The first Sunday after they'd been married, they were both rudely awakened by a noise that could only have come from the shrieking pits of Hades. Her heart was beating rapidly, but she gathered her wits just before he did, and she reached over his chest to fumble with their new "alarm clock." After managing to silence the dreadful thing, she collapsed onto Charles' chest with a groan.
"I told you," he moaned, rubbing a hand over his eyes.
"You were right," she said. "Though you must admit, it was alarming."
"It is far too early for jokes." His hand gently caressing her arm belied his stern voice.
"How is it possible," she said, "that, after only a few days, we think seven o'clock in the morning is early?" She referred to the fact that, for years, they'd both risen with the dawn or earlier, without the need for anyone or anything to wake them.
"My wife keeps me awake all night," he said. "I don't know what your excuse is."
She gave a huff of laughter, too tired to pretend to be put out by his lascivious accusation.
She reached up to kiss him before rising. He laid a gentle hand on the side of her breast, holding her to him with his other hand. Grudgingly, they rose to get ready for the day.
After they'd dressed for church, they stepped out of their house for the first time as man and wife. He locked the door and she tucked her hand into his arm as they set off.
But the nearer they got to church, the more her steps dragged. When the crowd outside the chapel was in sight, she stopped completely. With a raised eyebrow, he scrutinized her worried features.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I...they'll...everyone will stare. What will they think? I feel as if everything we've...done is written all over me."
In a way, she was right. She knew enough to know that their marriage would have been the source of some gossip. Why did they marry? they would whisper. Are they companions? More? And she was unused to being at the center of that sort of talk. In an attempt to make him understand that her discomfort was not with him, but with everyone else, she said,
"I feel as if everyone will know."
He smiled reassuringly.
"Don't be silly," he said kindly. "Not everyone." He paused. "Just the married ones."
She stared at him in disbelief. Did he truly think that would be helpful?! After several seconds of stunned silence, she noticed his overly sincere smile and realized that he was joking.
She smacked him hard on his shoulder.
"That's not funny," she scolded harshly.
"No, of course you're right," he nodded, clearly and happily lying.
She could not help but smile adoringly up at him. The few who could see them from that distance had their questions answered.
After his lighthearted teasing, she was far better able to withstand the handshakes and congratulations of the congregation.
Just as he'd intended.
Just before it was time to enter the chapel for the service, a few more silent questions were answered by the actions of the newly wed pair. They had been separated slightly by the throng of well-wishers. While they spoke to the parishioners, they both wore smiles that tried not to be too animated, too revealing. And then, though they had their backs to one another and couldn't possibly have seen one another's actions, his elbow moved toward her while her hand reached behind her to grasp it.
The ladies sighed at the romance of it and the men smiled indulgently. Knowingly.
They sat just as close together as they always had, but he reached for her hand as they settled in. He twined his fingers through hers and rested their joined hands on his thigh. The altar blurred as tears came to her eyes. Uncertain but unconcerned as to the reason for this sudden wave of emotion, she simply smiled and squeezed his hand. He ran his thumb over her wedding band and her free hand flew up to her chest as though it could assist her in holding in the happy sob that threatened.
The service began and she thought she would probably be forgiven if she couldn't manage to sing the familiar lines for a fair few minutes.