August 12th, Birches, Point Mouette, Maine.
"Jane, Batty, could you please just leave me alone for a minute? I'll be down in just a few minutes."
"Alright, Skye. But don't be too long. After all, we wouldn't want Jeffery to think you'd left him at the alter."
As the door shut behind them, Skye closed her eyes. You can do this, Skye. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she sighed. Her long white gown was slim and simple, and it fit her like a glove. Her hair was up in an elegant twist, and her shoulder-length veil was arranged perfectly. And she was shaking like a leaf.
Smoothing down her dress and taking a deep breath, she turned around and resolutely headed towards the bedroom door. One step, two steps, three steps. Placing her hand on the handle, she turned it. Five steps down the hall. Slowly, she walked down the 12 stairs and into the living room.
She nodded at Jane and Cooper, who, arm in arm, lead the way out of the house, and across to the lawn to where the guests sat. Little Skye, now one and a half, followed them, tossing rose petals all around her. Taking one last deep breath, Skye began to walk behind her. Suddenly, the world seemed to move in slow motion.
One step, two step, three. All the guests turned around in their seats to watch her as she slowly made her way towards them. Four steps, five steps, six. A grin broke over Jeffrey's face as she came into his line of sight. Seven, eight, nine. He looked so handsome, she could barely believe it. Ten, eleven. She stared into his eyes, more scared and happier than she could ever remember having been. Twelve, thirteen. He extended his hand out to her. Fourteen. She took it. Fifteen. His fingers wrapped around hers as he pulled her closer and they both turned to look at the man standing before them.
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to day, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Do you, Skye Penderwick, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, so long as you both shall live?"
Jeffrey squeezed her hand ever so slightly, and smiled down at her.
"I do."
"Do you, Jeffery Tifton, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, so long as you both shall live?"
His answer came, steadily, resolutely.
"I do."
"Then, by the power in vested in me by The Lord, our God, and the state of Maine, I now pronounce you man and wife. Please place the rings on each others fingers." Smiling softly, Jeffrey took the thin gold band that Cooper had handed to him, and slipped it onto her finger. She did the same to him. "You may kiss the bride, Mr Penderwick."
Moving as if in a trance, he lifted her veil, and leaned down to plant a slow kiss on her lips. The kiss seemed to last forever, and yet not long enough. He pulled back, gently, and just stared at her for a second.
"Oh, Skye."
He looked like he was about to cry. Grinning like a fool, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him again, more passionately this time. The kiss was like air to a drowned man. Catcalls, whistles, and hoots filled the air, but the two were oblivious. Finally, however, the need for oxygen interceded. Slowly dragging his lips from the depths of hers, he grabbed her hand. And then, under a shower of rose petals, the two started back down the aisle, hands intertwined.
"That was so much fun!" Laughing, she leaned into him as they walked back along the beach.
"It was fun. Jane did a wonderful job organizing everything. I swear, I was a bit worried. You know how Jane can get..."
"Yes. But you're right, she did pull it off nicely." He pulled her closer to him, smiling. "Gosh, Skye. Can you believe we're actually married?"
"I know. It's crazy, but you can't get out of it now." Chuckling, he stopped, pulling her into his arms.
"I wasn't even going to try."
Ever so gently, he planted a kiss on her mouth. She moved closer. Tilting his head to the side, he pressed harder. She conceded, allowing him access. She tasted of berry pie and chocolate cake. Unable to stop himself, he moaned softly, pulling her even closer to him. And then she was pulling away. Looking up at him, eyes sparkling with fun, she grinned.
"I'll race you to the cabin."
"You're on."
As he watched her lift up her skirt and sprint across the moonlit sand towards the cabin, he thought his heart would burst in two from excessive happiness. Shaking his head to clear it, he hurried after her. Laughing, the two slowed down as they reached the cabin. He opened the front door and turned around to smile at her.
"Welcome home, Skye."
Scooping her up bridal-style, he kissed her. Rolling her eyes at his absurdity, she groaned in exasperation, but kissed him back anyhow. The kiss deepened rapidly, and he kicked the door shut with his foot, as he moved forward into the house, blindly. Breaking alway so he could see where he was going, he began the trek upstairs.
When they reached the bedroom, he set her down gently, and kissed her again. This time she wasn't fooling around. She kissed him with such force that he stumbled to regain his footing, even as his arms tightened around her waist. Her lips moved like lightening against his, and his skin was on fire wherever she touched him.
Before he knew what was happening, he felt the bed brush against the back of his legs. Pulling her down with him, he collapsed on the mattress, kissing her with a longing he didn't know he possessed. It was time to let the games begin.
Well, there it is. I hope I was able to do it justice. As far as the romance level goes, if it was too strong for anyone, I apologize. Please let me know, though, so I can adjust in the future. If it was disappointingly weak for you, I'm sorry but that's about all you're going to get from me. :-) Please review!
Randomsarcasm42 - Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. :-)
RhaleysRhaleys - Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. :-)