CHAPTER 8
Daniel Jenkins hurried up the ladder to the wheelhouse to check in with Clancey before going off duty for the evening. He had been under Clancey's command on the Shamus for almost a decade and had come to look on the weathered old sea captain as a combination, friend and father figure. The latter considering was due in large part to how Jenkins had found himself in Clancey's service, after having stowed away, at the age of fifteen. He had lost his mother to an influenza epidemic and, once she had passed, his stepfather had been more than delighted to inform the boy, once his mother had been laid to rest, that he was placing him into servitude and given that he had no other relatives there was no one to prevent the man's plan, especially considering that his motivation was to take control and ownership of the farm that had belonged to the boy's father. And since no will had been left by either his mother or father the farm passed into his step father's possession, especially given the boy's age.
Once Danny had learned of his step father's plans he had tried to stand up to the man and, as had always been the case since his mother and the man had married, Danny found himself receiving a beating that should have seen him in the hospital, but not enough to keep him from making his escape that night as his stepfather passed out from overindulging in a bottle of whiskey, as was his habit He knew that his best bet was to make his way to the docks; he had almost given up any hope of finding a ship when he noticed the Shamus O'Flynn and the lack of lookouts. Taking his chances, Danny hurried on board and found what he thought to be a safe area to hide. He had made certain to take some food when he left but found that, given his injuries and the amount of pain he was suffering, food was the last thing on his mind. Making himself as comfortable as possible he curled himself into a ball and fell asleep, however, that sleep didn't last very long as he found himself receiving the sharp point of a boot in his already pained ribs as he opened his eyes to find himself facing a weathered old sailor with an obvious Irish brogue who demanded;
"And just what do ya think yer doing there, laddie buck? Tryin to stow away on me ship?"
Noticing the boy's flinch and grimace of pain, Clancey's face broke into a worried frown as he offered the young man his arm before ordering;
"Come with me, lad. I can sees that ya require some doctorin, so let's get to it"
Once Clancey had helped clean up the boy's injuries and determined the extent of the damage, he had demanded an explanation from the youth, something that Danny found himself pouring out without reservation to the old captain. When he had finished his story, Clancy stroked his whiskers in contemplation as he studied the lad's bruised and battered appearance. There was no denying the abuse the lad had suffered given the bruises that were visible and, when the boy had removed his shirt, Clancey could see just how despicable the boy's stepfather truly was by the black and blue spots covering the boy's back and rib cage as well as the fact that, despite the boy's impressive height for his age, he had obviously missed many meals. Taking all those as well as the factors of the sadness in the boy's brown eyes and the way he hung his head and kept pushing the chestnut locks away from his face, Clancey made his mind up as he bellowed;
"Mr, Charmers!"
When the man appeared, he waved towards Danny;
"See to feedin this here lad good and proper and then I want a bunk made up for em. I'll return directly."
Although Danny knew that, logically, he should be worried over the captain's disappearance, he found himself so relieved by the man's kindness and, at least, a temporary place to rest and heal safely that he pushed his worry to the back of his mind as he enjoyed a hot meal and eagerly settled into the bunk that the mate had found for him. Danny soon found himself awakened, although much more gently this time, by Clancey as he explained;
"Lad, how would ya feel about takin to the sea?"
Shocked by the question, Danny asked quietly;
"You mean, put out to sea; become a sailor?"
Clancey nodded;
"That's exactly what I mean, lad; is that something that you think you might like to try your hand at?"
Nodding eagerly, Danny admitted;
"Yes, sir I would. Without Ma the farm just ain't a home anymore, I'm not happy about my step pa getting what was my Pa's but there ain't nothing to be done about it now."
Placing his hand on the boy's shoulder, Clancey offered;
"Well, lad the thing in life is that sometimes you got to lose somethin to gain something better, but no matter. The long and short of it is that I paid a visit to the barnacle scraper what masquerades as your stepfather and I made him see the sense in leavin ya in me care to learn a trade, so, if you'd like, ya can sign on with me and work on the Shamus."
