A/N: It's probably time for another disclaimer. I own nothing pertaining to these characters and I make no money from this endeavor. I hope you enjoy this!
Seth was pleased with the cabin and the master bedroom in particular. He was grateful to his colleague for offering it to them on such short notice. Seth had always enjoyed trips to Echo Lake, and he was happy to discover that Jessica had pleasant memories of the place as well. They could have gone anywhere on a wedding trip, but he wanted to spend at least their first few days as a married couple in Maine. He knew Jessica wasn't a Mainer by birth, but in his mind, Jessica and Maine were linked, almost inextricably so. How else to explain her stubborn refusal to make a permanent move elsewhere? Besides, he'd traveled some with Jessica: Boston, New York, that dig in New Mexico, but to him, Maine suited her best. She was a different sort of relaxed in Maine. And, although he wouldn't share this with anyone, except perhaps Jess, they had fallen in love in Maine. It held a special meaning for them both.
Seth trailed Jessica through the cabin as she examined the kitchen and the living room, then finally the bedroom with an ensuite bath. Sensing her apprehension, he'd offered to change first. Perhaps giving her a few moments alone would give her a chance to settle into their surroundings. Their ride to Echo Lake had been curiously stilted. They'd never run out of things to talk about before, but it was clear that Jessica was nervous. So was he, for that matter. It had been a long time since he'd been intimate with a woman, and, ridiculous though he knew it to be, he was a little afraid that he might have forgotten how. He busied himself by pulling his pajamas and toiletries from his bag and beat a hasty retreat to the bathroom.
He spent a disproportionate time brushing his teeth, so long that he decided against shaving. His face was still smooth from the shave he'd gotten from Bill earlier that morning. He peered at his reflection in the mirror, smoothing his hair and turning this way and that, sucking in his belly to see if that made any difference. He scoffed at himself, then quickly changed into his pajamas and robe.
"Your turn," he offered lightly as he exited the bathroom. Jessica smiled, although truth be told it looked more like a grimace. Jessica closed the door and Seth sighed. He wished now he'd brought a bottle of wine, perhaps champagne. Given the amorous nature of even their earliest evenings together as a couple, he hadn't anticipated needing anything but each other on their wedding night. In fact, Seth had spent most of the previous night imagining how their wedding night might progress. If anything, he thought Jessica would be the one to usher them into that side of things. He hadn't anticipated her nerves; in fact he'd thought his own would be alleviated by Jessica's eagerness. He wished now he had something to offer that might help them relax.
Seth puttered around the room, adjusting the drapes, turning down the bed clothes, turning the lock on the bedroom door, then unlocking it, as he waited for Jessica to emerge from the bathroom. Finally running out of self-imposed chores, he sat on the edge of the bed to wait. Waiting felt like all he'd been doing since news of their engagement broke. Jessica wisely pointed out that the whole town would be keeping watch, not only on her front parlor window, but her back door, his office, his car. They would have no privacy until they were married.
She put a gentle hand on his chest. "We'll just have to behave until the wedding, Seth." She laughed at the face he pulled, and he goosed her in return. "Don't let's start something we won't be able to finish," she admonished primly. Now it was Seth's turn to laugh. As if she hadn't been the one teasing and prodding him for weeks now! And that salacious comment on Spooner's Mill. He still blushed to think of it, true though it was.
He kissed her lightly on the lips. "As you wish," he said and she laughed, remembering how he'd coaxed her to see that film, assuring her that she would enjoy it because he'd gone to see it without her just to be sure. It was a lovely film, and he was a lovely man. She leaned in to kiss him.
"What was that for?"
"For being you," she said tenderly.
Seth put his arms loosely around her waist. "I'm looking forward to being married to you, Mrs. Fletcher."
"As am I, Dr. Hazlitt."
