"Kitty" Year-Round
Part XIV: Two Hearts Becoming One
By Mia LeighArc
In the following few months, Delbert and Amelia began preparations for their wedding. The venue, they had decided on the garden next to the Benbow for the ceremony. The gazebo overlooked the cliffs near the Inn and was surrounded by a beautiful garden. There even was a wonderful platform on one end with a couple of sturdy benches to enjoy the gardens. The view from inside the gazebo was particularly breathtaking. It would be the perfect spot to also have the reception due to the Benbow being nearly complete. The chose a minister at a local church to officiate the ceremony even though either of them were particularly religious. The minister had agreed to hold a straightforward non-religious ceremony for them. Sarah would be the maid of Honor and Delbert's college roommate Bartholomew would be the best man. Neither of them had many other friends but that, so they didn't see the sense to have multiple groomsmen or bridesmaids. Jim of course was to be the one groomsmen, and Amelia's niece (her much younger cousin) Aurora was to be the only bridesmaid. They ever discovered that they wanted to perform a song together. They had just realized 3 months ago that both of them had a great singing voice. This explains why neither of them ever hardly sang and never in front of each other, until now. Their guests would all be flabbergasted! It would be a fun surprise. It would also be nerve wracking, but it would be an adventure to experience together and in front of their closest friends and family. Amelia remembered that discovery fondly.
Delbert was in the observatory, gazing at the stars. He was singing along with a tune playing on his phonograph. He had a beautiful low tenor voice that sent a shiver down her spine when she first heard it. She was surprised how beautiful his singing voice was and wondered why he never sang around her. Knowing the song he was listening to, she chimed in her sweet alto voice to harmonize with him. He instantly stopped. Not only did he not realize she was in the room but hearing her sing for the first time made him nearly faint. She sounded even more beautiful than she did when she spoke. He didn't think it was possible!
"Amelia….I didn't know you sang so beautifully!" Delbert said looking down at her from the top stair. She blushed horribly and nodded to him.
"I could say the same to you, love. Your singing gives me goosebumps." She said happily with a wink, walking up the stairs to him. They found themselves starting to sing again as she come up to the top of the stairs to wrap her arms around him as they sang along with the music. He pulled her closer to him as they harmonized the record he was playing.
"Oh I have an idea! How would you like to sing a song together at our wedding?" She suggested with a warm smile. He paled, he never really sang in front of his family, let alone in front of the entirety of wedding guests. He took a deep breath, considering it.
"That's an interesting idea, but I'd need to practice. I would hate to mess up in front of everyone." He admitted. Amelia nuzzled his nose.
"You'll do fine, love. I'll practice with you as much as you think you need." She said with a wink.
Delbert already chose the rings, to match her engagement ring, a gold band with beautiful filigree along the side. A simple set maybe, but one that showed the test of time and elegance that their relationship had grown into. He couldn't wait to wear it and show it off. Show his wife off to the world. They had planned to invite Amelia's mentor Admiral Bluedwarf and some of her colleges from the academy as well. Delbert had invited some of his colleges from the university as well. Delbert had suggested she tried to contact her family, but she dismissed the idea. Her father keep in close contact. She sent an invite to her father at least but doubted he would bother to take time out of his busy schedule being an Admiral to attend.
To her absolute surprise, (as she read the rsvp on the invite) that her father took a leave of absence from his duties for a month or so before the wedding, but still would go to the office to do important paperwork. He was actually going to be able to give her away at her wedding and her heart filled with joy that he was attending. She noted to thank her soon to be husband for insisting on extending the invite to her father. Goddess she loved that man! Upon reading through all the rsvp replies she got in the mail; Delbert had just come home from the university.
"Welcome home, dear. How was the lecture?" Amelia said as he came in the door. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck. She let out a small, contented sigh as he did so.
"It went well enough, although I was a bit distracted. I found myself missing you terribly." He said, turning her around to face him and pulling her into a tender hug.
"I missed you too, love" She said melting into his embrace. A knock on the door woke them from their intimate moment. Delbert went to answer the door and found himself looking up to a tall grey haired Felinid man with a short well-trimmed auburn beard which was starting to grey. The man was a navel Admiral uniform with the same sharp green eyes as Amelia. She nearly fainted when she saw who was at the door.
"Excuse me young man, is this the residence of Captain Amelia Smollett? This is the address I was given at the navy yard." Alexander Smollett asked Delbert. Delbert was taken back at seeing her father for the first time. She looked a lot like him, but he could tell she took mostly after her mother.
