Her hands on the desk, Amy counted the seconds until the day officially began at the firm. She was early, she knew as much, but she hadn't been able to sleep and knowing she had to call her mother and deliver the happy news wasn't exactly a pleasant thought. Hi, mom, I'm marrying my boss. And he's marrying another woman. Woohoo.
She booted up the computer half-heartedly and checked the time again. Mr Canning wasn't late. He had a free morning. He was probably just catching up on sleep.
The day started as any other would for Hugh. He slept soundly the night before, woke up without setting the snooze alarm, and was even in a pleasant enough mood to cook himself breakfast. Hugh showered and was out the door on time, and he allowed himself enough time that even the traffic he encountered on the way to the office didn't bother him.
Suffice to say, he was taking the news rather well. He stepped into the office and traded a bit of light-hearted banter with one of the partners. Kone begged for him to discuss a possible press release, but Hugh waved him off and made his way to his office. Amy was there waiting, as he expected she would. "Amy? A moment?"
Her throat dried with speed reminiscent of her college days. Oral exams would do that to her. Debates too, because she was so terrified of losing and looking stupid (on top of ugly). But she didn't have water and Mr Canning wasn't going to give her time to collect herself - and why should he? She was being ridiculous.
Picking herself up, she nodded, adjusted her glasses and stood. Once in his office, she had the presence of spirit to close the door behind her. This wasn't business. This was private. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Amy," Hugh smiled and made a motion for her to sit, it was obvious that the girl was tense. Given the news that she might have to marry him, her boss, with the added complication of another woman; it would have been odd if she wasn't. "I'd like to know how you feel about the situation."
Amy made her way to the chair like it was salvation personnified and sat up straight like a rod, shoulders squared. "Oh, you know. Shocked. Confused. It doesn't seem real and I know it is... how are you taking it?"
"To be honest, I'm pleased with the results," instead of sitting behind his desk he sat in the empty chair next to hers. "I know you are aware I have a reputation for taking cases that go against this law, but in this case I would like to see what the government will do before I file anything."
He wasn't going to fight it even if he had all the cards and didn't need to bother with clients changing their minds. Amy's eyebrows met her hairline. "A... ha." What was she supposed to say to that one? "We have a week to begin legal proceedings. Or get married. Which do we do?" And what, exactly, was he going to do about the other woman?
"Get married as the law requires," Hugh answered plainly, "if you will agree to it. I am aware that I am your boss, and I do not want you to feel obligated to go along with this because you are my assistant."
"I don't," she hurried to contradict him. "But, uh, would you want me to stay on as your assistant?" Because deciding between work and marriage was never an easy choice and for a moment she worried that he was going to make her pick.
"Yes, I want you to stay on as my assistant," Hugh smiled warmly, "I think we work well together, and as long as you wish to work with me you are welcome to do so."
Amy returned the smile. At least she was ensured a job, if nothing else. Granted, if they were married, that could make things a little awkward, but her own mother had worked for her dad once. It wasn't unheard of. "Okay. Hugh." She tested the word out with a grin before it fell again and she struggled to put her thoughts in order. "What about Miss... I forget her name. The other woman whose name was drawn."
"Tristan. Sarah. I am going to talk to her about the situation, and explain the options available to her," Hugh replied after a moment of thought. "Hopefully we can come to an agreement on how to handle this situation harmoniously."
"What does that mean?" Amy sat back in the chair. "That you won't tell her you can't marry her?" It dawned on her that she was being selfish already. This was her wedding. Her family.
"If the law stands, Amy, hands are tied," he kept his voice even and measured his words carefully, "that is what I want to see; I want to see what the government will do in this situation. I want to see if they will force me to marry her even after I marry you."
Her lips quirked into something like a pout, but she kept her composure. It wasn't the kind of answer she'd been looking for. Not decisive enough. Too wishy-washy. "Alright. I imagine they won't. That sort of thing isn't legal, is it?"
"Polygamy isn't legal, but in my eyes this marriage lottery isn't legal," Hugh couldn't help but smile at the thought of the legal precedents this case might bring. Especially on an issue he had felt strongly about his entire life, "the government has to choose which is more illegal. To continue to criminalize a practice supported by many religions, or continue to enfore laws that deprive citizens of their rights."
He made it sound like her one choice at marital happiness came with shackles. "I thought there was supposed to be a separation of church and state. A ton of religions also say it's okay to marry thirteen year old girls. I wasn't aware that was something that should be legalized in the US. Even if we had thirteen year old girls." She felt her hackles rising slightly. He couldn't really be suggesting that he'd marry them both.
"That is my point, there should be seperation between church and state. For centuries it has been legal to deny citizens the right to practice their beliefs." Hugh kept his voice level, trying to keep her calm as he tried to explain his views.
"Amy, you know I am a religious man. I would not ask you to be a part of anything immoral or anything I personally believe to be wrong. If it is part of God's plan for this to happen, I welcome it. This is very important to me. You are important to me."
Amy tilted her head to the side, considering what he'd said. "Anything you personally believe to be wrong," she repeated, measuring every word and its potential to harm her vision of a perfect family. "Hugh, I'm going to be very honest with you here. I'm not into anything weird, okay?" She blushed as she said it, coloring with embarassment and the knowledge that this was still her boss.
"Plural marriage isn't weird. I will tell you something I haven't told anyone outside of family; I grew up in a polygamist home." Hugh smiled faintly, "my father had five wives and I had nine siblings. I lived a very normal and happy life, but because of government laws we had to live in an isolated community far from any cities."
He sighed and shook his head. "There are a lot of prejudices and misconceptions about such families, just because it is different than the traditional 'one man, one woman' mold. It does not make it wrong."
Amy gaped. "Is that what you're expecting this marriage to be like?" She didn't storm out, it wasn't her style, but she wasn't going to sit here and pretend she didn't mind. Religious practices were fine and dandy as long as they didn't interfere with her life. Being told she was going to be sixth wife? Did.
"No, of course not, you don't believe in the covenant of plural marriage," Hugh answered with a quirk of his brow, "I am merely saying I am not opposed to marrying two women. In fact, I hope that this will go through as a step to legitimize 'non-traditional' marriages. After all is said and done, I will file to annul if one or both of you do not desire to remain married."
He was a man of his word and Amy trusted him, but she couldn't stop the flicker of doubt that gnawed at her. "I don't have a problem marrying you," Amy replied with a shake of the head. "Don't misunderstand me. But it's just the idea-" Of another woman being involved that freaked her out.
"We will see how this goes," Hugh gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, "the government may void one or both selections and all of this concern would be for nothing. Until then, be prepared for anything."
As long as it wasn't her selection they voided, she could deal with anything. Smiling, Amy patted his hand. Funny. It was the most physical contact she'd had with him. Ever. And he was to be her husband. Who said arranged marriages didn't work?
"Alright. I should get back to work... you don't have anything scheduled this morning but Ms Valeri has asked that you call her. Again."
"Ms Valeri," Hugh groaned, "what in the heck does that woman want now? It's that greedy sonofamotherhauler snake of a lawyer. Sorry." He smiled and stood to look over the many notes scattered over his desk. Personal business aside, there was still much work to be done. Amy, of all people, would understand that.
"Call her or her lawyer and tell her I have important matters to attend to, and that if it is truly important, they can fax you the information."
That was her cue. Amy rose, nodding to show she understood "I'll take care of it." If nothing else, she'd have the woman's lawyer take a raincheck. And then another. And another. Until things became clear. She had other things to worry about than Ms Valeri's feelings.