Glancing towards the Captain's hands, Danny couldn't help but notice the bruises on his knuckles as well as a small bruise near his jaw. Realizing what the gruff old captain had done, Danny couldn't help the tears that sprang to his eyes or the gratitude that he felt at the idea of someone taking up for him, something he had thought would never happen again after his mother's death. Clancey found himself shocked as the boy launched himself from his bunk to wrap his arms around the captain's middle in a fierce hug as he offered softly;
"Thank you, I don't know how I'll ever pay you back."
Touched by the boy's emotions, Clancey patted the boy's shoulder in sympathy;
"That's alright, lad, you just do your share and that will be payment enough."
Danny's thoughts came back to the present as he noticed Jeremy Bolt on the deck with his new bride, watching the whales and dolphins play at their races as well as enjoying the beauty of colors created as the sun as it began its descent from the evening sky. Shaking his head at the picture the young couple made as they stood at the rail, holding on to each other and enjoying the show that nature's beauty was putting on for them. Hearing Clancey's blustering voice from the wheelhouse Danny hurried to greet in a good-natured gruffness;
"I heard you, you blustering old sea lion. Now, what's got your gizzard all tied in a knot?"
Motioning towards the couple on the deck, Clancey advised;
"Danny, me boy, I want ya to make certain that none of the men give them two young love birds there a hard time You be sure that they know that it comes from me and if they roust the newlyweds or embarrass them in any way over the goings-on that takes place during a wedding night, they'll have me to deal with, and worse."
Shocked by the old captain's statement, Danny couldn't help but demand;
"Come on, Cap, what in the world could be worse than dealing with you?"
Leaning closer in a conspiratorial manner as he poured himself a cup of rum and one for the young man, Clancey asked;
"Danny, me boy, ya know who that young groom's sister is, do you not?"
Nodding as he accepted the cup, Danny confirmed;
"Aye, sir, that's Jemma Stempel, Aaron Stempel's wife."
Blushing shyly, Danny added;
"She's the real pretty lady who had the twin babies. The one who sort of looks like an angel, to me she does anyway."
Clancey nodded;
"That she is, me buck-o, that she is. Well, anyhow, that 'angel' as you call her, had a discussion with me earlier today and informed me that if any of you boys give her brother and sister in law a hard time on their wedding night that she will personally keel haul the lot of ya's when we get back to Seattle and me for not stoppin ya's. Oh, and did I mention that Mr. Stempel made the same promise? Only, in that case, it would be because we upset his wife, and of course, Jason Bolt made the same offer. So's I'm sure ya can see it would be to everyone's advantage not to haze the two newlyweds, especially since I'm rather fond of me hide in one piece."
Having been as acquainted with Seattle as Clancey, and its inhabitants, Danny nodded, fully understanding Clancey's concern. He knew of Jemma Bolt Stempel's temper, as well as that of her husband and brother, especially her husband's temper when it came to anyone upsetting or mistreating his wife in any way. Putting his hand on the captain's shoulder, Danny promised;
"Don't you worry about it, Cap I'll see to it that they aren't bothered and given plenty of privacy. Besides, it wouldn't be right to ruin such a special night for a newlywed couple."
Shaking his head as he turned to leave;
"I sure wouldn't want anyone to do that to me if I'm ever lucky enough to find a wife for myself."
Clancey chuckled at the young man's statement as he left the wheelhouse before turning his attention back to Jeremy and Candy as they watched the last of the sun sink into the horizon. Raising his cup, he toasted quietly;
"God bless the two of ya's and any that come after ya, Jeremy and Candy Bolt."
Jeremy stood at the rail, his arms wrapped about his wife's waist as they marveled at the sight of the dolphins and whales as if it seemed as if the mammals were racing each other good-naturedly through the waters to keep up with the ship. Although he had seen the sight before, Jeremy couldn't help but laugh at the enjoyment he felt in Candy's enjoyment and enthusiasm as if he was seeing it for the first time. They stood at the deck railing as the sun finished its descent below the horizon, enthralled by the play of colors of the fading sunlight against the sky and water. Finally, once the sun had finished its daily journey and surrendered its place in the sky to the moon and stars, the couple couldn't help but stare in awe at the sparkling glimmers of light in the azure-colored sky. Turning in her husband's embrace, Candy ventured;
"Do you know something, Jeremy? Jason was right all that time ago in New Bedford, remember how he said that the stars were like glittering diamonds? They really and truly do look like that out here on the ocean."
