The Wedding

The scent of the flowers seemed almost overwhelming when I opened the heavy double doors of the small chapel. The florist was still there, straightening, fussing, making it all perfect. The chill of the crisp fall day disappeared as warmth flooded my body, and seeped through to my where my heart was beating too quickly. Yes, I was nervous, but not frightened. I knew what I was about to do was the right thing. I had spent many long nights searching my soul, imagining my life without him, and with him. Pain and loneliness were all I saw when he wasn’t in my life. A life with Ed, well, I knew I would experience so many new things, and it wouldn’t always be easy, but I loved that man, and I wanted desperately to be with him........Forever.

The florist waved to me, as I made my way to the small room in the back of the chapel. I waved back and said, "Everything looks beautiful, thank you so much."

"You are going to make a beautiful bride Jennifer. I wish you all the happiness in the world. She answered. "By the way, I placed your bouquet on the table in the Bride room."

"Great. Thanks again."

The bouquet of white roses and babies' breath lay on the table just as she had said. A plum colored ribbon had been intertwined between the roses, and then wrapped around the long stems, bringing out the color I had chosen for my one and only attendant to wear. I had asked my college roommate and best friend to stand as my maid of honor. I had not seen her in the recent years, but we remained close. She had been my one and only confidant when I needed to talk about Ed. Choosing her dress had not been easy. She lived in California, and was not able to come for fittings. In the end, we had worked out our problems and her dress was hanging next to mine, waiting.

"Jen?" Veronicas voice reached out to me. I turned and a sob caught in my throat when I saw her.

"Ronnie!" Instantly we were wrapped in a tight hug. We had missed each other terribly, and the past few years were instantly forgotten and we were college girls again, smiling and giggling.

"I always knew you would be the first to get married." She said through tears of joy.

"I can’t believe this is happening." I told her. "I am so nervous."

"Jen, it is going to be perfect, and you know it. So where is my dress, but, more importantly, where is YOUR dress?"

"Over there hanging up." I nodded to the far wall.

"OK well, my job as your maid of honor is to help get you ready, so let’s get busy. Your wedding starts in an hour."

Together we dressed, Ronnie helping me with the dozens of tiny buttons that ran from the neckline of my gown to the waist. Just as she was finishing with the last few, Betty walked in. "Ronnie this is Eds mother Betty. Betty, my best friend, Veronica." After the introductions were made, Betty turned to me with tears in her eyes and said,

"Jennifer, Frank and I have been waiting for this day for a long time. You look so beautiful. I feel very proud." She stood there smiling and dabbing at the tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

"Betty," I said, "I feel very honored to be part of your family. In a way I have always felt like I already was., but this makes it official." I reached out and took her in my arms. Holding her and hugging her close like a daughter would her mother.

"We had better get you down that aisle. My son doesn’t like to be kept waiting."

As I walked out of the Bridal room I heard the tinkling sounds of a harp. Betty must have noticed the surprised look on my face. She turned and smiled up at me and said, "Ed thought you would like that." She kissed me lightly on the cheek turned and met the usher who would lead her down the aisle to take her place beside her husband.

"Jen, I am scared." Ronnie said nervously.

"What do you have to be scared about?" I laughed. "I am the one getting married."

"I feel like I am losing my best friend. Promise me that is not going to happen." I saw insecurity in her pleading eyes, and it touched me deeply.

"I promise Ronnie, unless you make me late for this wedding. Now get your cute bottom down that aisle." We laughed together, but underneath that laughter, was the fear that maybe this really would separate us. I would be a married woman with an instant son, and Ronnie would go back to California and her job. Our lives would be very different from that moment on.

"Last chance to stop me." She teased, then looking back she asked in all seriousness, "You ready Jen?"

I took a deep breath and smiled. "I’m ready."

