Author's Note: Hello, dear readers, and Happy Halloween! To celebrate the holiday, here's a little something I've been sitting on for a while. For those unfamiliar with my previous HM works, no worries! There are one or two references in here but there is no need to have read them to enjoy this work. So, without further ado, I give you My World, My Life.
Warning: Some minor historical inaccuracies guaranteed.
Looking in the mirror, I could hardly believe that this moment had finally come. Granted, the circumstances were far from what I'd hoped - I had thought when I prepared for my wedding that I would be in my room at Gracey Manor, with Jamie and Agatha by my side, not in a secretly obtained hotel room with only Emma to keep me company - but none of that mattered knowing that before the night was out, I would be Edward's wife. His wife. The very thought sent delightful shivers down my spine. After tonight, nothing could tear us apart, not even Ramsley. We'd belong to each other, legally.
"Oh, Elizabeth! You look so beautiful," Emma smiled tearfully.
She stood by the mirror wearing a lavender pinstripe dress, watching me with her hands clasped together over her chest, and I had never been so grateful to have her with me. For all these years, she had cared for me, nurtured me, and now she was one of the last ties that Edward and I would have to our old life together.
"Thank you, Emma," I held out my hand to her, and she took it, squeezing my fingers in comfort. "Having you and Ezra here means everything to us."
"We wouldn't miss it for the world. I…I'm so happy that I can be here for you, Elizabeth. I know I'm not your mother-"
"You are," I stopped her. "You are. You're the closest thing to a mother I've ever had, Emma. I wouldn't want anyone else beside me right now."
I could tell that my words had caught her off guard, and in the next moment she clutched me to her, one of her hands carefully brushing over my hair as she sniffled in my ear. Her embrace was warm and familiar, and I let my eyes close as I reveled in her touch for what might be the last time. How I wished there didn't have to be a goodbye.
"Well," she said, as we pulled apart, "we have at least a few important things to thank your real mother for."
Of all the things I'd left behind when we fled the manor, I was glad my mother's wedding dress wasn't one of them, for it fit me perfectly, and I couldn't help but imagine it was a sign of my parents' blessing. My hair Emma had left partly down, the veil braided into the elegant knot on the back of my head. It may not have been the wedding I'd pictured, but I was content by the fact that at least I looked like a bride. Our ponderings were interrupted by a knocking at the door.
"Ladies? Are you ready?" Edward's voice called.
What a complicated question, I thought amusedly.
"Yes, we're coming!" Emma answered.
I turned to catch my reflection once more, my fingers nervously smoothing down my skirts as Emma fluffed my veil one last time, and when I was satisfied that I looked presentable, I released a deep breath and we both crossed to the door, my heart fluttering with every step. A bizarre bashfulness came over me, knowing that my future husband was waiting for me beyond, and I had to remind myself that it was just Edward. Somehow, that thought made me more timid than ever. I pulled the door open and stepped out into the hallway, letting out a peep of surprise as I nearly collided with Edward's chest. My eyes traveled to his face, and the awe with which he looked at me made my knees weak.
"Good God," he breathed, his eyes shining down at me.
"You're stunning."
"So are you," I smiled timidly.
It was true. He'd dressed in a fine claret suit and combed his hair back, looking every bit the distinguished gentleman he'd been brought up to be. And he was mine. He was all mine. Behind him, Ezra stood waiting patiently in a dark cloak and top hat, his eyes gleaming as he took me in.
"You clean up well, kid," he grinned.
"Thank you, Ezra," I laughed. "And thank you for being here with us."
"Aw, don't you go getting soft on me now. Besides, someone had to keep this beau of yours in line," he said, lightly jabbing an elbow into Edward's shoulder.
Edward looked almost indignant as he rubbed his 'injury' and I took his hands in mine amusedly.
"I hope he wasn't too rough on you," I teased.
"Just enough," he smirked.
Our eyes locked for a moment, and I felt my heart race as a bated breath passed between us. I wondered if he was as anxious as I was.
"Can this truly be happening?" I whispered, letting myself feel hopeful. "Will we really be wed?"
"It can, and we will," Edward chuckled. "No more fear after tonight, my darling. We shall be known to the world as man and wife at last."
The streets were dark and empty as the carriage rolled up to the church, just as we'd hoped they would be. Edward had my hand tightly in his grasp, peering out the windows with a wary eye, and I pressed my fingers into his palm in what I hoped was a comforting gesture. He turned to glance at me, and his face softened as he squeezed my fingers back in reassurance. As we came to a halt, he stepped out first, glancing both ways down the street, and, satisfied that there was no danger, he turned back to me, offering his hand once more.
