Chapter 16

There was little time wasted when they entered their room. Both of them quickly stripped out of their clothing and came together at the edge of the bed. Her large, comfortable, warm bed. He'd heard so much about this mecca of their love he could hardly wait to make it their bed.

Her arms embraced him, wrapping around his waist, palms against on his back, and pulled. Their chests touched first and her nipples hardened at the contact. His hard, muscular pectorals flattened her breasts as they moved closer to each other.

"You feel good in my arms, wife."

"I can tell, Mr. Amnell." Kahlan leaned in and captured his lips with hers. His mouth was opening to protest the name and she took advantage.

Her tongue flicked over his and he promptly forgot what he needed to complain about. She'd let her hair down when she took her clothes off and he ran his fingers though it. The strands were silky and soft he loved to use it to angle her just right to devour her mouth.

While they kissed he lifted her up onto the tall bed. She let go with her arms and instead held him to her with her legs. She could feel his hardness pressing to her sex and she arched her back to generate more contact. The kisses left her mouth and he went on to lick at her neck. Richard explored the tendon that held her head up and she moaned as he nibbled and sucked on her. She couldn't believe the intense need she was feeling to get him inside her.

"I want you in me. Now." Kahlan reached between them and tried to guide his cock into her opening. She rubbed the head along her lips and they parted for him, her slick core coating him with her juices as she moved him where she needed him.

"Are you sure you're ready?" He could feel how hot and wet she was, but he was afraid his mind was clouded with the overwhelming desire he had for her.

She didn't answer him. She used her legs to grip him and arched her back. The head of his cock slipped into her tunnel with ease. Both of them moaned as they joined together for the second time. It was almost more intense then the first coupling.

"Now we're truly one." Kahlan spoke only after he was fully sheathed inside of her. She hadn't wanted to interrupt the feeling in the moment of him slipping into her body. She laid back on the bed while he stood at the edge. He withdrew, just a little and then pumped back inside her. She gasped at the feeling and her internal muscles clamped around him, begging him to stay buried, if only for a moment.

He held still for a pause and then pulled out further. He slowly worked his way up to a full length stroke. The speed was slow and languid at first. He'd thrust all the way in and then rest a beat before sliding out. His tempo increased and he gripped her hips to help pull her body against his as he plunged into her. He wasn't going to last long. The sounds of their bodies meeting mixed with the heat surrounding him and her little grunts and groans were sending him barreling towards his climax.

"Touch yourself, Kahlan." He gasped the words all of his breath being used to pump the blood to his essential parts to make love to her. He could feel that she was getting pleasure from the penetration but she needed more to finish with him.

She didn't waste time, her hands had been gripping the bedding. One of them went to her clit instead. Her fingers parted her folds and she slipped her middle digit between them. She hissed with the first contact. The little nub was swollen with pleasure and the head was peaking out. The touch has almost been too powerful to start with. She backed off and began circling the base, gradually she worked in tight circular motions until she was able to graze the sensitive head.

Richard looked down at her hand, watching the precise motions that she used. She knew her body and she wanted to come. He could see that she was all business about it and he let himself increase the speed of their rhythm.

"I think I could come just watching you pleasure yourself." Richard choked out the words and her hand sped up with the suggestive comment. He was right on the edge of orgasm and could feel the gripping around his cock increasing. She was close. "Come, baby."

His words were a demand. She couldn't disappoint her husband. So she pressed down on her clit as he thrust into her. Again. The third time was perfection. Her body let go. Her magic flowed through her as her mind surrendered to the pleasure of his love.

As soon as he felt the first powerful ripple he stopped holding himself back. He yelped her name as he released his seed into her body. The only way the it could have been better was if they had created a child the night that they were married. He wasn't too picky since there was already a small life developing inside her. One that they'd created on their first night together.

