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Secret, Part 9

Mr. and Mrs. Quatre Rababa Winner

request the honour of your presence

At the marriage of their daughter

Quatrina Rose

to

Zachary Peacecraft Merquise

on

Saturday, the thirty-first of January

After Colony Two hundred twenty six

At half past two in the afternoon

The Port City Church

Two Costa Lane

Port City, Sanc Kingdom

The invitation had been sent out to two hundred people. Nearly all could attend. The Church itself was almost filled to capacity. This was a wedding many didn't want to miss. The marriage of the oldest Winner daughter, from the wealthiest family in the ESUN, to the second son of the Lightening Count, and a Peacecraft and nobility by blood was something to behold. The only weddings to surpass it were the weddings of Relena Darlin to Heero Yuy, and the marriage of their daughter Victoria Yuy to Chris Maxwell. Winter sunlight filtered into the church from the huge paned glass windows, giving it a magical if not regal look. The silver toned roses with their deep silvery ribbons only hinted at the understated elegance of the entire affair. Candles gleamed in their silver tapers from the walls added even more. The topic of discussions swirling about the room were of course about the event itself and the bride's dress, which was rumored to be a creation in itself.

"You think the bride is nervous?" someone asked.

"If you know Quatrina Winner, she's never nervous. Always cool, calm, and collected," replied another.

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The words were not entirely true. In one of the church's many rooms, Quatrina Winner was the picture of calm, except for the incessant tapping of her foot on the carpeted floor and the cracking of her knuckles. Her brilliant russet hair was pulled back and piled on top of her head. The veil, which was her "something borrowed," was being pinned in by Kellie and Mira. "Are you two done with it yet?"

"Would you stop that tapping?"

Quatrina scowled at her sister in the mirror's reflection, but stilled her foot. "Is it done yet?"

The young blond sighed and walked behind her older sister, straightening the gossamer material down her sister's back and arranging it over her shoulders. "Yes, it's done. Right, Kellie?"

"Yes, finished," replied Kellie as she slid the final pin to secure her mother's veil to Quatrina's hair.  She took a step back and examined her handiwork. "All right, stand up. We don't want too many wrinkles in this dress. It took me forever to steam it with David scolding me for being up so late last night and up so early this morning."

Quatrina stood up and walked from behind the chair to in front of the triple paned mirrors. "Well, you are pregnant, aren't you? Your health is important to him."

Kellie snorted. "I hardly think the badgering is healthy." She motioned to Mira to smooth some of the wrinkles out of the dress and fix the hem.

Quatrina rolled her eyes and sighed as she watched her sister kneel down next to her, turning the hem down in some places and smoothing out the wrinkles. The satin skirt was left plain except for the lace trim and the hand-sewn crystals along the hem. The lace and the crystals even marched up the seam on the back of the skirt, and then flowed down along the edge of the train. The corseted top had square neckline with an overlay of lace with the shoulders and the sleeves left unlined. Tiny satin buttons marched up the back. Her eyes caught her father smiling from his chair on the other side of the room. "Dad?"

"Yes?"

"What time is it?"

Quatre smiled. "Almost time." He stood up and walked over to her. He clasped his hands behind his back, his aqua eyes gleaming with love and pride. "And you look lovely."

She smiled back. "Thank you." She looked down at her sister, still at her feet. "Come on, enough primping."

Mira sighed and took her father's proffered hand as she stood. She tugged out the wrinkles in the skirt of the icy blue dress she wore as the maid of honor. It was done in a similar manner to her sister's wedding dress, except for the top, which was just a satin corset and sleeves. "All right," she sighed as she brought over the bouquet of silvery and pure white roses with the icy blue ribbon and green foliage providing the contrast. "Now, you're ready. I'll wait for you and dad outside."

Kellie smiled. "You look lovely in that dress. It makes me feel good knowing that."

"You should. It's a beautiful dress. More so than I imagined, but…"

"But what?"

"Did you have to put so many buttons on it and make them so tiny?"

"Call it payback."

Quatrina's brow wrinkled a bit. "Payback?"

"Payback for my brother for all the years of teasing. There's no easy way for my brother to get you out of that dress. It'll take him forever."

The red haired girl flushed, her violet eyes meeting Kellie's. "That's not very nice."

"I know, but fun nonetheless. I'll be taking my leave now. David is sure to be prowling about by now."

