30.
~ Ariadne woke to the smell of eggs cooking. The smell of food being readied ripped her pleasantly from sleep as she realized she was hungry.
"Morning." Her husband called as she unfolded herself from her blankets. Their borrowed apartment was small enough that the bedroom and kitchen were almost in the same room.
"Morning." She said hugging her bedding close to her. She still wasn't used to him seeing her naked. So many things from their wedding night had been an education that her mind and senses were still reeling.
Arthur's needs has been insatiable. She thought he would never be satisfied enough to go to sleep. The Major wanting her over and over till she thought she couldn't take anymore. Her husband making her body bloom into life as she never knew she could feel such things.
She worried she would not be able to keep him appeased. Were all men like this? Did all men want to take their wives over and over again? He had finally dropped off to a heavy sleep. Her body worn out from his carnal needs.
"You made breakfast?" She asked from their bed. She had never heard of a man cooking before.
"Just eggs and toast I'm afraid." Arthur said as he brought her a plate in bed. His lips touching her forehead. She shyly covered herself even though he had seen everything.
"Every man needs to know how to cook something." He laughed as she started eating. They were hot and spiced with black pepper.
"Trying to impress your new wife?" She asked as he climbed back into bed with her.
"Maybe." He laughed. "You weren't impressed enough last night?"
She almost chocked on her breakfast. The memory of being with her Major just a few hours ago made her blush and not meet his eyes. He had been wonderful to her. Her innocence and broken leg no doubt making things difficult for him. The whole affair had not been nearly as traumatic as she had always feared. Ariadne would even have called it pleasant. She would never admit it, but it was something she would do again.
Her husband's savagery was animal like and he had taken her again just a few hours later. He was so difficult to satisfy, she wondered if she could ever get used to it.
"I'm not going to comment on that, Major." She said as she knew her face was red.
He chuckled as his lips kissed her bare shoulders.
"I didn't hurt you did I?" He asked softly. "Your leg and everything." He added.
She shook her head.
"No." She said feeling a warm rush of happiness flood though her. "No you didn't hurt me."
~ Arthur had to help her in almost everything. After breakfast, he picked her up and carried her to the bathroom. Her embarrassment total when he striped himself naked and joined her in a bath. Propping her cast on the side of the tub so it wouldn't get wet.
"Can't let you drown in the tub." He said as helped her wash. His hands going between her legs. Washing her there as if that part of her body was his property.
He had drug her wheelchair from the jeep so she could get around the apartment without his having to carry her everywhere. Her Major was full of energy and she knew he would give her the moon if she asked for it. His face wearing a constant smile as he wanted to do everything for her. She had never seen him so happy as he kept wanting to touch her. His mood almost giddy as she relented and allowed him to take her back to bed. His hands wandering over her clothes as his lips kissed her bare flesh.
~ "I still think you should go to medical school." Arthur told her as she was losing spectacularly to him at chess. Her Major had been taught by his father to play the game, and she wanted to learn.
It was a rare reprieve from their love making. Her husband petulantly agreeing to play a board game and leave her alone for a little while.
"Arthur, you can't be serious." Ariadne said. "I can't be a doctor."
"Why not?" He asked in disbelief. "We have plenty of female doctors in new York."
"Well, that's in New York. New York is not the rest of the world." She sighed.
"Sweetheart, this war is going to change the world. Nothing will be the same." He told her as he took her knight.
"I thought you would want me to stay home. Especially if we had children." She said. The idea of a baby with Arthur making her womb flutter with want. She imagined him chasing their child through the grass as she laughed from a picnic blanket. Spring flowers all around them. Her Major picking up the small one as he or she giggled. Her husband so young and strong. Fatherhood making him even more handsome.
"I would want you to be happy. If staying at home made you happy, then that's what I want." He said. His face turning into a scowl as she moved her piece to block him. He would be in check soon and had no way out.
"Seeing you take care of that soldier, I think it would be a waste if you didn't do more." He said as he tried to think his way free of her clever little trap.
"That's why I became a nurse." She said defensively.
"Your a great nurse. Now, you need a new challenge." He said as she moved her piece cutting him off again.
"Check." She said.
Her husband grumbled.
"Well, maybe back in London, it won't hurt to take a few classes. I'm hold up with with this leg until then." She mused as the Major looked annoyed.
It was still so strange to see him not in uniform. He looked so normal and plain in his regular clothing.
"I want you in New York." Arthur said moving his next piece. He knew she would win.
"Checkmate." Ariadne said casually. "How many wins is that?"
"Forget being a doctor, you need to be a military strategist." Arthur sighed. "Hitler never would have started this mess with you around." He said in a cranky voice.
She giggled.
"I think I would feel better in London. I don't want to impose on your family." She said. She was scared about meeting his mother and father.
"Their your family now." He assured her. "Beth is excited to meet you."
"What about your mother?" She asked.
"Only chance at grand kids. Just keep reminding her of that." Arthur said as he set up another game.
"Besides, I don't want you alone in some big city with your leg." He told her. "Who's going to take care of you?"
She sighed. He was right of course. She hated it when he was right.
"You know, I never promised to obey." She said as he made the first move across the board.
"I would never expect you to." He laughed. "Your move, Gorgeous."
"So eager to lose again?" She teased.
~ "Promise me something." Arthur said as night fell over them again. The street lamps outside cast a warm glow into their dark rooms.
"What?" She asked. Her body luxuriating in the feel of his skin on hers. She never knew that this simple contact could be so wonderful. Their flesh melding perfectly as they fought back sleep. Their bodied becoming so much better at this new thing called making love.
"Promise our home will always be a happy place. I don't want our marriage to be like my parents." He confessed to her in the stillness of night. The warm glow from outside picking out his handsome features.
"Promise to always give our kids affection. Always tell them you love them, and me. Always tell us you love us." He whispered.
"You don't have to make me promise that." She said to his shadowy features.
"I don't think my mother ever told me she loved me." He said sadly.
"She loves you." Ariadne whispered.
He shook his head.
"I keep thinking back to when I was little. All the times my mother would say anything to me. I don't think she ever once said she loved me. She was always so distant from us." Arthur said painfully.
Ariadne said nothing as her husband was lost in thought. She had seen this many times. Wounded soldiers would talk about their lives. Their regrets.
"My Dad, he always told us he loved us. He always showed us affection. I don't know why my mother couldn't." He went on.
Ariadne thought back to her Aunt and Uncle. The family that wasn't really hers. Her Aunt was distant from her children as well. She was proud of them, however. She would brag endlessly about them. That was how Ariadne knew she loved them.
"I promise I won't be like that." She whispered.
Her new husband was roused then. His body moving over hers as he kissed her deeply. Hardly letting her break for breath as night rolled away from them.