The sensations finally slowed and he felt her legs drop on either side of him. Both of them were breathing heavily and Richard didn't know if his legs could hold him upright much longer. He let himself slip from her heat and crawled onto the bed. He flopped down on his side next to her. His hand slipped under her neck and cradled her head next to his. His other hand went to stroke her belly. The velvety soft skin that protected their child. It was still flat and smooth. He couldn't wait to watch it grow and for her to blossom into motherhood.

"You're a very good husband, so far."

"Better than I was at being a boyfriend?" He chuckled at her affirmative noise. "What makes me so much better now?"

"Sex. I was your… hmm… well I was yours for two years and it took almost the whole time I've known you for you to make love to me. I'm your wife for twenty minutes and I'm already sated and satisfied."

"Marriage. It's a good idea." He kissed her forehead. "Sleep is also a good idea. I was tired before, but you've exhausted me."

"Mmmm… yes. Sleep. In my nice big bed with my brand new husband. Sounds like perfection."

The morning sun leaked through the curtains and Aeryn grunted and snuggled her face deeper into John's shoulder. She didn't want to wake yet. Last night had been wonderful, exhausting, but wonderful. It had been far too long since they'd made love. She felt his fingers trailing along her naked back and it sent a shiver up her spine.

"Morning, sunshine." John's voice was raspy with it's first use for the day.

Aeryn just groaned and tried to find a way to fall back to sleep. She had no desire to rise yet.

"Go back to sleep…" She grabbed for the pillow and tried to put it over her head. She never used it since John was a much better surface for her head. But he wouldn't let her he tugged it back and tossed it to the floor. "John…" She growled is name.

"The maid was already in this morning to make sure we had heat from the fire. Apparently there was quite the excitement after we retired for the evening."

"What?" As if she cared much about the gossip in the palace. It was the same everywhere. The people with the lower ranks always spoke of the people with the higher command positions. She could see that it wasn't any different then Peacekeeper armadas.

"Seems that the Seeker and the Mother Confessor woke up the palace pastor late last night and insisted that he marry them…"

"Really… How very spontaneous of them both."

"Some other source apparently claims that she's pregnant." John moaned as she sat up quickly pushing the heel of her hand hard against his chest. "Oww, baby!"

"But… she… they… what?" Aeryn didn't understand how she could know. They'd only been together for the first time a few days ago. She hadn't known she was pregnant for weeks and her pregnancy was different.

"I don't know all the details, just what I heard this morning from the maid and the footman talking while they thought I was still sleeping." John grinned at her. Her bare breasts within reach as she kneeled in front of him pondering the workings of a Confessors body. He reached out and touched a nipple and she swiped his hand away. He frowned but didn't give up. His fingers went to dance along her belly instead. There was a little life in there as well, just waiting to be released.

"Lets go see them. And check on the module." Aeryn grabbed his hand and kissed each fingertip before slipping out of bed. "We've got too much to do this morning to play in here."

"You're no fun." He laughed at the glare she shot him.

"Be careful. I can go without for quite a long time." She pulled on her pants and boots. Her bra was quickly tugged on and her vest followed.

"You're also easy to convince. But we do have to see to that ship…" He huffed and threw back the covers revealing his morning erection.

"And you never need convincing." She smiled and tossed him his clothes.

"I'm a guy. I'm not stupid."

"And here I thought that was in the definition of 'guy'."

"Shush, you." He finished dressing and held out his arm to escort her to the breakfast room.

Their heads were close together and they were speaking softly to each other. Richard would take turns feeding her some fruit or bread and then take a bite for himself. It was clear to John and Aeryn that something was definitely new. Something had changed. They didn't even notice their arrival.

"You two had an interesting night if the gossip is to be trusted." Aeryn started it out. She saw them jump at the sound of her voice and she grinned.

"Define interesting." Richard drawled out waiting to see what the help below stairs was saying. He was sure that gossip would travel quickly, it was the accuracy of the staff here that he was interested in.

"Something about weddings and babies…" Aeryn raised her eyebrows.

"Seems that the palace gossip is right on."

Kahlan and Richard waited for their judgment, but both of them just congratulated them and went to grab food to eat.