Pushing the soft ringlets over her shoulder, Jeremy couldn't help but offer a loving smile as he praised;
"Yes they do, Candy, but you know something? They still aren't as bright and beautiful as your eyes"
Blushing with pleasure at the compliment, Candy laid her head against her husband's shoulder to hide her reddened cheeks as she gushed;
"Oh, Jeremy."
Jeremy held her closer for a moment before leaning back slightly as he placed his finger under her chin to lift her gaze to meet his as he requested;
"Would you mind terribly, Mrs. Bolt if I stole a kiss from the prettiest bride in the world?"
The corners of her lips lifting in a warm and loving smile, Candy pointed out;
"Well, first of all, Mr. Bolt, you can't steal something that already belongs to you. And you can rest assured that all of my kisses belong to you, Jeremy."
Gently, Jeremy brought his lips against hers and found that, what may have started as a simple and gentle kiss, elevated as both found their passion and desire for each other rising as they held onto each other. It seemed as if the more they held and kissed each other the more they needed to hold and kiss each other. Finally, Jeremy held Candy away from him a bit as he took a deep, steadying breath;
"Candy, I don't know about you, but I think I'd like to go to our cabin now if you'd like to that is."
Candy swallowed the lump of nervousness at the realization of just what Jeremy was asking and as she gave thought as to just what lay ahead for this new phase of their relationship. Although she felt nervous at the prospect, she remembered the advice that she had received from Jemma, Julie, and Lottie, especially from Jemma and Julie. Taking a deep breath, she offered her husband a warm, inviting smile as she drew closer to Jeremy before laying her head against his shoulder to glance up at him shyly;
"I think that I'd like to go to our cabin very much, my darling husband."
Placing his arm around her shoulders, Jeremy led his bride to their cabin and, once they reached the door, opened the portal. Seeing that Candy was about to enter, he stopped her;
"Wait!"
Candy stopped, mid-stride, as her eyes widened in shock at his order. However, her shock soon turned to pleasure as Jeremy bent to sweep her off her feet and into his arms as he offered with the boyish smile that she had come to love so much;
"It's a tradition to carry your bride across the threshold; remember?"
Candy couldn't help but giggle lightly as she remarked;
"I think it's a lovely, sweet, and very romantic tradition."
Once the door had been pushed closed, Jeremy turned, still holding Candy in his arms as he suggested;
"Don't you think that we should make certain that we're not disturbed, Mrs. Bolt?"
Taking the hint, Candy reached out and secured the bolt to lock their cabin door before Jeremy crossed the space to settle her in the chair before lowering himself on his heels to search her eyes. Seeing the nervous trepidation in their deep blue depths, Jeremy ventured softly;
"You're nervous, aren't you, sweetheart?"
Nodding, Candy remained silent as he offered;
"So am I."
Her eyes widening in surprise as his admission, Candy couldn't help but ask;
"But, I thought that you would.."
Jeremy placed his finger against her lips to silence her as he shook his head;
"No, my darling wife"
Heaving a heavy sigh of resignation, Jeremy confessed;
"Candy, you know that, before you, well, I've always been shy and with my stuttering; well, let's just say that I wasn't exactly overwhelmed with opportunities where the fairer sex was concerned. And, to be quite honest about it, I never wanted to be overwhelmed. I never wanted one of those girls that you take upstairs for an hour and I never believed in playing games where a person's heart and emotions were concerned"
Taking her hands in his, Jeremy poured his heart out, deciding that if there was one person who deserved to know everything, it was his wife;
"You see, Candy, I wanted my first experience to be with the woman that I decided to share my life and heart with. I know that it's considered a 'gift' when a woman gives herself to the man she loves for the first time and I wanted to be able to give that same 'gift' to the woman that I loved; you. So you see, whatever we experience tonight will be the first experience for both of us, and I'm glad that will be the case because you were more than worth waiting for. I just hope that I don't disappoint you."
Realizing that she had shed tears of joy at her husband's admissions, Candy wiped her eyes as she shook her head before offering softly;
"There's no way for you to possibly disappoint me, my love. I just hope that I won't prove disappointing to you and your expectations."
Placing his hand against her cheek, Jeremy shook his head;
"Candy, my heart, there is no way that you could do that, so don't even think that."
