I try but I can't seem to get myself
To think of anything but you
Your breath on my face
Your warm gentle kiss, I taste the truth I taste the truth
You know what I came here for
So I won't ask for more
I wanna be with you
If only for a night
To be the one who's in your arms
Who holds you tight
I wanna be with you
There's nothing more to say
There's nothing else I want more than to feel this way
I wanna be with you
So I'll hold you tonight
Like I would if you were mine
To hold forever more
And I'll savor each touch that I wanted So much to feel before (To feel before)
How beautiful it is Just to be like this
------------------------------Mandy Moore
Asha couldn't believe it. She was on her way to Logan's cabin for her wedding. Tomorrow she would be married to Alec. As she sat in the back of Logan's Aztec beside her husband to be, she thought about how far they'd come together. Alec had learned to love again, and she had finally given up her Logan fantasy for something real. Alec put his arm around her and gave her a little squeeze, as if he knew exactly what was on her mind.
Max squeezed Logan's hand as she looked at the happy couple behind them in the rearview mirror. "Hey we're almost there," she said. "Yup, just another 15 minutes," Logan replied. "Are you sure everything is ready? Where's my dress? Is Father Destry going to get here on time? Alec, did you give Logan the ring? Is everybody else still behind us?" Asha chimed in, a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Max just laughed and said, "Yes, right behind you, yes, yes, and yes. Asha, honey breathe, relax...everything is going to go great." "Sorry, I'm just nervous," she replied, "thanks again for doing all this guys." "You don't have to keep thanking us. You guys are family," Logan replied with a smile.
Everyone was exhausted when they finally arrived at the cabin. "Ok, women in one room and men in the other," Max said. "No!" Alec said, instantly wrapping his arms tightly around Asha's waist. "Alec...I can't breathe," Asha choked out. "Sorry baby," he said, loosening his grip but not letting go. "You're not supposed to see the bride before the ceremony. Stop being such a baby, you can live without her for one night," Max said as she pried Alec's arms from Asha. Asha didn't want to spend a night without Alec either, but she was way too tired to protest. All she wanted was some sleep. She smiled as she heard Alec complaining as he entered the bedroom with Logan, Bling, and Joshua.
Asha, Max, and Original Cindy settled down in the other bedroom. They wanted the bride to have a good night's sleep, so Max and Original Cindy settled down on the floor while Asha got comfortable in the bed. One minute they were up having a little girl talk, and the next Asha knew she was waking up and it was the middle of the night. She didn't even remember falling asleep. She was about to roll over and go back to sleep when her bladder protested. Asha made her way out of the room, being careful not to wake Max and Original Cindy, and then continued down the hall to the bathroom.
Asha didn't feel so sleepy anymore, so she sat down in the living room just gathering all the thoughts that were speeding through her brain. Something felt out of place. This was her wedding day; a day she had dreamed of all her life, and the two most important people in her life other than Alec weren't there to see it. Her parents would never see their baby girl, their only child get married. Asha was saddened by the thought, and tears began to stream down her face. Silent tears turned into soft sobs as the memories of her parents emerged. Her heart ached as she thought about her father and how much she wished he could walk her down the aisle.
Logan had just left the bathroom and was on his way back to bed when he heard the faint sounds of someone crying in the living room. He went to investigate and the last thing he expected to see was Asha curled up on the couch sobbing into a pillow. "Asha? What's wrong?" he questioned as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. The unexpected touch startled her. She quickly sat up and tried desperately to wipe the tears from her face. If there was one thing she had learned during her time with the S1W, it was to never show weakness. Crying over the past, over what can't be changed, is a sign of weakness...and Asha Barlow was not some weak fragile little girl. "What's wrong?" Logan questioned again. "Nothing, I'm fine," Asha replied with a sniffle.
"Bullshit Asha, you don't cry when you're fine...and those damn sure weren't tears of joy," Logan said. He was right, she wasn't fine and she instantly threw herself back on a pillow and began sobbing uncontrollably. Logan grabbed some tissues from the box on the coffee table and sat down beside Asha. He rubbed her back soothingly and patiently waited for her tears to subside. "Come on Asha, please stop crying, you know you're going to give yourself a headache if you don't," Logan said. "How did you know that?" Asha said, looking up at him with red puffy eyes. "I was your boyfriend once remember. That and we've known each other all our lives, how could I not remember that you get headaches when you cry? I probably know things about you that you don't even know," he said as the handed her a tissue. "Now tell me what's wrong," he continued as she wiped her face.
"Remember how I used to tell you what my dream wedding would be like? It just hit me that I'll never have that. My parents are gone, my dad won't be walking me down the aisle, and I won't look over and find my mom sitting in the front row with tears in her eyes. That hurts so much Logan. Even more painful than that, I think about how they were taken away from me, and the time I spent running around with the S1W trying to save the world when I could have been with them. It's not just my parents either. Everyone I've ever loved has either been taken out or walked out of my life. I can't handle anymore, it would kill me if Alec..." Asha said, her voice riddled with tears. She couldn't bring herself to even finish that sentence. Logan put an arm around her and pulled her closer to him. Asha's parents were killed in a car accident shortly after she joined the S1W. Logan had heard the news from his family and it hit him hard, their families had been so close. He remembered sending anonymous flowers, still afraid for Asha's safety while having no idea what she was involved with.
