IMPORTANT:

Um, okay, so this is THE scene. I kind of hope you know what I'm talking about. This chapter, I guess, might be considered rated M, but it won't go into detail. If you know avaatquevale2250's fic called One Night with the Prince, it's probably going to be something like that. If you don't want to read this chapter, it's fine. "THE Scene" will be after several dashes and underscores, so if you wanna know what they do on their honeymoon, you're welcome to read it. If you don't want to read "THAT Scene," then don't read past the dashes and underscores.

QOTD: Do you have a crush on someone/have a significant other? (It doesn't have to be a real person; it can be a fictional character *cough* Maxon Schreave *cough*.)

Thank you guys sooo much for the reviews! I love you guys!

CONTEST FOR THIS CHAPTER FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO READ IT: Look for the symbols and metaphors. Whoever catches the most wins a chapter dedicated to them.

Love ya!- AcademicGirl


Tess's POV

I wake up warm and to something brushing my back, now exposed to the open air with the laces loosened and nearly undone. I smile when the soft feathers move to my shoulder blade, then between my shoulders, then my neck.

I squirm and the kisses cease; knowing Matthew, he's probably worried he woke me up. I turn around to face him completely, and I admire his bare chest in the filtered sunlight. I run my hands over his abdomen, and he holds me closer.

"Good morning, my wife," he says affectionately, kissing my nose.

"Mm, I like the sound of that, my husband."

"I like that one even better."

I kiss his chest then his shoulder.

"You're making it hard for me to wait, Tess," he says in a low, teasing voice.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Matty boy."

The arm wrapped around my back pulls my chest flush to his. "Don't lie to me," he growls, and I bite my lip.

His lips nearly brush mine, but I decide I want to be mean, so I escape his grasp and roll off the bed. "We've got a long day ahead of us, Matt."

"Ugh, you're no fun, love."

"I really should have taken my wedding dress off," I say, unlacing the bodice completely. "Thanks for taking the skirts part off, though. It was a lot nicer wearing the slip underneath. And thanks for loosening the ties at the back. I probably would be dead by now from asphyxiation."

I can hear him laughing softly from the bed. "Why are you laughing?" I ask mockingly.

He sits up and gets out of bed. "You still have no idea where we're going for our honeymoon."

"Ugh, I hate not knowing."

"I know you do, and I think it's adorable when you're frustrated."

"Yeah, you won't think it's too adorable when I get mad." I turn to him and put down my hairbrush.

He starts to look genuinely worried as he settles back down on the bed. "Why are you setting the brush down?"

"Hair brushing can wait. I want to wreak havoc first." I run to the bed and jump on top of him to tickle his bare stomach. I know it's a lost cause because I know Matthew won't succumb to it, but apparently, what I think I know isn't always right.

It turns out Matthew is more ticklish than I am. I've moved my fingers faster on guitar strings, but Matt is laughing like a drunk.

"Stop, stop, stop!" he yells. "I'm done. Stop, I'm tired!"

"Say you're sorry!" I say, stopping for a moment.

He looks me dead in the eye and says, "Never."

"That does it."

He continues to laugh and hiccup as I relentlessly tickle his bare stomach.

"Okay, I'm sorry!"

I stop and sit up, still on his stomach. "Good."

"My turn."

"What?"

He rolls us over and pins me down. I am breathless from laughing, and so is he. Our heavy breaths share the small space between us.

"What a compromising position we are in, love."

I raise an eyebrow and smirk. "We're married," I whisper. "We can do whatever we want."

He smiles devilishly and pecks my lips once. "We really have to get ready, love. We're headed to someplace where you need to pack clothes meant for winter."

"Hmm? Really now?"

"First hint, love. Now let's go."


Matthew's POV

I love snowboarding. It's not really a passion pursued in Angeles, but when I'm in the mountains, I feel like anything is possible.

"It's beautiful," Tess says, in awe. I can hear her in my headphones. The helicopter offers a view airplanes can't. Tess is holding my hand, because her fear of heights still overcomes her at times, but she seems a little braver today. We look at the sparkling snow together, at the way the sun glares off the white powder on the mountain.

"You up for snowboarding later, love?"

I see her raise her eyebrows. "Snowboarding?"

"Oh, yeah. Don't worry if you don't know how. I'll guide you every step of the way."

She smiles at that, and continues to admire the view.

The helicopter lands by our family cabin near the base of the mountains. There aren't anymore near us, so the next person in our vicinity would be hundreds of miles away. The cabin is exactly how I remember it. It's not too big, but it's adequate enough for a family like mine. The walls are wooden, and icicles hang off the edges.

Two guards bring in our bags, and for the sake of tradition, I carry Tess into my arms bridal style. She laughs and puts her arms around my neck. I set her down gently on the floor, and we both take a look around.

The walls are, of course, buried in pictures taken by my father. They're beautiful, as always. I smile sadly when I see Michael on nearly every one of them, but I grin when I see a picture of us kids and our mother. It's a candid picture in front of the cabin. My fist is raised midair and aimed at Michael, who has his hands up in defense. Alexandra's sitting with a book by Rilane, who's in the middle of making a snowman. Mother holds a pink baby Xander in her arms.

