HAPPY EASTER

I'm just a bit disappointed that 100 readers read the last chapter and I only got 6 reviews. Was it a bad chapter? You all get the enjoyment of reading my words. I get enjoyment in reading yours. Please review!-NL

WEDDING JITTERS

AS USUAL, IAN WOKE ME TO KISS ME GOOD BYE and as usual I didn't hear the alarm even though I watched him set it to nine thirty the night before.

"The kids get out of school at one o'clock. Go check out the reception hall after lunch."

"Will I see you at lunch?"

"No, I'll see you at dinner and afterwards I have a surprise for you." He kissed me passionately even though I hadn't brushed my teeth and he was gone.

I got up and went to the bathroom. Maggie and Maria were in the living room watching a game show on the TV. I went to the kitchen to forage for food and I found Lily there sitting at the kitchen table sipping her coffee.

"Did Burns leave you too?"

"Yes, he said he had to meet the guys for work."

I sighed. "Welcome to my life on the mountain. What can we do today? You know what? We could dance."

"You want me to dance?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Because I've got two left feet."

"No you don't. You have a right one and a left. I can see them from here."

"That's not what I meant."

"Oh, come on, I'll teach you and you can do some stretching exercises with me. It'll be fun."

"Where are we supposed to do this?"

"Hmmm. Good question. We can't do it here because of the TV. The reception hall is being used for school and then lunch. The cave is too cold. We could cramp up and that wouldn't be good. I know? The root cellar?"

"Isn't it cold in there?"

"Not if we do laundry. The dryers heat it up quickly when the door is closed."

We grabbed a bowl of cereal and then scraped together laundry and I grabbed my music and off we went to the root cellar. Kim was already there doing her laundry so the dryers had already warmed up the place. I laid a blanket on the floor so we could do our stretching and Kim joined us.

We spend several hours in the root cellar. I taught the girls some simple moves as well as couple dancing. We took turns being the 'guy'. I got a good workout and I was happy with how I spent my afternoon. We missed lunch but we didn't care. Afterwards, we helped Kim fold her laundry and then Kim, Lily, and I went searching for lunch leftovers. Kim thanked us for making her day interesting. I invited her to join us again tomorrow. I had intentions on keeping up my routine as I had in the caverns. I was glad to have others to dance with me. After we ate Lily and I headed over to the reception hall. It was completely painted with the same rose color that was in Trudy and Geoffrey's room. The wall across from the door was painted with a mural of lace and flowers flowing from left to right. It reminded me of an Italian painting. It was beautiful. The floor did not have carpet but was tiled although it looked like a hardwood floor. It was lovely. The arbor had been set up. It was devoid of flowers but these were things I would have to go into town to get. I needed to remind Burns that he would need to get back at least two days before the wedding because I would need a vehicle to go and get the last minute things like the flowers, and the food. I would also have to let Max and Miranda know that I would have to start decorating on Wednesday after school. School would either have to be cancelled or moved to another location for Thursday and Friday. Lily and I removed all the gowns and tuxedos from the van and hung them in the living room closet. I thought it was odd that the living room had a wall closet but it seems that the living room was actually two rooms. Two walls had been knocked down creating the large living room we saw now. The house was actually built with three bedrooms.

Ian, Burns, and Nate arrived just before dinner and they each took turns in the shower. After dinner, Ian grabbed a pair of my heels from the closet and he led me to the root cellar. I laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"I spent several hours here today with Lily and Kim. We danced."

"Well, you didn't dance with me."

His mother was waiting for us. "Wanda. So good to see you. Ian has been practicing. Did he tell you?"

"No. He didn't. I guess he should be pretty good if he's been practicing."

Ian spoke now. "My mother had Burns pick up this CD. It's what she calls the ultimate love song slash dance CD from the eighties." He held up the case. It was Lionel Ritchie's greatest hits. "If you don't mind, I have chosen the song I would like to dance to with you on our wedding day." I was blown away that he even cared about such things. "I have danced to most of the songs on this CD so anything you choose to dance to will be okay with me."

"I thought you chose the song."

"I have but we will be dancing to more than one song, won't we?"

