Stephan handed me to James when we got into reach. James gave me his softest smile, one hand rising to brush the one lone tear that had managed to make its way silently down my cheek.
Abruptly, he pulled me close and kissed me. It lasted long enough, and held enough passion, to draw loud cheers and guffaws from the crowd, and one loudly cleared throat from the minister. I was breathless as he pulled back with a wicked smile.
"It was that or drag you into the nearest room. I couldn't have you wearing that kissable look for the entire ceremony and not address it," he murmured to me, shameless as ever.
I was still recovering as the minister began to speak. I let the official words wash over me, my eyes steady, if a little moist, on my love's.
"We are gathered here today to take part in the most time-honored celebration of the human family, uniting this man and woman in marriage," the minister began.
I listened to each word of the ceremony carefully, trying to take it all in, but my eyes didn't waver from his.
We recited our vows, and my voice was as steady as I could make it for my own part. We had opted for short, traditional ones, because I had a strong aversion to public speaking.
Tears ran silently down my cheeks for a lot of it, but James held it together for the most part. That is, right until the end, when the minister was reciting a small part that James had wanted to add.
The minister read, quoting the Benediction of the Apaches.
"Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness for you."
His gaze never wavered from mine, even as they filled with tears, the tears swiftly overflowing, running down his cheeks before the minister had finished the line.
I reached up and softly wiped them away with my hands. It was only fair. He had been quietly drying my tears through the entire ceremony.
"For each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies,
But there is only one life before you."
There were a few more lines in that lovely addition to the vows, but I barely heard them as I watched my bridegroom's trembling lips form the words, "I love you," in a hushed whisper.
Vaguely, I heard the famous line about kissing the bride, but I hadn't even registered the words before James was pulling me against him in a soft, sweet kiss. It was a kiss full of finesse, and held a promise of forever. My own lips answered that promise eagerly.
I gasped and let out an embarrassed little screech as he suddenly lifted me high in the air. He laughed, spinning me.
My hands gripped his shoulders as his eyes laughed into mine.
"We did it, Love," he told me softly, his voice filled with quiet wonder. "You're mine, forever, Mrs. Cavendish."
I shook my head at him as he lowered me slowly back to the ground. His joy was infectious, and I was quickly laughing with him. "You're insane. I've been yours all along, Mr. Cavendish."
5 YEARS LATER
I awoke to the strangest sensation in my lower regions, which had grown almost numb over the past few weeks.
I patted the hand that was wrapped around my middle. "James," I gasped.
I felt him tense against me, instantly awake. "Is it time, Bianca?"
I bit my lip, mortified. "I don't know. Either my water just broke or I wet myself."
The bastard laughed, and I elbowed him hard. He was up and at my side of the bed, grinning like a loon, between one second and the next. He studied my wet legs and I squeezed my eyes shut tight, as embarrassed as I'd ever been in my life.
"Did my water break?" I asked him.
He continued to study me, his brow furrowed. "I don't know how to tell. You can't tell?"
I shrugged, miserable. "It's all just numb at the moment." I swallowed, hating to ask. "Will you smell it?"
He wasn't offended. He never was. He was the most dutiful of husbands for a first time pregnant mess of a woman.
I couldn't look at him as he tentatively checked.
"No scent. I think we're having our baby, Love."
We both knew what to do, and James sprang into action, but I couldn't seem to move at first, overwhelmed at the thought that the next time we came back here, we would be bringing a baby home with us.
I heard James talking on his phone in the closet. "Stephan. It's time. You have five minutes to meet us at the car, or else you'll have to meet us at the hospital." He paused. "Very sure. Her water broke. We all get to meet our baby today."
He was back at my side a few moments later, already dressed. I wasn't much help as he pulled off my nightgown, and slipped a comfortable frock over my head.
"Can you stand?" he asked gently.