Quatrina watched as the younger woman left the room. She turned back and stared at her reflection. "Is this really happening?"

Quatre rested his hands on her shoulders. "Yes. This is really happening. I must say it's something I've been dreading and hoping for at the same time. But then again, I think any father would think and feel the same way."

A smile touched her lips. "I suppose." Her violet eyes wandered over her appearance again. A feeling of apprehension filled her. Her fingers clenched. "And what about tomorrow night? Can I go through with it? I should have told him, but…"

Aqua eyes took in the look of anxiety in her face. He knew what she felt. It was hard being an empath and knowing everything your children felt, you would feel it too. She was happy with Zach, she loved him, but her fears continued to plague her. And there really wasn't much he could do now. All the therapy, all the love in the world couldn't dissuade them. They had become too ingrained. Too much of her everyday life. It made his heart ache every time he thought of her feelings and it made him angry that one act left an indelible impression on the rest of his daughter's life. He gave her shoulders a squeeze. "You'll be fine. He loves you. He'll understand."

"Will he?"

Twisting a russet ringlet about his finger, he gave it a gentle tug before coming to stand in front of her. "Yes, he will," he replied as he brought the veil over her face. He could still see the lines of worry marring her brow. "Relax, Quat. I know you're anxious. Don't be. I wish that you had told him so it would save you from feeling this way, but it was also your choice not to disclose to him that information. Whether or not you do, is up to you, even though your choice might have some repercussions, he will understand. Zachary loves you too much not to."

Taking a deep breath, she forcibly made herself relax. She gave her father a bright smile. "I'll try," she said as she curled her arm through his. "I'm ready."

Patting her hand Quatre led his daughter from the room and towards her future.

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Zach whistled softly as he walked down the hall of the Church. Behind him were Thad, Damien, Vaughn, and Dominic. He hadn't been able to stop grinning since he arrived at the Church. He was getting married. He didn't feel nervous at all. "Thad, you have the ring?"

Thad's eyes snapped towards his brother, who had paused to turn around and look at him. "Yes. I have it."

"You look like your mind is somewhere else. I probably should've waited until later to tell you."

Snorting, the blond shrugged his shoulders and glanced warily towards Dominic, Damien and Vaughn, who had paused as they did. "It doesn't matter."

A black brow arched. "Doesn't it? She's leaving."

"Like I said, it doesn't matter."

"Then stop looking like it does."

Ice blue eyes snapped forwards again.

Zach gave his brother another look. "Thad, don't look at me like that. Smile for once today. It was your decision to give her up, wasn't it?"

"…Yes."

"Then stop moping. It won't do you any good, so smile. I'm getting married. I want you to look a little happy when you're standing up there with me." He continued to stare at his brother, who had returned his eyes to the scenery outside the windows. "Thad, she'll be upset if you're miserable," he added softly as he shook him by the shoulder. His words seemed to shake his brother out of his revere, who finally turned to look at him again.

"I know," he replied with a rueful smile. He then flashed his younger brother a brighter one. "Come on. It's almost time for you to get married. We can't have you miss the event by consoling me. Quat would kill you. And so would they," he said nodding his head in the direction of the other three men. 

Vaughn grinned. "He would be lucky to escape with his life intact. But all I can say is, what I would do to you, would look like nothing compared to what my sister would do to you."

The young Winner's remark made Zach laugh. "You don't have to tell me. I've seen what happened to guys who cross her. I don't want her to do to me like she's done to Jonathon Maxwell." His remark earned laughter from the other four before Damien clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Time?"

"Yes. It's time. Take care of our sister, Merquise. Vaughn and I WILL kill you if you hurt her," he said, but then added with a smile, "But we know you love and adore her, so we know there's going to be no problem. Come on, Vaughn, its time to take our places.

Zach grinned at the retreating backs of the two Winner men and his cousin. Dominic hadn't said much to him this morning, but had looked contemplative instead. He sighed as he glanced at the back of the two Winners. He knew all too well what it was like to be protective of a sister. Thad and him had more or less threatened David with bodily harm if he did anything to cause Kellie pain. He sighed and looked back at Thad. "Time to get the show on the road."

