Anna bounced on the balls of her feet but tried to stop, again, when Mary glared up at her.

"It's hard enough not to stick you with pins when you insist on moving." Mary took the edge of the fabric and pinned it in place at Anna's waist before crouching down to handle the hem. "I can't make the wedding dress of your dreams if you don't hold still."

"I'm more concerned with it being the wedding dress of his dreams than mine."

"John'd marry you in a sack if that's all you had. Though he'd probably rather marry you in nothing at all and save all of us some time but let's all be realistic here," Mary ignored Anna's attempt to act the blushing bride, "The dress is for everyone else and might just end up ruined anyway."

"I hope not."

"Pfft," Mary waved a hand and pinned another swatch of fabric in place, "If he tears it to pieces ripping it from you so he can take you immediately once you're married then just bring it back."

"Mary!"

"It's not as if we don't know what'll happen. Don't worry, I can fix it." Mary stepped back, adjusting a piece of the gown before nodding. "That'll do it."

Anna glanced over at the mirror and her hands immediately went to her mouth. "Mary, it's beautiful."

"It'll be more beautiful when I finish, I promise." Mary helped Anna slip out of the dress and arranged it over a mannequin as Anna pulled her skirt over her hips and buttoned her blouse. "But for now it does look a picture doesn't it?"

"You should be very proud Mary." Anna hugged her friend, "Thank you."

"It's nothing I wouldn't do for a friend and more so because you've already paid me for it." Mary shooed Anna to the door, "Now get going or I won't finish it before Saturday."

Anna left the shop and smiled at the couple passing her on the porch before looking over at the Sheriff's office. She saw John speaking to Sheriff Carson and crossed the street to join them. John's face broke into a huge grin when he saw her and Sheriff Carson tipped his hat to her.

"I don't know if I've yet offered my congratulations Ms. Smith but I believe there's no finer man in Kiandra than Mr. Bates here and I've already told him he'd find no better woman."

"Thank you Sheriff." Anna took Sheriff Carson's offered hand between her own and shook it. "I know I've never met a finer man than Mr. Bates but you come very close, I assure you."

"Well," Sheriff Carson puffed out his chest a little, looking very pleased. "I'm flattered you would say so. Though I hear Mr. Bates wants to take you away for your honeymoon."

"Yes," Anna's hand found John's and their fingers intertwined. "We're going to my spread down near Snowy River."

"And who'll manage the school while you're away?"

"Mrs. Hughes has agreed to come up from Melbourne. She misses the school here and the college expressed interest in a new head of curriculum when she proposed giving them her notice."

"Mrs. Hughes'll be here?"

"Yes and she'll stay in my cottage until we return. Then she'll take a room at the Crawleys." Anna bit her lip, "Unless you wouldn't mind hosting her Sheriff. I think it'd be such a nuisance for to have to move her things back and forth so often while waiting for a more permanent residence."

Sheriff Carson coughed and Anna caught John's stifled chuckle before she glared at him. "I'll see what I can arrange."

Anna smiled after Sheriff Carson and turned to watch him leave as John wrapped his hands around her waist from behind. She swatted at him but barely touched him, relishing the feel of him surrounding her. He kissed her cheek and spoke near her ear.

"I got you a gift."

"What kind of gift?" She craned back enough to see his face and he shook his head.

"I'll need to show it to you." John drew away, kissing her cheek again. "It's waiting for you at home."

"You snuck into my house to leave me a gift?" Anna narrowed her eyes, "Is that why you were so determined to get me out of the house this morning?"

"Might've been." John grinned at her, "Just lead and I'll follow. I want you to know what it is before I get there."

"Doesn't that spoil the surprise?" Anna pouted, "What if I don't like it?"

"I don't think that'll happen." John pushed her lightly, "Go on."

Anna pursed her lips but walked back to the school. She finished up with the training teacher and went to where she kept Layl. She saddled him and trotted toward her home, catching John's departure from the corner of her eye.