Biting at her bottom lip in uncertainty, Candy ventured hesitantly;
"I know that this is all new to us so we're not exactly sure of where to start. I mean I know the technical aspects but.."
Rising from his spot, Jeremy glanced down at her as he recalled his brother and brother in law's words;
"I think that we should just forget the technical part for the time being and just let how we feel about each other guide us. What do you think?"
Just as Jeremy had done, Candy remembered the advice that she had been given by Jemma, Julie, and Lottie; most especially the advice from her sisters in law as she nodded;
"I think that you're right. I know that I love you with all of my heart and that's what I want to dictate what happens between us tonight, our hearts and our love for each other."
Taking her in his arms, Jeremy offered;
"I think that we should just do what comes naturally and let ourselves respond to each other that same way; what about you?"
Offering him a smile that was, both, shy and coy just before Jeremy pulled her closer as he claimed her mouth in a kiss that conveyed the hunger and desire that he held inside for his bride. Much to his astonishment and delight, Jeremy could feel Candy meeting the passion of his kiss with her own desire, something that found both deepening the contact as their mutual passions rose to heights that neither had considered possible before that point in time. Jeremy pulled away slightly and noticed, as she slowly opened her eyes, the deep blue pools of her eyes that reminded Jeremy of the blue of the ocean, something he found ironic given that he wouldn't mind drowning as long as it was in the depths of his wife's eyes.
Taking a moment to catch his breath as he held Candy tightly in his arms, Jeremy slacked his hold before silently reaching his hands up to begin removing the pins that held her hair in place Once he had removed the last pin, he reached to the tabletop for the brush that she had unpacked earlier and began running it through the reddish length of her hair before returning the brush to the tabletop to run his fingers through the curling mass. Shaking his head, Jeremy admitted with a shy smile;
"I have to tell you, I've wanted to do that since the first time that I saw you."
Stepping a bit closer, Candy asked timidly;
"Did you mean what you said about 'acting naturally' with each other?"
Jeremy nodded just before she reached out to release his tie before allowing it to slide through her fingers to fall to the floor. Even though she was nervous, Jeremy could see that she wasn't embarrassed by her actions, a fact made even more obvious as she glanced into his eyes to ask silently with her own for his permission to continue. At Jeremy's nod, Candy grasped the sides of her husband's jacket to push it from his shoulders before her fingers began to slowly and methodically release each of the buttons that held his shirt together, revealing more of his chest before finally pushing the shirt from his shoulders to send it to follow his jacket. Placing her hands against the flat of his chest, Candy looked into his eyes to admit;
"I can't believe that I just did that."
Shocked by her admission, Jeremy placed his hands over hers as he demanded;
"What in the world do you mean that you can't believe you did that?"
Offering a shy smile, Candy confessed;
"I never thought that I'd have the nerve to do something so brazen."
Shaking his head as he held her hands, Jeremy declared;
"Candy love, there is nothing wrong with what you just did, I belong to you just as you belong to me and there is no sin in your enjoying me just as I intend to enjoy you. We're married now and, as long as we both agree, there's nothing wrong with our enjoyment of each other."
Offering a devious smile of his own, Jeremy ventured;
"And, bearing that in mind, my beautiful wife."
With that, he pulled her into his arms, but before he made any type of move, Jeremy advised;
"Candy, I don't want to do anything that you don't want me to so that being the case if you tell me to stop, then I stop; agreed?"
Nodding, Candy offered, somewhat shakily;
"Agreed."
Candy knew, as he searched her eyes, that her husband needed a bit of encouragement, so to that end she offered;
"You just said that I belong to you just as you belong to me, didn't you?"
Jeremy couldn't help but chuckle slightly by the fact that his bride's logical mind had decided to make an appearance at such a time, but considering that it seemed to work in his favor, he wasn't going to complain. Taking the hint, Jeremy placed his lips against Candy's, determined to fill his hunger for his bride, although he was beginning to believe that fulfilling his hunger for Candy would never truly be possible; the more of her he had the more of her he seemed to want. A thought suddenly occurring to him, Jeremy couldn't help but emit a short laugh as he shook his head, something that found his bride staring at him in curiosity as she demanded;
"Just what do you find so funny at a time like this, Jeremy Bolt?"