"I love it, Matt," Tess says, breaking me from my memories.

I turn to her. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

I grab her hand. "Come on, I'll show you the room."

I catch the slight blush that covers her ears, and I laugh at how cute she's being. "So this is the bedroom." It's a four-poster king-sized bed (duh) with velvet covers. The room itself is warm and wooden with a fireplace. "Don't worry, love," I say, "no one has made love on this bed." And then I nudge her shoulder with mine. "Yet."

She giggles nervously but says, "Shut up."

"Okay, well, let's go snowboarding first, and we can do fun stuff later."

We put on our gear and head to the mountains by car. When we get to the ski resort, people are already there.

I love the way Tess looks so excited yet afraid as we ascend on the ski lift. "What if I fall?" she says.

"Then I'll be there to catch you."


Tess's POV

Snowboarding is horrific for me. Matt makes it look so easy as he glides between pine trees. I probably look like a duck trying to be a fish. I can't move the way he does. There's some finesse that enhances the way he snowboards, and damn, it is so sexy.

He's patient with me as he tries to teach me how to ride. Lean this way for right, lean this way for left, do this to brake. It's harder than it sounds. I start on the bunny hill, and I feel silly for snowboarding with kids and still falling. But Matt helps me up with a slow laugh that makes my heart race and helps me.

"Snowboarding clearly isn't my thing," I say when we are in the lodge for lunch. He buys me hot chocolate without asking if I wanted it, and I'd be upset if it wasn't exactly what I wanted. He has his own mug of the heavenly beverage, and he grins over the brim.

"That's fine. It takes time to learn. You're actually pretty good for a first-timer."

I roll my eyes. "No need to lie to your wife, Matt."

He smiles again, longingly this time, and I frown. "What? Do I have a milk mustache?"

Matt chuckles, saying no. When we're done with lunch, we continue to snowboard until the sun is nearly on the horizon.

"We better start heading home, my love," Matt says at the bottom of a particularly difficult mountain. "I have an excellent dinner planned."

"I feel like you do all the work in our relationship, Matt," I say, nearly whining as we exit the resort and walk to the car.

"Your presence is work enough. The fact that you're even married to me is already work for you."

I laugh because he's being so funny and so sweet and I just love him so much.


Tess's POV

Dinner, courtesy of Matthew, is amazing. The dish he prepared is steaming hot and full of amazing spices I can't even name. I didn't even realize I was hungry.

We finish dinner, and we wash the dishes quietly. I think we're both stalling for time before we have to "do it." We had this discussion with the advisers weeks ago, and apparently, it's required for royals to consummate their marriage within days. Matthew and I are no exception.

And I'm terrified.

I take one look at Matthew, and my face heats up and I suddenly can't think straight and I'm thinking Oh, my gosh, it's gonna hurt like hell.

I go to the room before Matthew does to steel myself. We're not allowed to use a contraception. I have to look at least pleasing for him. Perris gave me lingerie, like she did with Eva, but I don't think I can wear it.

So I just keep my loose sweater and my jeans on. I brush my teeth in the bathroom, and my hands are shaking as I do it. When I enter the room again, I yelp when I see Matthew already there, looking at the picture frame on the desk.

He smiles when he sees me, and the butterflies almost leave. "Hello, love. Fancy seeing you here."

We're married, and he still makes me feel like a silly teenage girl. "Hi," I squeak.

I wonder how he's feeling. He looks so suave. In fact, he's the epitome of finesse and suave. I bet he isn't nervous at all.


Matthew's POV

I'm freaking out. I've never done this before! My heart is racing like crazy, and I'm praying to God I don't just pass out on top of her. Oh, God, what if I do pass out while we're doing it?!

I smile at Tess, as if I'm at ease, and approach her. "I hope you had a good day."

She's chewing her lip and playing with her ring, and I am so glad she's nervous too. "I did, Matt. Today was amazing. I loved it, and I wouldn't trade this day for the world."

"I'm glad. I'm glad you loved it." I finally reach her, and I take her hands. "I am so glad I can make you happy. When I make you happy, I'm happy. I would actually trade this day for the world, because you are my world, and I can't let you go. You make everything better on a good day, and everything better on a bad day. You make me smile when no one else can, and you've made me felt things I've never felt before."

Her ears turn red, and she smiles, looking away. "I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"Stop. If anything, it's the other way around."

"Matthew, when I bumped into you, it could have been a passing of two people. I could have said goodnight, and you wouldn't have kissed my hand and smirked. You didn't have to pay attention to me when I selfishly wanted it most. You are everything I ever wanted, and you are my everything. I've never met a person who was so passionate about everything, and I've never met a person who loved me so wholly. And, Matthew, you are the first and only person that I've loved this way. Nothing can change that."

I lean closer. "I'm happy."

"I'm happy too," she replies, with one of her lighted smiles that could power an entire city. She goes on the tips of her toes to bridge the gap between us.

We haven't kissed like this in weeks. Her lips set me on fire, and I can't help but feel excited, because we'll finally be able to do something reckless without anyone knowing the details.