"My dear," he addressed me fondly.
I graciously accepted his hand and let him guide me from the carriage, just as Ezra was helping Emma down from where she'd been sitting next to him in the driver's seat. All of us took in the church across from us with great anticipation.
"This is it," I breathed out, my stomach leaping within me.
"Elizabeth…are you ready for this?"
Looking up into Edward's face, I saw that his question was in earnest, and I brushed my thumb across his palm.
"I've never been more ready, my love."
With a soft smile, he returned the gesture, and the four of us walked together across the street and up the steps to the church door, which Ezra warily knocked upon. After a pause, the door opened to reveal an older bearded gentleman, dressed in the robes of a priest. He took in the sight of Edward and I with a kindness that put me more at ease.
"Mr. Gracey, I presume?"
"Yes, Father," Edward nodded. "Thank you for your willingness to help us, and your discretion."
"'Tis my pleasure, sir, to bring two such fine young people as yourselves together. And thank you for such a charitable donation," he said with a knowing twinkle in his eye. "Come along now, the night is waning fast."
The priest beckoned us after him, and we followed.
Once inside, I saw that the church was small, but lovely, glowing in the light of hundreds of candles. The intimacy of it felt appropriate given the secretive nature of the ceremony about to take place, and it made the absence of those I'd wished could be here a little less striking. By the time I'd taken in the room, the priest had taken his place at the other end of the aisle.
"Well, my children? Shall we begin?"
Edward and I turned towards each other, his eyes tender as he gazed upon me. Behind us, Ezra had his arm wrapped around Emma's shoulder and they both nodded encouragingly.
"Go on, my dear," Ezra coaxed me. "We'll be right here."
I smiled thankfully at him. Edward took my hand once more, our fingers lacing together, and side by side we took our first steps into our new life together. With every second, the aisle seemed to grow longer, every step agonizingly slow, but Edward's fingers wrapped around mine kept me steady. Everything we had ever wanted was laid out before us - a quiet, joyous life together, free at last from the people and expectations that had so long kept us apart. The fact that we were here now was a miracle.
At long last, we reached the priest, and he bid us to kneel before him. Ever the gentleman, Edward assisted me down before taking his place at my side, and I swore I could hear his heart beating as loudly as mine.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here, in the sight of God, to join together this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony."
"Are you prepared to take your vows?"
"We are, Father," Edward confirmed. "But, might I have a moment to address my bride?"
If the priest was surprised, he didn't show it, nodding for Edward to go on.
We turned towards each other, yet before he'd even spoken a word, my heart leapt up to my throat. He was so handsome. All I could focus on was his face, bathed warmly in candlelight.
"Elizabeth," he began, "words cannot describe how much you mean to me. We were both so young when we met, but I knew even then, that my heart and soul would always be yours. You've become everything to me. My friend, my confidant, my muse…my love. I am yours, my darling. And if you'll allow me, I want to spend the rest of my life by your side."
His eyes glistened down on me, and my vision likewise blurred with tears, which I blinked away, eager to keep his face clear before me.
"Edward. Dearest Edward." My voice wavered. "This all feels like a dream. The thought of spending an eternity with you brings me more happiness than I ever thought possible. And just as you are mine, Edward, I promise I am yours. My soul, my body, and especially, my heart. I love you, with everything I am. And I swear I will love you for the rest of my life."
A wondrous expression had come over Edward as I spoke, and he ran his thumb over my knuckles before raising my hand to his lips in a kiss.
"Well, then, let's waste no more time, shall we?" The priest smiled, looking rather moved himself. "Do you have the ring?"
Edward nodded, momentarily releasing my hand to reach into the inner pocket of his coat, from which he withdrew a simple, yet beautiful gold band. Taking my hand back in his, he positioned the ring over my fingers, where my engagement ring still rested, seeming to sparkle even more brightly in anticipation of what was about to happen. His eyes bore into mine with a surety that made my heart stop.
"Edward Gracey, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do you part?"
"I do," he vowed, never taking his eyes from mine as he delicately slid the ring into place.
"And do you, Elizabeth Henshaw, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do you part?"
"I do," I spoke ardently, meaning it more than anything I'd said my entire life.
This is it.
