A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful feedback for the last chapter, really glad you've all enjoyed it. :)

Chapter 18

It wasn't that Morticia had any particular ideas as to how her first day a married woman would start - except, of course, she could have had some particularly beguiling, educated guesses but, nevertheless, being jumped at by a forty pounds of a lion cub was not even on her list of top one thousand.

"Kitty," she moaned tiredly, startled from her sleep."Are you insane? What on earth are you doing? Get off me," she scolded gently but Kitty only let out an adorable little roar and proceeded to try to squeeze himself between her and Gomez, making Morticia laugh."What came over you, you fluffy devil?"

"You're in his spot," Gomez murmured sleepily into her bare arm.

Morticia frowned as if unsure she heard correctly. She was -

"Excuse me?" she asked, entirely too amused.

"That's his spot, he - " he faltered and blinked furiously as if suddenly realizing what he just said.

"Gomez... darling," she cooed at him softly and was immediately rewarded with an annoyed glare from her husband, which only made her laugh.

"Don't Gomez darling me like that - it's not what you think... that fluffy beast - he scratches my door and whines all night if I don't let him in," he scattered his explanation but in vain for his wife only gazed at him with a complete glee in her eyes at the information.

"Do you really?" Morticia murmured softly to the cub, caressing his soft mane."Do you like to snuggle with Gomez?"

"I knew I should have got you an octopus," Gomez groaned in defeat.

"And I knew you secretly adored him," she teased, casting a knowing side glance in his direction as she petted the lion.

"In a stew with side pickles maybe," he deadpanned, reaching for his cigar and next to him Morticia laughed with amusement.

"I shall not reveal it to anyone, I promise," she grinned at him."It will be our little secret."

"You're enjoying this far too much."

"I won't tell a soul - "

"Vulture - why didn't I get a vulture?"

" - that my husband likes to cuddle with our pet lion."

He almost choked on his cigar.

"You shall pay dearly for this, Mrs Addams," he announced, eliciting another laugh out of her, before - to his wife's outraged gasp - he nudged the lion off Morticia and the pet jumped off the bed, roaring at him in annoyance."Kitty, scram," he huffed at him and got out of the bed, completely naked and prodded the lion out of the room with his foot.

"Gomez, don't kick him," she scolded, propping herself on her forearms."He's just a baby."

"I did not kick him," he protested, closing the door and approached the bed." I nudged him," he insisted, sneaking his hand under the covers." And now…"

She squealed in surprise when she felt his hand wrap firmly around her ankle before she was unceremoniously pulled towards him and before she could say anything he's already climbed on top of her.

"Now, let's have a proper good morning," he murmured suggestively and captured her smiling lips into a ferocious kiss.

Ophelia bit her lower lips apprehensively as she replaced the phone receiver in its place. She could tell that her husband did not exactly believe her excuse for staying over at his mother's house - even though it wasn't exactly a lie.

Jared came over yesterday's evening after Dorothy called him to let him know that Ophelia will be staying with her for a few days. Ophelia told him about the morning in the hospital, about what her mother told her and how upsetting it was. Her husband was understanding and sympathetic but she couldn't shake off the feeling that he knew she wasn't telling him everything. That it wasn't her mother alone that was the cause of her upset.

Or perhaps, it was her own guilt playing up because she hated to lie to him but she was so anxious to tell him. She knew that this marriage - this marriage that now had no chances of happening - could have been a huge business opportunity for Jared, to prove himself, to show that there was more to him than simply managing the inherited business. This could have been his very own venture, his very own success and not something he merely took over after his father stepped down from managing the company.

How was she going to break it to him that this dream was over? It was over before it was fully formed because her sister betrayed her. She betrayed all of them.

And there was no option not to tell him because he would find out soon enough. There was no doubt about it since Morticia was obviously inclined to make a spectacle of herself and this affair with Addams.

And now, now Jared informed her that her sister didn't come home for the night and Ophelia had no doubt where and with whom Morticia was. She didn't mention anything to him anything, though. She told him the only thing that immediately came to her mind - it was summer holiday and Morticia was an adult but yes, of course, she will speak with her. Yes, he was right that it didn't do any good to her reputation.

It was unthinkable, the sheer audacity of her actions. It truly appeared as if her sister completely lost her mind and Ophelia was at a loss as to what to do. She hoped that whatever plan Dorothy had will work, although she really doubted there was anything else to do here but damage control.

God, what a disaster.

She took a deep breath and pinched her cheeks before making her way to the patio where her son and her mother-in-law were currently busy colouring pictures.

"Black," Charlie exclaimed, pointing at the green crayon.