I put on my shoes and Maggie put on the CD. The first song was 'Hello' which is a lovely song. Ian pulled me into a dance hold and as the music began he confidently took me around the room. I nearly fell down simply because I was shocked at his abilities. Ian caught me. "You're supposed to be the dancer here."

"Ian, you did this for me?"

"Of course I did. I practice every day for one hour."

We practiced together for one hour and Maggie showed us some salsa steps for some of the faster dances. I was elated that he had taken my passion for dance so seriously. After our dance lesson we went to the game room and it was packed with people. There were three tables of cards going on. One was poker with the usual gang, Holly, Blake, Victoria, Carl, and Burns. They invited Ian to join as soon as he arrived. Apparently they had anticipated his arrival. The second table was gin rummy with the younger crowd, Jamie, Megan, Sarah, Carlos. The last table was a game of hearts. I had never played this before so I had an interest in watching this game. Kyle played with Rachel and Rob and Kim and Ian's dad.

As usual, Nate was running the pool table. "Hey, Beautiful, care for a lesson?"

"Sure. I always enjoy learning from you." Kyle shot me a dirty look. I ignored him.

Nate racked the balls. "Do you want to break or should I?"

"You break."

Nate and I played and I remembered the things he had taught me strategy wise and used them when I could. He was impressed. Between hands, Victoria got up and went to the kitchen. She came back with a six pack of beer and handed one to Ian, Kyle, Aaron, Nate, Holly, and herself. I said nothing. I promised myself I wouldn't get upset unless Ian had more than four drinks or if he showed me some sign that he was going down a bad path. Whenever it was Nate's turn and I could see that he would be slapping them in for a while I would go over by Ian. I faced Nate to watch his expertise but Ian always put his arm around me and slowly caressed his hand up and down my outer thigh. He didn't look at me and I didn't look at him. He paid attention to his game and I paid attention to mine but we both understood the importance of this ritual. There were times when Nate would be very hands on showing me how to make a specific shot. Ian sat with his back to me as he had done in the past but Kyle could see everything and he showed his disapproval in his face. Kyle was the second person to come back with a six pack of beer. Sunny wasn't here to keep him from getting drunk so he handed out a beer to everyone except Ian. Instead, he asked Ian if he was continuing to drink. I was witness to this transaction. Ian did not answer Kyle but nodded his head and tapped his finger on the table to indicate that he put the beer down. Kyle gripped Ian's shoulder as if to console him. I was confused by this action because I felt that I had done nothing that would warrant his need to be consoled. I was wondering if he and Kyle had spoken to each other about something that I was unaware of. When Nate and I finished this game, I told Nate I didn't want to play anymore. I could tell by the look in Nate's eyes that he understood my wish to assure Ian of my need for his attention.

I approached Ian as he was chugging down his second beer.

"Is this seat taken?" I asked as I sat in his lap.

"There's plenty of room for you," Ian said still focusing on his cards.

I sat so he could move easily and hold his cards comfortably. I made no face even though I knew when he had a good hand and when he was bluffing. I didn't want to give him a reason to kick me off his lap. When it was his turn to deal he said to me. "Babe, you think you could grab another six pack from the kitchen?" He looked at me for the first time. He was not smiling. I was hurt but I didn't want to show it.

I stroked his face and kissed him quickly. "Sure, anything you want."

When I came back there was another chair next to Ian that he had obviously put there for me to sit in so I wouldn't have to sit in his lap. I handed the beer out to everyone. I walked over to Ian and gave him his beer and then I dragged the chair to another table. I came back to Ian. "I'm not sitting there." He ignored me. I turned to walk away and he reached out and grabbed my wrist. He pulled me towards him.

"I thought you might be more comfortable." He looked at me in earnest. "Don't you know that you are my good luck charm?"

I smiled and sat back in his lap. He won the next three hands. "You see? When I'm focused on you they can't tell if I'm bluffing." He kissed me for the first time tonight and he smelled like beer which I did not particularly care for. Nate went for another beer run. He came back and handed everyone a beer. I vowed I would not say anything since Ian still had his wits about him. When Nate came to Ian, Ian raised his hand. "I'm good. Thanks anyway." I let out a sigh of relief. Ian caressed my arm to let me know he was aware of my fears. He played two more hands and called it a night. He left the table a winner in more ways than one. When we got in the house he went to bathroom and brushed his teeth and gargled with mouthwash.