"Then, by the power invested in me by God, and with his blessings, I happily pronounce thee man and wife. He whom God has joined together, let no man cast asunder."
I could no longer contain the tears that spilled over my cheeks as I gazed into the eyes of my husband for the first time. Of course, his hand was instantly there to caress them away, even as his own eyes welled with passion, and he let out a blissful laugh as he pressed his forehead to mine.
"Mr. Gracey, you may kiss your bride."
The words were hardly from the priest's mouth when Edward claimed my lips with his own, his hands on my face pulling me in deeper while my hands came to rest on his chest. I thought I might die of happiness. There was only him. Only the two of us, together at last, in this perfect, glorious moment. I could have stayed there forever had it not been for a light cough from the priest, yet Edward still kept a hand to my cheek as we drew back.
"Elizabeth Gracey," he beamed. "My wife."
My face grew warm and an embarrassingly girlish giggle escaped me.
"Edward Gracey," I returned. "My husband."
Oh, I could hardly contain the glee that filled me upon saying those two precious words.
"My hearty congratulations to the both of you." The priest spoke earnestly, and Edward helped me to my feet before turning to shake the man's hand.
"Thank you, Father. Thank you so much. You've no idea the service you've done for us tonight."
"We're forever in your debt," I agreed.
"Nonsense, my children. I do only as God commands me. Besides, I can see already that your future together shines brightly."
Unable to help myself, I knelt and kissed his hand in gratitude, and he patted my fingers warmly.
"Now, you must go, and quickly. No one knows you've come here, and they never will if I have any power over it. The best of luck to you."
Edward looked to me, smiling as I slipped my hand back into his, and together we hurried back up the aisle, a married couple at last. Emma and Ezra stood eagerly waiting for us, and Emma's face was wet with tears as she stepped forward and kissed first my cheek, then Edward's, looking between the two of us as though she would burst with happiness.
"Congratulations, both of you," she cried. "We're so happy for you!"
Even Ezra's eyes were wet as he, too, pressed a kiss to my cheek.
"Congratulations, my dear. You both deserve this."
"Thank you, Ezra."
My voice wavered as I answered him, and he patted my cheek good-heartedly before turning to Edward and offering his hand.
"Congratulations, my boy. You may just be worthy of her yet."
"I shall always strive to be. Thank you, Ezra," Edward said, accepting the gesture and firmly shaking Ezra's hand.
I watched as the two men I most cared for held each other's gaze, a silent moment of understanding passing between them before their hands dropped and Ezra tilted his head towards the door.
"Come on, you two. This night isn't over yet."
I was glad that the hotel parlor was empty upon our arrival, especially as Emma and Ezra paused at the door, and I realized that the moment I'd been dreading had come.
"We'd better be getting back," Ezra said reluctantly, "The last thing you two need is someone getting suspicious in our absence."
I nodded, a lump in my throat preventing me from immediately answering.
"There's no way we can repay you for all that you've done," Edward spoke. "But please know that both of you will always have our deepest gratitude, and our love."
"Oh," Emma whimpered, unexpectedly throwing her arms around Edward's neck and hugging him to her.
He glanced over at me, surprised at first, but then the corner of his lips turned upwards and he returned Emma's embrace, Ezra looking on at the two of them with a bittersweet grin.
"I hope you find the life you've been waiting for," Emma whispered.
As she released him, her eyes found mine, and I sighed mournfully as we wrapped our arms around each other. There was so much to say to her, yet so little time to say it. How could I express such gratitude?
"None of this would have been possible without you," I finally told her. "I won't forget that."
"You're capable of so much more than you know, Elizabeth. We won't forget you."
A tear dripped down my cheek as she drew back from me, allowing Ezra to step into her place and enfold me in his arms.
"You're one of a kind, Elizabeth," he murmured. "Never let anyone tell you otherwise. And…look out for the master, will you? He's a good one, but he's mortal, just like the rest of us."
"I promise, Ezra," I chuckled through my tears. "Thank you…so much…for everything. Thank you for saving my life."
"Nonsense, kid. You did that all by yourself."
We pulled apart from each other and he gave my shoulder one last squeeze before surprising all of us and pulling Edward into a brief embrace.
"You're strong, Master Edward," he said as they drew back from each other. "Ever since you were a boy, I knew there was a fire in you, and today you've proven it's still there. Let that guide you. Both of you. And please…take care of our girl?"
Edward bowed his head to my second father, his expression as solemn as the vow he took.