"That's not black, munchkin," Dorothy replied softly." It's green, look, it's green like the grass in granny's garden."

"Black."

"Don't bother," Ophelia smiled as she sat on the chair next opposite."Every colour is black now."

"He does that on purpose?" Dorothy asked and watched Ophelia shrug and then nod in confirmation."That's odd because last week he knew all his colours and now everything is black."

"Tishy loves black," Charlie grinned at her."Look, mama, black," he said, pointing at the bright yellow crayon.

"It's lovely, sweetie," she smiled at the boy before her expression turned serious. "Jared told me she didn't spend the night at home."

Dorothy raised her eyebrow is a gentle acknowledgement and pursed her lips in slight annoyance.

"Did he say anything else?" she asked with unspoken 'does he suspect where she spent the night' hang between them.

"No," Ophelia replied, smoothing her son's blond hair and smiled indulgently when he grunted at her and messed them up all over again."But it won't take long before someone sees them and informs him about it."

Dorothy nodded in agreement.

"No doubt about that," she mused morosely.

"The whole city is going to know that my sister is having an affair with Gomez Addams," Ophelia said in a painful whisper. "And they will not delay sharing this with Francois, I'm sure."

"Gomez is fun," Charlie blurted suddenly, still busy filling the space on the paper with all the colours in his possession.

Both women frowned in surprise at his words.

"What's that, munchkin?" Dorothy asked softly.

"Gomez is fun," Charlie repeated happily."I like Gomez."

"Oh, is he really?" Dorothy causally inquired further."When did you see him?"

"We go zoo with Gomez," Charlie explained and then looked at his grandmother furtively before leaning over and whispering to her ear:" We go big slide," he grinned sneakily.

When the newlyweds have finally made it downstairs for lunch, the kitchen table was occupied by three very hungover people. Indeed, Fester, Elena and Michael looked like something just chewed and spit them out, each holding their heads hidden firmly in between their hands while Eudora hummed happily to herself moving briskly next to the stove, obviously in the midst of preparing lunch - not a care in the world and certainly not a sign of hangover here.

"Why, darling," Gomez beloved happily to his wife, earning himself looks of pure loath from the three occupants at the kitchen table."Look at this merry bunch, aren't they adorable?"

"I hate you," Elena murmured.

"I think they've had a tad too much to drink," Eudora commented casually, pouring the content of the bowl onto a sizzling pan, stirring it gently.

Everyone looked at her incredulously.

"Mama, I don't think all of us combined drank even half of what you and Father Scullion drank together," Fester pointed out.

"Oh well, then you obviously still have much to learn, younglings."

"Where is Father Scullion, anyway?" Morticia asked as she took a seat at the chair Gomez held out for her. "And Dementia?"

"Oh, he had a morning mass at six o'clock," Eudora explained."Dementia's at work, she starts at eight."

"Didn't they sleep at all?"

"No, by the time we put them all to beds it was almost five anyway," she informed her newly acquired daughter-in-law."So I made a coffee and we had a nice chat...by the way," she added, turning towards Fester."Care to explain why is your cousin Balthazar supposedly dead?"

Fester immediately shrank in his chair.

"Oh, that - " he mumbled in embarrassment and didn't quite miss the way Gomez and Morticia smirked at him.

"Yes, that," his mother confirmed sternly."Not to mention that apparently, those two," she pointed to Gomez and Morticia."Were engaged for months ever since they've met at the funeral of our dear Balthazar?"

"Ugh...you didn't tell her the truth, did you?" he asked, clearly mortified at the prospect.

"Of course I did," she insisted and didn't even bat an eyelid when her eldest son flopped dramatically over the kitchen table.

"I'm so dead -" he moaned miserably.

"What possessed you to tell her such fibs?" she asked."And you two should not have participated in his little charade," she accused, pointing her finger at the newlywed couple.

"Come on, mama, it's just a few harmless facts alterations," Gomez defended his brother with a cheerful smile on his face. "All in a good faith."

Morticia turned towards her husband with an amused expression on her face.

"I would just love to see you performing in court," she remarked, propping her chin on the pillow of her hand."Harmless facts alterations?"

"Well, we were engaged, in the end," he pointed out.

"For three hours."

"Three and a half," he corrected. "A dream of an engagement," he reflected before placing a quick kiss to her smiling lips.

"I had a dream the white bear carpet roared at me," Michael mumbled tiredly.

"Oh, that's just Bruno," Gomez supplied."He's always grumpy."

"Rotten attitude," Eudora agreed, placing the food on everyone's plates.

"What's this?" Michael asked in dismay."Worms?"

