{Jessica and Seth, having decided to get married in Cabot Cove, have just arrived at JFK for the flight home. Let's see who's waiting for them...}

... ... ... ... ...

Jessica chuckled as Seth shook off the pain from a hard handshake by the very happy cabbie after leaving him a lavish tip. Once she and Seth checked their bags with the porter at the entrance of the small terminal for private planes, Jessica took Seth's left hand in hers and squeezed it gently as they walked through the doors. "Ouch!" Seth cried, which made Jessica laugh out loud and Seth grin.

Inside the doorway they were promptly mobbed by Jessica's nephew Grady and his wife Donna, and Seth's daughter Susan and son-in-law John. Jessica's brothers, Marshall and Martin, and their respective wives, as well as Jessica's sister Marilyn and her husband brought up the rear of the wedding party. The festive group had the little terminal all to themselves.

Everyone was hugging, kissing, talking, and laughing all at once. "Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Jessica. "You all made it here before us. I'm sorry if we kept you waiting."

"It gave us time to all catch up with each other," said Grady as he gave Jessica a big hug and kiss on the cheek. He stepped over to Seth, who extended his hand, but Grady would have none of it. Much to Seth's surprise Grady hugged Seth and kissed him on the cheek, too.

"Well, soon-to-be Uncle Seth welcome to the family!"

Seth responded with a big smile while hugging Grady back.

After giving her father a hug and a kiss along with many happy words, Susan waited behind Jessica's brothers to greet her. While everyone else was busy chatting she seized a semi-quiet moment to enveloped Jessica in a hug and whisper to her, "I'm so glad you and Dad are getting married. I haven't seem him look this bright in ages. And, well, I haven't had a mother for so many years… would you mind terribly if I called you up sometimes to just, talk? I've missed that so much since my Mom passed away."

Tears welled in Jessica's eyes. "Susan dear, that would be wonderful - I'd love that. You can keep me updated on all of the doings of the children, too."

"Oh, you'll hear about them," chuckled Susan while blinking back the wetness in her own eyes. "When they found out that you and Dad were getting married they started whooping about having a grandmother at last! John's parents died so young - they never got to know them. With finals this week they couldn't make the ceremony but they can't wait for the reception."

Seth had come up behind the women and wondered at them both being so misty-eyed. He overheard the exchange and, walking up to them, embraced them both and said in a slightly husky voice, "Now ladies, you're going to get me going with the waterworks in another minute, too!" With that he gave Susan, then Jessica, a peck on the cheek and they turned to the rest of the gathering.

"Ah, no, sorry, that just won't do," exclaimed Jessica's eldest brother Marshall. "Let's see you give her a real kiss!" The rest of the family laughed and started clapping to encourage them.

Seth smiled, "Well, if you all insist," and with that he drew Jessica into his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips. Jessica put her arms around Seth's neck and deepened the kiss to the vast amusement and cheers of their families. Only the announcement of their plane's departure caused them to separate.

After a few minutes, they were greeted by a tall uniformed man who stepped up to them, and tipping his cap, addressed Jessica.

"Excuse me, but I recognize you as Jessica Fletcher, the author. Please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Kevin McNeal and I'll be your steward for the flight." Turning to the rest of the group he continued, "The pilot has informed me that we have a provisional departure time in 30 minutes, so it would be best if we boarded the plane. All of your bags have been checked and we will begin boarding immediately so we don't lose our time slot. If I may assist anyone in any way please don't hesitate to ask."

In short order the plushly outfitted private jet was boarded, all of the pre-flight rituals were completed, and they took off on time. Once air born the pilot greeted them with the news that the weather was fair along their route and their ETA at Portland would be 1 hour and 25 minutes. He then told them that drinks and snacks would shortly be served and they were free to move about the cabin.

Seth excused himself from Jessica's side and made his way to the front of the plane just as Martin and his wife were converging upon Jessica and commandeering her attention. Seeing Jessica thus diverted, Seth had a quiet word with the steward who nodded and, after knocking, led Seth into the cockpit.

A short time later Seth walked back down the aisle to find everyone cheerfully chatting away about arrangements for the next day and melded into the group.

The plan worked out during the short flight was for Seth and Jessica, once the plane had landed in Portland, to pick up Seth's car and drive directly to the City Clerk's office in Cabot Cove to get their marriage license, since it was already late Friday afternoon, and then go home.

Meanwhile, everyone else would get their rental cars and gather for dinner before checking into the Hill House B & B in Cabot Cove for a good night's rest.

Early Saturday morning Susan and John would collect Seth's younger sister, their Aunt Helene, who was flying in from Florida, and get her settled at the B & B as well.

Jessica's family would gather at her house Saturday afternoon to escort her to the church while Seth's kin would do the same at his place.

Soon they were instructed to take their seats and prepare for landing at Portland's airport. Jessica took Seth's hand and they entwined their fingers. Seth raised Jessica's hand to his lips and held it there for a moment while they smiled lovingly at each other.

Grady, who was sitting behind Jessica, whispered to Donna, "They look like two teenagers in love."

