The "For Sale" sign hung prominently in front of his former home. Beth, Shane, Katie and Michael offered to help, but Rick knew this was something he had to do on his own.

Beth already picked out the furniture she wanted, and there were two pieces that were important to Rick; an upright, glass humidor that belonged to his grandfather, than father, than him. The second piece was a cedar hope chest that belonged to Lori. He slowly loaded up the U-Haul, which was backed into the garage to avoid the noisy neighbors. He cleaned out the basement, garage and utility room.

After he secured the two pieces he wanted, the difficult part came. He went to what would have been Judy's room, and rolled the crib from its place in his old house to the new destination at Beth's home. He gathered up all the clothes, diapers, changing table, glider rocker, the one he remembered Lori sat in when she rocked Carl to sleep, and took everything from pink bunnies to little pink socks. By the time he was done, the room was empty.

"I love you, Judy" He said, as he shut the door for the final time.

His hands were shaking when he opened Carl's room, and he sniffed just a hint of dust when he went into his son's room for the first time in almost three years. He sat on Carl's mattress, and looked at the unmade bed with Angry Birds sheets. He had to blink back unrelenting tears as he picked up clothing from the floor, dropping them into black plastic bags. He wasn't throwing them away. He was going to clean them up and have them wait for his future child. He took the sheets, little league trophies, pictures and other mementos Carl was proud to have. He packed everything into bags, then loaded up the truck. "Love you buddy." He said, after he closed his son's door.

He did everything he could to avoid going to the master bedroom. He cleaned out the hallway and linen closets, got the pots and pans, utensils, plates, canisters, cups, bowls and remaining food from the kitchen, and held a strong grip onto Lori's favorite coffee mug. He made many trips to the van, filling it up with everything he wanted to take from the house. He took pictures off the walls, all of Lori's photo albums, Carl's baby book, their wedding album, DVDs and CDs, and the flat screen TV he and Lori saved to buy, only to have her watch it once. Everything that could be taken was, except for the weapons and master bedroom.

Rick's legs were shaking when he put all of Lori's clothes in bags. Whatever Beth didn't want he'd donate to Goodwill. He loaded up her shoes, dresser items, and gently put all of her jewelry in the case she had. He looked at the necklace he gave her on their wedding day. She wore it ever day until she died. Same thing with the earrings he gave her the day Carl was born. He looked at the tennis bracelet, still wrapped in the jeweler's paper, which he planned on giving her the day Judy was born. He looked at Lori's engagement and wedding rings. He'll give them to Beth, if she wants them. His hands shook when he removed his wedding ring from his left hand to the ring finger on his right hand. He refused to look at his dresser.

The truck was almost full when he got to his own dresser. He threw all his clothes into black bags, an extra uniform he kept in the closet, all his weapons, and after several hours the house was stripped of everything that meant anything to him, except the urn. He carried it out to the truck, and started to drive back to the farm with one hand on the wheel and the other on the urn. He was at the stoplight for the last time, and reminded himself he had to come back later and repaint the crosses.

It was the morning of Valentine's Day. The big day when they will finally become one. It was just paperwork at this point. Rick already started the process of formally adopting Jo, his house was sold, and they have a pending offer to sell ninety of the one hundred acres that abut the property. Rick worked with attorneys who contractually obligated the developer who bought the plot that no homes will be built within a ten acres close to the house, and a ten foot tall privacy fence was already installed. On the property line.

Beth was awake, lying in Rick's arms. She thought about what her life was like before she met Rick. She was alone. So alone it was painful. She worked her fingers to the bone every day. Now, she has a wonderful man lying next to her, and his baby in her belly. She couldn't sleep so she slipped out of his arms, checked on Jo, and went to the kitchen to start breakfast. No more shoveling shit in the morning, she thought with a smile.

A year ago the only noise that could be heard in the morning was her soft crying. Soon it will be a baby fussing. She and Rick decided on three children, maybe more.

Rick has done so much for her in the short time they've been together. He was overly protective, but she didn't mind, because he knew what true loss was. She held him the night he got home from emptying out his old house. She accepted the urn into her house without question. When Rick was at work she looked through the belongings, hung up the framed pictures he had of his family, and put some them on the mantle above the fireplace. She put pictures of Carl and Lori throughout the house. When Jo was at school and Rick was at work, and she was sure nobody could hear her, she talked to the urn, and told Lori how sorry she was about everything, but promised that she'll take good care of Rick.

Katie and Sasha brought the snacks, and the Justice of the Peace arrived on time. Michael and Kate's children were well behaved, and interacted with their new cousin, Jo.

They stood by the fireplace, the hearth emanating its warmth throughout the room, and casting a golden glow throughout the room.

