A/N Sorry I didn't get this out yesterday morning, but sadly, I've had to play post holiday catch-up at work. I hope you'll feel like it was worth the wait!
They didn't want to wait, they knew what they wanted and Carl seemed to want it as much as they did. They were ready to be a family.
She and her Mama and Maggie had shifted into high gear planning what was to be a small ceremony. It was clear to Rick they were approaching it like they were planning the royal wedding. The thing was, he didn't really mind. If the ladies all wanted to make it a big deal he was completely okay with that.
His one and only objective was that when all was said and done, Beth Greene would be Beth Grimes.
Ever since he'd finally admitted to himself what his fears were, what was holding him back from committing completely, he'd felt so much happier. Now he just wanted to move on to this new life with Beth. And he was so grateful he hadn't let the disaster that their first date had been cause him to walk away.
He was relieved she'd decided on a "country casual" deal for the attire. He had no desire to do the tux thing as he had for his first wedding. He was so damn glad this one wasn't going to be anything like that one. Of course, Beth wasn't anything like Lori.
And he'd asked Daryl to be his best man, he would have hated to have to tell him he'd be wearing a monkey suit. Now all he had to hope for was that his best friend had a shirt with the sleeves still intact.
A few days earlier he and Daryl had moved her things to his house, well he'd be calling it their house real soon. Beth had been staying back on the farm with her folks until the wedding.
Her womanly touch was now visible throughout the place, and he found it didn't bother him one bit, in fact he liked it. He expected that once she was living there with him it would become more and more reflective of her very feminine way. He'd found the thought of that didn't trouble him in the least.
Friday evening the three of them had promised to have dinner with Dale and Erma. Beth had grown very fond of the older couple, they were so kind and generous with their time. She enjoyed watching them together, the love and respect they had for one another was obvious. It's what she wanted for her and Rick, that many years down the line they'd still be gracious and loving with each other.
She also knew the older couple were like stand-in parents to Rick, and surrogate grandparents to Carl. That warmed her heart, knowing that her husband and son to be had some sort of family. She couldn't imagine not having a family to turn to.
They'd brought Carl's things for the week, he'd be coming home with Dale and Erma after the wedding tomorrow. The three of them seemed quite excited about that, and Rick figured it was because there was a lot of being spoiled rotten in store for Carl. He'd only asked that Dale and Erma please make sure Carl did his homework.
Rick and Beth were spending their wedding night at home then leaving for their honeymoon early Sunday morning. They'd be going to Atlanta first, Beth hadn't been there since she was a young girl and she was anxious to visit the Aquarium. After two nights in Atlanta they'd travel to Savannah where they both looked forward to visiting the local antique shops, enjoying the great dining and exploring the beach.
Erma had made a wonderful roast beef dinner and everyone enjoyed the hardy goodness of the meal. For dessert she'd made a small cake that said, "Rick and Beth, Wishing You Happiness Always." But the highlight of the evening came when the older woman presented Beth with a set of linen pillow cases. They'd been hand embroidered with "Mr." and "Mrs." and trimmed in handmade lace. "These were a wedding gift made for us by my grandmother when Dale and I married. I can't think of anyone I would want to give them to more that you and Rick."
It was so sweet tears came to Beth's eyes.
They got in the truck and drove out to the farm. By the time they pulled up, Carl had fallen asleep in the back seat and Rick reached over and took her hand, "This will be the last night you're Beth Greene, you're not having any second thoughts are you?" His voice was serious but he had a broad smile.
"Not even the tiniest bit of doubt, how about you?" She got that pretty pink in her cheeks.
He wrapped her in a hug, "Sweetie I think I've made it pretty clear, I can't wait." They shared a sweet kiss.
xxxx
He and Carl were up early, both excited for all this day would bring. He often worried he overthought things, well hell he did overthink. And he'd almost screwed everything up, thinking too much, worrying too much but now he was all in, he was ready, willing and very anxious to be her husband.
When he and Carl arrived at the farm the scene had been set, and it looked beautiful, it looked like her. The women had made a little aisle with flower pots to either side. It led to a small grassy area with more flowers. That's where it would become official. There were white chairs for their guests to watch the brief ceremony.
A pair of picnic tables had been set end to end to form one long table. It was covered in a yellow tablecloth, and there were small antique cream bottles, filled with yellow, white and pink flowers, placed down the center. Beth and her Mama had made cloth napkins with a yellow floral pattern on them, they were tied with yellow ribbon and set at each place. There were Mason jars for beverage glasses. It was sweet, simple and old-fashion, just like his wife to be.
Her Daddy came out and shook his hand, then Carl's. He gave Rick a kind but serious look, "This is a big day son, a day you'll remember the rest of your life, hopefully as one of the best and happiest days you ever experienced."
"Thank you Hershel, and thank you for your blessing. I promise I'll take good care of Beth, she means the world to me, I think you know that."
