(More than fair warning, this is Jack and Elizabeth's wedding night …Some of you may wish to have your ice bucket ready…)

The Wedding Night

As guests continued dancing and eating wedding cake, Jack and Elizabeth spent time talking with family. "Elizabeth, may I have a dance with my daughter?" William Thatcher escorted his lovely daughter to the dance floor, even appearing to wipe away a tear. Jack watched lovingly for moment before asking his mother to dance with him. Mary Thornton reluctantly accompanied her son, shy to dance in front of so many people, but proud to be on the arm of her son.

Bill touched Abigail's shoulder, "May I have a dance with you?"

"What took you so long? I'd be honored," Abigail took Bill's arm, "This has been such a beautiful day."

"Yes, I'm very happy for them," Bill said, "I'm pretty happy for me too, dancing with such a beautiful lady."

Abigail shook her head as they danced around the room.

Soon Elizabeth and Jack were dancing with each other again.

Jack licked his lips, looking into Elizabeth's eyes, "Ah, are you almost ready to leave?"

She looked away nervously, but quickly looked right back into his eyes "Yes, I am…" she answered softly but confidently, determined to ignore her nerves.

Jack pulled her a bit closer, glancing around the room before whispering in her ear, "I'm looking forward to being alone with you."

"Why is that?" she asked.

He fought a laugh, knowing she was being coy, "Just to kiss you, in private."

"Is that all?" she ran her finger around his collar just below his ear, enticing him.

His jaw tightened, "maybe…"

"Maybe not," she looked into his eyes.

He grinned, "definitely not."

Jack looked as Vernon walked toward them, "Excuse me Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, but the bride's father asked if I would give you a ride to your home…whenever you're ready."

"Thank you," Jack responded, looking down at Elizabeth who forced a smile. "It's okay, like he said, whenever you're ready."

As Jack turned Elizabeth reached for him and tugged him back, "I'm ready, so let's start to say good bye to our guests."

Jack grinned and took her hand. They walked around the room, accepting well wishes and dispensing hugs. "I'm exhausted!" Elizabeth said.

"Don't say that," Jack said, tilting his head he gave her a wink. She smiled at him and they headed for the door.

Jack turned and faced their guests, "Elizabeth and I want to thank you all for making this day so special and memorable. It's meant so much to us to have you all celebrate with us. Thank you." The room erupted with applause and shouts of good wishes.

Jack took his wife's hand and they exited the saloon to their waiting carriage. Jack jumped up and assisted Elizabeth, who tossed her bouquet into the hands of Abigail, who smiled, while Julie scowled playfully. Bill's eyebrows rose as he smiled at Abigail who promptly handed the bouquet to a squealing Julie. Elizabeth looked on smiling and mouthed 'thank you' to Abigail.

Vernon clicked the reigns and the carriage rolled out of town. They rode in silence, glancing at each other, until finally Jack spoke, "We had a beautiful wedding," he brought her hand to his lips.

"Yes, we did," she smiled at him kissing her rings, "thank you."

"You did all the work, I just showed up, just like you told me to," Jack said.

"Ahh, the start of a good marriage," she laughed, looking at him out of the corner of her eye.

At the house, Jack jumped down, "Thank you Vernon."

"My pleasure, I'll see you folks tomorrow about noon and we'll head to Banff."

Elizabeth carefully stepped from the carriage, "Yes, thank you Vernon….oh!" Jack scooped her up into his arms and ran up to the porch with her secure in his hold.

Jack squeezed her, "I've been waiting a long time to carry my beautiful bride across the threshold," he kicked the door open.

"Oh my, you're like a bull," she said, eyes wide.

Jack grinned and made a grunting sound as he carried her through the doorway straight into their bedroom. He gently placed her onto the floor and took her in his arms about to kiss her.

"Wait," she said, Jack's expression of disappointment evident for a moment until she unbuttoned his jacket and slid her arms around him, pressing her hands against his white shirt into his muslces, "Hmm, I've been wanting to do this all day," she looked up at him.

"Hmmm, you know how much I love that." He put his hand under her chin and kissed her lips, "hmm, I love that too."

She pulled back, looking over his shoulder, "Look! Someone's been here." The room had vases of flowers on every tabletop next to flickering candles and near the fireplace was a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

"Nice," Jack smiled, "would you like some champagne?"

She nodded, "just a little." She watched him before she walked to a table and inhaled the fragrant flowers.

Jack offered her a glass, "Here's to my beautiful bride after a perfect wedding. I love you with all my heart," he clinked her glass.

