Eric sat on the couch in his room looking over the paperwork in front of him. Tonight was he and Taylor's last night together for several months and he wanted to make sure everything was set.
Right now, Taylor was out with Jen and Alec, and he was thankful that she and the Pink Time Force ranger had found a common ground and were able to be close friends. While Alyssa was a great friend to her, Taylor and Jen seemed to share a few more things in common.
His cell phone rang and he answered it.
"Everything is all set," he heard Wes say on the other end. Eric ran his hands through his short hair and sighed. "You alright?"
"Yeah Wes. Everything's fine… or at least I hope it will be," he said. Wes knew what he was talking about and felt for his best friend. Eric wasn't the best with relationships and now that he finally had one he was petrified to lose it.
"Alright buddy. Jen and my little guy just got back here, so Taylor can't be too far behind." Eric heard the garage door open.
"Thanks Wes," he said as he hung up and walked downstairs.
Taylor was exhausted. Jen had literally worn her out with all the shopping they did. They had gone to get a few things for the baby, but Jen had insisted on Taylor getting a few things. A few things translated to several business-type suits and a few other things she would be showing Eric later…
"Eric?" she called. Her voice seemed to echo through the large house and she grinned as she saw him walk into the kitchen. He surprised her by taking her into his arms and dipping her off to the side, holding her there. It was like their first kiss all over again…
"How much did you end up putting on my credit card?" he asked as he inched closer to her lips.
"A few hundred bucks… nothing you can't afford," she replied. Eric kissed her quickly and stood her up.
"I hope you're joking," he said still holding her. Taylor just grinned and kissed him again.
"Good thing I'll be out of the country when you get the bill then, huh?" she said as she walked over to her things and took out a very small black bag that Eric recognized as being from a local lingerie shop.
"Well, if you go buying things at Adriana's, I'll have to let you go shopping more often," he said huskily. Taylor just shook her head and walked towards her room with Eric in tow. "So what's the big plan for my last night?"
Eric smirked as she entered into their closet and disappeared from his sight. "Well, as soon as you're through in there, I have some things I want to talk to you about," he said as he sat on the couch, taking up his paperwork again.
Taylor suddenly got a little nervous and abandoned her bags. "What kind of things?" she said as she sat next to him. Eric handed her the papers and she read them over; her eyebrows rose a bit and she looked at him.
"Mr. Collins wants me to help oversee some new project when I return?" she asked in shock. Eric nodded.
"He wants to expand with the Guardians. Maybe even someday form a ranger team of it's own. Plus we've been talking to Andros, the Red Space Ranger, about possibly setting up an intergalactic alliance."
Taylor was in a bit of shock. It was no surprise to her that there were other types of life out there, but she wasn't fully aware until she read the detailed list of all the races that was in the papers in front of her.
"So because of my military background, he thinks I'll be able to help in making this new thing happen?"
He nodded. "Well, he was hoping you and I could oversee it… Andros recommended someone to help us out already, and he was hoping we could help with the ranger end of things. Past experiences and what not."
"Wow… this is…" Taylor said stunned. The plans were very well laid out in front of her and there really were no questions in her mind as to whether or not she wanted to do this. "Where to I sign?" she asked.
Eric had hoped she would say yes. Mr. Collins had been working on this project for sometime, and with Andros coming in and helping he and Wes, he knew he wanted Eric to head it up with Taylor at his side.
"You really want to do this?" Eric asked. Taylor nodded.
"It sounds interesting… not to mention groundbreaking… of course I want in," she replied.
Eric smiled and handed her a pen. "Just sign here and they can go ahead with the preliminary work. As soon as you come back, we'll be working together."
Taylor smirked. "Wonderful," she said as she signed. "Not only do I have to deal with you at home, but now at work too," she said sarcastically.
"You're a bitch sometimes you know that?" he said playfully as she handed him the papers. He placed them on the table and Taylor kissed him.
"Yes I do," she said. "Now what are we doing tonight? As much as I would love to bicker with you, I can think of a few more things we could be doing…"
Eric stood and offered her his hand, and she took it. "Come on," he said as they went out to the driveway.
Taylor stopped short when she saw a car waiting for them. She looked at Eric questioningly. Neither one of them were dressed to go anywhere fancy, but she trusted him as he opened the door for her and she got in.
Eric climbed in after her. "Where are we going?" she asked. Eric just took her hand in his as the car drove off.
"You'll see," was all he said. Taylor sat back and her mind began to wander as she watched Silver Hills fade away and knew they were heading for Turtle Cove. It was then that Taylor realized where he was taking her…
"Are we going…" she began, but stopped when the car halted and the driver opened the door for them. Taylor saw the wooded area and smiled at Eric who was right behind her.
