By the time midterms had come around, Michelle and Bryce were finding they had less and less time together. With Bryce's night job, and Michelle's morning classes, they were almost living separate lives. Apart from when he came home at night and climbed into bed beside her, their weekdays were lonely. But the weekends were spent together, experimenting in dating their technical spouses. But Bryce had gotten the night after Michelle's midterm off, and he planned a night of romance with all the works. As he prepared a gourmet dinner and an apartment filled with candles and flowers, Michelle was running into a familiar face.

Leaving her last midterm, Michelle felt good, accomplished. She didn't ace it, but she'd done a good job. She walked across campus, over the brick center that had been oddly named red square because the bricks covered the expansive courtyard. It was always full of people constantly moving about, including street musicians and students with political causes throwing posters at Michelle's face.

"Michelle," A distinctly male voice called after her. She turned to see her father, standing beside Dixon.

"Hey guys," I said. "What do you want? Let me guess, Britain decided to dig up my dog's grave to put in a second in-ground pool. Or maybe you just came here to insult me in front of my new in laws. Sorry, they're not here."

"I can see you're angry with me," Her dad said, frowning. "I've decided to make it up to you."

"Really," Michelle replied. "You plan on making up pushing me away, letting me rot in a hospital alone, and humiliating me in front of my husband's entire family. Good luck with that Dad."

"I want to throw you a wedding, Michelle. I want to give you what you didn't get in Leavenworth."

"But, what? You want to throw me a wedding? I am already married."

"Well, it'd be an informal ceremony, a renewal."

"Wow, I don't know what to say..." Michelle's voice was shaky.

"Since your marriage is supposedly legitimate, why not say yes? Or you can say yes to annulment papers and I'll give you back your trust fund."

Michelle shook her head.

"Everything is a game to you, isn't it Dad. I am not a god damn chess piece, and I can't be bought. I will however, tell my husband you want to pay for a wedding to celebrate our marriage."

"Michelle, take a deep breath," Dixon said. "Your dad is trying to protect you. If there is any chance this guy isn't what you thought, if you have regrets, take the deal. Your dad is giving you an olive branch."

"Don't even speak to me, Dixon. You of all people have no right to tell me how to live my life."

"What does Michelle mean by that, Dixon? Were you and my daughter..."

"No," Michelle retorted. "No, if you'll excuse me, I am going home. I've had enough excitement for a day, so take your olive branch and shove it up your a-"

"Michelle!" Her father scolded. "Dixon, just give her the folder. I can see those Santiagos have tampered with her manners."

"Here," Dixon said, pulling a manila envelope from his messenger bag. "This is the proposed budget for the wedding. And included is the name of wedding planner we've hired."

"Let me guess," Michelle whined. "Is it one of Britain's friends who intends to make me miserable every second of the day?"

"No," Dixon said. "It's a friend of mine. His name is Wyatt, and he is very good at event coordinating. He'll be as sweet as pie, I swear."

"Your wedding planner is a guy," Michelle's dad scoffed. "Is he gay?"

"Yes, he is," Dixon replied in a matter of fact tone. "Is that a problem?"

"Of course not," Michelle interjected. "Gay people are just like everyone else, and they deserve to live their lives however they want. "

Michelle's dad glanced at the two, who were sharing an unspoken moment. Paul Silas shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll see you at the wedding, dear," Paul said, walking away.

Dixon half-heartedly waved goodbye, scurrying after Paul.

***

Michelle entered the apartment, tossing a folder on the counter. She wiped her eyes, blinking before she saw it. Candles everywhere, flowers, and the smell of homemade soup and salad filled the air. What in the world was Bryce up to?

"Bryce," Michelle called out. She turned the corner and saw Bryce standing there in a nice shirt and slacks, holding a pink rose. "What is this for? Bryce, this must have taken you hours to do."

"I wanted to do something special, since you just had your last midterm."

"But, you've had tests too, and work."

"I know, but I want to find time for romance. Michelle, I want to spoil you."

"I grew up in the Silas household, so I've been spoiled before. I am fine with simple."

"I don't mean "spoil you" with presents, but with affection. I want there to be no doubt in your mind how I feel about you."

"And how is that?" Michelle asked, her voice somewhat raspy.

They hadn't truly defined their emotions. They were dating, they were technically married. They had feelings for each other, and pretended to be in love in public. What was real anymore? She needed to know, before her heart let go of its trepidations and she imagined herself coming home to nights like this forever.

"Do you promise not to freak out?" Bryce said, grinning.

"I promise," Michelle said, but her heart was beating a million miles a minute.

