"LARABEE'S LADY: THE ELLA FACTOR" – CHAPTER TWELVE

Title: "Larabee's Lady: The Ella Factor"

Author: Michelle Heath

Rating: MA for adult language and situations

Summary: An old flame causes trouble for Chris and Catherine.

Date Written: September 27, 2010

Disclaimer: Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, J.D. Dunne, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson, Casey Wells, Mary Travis, Nettie Wells, Inez, Ella Gaines, Jack Averell, and The Magnificent Seven are the property of TM CBS, The Mirisch Group, MGM and Triology Entertainment. Other characters, i.e., Catherine Stewart, Jonathan Stewart, Eloise Stewart, Henrietta Wilkes, Miles Kettering, etc. are the sole property of the author. The author makes no profit from this work of fan fiction and no copyright infringement is intended.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story follows my first story, "Larabee's Lady" in which Chris Larabee met and fell in love with Catherine Stewart, Mary Travis' best friend. I didn't like the whole Ella Gaines story line, so I wrote "Larabee's Lady" without bringing Ella into it, but I've decided that maybe she can provide some interesting dynamics.

(By the time Catherine, Chris and Judge Travis walk outside, things are pretty much back to normal in the town of Four Corners. Vin walks over to join them as they step outside the building.)

Vin: "Transport should be here late tomorrow, Judge. They had a prisoner pickup over in Seller's Ridge."

Judge Travis: "Excellent. I was afraid it would be two or three days before they could get here."

Vin: "And Catherine, there was a wire from your folks."

(Catherine takes the telegram from Vin and reads it quickly. She turns to Chris with a huge smile on her face,)

Chris: "Well, what does it say?"

Catherine: "They're coming early. They'll be here day after tomorrow."

Chris: "Which means we can get married the day after that."

Catherine: "Exactly."

(And not caring who sees them, Chris pulls Catherine into his arms and kisses her quite thoroughly right there. Vin just grins and walks off shaking his head. After passing on the news of her parents' early arrival to Mary, Catherine and Chris return to the cabin. It has been an extremely stressful day, and Catherine is determined to do everything she possibly can to see that Chris doesn't suffer any more because of Ella Gaines. Hoping to get his mind off of the whole, sordid affair with Ella Gaines, she decides to focus on their wedding.)

Catherine: "You know, I never did ask you what kind of wedding you wanted. "

Chris: "One where you become my wife. That's all that matters to me, Catherine. But I want you to have the kind of wedding you want. After all, you're only gonna do this once"

Catherine: "Well, then, how about we get married here, in the garden. Josiah and Judge Travis will marry us, and we can have the reception here, too. And then we can kick everyone, including my parents, out and start our honeymoon."

Chris: (pulling her into his arms and grinning down at her) "I'm pretty sure we've already started the honeymoon, Catherine. And, we're going to have a real honeymoon. I want you all to myself for a few days; no interruptions, just you and me and a big, soft bed."

Catherine: "Sounds wonderful. Where are we going?"

Chris: "It's a surprise."

Catherine: "C'mon, tell me."

Chris: "Nope."

Catherine: "Chris."

Chris: "Catherine."

Catherine: "You're really not going to tell me, are you?""

Chris: "No. Now, do you want to stand here arguing about where we're going for our honeymoon, or do you want start practicing for it?"

Catherine: "Oh, I don't think you need any practice, Mr. Larabee, and if you're implying that I do, well, . . ." (He doesn't let her finish.)

Chris: "Didn't say you needed any practice, Catherine, just said you might want . . . (This time she doesn't let him finish.)

Catherine: "What I want is you, right now, tomorrow, next week, for the rest of my life."

Chris: "At least we agree on something."

(And before Catherine can say another word, Chris sweeps her up into his arms and carries her to the bed where he makes love to her over and over . . .

The next day, Ella Gaines is transported to prison, and Catherine and Chris are not in town when she's taken away. The defiant look on her face as she's loaded into the wagon gives those watching her departure a moment of pause. . .

Two days later, on a warm, sunny day, Catherine Stewart and Chris Larabee are married in the garden of her ranch in front of her parents and their friends. Mary serves as Catherine's Matron of Honor, and Buck serves as Chris' Best Man. The ceremony is simple, yet elegant and full of meaning, and Catherine is beautiful in her mother's wedding gown. When Judge Travis pronounces them man and wife and tells Chris he may kiss his bride, Mrs. Wilkes can be heard to say, 'about time', as Chris takes his time and savors his wife's sweet mouth. Catherine and Chris leave the reception as soon as is politely possible to start their honeymoon. As they drive away, Catherine throws her bouquet which lands neatly in Mary's hands. When she glances up in surprise, she doesn't miss the speculative look on the handsome face of none other than Vin Tanner. Blushing slightly, Mary offers him a small smile before turning her attention back to seeing Catherine and Chris off.)

STORY COMPLETE

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hope you enjoyed my second effort at fan fic. Thank you for all the reviews and words of encouragement. Catherine and Chris' story is not finished, but I felt like they both deserved some happiness after all they'd been through. Mary and Vin have also suffered some tragedy in their lives and maybe they deserve a little happiness, too? New story continuing this plot line coming soon! Michelle