"Y-yes, it is. I'm Delbert Doppler. I'm her fiancé. You must be her father." Delbert said extending his hand to the man. Amelia was in shock to hear that voice, walking slowly towards the door.
"Dad! You made it!" Amelia said suddenly and rushing to her father to give him a big hug. Alexander Smollett gave his daughter a big kiss on the cheek and spinning her around in their hug before he put her back on the floor. She laughed in response just as she had when she was a kit.
"Don't be daft Amelia, I wouldn't miss the biggest day since your graduation from the academy." Alexander said (in the same strong accent) looking into his daughter's eyes and wiping the few stray tears off her face. Amelia hadn't heard him use that nickname for her in some time. He had missed her so much but had followed her career quite closely. Delbert looked fondly at the pair with a big smile. She didn't speak of him often, but he knew she would always love her father for the contribution he had made to her life. He owed the man a lot for raising such a strong amazing woman he was lucky enough to call his wife soon. The next couple of weeks, Alexander stayed with them at the house spending time with his daughter and getting to know his future son-in-law.
XXX
Sarah as well as his parents Margret and Henry, (who were there to keep what they got a secret from the other) had offered to take them shopping for the perfect ensembles for the big day.
The Sarah found an elegant shimmering white dress for Amelia that looked stunning on her. It had an elaborate flowing layer of fabric that fell off her shoulders showing off the curve of her neck and shoulders. The layer of fabric come together at the top with a large Cameo broach. The dress looked perfect with locket that Delbert had given her. Down the right side was a high slit up to the top of her thigh to show off her luxuriously long legs. She found a matching pair of heels to go with it.
"OMG, Amelia! This is going to knock Delbert's socks off!" She exclaimed aloud as Amelia smiled delighted at herself in the mirror. Amelia was extremely excited to see his reaction to seeing her wear it. Even if she only wore feminine clothing for dates and special occasions, she agreed that she looked simply smashing in it. Margret knew her son was going to absolutely love it. She eyed her husband and son waiting outside the door and smiled.
"Little did they know…" Margret thought before turning to Amelia.
"Amelia dear, I just wanted you to know that my husband Henry and I plan to pay for the wedding, and the honeymoon." Margret said sweetly to her future daughter-in-law. Amelia's smile disappeared as she tried to process what she just heard. They in no way that they couldn't pay for the wedding, but the gesture was appreciated from the only mother she had known in such a long time.
"Mrs. Doppler… I-I-" Amelia blurted out at a loss for words (a rare occurrence for her).
"Call me mom deary, I will be soon enough. Then there will be a new Mrs. Doppler." Margret said taking Amelia's face in her hand and admiring the beautiful woman who in a short time would be part of the family. She was overcome with motherly affection and smiled that same exact loving smile that Delbert reserved just for her. Now she knew just where he got that from, the realization causing a warm smile on her own face.
"Thank you mum, that means so much to us." Amelia said hugging the smaller canid woman unexpectedly. Margret kissed her forehead the same way Delbert does and patted her arm as they paid for the dress. Upon exiting the shop, Amelia grabbed Delbert by the hand, kissing him on the cheek as they went to find him something suitable for the occasion.
"I hope you like what we found, love. I just know you're going to love it." Amelia teased when she saw his goofy smile, trying to picture what he would prefer to see her in…and she knew damn well that wouldn't be appropriate to say in front of his parents. She swatted his arm in response. He squeezed her hand before she let out a laugh as they found the men's clothing shop. She stayed by the door with Margret while everyone else went inside.
For Delbert, Sarah found a black suit (which had full length pants with elaborate buttons on the front instead of his usual style) with a red waistcoat and a matching cravat and handkerchief for his front pocket. The ensemble was topped off with a simple pair of wing tip leather shoes. Sarah noted that looked amazing in it! Henry knew his son was going to be the most handsome man in the entire crowd.
"Amelia is going to lose her mind when she sees you in this" She said to him as they finished up their purchase. He looked at himself both him and his father let out a low whistle. He knew Amelia was going to be delighted to see his choice in attire. Henry pulled his son to the side as they were paying for his suit.
"Now son, your mother and I would be more than happy to pay for the wedding…and the honeymoon as well." Henry said with a slight wink, nudging his son in the arm. Delbert looked up at him surprised. He had known they planned to help, but not pay for the entire thing! He went to open his mouth, but nothing came out, Sarah just smiled at him, knowing all too well Amelia's reaction when Margret told her of their plans.
