Chapter 3 The wedding!

Elizabeth woke up the morning of the wedding, feeling the first rays of sunshine touch her face. On the way to Rhode Island the day before her and Red didn't speak much. She was feeling a little sick and the revelations the previous night didn't do much to calm her nerves.

He had taken her to the beach where they would be getting married. It was of course closed off to the public. She couldn't have picked a better spot herself, the sun was setting by then and the way the rays of light played off the water was magical.

Now it was the day of and she stood, her feet comforted by the lush carpet beneath her. Wiggling her toes she went to the window and opened the curtain. There was a white cloth on the ground surrounded by beautiful flowers leading up to the arc where she would give herself to Reddington for whatever was left of their lives.

A foreboding feeling filled her body. They would be together forever. The blacklist was so long, new names seemed to come up from no where and as long as their was evil in the world it would keep getting longer. She was grateful for Red and what he has done for her, saving her life more times than she would like. Trusting him was vital to her existence no matter what came their way.

There was a soft knock at the door, jarring Elizabeth from her thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opened and a woman walked in.

"Hello Elizabeth, my name is Abigail Young. You can call me Abby."

"Hello." She said and looked the woman over. No doubt she was one of Red's old flames. She was beautiful. Tall and thin with dark hair and eyes, she was at least fifty years old, her age only showing in the slight wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. Her skin was flawless and she demanded a presence in a room, just like him.

"I'm here to help you get ready for the wedding." She said smiling from ear to ear. "You must be excited!"

"Something like that."

"Great! Well why don't you shower quick and I will get everything laid out for you."

Elizabeth nodded and headed to the shower, letting the new woman go through her things.

Dembe stood just behind Red as he straightened his tie.

"Well, this is it. After the ceremony I'm going to take her to the beach, she needs to know more of what is going on. Have you contacted Mr. Turner?"

"Yes. He will be waiting tonight to brief you."

Looking in the mirror, Reddington was rather pleased with himself.

"How do I look?"

"Like yourself."

Elizabeth had no worries about how she would look on her wedding day. Abby was a wonderful stylist. Her hair was partially pulled up already looking like it was wind blown from the sea air. Her dress fit perfectly also, the straps were tightened to make it fit her like a warm hug. Jewelry was provided for her as well as shoes.

Looking at herself in the mirror she was stunned. Never had she looked so beautiful. The dress complimented her body and the shoes didn't have much of a heel but it seemed as if her legs went on forever. Her flowers were handed to her and she breathed in the scent of the hydrangeas. They were a beautiful blue color, matching the sky as it meat the ocean.

"Are you ready?" Abby asked her, opening the bedroom door.

Elizabeth could only nod her head in response.

The short walk to the back door was the longest she had taken in a while. She couldn't see Red but there was a photographer waiting for her.

"Would you like Dembe to walk you down the aisle or do you just want to go alone?"

"I will go alone." She said quickly. She didn't have a father anymore, she belonged to no one so no one could give her away.

Abby smiled at her and gave her a quick hug.

"Don't worry, you look beautiful."

Elizabeth gave her a soft smile and the flash of the photographer's camera lit up her face. She ignored it and heard the sound of a piano playing somewhere in the distance. Abby nodded outside then looked at her.

"Go on."

Her feet seemed to move on their own, her dress catching the breeze as she walked outside. The music was lost on her and she was wondering if she was having a panic attack. There was no noise at all. She was aware of Abby close by, the photographer following her at a distance, the flash catching her eye. Then she saw the three people that were her family. Mr Kaplan stood on the left, a small smile touching her face. Dembe stood on the right, always the gentle giant next to Reddington.

Then she looked at him. Her feet betraying her as they carried her closer to the man she trusted with her everything. Red looked at her and smiled, his eyes bright in the sun. He looked like himself, handsome and confident. She smiled back and before she knew it she was standing with him, unable to look away from his eyes.

"We are gathered here today to join these two people in the bonds of matrimony."

The words almost deafened Elizabeth who, up until that point, seemed to be working on autopilot. She jumped slightly and Red took her hand in his, rubbing it with his thumb. She met his eyes again and felt calm.

"Now for the exchanging of rings, symbolizing an infinite love."

Dembe handed him the plain wedding band that slid smoothly over her skin, resting perfectly next to her engagement ring. Mr Kaplan's hand appeared beside her and she took the ring. Holding Red's hand she pushed the ring on his finger.

"By the power vested in my by the state of Rhode Island, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."

Elizabeth's heart jumped in her throat. Why hadn't she thought about the kiss? She didn't have much time to worry as Red's lips found hers. Her eyes closed on their own as she felt the soft flesh of his lips. Her stomach clenched on it's own and a fire started low in her belly and spread throughout her body, a hot flush forming on her neck and face. She kissed him back and all too quickly he pulled away.

The piano started playing again and Red walked out on to the sand. Holding out his hand to her she took it and he pulled her close.

"Dance with me." He said and she rested her head on his shoulder.

So they danced, not knowing where the they would go after this. Elizabeth was calm and at peace with herself and with Reddington. The day had gone much better than she had originally thought. When the music stopped she moved away from him and smiled.

"Thank you, for such a lovely day."

"You're welcome." He said and she took his arm as they walked down to the water. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself darling. There are some things I would like to discuss with you."

She felt her heart fall and her good mood seep out of her pores.

"Okay."

"I don't want you to feel trapped. I want you to be happy, Elizabeth. Life doesn't have to change that much for us. There is still work to be done and the blacklist, it plays a roll in all of this." He was still fighting with himself as to how much he should tell her.

"The next name, it's imperative you listen to me, he's a savage killer. Women are his target of course. He does terrible things to those who he thinks are evil and undeserving of happiness, a real psycho if you ask me."

"What does this have to do with me?"

He stopped walking and faced her.

"Everything. Any sin he thinks a woman has committed he will torture her for. Some more severe than others. You have divorced your husband, an unthinkable act in his eyes. In marrying you, I hope to fix that."

"That is what this is all about? A blacklister?"

"It's not just that, Elizabeth. We, together, it will just make things easier. We are partners, equals, the perks of being Mrs. Reddington should be enough that you stop worrying about it."

Elizabeth said nothing. Life was going to change, no matter how he made it sound.

"So are we supposed to act happy and in love in front of everyone?" She asked, looking out at the sea.

Red didn't answer, just looked at her. Her wedding dress was beautiful and her skin seemed to shine in the warm sunlight. He was doubting his actions. Maybe it wasn't as imperative they marry. He could have still protected her. He shook his head, to her question and his thought. What's done is done, there would be no going back.

"No, you don't have to worry about anything like that." He said and Dembe approached the scene. "Ah, Dembe. Have you contacted Mr. Turner?"

"He is waiting for you in the study."

"Wonderful! Tell Abigail to meet me there, her presence should be a formidable one."

What was left of Elizabeth's good mood disappeared.

"Shouldn't I come with you?"

Red looked behind his shoulder at her.

"No, you can go change and get some lunch, you look hungry. I will join you momentarily."

She watched him walk back to the house. Why was some other woman going to his business meetings? She was his wife now and he had made it sound like they were going to be a team. Abby came to her mind. No doubt a past lover and a powerful woman, Red was going to realize she don't play nice either.