"Here's to my wonderful husband, I love you with all my heart…" she sipped, put the glass down and walked toward her closet.

"Where are you going?' he asked.

She pointed, "I was just going…"

He put his glass down and extended his hand, "Dance with me one more time, in that beautiful wedding gown," his look so loving.

She went to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. He pulled her close and swayed for a moment before kissing her. His hand firmly on her back, she smiled as she felt his fingers investigating the buttons of her gown. "Do you like my gown?"

Jack stepped back and gazed over her, "Yes, very much, you make a beautiful bride...stunning," he looked into her eyes as he stepped closer.

"Thank you," she said.

He looked down at her gown, "These little pearls," he ran his finger over several, "so delicate. Someone spent a long time making this."

"Yes," she closed her eyes, "obviously it wasn't me." They both laughed softly…feeling the nervousness between them.

Jack moved his hand to her waist, "Elizabeth…"

She ran her finger across his lips, "I should take this veil off, will you help me?"

He nodded and touched her hair, "it's beautiful," he reached up but pulled back, he didn't know how to remove her veil, he laughed nervously so Elizabeth reached up and removed the the veil and laid it on the dresser, looking over her shoulder at him, she removed her tiara and laid it next to the veil. When she went to remove a hair clip, Jack took her arm, "Let me…" he pulled her back to him and he removed the clips, fingering her hair as it tumbled down over her shoulders, "you have the softest hair, so pretty." She touched his face and they kissed. "Can I help you with anything else?"

She nodded, pulled her skirt and began lifting the fabric with her fingers, "Can you untie my shoes?"

He looked down to see her foot pointed out from under her gown and nodded, "Sure." He crouched down as she held her skirt up at her knee. He pulled the grosgrain ribbon bow and her shoe untied and he gently removed it. He glanced up at her and then looked at her leg, seeing the glimpse of something lacey on her thigh. He pushed the dress up a bit more and touched her garter, tugging on the little blue ribbon decoration.

"Oh that doesn't hold it on, it …it just slides off…my leg," she said watching him, as he touched the garter with both hands, sliding his fingers under it and slowly dragged it down her leg, opening his hands as he did so, gently caressing her leg. Elizabeth gasped from his touch, watching as he slipped the garter from her foot. He held it and looked up at her. She dropped her skirt, "I can do the other one."

He stood, kissed the garter and put it in his pocket. At his gesture, she changed her mind, "Maybe you should do the other one…" she stuck her foot out from under her gown.

He crouched down, untied and removed the shoe. "Is there a garter on this leg too?" He held her foot.

She smiled, "Two legs, two garters…" she began to lift her skirt, but he reached up under her skirt, running his hands up her leg surprising Elizabeth who let out a soft squeal, "Oh …"

Jack pulled the second garter off as he did the first one, his hands running down her leg. He stood, stared her in the eye and tossed the garter, "I only need one."

She felt her pulse quicken, "Oh…" He kissed her and she leaned back against the wall in response, her hands grabbing on to his shoulders as his kisses traveled to her neck and followed the neckline of her gown. She held him tightly afraid she would faint from his movements. "Turn around," he whispered breathing at her neckline.

"Why?" she sighed.

He stared down at her gown, "I can help you out of this gown."

She looked at him, her big blue eyes showing hesitation, but his seductive smile and twinkling eyes helped her slowly turn, her body taking over. He pushed her hair over her shoulder and began unbuttoning her gown. Elizabeth shivered slightly every time he unbuttoned a button, his touch firm and determined. When he got past her shoulders, she felt his hands push the fabric to her arms and his lips touched her skin, as he continued unbuttoning. She heard him chuckle softly and he put his chin on her shoulder, "I love these little buttons, but did you have to get a gown with so many of them?" When he reached the final buttons just below her waist, he ran a single finger down her spine, stopping at her corset, "Now this I've seen before."

She pressed the now loose gown to her chest, "Jack..." She felt his fingers touching her lower back and gasped when he slid his hand inside the gown and move from her waist to her hip. She quickly spun around, holding her gown in place. Jack put one hand on the wall near her head, "I'm sorry…"

His bashful smile touched her and she stared at him as she slid her arm out of one sleeve and then the other as he watched. "I think I'll get changed…now…"she motioned her head toward her dressing room.

Jack took a sleeve in his hand, "Okay… I know it's not cold, but I'll start a small fire in our fireplace, would you like that?" he rubbed the soft fabric between his fingers.