He came back to the room and crawled over the top of me. "You know if you drank just one you wouldn't notice the beer breath on me."

"How do you know it bothers me?"

"I could tell by the way you kissed me in the game room."

"I'm sorry; I just wanted you to make love to me tonight because I think tomorrow I may not be able to."

"Wonderful. Thanks for the heads up."

The next week went by quickly. I took Ice with me to town to get supplies and more alcohol. At night Ian and I danced after dinner and then we went to the game room or we watched TV. Ian was up and gone by seven thirty every morning. I hung with Lily and Trudy and Kim and we danced most days. One day the four of us volunteered to prepare the meals for the day. Nate and I played pool but Kyle was always watching us. It made me feel uncomfortable. I couldn't be sure if Victoria and Nate were still fulfilling each other's needs and I didn't want to ask. Blake showed an interest in Victoria and she seemed pleased by this but again it was hard to tell where if anywhere this flirtation had gone. At the end of the week Ice and Aaron left to go back to the caverns.

Ian and his crew finished carpeting and painting the bathroom and the last room in the bunkhouse. There were only three days left until the wedding. The guests were on their way and were due to arrive tonight. I gained control of the reception hall after school let out. Victoria, Lily, Maggie, and Kim all helped me set up the hall. The following day Burns went with me to pick up things that we still needed. It was a quick trip that didn't take much of the day.

That evening after dinner Ian said to me, 'Let's go for a walk'. I didn't think much of it. I figured he wanted some peace and quiet since there were so many people everywhere. The root cellar had become the make shift game room and the house was constantly filled with people. Ian walked me to the cave and led me in. I knew I wasn't supposed to go in after dark so I pulled on Ian's arm.

"I don't belong in here."

"It's okay. We're going to Nate's room." I followed cautiously. When we reached the room, Nate was waiting. He too looked confused as to the nature of the meeting that Ian had called. Ian turned to me.

"Give me your ring."

"Why?" I didn't want to take off my ring.

"Don't ask questions. You'll get it back. I promise."

I looked at Nate for a clue. He offered no help. Once I gave Ian the ring he turned to Nate.

"Nate, you have been my biggest ally in preparing for my wedding. I know you love her as I do."

Now he turned to me. "I told you a few weeks ago about my fear that you won't be able to keep your promise to me because of your feelings for Nate. Kyle has noticed that you are both reaching out to each other. Before I marry you, you need to have what you both seem to be wanting. A last chance to be with each other. I'm giving you that chance."

"Ian, No!"

He backed away from me. "Do what you need to do. I'll be waiting for you."

He turned and quickly left the room. Nate and I just stared at each other from opposite ends of the room.

"I swear, I didn't know anything about this," Nate said in his defense.

"I can't do this." I turned to leave.

"Wait! Don't go," Nate pleaded. I stopped. "You know if you go back to him now, he'll only bring you back."

"Do you think I've been reaching out to you lately?"

"No more than usual. This is my fault. I started this. I shouldn't have kissed you when you came back but I couldn't help it. I missed you too."

"Does Ian think I'm going to sleep with you?"

Nate shook his head slowly. "I don't know what he's thinking."

"You know that will never happen, don't you?"

"Well, I had hopes at one time but with the wedding two days away, I'm pretty much resigned to friendship status."

"Friends forever."

"I wouldn't mind a last kiss though. A real kiss." He looked at me with his big brown eyes and he took my hands in his. Whereas Ian was straight up sexy, Nate's eyes were dreamy.

"Okay, but not on the bed."

"What? Are you afraid it might go further?"

"Aren't you?"

"Afraid? No. I'm not the one getting married."

"You're right. I should go." I stood up to leave.

Nate hopped off the bed and blocked my exit. "You know I wouldn't be asking this of you if Ian hadn't given his permission. This is my last chance to kiss your lips ever." He brushed the back of his fingers along my face. "You know you haven't asked me about Victoria at all since you came back."

