Disclaimer: I own none of the characters mentioned in my stories. Do I really have to put this every time?

A/N: As you may have noted, the rating has now changed to M! So, you will now have to search M-rated stories to find it. This story does contain sexual content, and is for mature readers only.

This is my longest piece so far in this collection. Hope you enjoy!

Blurb: AU. Another "what if Marian had gone through with her marriage to Guy?" short story. Rated Mature for sexual content.

Lady Marian of Gisborn hadn't married her husband for love. In fact, her wedding day hadn't been filled with the happy anticipation of a blushing young bride, but with regret, fear, and uncertainty. She had been injured only a few nights before, while in her Nightwatchman persona, by Guy himself; thus, she had worried constantly that her husband would discover the wound, and, therefore, her secret identity. Pleading fatigue and a persistent headache, she had been able to fend off his amorous advances for several days, but she knew that she was only buying herself a temporary reprieve. Sooner or later, she would have to allow her husband into her bed.

On the fifth night of her marriage, she had given up her maidenhead to her husband, who had surprised her greatly with gentleness and kindness. She had never known him to speak such tender and loving words as he had while making love to her that night. He had even taken the news of her secret identity with surprising equanimity for a man with such a notorious temper. For the first time, she began to see a softer, more likable Guy than she had ever known existed. Still, she steadfastly guarded her heart against any feelings the rebellious organ might try to develop for her husband. She couldn't allow herself to love someone who had hurt so many people. If she loved him, it would be as though all his sins were hers, and she, too, would bear the burden of guilt and condemnation that rested on her husband's shoulders. No matter what, she could never allow that.

Three months into their marriage, Marian had discovered that she was to have Guy's child. The discovery was treated with a measured amount of joy by the expectant mother, who wasn't sure she should be happy to be carrying the child of such a man. Still, the prospect of impending motherhood was a happy one, and she couldn't force herself to be unhappy. Guy, on the other hand, had reacted to the news with unrestrained elation, and awaited the birth of his progeny with eager anticipation.

When the day of the child's birth finally came, Marian's labor was long and difficult. After it was, at last, over, she was surprised to discover that her husband hadn't moved from his post outside the bedchamber door for a single moment of the nearly ten hours she had been laboring. When the first cry of his new baby had reached his ears, Guy hadn't waisted a moment, but burst immediately into the room, eager to greet his new daughter.

When she realized that she had given birth to a girl, Marian had been a bit concerned that Guy wouldn't be pleased. After all, didn't all men desire sons? All her worries were, happily, for naught. She had watched, exhausted and sore, from the bed as their daughter was placed in her father's waiting arms. As he looked in rapt wonder on his daughters face, Guy had shocked his wife by breaking into joyful tears.

"She is exquisite," he had whispered as he bent to kiss his wife's damp forehead.

Not a day passed after the birth in which Guy did not spend a good portion of each evening holding his daughter in his arms, softly crooning endearments in her ear and placing tender kisses on her tiny hands and cheeks. He had often taken it upon himself to rise when Annalie, as they had called her, took to crying in the night, allowing her mother to have some much-needed rest.

On one such night, about a month after the birth, Marian had also risen after her husband had gone into the next room, where their daughter slept. He sat in the chair next to Anna's cradle, gently rocking it back and forth and singing softly to the babe, who had become so enamored of her doting father that the mere sound of his voice calmed her almost instantly.

Marian remained in the doorway, smiling contentedly at the scene before her. For all that she thought very meanly of her husband's character, he was good father. She couldn't deny that fact. Guy clearly loved their child very dearly. She had learned, in the year's time since marrying him, that Guy was a man with a great deal of love to give. He had bestowed it unwaveringly on her, though she steadfastly refused to return it. Now, he bestowed it bounteously on their daughter.

His voice was deep, and smooth as velvet as he sang softly. It was a nice voice. Marian had always enjoyed the sound of his voice as he whispered endearments in her ear each time he had made love to her.