"Why, of course," Eudora confirmed as if it were the most obvious thing in the world." Urechis unicinctus - highly nutritious, high in protein, excellent for the hangover and other after party aliments. Very popular in Korean and Chinese cuisine and also facetiously called a 'penis worm'. Enjoy!"

Morticia couldn't help but smile when Michael poked his food with a fork and twitched as if was about to bite him.

"Can't believe I've ever complained about my mother's cooking," he muttered in disbelief.

"See, it's all about perspective," Elena smirked at him before biting into her food."Hmmm…"

"Are you for real?"

Elena chewed her food thoughtfully, apparently perked up by her friend's obvious dismay.

"Try it, it's delicious," she suggested with a mean smirk, when Michael turned a curious shade of green, before turning towards Eudora."What did you add to give it this nutty, slightly bitter flavour? I love it."

"Arsenic," Eudora replied."Excellent in soups as well and as a stimulant - it will perk you all up in no time."

"Mrs Addams, you must give me the recipe."

"Of course, I have a whole recipe book," the older woman remarked happily before furrowing her brows slightly."You will need to ask Morticia where it is, though, because I don't remember where the hell did I put it."

"The recipe?" Michael hissed."Where the hell do you even buy the ingredients for this tragedy of culinary experience?"

"Oh," Elena frowned and turned towards Morticia."Where do you buy those stuff from?"

"Mrs Addams grows most of the herbs in the conservatory and the -"

Eudora cleared her throat and clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

"Enough with Mrs Addams, Mrs Addams," she admonished firmly but there was clear amusement laced in her voice. "You are Mrs Addams now and I am, from now on, to be referred to as... Mama Addams."

"Awww, that's so sweet," Elena murmured softly before turning towards Morticia."So...Mrs Addams," she remarked pointedly between bites of her food and, somehow, Morticia knew what was coming before her friend managed to utter another word."How is married sex? Is it as bad as legends say?"

There was no doubt in his mind that Ophelia wasn't telling him the whole truth. He didn't think she exactly lied to him but she was definitely hiding something. Something that had to do with that little witch spending the night God knows where and he couldn't exactly ask where the hell she's been all night because the damned wench was yet to come home.

He was sure she was doing this deliberately for the sole purpose of vexing him since she knew he wouldn't be pleased with such behaviour. Especially since gossip spread in this city like wildfire. Gods, if they could only get this damn engagement out of the way, or better yet, the whole blasted wedding. He would gladly even cover the whole costs just to have this insufferable girl out off his back.

He could not, for the life of his, understand why was she being such a pain. How could their parents have raised two people that were different literally like night and day was beyond him? Poor Francios had no idea what he was signing into but then, he warned him, didn't he?

He still didn't know what did that poor bastard saw in Morticia but whatever it was he seemed to really like her. Even more surprising was the fact that Morticia seemed to like him as well. Jared observed them discreetly the whole evening in the theatre and he could tell there was obvious chemistry between them. If all goes well, ideally those two would be officially engaged by the time Francois and his little brat were due to return home next week.

Everything was finally working out as it should be.

Conveniently so, with his wife and son staying over at his mother's, he could safely dismiss the staff for a couple of days and enjoy the house all to himself. Not that Jared did not enjoy family life - he did but it was nice to have a break. What he really could do without was his butler and the housekeeper furtively watching his alcohol intake. It annoyed the hell out of him. He was an adult for God's sake and if he wanted to enjoy a drink or two before bed it was his own damn business.

It was also his own damn business if he chose to spend the night out and he despised the knowing looks that Fanny bestowed upon him when he returned early in the morning to change his clothes - clothes that bore the obvious signs of another woman on them. Damn women and their stupid lipsticks. True, they looked enticing on their lips but less so when they ended up on his shirt because there was nothing to be done except disposing of if it immediately because the damn thing would just not come off.

Oh God, those people and their holy outrage - as if he was the only man on the planet engaging with extramarital thirsts every now and then. As if they were holier than thou. At least he was discreet. More discreet than most of his friends and acquaintances. Certainly more discreet that the old Addams ever was. Besides, what his wife didn't know could not hurt her and he was determined for her to never find out.

He was well aware that Fanny wouldn't say anything to Ophelia or to his mother, for that matter, but he was equally sure she shared quite a lot of her suspicions with Morticia - which was another reason he could not stand his sister-in-law. Her and that damned accusing, knowing gaze of hers. It didn't matter that she's never told her sister what she knew, that conscious look in her eyes was to him worse than anything.

"Jared, my boy, good to see you."