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He couldn't make himself stop smiling. His eyes turned to the woman sitting on his right. The veil now gone, letting the jeweled pins sparkle against the deep red. Their hands were resting on top of the linen covered table, his hand resting possessively on top of hers. She was talking with one of her girlfriends from school. Letting his eyes linger on her, he let them trail from her face down to their hands. The engagement ring on her finger was a family heirloom, having belonged to his maternal grandmother. His smile grew wider at the platinum wedding band he had placed on her finger earlier. It hadn't been easy to find a ring to match her other one. It had to be custom made and had cost a small fortune, but it didn't matter. He raised his eyes to her face again. Her cheeks were glowing and there wasn't a trace of her apprehension from the night before. When her friend finally left, he gave her hand a slight squeeze. "Enjoying yourself?"

Violet eyes turned towards the sound of his voice. A brilliant smile crossed Quatrina's lips. "Yes." She returned the squeeze. "Are you?"

"Most definitely. I'm the luckiest guy in the room."

She laughed at his response and a pleased expression lit her face. "Which would have to make me the luckiest girl."

Leaning forwards, he pressed his lips against hers, his one hand coming up to cup her cheek. She tasted faintly like the champagne and like the icing from the chocolate and vanilla cream cake. It was an unusual combination, but he liked it very much. Lifting his mouth away from hers, he gazed into her eyes. "You taste good."

Color bloomed in her cheeks as his words brushed against her mouth. There was a look that was beginning to creep into his eyes whenever they fell on her. It was a little unnerving. However, she couldn't stop herself from smiling. "You shouldn't say things like that with a room full of people," she admonished softly.

"What…because someone could hear me?" he murmured kissing her again.

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean."

"You know, you two should take it to a room."

Quatrina pulled away to glare at Jonathon, leaning his elbows on the raised table. He was grinning wickedly. "Get lost, Maxwell."

Giving her a wounded look, he placed his hand over his heart. "Why? I didn't give the bride a kiss yet." He cast a look over at Zach. "You don't mind do you?"

Zach arched a brow at him. "Don't you have a pregnant wife to look after?"

"Yes, yes, I do," replied Jonathon with a nod of his head. "But at the moment she is being gushed over by the female guests and frankly I just don't want to be in the middle of it. So, I came over here to kiss the bride instead."

She shook her head, giving him a cool look. "In your dreams."

"Aww, not even a little one?"

"No."

"You're such a spoilsport, Kitten."

Quatrina's teeth ground together at the use of the nickname. "I hate that name."

"I know you do. Come on, Quat, one little kiss?"

"I ought to hit you."

Jonathon grinned again. "I know you won't and since you're being difficult, I'll just come around the table."

Her retort died in her throat as he came around. She leaned back against Zach. "Jonathon…"

He bent down and pressed a quick peck on her cheek. "Now, was that so bad?" he asked as he leaned up.

Her lips were drawn into a thin line. "No."

"Just think of it this way, you've been kissed by a Maxwell. And I finally got to kiss Quatrina Winner."

Zach snorted quietly. "…Maxwell…"

Jonathon leaned close to her again. "And Zach's a lucky guy since that passion that you show in that temper of yours can be used for something much more fun," he whispered before he stole another kiss and quickly moved away before he was hit.

Her cheeks were flaming with color as he walked away. "Someday, I'm going to beat the hell out of that…"

Zach put his arms around her and pulled back against his chest. "Calm down there, tiger. What did he say to you?"

With her cheeks still hot, she shook her head. "It was nothing. He was just being…"

"A pain in the ass."

"Very much so," she sighed as she leaned into him. Turning her head, she looked at him out of the corner of her eyes. "I love you."

Nuzzling her nose, he smiled back. "Love you too."

"As much as I hate to break up this romantic moment, its time for her to toss the bouquet and for you to toss the garter," said Vaughn as he leaned on the edge of the table.

Zach stood, grasping her hand. "Come on, we'll have more time for that later."

For a spilt second a stricken look passed over her face. She averted her eyes from her brother, who hadn't missed it and let her husband lead her down from the dais to the floor. Taking the tossing bouquet from Mira she turned her back, facing the table. "All right, the girl who catches this, is the next one to be married," she called over her shoulder, smiling.

Zach stood on the side and watched as single women took over the floor. All of them were waiting expectantly. Next to him stood Dominic. "Hoping Morgan will catch it?"