Unbidden and unexpected, desire shot through Marian's body as she thought of lying with her husband. Along with never allowing herself to love him, Marian had never allowed herself to enjoy performing as his wife. But now, watching Guy interact so tenderly with their babe, she realized that she had been lying to herself all this time. She did enjoy being with him intimately, whether she wanted to or not. It wasn't something she could decide. The fluttering warmth around her heart told her that she had also failed to prevent herself from loving him. For how long had she been denying it? For how long had she been hurting him by denying it? The thought of hurting the gentle, loving man who sat before her was unbearable. If she could see him only as the man he was in their home, not as the sheriff's cruel Master at Arms, then, perhaps, she could allow herself to care.

Steeling her resolution, Marian decided that this was the night that she would make everything right. She had finally made peace with their marriage. She would, now, choose to love him and to enjoy his touch, and she would let him know that she did. Never again would she witness the pain in his fathomless blue eyes each time his words of love were met with cold silence. Even if only for the sake of their daughter, and any other children they might be blessed with, she would make the effort.

Walking quietly into the dimly-lit room, Marian placed a hand on her husband's bare shoulder. His skin was quite warm despite the pervading chill in the room. Not once since she married Guy had she been cold at night. Even in sleep, he had been doing what he could to be of service to her.

Wanting to feel every inch of his warm, smooth skin under her fingertips, Marian placed a hand on each of her husband's shoulders. They did not remain on his shoulders, however, but began to wander over his back, up to his neck, then down over his strong chest, kneading the supple muscle underneath with long-suppressed fascination. His powerful, masculine body was beautiful, yet she had never allowed herself to enjoy it until this night.

Guy sighed softly under her ministrations. He had been surprised at first. After all, this was the first time in nearly a year of marriage that his wife had willingly touched him. When he had ascertained that it was, indeed, Marian who touched him so enchantingly, he allowed himself to relax and revel in her ministrations, leaning back in his chair and resting his head against the softness of her bosom.

Marian's hands moved over his chest, then further down to appreciate the hardness of his stomach. She had always been fascinated by the paired rows of hard muscles there, and now she finally allowed herself free reign to explore them. As her hands stroked his abdomen, her lips began an exploration of his neck and jaw, earning a deep groan from her increasingly aroused husband. His straining member was beginning to become visible under the loosely-tied laces of his leather trousers as it pushed against the restrictive bindings. Thinking to give him relief from his apparently uncomfortable clothing, Marian tore at the laces, freeing him with one swift tug.

Guy's reaction to her boldness was instant. With a throaty growl, he pushed himself out of the chair and pulled his wife flush against his overheated body, devouring her lips in a frantic kiss.

For the first time, Marian returned his kiss with equal abandon, exploring his mouth with her tongue, savoring his taste and committing it to memory. Her hands never ceased their exploration of his tempting form as he lifted her with strong arms and carried her back to their bedchamber.

Guy had never been one to question good fortune on the rare occasion that it came his way. Though his mind was full of questions and confusion about Marian's new- found desire to be with him, he would enjoy it while it lasted and ask questions later. To that end, he carried his beloved wife to their bed, stripping off his trousers before joining her in it.

Marian opened her arms welcomingly as he pressed his body onto hers. Her arms encircled him tightly as they kissed with wild abandon as their lower bodies slowly ground against each other with need. After making a thorough search of his wife's mouth, Guy's warm tongue traveled over her delicate ear, then down over her slender neck, reveling in the sweet taste of her skin and the soft, plaintive moans she uttered with each breath.

"Guy."

Marian's voice was weak with breathless desire as she repeated his name over and over. Her arms wrapped tightly around him, holding him against her. He was so dear to her. It broke her heart to think of how long she denied both of them this bliss with her stubborn determination to hate her husband. Now, all she could think about was how much she desired to be close to him, how much she wanted to show him that she cared.