Well, here went his hopes of having his lunch in peace but he forced a pleasant smile on his face.

"Howard," he greeted and stood up to shake his hand, briefly noticing that the man should definitely lay off the doughnuts, he started to look more pregnant than his wife.

"Mind if I joined you?" Howards asked and sat down at his table before Jared could think of any excuse.

"It would be my pleasure," he smiled and motioned at the waiter to come over.

They shared a small talk while the waiter took their orders and poured them the red wine into their glasses but Jared knew Howard and he knew this was certainly more than a mere social call.

The man before him was a long time business associate of his father's and liked to play a good meaning uncle with Jared which usually meant criticising Jared's business decisions and giving advice Jared never asked for.

It was infuriating as hell.

"Jared, I've known you all your life and you're like a son to me," Howard said with a kind smile and Jared resisted an urge to flinch. So it was one of those talks again. "So let me get straight to the point, it will do no good for your sister-in-law to spend so much time in the company of Gomez Addams. The whole city is talking about it."

Of course they were, Jared thought in annoyance, suppressing almost overwhelming need to roll his eyes. Howard probably didn't know a damn thing himself and was simply fishing for information.

"It's nothing like that," Jared interjected with all the nonchalance he could muster and leaned back slightly against his chair."She works for his mother, that's all."

Howards raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Indeed?" he asked, drawling the words in a sardonic manner as if he knew something that Jared didn't.

"Why?" he asked casually.

"Because I've just heard some interesting bits," he snickered, biting into his breadsticks and chewed it slowly without offering any more information.

"What bits?" he asked, subduing his growing annoyance.

"Apparently, you sister-in-law was seen in the city yesterday night," he explained slowly, toying with the broken bits of the dry bread."In the company of none other than Gomez Addams himself and they seemed very friendly. Trying to catch two birds with one stone, Jared?" he smirked knowingly."I'm not sure Mr Chalon will appreciate," he continued sardonically."Or is this whole engagement just a story Dorothy cooked up to cover for the fact that your wife's sister was Mr Addams's new playtoy?"

Jared felt his whole body tense at the information and he immediately knew that this was the exact reason why his wife chose to stay over at his mother's. And now the whole city -

Why, that ungrateful wench, what the hell was she doing? She knew damn well what was expected of her, she knew what was at stake and how important the Chalons was for him and she was whoring with that bloody Lothario for the whole city to see -

Oh, of course, he almost laughed out loud. Well, one had to admire the nerve of that woman, the lengths she will go just to piss him off.

"I appreciate your concern, Howard," he replied silkily, taking a sip of his wine and forcing an unconcerned smile on his face."However, there's nothing to worry about."

Howard laughed knowingly.

"And I appreciate a good poker face," he remarked, smiling at him in an amusing manner." But don't you think it simply does not bode well for the future marriage if the bride-to-be takes on such a cavalier attitude with her reputation?"

"Times's changed, my friend," Jared smiled at him indulgently." As I said, nothing to worry about."

"That might be but if I were you, I would have a little talk with the girl all the same," he advised, his tone more sombre now. "I know the young Addams quite well and if you think he will marry her - "

"I would rather kill her myself," Jared interjected tensely.

"Now, now," Howard smiled indulgently which told Jared that his reaction was perhaps more aggressive than he intended to."We all know that Mr Addams is very popular with women but if you think of using your sister-in-law to marry into that family - "

"Are you insane?" he blurted in disbelief.

"All I'm saying is that Addams will not bother to marry her because her reputation was at stake - he doesn't give a damn about that," he pointed out."And it would be a shame to lose the business prospects the Chalons could give you."

Jared shook his head in bewilderment.

"Now let me tell you something, my friend," he retorted tensely."I have no intentions to be related to those kooks in any way. I don't care what rumours people are spreading, there's absolutely nothing between Morticia and that bloody Lothario."

"If you say so."

"I do," he insisted.

"Remember, though," Howards said slowly."That despite what it may seem like, the times haven't changed that much at all. A ruined reputation," he added pointedly, standing up from his chair."Is still a ruined reputation and that goes far deeper than marriage opportunities…," he paused deliberately, letting his point sink in." Enjoy your lunch, my friend."

Their first day as a married couple turned out to be busier than she could have anticipated, she truly did not expect the amount of paperwork that was involved in changing one's marital status but her husband insisted they should take care of straight away. Gomez's accountant slash lawyer, Tully Alford, arrived in the afternoon with their marriage license - which Morticia had not the slightest idea how did he manage to acquire it since apparently, by law, they were supposed to get it at least three days before the wedding, but then she reckoned there was little point to worry about that. There was a whole lot of documents to be signed to change her name on all legal documents as well as Gomez's insistence on adding her name to his bank account - which Morticia found quite a bit awkward. Gomez told her she was being silly - she was his wife after all and why shouldn't she have unrestricted access to the money that was now also legally hers. Which was all fine, except she did not realize exactly just how rich the Addamses were and it felt disconcerting to be suddenly part of such fortune.