"Yes, I would," she said, unable to look away.

"Okay….don't be long…" he kissed her softly.

She smiled and slipped into her room. Jack looked at her gown opened in the back, never having seen her like that, admiring her form, she was indeed a beautiful woman.

Elizabeth scurried to the corner of the closet, clutching her gown, "Oh my goodness," she said to herself. She waited until she heard Jack on the other side of the room and dropped her gown, fanning herself with her hands. She struggled with her corset, sighing with exasperation.

Jack heard her, "You okay in there? You need any help?"

"No, no I'm fine…thank you," She frowned at herself for being so loud as she finished removing her clothes and stockings. She held up the negligee and slid it over her head, smoothing the fabric, uncomfortable with the way the length didn't go to her knees. She looked in the mirror quickly but looked away, not accustomed to seeing herself this way. She tied the two ribbon bows securing the top in place, picked up her hairbrush and began brushing out her hair. She applied some perfume and took a deep breath.

In the bedroom, Jack took a gulp of champagne as he looked at the bed. He removed his jacket, removed her lace garter from his pocket, smiling he placed it on a shelf in his closet. He removed his cuff links and rolled up his sleeves a bit, removed his shoes and socks, took a deep breath and went to the fireplace. He crouched down, assembled the firebox, scratched a flame and took the fire poker from the assorted tools in the stand. As he stared at the growing flame, he was momentarily lost in the thought of touching her legs, removing her shoes and those garters.

Elizabeth tip-toed to the doorway and saw Jack at the fireplace. She put one foot on top of the other waiting for him to notice her standing there.

Jack was lost in his thoughts until the fire crackled bringing him back to reality and he looked to the doorway and saw Elizabeth standing there. She was so lovely, wearing something so delicate and pretty, but all he could see were her long legs, her hair cascading around her, the nervous movements of her hands. He stood up, "Oh…my….,"attempting to put the fireplace poker with the other tools in the stand, but knocked them all over causing a crashing metal sound of everything toppling over. He reached for them, but they fell to the floor in a pile.

Elizabeth screamed and ran back into the dressing room, into her safe corner near the window.

"Oh no….Elizabeth! Wait!" Jack stumbled to his feet, pushing the fireplace tools against the wall, "Wait! Elizabeth…come back!" He went to the doorway shaking his head at his fumble.

Elizabeth cowered near the window, her back against the wall, taking deep breaths.

"May I come in?" Jack asked, clenching the doorjamb.

"Yes…"

Jack slowly went to her, "I'm sorry…"

"No, I never should have worn this…" she covered herself with her hands, "so revealing, I must look ridiculous." She reached for a robe and held it front of her, scrunched in her fist.

Jack went to touch her and pulled his hand away, "No…no…you look beautiful," he put a hand on the wall next to her head and leaned closer to her, "you took my breath away…I…I'm just clumsy…you just look so gorgeous," he looked at her, "this…this…dress is so pretty."

Elizabeth tried not to smile, "Negligee," she whispered, correcting him.

"Negligee? Well you wear it well," he smiled, taking the robe from her clenched hand, "so put this down, you don't look ridiculous at all." He kissed her lips. She turned and looked out the window.

Jack stared at the floor for a long moment, trying to gather his thoughts, "Elizabeth, I won't deny I've thought about this day…this night for a long time. I love you so much and my heart is so full of….love and feelings for you," he pressed his fingertips against his chest, "feelings that I don't even know how to express. I'm not always good at words, but I can tell you that you never look ridiculous. I'm nervous about saying or doing something stupid. But I'm not nervous about you...you're a beautiful woman and you've totally stolen my heart. I want to make you feel safe and loved. I'm so happy we got married today, I'll never forget the sight of my gorgeous bride walking down the aisle to me…and now, well now, I can't even say how you looking this way makes me feel..."

Elizabeth grabbed his face and breathlessly kissed him, so touched by his words. "I love you Jack Thornton, with all my heart, I'm so honored and happy to be your wife. I don't want to be nervous or scared, because I trust you...and I love you. I just want to be your wife." She reached her arms around him and they held each other for a long moment. Jack pressed his head against her, so happy she was okay.

Finally, Jack pulled back, smiling nervously, "Maybe we should try this again and I'll try not to knock over and crash everything in the room, okay?" They both giggled softly and he moved a curl from her face, "Besides I really don't want to spend my wedding night standing in a closet talking to you," he smiled, catching a laugh in his throat.