"Dad…I-w-we couldn't possibly…a-a-are you c-crazy?" was all he could say in response and his father waved off his protest with a wave of his hand.
"Consider it our wedding present, son. We are both so happy for the two of you. Your Amelia is such a wonderful woman." Henry said happily, Delbert agreeing with him with a loving smile looking in the direction of the door where his lady was waiting with his mother on the other side. When they left, Sarah made sure to keep the new attire wrapped up to keep their choices secret. Delbert walked out, softly grabbing his fiancé's hand as he saw her.
"Did you miss me, darling?" He asked her softly, kissing her cheek. Margret smiled widely at her son's show of affection, especially when the simple motion made his wife to be blush. It reminded her of when she and Henry first got married and she sighed happily seeing it.
"Of course I did, love. I simply can't wait to see what you picked out." Amelia said nuzzling into his shoulder as she entwined her fingers in his.
"I'm sure it's something I will delight in tearing you out of…" she whispered into his ear as they were walking back to the carriage. Delbert blushed furiously, to which his father noticed. Henry gave him a wink, remembering Margret's reaction at seeing him at their own wedding. They all went back to the Benbow to have Sarah store their wedding cloths so that neither of them knew what the other would be wearing until the day of the wedding. Sarah made them a wonderful dinner and they all sat around enjoying each other's company and the feeling of having their family together. A knock came to the door and when Sarah answered, she found a tall Felinid man walk in, taking off his hat and dusting off his admiral uniform before locking eyes with his daughter.
"Dad!" Amelia said standing suddenly and rushing to her father to give him a big hug. Alexander Smollett gave his daughter a big kiss on the cheek.
"Oh my little kit, I'm sorry I'm late. I had a ton of paperwork today." Alexander said looking into his daughter's eyes. She looked just like her mother, a thought he had with a pang of grief. Delbert stood to greet his father-in-law in a firm handshake.
"Mr. Smollett, so good to see you again." Delbert said, shaking his hand.
"Please, Delbert, call me dad. You'll be my son soon." Alexander pat his future son firmly on the arm, pulling them both into a hug with his big arms. He was so happy for both of them. Having gotten to know Delbert a bit the past couple of weeks, he knew he had finally met a man worthy of his only daughter. Alexander released them and came to sit down with everyone. Amelia led her father over to Delbert's parents.
"Dad, these are Delbert's parents Margret and Henry." Amelia said introducing her father to them, then turning to Delbert's parents she said "Mum, Dad, this is my father Alexander." Amelia said as Henry and Alexander shook hands and her father took Margret's hand and kissed it.
"It's wonderful to finally meet you both, my daughter has told me a lot about you both." Alexander said smiling warmly as he sat and enjoyed conversation with Delbert's parents.
XXX
The wedding was in a few days and it was time to have the bachelor/bachelorette parties. Amelia had extended invited to some of her female colleges from the academy, but unfortunately none were available. The only people who came for the party were her 'niece' Aurora, Sarah, and her mother-in-law. Sarah had insisted (much to Amelia's annoyance and Delbert's amusement) decorated the house with large banners and signs that read 'Bride To Be' in big gold lettering over a dark nebula swirl and stars festooning the background. She had a matching sash made for Amelia as well and the wine glasses all had a starry etherium painted on the outside of the glass. It was rather a nice gesture, but Amelia felt overwhelmed at all of the effort Sarah put into the party. Her mother-in-law baked a cake with stars and a beautiful backdrop of the etherium in frosting, which had impressed her slightly. Sarah had even got some records of sea shanties to give them music to enjoy. Amelia had to shake her head at her friend. She wanted nothing more than to NOT attend her own bachelorette party that moment. Amelia felt so out of place among what she deemed as "normal" women and simple housewives. Aside from her 'niece' who was the only other Naval officer in attendance, Amelia felt it hard to relate to other women most of the time. She knew Sarah and Margret were great people though, so it made it a little more bearable. She just wished she didn't feel so out of sorts. Delbert came down the stairs, dressed in his usual lecturing attire which made her smile. It was a simple black suit which seemed to need heavy ironing more than anything. She has to smile at her lover for his sometimes-clumsy attempts to look more professional, today was no different when she heard him enter the kitchen and practically ran out to meet him. He took in her casual civilian attire with a wide smile, admiring her olive-green military shirt with her rank displayed on a patch on either arm as well as long tan pants. She looked beautiful, he noted as he came down to meet her.
