The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Emma’s POV:

“You’re not serious,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

His arm tightened slightly around my waist–not constraining, just… present.

“Why wouldn’t I be? We’ve already agreed to this arrangement. The timing is merely a practical consideration.”

Mrs. Patterson’s eyes darted between Daniel and me, searching for some sign this was a joke.

Finding none.

I had managed to relax into his side, my body language mirroring his calm certainty as if we’d been doing this for years.

We must have passed inspection, because Mrs. Patterson’s shoulders sagged in defeat.

“I–well-” she stammered, her earlier confidence evaporating. “That’s… how lovely.”

A strained laugh escaped her throat. “I suppose my concerns were entirely unnecessary, weren’t they?”

Silence.

No one rushed to reassure her.

Daniel’s expression remained polite but distant, offering nothing. Grandma simply watched her with those sharp blue–green eyes, arms

crossed. And I–I couldn’t bring myself to absolve her of the humiliation she’d tried to inflict on me moments ago.

Mrs. Patterson’s smile wavered, then cracked entirely.

“I should–Grace, I’ll just leave this in the kitchen. You know how Bob gets if I’m gone too long.”

She practically fled.

The door swung shut behind her with a decisive click.

Through the window, I watched her scurry across the lawn toward her own Victorian cottage, her sensible shoes kicking up small clouds of

dust.

The silence she left behind felt massive.

Grandma set down her dish towel with deliberate care. When she turned to face us, her expression was unreadable.

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10:59 Sat, May 2

Chapter 36

“Well,” she said finally. “You didn’t tell me you were planning to get married today,”

My throat tightened. “I didn’t–we weren’t

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“We weren’t planning to do it quite so immediately,” Daniel said, his voice carrying that smooth, unhurried quality that somehow made everything sound reasonable. “But being here, in the place where Emma grew up, surrounded by the person who matters most to her→

His gaze shifted to Grandma, warm and sincere. “It feels right. Almost romantic. And It would be wonderful if you could be our witness.”

I stared at him, momentarily stunned by how quickly he’d spun the narrative.

How effortlessly he’d transformed a hasty civil ceremony into something that sounded thoughtful, even poetic.

Grandma was looking at me now, waiting for confirmation. So I nodded, managing what I hoped was a shy smile.

“Daniel’s right,” I heard myself say. “This place… it means everything to me.”

Grandma’s eyes softened immediately, the last traces of concern melting away. She reached out to touch Daniel’s arm, then mine, her weathered fingers warm.

“You young people should do what feels right to you,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m just honored to be part of it.”

Fifteen minutes later, I found myself in the back of the Maybach, this time with Grandma beside me and Daniel navigated Portland’s narrow streets with practiced ease, heading toward City Hall.

I stared at my hands in my lap. They were trembling slightly, fingers laced together to hide it.

I’m getting married.

The thought kept circling through my mind, refusing to feel real.

*Emma.”

Grandma’s voice pulled me from the spiral. She covered my clasped hands with her own, warm and steady.

“It’s all right to be nervous,” she said softly. “I was terrified when I married your grandfather. Absolutely convinced I’d trip walking down the aisle or forget his name during the vows.”

I turned to look at her. Really?”

“Really.” She smiled. Marriage is a big step. Even when you’re certain.”

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10:59 Sat, May 2

Chapter 36

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“Did you ever regret it?” The question slipped out before I could stop it. “Marrying Grandpa?”

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“Not once.” Her answer came without hesitation. “Oh, we had our difficult moments. Every couple does. But choosing him? Saying yes? That was the easiest decision I ever made.”

She squeezed my hands gently. “I’m not saying it will be easy for you, sweetheart. Every marriage requires work. But I have faith in you, Emma.

The Maybach pulled to a stop in front of Portland City Hall–a modest brick building with white columns, American flags flanking the entrance. Nothing like the grand municipal buildings in Boston.

Somehow, that made it feel more real.

Daniel opened my door, offering his hand.

I drew a deep breath, trying to steady the trembling in my chest, and placed my hand in his. His fingers closed around mine–warm, real.

He said quietly, too low for Grandma to hear. “If you’ve changed your mind, we can turn around right now. Leave the rest to me.”

I looked up at him. His gray eyes held no pressure, no expectation. Just a simple offer of escape.

“No, I’m sure,” I said, and my voice came out steadier than I expected. “I’m certain.”

Portland City Hall’s marriage license office was small and efficient, staffed by a cheerful clerk named Jennifer.

She processed our paperwork with practiced speed, asking perfunctory questions and typing our answers into an outdated computer

system.

“Everything looks good,” Jennifer announced, printing out forms. “You’ll need witnesses. Do you have-?”

I’m the witness,” Grandma said firmly, stepping forward.

jennifer cleared her throat. If everyone’s ready, Judge Morrison is available to officiate. She has a slot open right now.

My pulse kicked up again.

Daniel’s hand found mine again, his fingers threading through with easy confidence.

jennifer led us down a short hallway to a small room that clearly served multiple purposes–there were filing cabinets against one wall

and motivational posters about civic duty on another.

But someone had made an effort to make it ceremony appropriate. There were flowers on a small table, and a burgundy carpet runner

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