"Because I don't want to know."

"Why?"

He knew why. "Because."

"Because why?" He was persistent.

"Nate!" I whined.

"Tell me. I want to know." He wasn't going to let this rest.

"Because I'm jealous. That's why. Are you happy now?"

"So you still love me." It wasn't a question but a statement.

"Nate, I…"

"I'll love you forever. You know that, don't you?" He leaned close and stroked my face. "Let me have this one thing." I closed my eyes. His lips touched mine. They were warm and inviting. He kissed me repeatedly and I didn't want to respond but I did. He was so gentle. He caressed my head and face. His lips traveled to my neck and then back to my lips.

I was in it now so I decided to make this kiss one he soon wouldn't forget. "Don't stop," I whispered. He looked at me with so much love in his eyes. He pressed his lips to me again. My hands traveled from his long wavy hair to his shoulders and then over his biceps. I caressed his chest as our tongues caressed each other. We kissed like this for a long time. I figured as long as I remained on my feet I was safe. He pushed me backwards and I found myself up against the wall. He pressed himself against me and I could tell that he was aroused. It disturbed me because I could feel my thighs tingling. I hated to admit it but I wanted him too. I wanted him to pick me up and throw me down on the bed and have his way with me. He continued to kiss me and he held my neck as he licked my jaw line.

"Oh Nate," I stammered.

"Say it," he whispered.

"I want you."

He kissed me again. It was a last slow burn kiss and I melted in his lips. The tears formed as I realized this was it.

He was breathless. "Thank you."

The tears in my eyes escaped and slid down my cheek. "We are friends now. Do you understand?"

He shook his head and turned away from me. "I'll remember this kiss forever."

"I will too," I blurted out and then I fled the room and ran quickly through the cave. When I got outside, I took deep breaths, letting the cold air burn my throat. I wiped my tears. My life was Ian now. I smiled as I thought of him. I rushed back to the house which was still full of people.

I entered the bedroom. Ian was lying with his shirt off on his stomach on the bed. His chin was resting on his right hand and he had my engagement ring on the index finger of his left hand. He was staring at it while he slowly twirled it around his finger with his thumb. He did not acknowledge my entrance. I took off my coat and hung it on the back of the door. Then I kicked off my shoes. I didn't say anything.

I slowly made my way onto the bed and kissed his beautiful back in several places. "Thank you," was all I said. I straddled his lower back and started to massage his shoulders. He flinched at the touch of my cold hands. "Sorry." I massaged him for a few minutes before I asked the burning question. "Can I have my ring back now?"

He didn't move but he finally spoke. "Have you already had enough of Nate? If you slept with him, it couldn't have been very good considering you've only been gone for a half hour."

He was fishing for some comfort. "You know a kiss has always been enough with Nate but a kiss is never enough with you."

"You should have stayed with him."

I sighed. "Ian, weren't you listening?" I leaned forward across his back to whisper in his ear. "I have no desire to sleep with Nate. I already know that no one could ever satisfy me the way you do in the bedroom and I'll take that back, thank you." Without missing a beat, I reached out and snatched the ring from his finger and slipped onto my hand. He still didn't move. I continued. "You know, this is your last chance to have sex with a single girl. Tomorrow, I'll be in town most of the day and you won't be able to see me once the sun goes down."

That got his attention. He flipped over knocking me off of him onto the bed. "What? Why not?"

"Tradition, Superman. The groom is not to see the bride the night before the wedding. You'll be sleeping in the bunkhouse."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Sorry, after dinner tomorrow, the next time you see me, you'll be placing a wedding ring on my finger." It suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't gotten the wedding rings. My face obviously showed my horror.

"Wanderer, what's wrong?"

"Oh, no! I didn't get the rings!" I tried to jump off the bed but Ian grabbed me by the forearms.

He smiled brightly at me. "Don't panic. It's all taken care of."

"You? ...got the rings?"

Now his smile came directly from his eyes. "I got the rings with Burns last month when you were at the caverns."

My horror turned to appreciation. "I love you." I leaned over him and began to kiss him. Our last night together as an unmarried couple was very memorable.

