FYI Hearties, the end of this chapter is where it starts to get a little steamier, leading into the next chapter.

Once Lee and Rosemary arrived at Coney Island, fond memories flooded Rosemary from all the times she had been there, both during her childhood and during the time she lived in New York City. Lee was looking around as if he was ten years old again, and usually Rosemary was the one bouncing around like a toddler on a sugar rush. Rosemary smiled and grabbed his hand, Lee squeezing it once he felt her hand in his. He glanced over at her, wondering how on Earth he was lucky enough to be able to marry such an amazing woman. Sure, Rosemary had her annoying qualities: she could be loud and obnoxious, she talked all the time and barely allowed him to get a word in edgewise, she was intrusive, and she always stuck her nose into everyone else's business. He also knew it might take him awhile to get her used to the idea of children, but he wasn't in a rush to have them right now. All he currently wanted was to get to know Rosemary Coulter better. The woman who had a smile as big as the moon, whose big heart and bold spirit always meant a great adventure. The woman who might be a bit outspoken, but always gave great advice when someone needed it the most. The woman who had a flair for the dramatic, who loved the theater, and was very passionate about the things and people she loved. The woman who, despite her outgoing, independent personality, had vowed to love him and spend the rest of her life with him. The woman who was now his wife.

"Sweetheart!" Rosemary yelled to get his attention.

"Hmm? What?" Lee brought himself back to reality.

"What did you want to do first? There's food, there's games, there's rides, though I do recommend rides before food," she chuckled.

"I didn't know you liked riding rides," he commented amusingly.

"Well, not as much as when I was a kid, but there are a few good ones. I got pretty good at throwing the rings into the clown's mouth on the carrousel," she grinned proudly.

Lee couldn't help but laugh at how cute she was when she bragged about herself. Annoying sometimes, yes, but also adorable, "Well Mrs. Coulter, I am pretty good at throwing rings, baseballs, and horseshoes myself. Let's make this interesting, we'll see who can get the most rings in the clown's mouth, loser pays for dinner."

"It's our honeymoon, you're supposed to pay for dinner either way," smirked Rosemary.

"Okay, loser pays for the champagne tonight."

"How about loser pays for hot dogs for lunch?" Rosemary raised her eyebrows.

Lee sighed, "Fair enough," he kissed her and they headed to the carrousel. After they had ridden it twice to which Rosemary had beaten Lee in a landslide both times, they stepped off their horses and Lee looked at Rosemary with wide eyes, the latter having a smug smirk plastered on her face, "You weren't kidding when you said you could throw rings well, were you?"

"Well, given the fact that I would beat Jack at shooting every time we would go to the range when we were kids in Ottawa, I don't see why ring tossing should be any different. Looks like you're paying for hot dogs."

After riding a few more rides, the newlyweds decided to have lunch. Lee paid for the hot dogs for losing the bet, though Rosemary made up for it by buying the ice cream cones for dessert. Of course, Rosemary decided to have two cotton candies after eating a chocolate ice cream cone and Lee thought that a twenty-nine year old woman wouldn't run circles around him from a sugar high. He was wrong. In fact, it seemed as if the parents with young children had more control than he did. He didn't mind though. That childlike nature and energy she possessed had completely captured his heart. One thing was for sure; life had never been dull since he had met Rosemary and he was absolutely certain married life wasn't going to be any different.

Once Rosemary calmed down some (or her version of being calm), they went back to their hotel room to relax and freshen up before dinner that night. Since it was their first night, Rosemary had insisted they do something cheaper and she took Lee to Lombardi's for pizza. Given the fact that Lee acted like he had never eaten pizza before in his life, she knew it would pay off later tonight. After the dinner, Rosemary took Lee to go see Times Square lit up before settling in for the night. The couple arrived back at their hotel room and Lee could tell Rosemary was nervous again. Her usual liveliness had toned down significantly. She set her clutch down on the desk and sat down on the couch in the sitting area. Lee sat down next to her and kissed her temple. He rubbed her back gently, "You know this is something we're both supposed to enjoy."

"I know," said Rosemary, "And I want to…I just think it'll take some getting used to, that's all. I mean…the other night….it was a little awkward having you see me, you know…?" she looked around the room, even though she knew it was just her and Lee, "Naked."

Lee chuckled, "Well, I can't say it was any less uncomfortable for me, either," Rosemary smiled and relaxed in his arms, knowing she wasn't alone in her insecurity. Lee touched her face and brought her head up so he could look into her eyes. He stroked her cheek with his thumb before he leaned in to kiss her. Rosemary reveled in the feeling of feeling his lips against her own, a nervous energy beginning to build in her belly. Lee pulled back, much to Rosemary's disappointment, and said, "Why don't we order some champagne and try to set the mood some? Maybe the alcohol will relax you a bit."

Rosemary nodded and Lee went to the bedroom to order the champagne, "Oh honey?" he turned back around, "We might be a little hungry afterwards…and I noticed there were cinnamon buns on the menu."

Lee sighed amusingly, "I'll request some of those too."