"I shall protect her with my life. I swear it."
That seemed to be enough for Ezra, for he nodded contentedly, his expression softening a little as I went to Edward's side and slid my arm around his waist, his arm draping naturally over my shoulder.
"God bless you both," Ezra said.
Emma stepped forward and looped her arm through his, her eyes shining.
"We love you," she proclaimed. "Both of you."
"And we love you. Say our goodbyes for us? Tell everyone…tell them we'll miss them?" I entreated her.
"It's a promise," she nodded.
"Thank you, my friends," Edward murmured. "Perhaps we'll meet again one day."
Even as he said it, we all could sense the false hope in his words, yet my heart was lightened as Emma and Ezra smiled kindly, then turned arm in arm and disappeared through the front door.
And so, for the first time, my husband and I were alone.
I was starkly aware of Edward's hand on the small of my back as we climbed the stairs of the hotel. The slightest movement of his fingers sent my heart racing. I knew all too well what was about to take place, and my heart was yearning for it as much as it was fearing for it. What if Edward didn't find me desirable? What if I was too afraid to go through with it? This night had been so perfect so far that the thought of anything dampening it was unbearable.
These worries were interrupted, however, when we reached the door to his - our - chambers. My hand was (thankfully) steady as I gripped the handle and pushed it open, avoiding Edward's gaze as I stepped inside and briskly crossed the room, pausing when I came to the foot of the bed. I remained with my back to my companion as he followed me in, my heart pounding as the door gave a quiet squeak, and then a click.
Then, it was just us.
For a long moment, it was quiet. Footsteps moved slowly, deliberately up behind me. My heart sped up as I felt his chest against my back, and my breath caught in my throat as his hand brushed the curls away from my shoulder. I barely had time to prepare myself before his lips pressed into the curve of my neck, my eyes falling closed as my head tilted back against his shoulder, and a pool of warmth spread from within me. Oh, God…
"Edward…" I breathed out his name shakily.
"Elizabeth," he whispered against my skin.
His hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me firm against him, and I gasped at the absolute desire that took hold of me. Edward moved upwards to nuzzle his face into my hair, and I was pleased to hear his breath trembling just as much as mine was. Boldness came over me. With a hand placed atop his, I pulled myself from his grasp and turned to face him. However, I was unprepared for the heated yearning in Edward's eyes as he watched me, fingers twitching at his sides as if he wanted to reach out and take hold of me once more. I decided I wouldn't test his restraint - too much.
Keeping my eyes locked on his, I stepped out of my shoes, kicking them away as I reached up to my hair and pulled out the pin keeping my knot in place, allowing it and the veil to fall to the floor as my curls tumbled freely down my back. I swiveled away from him then, letting my hips sway as I moved to the bedpost and placed my hands against it. Tossing my hair over one shoulder, I looked back at Edward over the other, raising an inquisitive brow.
"Will you help me, my love?"
His dark eyes were glowing with adoration, and burning with a want that made my entire face go up in flames. He said nothing, and I watched as he leisurely removed his shoes, taking his time as he came to my side and brought his hands up to undo the first button on my dress. My stomach leapt as I felt his breath on the back of my neck, and my own breath hitched as his cool fingers brushed against the bare skin that was revealed to undo the next button, and then the next, all the while letting his fingers stroke across my back. He's teasing me, I realized. And it was working. With every caress, I felt my knees growing weaker, and my grip on the bedpost became more and more vital. By the time he reached the last button, I was completely at his mercy.
"Elizabeth?"
"Yes?" I answered huskily.
His hand grasped my shoulder, and he looked at me solemnly.
"Are you sure you want to do this tonight? We can wait if you're not ready."
"Edward," I chuckled softly, "I'm ready. And I want this, I promise you."
To show him just how true my words were, I stepped from his reach and turned to face him. My hands came up to push the sleeves of my gown down my arms and then I let the dress fall, leaving me in only my underclothes. But I grew bashful yet again as Edward sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes trailing up and down my body. A strange throbbing from…from somewhere deep inside began to spread through me as his gaze lowered to my chest, and I became acutely aware of how thin the fabric of my chemise was. Never before had I felt as vulnerable as I did standing before him, and yet, the softness of his face as he observed me immediately alleviated so many of the worries I'd had. When his eyes met mine again, moisture was welling within them.
"Loveliest Elizabeth," he murmured.
"Am I…am I pleasing to you?"