"It feels weird," she told him later when Gomez came back from seeing Tully to the gate.

"Only because you're being weird about it, my dear," he smiled at her indulgently and he sat next to her on the sofa next to the fireplace, linking his hand with hers."It's your money too."

"It feels awkward, I can't get used to it," she admitted. "I didn't realize you were that rich."

"So?" he laughed, clearly amused.

"People are going to think I married you for the money," she complained uncharacteristically and her confession elicited another laugh from him.

"Why darling, money is the primary reason those people get married in the first place," he pointed out lightly."You know that. You can't really do anything about what people think, cara," he smiled at her. "I don't understand why does it bother you so much?"

"I don't know either," she admitted with a gentle shrug."I just…"

"What?"

She looked at him tentatively as if unsure she should voice her thoughts. Until he looked at her worryingly and she realized that perhaps he thought she was beginning to regret her decision and she simply could not have that. She wrapped her hands around his and placed a warm kiss to his knuckles and felt him relax under the gentle caress.

"I don't really care what people are going to say," she assured."I'm worried… I can't help to think about how it's going to affect my sister."

He looked at her tenderly and wrapped his arm around her, bringing her closer to himself until she rested her head on his shoulder. He wished she wouldn't have to worry about that - how wonderful would it be if they could have just focus on each other, to just bask in the glorious feeling of being happily in love without thinking how their actions affect other people around them. But alas -

"Can't do anything about that either," he whispered."But your mother will get the treatment and the care she needs, and you have married the man who loves you madly and will spend the rest of his life making your happiness his utmost priority."

He felt her smile and she raised her head to look at him tenderly.

"I wish she could understand that," she smiled at him, framing his face with her hands. "I wish there was a way to make her see how wonderful you are," she whispered caressing his cheek lovingly." How kind and generous. If I could only make her understand that you're the best thing that ever happened to me and I love you so much," she added, kissing him softly." Even though you're so disgustingly rich."

"A terrible flaw," he joked hoarsely, quite unable to tear his eyes off her because this look in her eyes - her love for him, her utter adoration and commitment to this marriage but most of all her trust in him - this trust he worked so hard to earn and she finally gifted him with meant to him more than he could possibly ever comprehend or express in any way. This woman before him meant to him so much more than such a paltry term as love could ever contain. So much more. And he will gladly spend the rest of his life, showing her every day how much she meant to him.

"It does feel awkward," she quipped, deliberately breaking the seriousness of the moment.

"Does it?" he asked, placing a soft kiss to the crown of her head."Then let me make if for you absolutely unbearable..., that money in the bank accounts is... just the money from my investment businesses," he grinned at her."What people don't know, is that... there's a vault down in the dungeon and that's where the real Addams fortune lays."

She looked at him sharply and her eyes immediately illuminated with curiosity.

"Hold on," she gazed at him bemusedly."There's a dungeon...and nobody told me?"

He looked at her incredulously.

"Tish, I took you through the secret passage to my bedroom the first time we -"

She scoffed and rolled her eyes at him.

"I didn't pay attention to the scenery then!"

He had to bite his cheeks to prevent himself from laughing and the gesture was not lost to his wife who immediately graced him with a glare.

"Do you want to see it?" he proposed instead.

"Do I?" she asked incredulously, fisting her fingers into his black shirt."Take me there at once," she insisted promptly and then blushed when she saw the amused expression on his face and realized how exactly did he choose to interpret her demand."Take your mind out of the gutter, I didn't mean it that way."

"You didn't?" he teased mercilessly."Because I reckon, my dear Mrs Addams, that you'd find being taken in the dungeon quite an experience."

"You're incorrigible, I swear," she laughed, placing her hands on his broad chest and kissed his smiling lips."Although," she added in a deliberately sultry tone, biting his lower lip gently and heard him groan at the back of his throat." Perhaps I should take you up on your...offer."

"You've deliberately destroyed my dress," she accused half-heartedly as they made their way to the bedroom through the passage in the dungeon after they finished...ahem, thoroughly exploring the dungeon.

"It accidentally tore…" he insisted, not even trying to sound apologetic.

"To pieces?"

He only grinned at her.

