A/N: Greetings all! I am thrilled to the response from the ceremony. I had a ton of people send me questions about the last 3 chapters, and I simply kept quiet and didn't respond back because your answers were all in that chapter.

For the one guest who was rather peeved about the fact that they got married before Ana and Christian... Feel blessed. I normally ignore guest reviews. However, this was also a thought I had thought about. (For about 15 seconds before I really didn't care.) But, in the end, I did touch on it in this chapter. After all, Shana loves her brothers and sister, and would never want to slight them on purpose. Also, on that same subject... Shana had no control over the situation. So, if you have a issue with it, contact Gideon Cross.

There is something else I should state about this chapter: It is not lemony. I know it's their wedding night... but, after staring at the screen for three days, constantly wondering how much and what I wanted to do for the bridal bed... in the end, I gave them their privacy.

Enjoy!


The reception was a whirlwind, of which few memories truly exist. But isn't that how most weddings are? The pictures help, but the actual event... There is so much in it, so much hope, and desire, need and excitement, that it's hard to remember at all.

I remember the dance with my father, but not the words of wisdom he tried to convey to me. I also danced with Elliot and Christian who seemed truly happy for me. And then the dances with Gideon. Once I was in his arms, I know my feet never returned to the ground. We danced as if we were the only people in the room. I know that there were certain things we were "supposed" to do, like remove my garter. ("I'll be damned if anyone else is going to see your legs, or have the privilege to covet that garter," Gideon had growled.) It was time to toss the bouquet, which I did as he twirled me in the air, the both of us laughing the whole time, watching the girls try to dive for it. I should have just handed the damn thing to Kate Kavanaugh, who practically killed herself and nearly put Ana, Mia and Ireland in traction.

The memories were made, but hard to bring to mind. What I will always remember though, is Gideon. Not just how he looked like a edible version of a billion dollars, because he always looked that way. No. No, what I will always remember is how free and truly happy he was. Every time he laughed, every head turned, smiling with him, though he paid no attention to anyone but me. He was gorgeous, vibrant, and thoroughly happy. And his smile, when he looked at me, made my heart leap.

Our friends and family seemed to be constantly tapping silverware on the crystal ware, demanding we kiss. And kiss we did. Never a chaste kiss, not this night. Each and every kiss was as deep and as full of love and need as the first in front of the flustered Justice of the Peace.

As the celebration went on, we tossed the rules of the Wedding Celebration out the window. We both declined to cut the cake, refusing to leave the dance floor. Gideon did release me a few times, needing to dance with his lovely sister Ireland, and with Mia. My mother and he glided like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire across the floor, and we all had to step aside and watch in shocked amazement. As they danced, I looked into the future, seeing Christmas, New Years, and maybe even birthdays along with the random charity events, seeing their future ghosts gliding along all the various dance floors and my heart ached for these future events.

The music went on and on, and finally, Gideon picked me up and I shrieked with giggles, demanding to know what he was doing.

"Say goodnight, Mrs. Cross," he said, his eyes dark, his voice trying to hide a hint of lust. I was suddenly in need of him, the desire like a flame straight through the core of my being. I pointed to the DJ in the corner and he carried me there. I indicated my desire for the microphone, the DJ obliged and lowered the music.

"Everyone, thank you so much for enjoying this celebration with us. Please, stay and continue the party." I handed back the microphone and everyone seemed to crowd the way, and yet they left us a clear passage all the way back to the elevator. Bubbles and confetti were in the air and I laughed, feeling Gideon's lust as he hurried us to the elevator, not stopping to set me on my feet until the door closed and we rose to the suite.

The walls were made of glass, but it didn't matter. As soon as we were in he immediately began kissing me, and I couldn't help but pull his head toward me, running my fingers through his hair, encouraging his lips. The kiss was deep and needy. Possessive and demanding. But above all else, it was mine. His lips were forever mine. His heart will always beat for me, as mine beats only for him. I pulled out of the kiss, my eyes opening to see his. They were dark and lusty, but also concerned, questioning. I smiled a small smile, my finger rising to trace his lips.

"Sha, what is it? What is wrong," he asked, concern growing in his voice, his hands holding me tightly, more from worry then need now.