"You look beautiful yourself. I think I like your civilian clothes, almost as much as your date attire." Delbert said gazing deeply into her eyes and giving her a slight wink. Amelia had the grace to blush before speaking.
"Well don't you look dashing, darling." She said lovingly as she pulled him into a loving embrace. She had a napkin in her hand that matched her sash that she folded up to put in his front pocket. She stepped back for a moment to examine him. With a sigh, she realized how well it balanced out the entire ensemble.
"Mmm, even better, love…Please take me with you!" She whispered as she pulled him into a kiss. He smiled in response, all too bemused at her discomfort to spend time large amounts of time spent in the company of those more feminine than she was.
"I wish I could my love, but you'll do fine. It's only for a few hours. Plus your niece is here, so there's at least one other spacer here. It's a shame your colleges couldn't make it. I know that would've made things easier for you. " Delbert said running kisses along her jawline and down her neck. She let out a small moan, urging him to stay.
"Please, Delbert…don't leave me…Sarah is planning on playing bridal games! " She pleaded. He let out a low chuckle, wishing he could oblige, but he had a schedule to keep.
"I wish I could, but I have my lecture tonight. When I get home however, we can spend the whole evening together. You'll be fine, I promise." He said brushing an arrant hair behind her ear before pulling her into another kiss before stepping briefly to the kitchen to say goodbye to the partygoers.
"Have a good time ladies, please go easy on her." Delbert said with a laugh on his lips. He turned back to Amelia and brought her into a hug and one final kiss before he leaving for the University.
"I'll see you tonight, Amelia. I love you." He whispered to her as they broke apart and he walked towards the door.
"I love you too, Delbert." She said as he closed the door behind him. She reluctantly went back into the kitchen and sat down, as Sarah placed a star encrusted tiara on her head…
"Bloody hell!" Amelia thought as she sat drinking wine and wishing she could be anywhere else.
XXX
After his lecture, Delbert was looking forward to going home to spend time with his fiancé. While he collected his things however, he was surprised by Bartholomew and a small handful of the other male professors from the University. He thought at first it felt sort of like an ambush, realizing now how Amelia must've felt earlier. They shuffled him out of the building and into a large carriage they was bringing them to god knows where. He nervously dug in his satchel for his communication device to try to call Amelia to let her know he would be late, but he wasn't given the chance. They dragged him to dinner first, then afterwards what he could only call a "house of ill repute" apparently for a bachelor party he wasn't to enthused to be a part of. He sighed, thinking of how Amelia was put in such a position just earlier. He had laughed at her discomfort then, but he certainly wasn't laughing now. He avoided the scantily clad women dancing around poles around the room as he hid behind a book by the bar, trying desperately to get ahold of his fiancé before his friends discovered where he was hiding. Before too long, his fears were realized when Bartholomew finally found him with his nose firmly in a book he had with him.
"Come on now, ya old dog, join in on the fun! This is your last night as a carefree bachelor after-all." He said with his big booming voice. Delbert went pale. The last thing he wanted was to have Amelia find out he had been admiring another woman in a place like this. He wanted to live to see his wedding day!
"With all due respect, I want to be able to live to see my wedding day. Amelia would kill me if she knew I had been at a place like this! I just want to go home." Delbert said quietly, averting his gaze from anything but his friend and his book. Bartholomew firmly grabbed him with one of his flipper like arms and started dragging him to a back room.
"Well if you're going to be like that, at least enjoy one last little surprise!" Bartholomew bellowed as he brought the nervous man into a dark room with black curtains along the walls. He was tied to a chair and a blindfold was put over his eyes. All he could do was hope and wish this were all a bad dream. If it wasn't, he was a dead man! Suddenly he heard music start up and movement from across the room. He swallowed hard, hoping this "surprise" of Bartholomew's wasn't what he feared. Suddenly he felt two slender hands in silken gloves caressing his thighs. The touch sent shivers down his spine, but it was familiar in a way. For that matter there was a remarkably familiar scent in the air that he thought distinctly reminded him of his fiancé. Shaking himself of his thoughts, he found himself shaking nervously, pulling against the ropes as hard as he could to free himself.
