A/N: Thanks for reading, reviewing and following. It means a lot and is greatly appreciated. This is a shorter chapter, and the reason for that is in the author's notes at the end. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
While the reception continued back at Minx Manor in full force, Marissa pulled up to the front of the Yacht Club. Two young men in valet uniforms quickly opened the car doors for the couple.
The taller of the two young men greeted them as he opened Marissa's door. "Good evening and welcome to the Pine Valley Yacht Club." Taking note of the signs on the car, he smiled. "Congratulations!"
Marissa smiled as she handed the valet a tip. "Thank you!"
"We'll have your luggage brought inside right away." He offered as he signaled a bellboy to come over with a luggage cart.
The couple thanked them again as Marissa walked around the car and took Bianca's offered hand before they headed inside.
As they approached the front desk, the clerk smiled as she recognized the couple. "Good evening, Ms. Tasker, Ms. Montgomery. How are you tonight?"
Bianca smiled. "We're really good, Ally. There's one thing though. It's Tasker-Montgomery."
The clerk was confused. "I thought that's what I said. Ms. Tasker, Ms. Montgomery."
Marissa grinned. "You did, but it's actually Tasker-Montgomery. It's hyphenated."
The clerk's eyes grew wide as she realized what they were saying and took note of the wedding rings. "Oh my gosh! You mean, you mean, you're married! It's Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery! I mean, Mrs. and Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery! Congratulations!"
The brides laughed. "Thank you!"
"This is the best news. I'm really happy for both of you. Let me get you checked in." Ally tapped some keys on her computer and chuckled to herself. Seeing the arrangements that had been made for the couple's room had everything making sense to her now. "I see that you have the Admiral's Suite. Everything is ready for you."
Bianca reached into her purse to retrieve her credit card in order to pay.
"That won't be necessary, Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery. Payment for the room has already been taken care of. In fact, it's been comped."
"It has? By who?"
"I show that Mrs. Foster has taken care of everything."
The couple couldn't help their surprise at finding out that the owner of the Yacht Club had taken care of their room. The woman had been more than generous with them previously by offering the venue as the home of annual Miranda Center New Year's Eve fundraiser. It seemed that now her generosity extended to them on a personal level.
"Wow, that's extremely generous of her, but she didn't have to do that." Marissa smiled.
"Well, that's Mrs. Foster. She's one of the best bosses I've ever had. I happen to know that she's very fond of the both of you, and she loves having the Center's fundraiser here. I have a note here that if you need anything to just let us know. To quote Mrs. Foster, 'your wish is our command'."
"Would you please thank her for us if we don't get to see her while we're here?" Bianca asked while making a mental note to contact Mrs. Foster personally after they returned from their honeymoon.
"Of course I will." Ally nodded and handed the couple two key cards that had been programmed for their room. "Very good, here are your keys. If you take the elevator to the right up to the top floor, you'll find your room. The bellboy will bring your luggage up to your room. A late checkout has been arranged for you. Room service is available 24 hours. Do you have any questions I could help you with?"
Marissa glanced at Bianca who shook her head. "No, I think we're good, Ally. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Have a good evening and enjoy your stay at the club!"
"Good night."
/
Due to the presence of a few others, the couple was forced to behave themselves on the elevator ride to their floor. They located their room quickly. Marissa placed her key card into the lock and had just opened the door when she was stopped by Bianca.
"That's interesting."
The redhead turned back and saw Bianca had her head turned to the side. Marissa took a step back to see what had caught her wife's attention. The next thing she knew, Bianca had swooped her up into her arms.
Marissa yelped in surprise. "Bianca! What on earth are you doing?!"
Bianca simply grinned. "What's it look like I'm doing? I'm carrying my wife over the threshold!"
"You're going to hurt yourself."
"No, I'm not. This is something I've been dreaming of doing ever since we got engaged."
Marissa sighed and surrendered easily as she nestled closer to Bianca. She placed a kiss on her wife's neck. "Who am I to deny you one of your dreams?!"
Bianca released a low growl at the contact and nudged the door open with her foot before carrying her bride inside. Marissa pushed the door closed with her foot as her lips found her wife's. Bianca gently lowered Marissa without breaking the kiss.
The couple reluctantly separated when they heard a knock on the door.
"It's probably the bellboy with our bags."
"Yeah, I'm sure it is. I'll get rid of him as soon as I can." Bianca added with a quick kiss.
