Three Times
Lucien closed the bedroom door and turned to Jean. She immediately fell into his arms, kissing him deeply.
"I've wanted this for so long," she murmured against his mouth.
"I love you, Mrs. Blake," he replied.
Slowly and carefully, he removed her wedding gown until she lay bare before him.
"You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he breathed before climbing onto the bed to cover his wife with his own body.
Lucien wiped tears from his eyes. "I can't believe it."
Jean smiled, beaming with pride and joy. "We have had a while to get used to the idea," she teased. "I should hope it didn't come as a surprise."
He laughed. "I've wanted this for so long, Jean. You and me and a family of our own." Lucien looked down at the newborn baby in her arms. "You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he whispered.
Jean watched her husband and child and was overcome with the amount of love flowing through her.
Jean dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. "Mattie, you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
Mattie was glowing, standing in front of the mirror in her wedding gown. "I've wanted this for so long."
"I know you have," Jean replied. "Now come on, Lucien's waiting.
The two women made their way to the doors of the church. Jean was escorted in with the groom's father to sit in the pew with her children. Next came the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
And finally, Lucien, stepping in for Mattie's father who was too ill to make the trip from Australia, accompanied the bride down the aisle to give her away.