"Madam, I'm sure you're a lovely person, but I have to beg you please to let me go. I cannot be here. I never wanted to be here. I would be a dead man if my fiancé found out! I beg you, please take pity on me, I love her more than anything I've ever cared about! More than the stars themselves! As an Astrophysicist that should hopefully put things into prospective for you….Please, I beg you, I want to live to see my wedding day…" He begged as he felt two long slender legs wrap around him as a slender torso brushed up seductively against him. He cleared his throat as two lips brushed up against his as the gloved hands reached up to remove the blindfold. He was taken aback when he opened his eyes to see Amelia dressed in a low cut sparkly white and black dress with a scale pattern, a long train in the back and fishnet stockings with a pair of black heels and a short top hat tilted to the left side of her head. The entire ensemble seemed to be accented with sparkling diamonds anywhere the light hit. His eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped practically to the floor taking in her appearance. He went to speak, but no words could come to mind, any function of his brain now turned off. She placed a finger to his lips to hush his protests before he could even speak. Finally he gathered his courage to speak.
"W-w-what a-a-are you doing h-h-here?" He asked more nervous than he'd ever been before. She let out a devilish laugh and untied his right hand only.
"What are you doing?" He asked a little calmer, but still very confused.
"I'll be claiming that hand in a few days, Delbert. You only get the use of one…for now." She whispered in a husky voice as she sat to straddle him. His excitement getting the better of him as he wrapped his free hand around her waist firmly, pulling her close to him. Not only did he love her attire, but he had also never seen her look so sexy and at the same time feel so helpless to do anything about it. He wanted so badly to ravish her, but his left hand firmly tied in the tightest spacer knot he'd ever seen was making it exceedingly difficult.
"D-did Bartholomew know about this? You weren't….out there putting on a show for them. WERE YOU?" He thought with a strong forceful air. Amelia shook her head
"Your friend did ask me to surprise you, but I'm only here for you. You're the only one who is lucky enough to see me like this, I assure you, I dislike these places as much as you do." She said sweetly, remembering the sweet things he said about her before she removed the blindfold. He let out a breath he hadn't known he had been holding and smiled slightly.
"He loves me more than the stars" She thought to herself with a blush rushing quickly up her neck.
"Oh thank goodness, I couldn't stand the thought of your attire causing impure thoughts among the men here tonight." He said furrowing his eyebrows. Amelia's lips lifted into a sly smile.
"Doctor, are you saying my attire makes you think impure thoughts?" She said, using his title to tease and antagonize him. When he didn't respond right away and his excitement got harder to ignore, he finally spoke.
"Oh goodness yes, the worst possible thoughts imaginable." He whispered in a low voice into her ear before he growled and pulled her close enough to leave love bites along her neck and collar bone. She moaned in response, reaching up to run her fingers in his hair.
"Shall we head home then?" She whispered. This seemed to wake Delbert up from his thoughts. He nodded as she released his left hand finally.
"Not dressed like that you're not." He said simply, taking off his jacket and placing it around her shoulders to cover her up as they slipped out the back door. He was able to get them a carriage back to the university so he could take his own carriage back home for the evening.
Once they finally got home, he carried her upstairs to their bedroom, placing her carefully on the bed. He remembered that he had a little gift for her that he wanted her to see before the wedding. In truth, she had a gift for him too. He covered her eyes and brought her into the observatory.
"Okay, you can open your eyes my love." He said as he indicated the new paintings up on the wall where all his families paintings are. It was a painting of both of them the right profile of Delbert and the left profile of Amelia. The paintings were facing each other on the center of the wall. She looked at them with delight and admiration for this wonderful man before her.
"I love them, Delbert. I have a gift for you too." She said as she got out a photo album from their bedroom and brought it to him. He opened it up to see boudoir photos of Amelia, one of them in her current outfit with her looking off in the distance. One of them was in the shirt she was wearing earlier and her captain's hat but with her shirt open to show her cleavage with a seductive look on her face. He looked through them with a low whistle and licking his lips.
"I love it!" He said before he had even seen them all. He closed the photo album, put it down and carried her back into the bedroom. Amelia giggled aloud at her lover's antics as he rushed off to their bedroom, When they got inside, he closed and locked the door behind him.
"Now, where were we?" he said as he placed her on the bed and walked towards her until she was laying down flat on the bed and he was on top of her. She looked at him devilishly as he leaned down to give her a passionate kiss. She instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist and he growled as he let his thoughts from earlier come back to the foreground.