The ceremony seemed to go by so quickly that Morticia barely realized it was over. In fact, she stood motionless as Balthazar wrapped his arms around her waist and shoulders and kissed her. She had been carefully eyeing the crowd of witnesses under the security of her veil, looking for the golden hair full of daisies. If she could spot Ophelia, Gomez would be nearby. All she wanted was one look at him, one moment where their eyes would meet and she could tell him that she didn't love Balthazar. In one glance, he could save her. He could have caused a scene, created an escape, and they could have run off. Sadly, her searching sapphire eyes did not land on her beloved. She had no idea that he and Ophelia were positioned behind her, that although she had not seen him, his eyes were transfixed on her form.

Gomez had not noticed that he had been holding his breath since she first appeared, until his lungs were on fire and his vision blurred. His heart raced with desire as she walked across the room, the wiggle of her hips accentuated by her snug satin gown. She was literally breathtaking. The dress hugged every feminine curve, the lace sleeves teased his eyes with glimmers of her alabaster skin, and the deep cut neckline left her ample bosom on display. Her face was hidden beneath her black veil, it wasn't until Balthazar lifted it to claim her lips that he was able to see her meek profile.

The crowd was shuffled into the ballroom for the reception, in the sea of guests Gomez lost sight of Morticia. Everyone was loudly laughing and talking, a normal occurrence for a typically jovial event, but it annoyed Gomez. Ophelia linked her arm through his, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Ophelia, must you do that?"

She looked hurt, as if she was a chastised child. A trace of guilt clouded his conscience.

"I'm sorry, I am just uncomfortable with," he searched for the most convincing words. "Physical affections."

Ophelia nodded, satisfied with his excuse, yet her arm remained connected to his. They followed the crowd into the decorated room where a band was already playing eerie dance music. Immediately, Gomez searched for Morticia. A gong was struck demanding everyone's attention. Balthazar stood in the center of the room, a champagne glass full of lime green smoking liquid was held in his hand.

"May I have your attention!? Dearly beloved and departed, thank you all for coming to this most marvelous of days. Most of you thought this day would never come, the day that Balthazar Addams took a bride. Well, neither did I until I laid my eyes on my Morticia."

Gomez was clenching his fists as Balthazar continued to speak possessively about Morticia. Unbeknownst to him, every frustrated action was being observed by two suspicious eyes. Balthazar's voice rang out as he continued his speech.

"Her beauty is comparable only to the beauty of the full moon, who provides a pale light to the world's darkness. She is all I shall ever desire."

"We'll see." Gomez scoffed under his breath, receiving a sharp look from Ophelia.

"To my lovely bride, Morticia!" Balthazar extended his hand, and Morticia appeared. Reluctantly she placed her elegant hand in his before everyone cheered and toasted the couple.

"Now, Morticia my dear, let us share our first dance as husband and wife." Lust clouded Balthazar's eyes as he gazed at her. He handed his drink to his nearest family member, and took Morticia in his arms. His embrace was tight, she felt crushed against his full body. As they glided around the room, she carefully studied the faces that appeared over his shoulder. Balthazar pressed his cheek against the side of her face, his mouth hovering above her ear.

"We will make our required rounds then I will truly make you mine." His whispered words sent a sense of dread through her heart. Then she saw him, he was trying to follow her field of vision by moving through the crowd of onlookers. Her eyes were screaming his name, and finally he heard her. A moment was all they had before Balthazar dipped her and broke their connection. After what seemed like an eternity, the song ended. Quickly, Morticia made the feeble excuse of needing to greet Ophelia to escape the prospect of another dance. She ran to where she had last seen him, but he was gone. Couples began filling the empty space to dance, and Morticia was constantly stopped and congratulated. Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless she snuck on to the balcony for a blast of refreshing cold air. In the dark corner, she saw the amber light of a cigar and a cloud of smoke floating into the star filled sky.

"Gomez?" Her voice was timid. If it was not him, she would have to think of a fast way to explain herself.

Strong arms had pulled her out of the light that emanated from the doors behind her, submerging her body in the pitch black.

"Cara mia." His breath was hot against her ear. She could feel his strong pulse raging beneath her fingertips as she caressed his cheeks and neck.

"Oh, mon cher."

Gomez's mouth captured hers in a passionate kiss. Needing to confirm that she was not a mirage, he let his hands roam over her body squeezing and pinching at her tender flesh. Sharp nails raked down his arms before digging into him to pull him closer. In two short steps, he had her pinned against the hard, cold wall, his body pressing firmly against hers. Suddenly he pulled away, and stared into her bright blue eyes.

"Come with me."

Morticia was confused by the command.

"Anywhere you want. We could go to the black hole of Calcutta, a haunted forest in Translvania, a deep cave in Siberia. Anywhere, Cara mia, just tell me."

"I wish you would have said that a week ago, mon cher." Her voice was heavy with sorrow.

"Morticia, you are my life."

"And you are mine."

"Run away with me. Live forever in my arms."

"I want to Gomez, but I can't."

"What stops you, my darling? Do you doubt my love for you?"

"No, Gomez. It is my love for my sister that prevents me from following you. I can't break Ophelia's heart."

Gomez was silent, defeat taking hold of him. Morticia studied his features as best she could in the dark, trying to commit each detail to memory. If tonight was the last moment they had, she wanted to be able to recall everything with incredible precision.