"I just want..." I paused, not sure how to say it.

"Anything. Anything. It's yours. What do you want," he asked, his eyes seeking the depths of mine, as if that was where the answer lay. I felt his hand rise to my cheek, his thumb lightly caress it. How in the hell did I ever desire this man, and why the hell did I ever say no the first time?

"This moment," I whispered, memorizing his face, his eyes, his caress. I counted his heart beats, memorizing each one so that I know that those beats, they are mine. "I just want to always remember this moment," I said, pushing all the love and care I have for him through my eyes and into his, sharing it with him.

He pulled me close, his hands wrapping around me, so it seemed we were one being instead of two. "God, Shana. Do you know? Do you understand what you do to me? How much you show me? How much... you make me feel?"

"Show me," I whispered, feeling his arms hold me tighter as I said the words.

The elevator stopped, and he picked me up, carrying me out and straight to the bedroom. He stood me on my bare feet, my shoes having been lost on the dance floor. He stood back a moment and then approached me, turning my back to him. I felt his hands shake as they lightly grazed over my shoulder. His hands moved to the back of my dress, his fingers struggling with the million buttons that ran down the back. I felt one pop off and heard him curse under his breath. I felt another pop and had to stifle a laugh.

"Baby, I'm sorry, I... these buttons..." I turned around and grinned at him.

"Gideon," I said, raising my hand to his cheek. He leaned his cheek into my hand, closing his eyes for a moment. "Rip the damn dress off," I growled, feeling the lust in my throat.

His eyes popped open wide, as if he wasn't sure what I said. "But... women keep their dresses... for their children," he stuttered.

"True," I said, nodding. "But in twenty years, fashion changes, your daughters will be stubborn and original just like you, and will not want my dress." He grinned, spinning me around again, and I felt the buttons fly off and the top of the dress released from my chest. He growled and I felt a clenching in my core as moisture pooled in my panties.

"God, I can smell your sweet scent already," he said, lust thick in his voice. I shivered in excitement and want for him. He pulled my dress wider, and I laughed hearing the stitches of the expensive rag shred and pop. "You looked beautiful in the dress, but you look gorgeous out of it," he said, his hands tracing my lace panties. Their designer name was as quickly gone from my mind as fast as they were ripped from my body.

I felt his warm fingers caress the cheeks of my ass, his fingers following it's curve and the length of the crevice. His fingers gripped my hips and he pulled me sharply against his still dressed frame. I gasped from the force of it, and groaned feeling his encased body still fully enclosed in Armani.

I felt his warm breath graze over the back of my ear, goose flesh rising on my bare skin as he whispered. "You are all mine." I swallowed, my mind going blank as I felt the warmth and truth of those words in the core of my soul.

His fingers moved along my body, not stroking it, but tracing the shape, his fingertips millimeters above the skin. Their passage disturbed the hair that rose from his voice. I shivered, feeling my nipples harden. His fingers traveled around to my front, and they ghosted around my breasts until they encircled my nipples. I moaned at his touch, closing my eyes wanting to lean back against him.

I felt his lips on my shoulder, and smiled as he kissed a path from my shoulder up my neck. He sucked my earlobe into his mouth, and nibbled on it before releasing it, and his tongue licked behind my ear. I didn't realize it, but I felt his fingers underneath mine; I had raised my hands to my breast when he began to tease my ear.

"Turn around," he said, his voice thick and hoarse.

I did as he said, facing him, allowing him to see all of me. I could feel his eyes as they took in every curve, freckle and hair on me. He took a step back, and I watched as a small grin tickled the corner of his lips.

"Well, Mr. Cross? Do you like what you see," I asked, restraining myself from crossing my arms.

"Quite," he said, nodding. He raised his right hand to his left wrist, undoing the cuff link, but I stepped forward, placing my hand on his to pause him.

"Allow me," I said quietly and he nodded with a knowing smile.

I removed his cuff links, and then slide his jacket off his broad shoulders. It was amazing how good he looked in the tuxedo. But then, he looks good in everything, and even better out of it. I laid the jacket on the chaise lounge that occupied the corner of the room, and returned to unbutton and remove his grey vest. I loosened his silver tie and he ducked his head allowing me to easily pull it over his head. I tossed it over to the chair, letting it laid on it's counterparts.