He wished now they'd just eloped. He chided himself for his impatient, ungenerous thoughts, particularly when he remembered how lovely she'd looked today and how happy she'd been, surrounded by friends and family. She'd looked radiant in a simple ivory dress, carrying a bouquet of sweetheart roses. The warm red of the roses contrasted sharply against the cool ivory. She gave the impression of floating down the aisle, in spite of leaning on Grady's arm. She looked stunning, and, as soon as Seth saw her, tears sprang to his eyes. She glided down the aisle, calm and serene, the only hint of her strong feelings in the steady gaze she fixed on Seth. Her eyes never left his. Seth had to force himself to acknowledge Grady as he placed Jessica's hand in Seth's. He feared all he'd been able to manage was an uncivil grunt. Oh, well. He could make things right with Grady later.
The ceremony was brief and to the point. Neither had wanted an ostentatious wedding. She and Frank, like he and Ruth, had had simple weddings. It was all they could afford. Seth smiled at the memory. He was glad that he and Jessica had agreed on a small church wedding with only family and close friends. In order to hustle them out of the church, he promised, rashly, that they would host some kind of party when they returned from their honeymoon. They could organize a larger party later on. Maybe he could talk Jessica into an old-fashioned clambake. He grinned. He could see her in her dungarees rolled up at the ankles, that old fish cardigan that she insisted on wearing...but where was she now?
Jessica did seem to be taking an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom. What could she be doing in there? And he felt his face flush immediately as images of what she might be doing flooded his mind. She'd been less affectionate after the ceremony, but he attributed that to the public nature of a wedding. He'd noticed over the years that, while JB Fletcher had grown accustomed to being the center of attention, Jessica Fletcher preferred to play a more understated role. She'd been almost demure as soon as the minister pronounced them husband and wife. He'd known her long enough now to be fairly well acquainted with the many faces of Jessica Fletcher, but shy and retiring were two traits he would never have attributed to her. He shifted on the bed uncomfortably. He rebuked himself again for his impatience, but...what on earth could be keeping her?
Perhaps he should check on her. He walked to the bathroom door knocked gently. "Jess?" he called tentatively.
"Yes?"
Her voice sounded thin and strained, and his heart jumped in anxiety. "Are you alright?" he barked.
"I'm alright, Seth. I'm just...I'm just getting ready. That's all."
Seth frowned at the door. Jessica wasn't a vain woman and he'd noted over the years that she was rather quick to be ready. Something was going on. "Jess," he began gently.
"I'll be out in a minute."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" He rolled his eyes at the door. Not what he'd intended to say.
"I only need a few more minutes to get ready."
"Are you sure? You've been acting a little strangely since we got in the car."
"Strange?"
"Well, distant...nervous, I suppose."
"That's because I am nervous, Seth Hazlitt!"
"We're both nervous, woman!"
"I'm just not sure I can come out right now."
Seth's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "You're not getting shy on me now, are you Jess?"
"Oh, Seth. Don't tease," she cried plaintively. "Before we were married, I could tease. I could be a bit provocative"-Seth shook his head in disbelief-"because I know you. I know your opinions about...well, you know...and I knew how far I could go. I felt safe."
"You don't feel safe now?" Seth asked in an alarmed tone.
"It's not that," she corrected hastily. "It's only…this is real. No more teasing, no more stalling, no more stopping."
Seth leaned his head against the bathroom door. How was he to coax her out of there? He'd never dreamed she'd be this jittery. Why, she practically...when they were...before he proposed... He groaned quietly. He couldn't even think the words. Pathetic.
"We can take our time, Jessica. There's nowhere we have to be." He cleared his throat. "I don't have any expectations for tonight, Jess," he said softly. "I hope you know you can trust me."
"Of course I trust you!" Seth heard her noisy exhale through the door. "It's just...," She trailed off.
"Won't you come out, Jess? It would be much easier to talk face-to-face."
"But that's just it!" exclaimed Jessica. "I'm uneasy about...I'm nervous for you to see me." Seth wanted to bang his head against the door. "Would you...could we..."
"Yes?" responded Seth eagerly. At this point, he'd agree to almost anything to get her to leave the bathroom.
"Would you turn out the lights?"