Studying her face, as if trying to memorize the smallest detail of her beauty, Jeremy confessed;
"It's just that I remember thinking, not long after Pixie and Aaron were married; 'don't those two ever get tired of kissing each other?' Now, I completely understand; they can't get their fill of each other."
Candy couldn't help but giggle as she pointed out;
"Considering that they have twins and aren't married quite a year, I think that's obvious my dearest husband."
The look of amusement that had lit her blue eyes changed to one of desire as she lifted her hand to place against the back of his neck before her fingers absently began brushing back and forth across the nape of his neck, playing with the curling wisps of hair that her fingers came into contact with as she ventured;
"But tell me something, my love, would you rather discuss our theories about your sister and her husband or would you rather continue 'enjoying' each other?"
The corners of his mouth turned up into an indulgent smile as his chest rose and fell heavily before he ventured;
"That's the best suggestion that I've ever heard, well one of the best."
Puzzled, Candy couldn't help but ask;
"Really, what was the best?"
Bringing his hand up to gently trace the line of her lips with his fingertip, Jeremy's smile changed from indulgent to loving and grateful as he offered;
"When Aaron told you the night I proposed that he suggested you accept."
Jeremy couldn't help but feel as if the flames of his passion for Candy were being fanned even higher as her fingers brushed across the skin at the nape of his neck. Any doubts that he may have had to that fact were quickly eliminated as she began tracing delicate patterns with her fingertips across his broad chest, leaving soft, wispy tendrils of heat where her fingers touched his bare skin. Capturing her mouth with his, Jeremy found delight in the fact that her passions seemed to be as aroused as his, a fact made obvious as she met him in response as he became more demanding and as she made demands of her own. Shifting slightly, Jeremy buried his head against the side of Candy's neck, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair and skin, reminding him or a field of fresh Spring flowers as his mouth began tracing a path from just below her earlobe to her collarbone before being halted by the neckline of the dress she wore. Bringing his eyes up to meet hers, Jeremy drew in a heavy breath as his fingers began sliding the small pearl buttons, holding the bodice of her dress together, free of their loops as he speculated;
"I'm sure you'd be more comfortable without this, don't you?"
At her slight nod, he let his eyes slide down as, inch by inch, more of her pale skin was revealed as the neckline of her dress gaped ever wider with each small fastener that was released. Once he reached the last tiny button, Jeremy resumed the earlier path that his mouth had begun as he brushed his lips against the skin of Candy's collarbone before traveling from one side to the other as his fingers slid under the edges of her dress to slide it down her arms before reaching to push it the rest of the way, letting the garment fall to her feet. Pulling back slightly, Jeremy's breathing became somewhat rough as he shook his head;
"Candy.."
Before he could say anything more, she placed her fingertip against his lips before turning her back to him as she pulled the long fall of her red hair to the front before glancing over her shoulder as she requested sweetly;
"Would you mind helping me out of this?"
His eyes widening at the clear invitation, Jeremy found himself relieved by the fact that his bride's back was to him as he noticed his fingers trembling as they reached out, tentatively at first, to gently pull at the string to free of the knot that secured her corset. His confidence growing with each passing second as the garment was freed, Jeremy let the corset fall to the floor to pile on top of her dress before placing his hands about her waist as he pushed the underskirt she wore down her waist to allow it to slide slowly down her legs to follow the same path that her other garments had taken. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her back against him as his mouth found it's way to the side of her neck, noticing her slight trembling as he did so. Bringing his lips against her ear, Jeremy asked in a whisper-soft voice;
"Are you cold or nervous, sweetheart?"
Her own breath coming in quick gasps as she found herself overwhelmed by the passion and desire that she was experiencing, Candy ran her tongue over her lips in an attempt to moisten them when she realized just how dry they had become, thanks to the gasps of delight that found her inhaling and exhaling breaths of air past their tender skin. Shakily, Candy admitted;
"I think just a bit of both, darling heart. I'm just worried that you'll be disappointed."
Turning her in his embrace, Jeremy shook his head;
"I can promise you, Candy, there isn't even a remote possibility of that being the case."
Cupping her chin in his hand, Jeremy rushed to assure her;
"Sweetheart, don't you realize that you are every dream, every fantasy, and every idea of just what my dream woman would be?