I grip her hips and lift her up so she can put her legs around my waist. I plop her unceremoniously on the bed, and she laugh. I catch one more smile before she closes her eyes, and I turn off the lights.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-Tess's POV-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Matthew's heavy breath hits my ear, and I bury my hand in his soft hair. I can still see his blue eyes in the dark as the full moon light makes it way into our room.

His hands slip underneath my sweater and my tank top underneath, and he touches my scars with the tips of his fingers. He smiles when he does it, like he actually thinks it's beautiful instead of atrocious. He slips off my sweater, and when it's removed, he laughs at my hair that sticks up from static. He smooths it down and runs his hands through it, and I can't help but think how amazing he is and that I'm married to this amazing person.

He kisses my bare shoulder gently. Then he kisses my collarbone, then my neck, then a spot beneath my ear that makes me sigh. I smile at him when he pulls back to look at me.

"I love you, Matthew," I whisper, playing with the hem of his shirt.

He smiles back too. It's not a laughing smile, or a joking one, but it's a small smile that makes my heart beat just a little faster.

"I love you too."

I slip the shirt off him, exposing his toned chest, and all of his scars. When I touch him now, something different lingers in the air. We're going farther than we have before, and it can't be undone.

"Love, do you want this?" he breathes as I touch the scar over his heart. "I will wait as long as you want to."

"I'm sure, Matthew. Do you want this?"

He leans down and whispers in my with a husky voice, "Love, I've wanted this for a long time."

I bite my lip out of instinct, and he kisses my lips. It starts out slow and controlled, like a new flame, but then the flame spreads and grows to be an uncontrollable wildfire.

Matthew yanks off my tank top and reveals the brassiere I have underneath—a black one with lace. This is the most seductive thing I could have worn that is not entirely too promiscuous (i.e. the lingerie Perris gave me). His hands brush over the fabric, and I suck in a breath. I fumble for the button of his pants, and he laughs at my shaking hands.

"Eager, are we?" He helps me unbutton them, and he settles himself beside me to take them off.

"You're the one who said you've wanted this for a long time," I tease, taking my jeans off too.

He laughs softly. "Touché."

His hipbones form a V into his black boxers, and my ears are too warm, and the entire room is suddenly too warm. We didn't even light the fireplace.

I move so I'm on top of him and straddling his hips. He plays with my long hair that ends just at my waist.

"Beautiful," he whispers.

I kiss his stomach, then his chest, then his neck, and he inhales sharply just as I do that.

He moves quickly and sits up, putting his hands on my back to remove the clasps. We've never gone this far. We've never seen all of each other. And I'm so afraid that he'll be disgusted because I am not a model. I am not a beauty pageant queen.

His fingers stay there for a moment, waiting for some kind of approval. I nod my head the slightest bit, and he figures out the hooks faster that I ever did when I started wearing bras. And he does it without looking.

Matt quietly slips it off, and I cross my arms to shield myself. He tosses the garment on the floor with the rest of our clothes, and he looks at my face. He cups my cheeks with his warm palms.

"I love you, so you don't have to be afraid."

We whisper when we speak, because we do not want to break this magical and very awkward moment.

I nod, and he places his hands on my wrists to guide my arms away. I expect him to gawk or stare or something, but he merely glances at my chest and looks back into my eyes.

"Perfect."

I nearly laugh, because I am so far from it. I love how he makes me feel as if I'm worth being known. He looks shy as he takes another look, and he shakes his head with a silent laugh that comes from his eyes.

He lays me down, gently this time, and gets the sheets to cover us.

I might have had some expectations about how this might go. It would either be too rough or too anticlimactic.

But it's neither.

Matthew's fervent passion still exudes from him as he moves against me, but he slows down when he thinks I am hurt. And it hurts. It's a different kind of pain from being knifed in the stomach. It's dull and sharp at the same time, and the ache grows as he moves. He kisses my neck, and I moan in such an inhumane way that I am almost embarrassed. But not with Matthew. Not now.

He's gentle, though I'd never expect anything less from him. He looks at me momentarily, to see if I'm okay, and I bury my hand in his hair and pull his lips to mine, to say that I am. Matthew is pure, untainted, and his propriety begins to disappear as our pace quickens. He sighs a sigh of relief in my ear, because we do not have to worry about anything right now, and I release a sharp breath. This moment is ours, and it always will be.

Afterwards, we lie next to each other, pressed close under the covers to keep warm. I look around the room and notice the frames on the wall by our bed have tilted a little. The sheets hang precariously off the bed, and there are deep impressions on the mattress. Matthew's hand holds mine while his other one presses against my back. His eyes are not closed. They sweep over me like cool water. He smiles, and I kiss his cheek. He does not look sickly. He does not look diseased. He is my Matthew, strong and carefree.

He blinks once and leans forward to give me the softest kiss, like a ray of sunlight that graces me. His lips linger for two seconds, as if he's afraid we might lose this moment. We won't I say in my kiss. This is ours.

We shut our eyes and fall asleep in each other's arms.


So that was probably really horrible. I just got some PM's that said I needed to do this, so I did, and I tried, and I probably failed. Sorry...

Love ya!- AcademicGirl