He groaned inwardly. "Of course, Jess. Just give me a minute." Seth went to the wall by the door and flipped off the switch. The room went dark immediately. He'd forgotten to open the drapes before he cut off the lights. Wouldn't matter, though, he mused to himself. It's a new moon. "One of us is gonna fall and break our neck!" he grumbled softly as he made his way gingerly to the bathroom door. He knocked and said softly, "Jess? Jess? The lights are out." He didn't hear anything for a moment, then he heard the click of a light switch and the gentle creaking of a door opening. His eyes had had time to adjust to the darkness and he could just make out Jessica's shape in the gloom. He reached for her hand. At least he hoped that was what he was reaching for. "Jessica? Take my hand."
She fumbled for his hand, then grasped it. "You must think me foolish, I know," she whispered. "Especially after...well, you know."
"Not a bit," he said stoutly. "I understand how you feel." He paused. "But woman, you're beautiful." He lifted her hand to his lips.
"But you've never seen me...like this," she said in a small voice. "What if...I mean, I wouldn't want you to be disappointed."
"Disappointed?" Seth boomed and they both jumped. "Jessica Fletcher Hazlitt, you could never disappoint me. Not ever," he said firmly and took a tentative step toward her, careful not to step on her foot. She leaned in closer, and they embraced in a warm hug. Seth could feel silk, cool and slick beneath his fingertips, and he felt her heart thrumming as quickly as a bird's. "Jessica," he murmured in her ear. "I've always thought you the loveliest woman I know, even before our...understanding." He rubbed her back. "It just isn't possible that you won't please me. My biggest fear is that I won't please you." At this, Jessica pulled back from their embrace and fumbled to put a hand to his cheek.
"Don't you remember what I told you that night?" she said in a low voice.
"A-yuh." She kissed the side of his mouth. "Jessica?"
"Yes?" She kissed the other side of his mouth.
"Would you...I mean, could we..." Why was this so hard?
"Yes," agreed Jessica. "We should go to bed."
Does she mean what I hope she means? Never mind, man. You have to get her to the bed first, in this pitch black darkness! Turning, he took Jessica's hand in his and began a slow crab walk towards the bed, at least in the general direction of where he thought it was. Thank goodness he'd thought to turn the bed clothes down. Behind him, he heard Jessica's soft chuckle. "What is it?"
"This. Us." She broke into full blown chortles of laughter. "I'm being absurd, and you're indulging me. I love you, Seth," she said between fits of laughter. "I do love you so."
He smiled in the dark, relieved to hear in her voice and feel in her touch that she'd relaxed a great deal. He tossed a grateful prayer to the heavens. He wasn't at all sure he wanted their wedding night to take place the following morning. That would shed too much unflattering light on the subject. His knees bumped into something solid. "We're here!" he announced merrily. He let go of her hand and moved his hand to her elbow. "Let me help you into bed." He could only imagine the expression on his wife's face.
"As you wish," she said with a soft chuckle.
Seth smiled as he helped her into the bed, loosening the bed clothes just a bit so she could slide her feet in. The gown she was wearing felt delicious against his skin, and he was looking forward to stretching out against her. He settled her in bed, then turned to walk to the other side. He caught his toe on the foot of the bed and yelped while managing to swallow an oath.
"Seth, what happened? Are you alright?"
"I'm alright," Seth grunted. "Just stubbed my toe on the corner of the bed." My, but it did hurt. He sat on the edge of the bed heavily.
Jessica kicked the covers off and twisted so that she was lying across the bed. "I'm going to open the drapes to let a little light in."
"No need, Jess," he said, as he pulled his body around and put a hand on her hip. "It's a new moon tonight. There won't be much light anyway. I'll just scoot over you to get to the other side." Jessica leaned up in the dark and pulled him to her for their first real kiss as husband and wife. Seth smiled against her lips, then broke their kiss. "I seem to recall your saying something when we were at Spooner's Mill. Something about my having made it to second base?" Jessica giggled as he kissed her neck. "What do you think the odds are of my scoring a homerun tonight?"
Jessica laughed, her genuine, full-throated laugh, and Seth was filled with relief and love for this woman. "Dr. Hazlitt, I'd say it's a sure thing," and she drew his mouth to hers as she pulled him against her.
A/N: This is likely the end. I can't imagine adding anything else to this little story. It's been fun to collaborate with you on this one! Thanks for reading and reviewing!