Seeing the warmth that flooded her eyes, Jeremy placed his hand on her shoulder as his fingers slid under the lacy straps of the full shift that she wore, his eyes never leaving hers, as he silently asked her permission. At the slight bob of her head, Jeremy slid the straps away from her shoulders to simply let the thin garment float to the floor, reminding him of a linen cloud as it did so. He could see the concern in her eyes as she stood before him, unclothed. Seeking to ease her tension, he reached out to lightly run his finger up and down her arm, noticing as he did so that she shivered slightly. Shaking his head, he pointed out;
"See? Like I told you, Candy heart, there's no way that you could ever disappoint me; EVER."
Letting his eyes roam up and down the length of her body, Jeremy drank in his fill of her beauty, until he noticed the thin piece of blue silk trimmed with lace that adorned her upper thigh. His features reflecting his curiosity, Jeremy traced the line of the garter before demanding:
"Just exactly what is that?"
Bringing her hand up to cover her mouth in an attempt to stifle her giggle, Candy explained;
"It's a tradition Lottie insisted and I know for a fact that she did so with Jemma when she married Aaron, and with Julie when she married Jason."
Studying the material for a moment Jeremy couldn't help but shrug his shoulders as he questioned;
"But, what are you supposed to do with it?"
Laughing, Candy wrapped her arms about his neck, an action she realized caused a definite REACTION as the bare skin of her body touched his, to offer;
"Well, I can tell you what Lottie told Jemma when she asked that same question, and what Jemma and Lottie told Julie, and what Julie and Jemma told me today."
Wrapping his arms around her to pull her closer, enjoying the feel of her skin against his, Jeremy grinned;
"And that would be?"
Her features mimicking the prim and proper look that he had seen Biddie wear so many times, Candy quipped;
"Putting it on as we get you ready for your wedding is tradition and our job, getting it off is Jeremy's problem."
Lifting an eyebrow, Jeremy glanced down at the scrap of material as he slid both index fingers under the material before snatching in opposite directions, effectively rending the slip of silk in the middle before offering his bride a mischievous smile;
"There, problem solved."
Bringing his full focus back to his bride, Jeremy wrapped his arm about her waist as his free hand found its way to the hollow of her throat. Even through the haze of passion that she felt as Jeremy's fingers traced a gentle pattern from one side of her collarbone to the other, venturing from the hollow of her throat to the hollow of her cleavage with each pass, she couldn't help but marvel at, despite the rugged nature of his profession, just how surprisingly gentle his hands were as they teased the sensitive skin of her neck and breasts. She couldn't help but realize just how wrong some of what she had heard regarding this aspect of being a wife truly was; the intimacy between a husband and wife wasn't something she could imagine simply being 'tolerated' as she had been told was the case. Giving herself up to the wondrous new sensations that her husband was awakening in her, Candy found her own inhibitions disappearing as she reached out, hesitant and shy at first until she saw the silent encouragement in Jeremy's eyes as they remained locked in each other's loving gaze. Seeking to ease her trepidation, Jeremy reminded her quietly;
"My darling love, don't you remember the advice my brother and sister gave us? You have every right and there is no shame in you enjoying me just as much as I enjoy you. And believe me, my beautiful bride, I have definitely enjoyed what we've shared so far and I'm hoping that you're enjoying the experience just as much as I am and that you'd like to continue."
Candy drew a deep breath as her hands found their way, as if on their own accord, to her husband's broad chest. Although Jeremy had not inherited the same height that his brothers had managed to acquire, his physique was one that still commanded respect with his broad expanse of chest and muscular arms; a fact that Candy now found, more than, a little thrilling as she played the flat of her hands over the expanse of such the solidly built wall of flesh, muscle, and sinew that she felt beneath her fingers. Glancing down briefly, Candy's eyes lifted quickly to meet Jeremy's as he found a bit of amusement in the slight blush creep into her cheeks that he noticed when her eyes had ventured below his waist. Clearing her throat slightly, Candy pointed out;
"Not that I want to start our married life as a nagging wife, my love, but I'm sure you can appreciate that we aren't exactly on even terms at this moment."
Understanding her meaning, Jeremy chuckled as he asked innocently;
"Would you like for me to rectify that situation and even up the odds, sweetheart?"
