Ever After
Chapter 1
Julian Crane looked at his wife, his breath catching at her beauty. A year of marriage served only to increase her loveliness, and he was as besotted as he was the first time he laid eyes upon her.
He thought how strange his life. He never would have dreamed he would meet a witch, who damned him to become a giant. And as that giant, he would find and capture his beloved Eve.
Now their love had made him whole again, and here they were, married and with a beautiful baby daughter. Eve was nursing baby Helene, and Julian's eyes filled with happy tears at the sight.
Eve looked up at Julian, smiling at the expression on his face. "Are you all right?"
"Of course, my darling. Seeing you nurse our daughter is not only a privilege but a pleasure." He leaned down and kissed Helene on the cheek. "I thank God for the both of you."
"As I do you," Eve said softly. "You and Helene mean everything to me." She looked down at the baby, admiring her curly brown hair--a gift from her mother--and her hazel eyes, so like her father's.
"I am eternally thankful that I went for that hunt that day," Julian smiled, his eyes hinting at mischief. "Otherwise, I may have missed finding my little captive."
"And I would have missed being tossed in a golden cage, and kept for your pleasure." Eve winked at him. She laughed at Julian's sheepish expression. "Am I telling any untruth here, dear husband?"
"No, not at all. I was a bit single-minded," he said laughing. "In the end, it worked out wonderfully."
Eve chuckled. "And you would have also missed out on burping your baby girl." Eve handed Helene to Julian. "She's nice and full now."
As he patted Helene's back, his gaze fell upon Eve fastening up her corset. "Such treasures those are. Helene's a very fortunate little girl. I will receive the same opportunity later, right?"
"Julian, please remember yourself!" Eve admonished, though her eyes twinkled at him.
Julian grinned. "Does that twinkle in your eye mean I get my turn later." He laughed. "Yes, it does." Julian looked down at the softly cooing baby. "I do believe Helene is about ready to be put down for the day."
"Julian, it is only early afternoon."
"She's a baby, she needs her rest."
"And you apparently need private time with her mother."
He chuckled. "That, too."
"Julian, Helene's only six months old. She needs to spend time with her mother and father. I do not want her raised by nurses and governesses." Eve was firm.
"My darling, I intend to raise Helene with you. I don't want to miss any part of her life. She does seem to want to nap after nursing, though. I just thought we would lay her down for a nap, and then..."
"Then you want to do what, Julian?"
He winked. "We'll think of something, my love." He held his hand out to Eve, leading her towards Helen's nursery.
center/center "Helene is the most beautiful baby you've ever seen, isn't she?" Eve gushed. "She's just perfect."
"I do have to admit, my love, I have not been around infants in my life, until Helene. Yet I will definitely agree with you, no other child will ever compare to our daughter." Julian smiled.
"We're not biased or anything?"
"No, my love, just honest." Helene was asleep, Julian having rocked her into dreamland. "Eve, I was thinking, since Helene is now napping..."
Eve recognized the look in her husband's eyes. "And what would you be thinking, Julian?"
"That I would love to capture you all over again," Julian purred, reaching out to graze his fingers down her arm. Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss to her palm. "Wouldn't you like that, my darling?"
"I have to see the plans for dinner, Julian," Eve weakly protested, as he began to spread tiny kisses on her neck. "Won't you at least let me speak to the cook?"
"The sustenance I have need of at this very moment is not of the culinary sort," Julian murmured, sweeping Eve into his arms. "I desire my beloved wife in our bed."
Her skin tingled at the tone in his voice. "I ..I suppose I can simply let the cook choose the dinner menu." She was rewarded for her cooperation with an almost blinding smile.
"That is one reason why I adore you, Lady Crane. We think alike." Julian carried his wife into the master bedroom suite. Upon reaching it, he placed her on her feet. "I am sure whatever meal is served will be delectable and soothing to the palate. Then again, it could be naught but bread and water, and I would be content."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I am going to make love to you, my darling...such wonderful, passionate, magnificent love that we will be famished when all is said and done. " Julian kissed Eve, tenderly at first, then hungrily as he pulled her close to him. His tongue pressed against her lips, seeking entrance, and Eve welcomed the sensual intruder.
He ravished her mouth, while his fingers reached inside her corset. Breaking the kiss, he smiled at Eve. "I never grow tired of you, my precious love."
"I love when we are together, Julian. Every moment is like a dream I never want to awaken." Eve moaned as Julian's nimble fingers untied her corset, and grasped gently at her full breasts.
"It is I who dreamed of you every night, before we even met, my darling," Julian whispered, as he continued to tease her breasts. "We were destined to meet and become one."
Eve tried to answer, but found it impossible, as Julian fastened his lips on her breast, while he ripped her dress from her body. It fell to the floor, leaving Eve clad only in her corset and stockings.
She threw her head back, surrendering to his skillful caresses. "I suppose it did not matter that I was fond of that gown," Eve half-heartedly complained. She soon forgot everything but her husband, for Julian pressed himself against her, his need for her more than obvious. "Are you trying to tell me something?" She smiled mischievously, her hips moving invitingly against him.
A feral growl erupted from his throat at the sensation of Eve's lush curves fitting so closely to him. "You enchant me, my sweet Eve. Your magical body and sweet soul hold me love's prisoner." With lightning speed he removed Eve's corset, and his mouth went dry at the site of his wife's lovely body, now flushed with passion. "Let me love you, my darling wife," he urged, his eyes dilated with desire.
Eve busied herself with undressing Julian, placing tiny kisses upon his body as each article of clothing was removed. She could feel her own need for her husband building to a fever pitch, which let an uncommon speed to her hands.
"I give you my love, and my complete need to be one with you, " she breathed heavily, nearly drunk with passion. "I have always loved you."
"Even when I first held you captive?" Julian could not help teasing her, even in his state of heightened arousal.
"Well...maybe a little after that. Your blowing me dry was such a romantic beginning," she winked.
"Of course I can do so much more than that, Eve. Like this," Julian rasped, lifting her in his arms. He then swiftly entered her. Eve cried out at the immense pleasure of her husband filling her. "And this," he whispered, as he thrust into her again.
She closed her eyes, the searing fire within her threatening to reduce her to a mere cinder.
"Open your eyes, my beloved," he enticed. "Come with me to our shared paradise. I want us to see one another as we reach our destiny." They moved together, Julian holding Eve as they fell upon the bed.
center/center
Tabitha Lenox looked into her scrying bowl. "I wonder what became of my former creation, Giant Julian Crane," she sneered. "So in love with the good doctor as a giant, I daresay that love disappeared like snow in summertime once he found he could consort with scores of women once again!" She cackled loudly. "Show me Lord Crane!" she ordered.
The image of Lord Crane appeared, but he was in the midst of what looked to be a sexual escapade, with Eve Johnson, no less. Tabitha listened to what they said to one another. Maybe Lord Crane simply seduced her, for old time's sake.
"My beloved wife," she heard Lord Crane say aloud. Her eyes narrowed in fury and disbelief.
"Married, are we, Lord and Lady Crane? Well, this is one tale that will not end happily ever after! Enjoy your happiness while you still can!"
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