I hardly dared to speak the words, but my nerves sent them slipping from my mouth. Edward was quiet, crossing the space between us until he stood towering over me, and I had to fight to keep my breath from trembling. His hand came up to rest on my cheek, his thumb stroking the skin there.
"Edward," I whispered.
Our gazes locked, and in the next second his lips were on mine, capturing me in a fervent and heated kiss. I threw my arms around his neck and his hands moved to my waist, and then my back, both of us pulling the other in closer and closer. My fingers tangled in his hair and I gave a quiet moan as he deepened the kiss, his tongue pushing against my lips for entrance, which I granted, gasping at the unfamiliar sensation of his tongue meeting mine in a frantic dance for dominance. Rising onto my toes and pressing myself against him, a spark of alarm went off in my head as I felt something hard up against me. Curious, I shifted slightly against it, and Edward's fingers dug into my back, confirming my suspicions and leaving my face quite red as he broke the kiss and raised an eyebrow at me.
"Why, hello there, Mrs. Gracey," he teased.
"Hello," I smiled sheepishly. "You know, I've come to a rather horrid revelation."
"Mmm, and what might that be?"
I raised up on my toes to speak in his ear.
"You, sir, are wearing far too much clothing."
He hummed bemusedly in agreement, and despite how the sound sent a flurry of nerves through my stomach, I let my fingers slide down his neck, tugging his cravat out from under his vest and untangling the offending fabric until it came free into my hands. As I let it fall to the floor, Edward shrugged his jacket off of his shoulders, letting it slide down his arms until it, too, dropped to the floor. I couldn't help but let my eyes rove over his broad shoulders, now made much more obvious through the thin white sleeves of his shirt, and my entire face grew warm when I noticed him watching me intently. His expression was so gentle as he stepped close to me once more, and I lifted my fingers to the first button on his vest as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek…then another…and another…
Slowly, Edward kissed his way to the place behind my ear, sending a shiver through my being that left me gasping for breath as he continued his way along my jaw, and then down my neck. As he moved downward, so did my hands, making quick work of the buttons on his vest. With the last one undone, I pressed Edward back, and he helped me push the garment off of his shoulders to join the rest of our clothing, leaving him standing before me in his undershirt. With a blush, I realized there was a deep V in the collar that dipped down to his chest, exposing a great deal of the skin there. I daren't have looked at Edward's face as I reached out a finger and experimentally traced a swirling pattern from his shoulder down his bare chest. As my fingers drew lower, there was a sharp intake of breath, and his hand abruptly caught my own. I raised my eyes to his.
The fire that I saw smoldering within them - the sheer desire with which he looked at me - it left me speechless. He drew my hand towards him, and I lifted up onto my toes to meet his lips, clutching onto his shirt to pull him deeper and deeper into me. Everything about him was intoxicating. I couldn't hold him close enough, couldn't kiss him hard enough; I wanted to lose myself in the sensation of him, and him alone. So when I felt his hand leave my waist, I was disappointed - that is, until he began to tug his shirt out from his trousers. Relinquishing my hold on him, I instinctively took a step back, but was still unprepared when Edward pulled the shirt over his head, completely baring his chest and leaving me completely helpless to do anything but gape at him.
I knew he was watching me, yet I couldn't stop myself from taking him in, letting my eyes trace over every well-toned muscle of his stomach, every defined curve of his arms. In the candlelight, his skin was glistening, and I found myself becoming overwhelmed by the sheer radiance of the sight before me. He was beautiful. The pool of warmth that had blossomed within me grew to an unexpected burning, and all I wanted to do in that moment was take him in my arms and kiss every last inch of him - to make him mine completely.
Stepping back towards him, I cautiously raised my hand and placed it flat against his chest, feeling the heat of his body against my palm and the furious pounding of his heart as it beat in time with mine. A finger brushed across my cheek and came under my chin, and my face was tilted upwards to meet his. Those entrancing eyes…I could have gladly allowed myself to be lost in them forever, but as I gazed into them, I noticed that they were full of questioning, and my curiosity at such a look was answered as Edward trailed his fingers up my arm and hooked his pinky beneath the sleeve of my chemise.
Though my breath hitched, I swallowed my nerves and gave a small nod. Edward never let his eyes stray from mine as he pulled the sleeve off my shoulder, then did the same with the other, and I felt myself trembling against my will in anticipation of what would come next. My hands gripped the fabric to me, not letting it fall quite yet.
"Is this alright?" He asked softly.
