Prologue

Stretching her arm into the darkness she observed the wedding ring on her ring finger in the moonshine that lit the room. They did it, standing in front of the priest and their family and friends the previous afternoon they promised to stay true to each other until the death will do them apart. That simple thought evoking a mix of feelings in her body, happiness, excitement and fear.

Pushing the sheets aside she slipped out of the warm bed quietly trying to not wake Brandon up. The cold air made her shiver and for a second she considered returning to the bed to her husband, but crossed that idea quickly. There was no way she was going to fall asleep with all the thoughts just twirling in her head no matter how physically tired she was. In the darkness of the room she searched for Brandon's shirt, once she found it she slipped into it buttoning it quickly before she moved out of the room noiselessly.

For the first time in a while the house was completely quiet. That fact was not such a huge surprise with only two people there and one of them asleep, yet she couldn't remember the last time they had the house all to themselves for the night, a wedding gift from their friends so they could enjoy their first night as husband and wife. She bit the inside of her mouth before her lips curled up into a smile. In the weeks leading to the wedding many people told her how special the wedding night was going to be, that was definitely not their case. Yes, they made love that night, but crashed into the bed rather quickly exhausted after the long day and the days of preparation before. While Brandon fell asleep almost immediately, the sleep just kept avoiding her.

Turning on the light in living room she was surprised to see the sea of wedding presents that were almost everywhere. This will be their mission in the coming days. They had to get everything done before they will leave to Europe for their honeymoon. Letting out a barely audible sigh she sank on the couch, the only space in the room that was not occupied by a box of some kind.

Pulling her knees tight to her she looked around the room again. All the presents there from their family and friends, all the words they heard the day before and during the pre-wedding events, not one person ever mentioned having any doubts about her and Brandon. Then why was it that the doubts just kept creeping back to her. What if she will follow her mother's path? What if they hurried into something they were not ready for? What if...? Feeling a pair of arms wrap around her slender form she jumped a little. She did not hear him coming.

Turning around her eyes met his baby blue ones and for a moment she felt as if she could just melt under his stare, all the what if's long forgotten.

"What are you doing here?" His arms left her as he moved to sit next to her.

"I couldn't sleep. My mind was in overdrive." She admitted resting her head back against the couch.

"Well, I thought that you would have nothing to worry about by now. The wedding is over, nothing went wrong, no one tripped down the aisle and we will be leaving for Europe in three days." He intertwined his fingers with hers.

"Yes." Kelly mumbled quietly.

Reaching up Brandon cupped her face making her look at him. "Is something wrong, Kel?" He asked simply.

Closing her eyes she was not sure what to tell him, he has been so happy and she was too, yet those stupid worrying thoughts just kept coming back. She felt guilt. "Do you think we are ready for this?" She could hear the words leaving her mouth and opened her eyes looking into his stunned face.

"You mean ready for marriage?" Brandon asked, making sure he understood her question.

Kelly nodded quietly. It was out.

"Yes. I wouldn't have proposed to you and wouldn't go through with the wedding if I wasn't." Brandon confirmed confidently, before his face turned serious. "You don't think so?" He asked finally.

"I do, I guess. It's just..." Her voice trailed off.

"You can tell me, Kelly." Brandon said placing his finger under her chin and making her look at him again.

"In the past days we have disagreed on so many things and it made me wonder if we are ready. We couldn't even agree on such a simple things as the wows and inscription on our rings. Twenty years from now, I don't want to end with my mother's track record." She admitted finally.

"And you won't." Brandon assured her. "The bottom line is, even if we had different views on things we've found a compromise in the end. I'm sure marriage won't be easy at all times, but I'm also sure we can work through whatever lies ahead of us, together." He squeezed her hand gently.

"It was just the nerves. Right?" She looked at him hopefully.

"Yes, definitely just the nerves." Brandon assured her, not quite ready to tell her that leading to the wedding he was having the same thoughts. It was just nerves after all.

Kelly breathed in and out, Brandon was right and deep down she knew all of that before he even said a word. "Thanks." She leaned in pressing a kiss on his cheek before she slumped back, resting her head on his shoulder. "And I'm sorry for spoiling your night."

"You did not spoil my night. I'm glad you told me." Brandon smiled.

"I guess having my mother as the only role model when it comes to marriage does leave you insecure about certain things." Kelly smiled too.

"In that case, you're in good hands Mrs. Walsh. Trained by Jim and Cindy Walsh I've years of firsthand experience how a happy and healthy marriage should look like." Brandon grinned leaning in a capturing her lips for a quick kiss before resting his forehead against hers.

"So what's the secret of a happy and healthy marriage Mr. Walsh?" Kelly giggled wriggling her nose.

"Keeping your husband happy." Brandon grinned devilishly his lips capturing hers again a happy sight leaving her mouth as the kisses grew in intensity.

"I thought you were tired." Kelly mumbled in between the kisses, the weight of his body pushing her on her back, his fingers fumbling with the buttons of his white shirt that she was wearing.

"I don't think I'll ever be too tired for this." The shirt landed on the floor seconds later together with his boxer shorts the rest becoming a blur. When they were falling asleep in each other's arms several hours later Kelly could only conclude that their wedding night indeed turned out to be special.