Dominic glanced over at his cousin. "If she does, she does. We're not in a rush to get married. I don't want the pressure on her to marry me or have a huge wedding like this. Something small and intimate like Jonathon had will suit me just fine." He turned his eyes back towards the floor towards all the women who were still waiting with anticipation.

Quatrina closed her eyes and tossed the bouquet, high and far over her head. She could hear the scrambling of heels on the floor as she turned around and watched it fall. She hadn't aimed it but it fell directly into her sister's reach. She laughed at her sister's surprised expression, which soon turned to a pleased one. She walked over to the chair, which her father brought out and was standing behind. "Thank you, dad."

"No problem. Just figured I should keep a close eye on what Zach does," said Quatre smiling at Zach as he came over. "Don't embarrass my daughter, Merquise."

"Something I would never dream of doing," replied Zach as he kneeled down in front of her. He placed his hand on her foot and nodded at the skirt. "If you don't mind, Quat."

Quatrina tugged the skirt up to her knee, trying to ignore the token whistles from Jonathon and Chris. They made her teeth grind, but she kept the smile on her face. The warmth of Zach's hand spread from her ankle to the rest of her leg. It felt nice, but her nerves were buzzing ever so slightly. "Ok."

He let his eyes wander over her exposed calf up to her knee. The silky stocking felt smooth under his hands. He knew the skin underneath to be the same way. Slowly, he slid his hands up her leg and over her knee. His fingers tangled briefly with the lacy hems of the petticoats under her dress. It was warmer here then on the lower part of her leg. Finally, his fingers touched lace and satin. He knew it to be the garter, but his mind was wandering quite a bit. He was curious to know if she was wearing actual stockings or the sexy thigh highs. He couldn't stop the impulse of letting one hand slide up further to investigate while his other hand slid the garter down. His fingers encountered more lace and soft skin. Letting his eyes meet hers, he could see the flush staining her cheeks a bright red. He shrugged. "Couldn't help it," he said smiling before he removed his hand.

Her heart was racing. The feel of his hand on her thigh had sent her nerves into total chaos. She gave him a smile back, but it had made her anxieties increase even more. She watched as he held the garter up over his head and the single men take the floor. She felt the squeeze of her father's hand on her shoulder. Sighing, she watched as the men scrambled for the garter. It fell right into Dominic's hands.

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"I thought I wouldn't be able to stop laughing when Dominic caught it. I don't think he was going to…it was even funnier watching him put it on Mira's leg and barely push it above her knee. She had to dare him to put it higher."

Quatrina sighed as she shut the bedroom door behind her. "Well, it's understandable. Mira's only eighteen."

"Going on nineteen in two months," pointed out Zach as he tossed his tuxedo jacket over the back of the chair. They were in his old bedroom on the second floor. It was time for them to get changed so they could leave on their honeymoon. His eyes followed her as she began tugging out the pins in her hair. He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. "I finally have you all to myself. Have I told you how beautiful you looked today?"

Her body had stiffened from the sudden embrace, but she relaxed and leaned back against his arms. "Yes, you've told me at least a dozens times," she laughed.

"Well that's just not enough. I have to say it again, you look beautiful, Quat. You took my breath away when you walked down that aisle. I couldn't believe my eyes, you were gorgeous. How the hell did I catch you?"

"Luck. Lots of luck."

Her violet eyes were sparkling with laughter. He chuckled and hugged her tighter. "Ha, ha, very funny. Now that I have you all to myself, I can kiss you properly without prying eyes." Lowering his head, he kissed her lightly before gently parting her lips with his tongue.

Warmth began to trickle into her blood as he kissed her. Her hands came up and rested on his shoulders. Her heart began to pound as his hands moved up and down her back. The slow stroking of his tongue was making her feel lightheaded. When he ended the kiss, she bent her head forwards and rested her forehead against his chin. "You meant improperly."

Grinning, he kissed her forehead. "One in the same to me. I had to watch myself all evening."

Forcing herself not to start at his words, she smoothed her hands across his shoulders. "It's a very proper occasion. It's not suitable for…whatever you were thinking."

A black brow arched. "You want to know what I was thinking?"

There was a devilish glint in his eyes as he looked down at her. "No, I don't," she said primly.

This time, his grin turned into a smirk. "You sure?"

Her throat went dry and it caused her hands to still on his shoulders. "Very sure."