Anna did not hurry. She wondered if it was to make Jon wait since he would not tell her his surprise but really it was because spring had sprung. The evenings were warmer now and the snow had all but receded to the tops of the mountains. Even the night sounds reminded her of summer and Anna breathed it all in as she took the switch backs down to her home.

With Layl stabled and fed Anna wandered inside, hanging her coat on the rack near the back door. She examined the kitchen, finding nothing, and continued to her sitting room. There was nothing there either and Anna lit a few of the candles in the house to give it light as dusk settled. Anna took one of the candles and proceeded up the short flight of stairs to her room and stopped in the doorway.

She set the candle down and walked over to the mirror. It stood as tall as she did with an ornate frame decorated with rearing horses at the top and bottom. Anna traced her fingers over the wood, feeling the smoothness under her fingers as another set of fingers captured her waist. She felt John kiss at her neck and Anna closed her eyes to bask in the sensation.

"Do you like it?"

"This must've cost a fortune John." Anna turned in his arms, her hands on his chest to keep him back enough to look at her.

"It cost no more than it should've and you deserve no less." John took her hands in his and kissed them, "I wanted to do it for you and the money was sitting in the bank unused anyway."

"John," Anna scrunched her face, trying to make the same stern expression she used on unruly children, "You could've saved that money."

"And done what with it?" John kissed one hand, moving up her arm and caressing her through the material. "When we marry we'll live here until I can finalize my transfer to Snowy River."

"What?"

John stopped, Anna's tone bringing him to pause. "I thought you wanted-"

"You put in for a transfer to Snowy River for me?"

"I thought you'd want to live on your own land and since Mrs. Hughes is coming back to take over the school again I-"

Anna flung herself at John, wrapping her arms around his neck like he was a rock in the middle of a river and a swift current might whisk her away otherwise. She attacked his mouth, drawing him down to her in a feverish attempt to express her emotions. It was not enough. But then, when it came to him, it never would be.

John responded to her fervor and soon matched it with his own as his hands cupped around her cheeks to hold her close to him as he matched the movements of her tongue with his own. He broke the kiss and spun Anna in his grip to face the mirror and pointed to it. "I bought this so you could see what I see."

Anna gasped, John's hands working the belt of her skirt away to drop it to the floor, "And what do you see?"

"I see a beautiful woman," John met her gaze in the mirror as his fingers popped her buttons and worked the blouse away from her arms. "I see a caring and loving woman who braved the wild on her own to live here."

"What else?" Anna wanted to close her eyes as John's hands worked the ties of her bloomers loose to drop them to the floor before stroking over her corset to unhook the latches.

"A woman stronger than most men I've met with the purest heart." John dropped the corset to the floor and slid a hand under the chemise to run it over her abdomen. "A woman I adore more than life itself."

Anna closed her eyes for a moment and felt John pull away. She searched for him but was helpless as she watched him strip himself of clothes. He paused, his body exposed to her view, but caught her expression and the corners of his mouth raised in a wicked grin. Anna's chest rose and fell as John walked back to her, running a hand over his already ready arousal.

"Do you like what you see Ms. Smith?"

"Like is an understatement." Anna felt all the air leave her lungs when John stood against her back, moving his hands under her chemise again.

"Care to elaborate?" One of John's hands stroked over her breast while the other held at her hip.

Anna tried to focus as John rubbed against her from behind and his hand continued to rasp over her skin under the material of the chemise. "I've never met anyone more honorable than you."

"Oh?" John brought a hand up her spine, moving the fabric away from her skin so he could kiss over her shoulders and back.

"Or anyone who looked at me like you do." Anna used her hands to pull her chemise over her head before placing them over John's. "No one who cares so much for me or others that he'd put himself to the hazard to save them."