"I think... I think I am falling in love with you Michelle. And not because we need to be together but because I want us to be together. We can take things slow still, but just know that for me, I am sold. I know what I want Michelle, and it's you."

"Wow," Michelle said, feeling breathless.

"You don't need to respond right now," Bryce said. "I know I just put something new out there. Let's sit down and eat, and have a nice time together. Whenever you're ready, just let me know how you feel. No pressure."

"Bryce," she whispered. "Of course I feel the same. I've been trying to pretend I don't love you, because it scared me. It still scares me, it feels like we're playing with fire. But Bryce, I can't imagine not wanting to be your wife."

Michelle walked over and kissed Bryce, pulling him to her and falling into the embrace. She didn't need him to know how deep she felt, enough to bet her whole trust fund on their relationship. She just needed him to feel her heart in that moment.

"Let's go to bed," Bryce said. "I think we should start with desert first, and then move onto dinner."

"Mr. Santiago," Michelle said, laughing a bit as he kissed her neck. "I think you have the right idea."

***

"Bryce, this is so good," Michelle as she bit down into the pasta. "It's amazing."

"Should I be concerned that your bedroom noises and eating noises are one in the same?"

"It means you are doing both jobs right," Michelle giggled.

"I am just glad you like it. You usually cook, and I've gained at least ten pounds. You're incredibly talented in the kitchen you know."

"Thanks babe, but you're not so bad either. I think someday, maybe if we get married for real, we should go to Italy together. I'd love to go there, get a little hut and learn to cook some authentic Italian."

"Are you making plans for our future, dreaming dreams Michelle?"

"Yes," She replied. "Honestly, it scares the crap out of me. Sometimes I forget we're not really married."

"Well, just because our life isn't traditional doesn't mean it's wrong. We can do as we want, you know. It's ok to let go and just be."

"I know," Michelle said. "But I have to tell you something."

Bryce took a deep breath, feeling anxious.

"Is this about your father?" Bryce asked, his eyes heavy.

"Yes, I saw him today," Michelle said quietly.

"Look, I was going to tell you about the money he offered me, but I didn't want you to get hurt."

"What money?" Michelle asked, her eyes growing wide.

"He didn't tell you?" Bryce's voice trailed off as he spoke. "Your father offered to pay me fifty grand if I left you."

"Wow, that hurts," Michelle replied. "Were you tempted? I mean, the only reason we're together is for the aid money, and that would pay for all four years here."

"No, Michelle, I didn't hesitate for a second. You are worth so much more to me; I could never betray you like that."

"But Bryce, we've only known each other for a month or two. That was fifty thousand dollars."

"I know, Michelle. But I wouldn't want you to feel like your father could buy the rights to make your own choices. I can't give you that kind of money, not yet, but I will be there for you. I won't leave you like that."

"Wow, I love you Bryce." Michelle eyes were dead serious.

"I love you too. What did your father want?"

"He offered to give me back my trust fund if I left you," Michelle whispered. "I said no. He also wants to throw us a wedding."

"Wait, you turned down the money," Bryce said. "We both could have found ways to finance school outside of our marriage, and we turned it down. Does that make our marriage..." Bryce's voice trailed off.

"Bryce, did you hear what I said? Dad wants us to have a big wedding with all the stops. He gave me a budget on how much he'll let us spend. But if we do this, it will be different. This isn't a chapel in Leavenworth, this is us making promises to each other in front all of our friends and family. It'd be real. Even if we agreed it wasn't real, it seems like too much deception."

"Michelle, is it even deception? I mean, we could have gotten out of our arrangement, and instead we're here. I know it's not traditional, but why can't we just be married?"

"You said you had wild oats or something."

"Not anymore," Bryce said. "Michelle, I think it's time we stop pretending that we're still pretending."

"What are you saying?" Michelle asked, her heart beating so quickly.

Bryce got out of his chair and bent down, taking her hand.

"I am asking you, Michelle Silas to be my wife for real," He said. "I am asking you to have a wedding with me, and when we make the vows this time, to mean them. Because I already know I want you forever; nothing can change that."

Michelle just sat with her mouth hanging open. She loved him, so much, but her head swiftly took over her mouth. Sometimes her rational nature could ruin even the most perfect of moments.

"I need to think about it," She replied. "I love you, but this is so big to decide."

"Take all the time you need, beautiful. But we both know you're going to say yes. I love you."

He kissed her quickly and stood up, carrying his dishes to the sink.

Suddenly her fears had shifted from being afraid none of it was real, to realizing that all of it was.