"Yes," I whispered. "I'm just...nervous."
"About what, my darling?"
"You," I admitted, my eyes falling to the floor. "About whether you…whether you will find me…."
"Elizabeth…look at me."
I hesitated, but did as he asked.
"You are the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes upon. Do you understand what a miracle it is to me that you are here? That you are mine?"
Edward pressed his brow to mine and grasped my shoulders.
"I meant what I said in my vows; my heart belongs to you. Please, never doubt how absolutely perfect you are to me."
My heart swelled with adoration as he pulled me close to him, pressing my hands against his chest as he kissed me sweetly. Once again, I became all too aware of the heat of his skin against mine, and I leaned into it, letting our bodies mold to each other as I felt something in me ignite and set ablaze.
"I never will," I promised as we parted.
Slowly, I let my hands drag down his chest and all the way down to the hard muscles of his stomach, prompting a shaky release of breath from above me. My eyes stayed locked on his midriff as I let my hands drop, and with them…my chemise.
Feeling a draft across my exposed skin, I shivered, but I knew that it wasn't because of the cold. I hardly dared to breathe as I raised my eyes to Edward's face, and saw that he was gazing at me, his brow furrowed and his lips parted in wonderment. His eyes shone as he took me in, and I was struck by the thought that I'd never felt so vulnerable as I did in that moment. He was free to do with me as he pleased. I wouldn't have objected. All I knew was that this man..this enthralling, bewitching, irresistible man…had me completely in his grasp. Every little part of me belonged to him, and I was ready to prove it.
Carefully, he reached out towards me, and I took in a quick breath as his fingers brushed along the top of my breast.
"Oh God," I exhaled.
Encouraged, Edward placed his hand fully against me, and I instinctually leaned into him, my hands gripping onto his shoulders for dear life as his thumb flicked over my nipple and my head fell back, a soft gasp issuing from my lips. He wasted no time in raising his hand up to my exposed throat and brushing his fingers down the front of my neck, back across the top of my chest, and then down to my breast once more, which he began to massage, his other hand gripping my waist to pull me closer to him. The sensation of his hands against my exposed flesh was almost more than I could bear. My breath trembled and my own fingers were digging so tightly into Edward's arms that I was sure I'd leave bruises on him - not that he cared.
For in the next moment, his lips pressed against the base of my neck, sucking and nipping at my skin and inciting a squeak of surprise from me. He chuckled lowly, his hand sliding from my waist to the small of my back to pull me flush up against him as he moved his lips to the curve of my shoulder, once again taking my skin in his teeth as my own hands came up to tangle in his hair, pulling him further into me. A quiet moan escaped my lips as he began to slowly kiss his way down my chest.
"Edward-"
His name became a cry on my lips as his mouth replaced his hand on my breast and a shiver of delight ran through me. As his teeth gently tugged at my nipple, my hands dragged from his hair down his neck and across his shoulders, my nails leaving faint pink lines across his skin. I felt the vibrations of his throat as he growled lowly.
Is this what true happiness feels like? I thought to myself, my knees threatening to give way beneath me.
My eyes fell closed as Edward's lips moved downwards and he lowered to his knees before me, forcing a shaky moan from my throat as he kissed his way down to my stomach, letting his head tilt forward to rest against me as he let out an unsteady breath of his own. The pounding of my own heart in my ears nearly drowned out his words as his hands slid down to my hips, holding me to him.
"Elizabeth…Elizabeth…"
I opened my eyes to peer lovingly down at him, letting my hands come up to brush through his thick, dark locks and gently guide his face back up to mine. Dear God, the way he looked at me. His expression was so open, so tender.
Like I was the only thing that mattered in the world.
"My love…my wife…" he whispered reverently, "what have I done to deserve you? How could God have ever found me worthy of a heaven such as this?"
He buried his face against me once more, and I gasped as his hands glided down my legs and gripped onto the back of my thighs, unwittingly causing my fingers to tug tightly at his hair. A rapturous moan escaped him. I could have fainted though, when his hand began to slowly trail up the inner side of my leg.
"God help me," I breathed.
My entire being quivered as his hand drew further and further upwards - and then suddenly his fingers were touching me, stroking me - and all the breath was sucked from my body as I cried out in ecstacy.
"Oh God, oh God…Oh God!"
