It had been almost two weeks since Nora's surgery. She was recovering at a steady rate and had been moved out of the ICU.

Alec visited her once a week. She was regaining her old sense of humour and looked more cheerful with every visit. Though Alec was still angry with the situation she had put him in, it did feel nice to see her recovering.

Most of the time, his mother would sitting right next to Nora and they would catch up on things, just like the old times. Beth however, was never seen. Either she had been avoiding him purposefully or she was actually busy, because in these two weeks time he never saw her. They never even bumped into each other in the corridor nor did he ever found her by her mother's side.  Whatever it was, he was glad he didn't have to face her. Being forced into marriage with her was painful enough and he wasn't very fond of the idea of getting stuck into an awkward conversation with her.

When Alec visited Nora this time, again, his mother sitting next to her. Nothing much had changed in the small pastel coloured room from his last visit. It still had numerous flower bouquets making the room smell fresh, monitors still beeped continuously and the medicines covered the small nightstand next to Nora's bed. The only difference he noticed was in Nora's health. Now the pipes weren't coming in and out of her body, her face wasn't covered with an oxygen mask anymore, though her pale head was still bandaged.

"Alec!" Her eyes lit up. Her voice sounded more clear and warm.

"Hello Nora." He smiled even with the anger residing inside him towards her.

"You look tired honey, busy week?"

"Yes." He answered as took his usual seat in the room. He always sat on the same chair that was not very close to her bed, yet wasn't far either.

"Your mother and I were just talking about Beth and you. We should start planning the marriage ceremony." Even his mother flinched a little at those words. No matter how much his mother wanted him to marry Beth, even she didn't want them to fall into such a situation.

"Nora, I think we should wait for Beth to come too. She should also know about this." Grace spoke.

"Oh, you know her Grace, I don't even know if she will be here or not."

"Yes, she loves keeping herself busy, but, today she doesn't have much to do fortunately. So, I guess she will come here during the lunch break."

"Isn't the lunch break right now?"

Just as she finished speaking, with a soft knock on the door, Beth entered. She was carrying a small plastic box which was filled with salad.

"Hello Mother." She said as she gave her mother a small peck on the cheek . "Hello Grace, Alec." She nodded graciously.

Both of them nodded back in her direction. Beth stood by her mother's bed for a few seconds and Alec noticed her hesitate a bit before she took a seat next to him. She quickly opened her lunch and began eating it. Alec sighed in relief.

"So now that you two are here, let's talk about your marriage ceremony, shall we?"

Beth coughed a little as she choked on her salad. "Mother, whatever happened, you know it was only to-"

"Beth don't you dare say it was all for the surgery and now you won't marry the man."

"Yes, mother. It was all an act." She said coolly. Suddenly all eyes  were on her. Alec and Grace's jaws were hanging down and Nora was glaring at her.

It was all fake. A faint smile found its way on Alec's lips. She really is something.

"Beth Richards, don't you dare give me that. I-"

"Yes, mother you are trying to force Alec and me into something we never want to be a part of. You don't blackmail your own daughter to marry someone."

"But it is for your own sake. I want you to be happy!" Nora shouted.

"Mother, please don't shout. This is a hospital." Beth said sternly.

"Then you start listening to me for once!"

"Mother-"

"No Beth, you both will get married, just like you both had promised me before I went into the surgery."

"Mother-"

"Enough Beth!" Nora shouted and her shout was accompanied by a few coughs. The monitors beeped wildly.

"Mother!" Beth ran to her side. She picked up the glass and handed it to her. Nora threw the glass away.

"Mother!" Beth said, appalled by her mother's behaviour. Suddenly the air in the room felt heavy and Alec decided to excuse himself.

"I am sorry, but I have a meeting in half hour. I should leave now."

"Nobody is leaving. This has to get cleared."

"Nora, Alec and I both should-" Grace tried to speak but she too was silenced.

"No Grace, these two don't understand how hard it is to live alone. They think they can live alone, without anyone's help, but the truth is, slowly it will start killing you. It is a poison that destroys you inside out. Do you know why we both could live as long as we have?" Nora said pointing at Grace and herself. "Because we had you. That is why we both can still live and not let loneliness kill us, but you both, who do you have? We both will be gone someday, after that you both will be alone, so how will you both save yourself from loneliness?"

"Mother that doesn't mean we both have to-"

"No it doesn't. But given the situation you both are stuck in, this is the best solution."

"Mother, I am not stuck in any situation. I-"

"But you can help Grace and him at least."

"I can mother but not like this. This... This is unreasonable."

"But it is your only choice."

"Mother-"

"Beth, there is a reason why Grace and I made this decision. Don't you trust us? Look at this contract. Right over here you need to sign as his wife and his property will be saved and your marriage will only last for one year. If after that you both feel you can't stay together, then you both will be free to leave." She handed Beth and him a set of papers. On top of it lay a velvet box.

Beth's fists clenched in anger. "I just don't understand why you both aren't understanding!"

"Beth is right, this is-" Alec tried to speak, but he found himself in the same helpless situation as Beth.

"It is just for a year. That is all. Don't you want to save that house Alec." His mother said.

"But Mother-"

"Alec do you really not want save our house. It is our family house Alec. Our family house."

"Mother-"

"Oh forget it, they both won't leave us until we get this done. You want us to get married right?! Fine!" Before Alec could realise what was happening, Beth took his hand and dragged him outside the corridor. A few members of staff and some of the patients who saw them gave them a strange look.

"Beth what are doing?" Alec

"Fulfilling our mother's damned wish!" And she pulled him through the corridor. Behind them, Grace ran with Nora on a wheelchair.

"Beth, stop!"

"I have had enough Alec, this is heights. No more of this nonsense." She tugged the contract under her arm as she pushed people out of the way.

They finally came to a halt outside a pair of wooden doors. They had small carvings of flowers and leaves on them. She pushed them open and Alec saw where she had brought them. They both were standing in the hospital's chapel.

He tried to stop Beth as they walked till the altar. In front of them was a huge glass stained to form a beautiful pictures of the lord.

"Beth, what are you doing? How can you-"

"I, Beth Richards," She announced, "Take you, Alec Mason, as my husband. I promise to stay by you-"

"Beth, what is wrong with you!" Alec shouted. He freed his hand.

"in sickness and in health and love you, even in the darkest times." She continued.

"Beth, enough!"

"No, not now Alec! Is this what your wanted mother?" She pulled out a pen from the pocket of her white coat and signed her name on the contract.

"Beth, stop it!" He tried to snatch the papers from her, but she had already signed them.

"No Alec, wait!" She said as she opened the velvet box and took the rings out of it. She grabbed Alec's hand. He tried to stop her, but she pushed the ring in his left hand. She took the second ring and pushed it in her left hand finger.

"I now pronounce us, man and wife!" She announced and stormed out of the chapel, leaving her mother and  Grace shocked and Alec fuming.

****

Hi guys,

So, finally an update. I am sorry ignored this book for past two months. I am gonna blame it all on my exams. I was in the situation where one set of examinations finished and the next started, so I barely had time to eat, let alone write.

I can't say i am free at the moment but yes, I did found some time to update the book. So, here it is.

That was one hell of a wedding, won't you agree?

I hope you all like the chapter and if you do, please vote for t by clicking on the little star below. If you find anything wrong with it, or anything that you want to share with me, do put them down in the comments. I always love listening to you all.

Also, do let me know about the typos and mistakes, I was half asleep when I typed this chapter. It is unedited, so do be kind to let me know.

Until next time, cheerio guys! :*

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