"Zedd was in here earlier and your module is all ready to go." Kahlan happily conveyed the news. "He said that nothing is too hard for a Wizard of the First Order. Then mentioned some magical terms I have no understanding of. Apparently there was enough of the substance left in the tank for him to analyze and create a spell to make more or it. I knew he'd be able to figure it out."

"That's... incredible…" John looked over at Aeryn who just shrugged and shoved a piece of yellow fruit into her mouth. "I was thinking we'd have to help him so we got up early."

"Well Zedd is pretty self sufficient. I don't know how he does half the stuff he does." Richard just smiled at them and fed Kahlan some more food. "We can help you pack up and get the ship ready if you'd like?"

"I think that we can handle it?" He looked to Aeryn for her opinion.

"Yeah no need to help, but you are certainly welcome to keep us company. We're going to miss you two, but this isn't our home."

"It's completely understandable." Kahlan reached across the table and squeezed Aeryn's hand. "I'd want to go home if I was in your world as well."

"Come back to visit any time you'd like." Richard threw in to make it known that they were always welcome. "Perhaps one day we can visit you as well…"

"That might not be possible. Sometimes navigating back through a wormhole can be hard. I'm pretty good at remembering the way, but I wasn't the one flying this time. Aeryn was and she's not programed with the information like I am." John stood and collected all the empty plates, placing them on the side board.

All of them rose to their feet and Kahlan led the way out to where they'd set up the module.

Zedd and Cara were waiting. The mord'sith came over to them, seeing the invaders for the first time.

"So you two are the ones who fell from the sky and almost killed the Mother Confessor?"

"Yes. This is John and I'm Aeryn." She shook Cara's hand. The woman had an iron grip and a gleam in her eye that she didn't quite trust.

"Cara. Play nice." Kahlan warned her. "She's quite protective of us."

"It's understandable." John tugged Aeryn into his side so she wouldn't get too feisty with the woman in red leather. He didn't think that either of them needed to get into it. "Nice to meet you. We won't have much time to get to know you, but It's good that we aren't leaving them to fend for themselves."

"They have quite the time doing that. They like to think that they are capable, but I know better."

Kahlan and Richard exchanged a look, John and Aeryn could see that they indulged their friend and let her think that she was correct.

John and Aeryn walked to the ship and inspected the hull. They pulled off the large temporary wheels and set them off to the side.

"Everything looks set on the exterior." John unlatched the canopy and started flicking levers and switches. "She's fired up now. Looks easy to fly."

All of them looked between each other. No one really knew what the proper goodbye was. They didn't know if they'd ever meet again.

"It's been…" Kahlan searched for the right word.

"Interesting." Richard chimed in. Everyone laughed and agreed.

Kahlan got tears in her eyes and she couldn't hold back. She pulled Aeryn into a tight embrace.

"Thanks, for everything." She whispered in the woman's ear.

"You're welcome. You're a true friend." Aeryn didn't want to cry. She hated goodbyes. She disliked losing people she could count as friends. There weren't many of those in her life.

Kahlan hugged Crichton next and watched and Richard shook his hand and gave Aeryn a light hug. She saw the Peacekeeper wipe at her eyes, trying to hide her tears. They both pulled on the suits that they were wearing when they landed and the helmets followed.

They climbed in and John took the front this time. He was more familiar with a planet with similar atmosphere. They settled in and pulled the canopy down. It made a hiss as it sealed them into their own ship made environment.

Everyone on the ground backed up to the tree line and waved one last time. The ship rumbled as it fired it's engines. John and Aeryn were visible inside flipping more switches. Flames appeared behind the end and then they were gone.

Richard saw the tears break free from his wife's eyes. She really had grown to love them in such a short time together. He put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her to him.

"It's not over. We'll see them again. I can feel it."

"I hope you're right."

"Lets go celebrate our marriage. It will make you feel better."

"Is that a promise, husband?" Kahlan hugged his waist and leaned closer to his body.

"One I intend to remind you of often."

"I look forward to it. Very much."

THE END