The waves of pleasure that went through me…I could hardly stand it, yet at the same time I never wanted it to stop. So when I felt his hand abruptly vanish and his head lift from my stomach, a pang of dissatisfaction hit me, and I looked down at him, my brow raised curiously, even almost challengingly. The question died on my lips, however, when I saw him gazing up at me with a roguish smirk, and before I could scold him, his arms had wrapped around me, and my feet left the floor as he lifted me into his embrace.
"Edward!" I squeaked, throwing my arms around his shoulders.
And then his mouth claimed mine once more.
Over and over again, he kissed me, each growing deeper than the last. The taste of him was intoxicating; I hardly noticed that we had started to move until my bare back was suddenly pressed up against the wall, my legs wrapping around his waist as he drew back to meet my gaze, both of us breathlessly studying each other. His hair was wild, a stray strand falling across his eyes, which darkened lustfully as he observed me. A light sheen of sweat had started to form on his brow and I gingerly caressed it away with my thumb before letting my hand come to rest on his cheek.
"Are you alright, my darling?" Edward inquired tenderly, turning his head to kiss the inside of my wrist.
Humming a 'yes', I hesitantly disentangled my legs from around him and he lowered me back to the floor, letting his head fall forward against mine. I threaded my fingers into his hair as I greedily inhaled his scent, the overwhelming sensation of him flooding all of my senses. God, how would I ever get enough of him?
"You're a scoundrel," I pouted.
Edward laughed, kissing the top of my head and lowering his lips to my ear.
"And you are a goddess," he whispered. "Say you'll be mine?"
I didn't answer, but instead raised up on my toes to hungrily devour his lips, allowing my hands to slide from around his neck and down his bare chest, the dark hair there soft against my fingertips. My stomach was alight with nerves as my hands reached the waistband of his pants, yet I boldly slipped my fingers beneath it, tugging his body up against me and blushing deeply as I once more felt the length of him pressing into me. Edward hissed in surprise, one of his hands immediately flying up to the small of my back and grasping me to him with an almost painful grip. The other hand submerged itself into my hair as he drew me into a kiss that threatened to consume me.
In that moment, as I stood locked in Edward's embrace, it seemed to me that our very souls were intertwining together, forever binding us to each other. We were the only two people in the world. As my hands began to drag up his abdomen, he drew back, catching both of my wrists and staring down at me steadily. The certainty in his eyes had my stomach jolting within me. I knew what was to come next.
Silently, Edward unleashed his hold on me, his hands moving to the buttons on his trousers, and I instinctively took a step back, one voice inside my head telling me to look away, while another gleefully quashed said thought with a revelation:
This man is your husband. He belongs to you.
Indeed, even while my heart thudded against my ribcage and my fingers twitched anxiously at my side, I found I couldn't have looked away from him even if I wanted to. As he undid the final button, his eyes raised to mine, and he removed the offending garment, fully revealing himself to me. My cheeks were aflame as I let myself drink in the sight of him - the curve of the muscles in his legs, the line of dark hair that began beneath his navel and which I allowed myself to follow downwards. Oh. His desire for me now obvious, I felt an upwards twitch secretly pulling at the corner of my lips as I recognized the effect I truly had on him. When my eyes met his again, he was watching me with an apprehension that I had never seen on his face before. Edward Gracey, nervous over me?
I gave him a gentle and - I hoped - encouraging smile, stepping back into his reach and raising my fingers to his chest to let them rake down his front and across the muscles of his stomach, which contracted at my touch. His whole body shuddered as he moaned softly and let his head fall forward against mine, his hands cupping the back of my neck as he pressed his nose into my hair and inhaled, breathing in my scent.
"Elizabeth…"
"My turn, love," I grinned wickedly.
Tilting my head up, I pressed my lips to his throat, sucking at the skin there and reveling in the taste of him. The growl that issued from him in response only spurred me on, and I evaded his attempts to pull me to him as I kissed and sucked my way across his neck, and then his shoulder, releasing him briefly to move to his back before I continued my mouth's journey across his body, kissing down from the base of his neck to the bare skin between his shoulder blades. My fingers shook as I imitated his teasing caresses, drawing a single finger up the inside of his thigh, which prompted a shudder of arousal through his body.
"God, woman, you torture me!" He cried.