The day before our wedding, Ian woke me. "Babydoll, the alarm went off. You need to get up and go to town with Burns."

"Why do I never hear that damned alarm?" I was annoyed at missing it yet again.

"Whoa! Are we on the edge? It's just a clock."

"Do you know I have never heard that alarm clock go off? I don't even know what it sounds like!"

"Okay, Babydoll. Don't panic. I'll set for five minutes from now. Okay?"

He was trying to appease me. "You know maybe it's a good thing I won't be with you tonight."

"Ian!" I pouted.

"I'm just kidding. Tonight will be the longest night of my life." He pulled me to him and we snuggled on the bed. "Tomorrow is the big day. Are you nervous?"

"I'm not nervous about marrying you but I'm nervous about everything going right."

"What are you going to do about Sunny? She was supposed to be a bride's maid."

"Megan said she would take her place. She'll get to walk with Jamie. The dress is a little tight in the hips but there is nothing I can do now. Are you nervous?"

He chuckled. "I keep thinking about your bouquet."

"You know what? I'm not even going to carry one."

"Don't be silly. You have to carry a bouquet. Tradition, remember? You know, I kinda feel bad that Nate's not in the wedding."

"I do too but I didn't want to upset you."

The alarm went off. It wasn't very loud. It sounded like a vehicle backing up. Ian slapped his hand down on the clock.

"Okay, now you have to get up."

"What are you going to do today?"

"I don't know. I was thinking of giving Holly her chance while I'm still single."

"What?" The green eyed monster rose quickly. "You wouldn't dare." I was on the bed in a second hovering over him.

He curled up to protect himself. "I'm joking!"

"You better be," I warned him.

"But it's nice to know that you are stilljealous of my admirer."

"You have more than one, you know. The others are just resigned to the fact that you belong to me."

He laughed. "A long time ago you got mad when I told someone that you were my property."

"I didn't tell them that you were my property. They assumed it. You told Nate that I was your property. Big difference."

"Babydoll, I love you and I am your property. You can do whatever you want with me."

"Thank you, but I'm still no one's property." I leaned down and kissed him quickly. "At least not for another thirty hours."

Burns and I left before ten o'clock and we picked up the flowers first. They took up the entire left side of the van. The second stop was the restaurant. We picked up three trays each of Lasagna, shrimp scampi, chicken parmesan, and veal scaloppini. The last stop was the bakery. The two layer heart shaped cake was placed carefully into the back of the van. Burns took his time driving home and he turned the corners with caution. Everything reached the mountain unscathed. The cake was put on the front porch since it was cold enough to be a refrigerator. The cake box was wrapped in an extra layer of plastic for freshness and to keep any critters out. Some of the trays were put in the fridge. What couldn't fit was delegated to the porch with the cake. Four pans would fit in the oven at a time and they would take one to two hours each. We decided we would set the pans out to defrost before going to bed tonight. Ian and I had two hours till dinner so we went for a walk in the woods. It was just the two of us.

"I still can't believe that tomorrow I will be your wife."

"It's been a long eight months since I first asked you to marry me."

"I must be nervous now because my stomach is doing flip flops," I said nervously.

"You know what? So is mine," he admitted.

Ian wrapped his arms around me. I shivered.

"Are you cold or are you scared?"

"I'm freezing…and I'm terrified."

"Terrified of what?"

"I don't know, me, you, us, everything."

"Babydoll, if you are not sure that I am what you want..."

I put my fingers over his lips. "I'm sure. I just want to live up to your expectations as a wife and mother. That's what I'm terrified about." I had the memory of Nate's sultry lips in my head.

"You'll be fine. People aren't perfect and neither are marriages. We'll have our ups and downs like anyone else. As long as I never find you in Nate's bed, we'll be alright."

My stomach dropped but I managed a weak smile. "Ian O'Shea. I love you."

"Wanderer, I love you."

We kissed each other and something cold hit my forehead. It was starting to snow. We both laughed.