"We'll go buy you new ones," he said, skillfully navigating his way through the dark corridor. "Although, let me tell you that you look absolutely gorgeous wearing my shirt," he replied instead letting her go first through the long corridor."Watch your head."

"I can't wear your shirts forever, Gomez," she pointed out as she opened the hidden door to their bedroom.

"Let's go shopping then, long dresses...like the ones Michael brought you," he proposed, sneaking his hands around her waist, pressing her back against his chest."I love when you wear those long dresses," he admitted, already placing soft kisses along her arm.

"Do you?" she asked in a faux surprise, turning to smile at him knowingly."I haven't noticed."

"All those enchanting layers...hmmmm...like a precious gift waiting to be opened - all mine," he growled appreciatively against her neck. "The things it does to my imagination. And the fact that nobody else can see this glorious body of yours - just me."

She tilted her head to look at him in a pretend outrage.

"Chauvinist," she quipped.

"I can't help it, cara mia," he admitted sheepishly in between placing soft, luxurious kisses along her jaw bone making it increasingly difficult for her to even remember what they were talking about. "God knows I've tried but you're so divinely exquisite - I hate the thought that some other men can look at you in the way only I'm allowed to look."

She laughed gently before turning in his arms to face him.

"Gomez, you know you really needn't be jealous of no one," she assured him.

"I know," he replied." And I have never been jealous of a woman before in my life, but I know men have only one thing on their mind."

"Hmmm, tell me about it," she retorted with an exaggerated sigh."But if it will please my husband so, I shall always wear my dresses long," she promised.

"God, yes please," he moaned, kissing her firmly."It will please your husband tremendously."

"It will please your wife even more so since I absolutely abhor any dresses shorter than floor-length anyway."

"Let's go then...we'll buy everything you need: dresses and lingerie on the top of the list of priorities," he added cheekily.

"Dresses and lingerie?" she repeated, amusement dancing in her dark eyes.

"Indeed," he nodded eagerly."It's Christmas come early for Gomez Addams."

It probably shouldn't surprise her that her husband knew quite a lot about women's fashion and he was indeed very particular in his choices and she was all too happy to comply for his tastes in fashion were as exquisite as the man himself and he spared no expenses, more than happy to indulge his beautiful wife in every way possible.

He took her to the most expensive and exclusive seamstress in town and somehow it did not surprise either that the woman, Claudia, and her husband were on a first name basis - even though she specialized in women's clothing only. Indeed, the moment Morticia saw the woman and the place itself she was absolutely in love in every piece of clothing displayed.

"And who is this beguiling creature?" Claudia asked curiously, gazing pointedly at Morticia.

"Pardon me, where are my manners?" he laughed in a mild embarrassment, wrapping his arm around Morticia's waist."My dear, this is Claudia Pollard - an absolute textile artist," he grinned before turning back to the woman."And this enchanting creature is my wife, Morticia."

"Your... wife?" the woman exclaimed, blinking at him in surprise.

"My very own," he grinned proudly.

"Well it's an absolute pleasure to meet you, my dear," Claudia smiled and extended her hand towards Morticia.

"Pleasure's all mine," Morticia smiled at the older woman.

"And my congratulations, you make a beautiful couple," Claudia complemented before regarding Gomez with a thunderous gaze."Why, you cad, you never even mentioned you were engaged. Your mother was here just last week and she didn't mention a thing either!"

"Oh, we wanted a small, private wedding," Morticia explained promptly."And the rumours spread so quickly."

"Oh, you don't have t tell me that," Claudia waved her hand and nodded knowingly."It's a miracle nobody found out anyway. So what can I do for you, my dear?"

"Well, I need a few new dresses and Gomez suggested I might like what you have on offer," Morticia admitted looking around. "And I certainly have to agree, your work is truly enchanting."

"Why, thank you very much," she smiled gratefully." Indeed, I take my craft very seriously, everything here is hand-made."

"Oh, that's just wonderful," Morticia replied, clasping her hands together.

Gomez couldn't help but smile as he watched his wife telling Claudia exactly what she wanted and the older woman made careful notes, popping her own suggestions here and there.

"We do have some ready-to-wear models if you'd like to try them," Claudia remarked to Morticia with a kind smile." The rest will be ready within two weeks. I will send it to you directly, of course.

"That's marvellous," Morticia replied so absolutely delighted with the prospect of never having to wear a dress shorter than floor-length ever again she was quite unable to contain the glee. She will make a bonfire from all the knee-length dresses she had to wear all those years.

"I will have to take your measurements, my dear, if you - "

"Thirty-six, twenty-one, thirty-six," Gomez supplied immediately, between the puffs of his cigar and smirked when both women looked at him curiously."What? It is."