"It seems I have no other choice then, my love. I shall end my life."

"As romantic as that sounds bubeleh, it would not be the same without me by your side."

"You're right, of course my darling."

She pressed her lips against his, the nagging of time beginning to awaken her anxiety. Tongues fought with spirit, desperate to prove their love. Morticia felt the chill of the wall on her back while Gomez warmed the rest of her body. As his hand moved down her side, he stopped to pull at her hip. A moan escaped her ivory throat and floated into his open mouth. Without warning, Gomez had pulled away completely, his back turned to her.

"Gomez?"

"I can't do this, Morticia. I can't hold you in my arms for a few minutes then pretend that I see you as nothing more than my sister in law. It was torture watching another man commit his life to you. My heart was ripped out when he kissed you. Nothing of worth is left in my viscera after watching another man waltz with you. I have never felt such rage, hopelessness, or complete helplessness. I need you, Morticia. I do not say it lightly! I am lost without you, a zombie wandering in an abyss searching for the completion that only comes from your love."

Morticia reached out to touch his arm. Words failed her. She felt the same, yet could offer him no comfort by saying so. He turned at her touch, once again enveloping her against him.

"What can I say to convince you?"

"Gomez,"

"Please, Querida. Whatever you want, it is yours if you give yourself to me. I must have you."

His hold on her tightened as he buried his face in her coal black hair. A tear slipped down her cheek, her body's attempt at releasing some of her conflicted emotions. Never was she as happy than when she was in his arms, yet it was now the source of her greatest sorrow.

"Say something, Cara mia."

"I have no words, mon cher. My heart is shattered."

"Let me mend it."

"I don't think that is possible, darling."

Once again, he pushed her against the wall and captured her pouting lips. Breathless beneath him, Morticia melted into each of his movements. Her hands framed his strong, warm face as his tongue delved further into her sweet mouth. The heat from his palms penetrated the fabric of her gown leaving a hot trail wherever he moved his hands. Her body began to ache for more, arching against him as a sign of her increasing need. Gomez found the weighty curves of her breasts, holding them tenderly in his hands before squeezing the meaty flesh with his sturdy fingers. Again, Morticia moaned. What little logic Gomez still possessed made him cover her mouth with his hand as he continued the exploration of her body. Morticia's hand roamed down his chest and abdomen aiming for his groan. Gomez growled at her action, and nipped aggressively at her neck.

"Tish." His voice was husky with lust. Her mouth was still covered, so she improvised and licked his palm instead of responding with words. That made him bite harder into her pale throat, the slight pain weakening her knees. With her free hand, Morticia began to lift the skirt of her dress. At the sign of permission, Gomez lifted her higher against the wall, her dress sliding up to her hips leaving her exposed and vulnerable to him. At last, their aching hearts achieved a moment of bliss. For the first time since their separation they were whole. Their love making was hushed and desperate. Neither wanted it to end, but their minds worried over their limited time. When at last they collapsed against each other, Morticia felt the familiar pain of loneliness creep into her soul.

"I love you, Morticia." His lips adorned her face with kisses as he whispered to her.

"Je t'aime, mon cher."

"Meet me by the front door in ten minutes. I will have Lurch drive us to the airport."

Morticia was still unsure, her heart divided between her love for him and her commitments as a wife, sister, and daughter. As she looked into his pleading eyes, she released that she could deny him nothing. All that she was belonged to him, so she nodded. Her subtle agreement to his plan changed his entire demeanor. He was ecstatic as he held her and kissed her again.

"We better go in before anyone gets suspicious."

"The front door in ten minutes, Cara mia."

"Ten minutes, darling."

Morticia stroked his cheek gently before turning and slipping through the balcony doors. After she was a few steps away, Gomez followed her action. Carefully, he turned in the opposite direction and sought out Lurch. They had assumed that they were cautious, that their time spent together had not been noticed. They tried to blend into the lively crowd as if they had not been absent, but neither had noticed that one of Morticia's badger tooth buttons had broken off, or that Gomez's shirt tail was untucked. Unfortunately, those details were not missed by one watchful guest who carefully surveyed as they both appeared from the balcony then disappeared into the mass.

Morticia was headed out of the ballroom, ready to sneak away with her love when two muscular arms wrapped around her. In an instant, she was lifted into Balthzar's arms as he carried her back to the center of the room.

"There you are my little wife. I've been looking for you."

The gong was struck once again, and he raised his voice to address their friends and family.

"Thank you all again for coming. Your presence has made this day infinitely more precious, but I am afraid I must ask that you excuse me and my bride. We are newlyweds after all."

Laughter erupted as everyone watched Balthazar carry Morticia out of the room.

"Balthazar, must we go up now? I've hardly met your family." She knew it was a poor excuse, but she tried to get a minute to sneak away.

"You have years to meet my family, Morticia. Today you were made mine, and I cannot wait another minute to have you to myself."

"I should at least say goodbye to Ophelia."

Balthazar sighed and set her feet on the ground.

"I will wait right here. Do not make me come get you."

His last sentence was a playful threat, but she knew that if she did not move quickly he would indeed come after her. Running back down the hall, Morticia passed the ballroom and headed for the steps down to the front door. As she looked down to the door, her breath caught and her feet became frozen mid step.