As I unbuttoned his shirt, I bit on my lip, thoughts wondering around in my head. Thoughts aside from the delicious sex we were about to enjoy. "What is it," he asked quietly. I shook my head, not wanting to ruin the mood. His hands settled on mine, pausing me. One lifted my chin, so he could search my eyes. "What is it?"

"You." His eyebrow raised, and a wicked grin lined his lips.

"What about me?"

"You are amazing, you know? How... This whole day. Everything. But, I... How did Ana and Christian feel? I mean, they got engaged first. We... didn't steal a spotlight, did we?" He smiled at me and leaned down, placing a soft, loving kiss on my lips and then resting his forehead against mine.

"And you call me amazing," he sighed with a hint of laughter.

"What?"

"You still worry about others before yourself." I blushed. "I have... something I should confess to you."

"Oh?" I felt a small tightening in my chest, fear wanting to form in my heart. After all, what could he confess to?

"I lied to you. Wait-" he said, resting a finger on my lips. "Before you jump to conclusions, let me tell you. I know that we want to never lie to each other, and that's good for the important life decisions. But, in order to pull this off, I had to lie. I didn't have lunch with Eva."

He removed his finger from my lips, and pulled me towards the bed. He sat down, and pulled me down onto his lap. "I was going to tell you this later, maybe tomorrow even, but now is good." I nodded and waited as patiently as I could. My subconscious wanted to yell at me What else did he lie about? Who did he have lunch with? But I hit her over the head and dragged her body back into the unconscious closet until I could deal with her later. "I had lunch with Christian, your mother and Mia. I can't tell you all we talked about because I still have surprises in store for you, but, the timing was one thing I wanted to talk to your brother about.

"He had no problems with us being married first. He even said that it would help Mia if she helped me with the planning, giving her a chance to learn things before his wedding. He also said, and I quote 'I'm not all hearts and flowers, but I am sure you will do some things that I can improve on for Ana.' I don't think we have to worry about us losing our rivalry anytime soon."

I laughed, thinking that was one thing that most certainly wasn't on my mind at all. "I do admit, I like it better when you act like bickering brothers instead of warring moguls." He grinned, and my fingers played with another button on his shirt, releasing it.

"Are... you happy, Sha?" I looked at him, saw deep into his eyes, and yes, there was still that bit of fear in him, in that back corner of his soul. It may always be there. It may not. But I will always be here for him.

"Beyond happy, husband of mine," I said, reaching up and drawing his face to mine. Our kiss was deep and tender. His tongue licked at my lips, and as I opened my mouth wider, our tongues met, dancing, not demanding. He licked at my teeth and then I traced the shape of his. I felt his heart beating faster and harder and felt his cock twitch in the confines of his pants. Half of me wanted to quickly rip his clothes off as easily as he had ripped mine, but the other half wanted to take our time.

My hands finished unbuttoning his shirt as he kissed me. I let his lips, his tongue, his mouth explore and lead me where ever he wanted to go, allowing my hands to continue to remove his clothes. I peeled off his shirt, freeing his arms which began to explore me, mapping me as if it was our first time. His touch was light and loving, and every where he touched me, my body ached for more.

My hands caressed down his chest, towards his waist, where I unbuckled his belt and slowly removed it from the belt loops. It was agony to go slow, but I was letting his speed dictate. I unbuttoned his pants, unzipping him, but before I could think he had to stand so I could remove his pants, he laid me back onto the bed, my feet dangling over the side. He slowly pulled away from my lips, but his lips moved down my neck, and through the valley of my breasts before he stood, quickly dropping his pants and briefs.

I lifted up onto my elbows, admiring his physique. "See something you like, Mrs. Cross?" I grinned, hearing my words back at me.

"Possibly," I smirked.

He grinned, and moved towards me, and for the first time, with both of us completely naked, in a bedroom, I saw no deep lust, no dark need in his eyes. If I had taken a moment, if this were any other day, I would have paused him, and asked what was wrong. But I didn't. I didn't need to. There was no deep need to quench a lusty desire, there was love, and we had time.