XXIV. The Marriage
Zuri felt Antoinette button the back of her dress up. "You look very beautiful Zuri. He will be pleased."
"You do not think I look fat?"
"Not at all Zuri. You look fine." Meg interrupted.
"I hope I don't mess up."
"Nonsense." Antoinette chided her. "You will do just fine."
"ZURI!" A voice boomed through the door accompanied by a loud BAM, BAM, BAM.
The three women looked at each other knowing why he was angry. Zuri went to the door and opened it revealing a very angry Erik. "Why, pray tell," His voice suddenly became calm with a hint of anger flashing in his golden eyes, "are the Vicomte and Vicomtess here!"
"I asked them to come."
"I gathered that much. Antoinette, please leave with your daughter. I have to have a talk with my bride." Erik told the other women then watched as they silently left. Erik shut the door behind them. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"
"I thought it would be nice. They seem to be nice."
"Nice? NICE! They tried to destroy me for God's sake! Do you want to kill me Zuri!"
She suddenly burst into tears. "Why do you have to be mean to me today Erik? I was only trying to be friendly." She suddenly turned away from him and flung herself into the next room then threw the door shut behind her. Not bothering to lock it she found a small couch and sat on it.
Zuri had no idea how long she had cried but it must have been a long while for Erik came into the room, sat down on the other end of the couch, then pulled her on his lap. He was careful not to mess up her wedding dress. "I am sorry." He finally said. "I did not mean to become angry. I know you were thinking that it would be nice and I know you were thinking about me," he paused, "but Zuri you have to understand I don't want to see those two. Especially at our wedding."
She sniffed loudly then wiped her eyes. Erik took out a handkerchief from his pocket then gently patted her eyes with it and gave it to her to blow her nose. "I'm sorry."
"It is not your fault sweetness. I love you. I know you were trying to make me happy. I appreciate that a lot."
"It seems all I ever do is make you unhappy."
"No love. The happiest moment in my life is when you came to me."
She smiled happily at this comment. "Truthfully?"
"Yes." Erik said then kissed her lips softly.
"We should go. The priest will be waiting." Zuri said as she suddenly realized how late they were due to her fit.
"Then let us go." He smiled suddenly. "It is supposed to be bad luck to see the bride before the wedding but I think otherwise."
After Erik returned to the front where the priest stood, the organ began to play signaling the bride's coming. For his bride he would be very good and not start an argument with either the Vicomte or Vicomtess. Shaking them from his mind he watched Zuri walk up the aisle. She looked absolutely lovely in the white dress that they both had picked out. She had finally come to his side and gave Meg her bouquet of flowers.
She looked at Erik's eyes as the priest began. "We are gathered here to celebrate the union between Erik Giry and Zuri Bellamont." Erik had chosen to use Antoinette's last name with her permission. After reading a bit from the book he held the priest said, "Whosoever object to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace." When no one spoke he went on. "Do you Erik Giry take this woman in holy matrimony? To have and to hold, through sickness and health, for rich or for poor, until death do you part?"
Erik took the golden ring from Antoinette and pushed it gently onto her ring finger. "I do."
"And do you Zuri Bellamont, take this man in holy matrimony? To have and to hold, through sickness and health, for rich or for poor, until death do you part?" Zuri took the other ring from Antoinette and slid it onto Erik's right ring finger. "I do."
"Then by the power invested in me I now pronounce you man and wife," turning to Erik he said, "you may now kiss the bride."
Wasting no time, Erik pulled the veil back then kissed her passionately. Erik then pulled back and smiled at his new "wife". Erik led her down the aisle with her arm in his. He was glad that he was on the left side so he would not see Christine and her husband.
After leading her outside he helped her upon Cesar then was about to get on when someone tapped his back. He got on behind his wife then looked down to see Christine. "I'm really happy for you Erik."
Feeling neither anger nor happiness for seeing her he said, "Thank you Vicomtess. I appreciate you coming to our wedding. If you don't mind I have to go." He wrapped his arms around Zuri's waist then kicked into Cesar's side.
xxxx
Erik watched his wife open her present from him. He watched her face change from surprise to shock. "Erik! I didn't know you could draw. This is an exact copy of me. It's so beautiful. Thank you."
"I am glad that you appreciate it."
"Yes. Here. I didn't know what to get you. I hope you like it." Zuri said as she gave him a medium sized box. Taking a lid off of the box he found a black knitted sweater.
"Did you knit this?"
"Yes."
"I love it. I will wear it once the colder months come and we do not have long till winter comes."
"So you like it?"
"I love it Zuri. Now, let us eat."
Erik helped her into her chair and put a plate in front of her. He insisted on doing everything for her except feed her, though he could probably do that if he wished to. They ate in silence, only speaking a few times to comment about the food. When they finished Zuri stood up and took their plates away to where the kitchen was. It had been another one of her presents. She now had a place to make him food.