Before I could do anything further, he had whipped around and wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me from the floor once more as my arms locked around his neck. Our bodies, hot and glistening, melded into each other, and tears wetted my eyes as I realized how absolutely right it felt - how perfectly we fit together. Edward's lips crashed onto mine, his tongue slipping into my mouth as my eyes fell closed, and he began to carry me across the room. I could have drowned in the depths of my love for him. When I felt him lay me back onto the soft mattress of the bed and break our kiss, my eyes opened, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw him hovering above me, his dark eyes gazing down on me with an adoration that left me breathless. We both were still, simply staring at each other in exhilaration.
"I love you, Edward," I murmured.
One of my hands came up to twist a lock of his hair around my finger, and he grabbed it, his eyes closing as he turned my palm towards him to press a kiss to it. He lingered there for a moment, then dipped his head to kiss my wrist…my forearm…my shoulder…my neck…
Oh, how I squirmed beneath his touch.
His nose brushed against mine as he leaned over me, and I was once again completely captivated by those dark, ebony eyes, which seemed to gleam down at me by the light of the fire.
"And I love you," Edward answered, his voice barely more than a whisper. "More than…God, Elizabeth, there aren't enough words…More than Lancelot loved Guinevere, more than Antony loved Cleopatra…More than anything. More than everything."
With a pang to my heart, I realized that the glimmer in his eyes came from unshed tears. My hands raised to the sides of his face and I quickly leaned up to kiss the moisture away, first on one side, then the other, allowing my lips to graze tenderly across his skin in the process. He hummed quietly, and my breath hitched as his hand caressed the underside of my breast and drew down to my hip, which he gently pressed against to guide me back. My heart leapt up to my throat as I saw the heated way in which he was now looking at me, his eyes two glowing embers that drank me in with a mix of longing and adulation.
"What do you wish of me, my bride?" He softly inquired.
"Make love to me," came my equally soft reply.
Hardly had the words left my mouth when his lips devoured mine. As he let the full weight of his body press against mine, all coherent thoughts abandoned me. There was only him. Only us.
From now until forever.
"Edward…"
"Elizabeth…Elizabeth…Elizabeth…"
I slowly came to, my eyes fluttering as a cold draft hit my breast and I became immediately and starkly aware of the nakedness of my body. There was a warmth draped across my midriff, which I groggily sought out, but when my hand swept across soft skin instead of a blanket, I fully opened my eyes, heart racing as I tilted my head to the side and saw Edward lying on his stomach beside me, the light of the morning just beginning to creep across his face. He still slept, his expression more peaceful than I'd ever seen it. His arm was what held me in place, and I brushed my fingers lovingly over his knuckles, content for the moment just to take in the gorgeous visage before me.
A giddiness filled me as the memory of the previous evening flooded my brain. Experimentally, I shifted my hips, and groaned quietly at the soreness that hit me as I did so. Nothing could have been more worth it, though. It was almost impossible to believe that this was real - that the man beside me wasn't a dream that my desperate imagination had conjured up to quell the unsatiated yearning within me. Even as I watched him, a palpable throbbing was growing between my legs, and I carefully turned on my side, reaching my fingers up to delicately brush over his lips.
He began to stir, and I watched as his eyes gradually opened to meet mine. A loving smile graced his lips.
"Good morning, wife," he murmured.
"Good morning to you, my husband," I returned, beaming brightly at him.
Raising myself onto my elbow, I leaned over him and pressed a lingering kiss to his mouth, though the moment our lips parted his hand was combing through my hair and pulling me back to him, the second kiss deepening as we both hummed contentedly.
"I feared I would wake this morning to find last night a dream," he confessed as we drew back from each other. His finger lazily twisted a strand of my hair around it.
"I feared the same," I confided in him. "Last night…"
"You were magnificent," Edward breathed, making my cheeks grow warm.
I hid my face in his chest and shyly played with the dark curls there, even as he let out a soft chuckle and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, his thumb drawing circles on my bare skin as our legs tangled together.
"So were you," I answered, "The way you..touched me…God, Edward, I could hardly breathe. How are we ever going to stop?"
Edward laughed again, and then suddenly flipped us over, leaving me helpless beneath him as he towered over me, a lustful haze in his eyes. My heart threatened to pound its way out of my chest as one hand caressed over my nipple and the other held my hands captive above my head, and I cursed under my breath as his hips thrust against me, leaving stars dancing in my vision.
"God!" I gasped out, shooting him an indignant glare.
He grinned down at me, leaning in to whisper in my ear.
"That, Mrs. Gracey…is the last thing on my mind."
His lips found my neck, and as our bodies once again came together, I knew that he was right. Nothing else mattered.
We were together, and that was enough.