At her nod Candy found herself being swept up in his arms as he crossed space of the cabin to gently set her on the bed before removing the rest of his clothing and laying beside her to stretch out on his side and lean on his elbow before offering his slightly crooked grin;
"Now, isn't that much better, not to mention more comfortable?"
Offering an amused giggle, Candy rolled towards her husband as she snuggled closer to venture;
"Yes, and much, MUCH nicer."
With that she pressed herself closer against Jeremy's body, something that found the last bonds of his restraint shredded as he wrapped his arms around her and, quickly shifted her beneath him as he claimed her mouth in a kiss that found them exchanging their feelings of mutual desire and passion for each other before Jeremy lifted his head to look into his bride's passion-filled eyes;
"Candy, love, I know that between Pixie, Lottie, and Julie you know what to expect, but are you sure you're ready? I mean, I know that part of it isn't going to be very comfortable for you and I hate the idea of hurting you in any way, but I also know that, in this instance, it can't be helped. But are you sure that you're ready?"
Lifting her arms to encircle his neck as she let her fingers glide lightly back and forth across his shoulders and neck as they teased the locks of hair at his nape, Candy could only stare lovingly into Jeremy's eyes, seeing the true concern born of his love for her, in their vivid blue depths. Softly, she asked;
"Jeremy, darling, aren't you?"
Sighing heavily, his breathing becoming ragged with the strength of his desire, Jeremy nodded as he offered ruefully;
"Oh, sweetheart! You have absolutely no idea just how ready I am; I've been ready since the moment I first saw you."
A look of deep seriousness covering his features, he shook his head;
"But I don't want to be responsible for hurting you; now or ever."
Sighing indulgently, touched by her husband's consideration for her, especially given some of the stories she had heard from some of the newly married brides about their own husbands' lack of concern when it came to their wedding nights, Candy ventured;
"Jeremy, I know that this is going to be 'uncomfortable' but that's also only a temporary condition and I refuse to let it overshadow what we've experienced so far and what I know we'll experience for the rest of our lives. But I'm sure that, considering just how pleasurable our wedding night has been so far when I look back on the memories of tonight, that temporary discomfort won't even be something that I remember."
Placing her hand against his cheek, she smiled lovingly into his eyes;
"The feel of your caresses, your kisses, and your love will be the memories that I hold and cherish."
Shaking his head, Jeremy confessed;
"Candy, I don't think I can wait anymore."
Allowing her fingertip to trace the outline of his lips, Candy asked in a husky tone full of desire;
"Then why are you?"
Giving in to the temptation she presented as she laid so pliant in his arms, Jeremy allowed his mouth to trace a pattern over the soft and sensitive skin of her throat before exploring a path across her breasts, something that found Candy, both, shocked and delighted by the assault on her senses that her husband was waging at the moment. Seeing that his bride was lost in the pleasure he was invoking in her, Jeremy found his own desires overflowing the dam of control that he had maintained since realizing how much he loved the woman in his arms. Eager to ensure that he fulfilled his promise to make certain that she had nothing but pleasurable memories to draw upon when she looked back on this night, Jeremy allowed his hands to roam back and forth across Candy's silken skin, memorizing every line and curve of her body, something that he quickly realized he wanted to spend a lifetime doing, over and over again. Jeremy realized that Candy had given over to the passion they were sharing as he brought his hand to her cheek to focus her gaze, which was glazed with her desire, on his as he asked;
"Candy heart, are you sure? I mean REALLY sure?"
Despite her barely whispered consent, Jeremy had no doubts as to her answer as she splayed her hands across his shoulder blades and pulled him closer against her before pleading;
"Please, Jeremy, darling don't stop."
Pushing his worry, anxiety, and inhibitions down and remembering his brother and brother in law's advice, Jeremy gave way to let the passion, desire, and love that he felt for his bride, as well as his instincts, take over and lead the way to guide his actions. Despite his lack of physical knowledge when it came to the more intimate aspects of what took place during the act of lovemaking, Jeremy couldn't help but marvel at the idea that he and Candy had managed to create their own special paradise in each other's arms. However, he soon found a slight interruption in that paradise as he realized that he was on the verge of truly ending his bride's maidenhood, something that found him giving pause as he ventured;
"Sweetheart..."