Rosie smiled and kissed him on the cheek. He disappeared into the bedroom and she took an uneasy breath. She grabbed one of the negligees and her robe and went into the bathroom. She quickly undressed herself and unlaced her corset before she pulled the nightgown over her head. Rosemary admired herself in the mirror, smiling softly to herself. Sure, she was wearing next to nothing; the lingerie barely covered her bosom and private areas. But somehow, in that moment, she felt an incredible sense of peace wash over her. Sure, her body wasn't model perfect, but Lee's hadn't been either. They both had stumbled over each other just trying to figure out the whole process, let alone doing anything fancy. They had both been anxious, probably having done just enough to officially consummate the marriage. But, she had to admit to herself, she had never felt closer to Lee in her life. Even as vulnerable as she had felt just a few short nights ago, somehow their helplessness during the entire thing had bonded them even more. Chills ran down her spine at the memory of Lee seeing her for the first time. He had been absolutely mesmerized. The look on his face and in his eyes had been one of pure, genuine love. Not even their engagement or their wedding ceremony had made him obtain this particular look of endearment; only their wedding night had.

And then, she thought back to her Maman talking about how she met her Papa when he was first stationed in Quebec City, and how she knew immediately that he was the one. She had also talked about how when you met the person God had created for you to marry, you would gain a feeling like you had never felt beforehand. She also recalled how at church, the priests, the pastors, and the Bible would always talk about how abundant and extraordinary the conjugal act was and how it would bond a married couple closer to each other and to God. And now, she finally knew what everyone was talking about in regards to that; sure, she was still friends with Jack (and always would be, Lee knew that), and they were both pretty close to everyone in Hope Valley. But the intercourse would be something shared between just the two of them and them alone. It would be what would make their relationship unique and special. And it was the best feeling in the world.

"Rosie? Sweetheart?" Lee knocked on the bathroom door.

Rosie jumped at the sound as she had been completely lost in her own thoughts. She hastily threw her robe on and opened the bathroom door, "Sorry, honey. I just got lost in my own little head."

Lee chuckled and kissed her, "That's alright." At this point, he had changed into his pajamas as well, "The champagne and cinnamon rolls arrived," she smiled and grabbed his hand, leading him back into the living room. He poured two glasses and held it up, "To married life."

She clinked her glass against his, "To being married to you," they both took a sip and sat back down on the couch, "Even though we're both terrible at married life right now."

"Rosie, we've been married for two days," reminded Lee.

Rosemary sighed nervously, "I know," she grabbed his hand and stroked it with her thumb, "I guess it's just that…I'm so good at nearly everything. I can cook, I can design clothes and sew, I can ride horses, I can skillfully shoot a gun, I can sing, I can play piano, I can act, boy, am I a good actress. Everyone in this city knows that…"

"Rosie?" Lee raised an eyebrow.

"What I'm trying to say is, I'm so good at a lot of things, even wifely things like cooking, cleaning, laundry, but I'm afraid I'll never get good at 'being a wife'," Rosemary vented, using air quotes for emphasis, "I'm usually so confident, but now, even though we've already done the marital act once, I still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing."

Lee gave her a look of astonishment, "And you think I feel any more confident? My entire life, I was devoted to opening a saw mill, and then, you came along," he waved his hand at her jokingly and she giggled with amusement, "But, it's not like we have to have everything figured out tonight or tomorrow or even by the end of next week. We have the rest of our lives to learn how to be married."

Rosemary sighed and leaned into his embrace, "Can I ask you something?"

Lee frowned but nodded, "Of course."

"What happens if…?" Rosemary trailed off and started to cry, "What if a few weeks from now, we find out…" she wiped away the tears running down her cheeks, "What if we find out that there's a sticky little Coulter on the way? I mean, sex leads to babies," she whispered softly, stating the obvious, "We can't possibly adjust to married life AND parenthood at the same time," she began to panic, "If you think I don't know how to be a wife, I REALLY don't know how to be a mother! The noise, the sleepless nights, the getting fat, the diapers, oh goodness, those smelly diapers…"

"Hold up, Rosie," interrupted Lee and she stopped talking, "Listen, if that happens during this trip, then we'll learn the way we always do. Together," Rosemary sighed, not completely relieved, but enough to relax a little. Maybe the champagne was starting to take effect, "But, for right now, try not to think about that. We'll cross that bridge when we get there," Rosemary finished her champagne and she placed her glass down on the coffee table. Lee glanced towards the bedroom and then back to his wife, "So, um, are you ready, Rosie?" he asked, a slight quiver in his voice.

Rosemary smirked, "As ready as we'll both ever be right now. But I think I have a little something to get us in the mood."

She stood and seductively pulled off her robe, revealing the light pink laced lingerie underneath it, "Whoa!" Lee exclaimed, nearly dropping his champagne glass. Thankfully, it was empty. He quickly set the glass on the table, grabbed Rosemary's hand and pulled her towards the bedroom, "Did I mention I'm really enjoying married life?"

Rosemary laughed. Leave it to Lee to use humor to ease the pressure. They both entered the bedroom and Lee shut the door behind him. He gazed at Rosemary in her nightgown, "Gosh you're…what word do you want me to use?"

"Well, the other day, I was going for breathtaking," she shivered.

Lee laid his hands on her shoulders, "Yeah, breathtaking."