As I looked down the aisle I saw the people who meant the most to me. My friends and coworkers were there. Those that I had grown close to during my summer stay at the cabin were sitting grouped together. Our families were dispersed thoughout the pews. Betty and Frank, my soon to be in-laws, Finally, as I began the slow walk down that path that would lead to my intended, I saw him. Ed stood there smiling at me, looking more handsome than I had ever seen him before. Standing next to him, holding a small pillow was Mark, looking like a small replica of his father. Behind Mark was Eds brother, and best man. I took my place beside Ed and heard a small whispered voice say, "That’s my new Mommy. Isn’t she pretty?" Love flooded through me for the tiny boy. Kneeling down, I kissed him on the cheek and whispered into his ear.

"I love you Mark." I told him.

"I love you too.......Mommy." When I once again stood next to Ed, I noticed tears in his eyes. He has been watching me with Mark.

The minister started the service but it all became a blur. I was lost in Eds eyes, in the way he was looking at me, and the feelings of love that we were sharing. Before I knew it, we were saying our vows and Ed leaned down, pulled the veil from my face and kissed me. It was I was waking from a dream, and I realized I was his wife.

Ed put his arm protectively around me and guided me back down the aisle. The feelings of love and happiness seemed overwhelming and I began to cry. Happy, joyous tears streamed down my face and dropped onto the white roses I was carrying.

We stopped at the back of the chapel and greeted our guests. As the faces swirled by, I found myself having a hard time concentrating on who was saying what to me. My thoughts kept creeping back to Ed. I yearned to be alone with him. To touch him, to hold him, to be one with him.

The reception was held at Betty and Franks house. A large tent, complete with heaters to ward of the autumn chill, had been set up in the rose garden. It too was filled with roses of every color just as the chapel had been. There was a live band playing all types of music to fit eveyones tastes as well as a luncheon of seafood, roast beef and chicken.

The table displaying the cake was adorned with handmade chocolates and small butter cookies. We danced, we ate, we laughed, but we never seemed to have time to be alone. Several times during the evening I found Ed looking over at me and he would wink, making me blush. I knew what he was thinking, and he knew that I was thinking about it too.......About our wedding night. Frank came to me and asked me to dance with him once again, but just as we stepped onto the dance floor, Ed interrupted us.

"Dad, do you mind if I steal my bride away from you? We are going to have to leave, the helicopter is scheduled to pick us up in a few minutes."

"Sure son...." I cut Frank off with a question of my own.

"Helicopter?" I asked. "Ed exactly where are we going?"

"Son you mean she still doesn’t know where you are taking her?"

"No Dad, she doesn’t." Ed answered. That mischievous look that I loved so much was back in his eyes. "And," he said looking directly at me, "I have no intention of telling her either, she will just have to wait and see for herself."

With that Ed jumped up onto the makeshift stage and "borrowed" the microphone from the band. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we wish to thank you for sharing this happy day with us. I beg you now to please excuse us. I am about to take my steal my wife away from everyone and spend a few weeks alone with her. Please stay and enjoy the party for as long as you wish."

We found Mark, kissed him and placed him in the loving care of his Grandmother just as I heard the sound of the helicopter off in the distance.

Amid a shower of rice, and rose petals we boarded the helicopter and waved to our families and guests as we rose higher and higher into the late evening ski.

"Ed, please tell me where we are going."

"Well, tonight we are flying into Dallas, I have arranged the Bridal suite at the Adolphus."

"And? In the morning? Where are we going then?" I asked, my curiosity peeking.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes."

"Tomorrow we are flying to Hawaii. I was able to arrange two weeks at a private estate, directly on the beach. Sweetness, I only want the best for you."

I looked down at the shiny gold band on my finger and whispered,

"I love you Ed."

"I love you too Darlin.'

The ride into Dallas was short and soon we were situated in our suite at the Adolphus. Ed had taken care of everything. There were candles everywhere, and a bottle of champagne chilling next to the bed. Shyness seemed to envelop me. I stood there, not knowing what to say, or what to do.

"Jen, come here Sweetheart."

