CHAPTER 36

When Jonathan and Hiram left to do the evening chores, Martha and Jessica settled themselves comfortably on the couch in the living room.

"Now that the men have gone for a while, I want to hear all about your honeymoon, I've really missed our chats while you've been away." Jessica said, as she poured them both a cup of tea.

Martha stirred her tea, "We had a wonderful time. Everything was perfect." She said as she settled back and curled up on the couch.

"Everything?" Jessica queried.

"Yes, everything. Oh, Jessica, I can't thank you enough for talking to me about … you know … things, before the wedding. I was really nervous, but Jonathan was wonderful and it all worked out just fine." Martha assured her, blushing slightly.

Jessica squeezed Martha's hand, "I'm real glad to hear that. Being compatible in bed makes so many things easier in a marriage. I can't tell you how many times I've been so mad at Hiram I could just scream, but somehow, when you really love each other and can express that love, everything seems to have a way of working itself out."

Martha giggled, "In that case, we're going to have a long and happy marriage."

"Good. Now, tell me about the Ozarks was it as beautiful as it looked in the brochures?"

Jessica and Martha sat gossiping until it was time to prepare dinner. As they companionably moved around the kitchen working, Martha asked, "Are you still willing to teach me how to cook?"

"Yes, we can start tomorrow if you like. Although I've done most of the preparations for Christmas, there are still a ton of things left to do. Is that okay or would you prefer to wait until after Christmas?"

"Tomorrow sounds just great. I can't wait to get started." Martha said smiling at Jessica.

"Are you going to see Anne before Christmas?" Jessica asked.

"Yes, I'll have to call her to make sure nothing has changed, but we arranged to meet on Wednesday, would you like to come?"

"Normally, I'd jump at the chance of a day out in Metropolis, but this week I'm just gonna be too busy here. Maybe the three of us could meet up in the New Year." Jessica suggested.

"I wonder just how much trouble she got into when she got back from our wedding? I know that Dad didn't want her to come. I was half expecting her to call and say that she wasn't coming." Martha said with a sigh.

"But she did come and she looked just stunning in that outfit. She was so proud of you, sweetie. When I wasn't mopping up my own tears I saw that she was wiping away some of her own. I don't know your Mom as well as you do, but, from what I've seen, she's a strong willed woman and I'm sure she can handle your Dad after all the years they've been together.""

"I was so glad she came. Knowing that she was sitting in the church really made a big difference to me." Martha said, looking a bit teary eyed.

"Aww, honey." Jessica said, putting her arm around Martha. "There was no way your Mom was going to miss your wedding and the fact that you wore her dress meant a great deal to her. When we were at the reception, I asked her about returning the dress and she said that you were to keep it as she had never seen you looking more beautiful than when you walked down the aisle and stood at the alter."

"Oh, Jessica, I just wish my Dad could have been there too." Martha said, resting her head on Jessica's shoulder.

"I know you do, but it was his loss. He's the one that has to live with the knowledge that he missed the most important day in your life."

"He can be so darn stubborn at times!" Martha said with a sigh.

Jessica giggled, "Umm, just in case you haven't noticed, you've just married a real stubborn man. He takes after his father!"

Martha burst out laughing, "Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment!"

Relieved to see Martha looking more cheerful, Jessica said, "I can remember when Jonathan was little, he'd get this look on his face that was identical to Hiram's stubborn look and I just knew that I'd be in for another battle of wills."

"I've seen that expression! I call it his 'I know I'm right and nothing's gonna to change my mind' look.

"That's the one!" Jessica agreed laughing.

By the time the men came back it was nearly dark and, as soon as they had cleaned up, Jessica served dinner. After all the plates had been cleared away they stayed around the table laughing and talking. Finally, Hiram glanced at his watch, "Well, I'm sorry to break this up but I need to get some rest." He said getting up from the table and putting his mug in the sink.

