Chapter 18: Bliss Before the Storm

A soft knock at the door and Mother Superior announces, "Emma, it is time. They are ready for you." She can faintly hear the wedding march playing on the other side of the twin, tall doors.

Killian looks toward the doors willing his bride-to-be to finally show herself. He finally hears the music begin to play and takes a breath.

Shortly after they are pronounced man and wife, they are bound to their new residence.

The carriage stops in front of a cobblestone house on the opposite side of town from her childhood home. He offers her his hand to help her out and promptly starts to guide her to the door.

She looks at him and offers him a smile. She is a little embarrassed because she knows her hands are clammy from her nerves. Despite her nerves, she cannot help but admire the house, it is beautiful; cobblestone, two-story and it is surrounded by immense trees. That is all she can admire in the short allotted time before he opens the house and without standing on ceremony picks her up to carry her over the threshold.

He is giving her a tour of the house. They go from room to room starting with the living room, foyer, a little office, kitchen, dining area, and patio. She is sure there were more rooms to quickly explore but then he stops in front of the master bedroom. The door remains shut.

"I had Smee drop off some essentials for us and," he clears his throat, "the trunks that Mrs. Booth indicated belonged to you, she insisted they were needed for tonight. You will find them inside." He points towards the closed door.

"Oh, thank you for thinking ahead. I had so many last minute things to do, I'm lucky I had help at the Chapel getting ready."

"Sorry, your mother didn't attend."

"She was proving a point but that doesn't matter anymore. We are married now, she made her choice."

She keeps glancing at the closed bedroom door, nervous if he will demand to take her now.

He doesn't notice that she keeps stealing looks toward the bedroom as he opens it for her.

"I shall leave you to get comfortable. I will return in a bit." He smiles and slowly walks away.

She opens the door fully. In the middle of the room sits an oak canopy bed. She notices some candles alongside the smaller trunk and finds a note. "Cora insisted for the small trunk to be placed in the bedroom; the others are in one of the guest rooms." Emma opens the trunk slowly and finds out the reason the small trunk needed to be in the bedroom. It has some intimate essentials but there is one that catches her eye. It is not as skimpy as the others. She had tried to talk Cora out of providing a dowry; she had agreed but only if she allowed her a few gifts to sate her guilt for August's choice. Finally, she accepted and now she had trunks of clothes and some very revealing undergarments. She had insisted for her to take a lavish milk and honey bath; rose petals had been added also.

Enough of those thoughts, she had to get ready. She was just afraid that Killian might not find her to his liking or that he would be dissatisfied with her. She bit her bottom lip nervously.

She slowly undressed; picked up the white corset negligee and matching robe. It was simple just like her dress. She finished changing and turned on the candles in the room; she decided to sit at the foot of the bed to wait for her husband. Time passed by a little too slowly for her liking. Killian's absence was making her even more nervous.

Killian was sitting in the living room. He was now a married man and his bride waited not too far from where he stood; in their bedroom. He would need to get used to that fact. He got up and walked toward the wine closet. He pulled out a rum bottle and poured two fingers into a glass. A little liquid courage couldn't hurt. He slowly ran his fingers through his silken black hair.

Was she waiting for him? Would she recoil from his touch or would she welcome it? In the past month, they surely had shared some memorable moments and yet he was unsure of their true meaning.

He had decided to give her a bit of time to get ready both physically and mentally. If he were to see the slightest hesitation on her part he would give her time. To be honest he needed the same to put his own thoughts in order.

She had looked beautiful in her wedding gown, and although the dress looked simple and plain she had truly been a vision. He had worn a three-piece black suit. The coat had long been discarded. He had rolled up his sleeves. The vest was open and of his shirt, he had unbuttoned the top buttons putting on display a good amount of chest hair. The perspiration of nerves ensures some of the dark hair sticks to the sides of his face by the sideburns.

He remembers their last kiss fondly; it quickly had escalated only to become aggressive and then quickly stopped by her. He cannot help but smile at the memory. There was definitely passion in her to explore. He decides to finally try his luck and quickly heads towards the bedroom. The rum had surely given him back his swagger. Once he reaches the door he loses some of that confidence. He lightly taps on the door and when he gets no response he almost backs away but decides to continue on.