Before he could finish his statement, Candy nodded eagerly as she assured him;
"Yes, my love, I'm sure."
Determined to make the transition for his bride as easy and enjoyable as possible, Jeremy held her closer as his mouth sought hers and both lost themselves in a kiss full of deeply felt passion and love before allowing his lips to retrace his earlier path over the soft skin of her breasts. Certain that she was as caught up in the web of pleasure that he had spun as possible, Jeremy pushed through the final barrier to bring their marriage to a full consummation. Hearing the brief cry of pain, he stopped immediately and held her close against him, regretful for the pain that he had just caused her. However, as had always been the case, Candy surprised him as she gave a brief shake of her head before demanding;
"Don't you dare stop, Jeremy Bolt!"
Her tone softening as she kissed him;
"Please, love, I never thought it possible to find this much joy, pleasure, and love, all at the same time."
Returning her kiss, Jeremy couldn't help but vow;
"I love you, Candy Bolt."
Offering her husband a loving smile, she replied;
"And I love you, Jeremy Bolt."
The realization that the most difficult part had been accomplished, and with a good bit less trauma to Candy then he had been concerned about, Jeremy gave full way to his passion, desire, and instinct as he let himself become lost in the intimacies that he and his bride were sharing. Although Jeremy wanted the pleasure that they were feeling to continue indefinitely, he knew that he could no longer contain the full extent of his passion, something that he realized Candy was experiencing as well as both cried out in delight at the same time as the bonds of restraint crumbled and their pleasure overflowed all of the boundaries that the couple thought they knew. Breathing heavily in the aftermath of their experience, Jeremy brushed the stray curls away from Candy's face as he kissed her cheek gently before smiling ruefully;
"You see? I told you, angel heart, I can promise you that I feel a lot of things right now, but disappointment isn't anywhere on that list."
Shifting onto his back, Jeremy wrapped his arms around Candy to ask;
"But how about you, are you disappointed?"
Sighing in contentment as she curled herself close against his side, Candy ventured;
"Very far from it. But are you SURE that... well, you know?"
Nodding, Jeremy vowed;
"Sweetheart, I promise, you are the first and you will be the only woman who I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing what we just experience with. I never cared for the idea of 'gaining experience', I wanted to share something as sacred as what we just did with the woman that I loved more than anything else or anyone else in the world. In short; I wanted my first experience to be with the woman of my dreams and fantasies, YOU, my love"
Blushing from the pleasure of his statement, Candy found herself giggling slightly as a sudden thought occurred to her. Curiosity spurring his words, Jeremy demanded;
"Alright, my darling bride, just what is so amusing, especially after I just poured my heart and emotions out to you?"
Shaking her head, she offered;
"I'm sorry, love, it's just that, I think I understand why Lottie and everyone joke so much about Jemma and Aaron and the idea of them having a baby every year. Mind you if those two, and Jason and Julie's experiences are half as pleasurable as what we just enjoyed, I think it's safe to say that the Bolts and Stempel might well help raise the population of Seattle quite significantly."
Understanding her logic, Jeremy couldn't help but laugh as he pointed out;
"Pixie did that with Jacob and Amie and that was her first crack at childbirth, just imagine the rest of us."
Deciding to take advantage of his good humor, Candy found herself asking;
"Jeremy, are we going to San Francisco for our honeymoon?"
Chuckling slightly, Jeremy chastised lightly;
"Now, Candy, I told you, that's a surprise You'll see soon enough, I promise."
Noticing the look of fatigue in her eyes as well as how she tried to hide a yawn behind her hand, Jeremy reached over to lower the bedside lamp as he was beginning to feel tired himself. Turning to gaze lovingly on the long prayed and hoped for treasure that he found his bride to be, he offered;
"I think that we've both had a long, but very wonderful day, and very magical night, my heart, so how about we get some rest?"
Nodding as she snuggled a bit closer to lay her head on her husband's shoulder as she closed her eyes, Candy mumbled sleepily;
"I agree. Good night, my darling husband."
Placing a kiss on her forehead and noticing how she was already on the verge of sleep, Jeremy returned;
"Good night, my darling wife."
Holding her close to him, Jeremy closed his eyes, feeling a new sense of happiness and security as he let himself drift off to sleep as he held the woman of his dreams in his arms.