I walked over to Ed, my eyes downcast, unsure, and a bit nervous. He said nothing but moved behind me. Slowly he pulled at the pins holding my veil in place. He removed it and gently laid it down on the chair next to him. Next his fingers began opening the long row of tiny buttons that ran down my back. His hands caressing the soft skin that he was exposing. Running his fingers once again across my back, he closed the palms of his hands over my shoulders and slid the gown over and down my arms. It fell into a silken pool at my feet. I stood there shivering wearing a lace bra and matching thong in the palest of blues. "Is this your something blue?" He asked.

"Yes." It came out as a gasp, for Ed had reached over my shoulders and unhooked my bra at the clasp nestled between my breasts. He was circling my nipples with his finger and whispering in my ear at the same time.

"Do you want me Jen?" He whispered.

"Yes."

Just as he had my gown he then took the straps of my delicate bra and slide them over my shoulders and it joined my gown at my feet. Then he suddenly gathered me into his arms and lifted me from the pool of silk and lace, carrying me to the oversized feather bed. He laid me down and stepped back. As quickly as he had removed my gown he removed his tux. Swiftly he covered my body with his and our lips met sending electric jolts throughout my body. He devoured with his lips, kissing me everywhere. My eyes, my forehead, my cheeks, my lips, my neck, were his. I was lost in the assault.

When his mouth found it’s way to my nipples, my voice sounded distant, and strange to my ears. This man, my husband, was making me feel extraordinary. My fingers wove themselves through the length of his hair, entangling. Our lips met again for a fraction of a minute before one resumed his relentless assault on my body and soul. Passion was building to a level I had never before felt. I didn’t know where my body ended and his began. A tearing sound momentarily brought me back and I realized he had shredded the thong that I had been wearing.

His tongue circled my navel. His teeth nipped at my flesh. His hands opened my body. I screamed with pleasure as his tongue found my throbbing bud. He suckled it as if it contained the nectar that sustained his very life. I am dying I thought, but then he stopped. I was at the brink of my release and he stopped.

"Not yet Angel." Was all he said. Ed pulled himself away from me and reached for the champagne. He poured two glasses full and offered one to me.

"I am not sure I should drink this. I already feel a little dizzy." I said blushing.

"Then don’t drink it, just taste it." He dipped his finger into the bubbling liquid and brought it to my lips. I closed my mouth over it and sucked at his finger, swirling my tongue around it, gently nipping at the softly padded skin. Once again he dipped his finger into the bubbles, but this time he didn’t offer it to me. Instead he reached down and rubbed the wine over my nipple. "Lie down on the bed Jen. Lie down on your back."

When I was lying flat he again dipped his finger into his goblet, and then held that finger over my nipple, letting the champagne drip onto my lips. He repeated this over and over again. Dripping champagne onto my neck, my breasts, my nipples. Letting it drip and form into a pool on my stomach. And finally lower. He placed his hands on my thighs and opened my center. Then he continued on with his play, letting the champagne drip onto my clit and run down my slit.

The mixture of the champagne and my musky scent was heady. Looking into my eyes he smiled and began to lap up the sweet liquid he had spilled onto my body. His tongue danced over my lips and down my neck to my chest. Over my nipples it roamed and plunged into the pool on my stomach. Once again his piercing gaze met mine and he lowered his mouth to my mound. I writhed underneath him, pushing against his mouth. I felt my world shattering and I screamed out his name.

"That’s it Baby, that’s it he crooned.

Before I was able to recapture my breath, he entered me. He seemed to be driven by a need stronger than we had ever experienced. Over and over he plunged into my depths. For a second time that night my passions began to built and I met each thrust with one of my own. My fingernails dug into his strong shoulders and my legs wrapped around his hips driving him deeper. He reached for me with one of his hands and enclosed my breast within its callused fold. "Oh God Sweetness, you are incredible."

"I love you Ed, God how I love you."

With one final shuddering thrust his love flowed into my body and I tightened around him once again.

We never let go of each other that night. We slept entwined in each others arms, waking occasionally to make love. Hawaii was a beautiful as everyone says it is, but I think it was made even more special because fate had brought us there, just as it had brought Ed to my classroom almost a year earlier.

The End

Sunday August 2, 1997