He slowly turns the handle until it clicks open and pushes the creaky door open, then closes it behind him. He stops dead in his tracks at the vision in front of him. The room is illuminated by the flicker of the candles. A warm light that makes her body glow, as if it is calling out to him. He would gladly answer the call. She is breathtaking.

Emma looks up from her position at the foot of the canopy bed as soon as the door creaks and announces his presence. She stands slowly; her nerves starting to reemerge.

Killian takes in her appearance. She is wearing a white silk corset negligee that hugs her curves perfectly with a lace robe that hangs open. He can see her long legs, so much skin to be admired. She looks like the perfect combination; innocent and sinful. Her golden hair cascades down her shoulders in loose curls. Even in the candlelight, her hair shines bright like the morning sun.

She watches him stand in the doorway. His hair is no longer properly groomed, but falling across his forehead just above his intense ocean blue eyes; it gives him a dangerous quality. He's still mostly dressed but in the low lighting of the room, her breath hitches as she takes in his appearance. She can see how handsome he truly is; he stands before her looking at her with his beautiful eyes, they appear darker in this lighting. His hair falling on his brow; his light ginger trimmed scruff covering a sharp squared jaw that frames his luscious lips.

She had always known that he was a good looking man; that fact had not gone unnoticed by her, but in that moment she saw him in a different light.

He smiles softly and as if asking for permission to come closer, waits for acknowledgment on her behalf. She nods in a silent agreement. Taking calculated steps toward her he takes the last step to reach her. The moment that his fingertips touch her almost bare skin the spark he feels consumes him. He lifts her dimpled chin to meet his lips. The kiss starts slow and tender then rapidly picks up speed.

Her hands travel from his waist up towards his chest; she slowly grazes her fingers to the open buttons of his shirt and can feel his heartbeat below the softness as his chest hair tickles her fingers.

He kisses her along her jaw and toward her long neck. He can taste the honey mixed with aromatic fragrant flowers and vanilla on her soft skin. He moves to lower the straps of her negligee to gain more access. Nuzzling along her collar bone, his tongue slowly licks on her skin. Her natural aroma is starting to invade his senses and he can tell that his actions are arousing her. He gently guides her to the spacious bed that awaits them.

Emma lets him guide her, kiss uninterrupted. His kiss tastes like liquor and she can smell his manly, musky scent. She unbuttons the last of the remaining buttons by finally yanking the shirt open. Soon his shirt and vest find their way to the floor. She lets her hands travel up and down his chest. The hairs on his chest map a trail down his torso as if leading her to a lost treasure. Her fingers move onto the next target - his trousers and finally the last barrier, his boxers.

She hears him chuckle as he frees her of her robe. He starts unlacing the corset and once finished, he lets it fall next to the robe. He doesn't lose any time to grieve for the obstacles that previously had prevented him from admiring the beautiful woman before him as he lowers her onto the bed.

Removing his undergarment, he promptly joins her on the bed and continues to swiftly explore her body. She can feel his arousal between her thighs and emits a soft whimper. He stops, "Emma, if you are not ready, please, tell me now." She breathily gives her answer, "No, don't ever stop." He can hear her breathing heavily and does as instructed. He moves his hips to meet hers and slowly seals the union. Her body welcomes his like a sailor returning home from sea.

She feels lightheaded from all the overwhelming sensations he is eliciting from her. She can barely react and reciprocate; touches, kisses and she feels like she is moments away from an internal explosion. Her heart races out of her chest. She never wants it to end.

It is much more than a physical connection or emotional; it is the joining of two souls finding their mate. Hours later they lay on the bed tired and sated. Their bodies still intertwined, glistening from their activities. Her head rests on his shoulder and his jaw on top of hers as he holds her bare body to him. Her fingers dance up and down the hard plains of his body and feel along the scars life has given him.

She remembers her thoughts at the Chapel, she had been certain she was only getting married to protect her family, now if she is truly honest, there was never a moment of dread about the impending nuptials. She had said her vows, and finally married, she felt a peace; she is where she truly belongs. The feelings she felt earlier were anticipation and nervous excitement and now that she is with her husband she feels happiness. She knows her feelings are new but it is simple, she had fallen in love along the way.

