complemented mine, which was deep blue. He’d also gone with high heels, and as usual, his makeup was utterly flawless. I smiled at him and asked, “Are you ready for this?”
“Hell yes I am, baby. Let’s do this.”
We climbed the stairs arm-in-arm, and Benji held the door for us. “All your guests have arrived, and they’re waiting for you in the top floor library, as instructed,” he told us. When I invited him to join the fun, he rushed to the closet and produced a top hat and jacket. Then he smiled shyly and said, “I was hoping you’d ask.”
When we reached the top floor, my dad greeted us and gave us both a hug. He was holding an iPad, and when he tilted it to show me the screen, my mom and a bunch of my relatives smiled and waved. Then my dad asked, “You boys ready to do this?”
“Yes, sir,” Ryan said, as he squeezed my arm.
We went into the library, where a dozen of our closest friends were waiting for us. They all looked wonderful in their costumes, which ranged from elaborate steampunk creations to “nice try.”
“This place is super cool,” Dare said. “But with so many of us, aren’t we going to solve the escape room puzzles in about five minutes?”
“Maybe, maybe not,” I said. “Before we find out though, there’s something we want to say.”
I turned to Ryan, and he exclaimed, “Welcome to our surprise wedding! I met the love of my life here one year ago to the day, so we thought this would be the perfect place to get married.”
Everyone started talking at once. There were a lot of hugs and congratulations, and Skye asked, “Who’s performing the ceremony?”
“My dad,” I said, as Ryan and I took our spots in front of the stained glass window. “He got ordained two days ago, when we let him and my mom in on our plan.”
Our friends gathered around us, and Dad handed the iPad to Dare. Then he joined us up front and swung his dreads over his shoulder as he began, “Dearly beloved.”
I held up a hand and shook my head. “Don’t do it, Dad. Donotlaunch into that Prince song. I know you want to.”
“Fine, but I rented a karaoke machine for the reception. Trust and believe I’ll be doing that entire album,” he said, which made everyone chuckle.
He got serious after that and led us through a nice, simple ceremony. Ryan and I promised to love each other forever, and then my dad announced, “I now pronounce you married. Welcome to the family, Ryan! Oh, and kiss your husband. I almost forgot that part.”
Ryan took both my hands in his and whispered, “I love you so much, baby.”
“I love you, too. God, I love you.” My heart felt so full as my sweet, beautiful, amazing husband kissed me.
After everyone applauded and cheered, I put my arm around Ryan’s shoulders and took the iPad from Dare. Then I held it up and said, “We’ll see you next week on our honeymoon, Mom. I love you, and we’re both looking forward to celebrating with you!”
The last thing I heard before I ended the video call was my grandmother yelling in Korean, “What did he say?”
Ryan turned to Benji and asked, “Did you take everyone’s phone and explain to them how the escape room works?”
“We’re still doing that? I thought it was just an excuse to get us here,” Dare said.
“Not we. You.” I smiled at my friends, and then Ryan, Benji and I headed for the door. “We tested out this new mystery last week, and Ryan solved it in thirty-three minutes. We don’t expect you to beat his time, but we hope you beat the two-hour time limit. Then you can join us downstairs in the parlor for cake, cocktails, and karaoke. And yes, we will be getting started without you.”
“Don’t worry, we fixed the locks,” Benji called, as we left the room and he shut the door behind us.
I heard Skye yell, “You heard him, people, let’s do this thing! There are a lot of us, so I know we can beat Ryan’s time.”
I chuckled and took my husband’s hand, and he shook his head and said, “No chance.”
* * *
It ended up taking them one hour and fifty-six minutes to escape. We hadn’t expected them to take so long, but it was wonderful to have that one-on-one time with my new husband. While we waited for our friends, we cuddled on the couch downstairs, sipped champagne, and ate chocolate-covered strawberries. “Good wedding,” he said with a smile, as he took off his heels.
“It was perfection.” I kissed him and rested my forehead against his. “I’m really looking forward to our honeymoon, too. Not the part where we’re inundated with my Korean relatives, but the part where it’s just you and me, naked in a suite at the Busan Hilton. Thanks for humoring me, by the way. I know that’s not a dream honeymoon destination.”