Chapter 52 – What Happens in Vegas
It started with a knock on Jake's bedroom door.
"Pack a bag," Charlie said. "We're going to Vegas."
Jake looked up from his desk. "Is this about business?"
Charlie smirked. "Sort of. I'm getting married."
Jake blinked. "Wait. What?"
"You haven't met Mia yet," Charlie continued, leaning against the doorframe like he was announcing brunch, not a life-altering decision. "She's beautiful, classy, smart. Completely out of my league—which is why I need to lock this down before she comes to her senses."
Jake tilted his head. "That's... surprisingly self-aware."
Charlie shrugged. "What can I say? Growth."
"She must really be something."
"She is," Charlie said. "You'll see."
---
Alan, of course, insisted on tagging along. "It's a family moment," he said dramatically, stuffing clothes into a duffel bag. Jake suspected he just wanted a free trip and a shot at the buffet line.
That plan backfired when Kandi found out and invited herself.
"I love weddings!" she squealed, throwing her bags in the trunk. "Can I be the flower girl?"
"It's not really that kind of—"
"Or the officiant! I did a commercial once where I played a priest."
Jake leaned toward Charlie. "This is going to be a disaster."
Charlie smirked. "I give it 24 hours."
---
The drive to Vegas was a chaotic mix of awkward silence, Kandi's karaoke, and Alan giving Charlie unsolicited relationship advice.
"Just remember," Alan said, "marriage is about compromise."
Charlie shot him a look. "You were married for twelve years. And it ended in flames."
"Exactly. That's why I'm qualified. Mistakes are the best teachers."
Jake muttered, "Then you must be tenured."
Charlie nearly swerved from laughing.
By the time the Vegas skyline came into view, Charlie was radiating confidence, Alan had lost a sandwich in his shirt, and Jake had mentally calculated how much it would cost to put a FaceWorld billboard on every casino.
They pulled into the parking lot of the "Chapel of Everlasting Love," sandwiched between a pawn shop and a donut bar. Pure Vegas.
Kandi and Alan leapt out first. "Oooh! An Elvis!" she squealed.
Jake climbed out slower, eyes trailing up the flickering sign: "Weddings Done Right... and Fast!"
"That's reassuring," he muttered.
Inside, Elvis was warming up, strumming his guitar with deadly seriousness. Kandi was taking selfies with a plastic bouquet while Alan wiped sweat from his brow, emotionally moved by the fake roses.
Charlie and Jake stepped in behind them, and that's when Mia appeared.
She was striking in a cream-colored dress, posture poised, eyes steady. Jake watched her quietly for a moment as Charlie walked up to greet her.
"So you're Mia," Jake said, offering a hand.
She smiled warmly. "And you must be the genius nephew. I've heard a lot about you."
Jake smirked. "All lies. Except the genius part."
Mia laughed. "Charlie said you'd be sharp."
"He said you were classy and smart. Looks like he wasn't lying either."
She gave Charlie a look. "See? I like him already."
Jake leaned toward Charlie. "So far, she's not wrong about anything."
---
The Elvis impersonator gave them a thumbs-up. "Just say the word, lovebirds!"
Charlie turned to Mia. "Ready to make me an honest man?"
Mia didn't laugh. "Charlie... can we talk?"
Charlie blinked. "Now?"
"Yes. Privately."
They stepped aside near a blinking EXIT sign. Jake, watching from a few pews back, felt the shift immediately.
---
"I've been thinking," Mia began. "About what happens after this."
"We go home, live happily ever after, and I alphabetize your shampoo."
"I want to turn the guest room into a nursery."
Charlie blinked. "That's Jake's room."
"He won't need it. Once Alan moves out—"
"Alan's not moving out."
"Charlie, you said this marriage was about us."
"It is. But Jake's still family. And Alan... well, he's a package deal."
Mia folded her arms. "I'm not marrying a man who still plays house with his brother and his ex's kid."
Charlie sighed. "Then don't. Because I'm not throwing them out."
Mia didn't reply. She turned and walked out the front door.
Charlie stood there, quiet.
Jake came up beside him. "You okay?"
Charlie shrugged. "Honestly? Kind of relieved."
Jake gave him a look. "You're not the marrying type anyway."
Charlie smirked. "She was amazing in bed though."
Jake laughed. "You have no idea how much I didn't need to hear that."
---
Alan, oddly contemplative, suddenly turned to Charlie. "Hey, uh... can I borrow the wedding ring?"
Charlie raised a brow. "Why?"
Alan motioned to Kandi. "I'm gonna marry her."
Jake blinked. "You're joking."
"Nope."
Charlie sighed and handed him the ring. "If she pawns it, I want half."
Fifteen minutes later, Elvis was back on the mic, Kandi was practically vibrating, and Alan looked like he'd just won the lottery.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," Elvis declared. "You may kiss the bride."
Alan kissed Kandi like they were in a telenovela.
Jake whispered, "Vegas needs a warning label."
Charlie replied, "You just witnessed a historic mistake."
---
Later, on the casino floor, Alan fed a $20 into a slot machine. "One spin! Just one lucky spin!"
He pulled the lever.
DING-DING-DING!
JACKPOT – $500,000
Kandi screamed. Alan froze.
"Alan! You're rich!"
Jake's jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding."
Alan turned slowly to Kandi. "No... we're rich. We're married. What's mine is yours."
Kandi's eyes sparkled. "Really?"
Charlie groaned. "This city doubles down every time."