"Good evening, Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery. I have your bags for you."
While Bianca was dealing with the bellboy, Marissa took a moment to check out the suite. The sitting area was filled with flowers. Marissa followed a trail of them into the bedroom where there were more flowers along with dozens of candles. The flames provided a warm glow to the room. It seems their benefactor was a romantic. Marissa opened the doors that led to a balcony the overlooked the harbor. The moon appeared to be dancing on the water and added to the enchanting atmosphere of the evening. Marissa became lost in her thoughts as she reflected on the day's events. It had been a perfect day. Warms arms encircled her from behind, pulling her close and away from her thoughts.
"Hey, penny for your thoughts." Bianca rested her chin on her wife's shoulder.
Marissa smiled brightly as she turned in her bride's arms. "I was just thinking about today and how it was like a dream come true."
"It really was, wasn't it? It's not over though." Bianca started to lean in for a kiss but was stopped.
Marissa smiled teasingly. "No, it isn't. I need you to hold that thought if you could. I have something special for you."
Bianca wanted to protest but stopped seeing the glint in hazel eyes. Truth be told, she had a surprise for Marissa as well. "Fine, but don't take too long."
"I won't, promise." Marissa gave her a quick kiss before heading back inside and ducking into the bathroom.
When she was done freshening up, Marissa pulled on a plush robe provided by the hotel.
Bianca greeted her with a smile and raised eyebrow. She was aching to know what was under that robe but decided to let her wife have her fun with the surprise. Bianca was just as determined and with a quick kiss took her bag into the bathroom.
/
Bianca emerged later only to find the bedroom empty. A quick survey of the area had her spot Marissa back out on the balcony. The brunette found a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne being chilled and read the card attached. She smiled seeing it was Kendall and Zach. There was a promise of a real bottle of champagne sometime in the future. Bianca popped the cork and poured two glasses before heading outside.
Feeling Bianca's presence, Marissa turned and smiled seeing her wife in the other plush robe. The redhead took a glass from Bianca.
The couple clinked glasses. "To us."
"To us."
Bianca smiled at her wife. "How are you this evening, my dear?"
"Very well, only I wish you wouldn't call me my dear."
"What endearments am I allowed?"
Marissa grinned as she thought. "Rissa for every day, goddess divine but only on very special occasions."
"What should I call you when I'm cross? Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery?"
"No, no, you may only call me Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery when you are completely and perfectly and incandescently happy."
Bianca set her glass down on the table before taking Marissa's glass and setting it down next to hers. The brunette smiled as she remembered the final scene from Pride and Prejudice. Taking her cue from Marissa, she continued. "But how are you this evening, Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery?" Bianca kissed Marissa's forehead before murmuring the name again. The brunette moved her lips to kiss her wife's right cheek. Uttering the name again, Bianca moved her lips to Marissa's left cheek. Once more she spoke their shared name before kissing the redhead's nose. This was followed by kissing the corner of her mouth. Bianca murmured Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery once final time before capturing Marissa's lips.
The women moaned at the meeting of soft lips. As the kiss deepened, access was quickly granted to tongues begging to explore and claim.
"In … in … inside. We … we … really need to go inside or we're going to give the harbor one hell of a show." Marissa gasped for air.
Bianca nodded and followed her wife inside. The brunette closed the door and turned back to Marissa.
/
Ever so slowly, the redhead untied her robe and finally revealed her surprise, an emerald green silk teddy. Bianca inhaled sharply as she raked her eyes over Marissa as her mouth went dry. It hugged her curves perfectly. Bianca cleared her throat as she struggled to speak. "You are so beautiful."
"So, you approve?"
"Oh god, yes I do."
"This was one of the gifts from the shower."
"You've been holding out on me because you didn't show me this one."
"I had to save something as a surprise for you." Marissa teased. "Why do I have the feeling you're holding out on me?"
Bianca smiled mischievously and slowly removed her robed. Marissa's pupils dilated as her eyes took in the sight of her wife in a royal blue silk teddy that hugged her in all the right spots. "Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Is this from the shower?"
"From Aya and Jan. They heard me mention that blue was your favorite color once and thought you might like this."
"Oh, I don't like it. I love it. Remind me to thank them the next time I see them. They were behind mine as well. It seems they remembered how much you like this color on me."