Morticia narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Yes but...how do you know that?" she asked but because her husband only grinned at her suggestively she prudently decided not to pursue the subject any further.

Claudia clearly had the same idea and simply noted the measurements and turned towards Gomez.

"And the height about five foot eight?" she asked.

"Five foot ten," Gomez corrected casually, purposely avoiding his wife's bewildered look.

Morticia waited until the woman disappeared to prepare and pack their purchases before turning towards Gomez with an expectant look on her face.

"What?" he asked finally, highly amused.

"You know what," she replied, poking him gently in his ribs."How do you know all that?"

"Cara mia," he murmured, sneaking his arm around her waist, and placed a soft kiss to her neck."I know every inch of this glorious body," he whispered in between kisses." You're so exquisite. The most sublime being on earth."

She smiled at him, even though it still embarrassed her - this open adoration and the fact that he was so open about it even in public but at the same time she loved it too much to even consider stopping him. Ever.

"Tish," he whispered softly."You don't mind that I've told her, do you?"

She looked at him in surprise.

"No darling, of course not. I don't want to hide it," she assured, smiling softly. She wasn't about to shout it from the rooftops but certainly wasn't going to hide it either.

"Here you are, love," Claudia's voice reached them and they both turned to see the woman standing behind them with their purchases neatly wrapped into black, rectangle boxed.

Morticia couldn't help but take a peek.

"They are so beautiful," she sighed."I can't wait to wear them."

"I can't wait to take them off you," her husband quipped cheekily.

He thought it would be somewhat awkward, at least at first, to get used to Morticia being his sister-in-law but that wasn't the case at all. If felt uncannily familiar as if this were their evening routine since forever, that it has always been like this - Gomez and Morticia nestled together on the pink, vintage sofa, Mama in her usual chair by the fireplace and him - Fester - in his favourite, battered armchair.

There was a new rhythm to their family dynamics but then there wasn't because it truly felt as if this is exactly where Morticia belonged - with them - as if all that time there was an empty space and now - now, they finally felt whole.

Suddenly, he caught his brother's worried look and it dawned upon him that he was probably staring at them too long and he smiled at Gomez, a bit embarrassed and shook his head to indicate that he was fine. He was more than fine and to see his brother so utterly and blissfully happy, so content and at peace meant the world to him.

It seemed that nothing could disrupt their tranquillity. Well… except that he was yet to face Dementia and admit to all the lies he was feeding her with all these past months but he decided not to think about it now. There was nothing for him to do but tell her the truth and ask her forgiveness.

"You really should take the master bedroom, though," Eudora insisted."Gomez's room is too small for two people."

"We're quite all right, Mama," Morticia insisted over the cup of henbane tea. "No need to evict yourself from your own bedroom," she added facetiously but Fester could tell that Mama's generosity, however well-meaning, was making Morticia uncomfortable.

"Nonsense," she prodded."You'll be much more comfortable in there and it's too large for me anyway."

"But we will soon be leaving for Switzerland anyway," Morticia replied softly.

"True enough, but you will visit often and, after all, you won't be staying there forever," Eudora pointed out, turning her eyes towards Gomez who was sitting next to his wife with his hand lazily draped over Morticia's shoulders and was absently playing with her raven tresses, twirling them around his fingers.

Gomez immediately took the cue and turned to Morticia.

"There's a huge bathtub in the master bedroom," he revealed and couldn't help but smirk when Morticia's practically froze in mid-movement as the teacup hovering next to her lips.

"All right, idea sold," she quipped."When can we move there?"

"Well, since we have already cleared it from all the boxes - even tomorrow," Eudora smiled at her happily."Besides…"

"Mama…" came Gomez's amused voice but his mother only waved at him in a dismissive manner.

"The master bedroom is right next to - "

"Mamaaa…"

"The nursery," Eudora finished pointedly.

"They've been married for slightly over a day," Fester pointed out, highly amused. "A bit too early to think about grandchildren, Mama."

"Yes, tell her!" Gomez groaned in exasperation, tilting his head back against the sofa and next to him Morticia laughed in amusement.

"Well, no pressure," his mother assured." Although, that nursery will come in handy... hopefully soon," she added under her nose.

"I knew there was a reason you were showing me all those Gomez's baby photos," Morticia smiled at her knowingly.

"Who could resist that cute little moustache?"

Morticia turned towards her husband who was, in turn, glaring at his mother and laughed at his embarrassment.

"It's true, you were so adorable," she admitted, kissing him on a cheek when he growled at them half-heartedly. "Absolutely scrumptious."