Rick stood near the hearth, beaming with pride. His sister was standing across from him, and Michael was standing behind the groom. No music was needed, it wasn't wanted anyway. They just wanted to get married.

Shane walked Beth across the room, their version of down the aisle. Her ivory dress was clinging to her curves, and she got the okay from Rick to use Lori's hair clip to pin her blonde locks. Rick's eyes were teaming with tears.

Rick extended his hand to help Beth up the steps of the gazebo. She was shaking, and he held her hands tightly. He tightened his grip and gave her a wink.

The Justice started, "We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Elizabeth Anne Greene and Richard Michael Grimes. Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning, a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable. A union on husband and wife is unshakable, and a bond that should never be torn apart. Richard, your parents had that strong bond for thirty years before God called them home. They are here with you today, witnessing your new chapter in your life. Elizabeth, your parents and sister are here with you. Richard, Lori, Carl, and Judith are here, and so proud of you and the step you are taking. Richard, would you please repeat after me;

"I, Richard Michael Grimes"

"I Richard Michael Grimes"

"Take you, Elizabeth Anne Greene, as my lawfully wedded wife."

"Take you, Elizabeth Anne Greene, as my lawfully wedded wife."

"I promise to be true to you, in good times and in bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live."

"I promise to be true to you, in good times and in bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, and I will love you and protect you with my life and make you smile every day, for as long as we both shall live."

There were laughs and some people clapped as Rick added that last part.

The Justice of the Peace announced that the couple have written their own vows. Beth went first, "Rick, being with you feels right in every single way. My favorite place is in your arms and when we kiss I feel like I'm flying. Somewhere, somehow I fell in love with you and it was the most beautiful thing in my life. I know I want to love you and be with you for as long as I live. I just want to jump into your arms and have all my problems disappear. I live to taste your lips, to hear your laughter, to feel your skin against mine. I live to lift your soul to ease your burdens to share your joy and your sorrow. I live to help you, to comfort you, to make all our dreams come true. I live to love you and be loved by you. Every day, always, my love, I love you. You are my first love, and you will be my last. My deepest, most passionate love. A love I've never had before. A love I will remember forever. And even thought I met you in my worst days, you made it look like my best days."

Rick squeezed Beth's hand after she finished her vow, and he took a shaky breath before he said his; Beth, Our love for each other came unannounced, in the middle of the night. But I can promise you this; I will wrap my arms around you to fix you when you are sad. Whether it's the days you are burning brighter than the sun, or the nights you collapse in tears into your pillow, I will be there. When you are not close, I miss you. When you are near, I can't take my eyes off of you. Alone I am strong, but with you I am mighty. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. You are my kindred spirit, my best friend and my lover. I will love you always.

The man proceeded to pronounced them man and wife, and the small cluster that was their family cheered.

They had a short dinner, before Beth handed her new sister, Katie, a suitcase for Jo. Katie proudly took her niece home so her brother can go on a long honeymoon.

He grabbed the strings of her lace panties and pulled, tugging them down her legs and throwing them off to the side. Finally she was naked in front of him. He could see the folds of her sex glistening with moisture. He wanted to bury his tongue there, taste every delicious inch of her, but he knew he'd never be able to hold off, and he desperately needed to fuck her. Tasting would have to wait for another time.

He slipped one finger inside, finding her soaked and more than ready. A second finger joined the first, thrusting in and out, three rapid pumps. Her hips lifted, a little shuddering breath in and out as her fingers dug into the vinyl of the bed.

He grabbed her hips, pulling her forward, lining her up with the edge of the bed, plunging into her in one deep thrust. She cried out, her voice roughened with arousal. Her little noises of pleasure, combined with the wet heat of her on his cock, were more than he could stand. He thrust, hard and fast, driving into her almost violently, his hands leaving bruises on her hips as he gripped her, holding her still. She wrapped her legs around his waist, using her muscles to pull him even closer. Meeting his every thrust with one of her own.

He leaned forward, changing the angle and adding a little twist on the upstroke. He was close to the edge and he wanted to see her come first. He reached up with his left hand to flick and pull at her nipple. Even through the shirt, it was enough. She shattered, a guttural scream echoing in the empty shop. He felt her pussy clench, the muscles squeezing him, driving him over that peak. He felt the zipping sensation start at the base of his spine, burning a path to his balls as the first spurt shot out. He threw his head back and roared out his pleasure.

When they caught their breath and lay together, he said, "I love you, you know that?"

"I love you too." She was quick to respond.

Mixed in with in with the sudden rush of love was something else. Something dark. He was suddenly terrified of losing her and an inexplicable sense of foreboding washed over him.