"No, I love that color on you. It brings out more of the green in your eyes. Yeah, I'm really going to have to thank them too."
Marissa felt the material and loved how it felt against her skin. I'm definitely going to have to wear this again, especially if it continues to get this same reaction from Bianca that it is now. Oh, I won't be able to wear this for much longer though. I'll be too big for it. I'll be too fat for it and Bianca definitely won't be looking at me like she is now. Tears began forming in hazel eyes that had only moments ago been filled with mirth.
Bianca was instantly concerned by her wife's sudden change in mood. "Rissa, honey, what's wrong?"
Marissa shook her head.
"I can't help you if you don't tell what's wrong. Did I do or say something?"
Another shake of her head as a sob started to form.
"Rissa, please tell me what's wrong."
Marissa sniffled. A part of her knew she was being silly, overreacting, but she couldn't seem to help it. "I won't be able to wear this soon. I'll … I'll be fat and you won't want to look at me."
Bianca was struck with the realization of what Marissa was behind her wife's sudden mood change. "Rissa, Rissa, look at me. Please look at me."
Marissa slowly lifted her eyes and sniffled again.
Bianca gently wiped away her wife's tears. "Marissa, you are beautiful. While I can admire how you look in this, it's not what makes you beautiful. What makes you beautiful is your heart, your love for me and our kids and everything else about you. You're not fat, and even if you were, it wouldn't matter one bit to me because I simply see you. You are carrying our child, the greatest gift you could ever give to me. The life you are carrying inside you makes you glow. I'm not just saying that. I mean it. And you are more beautiful to me than anyone. You always will be. When we're 100 years old, you will still be the most beautiful woman in the world to me. I love you more each day. That will never change. Today, you made me the happiest woman on the face of the planet when I became your wife."
Marissa let out a shaky breath. "Me too. I'm sorry. It's these stupid hormones. I don't know what's going to set me off."
"I know, honey. I've been there. I seem to remember how you reacted to that one commercial."
"Stupid Hallmark commercials. Thank you for preventing another hormonal meltdown. I'm sorry. I'm ruining our night."
"You have nothing to be sorry about. I understand. I get it. I really do. And you haven't ruined anything. I love you, no matter what."
"I love you too, so much." Marissa should have known better. She gazed at Bianca. There was nothing but love being reflected in her wife's warm chocolate eyes. The way Bianca was gazing at her, how could not she feel anything but beautiful? Marissa knew without a doubt that she felt the same way about Bianca.
The redhead leaned forward and captured her wife's lips.
Bianca pulled back slightly. "Are you sure? We don't have to do anything if you're not feeling up to it. I only want this if you do."
Marissa shook her head. "I know, but I do want this. I want you."
"Oh god, I want you too."
"B."
"Yeah?"
"You're talking too much." Marissa grinned.
Bianca laughed. "There's only one way to rectify that." The brunette crashed her lips into Marissa's.
The kiss deepened and quickly escalated as tongues silently asked for and were granted access.
Needing air, the couple reluctantly separated, breathless. Marissa took a small step back but still remained in Bianca's arms. There was a gleam in hazel eyes that told her wife exactly what was on her mind, and she took a step back, reluctantly moving her arms from the redhead's waist. Marissa slowly lowered first one strap and then the other of her wife's teddy. With a slight wiggle, it pooled around Bianca's feet. The brunette smiled softly at expression of love and wonder on Marissa's face. Bianca then gently lowered the straps of her wife's gown, placing a kiss on each shoulder as she did. Chocolate eyes dilated as she watched the silk glide down Marissa's body and pool on the floor. She would never grow tired of the sight before her. Knowing that her wife was carrying their child made her all the more beautiful. Bianca had meant every word when she said Marissa glowed. She took the her wife's breath away.
Lips were fervently captured again and hands began to roam and caress soft curves as they pulled each other closer.
/
A/N: First off, I totally took the part about endearments for Bianca to call Marissa from 'Pride and Prejudice', the version with Keira Knightly. So, I don't own it at all. I just liked that scene and had it in my mind for them for a while. Second, I'm really sorry for leaving it there. I wanted to continue, but I have a bad cold. It's kind of hard to write M-rated stuff when you can't breathe. Who knows what you may get if I continue to write under the influence of cough medicine! My options were to post what I had and give you something this week or wait until I felt better. I chose to post now. I hope to have something up again for you soon. If I don't, Happy New Year!