He felt terrible about abandoning her like he did, even if it was for her own good. She was alone at a time when she needed someone the most, and he finally realized how deeply he had hurt her. He wished she had told him sooner, he wished she wouldn't let everything build up like that. But this was a different Asha from the girl he knew, the girl who was his first love. She was no longer a girl; she was a woman...a hardened woman. One who'd rather bury her emotions than let someone help her. Why couldn't she have just yelled at him, hit him, done something--done anything to let him know what he'd done. No, she'd just helped him out, risked her life, let him push her aside the second Max was back in his life and she never said a word. He just held her a little tighter, hoping that it would somehow express what words couldn't say. After a while they started to reminisce about their childhood.
Alec and Max's sensitive hearing had alerted them to activity in the living room and they had cautiously come out to investigate. They stood in the shadows watching Logan and Asha. Alec had wanted to go to Asha when he saw her crying, he wanted to tell her that he would never leave her, tell her that everything would be ok but Max held him back. She knew that Asha needed something only Logan could provide, a link to her past...shared memories, a person who understood what it was like to lose your family. Alec loved her and would do anything for her, but there's no way a man who grew up in a lab with no parents could relate to the pain she was feeling. So he stayed away. Max and Alec just stood back and smiled as she watched the man she loved and her friend relieve their childhood memories. "For once I can honestly say you did good Alec," Max whispered. Alec smiled, knowing she was referring to Asha. "Yeah, well you didn't do such a bad job yourself," he replied and they headed back to bed.
"Hey, I have something to give you. It was supposed to be a surprise for tomorrow, but I think you need it now," Logan said as the got up and pulled something wrapped in newspaper out of a desk drawer. He returned to his place beside Asha and handed her the package. A puzzled look crossed Asha's face as she cautiously opened the package. "A photo album?" she questioned. "Look inside," Logan replied. Asha's jaw dropped as she looked through the photos inside. "Oh my God Logan, how did you get these? This is wonderful," she said. The photo album was full of pictures of Logan and Asha as kids; pictures of both their families' together, pictures of her parents...there were even baby pictures of Asha. She put a hand over her mouth in awe as she took in the images of the woman she was the spitting image of, and the man she inherited those gorgeous blue eyes from. "I hoped you'd like it. I got them from my parents' old photo albums," Logan said with a chuckle. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Asha said as she threw her arms around Logan's neck, practically knocking him over.
He returned her hug, wiped a tear from her eye and said, "You shouldn't be sad on your wedding day. Your parents were wonderful people and they loved and adored you more than anything in the world. They would want you to be happy now, not crying your eyes out over them. Remember the good times Asha, and know that they'll always live in your heart. And you haven't lost everyone you love. Alec's not going anywhere, and I'm not either. Whether you know it or not, you'll always have a special place in my heart. You were my first love, and I still love you as a friend. Whenever you start to feel sad, I want you to look in that photo album and remember the happy times. If that doesn't work, don't hesitate to pick up a phone and call me. Now, go get some sleep, you have a wedding to attend in a few hours." He kissed the top of her head and pulled her to her feet. "Thank you," she said as she hugged the photo album to her chest and they went off to their bedrooms.
The music began to play, and Asha tightened the death grip she had on Logan's arm. "Asha I can't feel my arm, please relax," Logan said. He could feel her shaking. She was so nervous she zoned out and she jumped when Logan spoke. "Why so jumpy? There's nothing to be nervous about. The man you love is waiting to make you legally his forever. He's not going anywhere; all you have to do is go to him," he whispered as he coaxed her down the makeshift aisle in the living room. Asha plastered a smile on her face, but she had never been so scared in her life.
Alec couldn't take his eyes off Asha as she made her way down the aisle. She had always been a beautiful woman, but today she was absolutely stunning. She was wearing a simple but elegant ivory silk-satin gown with beaded accents. Her golden hair was done in soft curls that framed her face and she had little blue flowers tucked behind one ear. It had taken her hours to get ready, and Alec's smile widened as he thought about the mere minutes it would take him to get her out of that dress. He grabbed her trembling hand as she reached her place beside him. "Are you alright? You look like you're going to throw up," he whispered to her. It was as if all her nervousness melted away with his touch. "I'm fine now," she replied.
Max and Logan stood beside the bride and groom as best man and maid of honor, while Joshua, Bling, and Original Cindy stood back watching. As soon as everyone was in place Father Destry was ready to begin the ceremony. "Friends, we have been invited here today to share a most important even with Alec and Asha. In the time they have been together their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured. That growth has led them to the decision of sharing the rest of their lives together as husband and wife," he said. "Alec, will you take Asha to be your wife? Will you love and respect her? Will you stand by her through whatever may come?" "I will," Alec replied with no hesitation. He then turned to Asha and said, "Asha, will you take Alec to be your husband? Will you love and respect him? Will you stand by him through whatever may come?" "I will," Asha replied softly, as a grin spread on her face.