Elizabeth grinned, "You don't?" her brow creased, teasing him, and she touched his chest, "No…that wouldn't be very much fun…"

Jack shook his head, "We can do better than that…" he stepped back, his gaze moving from her toes to her face, "you're so beautiful. I know I keep saying it, but it's true." He touched her hand, "I'm going to go back out there…so don't stay in here okay?"

She nodded and he left. She took several deep breaths, looked in the mirror and went back to the doorway.

Jack was at the fireplace and he turned, surprised to see her in the doorway so quickly, he was overwhelmed again by the sight of her, her negligee outlining her body, her hands nervously tugging on the hem. He couldn't resist and he rushed to her and pulled her into his arms, pleased when her arms wrapped around him. Their kisses grew more passionate as he ran his hands up and down her back over the silk fabric. Elizabeth squeezed his shoulders and he moaned appreciatively at her actions, how he loved her touch. His lips dragged along her neck and she ran her hands through his hair, "How much I love you Elizabeth…" he whispered as he pulled her against him, his hands moving over her hips as his fingers pressed into her.

She pushed back and he pulled her closer, she pushed back again and put her finger up and moved to the side. He was confused, "Where are you going?" She moved silently and slowly around to his back, kneading his shoulders with her hands. He closed his eyes enjoying the sensation and placed his hands against the wall as she continued to rub his shoulders. She moved to his neck with her fingertips and Jack's head fell forward enjoying the sensation. He straightened when she grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled it down exposing his shoulders, planting little kisses on his skin, "I've always loved your shoulders…so …strong," her voice low and sultry. Jack exhaled, barely containing himself at her actions. She pulled the shirt lower, her fingers raking down his arms as she pulled, her kisses beginning a trail down his back forcing him to drop his arms to his side. When she got his shirt sleeves to his wrists, she bunched up the entire shirt in her hands, trapping his arms and hands momentarily as she continued kissing the skin of his back. Jack looked up, breathing through his teeth at her ministrations. Her kisses and hands holding his shirt at his wrists made him feel both uncomfortable and explosive. He felt her squeeze his shirt as she kissed his back. Elizabeth loved him and now wanted him to know she loved all of him. He jolted forward slightly when Elizabeth yanked the shirt free and tossed it on the floor. Her hands wrapping around his chest up to his shoulders and when she pressed her body against his, he sank, feeling a warmth flood over him as she pressed against him. It was new... It was enticing... He never before allowed himself to feel the whole of her body against his. Whenever he'd held her before, he was holding Elizabeth…his sweet, innocent Elizabeth. This was different, this was the woman he loved, the woman he desired and the sensation took his breath away. He felt all her curves, the heat radiating from her body to his and he smiled.

She continued touching his chest, kissing his back, rubbing her cheek against his smooth skin. Jack pressed his hands against the wall, controlling his want to touch her… his need to touch her. He enjoyed everything she was doing to him. Her hands moved from his chest and traveled lower, pressing into him with her fingers. Her hand touched his trousers and rubbed against his belt, Jack hissed when her fingers began to unbutton his trousers. He knew he had to stop her and when she raised her leg against his leg in a soft caress, he inhaled and in one swift move pulled her hands up to his chest to feel his pounding heart while he steadied his own breathing. They stayed like that for a moment, he felt her breath on his back. Jack brought her hands to his lips and kissed them softly, tenderly before he turned around and looked into her eyes, they were dewy and seductive, a look he'd never seen on her before. Not a word was spoken as he pulled the first ribbon free on her negligee. The material fell away slightly and she looked up at him. He ran his finger along her skin and she closed her eyes enjoying the sensation his touch sent through her body. She smiled sweetly at him and he pulled her into his embrace and they shared a passionate kiss before he lifted her and carried her toward the bed.

He placed her down gently on the floor and pulled back the covers. His gaze was loving and genuine and he kissed her. He turned away and removed his trousers as she slid onto the bed. He crawled in beside her, never taking his eyes off her. They shared a tender kiss.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," she responded, running her finger down his arm. She moved her foot against his foot and he smiled. "I love your smile," she said.

"You always know how to make me smile," he kissed her nose.

They joined hands for a moment and he ran his lips across her fingers.

She sighed, watching him. She reached up and gently touched his face, then moved her hand to her hip and he untied the second ribbon on her negligee, revealing more of her skin. He looked at her, "You're so beautiful…in every way... Mrs. Thornton."

Jack reached down, pulled the sheet over them and moved his hand.

The End