"A pity, but I guess I'll just wait until later to tell you," he said softly as he kissed her lips again. "Or maybe…I'll show you."

Her breath caught in her throat as he looked into her eyes again. She wondered if he could hear the pounding of her heart. That look in his eyes. It was something she rarely saw since he probably hid it so well. But sometimes, she would catch that intense and hungry look in his eyes whenever they fell on her. Swallowing, she gave him a wry smile. "Its time we got ready anyway," she said as she moved out his arms.

Ice blue eyes followed her across the room as she tugged more of the pins out of her hair. It caused his fingers to pause on the buttons of his shirt. It wasn't that he had never watched her do things like that before, but this time it seemed much more intimate than other times. He couldn't help but let his eyes follow her fingers as she ran them through her thick hair, watching the thick strands twist about her manicured fingertips.

She could feel his eyes on her as she ran her hands through her hair again. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling, but it felt strange having him study her so thoroughly. Loosely twisting her hair up into a bun, she pinned it again, keeping her gaze centered on her reflection in the bureau's mirror. Then she reached back behind her neck, her fingers sliding over the buttons. She gave them a gentle tug, but they wouldn't come free. Sighing, she let her hands fall to the sides. She would have to ask for help. "Um…Zach, could you get the buttons on my back?"

He hastily buttoned up the dark blue shirt he was wearing and went over to her. He had been watching her out of the corner of his eye while he changed, grinning as she tried to get the buttons undone herself. Part of him had been hoping she would ask for help. "Sure." Reaching to the topmost button, he tried to push it through its loop. It wasn't easy. "This is my sister's doing, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"The size and number of buttons on the back of your dress. She made them too hard for you to get by yourself, making sure that I would be the one to help you…and even making it difficult for me."

"She said as much before the wedding. She said it was retribution."

Zach chuckled, letting his hands rest on her shoulders. "She did, did she? My little sister is such a joy. She would've known I would want to help you take off the dress."

Flushing, Quatrina, met his eyes in the mirror. "And do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Want to take this off of…me?"

"I would be lying if I said I didn't."

She fell silent again as she felt his fingers finally start moving from the back of her neck and down her back. His knuckles would brush against her skin with each one. It made chills dance across her spine. Then he stopped once he reached the bottom. "Finished?" she asked, her heart hammering in her chest.

"Yeah, I'm finished," he replied, his eyes wandering down the gentle curve of her spine and back up again. They rested on the white material that cut across her upper back. He knew with just a flick of his wrist, it would pop free. Resting his hand on her skin, he could feel how smooth and warm she was. "You feel nice and warm," he murmured as he stepped forwards and pressed his lips against the back of her neck.

"Do I?" Her blood was rushing in her ears.

He nodded his head. "You smell incredible too." Nuzzling the back of her neck, his hands slid under the dress at the waist, resting his hands on the curves. "You feel like warm velvet," he whispered. He knew her skin to be already soft, but he never really expounded on it like he was now. It was like getting to rediscover all the nuances he liked.

Her body was trembling from his light caress of his hands as he spoke. "You're not going to panic. You're not going to panic," she told herself as she felt his lips tickling the back of her ear.

Kissing the back of her ear, he trailed his hands upwards to her shoulders. "You still need help?"

Nerves buzzing, she met his eyes in the mirror. She couldn't think with his lips nibbling on the lobe. "Umm…I guess…"

The corner of his mouth tilted up as he slowly pushed the lace from her shoulders, taking care not to put a pull in the delicate fabric. He finally reached the point where she would have to slide her arms out of the long sleeves. "Quat, your arms."

Nodding her head, she pulled her arms free of the sleeves. Her eyes slid away from the directness of his. "You'll have to pull it over my head. It took Mira, Carin, and Isabella to get it on me. They wouldn't let Kellie exert herself." Her eyes flickered back towards his.

He chuckled. "I can only imagine what that was like, but I'll be careful. I promise." He grasped the material gently and pulled it up. He took his time, wanting to prolong the anticipation of getting to see what he saw in a modest bikini, in lingerie. He didn't want to seem to eager either. Her flush was noticeable. He finally got the dress over her head. "I'll lay it out on the bed."