"Dear," replied Donna, "just how would two older people in love look?" "Excellent point," smiled Grady as he kissed her softly.

After deplaning, Seth and Jessica bade farewell to everyone as they headed to Seth's car and sped off to pick up their marriage license before the office closed.

The rest of the group found that securing the rental cars was uneventful since Seth had prepaid for them. And, as they would soon discover to everyones' grateful surprise, the accommodations had been paid for as well.

As Seth steered out of the city and along the lovely, scenic route known as US-1 Jessica enjoyed glimpses of the ocean and inhaled a deep, deep breath of the clean, salty sea air.

"Smells good, doesn't it?" remarked Seth.

"Oh, it does! I've missed this; the water, the trees, the scent of the ocean, even the 'Beware of Moose' signs," Jessica giggled as they passed one along the wayside. "And especially you," she said quietly while looking over at Seth.

"I've… longed for you, too," responded Seth as he glanced at her. "Seems like my life was on hold until I could see you again or even just hear your voice on the phone."

"We should have done this sooner," Jessica wistfully said. "I'm sorry it took me so long to figure out that I love you."

"Yes, it took a while, but maybe we needed the time to heal and to find ourselves again. At any rate, we've developed a wonderful friendship that I wouldn't have missed or traded for the world, Jess."

"Me neither," Jessica confirmed as they turned south onto Maine Route 27 and took the last few curves into Cabot Cove.

... ... ... ... ...

"Cuttin' it a bit close aren't ye?" said Edgar Evans, the City Clerk, with a huge smile as they strode into the office. "If the sheriff hadn't asked me to wait I'd hev' closed up a'ready!"

"Edgar, we owe you our thanks," retorted Seth. "Yes," added Jessica, "we greatly appreciate it. And, if it's not too much to ask - would you please keep it under your hat for now? We're trying to keep it out of the press."

"Not a problem fer me a'tall. But the other folks in the office might not have been so… discreet," mentioned Edgar giving Jessica and Seth a wink as he pushed the required paperwork across the counter toward them for their signatures.

Seth looked over at Jessica with a soft smile playing on his lips. "Well Jess, shall we?"

"Oh, yes!" Jessica held Seth's eyes for a moment before reaching over and enfolding Seth's right hand with her left.

Mr. Evans had a wry grin on his face as he watched them complete the necessities with their hands held. "Best wishes and congratulations to ye both!" he told them after they had finished and the papers were formalized.

As they walked out the door he quietly mumbled to himself, "And it be about time for ye."

Jessica was surprised to find lights on as she and Seth pulled up to her house on Candlewood Lane. Then she noticed the convertible parked a little ways up the street. Upon entering the kitchen they were greeted by Mort and Adele in the midst of an arm wrestling contest at the kitchen table.

"Oh, hi you two! Give me a minute, I think I might just win this one," grimaced Mort. He winked surreptitiously at Jessica as Adele slammed his hand down on the table.

"Darn, you beat me again honey."

They both jumped up and Adele gave Seth a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Congratulations!" said Mort giving Jessica a peck on the cheek and a bear hug. He turned to Seth with a huge grin and grabbed his hand, then pulled him in for a bear hug too. "It's about time!"

Both Jessica and Seth did their best not to roll their eyes.

"Since you never lock your doors we thought we'd come over and warm the house up for your return. There's also coffee, and chili's on the stove in case you're hungry," noted Adele.

"How thoughtful, thank you!" said Jessica.

Jessica and Seth joined Mort and Adele at the table with mugs of coffee in their hands. They chatted for a while about the preparations for Saturday.

"I'm glad to hear that things went smoothly at the City Clerk's office," mentioned Mort. "I had Edgar pull your birth certificates so he could make up the marriage license and have everything ready. Of course, I also told him to keep things quiet, but you know how it is in this town…"

Adele spoke up, "I arranged for a private room for dinner after the service down at the Dockside Restaurant. They also have that lovely patio overlooking the ocean for dancing. I didn't mention any names, but old Barnaby gave me a wink when he confirmed things."

"There seems to be a lot of that going around," noted Seth. "Well, in a town where tongues wag like a puppy dog's tail you just can't expect things to be kept too quite. I don't mind so much, though," he sighed while taking Jessica's hand and smiling into her eyes. "They're all friends and neighbors."

"Wow Doc!" exclaimed Mort. "That's actually civil of you. Love must be making a softy out of you."

"Mort!" chided Adele. "You know it's tradition not to bait the groom before the wedding."

"Well, actually the tradition is for the groom not to see the bride in her dress before the wedding," added Jessica to the silly banter.

"Speaking of which, what are we all wearing? It's supposed to be a gorgeous day so rainwear is out," retorted Mort, which gained him a playful elbow in the ribs from Adele.

"I have my tuxedo pressed and hanging in the closet," remarked Seth trying to turn the conversation back to reality.

Adele piped up, "Mort's tux is in the cleaners but he does have a nice black suit and purple tie. I was going to wear my mauve dress if that's all right with you, Jessica."

"Yes, Jess, what will you be wearing?" queried Seth with a raised eyebrow.