"I thought you didn't like heroics." John murmured against her skin, kissing up by her ear as Anna worked his hand down to her legs. He ran the flat of his palm over her thigh before she worked her legs apart enough for his hand to cup her center.

"I don't. But I do like people who are heroic because they care for others." Anna leaned her head back on John's shoulder as he kissed over to her neck. "And you care for me."

"I do." John worked his fingertips through her folds, barely brushing her. "But do you know why I bought this mirror, Ms. Smith?"

Anna turned to John but he directed her focus to the mirror. For a moment Anna was speechless. She saw her whole body flushed, John's hands at work, and his reassuring frame behind her.

He stroked a long finger inside her and Anna hissed, struggling not to close her eyes as John nipped at her shoulder with every motion reflected in the mirror. "You didn't answer my question."

"What question?" Anna heard her own voice as it grated out of her, driven to a higher pitched moan when John maneuvered another finger into her while pulling his arousal over her ass.

"If you know why I really bought the mirror."

"No."

"So you can watch me love you." John's fingers moved and he thrust into Anna before she could breathe or think.

She watched them in the mirror as John worked in and out of her heat, driving her to distraction with his hands on her breasts or running down to her simmering core. Anna met John's eyes in the mirror and every time they did he drew out slowly to extend the feelings before ramming back inside her. She was so lost in the sensation she was only vaguely aware of how she sounded groaning his name as John grunted by her shoulder.

When Anna thought she could not take anymore John stopped, holding them both still like racehorses bracing for the starting shot. "I'll never love anyone the way I love you, Anna."

Anna let go as John's fingers pinched at her most sensitive nerves and slammed into her for the last time. She stood, breathing hard, and felt her whole body shaking in the aftermath. John's arms wrapped around her, holding her close but his own shudders only exacerbated her own. They stood still, swaying slightly, before John withdrew and shuffled them both to the bed.

She lay next to him, her hands finding his and kissing it before snuggling herself next to him. John kissed her forehead and Anna closed her eyes. After a moment she giggled and John shifted to see her clearly in the candlelight.

"What?"

"I just realized," Anna crawled to kiss John's cheek, "I didn't thank you for the lovely gift."

"I thought you did." John wagged his eyebrows at Anna but she only kissed his lips quickly.

"Not for the mirror."

"For what then?"

"For making me deliriously happy." Anna rested her head on his shoulder, "I don't think I have words for it."

"Words aren't really necessary in this case." John adjusted in the bed to face Anna on his side. "There are other ways."

Anna shivered as he ran a finger down her arm. "Really?"

"Oh yes," John kissed at the base of Anna's neck before pushing her to rest on her back on the bed. "I'll demonstrate."

John paced outside the church. It was almost time and he saw the crowd inside talking in excited tones as John finally steeled himself enough to enter the building. Mrs. Hughes accosted him first, grabbing his arm and kissing his cheek.

"You, my dear boy, are to be congratulated."

"I hope so." He smiled at her as she beamed at him.

"You promise to treat her well yes?"

"I couldn't treat her any other way, Mrs. Hughes." John broke away for her to shake hands with Robert and Sheriff Carson before Branson took his hand in a crushing grip.

"This is fantastic Deputy Bates."

"Thank you Mr. Branson." John took his position at the head of the church and tried to even his breathing as he flexed his hand to get some blood back in it.

He turned to the front as horrible scenarios took over his mind. What if Anna changed her mind and decided it was not worth it? What if something happened between her home and the church? He had not seen her for two days, in observation of tradition, and he was worried. She could be injured and he did not know. John swallowed, closing his eyes to focus on the music of the small piano to calm his now raging nerves when the music changed.

John turned as the others in the church stood and his mouth fell open. Mary walked behind Anna, minding the edge of a dress that made Anna appear an angel descended to earth. White flowers ran a ring in her hair and her arms were encased in a soft-looking material that floated as she walked. The skirt was sensible, trailing only slightly behind her as the bodice piece tied with intricate lacing up the front. The veil that covered Anna's face could not hide the glow of her face and John had to mentally remind himself to actually breathe.