After dinner I was forced to stay in the house and Ian was forced to stay out of the house. The guys stayed with Ian and the girls stayed with me. There was alcohol leaving the house for his party and alcohol flowing in the house for mine. We had fun. We watched an old comedy movie called 'Bachelor Party' and later as we began to feel the alcohol, we danced. The only man to return to the house was Burns since this is where he slept. He was a little tipsy so Lily excused herself to put him to bed. It was late. Our party broke up soon after that. I was glad to have a few drinks in me because it was strange going to bed here on the mountain without him. The alcohol definitely helped me sleep. I couldn't help but wonder how much Ian had to drink at his party.

In the morning, Melanie woke me. "Wanda, get up. Kim is waiting to do your hair and make up. You need to get in the shower. There's about a million people waiting to use the bathroom."

The living room became the hair and make up station since people were coming in and out of the bathroom to shower non-stop. The oven was turned on and the food was being heated half way through. People were carrying drinks and alcohol to the reception hall. So much was going on around me I started to feel a little dizzy. I wanted to help but I was told to sit. Melanie gave me a glass of wine to calm my nerves. My gown was still safely hanging in the closet. Kim was working on my hair and Melanie was working on Lily's hair. In the middle of all this madness the back door opened which was not all unusual but the voice brought to my feet in seconds.

"Mind if I join the party?"

It was Sunny. I sprinted to her and threw my arms around her and hugged her tightly. "Sunny! Oh my god! You're here!"

"I couldn't miss your wedding."

I turned to the others. "Somebody go tell Kyle!"

"Wait! I'm here for your wedding, nothing more."

"Are you still with Jonathan?"

"No, he couldn't hold a candle to Kyle."

I thought it was funny that she used the same words that Ian used when he asked me to comfort Kyle.

"Sunny, we can't just let Kyle see you walk down the aisle. He'll freak out in the middle of my wedding."

"Okay, I'll talk to him."

I turned to Megan. "Go to Kyle. Tell him that Sunny is here for the wedding. Tell him she's not making any other promises."

I turned back to Sunny. "If you're not with Jonathan then where did you go?"

"I went home."

"How was that?"

"My mother gave me the third degree. I told her the truth. I told her I left because of a guy. Now she tries to keep me home. I'm bored to death and I miss Kyle."

I grabbed her hand. "Then stay," I pleaded.

"It's not up to me. He may not want me anymore."

"Believe me. You are the only thing he wants."

Her face was serious. "Things happened with Jonathan."

"Things happened with Nate and Ian still wants to marry me."

Sunny's eyebrows shot up. "You slept with him?"

"No, I came really close but I couldn't do it to Ian."

"Yeah, well I did," she said as a matter of fact.

Megan came back with a note from Kyle. It read:

Sunny,

I'm incredibly happy that you have come back for the wedding. I know Wanda is thrilled. I want to speak with you but I'm afraid I might say the wrong thing and I don't want to ruin this special day with my stupidity. Please give me the chance after the wedding to beg you to stay.

I love you,

Kyle

Sunny folded the note and put it in her pocket.

"Let's get this party rolling!" she roared.

I suddenly remembered Megan. "Megan, I don't want to kick you out of the wedding. Will you be my ring girl?"

"That would be nice. Thank you."

The rest of the morning was a whirlwind and before I knew it we were all dressed and ready to go. It was almost two o'clock. Last night's flurries didn't stick but it looked like it might snow again today. We marched out to the reception hall. Ian was already inside waiting for me. Kyle and Sunny stopped a few feet from each other. I was focused on them.

"You look beautiful," Kyle said to her.

"Thank you," she replied.

"I'm glad you came."

"I'm glad I did too. I miss you." I could see that Kyle was fighting with himself to not rush to her right here. "We'll talk later?" he asked.

"I'd like that." The music started interrupting their moment.

Kyle and Melanie were the first to walk into the hall and down the red carpeted aisle to the arbor. It was freezing and although I had a coat draped over my shoulders, I was shivering. Sunny and Jared went next. Once they reached the arbor, Jamie and Lily followed. Megan was last. She carried a small pillow with the rings.

Burns took the coat from my shoulders and he tucked my arm through his. "Are you ready?"

I took a deep breath. "Ready."

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