"Shall we?" he asked as her took her hand and began walking. Taylor followed him into the trail and felt the familiar rush of air surround her. Her eyes closed for a moment and when she opened them again, she saw the Animarium before them. They walked passed the temple, where they saw the enchanted spring, now dormant.
"Does the Princess know we're here?" she asked cautiously. Eric brought her into the temple and she gasped slightly.
Inside were what seemed like thousands of candles that lit the way to what had been her room when she was a ranger.
"Yeah… she knew we would want some privacy," he said softly as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "She helped a little… I wanted you to remember this night."
Taylor sighed and closed her eyes. This was by far the most romantic thing she had ever experienced. The sky was turning into the beautiful blackness of night, and Taylor knew her last night would be remembered.
Eric turned her around slowly and cupped her face with his hands. "There's something else," he said. Taylor saw that he had a small band on his pinky finger. He removed it and took her left hand in his. "I don't want you going off without having you as my wife."
Her eyes shone and she grinned as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a similar band that was larger than the one he held. "While we were out today… I kind of had the same idea," she said laughing a little. Eric rolled his eyes.
"I go to all this trouble trying to be romantic and you go and ruin it for me," he said jokingly. Taylor grinned.
"Will you just shut up and kiss me already?" she asked softly as she leaned in slightly. Eric complied and met her lips gently, savoring everything about the kiss they were sharing.
The broke apart, but their lips were still close enough that they were nearly touching. Eric placed the band on Taylor finger.
"I take you to be my wife," he whispered as he kissed her lightly. Taylor smiled as she slipped the ring she held onto his finger.
"I take you to be my husband," she said softly as a tear fell down her cheek. Eric wiped it away with his thumb. They kissed then and both of them felt a new sensation run through them. They would have a formal ceremony when she returned, but for now, knowing in their innermost heart that they were married was more than they could have asked for.
Eric leaned his forehead against hers and they stayed like that for a few moments before he placed an arm behind her back, with the other under her knees. Taylor felt herself being picked up and brought over to a pile of blankets and pillows off in the corner.
Taylor kissed his neck and he had to restrain himself from tearing her clothes off right there. He lowered her down into the soft bedding and kissed her with more passion then he knew he possessed. Taylor let out a soft moan as she felt every single nerve in her body tingle.
Her hands found his shirt and she lifted it over his head quickly. Eric felt her sense of urgency and removed hers as well. Taylor reached behind her and unhooked her bra as Eric worked on her pants as well as his own. His rough hands traced a line from her neck, down her breasts to her underwear that he removed faster than Taylor thought possible. Eric took his boxers off and laid himself half on top of her.
They kissed gently and slowly as their hands roamed. Taylor arched her back into him as his hands did wonderful things to her breasts and thighs. Her hands reached in between his legs and she grasped his erection, pumping it as their kisses stopped and they panted for breath.
Taylor stopped and saw his eyes meet with hers. God how she loved this man. She never thought it would be possible with her past history, but Eric had shown her how to love and be loved… however harsh he may have seemed.
She saw him reach over to his discarded pants and she grabbed his arm. Eric turned his head sharply with a questioning look in his eyes. She brought his arm back and placed it around her waist.
"I want to spend tonight as any wife does on her wedding night… just me… and you," she whispered as she kissed him again. Eric ran his hand over her hair.
"You're sure?" he asked almost desperately. Taylor saw that his brow was sweating and she knew she was sweating as well. "I want nothing more than to do this but…"
"But nothing," she said. "I'm ready to accept anything that comes from this."
Eric slowly lowered himself down onto her and felt her nails dig into his back as he entered her in one swift thrust. They both let out a satisfied groan as they were truly joined as one, skin to skin, for the first time.
He moved in and out of her in long strokes and found that he had never experienced anything like this in his entire life. This was the way things were always meant to be… he knew he had been born to be with her, and she with him. They both had found their home at last.
Taylor's eyes screwed shut when she felt him playing with her sensitive breasts as he continued to make love to her. She kissed his neck and grasped any piece of skin she could.
After what seemed like a lifetime, Taylor felt her insides clench around him, and felt her orgasm crash over her. If she hadn't been holding onto him, she swore she would have flown across the room. Eric continued his ministrations and felt her hit her peak again. This time he felt his own consume him as he spilled himself into her soft folds.
They lay there panting for several minutes, holding and kissing until Eric rolled off of her, reluctantly pulling out. Taylor moaned at the loss of his heat, but he pulled her close and covered them in a blanket.
He lay on his back with Taylor resting in his arms, his hand running through her hair as hers traced his chest. He kissed her forehead as he felt sleep come over him. Taylor too fell asleep, knowing that tomorrow it would be a whole different world…