Jonathan looked at his watch, "Good heavens, is that the time? I think I'll go to bed as well, otherwise I'll never get up tomorrow."

As the men went upstairs, Martha and Jessica tidied up the kitchen and rinsed their mugs. Then after making sure everything was neat and tidy they both went up stairs as well.

Jonathan was in the bathroom so Martha went into the bedroom, changed, and then picking up her toilet bag walked down the landing to their new bathroom. Just as she was about open the door, Jonathan came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. "I'll see you in a few minutes, sweetheart." He said with a grin as he walked back to their bedroom.

When she came back into their bedroom, Jonathan was already in bed reading a farming magazine. As she came in he put it down and grinned at her as she moved around taking off her watch and putting hand cream on. When she took off her robe he saw that she was wearing flannel pajamas. "Are you cold, honey?" He asked as she got into bed next to him.

"No, I'm fine." Martha replied as she rearranged her pillows.

"So what's with the pajamas?" Jonathan asked, sliding across the bed and putting his arms around her.

As Jonathan started kissing her, Martha could feel him undoing the buttons on her pajama top. "Jonathan, no! We can't." She said putting her hand over his.

"Why not? Are you too tired?" He asked puzzled at her response.

"No, it's not that."

"Well what is it then? Oh! Is it your … umm … precious time, honey?" He asked.

"My what?" Martha stared at him blankly.

"You know … your precious time." Jonathan said, looking embarrassed.

When it dawned on Martha what Jonathan was trying to say, she said, "No, it isn't. And for your future information there is nothing about that time that is any way 'precious'. Painful, annoying and tiresome maybe, but definitely NOT 'precious'!"

"Well, what's the matter then? Why don't you want to make love?" Jonathan asked, mystified as to what Martha's problem was.

"Jonathan, we can't. Your parents are right across the corridor!"

Jonathan sighed, "Sweetheart, we're gonna be living here for at least nine months. Are you saying that you don't want to make love for the next nine months?"

"Well, no." Martha conceded, looking a bit less sure of herself.

Pressing his advantage, Jonathan then said, "Over the past year, you've probably slept in this room more than I have. So, tell me, how many times have your heard my parents after they've gone to bed?"

"Never." Martha mumbled.

Jonathan didn't say anything, he just watched Martha as she thought about what he had said.

"Are you sure they won't hear us?" She finally asked.

"Just as long as you keep your screams of pleasure down to a dull roar we should be okay." Jonathan teased as he began to undo Martha's buttons once again.

Martha watched him as he slowly undid her pajama top and then slipped if off her. However, when he started to pull down the bottoms she stopped him. "Jonathan, this is important to me, I don't want to be embarrassed in front of your parents. I'll be mortified if I find out that they can hear us." She said blushing.

"Honey, if we can't hear them, then they can't hear us. Also, as far as I'm aware, the other people on our floor of the hotel didn't complain about us keeping them awake at night. As long as we don't get too enthusiastic I'm sure we'll be fine." He replied.

Martha smiled at him, "Okay, but we have to be real quiet!" She whispered.

With a sigh of relief, Jonathan quickly removed the pajama bottoms and dropped them on the floor. "Martha Anne, you are gonna give me heart failure one of these days!" He teased as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Later, as they were lying snuggled together, Jonathan said, "I guess we didn't make too much noise, I didn't hear Dad knocking on the door asking us to keep quiet in here."

Martha giggled, "Jonathan, that isn't funny. I'd die of embarrassment if that ever happened."

"That's okay; it would be payback for the moment when you calmly told me that you didn't want to make love for the next nine months."

"I'm glad you changed my mind." Martha said softly, playing with Jonathan's chest hair.

"So am I, sweetheart, believe me … so am I!" Jonathan replied, kissing Martha.

"Jonathan, we can't. You have to get up early." Martha protested, as his intentions became clear.

"Let me worry about that." Jonathan murmured.

As Martha sighed with pleasure, she was very grateful that it wasn't her who had to get up at the crack of dawn.

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