"You'll just have to wait and see," she answered with a mischievous grin. "Your dress will be lovely Adele, and I'm sure Mort will look great in his suit. Seth, of course, will be positively handsome in his tuxedo."

"Nice try at diversion, Jess. I take it you're not even going to give us a clue," mused Seth.

"Nope," she replied with an even wider grin, "you'll just have to wait and see."

"Well honey," said Mort to Adele, "we'd better let these two get a little dinner in them. By the way Doc, how's five o'clock for us picking you up at your place? The service is at six, right?"

"A-yuh, that'd be fine. And thank you both for going through all this trouble for us."

"We appreciate it more than we can tell you," added Jessica.

"We were glad to help," mentioned Adele. "Oh, wait! We almost forget them Mort," she said as she rummaged through her handbag and brought out two fairly small, flat, rectangular boxes decorated with festive wrapping paper.

She handed the slightly smaller one to Mort as she moved to Jessica and gave her the gaily wrapped, slightly larger gift.

"We wanted to get you each just a little something; just a little token, really."

"Yeah, but be sure not to open theses tokens until after you're married," smirked Mort as he handed the smaller box to Seth.

"I hope it's something in good taste," said Seth as he looked up at Mort with a barely concealed smile. "You know, Mort. I seem to recall that you're due for your annual physical soon. Hmmmm, guess I can find a rusty needle somewhere to draw your blood with if I had to. Think I might just dull it up a bit too!"

Everyone was laughing as Jessica saw Adele and Mort to the door and wished them a good night.

Jessica and Seth sat down at the table for a some chili. "Boy, this hits the spot. I didn't realize how hungry I was," Seth noted appreciatively as he spooned up the last bit in his bowl.

"Me either," agreed Jessica, barely stifling a yawn. "Seth dear, it's been a wonderful day but I'm winding down fast. I think it's time for bed."

After tidying up they climbed the stairs and got ready to go to sleep.

"Ladies first," Seth indicated to Jessica for her turn in the bathroom. He busied himself taking out the essentials from his suitcase.

"You're up," Jessica told him after she returned. Seth grabbed his toiletries kit and went down the hall.

Returning from his nightly ablutions, Seth found Jessica, wrapped in her robe, arranging her book and glasses on the bed side stand and walked up to her. "Hmmmm," he said, "I seem to recall being promised kisses yesterday. Any chance I could collect on some of those tonight?"

"I'm sure something could be arranged," offered Jessica with a faint blush.

"You look good in that color," quietly noted Seth, tracing his finger gently down her cheek. His touch and intense gaze made shivers run up and down her spine.

Jessica saw the flame of desire she felt reflected in Seth's eyes as he moved in closer and slipped his arms around her waist. Her arms encircled his neck as their lips met with an urgency that neither of them denied wanting. When they finally parted both found their breathing quite ragged, and were still in each other's arms with their cheeks touching.

Jessica slowly caressed Seth's shoulders and then trilled her fingers down his back. Seth felt his insides melt. He pulled her back around to him and took her mouth with a passionate kiss. Jessica sank deeper into his embrace while Seth's hand roamed over her lower back to rest on the prominence of her hip pulling her even closer to him, while his other hand tangled into Jessica's hair.

They both were gasping for air when their lips parted. Seth then leaned his head to the right and pressed a delicate line of soft kisses along Jessica's cheek in an agonizingly slow manner. When he nibbled her earlobe she released a sigh that felt like it had come from her toes.

"Seth…" Jessica slipped his name from her lips. She gently took his face in her hands, tilted her head slightly to the right, and pressed her mouth to his for a deep, soul-reaching kiss.

When their lips finally parted they stared into each others' eyes with searing intensity. "Jessica," Seth slowly murmured, "this is the point of no return for me. We either stop here or we… continue and become lovers tonight."

"I feel the same way," Jessica breathed while trying to ease the trembling she felt throughout her body. "It's just that… we've waited this long…"

Seth tried to calm his galloping heart by taking a deep, slow breath and then releasing it even more slowly.

"A-yuh, you're right, just one more day," a resigned Seth noted. "But that doesn't mean we can't keep each other, er, warm tonight," he said in a more cheerful tone.

Relaxing back a little in Seth's arms Jessica chortled at his remark. "Well, we are in Maine, and the nights are reputed to be chilly, especially since it's just the beginning of June."

"And as your betrothed it just wouldn't be right for me to let you get cold, now would it?" smiled Seth.

"Ohhh, my. No, it wouldn't - lucky me!" Jessica agreed as her mouth curved into a big grin. "Of course, neither of us seems to be lacking for warmth right now," she said as she patted Seth's flushed cheek.

"Well, let's tuck right up under the covers and see what we can do about keeping things hot! Figuratively speaking, of course."

"Of course," giggled Jessica slipping under the sheets and holding them up for Seth, who dove underneath.

They spent a long time snuggling together and caressing tender areas close to their fingertips while whispering words of love into each others ears. After a while, sleep claimed them for a dreamless rest. Dawn found them the way they had started the night - wrapped snugly in each others arms with Jessica's head resting on Seth's shoulder, under a layer if soft covers.