The famous Las Vegas strip was amazing, even more than all the times I'd seen it on TV. Flying in on a Lear jet, I felt giddy as I looked over at Mark. Excuse me, at Mathew Mark Bylur, originally of Phoenix, Arizona. I had laughed when he had told me what his name meant.
"Bylur is an Icelandic word, it means severe snowstorm," he told me as he handed me my new American passport. It had been brought over the border three days prior by an associate of Mark's, who then snuck back over the border after dropping it off in a train station coin locker in Toronto. "You think it works?"
"I think I'll come to adore it," I said. "I think Joanna Bylur has a certain charm to it."
After living my entire life as Sophie, first Sophie White then Sophie Warbird, I was now Joanna Smith, at least for the next two days. I'd stopped asking Mark how he was able to get such good fake identification papers, but I knew it involved hacking a lot of government databases. I'd done a search using the plane's WiFi while we flew, and I had a complete credit history, records from the University of Washington saying I graduated with a degree in sociology, as well as a Tinder account. I didn't even want to know how much it had cost.
"In any case, we'll be landing soon," Mark said, patting my knee. "Then we have to check in at the chapel, they'll have us sign the basic paperwork, and the ceremony is tomorrow."
"Did you book the one with the Elvis impersonators?" I said with a laugh.
"No, another one that actually looks a little bit classy," he said. "It's still on the strip though, and we'll be within walking distance of our hotel."
"But we're still getting married in shorts and tank tops, right?" I asked. It was my only insistence about the whole deal. I’d dreamed as a little girl about my perfect wedding and my traditional wedding dress, but now all I wanted was Mark. None of the other stuff mattered, and I wanted this to be fun.
"Of course. I told the chapel in an e-mail, and they replied that they would be fine with it. Even offered to have the preacher and organ player in Hawaiian shirts if we wanted."
"What did you say?"
The plane banked, and we started our final descent into the Las Vegas airport. "I told them we'd tell them when we get there today," Mark replied. "I'd leave it up to you."
After landing and getting our bags, we took a taxi to our hotel. Mark had been able to book us a room at the Bellagio, and I was absolutely blown away as we made our way through the luxurious lobby, past the casino and to the reception desk. I almost forgot to respond when the clerk called my name, and had to have Mark jostle my arm. "Sorry," I said apologetically as I handed over my driver's license. "First time in Vegas."
"No problem, Miss Smith," the clerk replied. "It happens all the time. Okay, well, here are your room keys, and we've included complimentary tickets to the buffet as well. There's a map inside your guest packet if you need help finding it. Enjoy your stay."
Up in the hotel room, I stared, transfixed at the sights outside our room. "It's amazing," I said as I watched the lights and the cars far below. "I can see why people become enchanted with this place."
"It is," Mark replied, coming up behind me and giving me a hug. "But I see something even more enchanting."
I smiled, resting my head against the glass while Mark held me from behind, his hand rubbing my belly. "Mark?"
"Yes babe?"
"I know it'll be tough, but tonight, can we not have sex?" I asked him, entwining my fingers with his. "I just.... I dunno, I want to save it for tomorrow after the ceremony."
Mark kissed the back of my neck, and let go. "Of course. Just don't mind me if I have to take a very cold shower tonight. Say, are you ready to go to the chapel?"
"Yeah, let's go."
The pre-wedding part was easy, and the chapel staff was actually pretty nice. Walking back to the hotel, I stopped when I saw a pharmacy. "Hold on," I said, pulling him inside. Once there, I went over to the pregnancy test aisles, picking one up. "A wedding gift for both of us."
"You want to open it tonight or tomorrow?" Mark asked as I paid for the test and put it in the backpack I was using as a purse. It felt strange and comfortable, not using something from Gucci or Dolce Gabbana for a purse again. I was going to enjoy being Joanna Bylur.
"Tomorrow, after the ceremony. Come on, let's get back. I've never played poker before for real money, and wanted to try. Don't worry, I'm going to keep to a very strict budget. I walk away if we win more than two thousand, or lose more than two hundred."
"That won't take long either way," Mark said as we walked. "The Bellagio tables are some of the biggest in the world. Have you ever played before?"
"Just online against computers," I said. "But hey, I'm on my honeymoon. Why not live a little?"
Chapter 50
Mark