"Ok," she replied, her voice faint. Her hands were shaking as she reached back to undo the ribbons that held up the voluminous layers of lace, netting, and silk. She felt warm all over and her nerves were almost to the point of breaking. The touching, the watching, the subtle innuendos were making her more uptight then she thought possible. "I can get the…" she trailed off when she felt his hands over hers, "…rest."

"Let me."

"Zach…"

"Indulge me, Quat. This is the first time I get to do this."

"I…it's just…"

"Please, I want to."

There was no way for her to protest more. She gave a reluctant nod of her head and her hands fell away from under his. "Go ahead."

The ribbons were easy compared to the dress. The layers of material soon loosened and fell to a heap about her ankles. His eyes rose to meet hers in the mirror surface again. Bright color was still lighting her cheeks and her hands were resting on the edge of the dresser, her arms in front of her chest. He knew she had always been self-conscious about her bust size. Resting his hands on her upper arms, he gently pulled them apart. "There's nothing for you to be self conscious about with me. Every part of you is pleasing to the eye. Besides, I like a woman with a nice figure on her." His hands slid from her arms to her ribs to rest right underneath her breasts. "I don't like sticks."

"You're just saying that," she replied, her eyes not meeting his.

"No, I mean that. I love your figure because you're not too thin; you're not too heavy. You have a wonderful body with padding in all the right places," he said, grinning. He slid his one hand down over her stomach. He studied her more in the reflection. Her stomach was flat and toned, her waist trim, flaring out into generous hips. Kissing her shoulder, he slid his other hand down over her hipbone and the silky material of the panties she was wearing. His eyes traveled back up her torso, flickering over the cleavage presented to him before looking up at her face. She wasn't meeting his eyes and color was still in her cheeks. "You're still blushing."

"Can't help it."

Chuckling, he turned her to face him. "I know. But you can't blame me. I've never seen you like…this. I've seen you in a bikini before, but I've never seen the things you wear under your clothes. I had a good idea, and this is only confirming it."

Quatrina could feel his palms resting low on the slope of her back. His touch burned. She could feel the soft material of his shirt and pants pressing against her bared skin. It felt good. Her eyes met his for a moment. "Confirming what?"

"That my wife has very good taste in lingerie."

Heat bloomed in her cheeks and spread down her neck.

His lips nuzzled hers. "And of course, I find those thigh high stockings of yours a real turn on. And in this…you look like you stepped out of every fantasy I've ever had of you, but then again, what you look like right now, is far, far better then I could've ever imagined." He kissed her again, his hands sliding down over her rear, pulling her against him.

It was a sudden jolt to her senses as she felt his fingers gently give her rear end a squeeze. Her heart was beating erratically, her blood was tingling in her veins, and alarms were beginning to blare in her head. Things were moving too fast for her. She felt a hand slide up her back and over the bra's hooks. "This is going to fast, I'm not prepared for this at all," she thought frantically. She was sure it was going to come undone when there was a sudden knocking at the door.

Zach tore his mouth away from hers and gave the door a baleful look "What?"

"Are you two ever going to come out? Save the nookie for later when you have the time. You have plane to catch."

"Jonathon," growled Zach.

She let a silent breath of relief. "He's right you know."

Sighing as well, Zach rested his forehead against hers. "I know." He returned his gaze to the door. "We'll be out in a few minutes."

"Make it a quick few minutes. Everyone is waiting, unless you want to have quickie right now."

Quatrina's teeth ground together as Jonathon's footsteps faded down the hall. "I'll kill whomever sent him up here to get us." Her face was flaming.

"Maxwells are such a joy," sighed Zach as he kissed her forehead. "We should hurry up and finish getting ready. We do have a plane to catch and even though I would like to…" he said, his voice trailing off and his eyes roving over her, "we don't have the time."

She forced a smile. "That's true."

"We'll be alone for a whole week. No one to interrupt and no comments. It's just you and me," he said giving her rear a regretful caress before moving away.

He was right. There would be no more barriers between them. He wouldn't hold back now and she couldn't exactly refuse him without causing suspicion. That meant she would have to control her fears with all her strength. "That's what I'm afraid of," she whispered before she turned away and finished getting ready.

A/N: I know this took a really, really, really long time and I apologize. Berate me if you wish (not too harshly). I hope you all enjoy this part that took me so long to get out and as you can see, the conclusion is fast approaching. So enjoy! XOXO!!