Chapter 19
Lou wasn't sure what they had been thinking. Whose bright idea was it to have a wedding in the middle of winter and on Christmas Day at that, she wondered. An outside wedding hadn't been possible as it was much too cold and she refused to get married in the same church that her and Kid had. It just didn't seem right. Now here she was getting ready to be married in a few hours in the living room of her own house. Luckily the guest list was small.
She had been woken up that morning by an excited Jamie who couldn't wait to see what Santa had brought him the night before. It was nice to see that with all the wedding plans going on Jamie hadn't forgotten what was most important to a four-year-old she thought as she laughed. As the two of them made their way downstairs to see what had been left under the tree, she heard someone in the kitchen. She thought this time she wouldn't draw her gun and simply see who it was. She assumed it was her soon to be husband getting some coffee started, but as she got closer she heard multiple voices.
Sitting there at the kitchen table next to Jimmy were two faces Lou wasn't sure she'd ever see again. "Emma? Sam?"
"Merry Christmas Loulabelle."
Lou couldn't believe it. "Oh Emma!"
Emma stood up and the two women hugged. It was so good to see her again. Lou hadn't realized how much she had missed their old station mistress until that moment. "How did you even know about the wedding?" Lou asked.
"Well I didn't know until about two weeks ago when I got a letter from one William F. Cody and a Mrs. Sarah Cody inviting me to the wedding of the century I believe it said." Emma explained. "Cody said they owed you a favor and it would mean a lot to everyone if we could make it. Now, what I want to know is who gets married on Christmas Day, it's the dead of winter, you two know that right?"
Both Jimmy and Lou smiled at each other. It was so good to have them there.
It wasn't long before Jamie came in begging for Lou to come watch him open his presents. Emma said she would start getting breakfast started because she heard it was going to be a big day.
A couple hours later, presents had been opened, breakfast had been ate and Rachel and Sarah had shown up to lend their hands in the preparations.
At 2 p.m., the ceremony began and a very beautiful Louise McCloud came down the stairs with Jamie by her side. As she did, she looked down at the small room filled with people she considered her family, though none of them by blood she loved them just the same. At least, those were her thoughts as she stepped down and turned toward the fireplace where Jimmy stood next to Teaspoon who was performing the ceremony. However, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a young man, taller than her but younger and a young lady with eyes much similar to her own. A tear fell from her eye as she knew her brother and sister were here and her family was complete.
The ceremony was short and to the point. The bride and groom wrote their own vows and Teaspoon announced them as husband and wife after they exchanged gold bands. They kissed under perfectly placed mistletoe and welcomed a future together.
After the ceremony, the party moved to the saloon which was owned by Polly, Teaspoon's third wife, who he still adored. The saloon was closed for the day to accommodate the reception and had been beautifully decorated for the occasion.
The bride and groom visited with Emma and Sam and their other surprise guests, Jeremiah and Teresa. "When did you two get in town?" Lou asked them. "Last night. We stayed with Rachel and Christopher. They sent us a letter and the money for a stage. We would've been here sooner but the weather was just awful. Who has a wedding in the winter anyways?" Jeremiah asked.
Luckily, Teresa stuck up for her sister and new brother-in-law. "I think winter is romantic and on Christmas Day…it's perfect."
"Thank you Teresa." Both Jimmy and Lou said.
The party continued through the evening and Lou was starting to get anxious for the night ahead of her. It had been her idea to wait until their wedding night to make love for the first time, but now Lou was wondering if she had made a mistake in waiting, putting too much pressure on their first time.
Many of the guests were starting to leave. Emma and Sam said they would be staying in town for a few more days and Lou and Jimmy agreed to get together tomorrow for dinner. They weren't sure how long Jeremiah and Teresa were staying but they would have plenty of time to discuss it as they were invited to stay with Rachel for the night and then with Jimmy and Lou until it was decided. The bride and groom made their way around the room to give their thanks for coming and to say goodbye. Most of those who remained were enjoying some drinks, which seemed appropriate as it was still a saloon after all.
Jimmy and Lou walked back to their house they would share alone for the first time. Jamie was staying with Buck and Emily for the night so they wouldn't be disturbed.
Jimmy stopped her before she reached the front door. "I think I'm supposed to carry you over the threshold."
"Oh, right." She said as he placed his arm around her back and put his other arm under her knees, easily swinging her up into his arms and walking them through the door.
"I think you're supposed to put me down now Jimmy."
"Not yet." He said as he started for the stairs.
"Jimmy!" she squealed but held tight as he carried her up the stairs with ease and placed her on her bed, which was now theirs.
He bent down in front of her and helped her out of shoes. Their eyes were locked on each other, both smiling. He then stood up and pulled off his jacket while he kicked off his own shoes. Next, he unbuckled his belt and let his pants fall. He sat down next to her on the bed. Lou realized her heart was beating rapidly and picked up his hand and placed it over her chest. "Do you feel that Jimmy? My heart is beating wildly for you. I love you so much."
"Oh sweetheart, I'll never not be amazed by you. I love you." He declared and kissed her deeply and completely, his mouth opening to hers and exploring. He moved his hand from where she had placed it on her chest and moved it around to undo her dress. He moved slowly but deliberately and in no time the dress fell loose exposing more of Lou than Jimmy had ever seen before. "You are so beautiful."
The rest of their clothes were quickly shed but then they took their time exploring each other. Lou never knew she could feel so much pleasure as they reached their pinnacle together while Jimmy never knew he could feel so complete. As they lay wrapped together in each other's arms, Lou moved to kiss Jimmy one more time before succumbing to sleep.
"Merry Christmas Jimmy."
"Merry Christmas Mrs. Hickok"
