Every Breath She Takes [CURRENTLY ON HOLD]

Chapter 18: Til Death Do Us Part

My dress for the wedding was beautiful. It was a pale cream, exactly how I’d imagined, with a dark red bow at my back. Nanna and I had shopped endlessly for the fabric, and the pattern, and she worked tirelessly to put it together for me for the day. On the day of the wedding, I put it on, completely finished, and looked at myself in the mirror. I was speechless. I really didn’t know what to say. Nanna stood behind me, smiling, but I could see tears in her eyes.

“You look beautiful, darling,” she said softly. “Just like a bride.”

I blinked back tears, and looked in the mirror again. She was right. She’d brought over the veil that my mother had worn, in case I had wanted to wear it. I knew before I even looked at it that I would want to. It was a link that I wanted. I wanted my mother to be with me, even if she wasn’t with us anymore. Carefully, I put on the delicate tiara, and arranged the veil. My hair was loose, rippling down my back to my waist in gentle curls. I knew Jack liked it best that way. Nanna stepped back, looking at me, and turned away for a moment, rummaging in the jewellery box for something.

“Here,” she said, finally surfacing. She handed me a set of earrings, and a matching necklace. “Your father gave them to your mother for their wedding.”

I took them almost reverently. They were gorgeous. The necklace was a simple white gold chain, with a flashing diamond pendant. The earrings were equally as simple, but all the more stunning for it. I put them on, and smiled at Nanna’s expression.

“What is it, Nanna?”

She smiled through the tears trickling down her cheeks. “You’re growing up, Ro,” she said, her voice catching slightly. “I’m so proud of you. I know your parents would have been as well.”

I hugged her tightly. “I’m not leaving you, Nanna,” I said. “Just…” I shrugged, unable to finish.

“I know,” she assured me. “Now come on. Everyone will be waiting for you.”

I nodded, and followed her outside.

Grandpa gave me away at my wedding. It was a dream come true for me, small, but special, with only a few people there. The amount of people didn’t matter to me. It was just me and Jack, from what I can remember. The day passed in a blur, a happy one, but a blur nonetheless. I remember Nanna crying, and Grandpa beaming with pride. I remember the look on Jack’s face when I said the words, when I promised myself to him. I remember the rush of love that I felt when he did the same. I remember dancing, and the cake, and the music, but nothing in particular. Except Cam. He made me laugh. He wandered through the day, amusing himself with whatever he wanted. All of us kept an eye on him, but otherwise he was left to his own devices. I knew he wouldn’t cause trouble. He seemed to sense that it was a special day.

Time passed, and I found myself sitting down, watching the dancing. Cam was fast asleep in my arms, exhausted from all the excitement. After a while, Jack came over and sat with me, putting an arm around me.

“Are you happy, sweetheart?” he asked softly, looking down at Cam.

I nodded, and rested my head on his shoulder. “I am,” I murmured. “Thank you.”

He turned his head to kiss the top of mine, and his arm tightened around me slightly. We stayed there for a while, watching the dancing as Cam grew heavy in my arms. At last though, Jack must have heard my sigh. He looked at me.

“Want to go home?”

The word sent a thrill through me. It was home now. I nodded, and rose, careful not to wake my baby. We said our goodbyes and thank-yous, and left. I knew that Nanna and Grandpa would be alright with the last few people. There were only about ten left anyway.

When we got home, I put Cam in his bed, and walked out to Jack, who was in the lounge room. He was at the stereo, fiddling, and as I walked in, gentle music started to play. He turned around, and took my hands.

“Dance with me, pretty girl?” he asked, his voice soft. I smiled, and kissed him.

“Of course.”

He held me gently, but protectively as we swayed, and I rested my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes. I felt safe with him, like I did with my grandparents, but with no one else.

“Thank you, Jack,” I whispered. “Today was lovely.”

I felt him kiss the top of my head, the only place he could reach at the moment. “My pleasure, Ro,” he replied. “You deserved it.”

The song ended, and we drew apart slightly. I smiled a little, fighting sleep, but he must have seen it.

“Come to bed?”

I nodded, and led him there. He helped me out of my dress, handling it carefully, and hung it up.

“I still can’t believe that your grandmother made this.”

I laughed, and looked over at him. “I know,” I replied. “She made my mother’s dress as well. I’ve still got that one.”

“You didn’t want to wear it?”

“No.” I gently removed the tiara I had been wearing, the veil still attached, and put it on the dressing table. “That’s hers. I couldn’t wear it.” His hands came to rest on my shoulders, and I looked at him in the mirror. He smiled at me, and his fingers began to knead my neck, teasing out the hard knots that had formed over the day. I closed my eyes, feeling like I was melting in pleasure. I heard a soft chuckle, and opened my eyes to see him grinning. I smiled, and leant back, feeling his arms come around me. I closed my eyes again, still fighting sleep.

When he lifted me into his arms, I yelped with shock, my eyes flying open. He held me close, though, and carried me over to the bed, joining me. I trailed a finger down his throat, and he shuddered, before flipping me onto my back. His eyes were dark again, full of love, and my hand slowly traced a path downwards. Goosebumps rippled over him, but he lowered his head and moved his mouth over my throat. I arched slightly, the motions sending tremors through me. My hands seemed to have gained a mind of their own, for I wasn’t conscious of what I was doing with them. His were roaming me, gentle as always. I opened my eyes, gazing at him.

“Mine,” he whispered, almost savagely. I grinned, letting my eyes close halfway. My hands had come to rest on his hips, and I pulled him closer, but he resisted.

“Not now,” he said, and one finger made a slow, torturous way up the inside of my thighs. It stopped just at the top, and I writhed, trying to dislodge it. His eyes glinted at me, but he didn’t move. I narrowed my eyes at him, and returned the favour, making his eyes go wide with shock. Taking advantage of that, I pulled him close, and this time, he was unable to resist.

The soft dawn light woke me the next morning, with Jack holding me close to him. I lay there, not moving, relishing the time to myself. After a while, he stirred, and his arms tightened around me, as if he’d known I was just about to get up. I sighed, and reached behind me, slipping my hand between his thighs. He jerked, startled, and I slipped out of his grip, smiling to myself. I used the bathroom, and came back to see him still in the same position, only his eyes were open now. They fixed on me, and I slid back into bed.

“It’s too early for tricks like that,” he grumbled, and I laughed.

“I needed to go,” I said softly, and wriggled closer. “How’s this?”

“Well.” His hands ran up my back as he thought. “I don’t know. Maybe just a little closer?”

I obliged, brushing my legs against him gently. He paused for a moment. “How’s this?” I repeated.

“Much better,” he murmured, and put his mouth to mine. “Much, much better.” He pulled me even closer, nuzzling my neck. Smiling to myself still, I wrapped my arms around him, cradling him tenderly. We both fell asleep again, content, and safe.