Chapter Ten
Nell and Sid stood outside the caravan. Both hesitating going inside, but each for different reasons.
"Be a bit difficult to carry you across the threshold here." Sid remarked.
Nell smiled, "You can carry me across when we move into the cottage."
"Right then." Sid nodded before hoisting Nell up into the caravan. She laughed and pulled the train of her dress inside. Sid climbed in after her and shut the door. They were face to face in the darkness of the caravan. Sid dug in his pocket for his lighter. He found it and flicked it to life. The tiny flame lit up the small space. Nell snapped it closed, extinguishing the flame.
"Actually, this might be easier for me with no lights." she said nervously.
Sid wanted to object, but he knew better so he tossed his lighter onto a shelf and slid his hands down to Nell's hips. He gave them a squeeze and lowered his mouth for a kiss. She was more than willing, even though her lips were trembling.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"I'm fine. I'm just excited, or nervous. A little scared too." she admitted.
"Oh, Nell." Sid sighed.
He pulled her further into his arms and held her against his chest. Just held her. Something he had longed to do for so long. He looked down at the simple silver band on his hand. He was a husband now. From this point on he had a responsibility. He was aware of this before, but now holding his wife in his arms it really sank in for him.
After some time he felt her fiddling with the buttons on his shirt. It was difficult not to push ahead full force, but he managed to take it slow as he slid his hands to the back of her dress. She finished with the buttons on his shirt and he let it fall to the floor. She splayed her hands on his chest, her hands sliding through the silky hair that she always saw peeking out of his shirts. Whatever prowess or experience he had with women faded away with Nell. Everything seemed new to him like he was living it all for the first time, and silently he cursed himself for not waiting for Nell. She was well and truly the one.
He kissed her shoulder and walked behind her. With a total of fifteen buttons and the dress holding sentimental value he took his time slowly exposing the much more revealing slip she wore underneath. He slipped his hands inside the dress smoothed his fingers against her skin. He bent and pulled the dress down, sliding his nose against her spine. She stepped timidly out of the dress and he carefully laid it aside.
He'd never been to enthralled with a woman before. His eyes had begun to adjust to the darkness and he could see her perfectly. Her hand reached out to touch his chest as she stepped closer. Her hand went behind his head and tangled in his hair. She stood on her toes and kissed him.
She pressed her body against him. A deep, aching need to be close to the man who was now her husband. Whatever was holding Sid back crumbled in an instant and he lifted her up into his arms and laid her down on the bed. He brazenly slid his hands under the slip and pulled it from her body. His lips met her skin in all the places he'd been dreaming about.
Nell couldn't stop shaking as adrenaline flowed through her veins. It was all like a dream. Sid's hands were healing. It was as if everywhere he touched her became washed clean. Her hands were at his belt, but she couldn't quite work up the courage. He kissed her neck and took over for her at the task.
Despite the cool evening Nell could feel a bead of sweat at the nape of her neck.
Sid was on top of her, his nose nuzzling under her ear.
"Mrs. Carter?" he whispered.
Nell hugged him closer and he took that as his answer.
Some time later they lay tangled up in a sheet blissfully sated. Sid hadn't stopped touching her all night.
"I still can't believe you married me. I've got to be the luckiest bloke in the world."
Nell smiled, "Sidney, there's something I feel like I should have told you...before we...well before we did...well, earlier."
"What is it?"
"I love you."
Sid pulled her closer and kissed her mouth, "I love you too."
The next morning came late for the newlyweds. They tumbled out of bed around ten and rode over to fetch Bub. Nell enjoyed her wedding night immensely, but she missed her child terribly. She ran to Felicia and Bub reached for her. She hugged him closely and then to her surprise and delight Bub reached for Sidney.
"Did you know? I'm your dad now, son."
From the ashes of trauma to a wonderful new beginning she knew now just what she wanted to call her son. She stared at the two men in her life. She felt so happy and proud to be Mrs. Carter. With the past long gone, Nell smiled into the wonderful unknown of what she was sure would be a beautiful future.
Thank you to everyone who read this. Sidney is near and dear to my heart so I hope you enjoyed seeing his softer side. Once again, THANK YOU!
Special thanks to ArtistKurai who faithfully reviewed and provided insight into the story for me!
And thanks to my Hubby who takes time out of his busy schedule to read and give feedback on all my work!
xoxoxoxo