Chapter 116 - Being told Reality (3)

29 December, Military Hospital, Military Base, City K

Matthew could see the moment his words resonated with Lexi. She, after a few seconds comprehended that in fact he was a General,, despite it not being publicly stated, and was a shock for her. Now that she knew that piece of information, he had to deliver the ramification of what occurred while they were captive. While it would be easy to simply dismiss what happened, as someone sworn to protect the country and its laws, he could not ignore a law to suit himself or people connected to him.

Looking directly at Lexi, Matthew said "Lexi, I am telling you this as it is necessary for you to understand the situation. You have to understand that what I am about to confirm to you, about my promotion, cannot be discussed until it has been publicly confirmed. If you say something to anyone, I will struggle to help you stay out of military jail. I was promoted to General last week, just before I was given this posting."

"How dare you, Matthew." same the even more angry response from Lexi. "You are well aware of Phillip;s situation, and you dare hide this from the one person in your family that would be so happy for you. I was right you are a b*stard."

"Not my choice Lexi. It is a direct order from the President. When he confirmed my promotion he not only sworn me to secrecy, but ordered myself and anyone else who knows about it act as if I am still a colonel. If anyone is to blame, it is him, not me. And before you say anything he knows about Phillip's situation. But this is distracting us from what you need to understand."

"Why in the world do I give a care. I do not want to be married to you and you cannot force me."

"You think we can get around the law Lexi, you are kidding yourself."

"Well I am not a member of the military, so it does not matter."

Matthew paused Lexi simply did not want to listen. She had in her mind that the ceremony was forced and given that she had not signed the civil registration papers it was not legal and she could not be forced to do so. She had forgotten their past actions and that was a problem.

"Lexi, I would love to tell you that you are right, but since you did not pay attention to what Phillip talked about after he and Chester visited the President, then I have to tell you."

"Just get out of here. I do not want to see you."

"Lexi I am losing my patience with you. Now listen. The law changes with respect to officers like myself recognised three types of marriages, all perfectly legal. Those that follow the normal traditional route, civilian registration and a religious ceremony. Those where the religious ceremony occurs before the civilian registration. Both of those then require registration with the military to be considered military marriages. Then there is the third type, that has not been widely used for years. All previous marriages for any levels done this way were declared valid but as a marriage option going forward it only is valid for those at senior ranks, as for the last six years the process had been discouraged.."

"Stop messing around Matthew, you are just spinning lies to me so that I do not do anything before Chester and Phillip arrive."

"Damn it Lexi," shouted Matthew. She had now gotten him to the point that he was so angry with her.

Taking a few calming breaths, he then continued "The third form of military marriages has a number of steps. The military member of the couple had to register the intention to marry with the military. That intention was then signed by both parties and filed with the military authorities, now that could be done before or after the next step. That intention to marry had to be confirmed with a military chaplain, whether in person or via electronic communication means. Then a marriage ceremony had to be performed. Nothing else is required for it to become a valid marriage, nor is there any time frame set for each step to be completed as the process recognised military members could be away for large periods of time limiting the ability to do each step."

Matthew paused again and realised that things were starting to dawn on Lexi. He continued "You are realising that before your eighteenth birthday I registered with the military our intention to marry. You signed that intention and we confirmed on the telephone with a Chaplin, who by the way attached that confirmation of our intention to marry to the official records. Now yesterday an Imam, who from what I gathered on the trip here to the base, who has a license to perform religious wedding ceremonies in the country in accordance with the law, married us."

It fully dawned on Lexi what Matthew was saying, "No damn way, I married someone else which negated that intention to marry, so there no way that it is valid. Plus, I was underage when I did all that."

"Lexi, the marriage is valid. That process was legal for those seventeen years and older, so long as the ceremony was not performed until after the seventeen-year-old turned eighteen. And, it invalidates all other marriages performed unless the military member deregisters the intention to marry before that ceremony occurs. I did not know you had married before you were widowed. So, as I never did that, technically your marriage is invalid. I will not have it declared such, as that hurts your son and your in-laws, but it does not invalidate our intention to marry, and what is the case."

Looking at the seriousness on Matthew's face, the reality finally dawned on Lexi. They had a legal marriage.

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