Wedding Night

The day before her wedding, Elizabeth went to visit her older sister, Mary Ann. "Hi, Elizabeth!" Mary Ann said. "How have you been? Would you like a glass of tea?"

"Yes, thanks," said Elizabeth. "There's something I've had on my mind that I wanted to talk to you about," she said as she and her sister were sitting together at the table with their glasses of iced tea before them.

"Sure, hon. What is it?" asked Mary Ann.

"Well, you've been married twice," Elizabeth began.

"Mm hm."

"So, what's it like? The wedding night, I mean."

"What do you want to know about it?"

"Well, does it hurt? I mean, I love Paul, but I'm kind of scared about it. I can't help but think that it must be terribly awkward. I mean, I've never even undressed in front of a man before, except for at the doctor's."

Mary Ann smiled. "You're right," she said. "It is a bit awkward and uncomfortable the first time, but it's the most special thing a man and a woman can share together. It brings you closer in a way nothing else can."

Elizabeth felt a little bit better after talking to her sister, but she still felt somewhat apprehensive. She was so excited that she got little sleep that night.

The following day, Letitia fussed over her youngest daughter like she never had before. She wanted to make sure that everything was perfect for Elizabeth's special day. She zipped up her daughter's white dress and adjusted her veil. When she was finished, Elizabeth lifted the veil and looked at herself in the mirror.

At this time tomorrow, I'll be Mrs. Paul Brimmer, she told herself. The words thrilled her but also frightened her just a little bit.

At the church, she waited nervously in the foyer with her father until she heard the beginning strains of Wagner's Wedding March. At her first sight of Paul in his tuxedo, her heart began to hammer madly in her chest. Never before had she ever seen him so nicely dressed. She let go of her father's arm and grasped Paul's, and the ceremony began.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony," Reverend March began. "Should there be anyone who objects to this union, let him speak now or forever hold his peace."

Elizabeth waited a long moment and then sighed with relief when nobody said anything.

"Who gives this woman to be married?" Reverend March continued.

"I do," said Jack.

"Paul Jurgen Brimmer, do you take Elizabeth Jane Watson to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor and cherish her, forsaking all others, until death do you part?"

"I do," Paul said quietly.

"Elizabeth Jane Watson, do you take Paul Juergen Brimmer to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish him, forsaking all others, until death do you part?"

"I do," Elizabeth whispered, praying that her voice wouldn't shake.

"Do you have the ring?" asked Reverend March.

Paul nodded, then groped in his pocket for it. One minute it was in his hand, and the next he'd dropped it. After a few seconds of frantic searching, he'd secured it once more. "With this ring, I thee wed," he said as he slipped it onto Elizabeth's finger.

"By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," said Reverend March. "You may kiss the bride."

Paul raised Elizabeth's veil and kissed her lips. Everyone cheered and threw rice as the new couple began to exit the church.

A reception followed at the Watson's house. Letitia had spent many hours making and decorating a four-tiered wedding cake, and there was also punch and various finger foods. Paul and Elizabeth each cut a slice of cake to feed to one another. Then all the guests mingled and chatted. Everyone hugged and congratulated Elizabeth. It seemed like a long time before someone lightly touched her arm and she turned to look into Paul's grinning face. "Let's get out of here," he said.

They dashed to his car and he drove them home, where he laughingly picked her up and carried her over the threshold, then set her down gently. She walked from room to room, looking at all the brand new furniture and furnishings, the curtains and shelves. "All this is really ours?" she asked in wonder.

"All of it." Paul went to her and hugged her from behind. "Now you know what I was saving up for," he continued with a grin. "I hope you like it."

"I love it!" she assured him.

They ate a simple supper together and then stood outside with their arms around one another, watching the sunset. That night, Elizabeth took a bath and slipped on her nightgown, then sat in bed waiting for Paul. He came to her and joined her in bed, where he began to kiss her passionately.

Soon she began to feel a yearning ache, a desire she'd never felt before, and when he gently slipped her nightgown over her head and began to explore her body with his fingers, it increased exponentially. Eagerly she helped him to remove her panties, and when his fingers deftly slipped between her legs, she felt a white hot thrill such as she'd never experienced before.

He started to enter her, then paused. "I don't want to hurt you, Lizzie," he said.

"That's all right," she replied. "I don't mind if it hurts a little."

With a grunt he pushed into her, and she felt a short, sharp pain that was over with very quickly. Euphoria followed as her new husband moved inside her, their bodies joining together in the ultimate act of love.

He moaned softly as he filled her with his seed, then rolled off her and held her tightly. "Are you all right?" he asked her.

"I'm fine," she replied. "Are you?"

"I'm fine too." He chuckled. "Sweet dreams, Lizzie. I love you."

"I love you, too," she said. She lay awake for awhile, thinking about what Mary Ann had told her. Within moments, she heard Paul's gentle snoring.