Anna joined him at the altar and both of them giggled when the pastor instructed them on the words of their vows. John felt his face flush to mirror Anna's as they remembered the last time they exchanged those words. John even choked slightly as Anna's fingers slid over his, her eyes drawing him into the memory of when she broke him like one of her stallions before speaking these same promises.

John regained his composure enough to slide the ring on Anna's finger and kiss her hands. Her teeth flashed at him from the smile that threatened to stretch her whole face but probably only matched the idiot grin all over his. When she put the ring on his finger John felt the tears in his eyes, reflected in hers, as he recognized the wedding ring her father wore until he died.

The invitation from the pastor for them to kiss was unnecessary. John lifted the veil gingerly and dipped his head to place a gentle kiss on Anna's lips. She returned it, keeping her actions to just the brush of her tongue over his bottom lip. They broke apart, John's pupils dilating and Anna's breath picking up as they tried to keep to socially acceptable actions, and turned to the clapping and cheering crow in the church.

Even the dinner and event at the schoolhouse afterward were so lost on John because of the sight of his bride that he needed Robert to repeat what he said three times before Robert just shook his head.

"I can understand," Robert took a drink from his cup before cringing, "What is this?"

"Something Ms. O'Brien sells at her bar." John took the cup and set it on the table behind him, "I'd stay away from it if I were you."

"Sheriff Carson was saying you're going to Snowy River to celebrate the honeymoon?" Cora came up, threading her arm through Robert's. "That's a lovely area."

"You've been?"

"Anna's father took us there once when he retried from training out horses. He wanted our opinion on an expansion he planned and I thought it was the most beautiful place I'd seen." Cora lowered her voice conspiratorially, "If Anna's wanted to sell I would've bought it in a heartbeat."

"I'm glad she doesn't." John smiled back, catching sight of his wife bending down to thank one of her students for a drawing he offered before hugging the little boy.

"Didn't you go there with her just a short time ago?" Robert tested another drink, swishing it in his mouth before shrugging and downing the contents.

"We did. She wanted to show it to me and I proposed there." John bit the inside of his cheek to avoid telling Robert and his wife the circumstances in which he proposed.

"I think it's romantic and shows how much you know and love Anna." Cora took John's hands, "We're so excited for the two of you. You've made her so happy."

"I think she's made me happy." John returned Cora's gesture, "Now I think it's time I took my wife home."

John broke away from them and went to Anna. He placed a gentle hand on her elbow and whispered in her ear, "I think it's time we were going dear."

Anna kissed his cheek, "Yes darling."

Mary cleared the well wishers and led the crowd in their cheers as Matthew climbed aboard the front of the carriage the Crawleys arranged to take them to Anna's home for the night. John and Anna leaned around the back to wave until they turned a corner.

John took Anna's hands in his, rubbing over her ring. "I worried you might've changed your mind."

"Given what we've done John Bates it'd be a little late for that." She winked at him and both tried to keep their laughter to themselves as Matthew coughed from the front.

Anna leaned forward and put a hand on Matthew's arm, "And thank you for driving us Matthew."

"I hope you won't think the worst of me, Anna, if I confess that I agreed to this because Mary was rather insistent."

"I didn't expect anything less." Anna settled back by John and worked her way to a comfortable position by his side.

John rested his chin on her head and breathed in her scent. "That was a beautiful service."

"Better than your first go?"

"My first go I was half drunk from my stag do and my hand shook when I signed my name on the paper at the registrar's office." John barked out a laugh, "We celebrated by getting shitfaced at a pub before taking one of the rooms over the bar. It wasn't romantic or lovely by any stretch of the imagination."

"At least this was better," Anna rubbed her hand over his arm, "It was everything I ever wanted. A simple event to unite me with the man I love."