Guy gasped and trembled helplessly when he felt Marian's soft little hand wrap around his straining member, guiding him towards her entrance.

"Guy, plea..."

Her plea was cut short by their simultaneous gasps of pleasure as their bodies joined. Marian unleashed all the long-suppressed desire that she had kept bottled up inside herself. She couldn't feel enough of his skin with her fingertips, clasp his waist tightly enough with her thighs, or taste enough of his sweat-moistened skin to satisfy her. Her hips rose to meet his every thrust with wanton enthusiasm. After only minutes, she cried out as she experienced her first passionate release. As the blissful feeling began to subside once again, Marian opened her eyes to look into her lover's face. She placed her hands on either side of his neck and stroked his stubbly jaw with her thumbs as she watched, mesmerized, as his eyes, darkened with passion, closed in utter bliss. Guy cried out her name as he filled her with his seed.

For several minutes, the blissfully sated couple merely held each other as they caught their breath. Both knew that they needed to talk. There were things between them that couldn't be resolved simply by giving free-reign to their passions. Both were exhausted by the lateness of the hour, as well as by their passionate exertions, so apologies and explanations would have to wait for the morrow. There was one thing, however, that Marian couldn't leave unsaid.

"Guy," she whispered.

"Yes, Marian." His deep, husky voice rumbled comfortingly in her ear.

"I think I love you." Her voice was no more than a whisper. When the expected reply did not immediately come, she wondered if he hadn't heard her. However, the instant stiffening of his shoulders as she made her faltering declaration suggested that he had. Before either had the chance to say anything further, they were jolted from their respective musings by an insistent cry from the next room.

Guy immediately rose from his wife's lush form to tend to their daughter. His heart had begun to beat wildly at Marian's unexpected declaration of love. He had all but given up on ever receiving anything better from her than cold indifference. It was difficult for him to allow himself to trust what his own ears had heard.

The feel of his daughter's precious little body in his arms instantly calmed Guy's turbulent emotions. With a steadying breath, he carried little Anna into the bedchamber where his wife lay frozen on the bed where he had left her.

He instantly recognized the distress on Marina's face. There was a part of him that smugly relished the thought that she was getting what she deserved. How many times had he professed his feelings for her, receiving only a stoney silence in reply? But, the truth was, he did love her, more than his own life. He couldn't delight in her suffering for more than a fleeting moment.

Guy handed the wailing bundle in his arms to Marian.

"I think she's hungry," he explained.

Marian eagerly took her child from Guy's hands, clasping the squirming form against her chest. She pulled at the ties of her chemise and exposed her full breasts, gently encouraging her baby to suckle. When, at last, little Anna complied, Marian sighted and relaxed against the headboard.

Guy's breath caught in his throat as he watched the proceedings. Marian had never allowed him to be in the room while she fed Anna before. He couldn't tear his eyes away. The sight of his Marian nursing their child at her breast was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

When Marian finally met his eyes, they were glistening with joyful tears. She smiled tenderly, and Guy moved closer to her on the bed, draping an arm around her shoulders, and pulled her back against his chest. He pressed several tender kisses on her soft, fragrant hair as he tried to get his emotions under control.

"I love you so much, Marian," he breathed at last. "You and Anna are my whole world."

Marian breathed a shuddering sigh of relief, and leaned her head back against her husband's strong shoulder.

"I truly do love you, Guy. I think I have for a while now, I just didn't want to admit it, even to myself."

Guy, moved beyond words by her honest speech, gently placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face towards his so that his lips could find hers. No more words would be necessary.

Anna finished her meal and drifted off into a peaceful slumber in her mother's arms. Guy wrapped both arms protectively around his wife and child. As turbulent as their first year of marriage had been, Guy and Marian both knew the second year, and every year thereafter, would be bliss.

I just noticed that all my stories so far have ended with someone falling asleep. Weird. Anyway, please review!