Before walking into the marital chamber he had wondered if she would shy away from his touch after their last encounter. Now he lays motionless in awe of her; granting her access to explore his body. In that moment his thoughts and moments of uncertainty at the Chapel have become crystal clear. He remembers those thoughts of insecurity as he waited for her at the altar. He had been worried that she would change her mind and the thought had scared him.

Now that she is in his arms he knows why that possibility scared him. She provides happiness to his soul. He breathes easier when she is around, the relief he felt at the realization that she had not denied him had led him to the conclusion that his feelings had morphed into something much grander... love.

They both soon drift into a blissful sleep.

Emma is the first to move as the sun enters the room. She moves to get a look at his face and cups his cheek. "Killian, I'm a little hungry, I will be in the kitchen." He hums sleepily in agreement.

She slowly disentangles from his hold and gets out of bed. She ventures to gather her discarded robe from the floor and opens the window for the morning dew to refresh the room. She takes a quick peek at her husband and leaves the room.

He slowly rouses completely from sleep. He had never experienced such a restful slumber. Missing her warmth, he reaches for Emma only to find the spot she occupied empty, for a mere moment he panics, thinking she has left him. He faintly remembers her telling him she was going to the kitchen.

He is alone with his thoughts once more. He has bedded a lot of women, if he chose to use a more colorful language, he could simply say that he had fucked many women. Yet, he had only made love to one, his wife Emma. He now can admit what he knew all along, he had fallen in love.

The thought of Milah no longer holds the same weight in his heart. Killian now knows the difference, she had only been a release for him. He was only a man after all. What man denies a woman? He will confess his feelings to his bride; all that remains is to find out if Emma feels the same.

He decides to join her in the kitchen. He gets up and grabs his boxers and makes his way to his Emma. He strides to the kitchen and his stomach growls loudly. On the table he sees tea and coffee, then a platter of eggs and ham, cheeses and bread, as well as some fresh fruit.

"For a brief moment, I thought you had escaped."

Emma looks to see Killian standing by the door staring at her.

"I would never; I told you I was coming to the kitchen, I guess you were still half asleep. I was just about finished here. I just need to put the food onto the tray and we can take it to bed if you would like."

"There is no need for you to go through all that trouble love. We can enjoy the spread here."

"Doing this for you is no trouble. Why are you up? I truly did want to wake you with a little treat."

"It seems I have married an enchantress and have been bewitched by my beautiful bride."

She blushes a crimson red shade. "I would never use such trickery and bewitch you."

"I didn't mean it as an insult, love."

"We can eat here then perhaps find our way back to our room, to enjoy some pleasurable activities once more. That is only of course if you feel up to it. I would love to have a serious conversation first."

Emma looks at him as he rushes to her side to hold her chair out for her. He goes to his side in a less rushed stride. "Did I do something wrong? If you didn't enjoy our evening, I can learn. I know I have no experience-"

He interrupts quickly to say something to encourage her. "Sweetheart, you were bloody amazing, brilliant."

She blushes even redder if possible. "Then I don't understand."

"I have a confession to make. I never thought I'd be capable of letting go of my first love, of my Milah, to believe that I could find someone else... that is until I met you."

"Does that mean what I think it does, you love me?"

"Aye, I just hope that in time you feel the same."

"I don't think it will happen in time." She looks at his face become crestfallen. "I meant to say there is no need to wait, I love you, too."

He gets up from his chair without thinking and rushes to her side where he kneels down to be eye level with her. "Are you sure, you truly are in love with me?"

"I know it seems so fast, but yes, I love you." She smiles, cups his face and kisses him.

The kiss ends and he leans his forehead to hers.

"I have lost my appetite for food." He bites his bottom lip.

"You may have, but I think we will need our energy in order to enjoy the pleasurable activities that you mentioned earlier."

He smiles and goes obediently to his chair. They enjoy their little energy fortified spread. He keeps his eyes on her, and she finds herself unable to look away as they eat. As soon as they finish eating, they get up and head back to their bedroom to enjoy each other again and again. They spend days indulging in good food and each other. Unbeknownst to them, when they emerge from their happy sanctuary, they will face the storm that has been brewing beyond their four walls.