After setting the dishes in the sink she went back to him. Why did she feel nervous after she had given herself to him many times? Her stomach churned nervously. She could handle him the center of the matter was her thought on if she was attractive still. "Zuri, you are awfully silent."
"I'm sorry. Do you want to go to the bedroom?"
"I would like to. Do you feel up to it?"
Zuri smiled at her husband then pulled him up from his chair and into their bedroom. "Yes. Definitely. Can you help me out of my dress?"
"Why madame," He said with a smile crossing his face, "I would love to."
Erik swiftly turned her around to face the bed then began to swiftly unbutton the back of her dress. After unbuttoning the dress, he slid the dress down her body slowly. He did not want to ruin her dress. He would hope to see it on his daughter in the future. He put the dress over the arm of the chair then smiled as he watched his wife get into their bed slowly.
He took off his cape, coat, cravat, and vest before getting into bed. "Are you comfortable?"
"Yes."
"We don't have to do this if you don't want to."
"I would feel a failure to you if I didn't."
"Sweetness, I love you. Sex does not define our relationship."
Zuri smiled at him. "I know this. I want to do this for you. Please Erik. Don't you want me still?"
"Of course I do love. What would make you think that I don't want you?"
"I am getting bigger. I thought you wouldn't think me attractive."
"I think you are very attractive. Especially with the little bundle that is mine on the way. I am worried though."
"About what?"
"I am worried that having sex could hurt the baby or you in some way."
"Erik? Don't you know?"
"Know what?"
"Women can have sex during their pregnancy up to the fifth month."
"They can!"
"Yes."
Erik kissed her lips passionately while his tongue ventured into her mouth. His hands ventured along her thighs as he massaged and rubbed the skin that was in contact with his hands. He felt her hands reach up and wrap around his neck, pulling him closer into the kiss. "Zuri," He broke the kiss quickly, "I love you and I am very glad that you are my wife."
She smiled at him. In her heart she felt relieved that now she knew he loved her. Leaning up she brought his face to hers then kissed his lips gently, closing the gap between their mouths. Erik moaned in her mouth while his hands pushed up the camisole she wore.
Kissing back forcefully, Erik pulled her camisole off, only breaking their kiss to pull the garment over her head. His lips met hers again for a few minutes then trailed wet kisses down her neck. She purred delightfully in his ear. His left hand traveled over her slightly swollen belly and rubbed soothingly.
Zuri felt Erik's mouth kiss a path down to her right breast. She groaned loudly when she felt his hot mouth envelope her nipple then such fervently on it. As she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, she groaned once more from his ministrations. 'Oh,' She thought to herself, 'he is going to get it in a bit.' And with that thought in her mind she smiled to herself.
Erik left her breasts quickly to move on. His mouth ventured downwards over her stomach. For this night, he decided, he wanted to feel her scratching his skin in pleasure. Kissing her stomach gently he smiled inwardly feeling that now he had a purpose in life. Truly the wedding was beautiful and he had been extremely lucky to marry such a beautiful woman.
He grasped the hem of her pantalets and pulled the white material down her hips and legs then threw the material in the floor. Eagerly he pushed her legs apart even more then threw her legs over his strong shoulders. Pulling her hips closer to his mouth he paused then said, "Zuri. I want to feel your pleasure."
She looked at him through half-lidded eyes and into his glittering golden eyes which glinted mischievously at her. She smiled at him lustfully then replied, "Of course. I will do anything for my husband." Erik smiled at her playfulness but wasted no time to please her. Pushing her folds apart, he dipped his tongue in and was treated with a loud gasp.
Pressing his nails into the soft flesh of her thighs he continued pleasing her in the most private way possible. A groan met his ears while he felt her nails digging into his skin. She bit her lip softly. "Please Zuri. I want to hear you. Give yourself to me."
Hearing his words she moaned out softly. His lips contacted her again until he heard her scream from the pleasure he was giving her. Suddenly feeling the need to release he began to unbutton his pants but felt her stop his hands then pull them away and put his hands on her thighs. She began to unbutton his pants then she pushed his pants down his hips.
She positioned his member in front of her core then moaned as he pushed in her. Wrapping her arms around his neck she grunted as he tightened his hold on her hips and began to slam into her. "Oh Erik! Thats it." Encouraged by her cries and the need to spill his seed he kept thrusting harshly into her core. Groaning, he felt her muscles clench around his member as she screamed his name into his ear and clawed at his back as her orgasm came. He buried his face in her neck then moaned her name over and over until his orgasm and hers was over.
She sighed happily. "I love you Erik."
"I love you too Zuri, my wife," he paused, "now if you do not mind I am going to rest for a bit."
Stroking his hair she said, "Sleep if you wish. I am very satisfied. My sweet Erik."
He smiled at her then finally fell asleep to the gentle stroking of her fingertips.
Author's Note: Hope you enjoy the chapter.