"Mama, you've ruined my reputation," he muttered unhappily.

"Oh, I think you've accomplished that task quite successfully on your own, dear," Eudora fired back without missing a bit and before her son could reply she put her empty glass at the coffee table and rose to her feet."Well, it's getting late, so it's goodnight for me."

The chorus of goodnights followed from the three young people in the room.

"I think I'll hit the hay as well," Fester declared before adding morosely."Tough day ahead tomorrow."

Morticia regarded him tenderly.

"It will be fine, you'll see," she assured."Just don't tell any more lies."

"Maybe Gomez can help me," Fester mused hopefully."He has such a way with words."

"Which part of no more lies did you not understand?" Morticia asked sternly but had to bite her cheeks when her husband huffed in outrage.

"Querida, you wound me."

Morticia only smiled at him and caressed his cheek gently with the tips of her fingers which seemed to be enough for her husband to practically melt under her touch as his lips already started their journey along her forearm.

"Aaaand that's my cue to say goodnight," Fester growled half-heartedly and rolled his eyes at his brother. He could swear that the mere fact of getting married seemed to have caused Gomez Addams to lose every bit of self-control he ever possessed when it came to Morticia - not that he had a lot of self-control to begin with but still.

"Goodnight, Fester," Morticia said, smiling at him softly and Gomez murmured something along those lines as well but who could be sure when his face was currently buried in the crook of Morticia's neck.

His brother really needed a hobby.

"God, I love the way you taste," Gomez whispered into her ear before biting into the soft skin just under and Morticia was truly glad they were left alone in the parlour because his cares made her feel lightheaded and she almost dropped her teacup with a saucer if Gomez didn't catch it skillfully without even detaching his lips from her neck.

Their lips joined in a heated kiss and before she knew it she was nestled in between the sofa cushions and his hot body. She was just about to surrender to him when she remembered there was something she wanted to discuss with him first, and now, preferably, before his kisses made her lost track of what she wanted to say.

"Gomez," she murmured gently detaching her lips from his.

"Cara?"

She smiled at him softly and framed his face with her hands.

"I want to see my mother tomorrow," she informed him and he nodded immediately.

"I'll take you," he promised."We can go straight after breakfast."

"Yes, but I was wondering if you...if you'd like to come with me… you know...to meet her," she offered tentatively and watched his eyes illuminate with pleasure.

"I'd love to," he assured.

"It's just… this won't be anything spectacular," she warned."She might not even look at you let alone say anything but...but I would like her to meet you."

"I understand," he nodded and smiled at her gently."It will mean a lot to me to meet her."

She kissed him softly but he felt her body tense after a moment and he wasn't at all surprised when she broke the kiss again and looked at him intently.

"My sister might be there as well," she told him slowly.

"Tish, it's fine," he assured and placed a tender kiss to her forehead.

"Are you sure?" she insisted."Because her tongue can be razor-sharp when she's angry."

"Hmmm, I noticed," he murmured." It seems to run in the family?" he asked cheekily.

"Hey," she reprimanded half-heartedly but had a good grace to blush."I'm serious, though, you don't need to come if you don't want to see her."

"I want to come," he assured."I'm sure deep inside she's a lovely girl."

"She can be a really sweet person," she remarked insistently but her dark eyes shone with amusement.

"I believe you," he replied in a tone that suggested exactly the opposite.

"An angel."

"Mhmmmm a doll," he deadpanned.

"Pity you can't stand each other."

"I will be an absolute gentleman to her forever and always," he promised before grinning at her caddishly."If you let me tell her that I'm her new brother-in-law."

She laughed out loud, tilting her head back.

"Absolutely not," she shook her head.

"Come on."

"Forget it," she laughed again before claiming his lips in a quick kiss."You devil."

Gomez raised his eyebrow and grinned at her suggestively but then his face softened and he looked at her tenderly.

"I can't believe how lucky I am," he whispered in breathless awe ."I can't believe that this is my life now - with you."

"Oh, my love," she uttered against his lips."There will never be enough words to convey just how blissfully happy you make me."

"Cara mia."

"Mon savage," she whispered lovingly before claiming his lips again in a ferocious kiss.

"Gods, your French - " he moaned ardently, involuntarily pressing his hips again hers.

"Mmmmm, let's go upstairs," she murmured suggestively as her husband busied himself with scattering soft kisses along her collarbone." I have some nightgowns you might want to see and then perhaps...help me... undress."

He lifted his head to gaze at her and the mere look in her eyes was quite enough for him to forget how to breathe.

A/N: Thank you for reading!