"Alec, what token do you give of the vows you have made?" Father Destry asked. Logan handed Alec the ring. It was a simple platinum band to accent her engagement ring. "Asha, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you," Alec said as he slid the ring on her finger. "Asha, what token do you give of the vows you have made?" Father Destry asked as he turned to Asha. Max handed Asha Alec's ring, which was a simple platinum band that matched her own. "Alec, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you," Asha said as she slid the ring on his finger.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," Father Destry said. Alec wasted no time wrapping his arms around Asha's waist and kissing her passionately. Asha giggled as he finally let her go. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. And Mrs. Alec Barlow," Father Destry announced. Since Alec didn't have a last name, and Asha's was one of the few things she had left of her parents he took her last name.
Everyone congratulated the happy newlyweds, then sat down to a dinner Logan made. Father Destry left shortly after dinner, but the rest of the gang hung around. Asha and Alec couldn't keep their hands off each other. Max knew Asha was anxious to get some alone time with her man and they shared a look of understanding. "Hey guys, I think we should get going now, so Asha and Alec can have some alone time," Max said with a wink at Asha. Their honeymoon was going to be staying at Logan's cabin for a week. Asha had managed to come to Jam Pony and charm Normal into giving Alec a week off for their honeymoon.
"Baby how long did it take you to get in this dress?" Alec asked. "I don't know, with all the preparation before hand I'd say and hour or so, why?" Asha answered. "Oh, just making sure I break a record getting you out of it," Alec said as he scooped her up and quickly carried her into the bedroom. Alec stayed true to his word; he had her out of her dress in less than a minute. He wasted no time laying her on the bed and beginning the worship of the beautiful body under him. He coaxed her to turn over on her stomach, and took a small bottle of massage oil from the nightstand (a little present from Original Cindy). He straddled her hips and warmed a small amount of oil in his hands.
He began massaging her shoulders and slowly worked his way down to her lower back. Asha purred with pleasure. "Good lord that feels good," she moaned. "You sure you don't have a little cat DNA in you?" Alec laughed. He lightly traced the tattoo on her lower back before kissing it and turning her back over. Asha just lay there and closed her eyes. "Why aren't you naked yet?" Asha asked as she slowly opened her eyes. "I was hoping you'd help me with that," Alec replied. Asha sat up and slid to the edge of the bed. She grabbed her husband's collar and pulled him down on top of her as she lay back down. She worked on unbuttoning his shirt, taking her time and placing soft kisses on his chest as his skin was exposed. Alec made quick work of removing his pants and boxers. A moan came from deep in his throat at the feel of Asha's lips setting his skin on fire.
"I love you," Alec said as he looked Asha straight in the eye and brushed the hair from her face. "I love every inch of you," he said as he began kissing his way down her body, from her forehead to the soles of her feet. "Alec," Asha whined while he worked his way up. Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging him towards where she desperately wanted him. He gladly fulfilled her silent request. He loved everything about her, her taste...the way she purred like a kitten, it was driving him crazy. She writhed beneath him as he quickly took her over the edge. She was still breathing heavily, as he slowly moved back up her body. He relished the salty taste of her skin from the thin sweat that covered her body.
He licked a trail from her navel to the space between her breasts. Asha was in heaven. "Happy to see me?" she asked as she wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding against him. Alec was shocked when she flipped him over, still grinding against him. She traced his lips with her tongue before deepening the kiss. One of his hands raked through her hair, pulling her mouth as close as possible to his, while the other lightly traced her tattoo. An action that always drove Asha crazy with desire. She began a slow descent down his perfect body licking and nipping along the way. Alec moaned as her tongue explored his chest as if she were painting an invisible picture. "Asha, if you want me to last much longer you've got to stop that," he growled as he felt the warmth of her breath moving even further down along her path.
Asha looked up and gave him a devilish grin as she reached her destination. The sight of what she was doing had to be the most erotic thing he'd ever seen. A familiar feeling began forming deep in his belly. Just as he was about to explode, Asha stopped and quickly moved back up to straddle him. Alec was about to protest when he suddenly felt her surrounding him. She sat there for a few seconds just relishing a feeling she wanted to last forever. Alec took one of her hands into his mouth and began gently sucking each of her delicate fingers, spurring her into action. Asha began to slowly move her hips. Slow movements soon turned into frantic thrusts. "Mine, mine, mine," Alec said as he met each of her thrusts with his own. "Always," Asha replied breathlessly as ecstasy blanketed them both.
Asha collapsed on top of Alec, exhausted from all the events of the day. She was out in no time, and whimpered in her sleep as Alec broke their union and got up to put her under the covers, being careful not to wake her. He got in bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. She mumbled something he couldn't understand as she buried her head in that space between his neck and shoulder. "My wife. What did I do to deserve you?" Alec said. He felt her pillow soft lips smiling against his neck. "Sweet dreams," he whispered in her ear as he kissed her and closed his eyes, knowing he'd be dreaming of her.
TBC...
Author's Note: Special thanks to Hearns for the idea about Father Destry and Logan's cabin, and to addleft for the song suggestion.