They settled in comfortable silence until Matthew stopped in front of Anna's house. John got out of the carriage first and gave Anna a hand to help her reach the ground. They waved Matthew goodbye and John took advantage of Anna's distraction to lift her off her feet. She squealed and John carried her to the front door.

"I believe in some traditions, Mrs. Bates." John opened the door and Anna pulled him to her for a kiss.

"I like the sound of that."

"Which part?" John walked them over the threshold but did not drop Anna as he closed the door and worked them to her room. Or, their room.

"My new name."

John set Anna carefully on the floor and caressed her cheeks before kissing her. "Do you, Mrs. Bates?"

"Yes, Mr. Bates." Anna slid his jacket from his shoulders, unbuttoning his shirt. "I like the sound of my new name very much."

"Good." John tugged the laces of her dress, pulling her closer in the process as she got his shirt and tie off. "Because I like the sound of it too."

"It means I'm yours, Mr. Bates."

"No," John shook his head and stopped both of their movements, "It's means I'm yours. We belong to each other. For good and proper."

"For good and proper." Anna tugged at John's belt and he succumbed to her.

They worked their clothes off, carefully and gentle with their touches until Anna ran her hand ever so slowly up his rising erection. John could barely breathe when Anna turned him, pushing him backward onto the bed. He glanced over, noticing she'd moved the mirror, but immediately returned to focus on Anna as she straddled his waist.

"I think I'm going to enjoy this Mr. Bates."

John's head went back, his eyes screwed shut as Anna worked her hands all over his body, finally settling on his quivering member. He slid his hands over her, feeling the beads of sweat gather when he tried to distract her but Anna was determined. She refused his touches, pushing his hands above his head before making sure he focused on her when she took his length in her mouth.

His hips bucked and writhed under her ministrations. John could barely even comprehend when he saw Anna take her own fingers to her center, running them through the wetness there before using the same hand to pull him from root to tip. His grunts and groans finally strained to his breaking point but Anna pulled back and mounted him with efficiency.

John caught sight of them in the mirror. She rose above him, riding with practiced ease and finesse before John took her hand in his, sucking her fingers into his mouth to catch the last hints of her taste on her. Anna kissed him roughly and then pushed him back onto the bed so she took him as deep inside her as he could go.

In the mirror the woman John saw was free from fears, free from all inhibitions, free of all but the strongest of life's bounds… love. Love for him, the luckiest man in the world. And he reflected that same love right back at her.

He snuck a hand past her defenses, while Anna used hers as leverage on his chest and occasionally dug in her nails there, and pressed where her heat met him. Her eyes flew open and John only smirked at her before Anna responded by increasing her punishing pace. John gripped her hips, returning her efforts with determined thrusts. They both heaved in unison, eyes going from one another to the vision they made in the mirror facing the bed.

When John could bear it no more he released and heard Anna follow not far behind. She supported herself on shaking arms above him, grinning down at her prey. John saw the sheen of sweat on her and felt it on his skin but could hardly care. This woman, this vision, was perfect.

He pulled her to him while withdrawing and rotating them to their sides. He stroked a hand up her arm before trying to keep a straight face, "Well, Mrs. Bates, you've had your way with me… again."

They both broke into peals of laughter that had Anna almost crying. She wiped at her eyes with the heel of her hand, "You will be the death of me John Bates."

"So long as you don't live to regret it." John tried to pass it off as a joke but the worry, the dark cloud at the back of the mind, hovered there.

Anna pursed her lips at him. "Mr. Bates, I knew the first time but I know all the more now that we've been through our share of troubles you and I. We can let this be enough. This is what we deserve."

"How are you so sure?" John propped his head up on his arm as Anna ran a hand down his cheek.

"Because I know that I am now who I was always meant to be and no matter what else may ever happen, I could never regret that."

John kissed her quickly and wrapped his arms around her, "I love you, Mrs. Bates."

"And I love you, Mr. Bates."