He stood there with the preacher, waiting for his bride. Maggie and Daryl came from the house and walked up the small aisle first. Maggie had on a yellow gingham sundress and she was carrying a small bouquet of daisies. Daryl had gone all out and Rick smiled at his friend wearing a starched denim shirt, with sleeves, and a brand new pair of Wranglers. Rick wore almost the same thing, but with a sport coat.
Then he saw her and her Daddy round the corner from the house. He couldn't help the huge smile it brought to his face. She was wearing a brightly colored floral sundress and carrying a bouquet of wildflowers. Her pretty hair was down and she wore a single flower in it. He could tell she was nervous and holding tight to her Daddy's arm, but she was looking right at him and smiling.
At her request the ceremony was very short and very simple. She'd told Rick she was afraid she'd faint if she had to stand up there very long. He'd just held her close and said, "As long as it gets the job done, it sounds perfect to me."
When it was time to kiss the bride Rick kept it sweet and simple. He knew how shy his bride was about PDA's. They'd have plenty of time for the serious kisses later.
Once they'd walked back up that short aisle she seemed to relax and the party began. Well, lunch began. Although he did notice Daryl pour a little something from a flask into his Mason jar of lemonade.
Mama and Maggie had cooked a wonderful and traditional southern lunch of country ham, au gratin potatoes, succotash, hush puppies, biscuits and pink Jell-O salad.
Beth had insisted on making their wedding cake herself, and just like her it was old-fashioned country, a lemon-coconut cake and she'd topped it with flowers.
They were home by five and it just seemed right, so he followed his instincts and carried her over that threshold and said, "Welcome home Mrs. Grimes." And he smiled that smile that always made her think this strong, very masculine man, had a very gentle soul.
He opened a bottle of champagne and he lifted his glass to her, "Beth you made me so happy today, thank you for allowing me the privilege of being your husband." She blushed and they clinked the glasses and she smiled back, "I've never been happier than I am today Rick."
He turned on some soft music and asked her to dance. She was thinking what a wonderful dancer her husband was when he surprised her by moving his palm to her bottom and urging her into him. His other hand moved to the side of her face, and he kissed her with desire. She surprised herself with her own fevered response.
He pulled back a little and in one swift move gathered her in his arms and carried her to their bedroom. They stood by the bed embracing and kissing passionately, his hands moving from her back onto her bottom, and when they made their way to her back again he unzipped that pretty flowered sundress.
He stepped back and smiled at her, "I love you Beth Grimes, will you trust me, allow me to show you just how much?"
"Yes."
He unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it on the chair, he paused to kiss her again before removing her dress. She had on a pretty, lacy slip and he let his hand glide to her breast, feeling the hardness of her nipple through the delicate fabric. She didn't become nervous or rigid with his touch, instead she was responsive and her low moans, and the way she held tightly to him, let him know she was as ready for this as he was.
He removed her slip leaving her only in her panties and laid her on the bed. He quickly removed his own clothes and he heard the sound of her breath catch. She'd never seen him naked before and she was surprised to find the sight of his naked body further aroused her.
He lay down next to her and moved his mouth to her breast, and as he gently nibbled and sucked he let his hand slid inside those panties. It was then he felt her tense for the first time, "You okay Sweetie?"
She didn't trust herself to speak, she just nodded. He gave her a reassuring smile and tender kiss while he continued to move that hand down and slide his finger into her wetness. She responded with a pleasure-filled whimpers, and between his attentions to her breasts, his fingers inside of her and his thumb rubbing on that sensitive little nub, she soon came undone with a cry.
He held her close, told her how much he loved her, then moved to his knees and had her panties off quickly. She was shocked when he moved his mouth to her and begin to kiss that sensitized area, but there was no denying she enjoyed it, and that encouraged him. He licked and sucked and kissed her most sensitive of all spots, while his hand reached up and played with her breast. Her hands were in his curly hair and she was whimpering his name. This time her orgasm was even more powerful. He moved his face up to kiss her little mound, then kiss and suck on her tummy, and then it was back on her breast.
She didn't think it was possible for her to become aroused again, but she did. "Please Rick, I want you, I'm so ready." He smiled, kissed her deeply, moved his mouth to her neck and gently sucked there, whispering how beautiful she was and how much he loved her and he moved into her. She let out a little yelp, but surprisingly, it didn't hurt. He'd taken his time and she was ready for him.
He'd started off with slow, patient movements, but when he knew he wasn't hurting her, and when his own arousal couldn't be denied much longer, his thrusts became harder, deeper. He was nuzzling her neck, then her breast, and this time when she came he came with her.
He'd wrapped her in his arms, they were breathing hard and hearts were beating quickly. "That was wonderful Sweetie, you were wonderful."
"Oh my I never knew it would feel so good to be with you Rick. I never even expected to like it." He chuckled softly, "Well I can't begin to tell how happy I am you did."
A/N Well it seems that went well for the both of them. Thanks so much for reading, I appreciate seeing your reviews and comments xo