Chapter 26

Ben and Felicity were back in New York for the New Year. They decided they wanted to ring in the New Year in their apartment, as husband and wife. They didn't go anywhere, didn't venture out for any parties. They stayed in. Felicity was watching the New Year's celebration on TV when Ben suddenly was standing right next to her. He had gone to the bathroom, and now he was in front of her, obviously hiding something behind his back.

"Ben, what are you doing" she asked with a smile.

He smiled that lovely crooked grin of his and said, "nothing."

She laughed, "no, it's not nothing. I can see that you are hiding something behind your back. What is it?"

Ben shuffled his feet a bit, feeling surprisingly nervous. He shook his head in disbelief, how is that this woman still manages to make me nervous. "Well, I wanted to give you something tonight. Something to…I don't know, help us bring in the New Year…as husband and wife." He knelt down in front of her.

"Ben, aren't we doing this sort of backwards, with you down on your knees after we are already married?"

They both giggled. "Just let me do this."

"Okay," she whispered, tears starting to gleam in her eyes already.

He pulled his arm from behind him, revealing two wedding bands, lying in his palm. "I know we said we'd wait to get these later on, but I didn't want to wait. I just- mom and I went looking for them and well, here they are." He dropped his head, a bit shy and anticipatory.

"Ben…" she reached out and took them in her hand. "Ben, they are so beautiful." She turned them around, and noticed that there was an inscription in each. "What does this say?"

"It says 'all my love.' I hope you don't mind that I chose that for mine as well."

"No, of course not. I love it." She reached out and touched his face.

He leaned into her touch, feeling the love between them. "Do you…do you want to try them on?" He looked at her expectantly.

"Yes, I would love to try them on."

She watched as his hand trembled a bit as he placed the ring on her finger, next to her engagement ring. She took his hand and held it in her own, squeezing it a little to let him know she felt the power of the moment, too. Then she took his left hand and placed his ring on his finger. He looked down at it, as if in shock. Shaking his head he said, "I still can't believe this. That- that we're married."

"Well, I think this makes it really official. Thank you." She smiled at him, then reached to give him a kiss.

They both turned, hearing the start of the ball dropping on TV. "Look Ben, it's time to ring in the New Year."

"Yep, and all I ever need is right here with me. Come here," he pulled her up into his embrace, capturing her lips with his own. The kiss lingered as they heard the celebration start, and people yelling "Happy New Year!" Finally, Ben touched his forehead to hers, allowing them both to catch their breath.

"Happy New Year, Mrs. Covington," he whispered.

"Happy New Year, my husband."

At her words, he could hold back no longer. He took her hand in his and led her slowly to their bedroom. When they got to their door, he captured her once more for a passionate kiss that she felt to the tip of her toes. She let him lead her gently over to the bed, all the while pulling at the buttons on her sweater. She could see the anticipation in his eyes, and the way they softened as he said "I love you," made her whole body tremble.

"I love you, too. Forever."

He pulled her to him, she sat on his lap on the bed as he unbuttoned her sweater. She began trailing sweet kisses down his neck and inside his shirt collar, right on his collarbone. She smiled as she heard him take in a sharp breath. She unbuttoned his shirt, and after they each finished, the shirts were thrown on the floor. She stood at the end of the bed and unbuttoned her pants, looking at him as she did it. He rubbed the sides of her legs and watched as she took her pants off along with her panties. He reached up and undid her bra, capturing her in his arms so he could engulf her small, firm breast in his mouth. She moaned his name, only further exciting him. He moved to lie on the bed, pulling her on top of him. She kissed him languidly, letting her tongue explore his mouth completely. Just when he didn't think he could breathe anymore, she rose above him and started to unbutton his jeans. He put his hands to her breast, circling her taut nipples with his thumb, watching as it became harder for her to keep her eyes open. He smiled. She leaned down and took his pants and boxers off quickly. Finally, they were exposed to each other. He pulled her atop him, passionately kissing her and caressing her back and butt. "I will never stop wanting you," he whispered. "You are so amazing." She smiled sweetly, yet seductively at him, as she joined their bodies together. They moved as one, their breathing in unison as they felt their bodies respond to each other with increasing intensity. Finally, Felicity felt Ben's body start to tense and she knew he was near the end. She rose up, looking into his eyes as she felt her own body give in to his completely. They moaned each other's names as they felt wave after wave of intense pleasure course through their bodies. She collapsed atop him, completely spent. Ben rubbed his fingers gently across her back, tickling her lightly. "I'd say that was the best New Year's celebration ever," he said with a smile.

She looked up at him, "Yes, that was truly the best." She gazed at him intently, imploring him to know what was in her heart. And he did, as always. He had all her love, forever. He smiled back, saying the same with his gaze.

-

The next morning, Felicity woke to the feel of Ben trailing kisses down her shoulder and neck. She giggled, turning to look at him. "What are you doing?"

"What do you mean? I'm saying good morning to my wife," he replied with a snicker, and continued his path down her arm.

She laughed, "well, I need to say a proper good morning to my husband." He looked up at her, amazed at the word she used. "Husband," he whispered.

"Yes," she said as she tickled his chest.

"I still can't believe that," he said, with a look of wonder on his face.

"Well, you better start believing it. Cause I have certain needs that need to be fulfilled, as your wife," she giggled.

"Hmmm….what sort of needs?"

"Like this," she replied simply, capturing his mouth with hers. Their kiss lingered, as they wrapped their arms around each other.

Sometime later, after they had properly said hello, they came out to the kitchen to make breakfast.

"Pancakes okay?" she asked.

"That sounds perfect. I need a lot of refueling after all the activity we just took part in," he replied with a sly grin.

She laughed. "So, did you want to talk about our plans for the coming semester? You mentioned that you wanted to talk about that today."

"Yeah, that could be good."

After Felicity made the pancakes, and they were seated at the table eating, Ben decided to take the plunge and say what was on his mind.

"I've been thinking, now that we are married, I want to spend more time with you."

"Oh, so when we weren't married, it didn't matter so much?" she teased.

"No, that's not what I mean." He shook his head.

"I know, I just wanted to lighten the mood. Seems like this may be a heavy conversation."

"Well, yeah. I guess so. That's okay, though. We have to talk things out. You- you taught me that."

She smiled, "go on."

"Well, I was thinking..and I don't want you to feel like you need to change my mind. But I think I should cut back on the number of classes I take. I mean, as it is, I am not going to graduate on time. Or maybe with that health science thing, whatever. But, what I mean is, I know this medical school thing is going to take a long time. But I don't want to be away from you a lot, you know, studying and doing internships…."

"Ben, I know what you are going to say but you don't need to cut back on classes or anything. You don't."

"But, I don't…."

"No, Ben. Let me say something. I am so proud of you for doing this, wanting to become a doctor. And I honestly admire you for it. But, you and I, we will be fine. I know you are worried about the time we will have for each other, but it's okay. We will make it work."

"But, Felicity, we tried that before and you know how it went. You felt like I wasn't around enough and…."

"I know. But we got through that. Remember?"

"Yeah, I know. But I don't want you to feel that way again."

"I know you don't, and that means so much to me. It does," she reached across the table, placing her hand atop his. "Really, I am so grateful for you wanting to make these changes. It shows me so clearly how you feel about me."

Ben looked down shyly, "well, good. I'm glad."

"Yes, things will be hard while you are in school, but we'll make it through. We always have. And now we're married, so we have that on our side. That commitment."

"Yeah, I guess. I see what you're saying. But I don't want you to miss me or feel like I am not here for you. Because you are – you're the most important thing in my life."

She smiled, "Thank you. I feel the same way. But part of being married is making sacrifices and compromising. We will figure it all out. I am sure of it."

"Yeah," he whispered, rubbing his thumb over her hand. He shook his head, "I don't know how I ever got this lucky."

"What do you mean?"

Looking up, she saw that tears were starting to form in his eyes. "To have you in my life. You make me feel…."

"What?" she whispered.

"Like I can do anything. I hope you feel the same way, I mean, about me."

"Of course I do. Ben, you're the only one who has ever encouraged me to do what I want to do. You allow me to be myself. That is the most wonderful gift."

Ben gazed at his wife, overcome by all that she had said. "I don't know what else to say. Just that I love you."

She laughed lightly, "well, that's good to hear. I love you, too." She looked at him, saw how he was hanging his head down now. "What? Is there something else you wanted to talk about?"

He looked up. "No, no. I'm just….happy." They smiled at each other, both relieved to have talked things out. "And I was just thinking that we still need to tell our friends that we eloped. Would you like me to call them and have them come over today? You know, so we can tell them?"

"Sounds perfect to me," she replied.