Title: The Perfect Words (2/3)

  Authors: Sarah ([email protected]) and Alex ([email protected])

  Disclaimer: See part 1

 

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  Evelyn heard the kettle boil and taking a towel, she carefully wrapped it around the handle, pouring the liquid into two mugs. She let the herbs steep before squeezing a bit of lemon into each mug and finally added some sugar. "My mother always made tea like this," she said, sitting down on the floor next to Rick.

 

  He took the mug she held out to him and held it carefully as it was rather hot. "I must confess, I've never drunk tea before," he said, waiting for her to get comfortable. "Always been a coffee kind of guy myself." He blew on his tea a little before taking a sip.

 

  "Yes, well that is the first thing I plan to change about you when we are married," she told him, smiling as she sipped at her own drink. She closed her eyes, remembering when she used to sit with her mother like this. She sank into the warmth of the fire and the moment as she let Rick put his arm around her.

 

  He squeezed her gently and then took another drink. "This doesn't taste half-bad actually," he admitted, somewhat surprised by that. He turned his head slightly to watch the shadow of the fire light dance across her face and he sighed softly. "This is nice," he murmured. "Just being with you like this."

 

  She curled closer to him. "I'm surprised you didn't take up Johnathan's offer of a bachelor party. One last night without the little woman always bothering you to do stuff." She smiled again, nestling against his warm body.

 

  "You must be joking about Johnathan," he chuckled. "Your brother is familiar with some of the worst dives in Cairo where not even I would dare set foot in. Besides, it probably wouldn't have been much of a party with just the two of us there." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "And anyway, what kind of *stuff* are you planning on making me do?" he teased. "Aside from the tea thing, I mean."

 

  "Oh, the usual manly things. Cooking, cleaning, laundry. Make babies," she replied, snickering softly. She took another sip of her tea, letting it warm her insides before tucking her head under his chin.

 

 "Make babies?" he asked. "Now you've got me intrigued. And what about the practise we'll get making these babies?" he teased, loving the cute little blush that crept over her cheeks.

 

  She closed her eyes, tempted by his words. She let a smile creep over her lips though she tried to hide it and she nuzzled the hollow of his throat. "Well, I suppose that's what married couples do, make babies," she whispered.

 

  "Hmmm," he murmured, letting his lips kiss her forehead, tracing a path across her face. He absently placed his mug on the floor, his tea forgotten in favour of more interesting things as his other arm snaked around her, holding her close to him. "I would love to make babies with you," he said softly, kissing the tip of her nose.

 

  She nodded, but she was still somewhat nervous about the idea. She knew Rick wasn't a virgin, but she was and it scared her a little. She didn't really know much about sex other than what she had read in books and from his kisses. "Rick, you've tried this whole act of making babies before, haven't you?"

 

  "Never actually made one, though," he replied, kissing the corner of her mouth. "So I guess that'll be a whole new experience for me." He pulled back slightly to gaze into her eyes. "You're not frightened are you, Evelyn?" he asked gently. "Trust me, sweetheart, you have nothing to be scared of."

 

  She was a little worried about all this and she closed her eyes to hold back the unshed tears. She looked up at him, suddenly envious of any other woman who had touched the man whose heart belonged to her alone. "Rick...what was it like to make love to those other women?" she asked softly.

 

  "Empty," he replied truthfully. "Totally empty. I've had sex before, sure, but I've never actually made love to a woman before, so you will be the first, Evelyn. I know that making love with you will be wonderful because you make me feel whole. You make me complete Evelyn and I love you for that. I can only hope I make you feel the same way about me."

 

  She closed her eyes and leaned her head against him. It felt good to have his hands on her body and she snuggled closer to him. Her fingers lazily played with the top shirt button of his. "Of course, you make me feel like I have never allowed myself to feel," she told him in a loving voice, her fingers popping the button out of its hold.

 

  He tightened his arms around her, gently kissing her forehead. His fingers toyed with the dark strands of her hair, playing with the soft curls there. "And how do I make you feel?" he asked, wanting to know as much about this woman as possible. He smiled into her hair and stroked his hands over her back, just holding her close to him,  loving the feel of her soft little body pressed against his.

 

  She sighed and her hands stroked the warm area of flesh that the shirt had previously hidden with that button. "You make me feel very sexy," she admitted as the blush covered her face and cheeks. She curled closer to him and God, it felt amazing. She could feel the warmth of his body heat against her and her heart was pounding in her chest.

 

  His smile widened at the sound of that, and his fingers moved to her chin, tipping her head up so that he could look at her. The blush on her face was incredibly adorable and his hand moved to cup her cheek. "Sexy, huh?" he murmured, moving his face closer to hers. "Would it help if I told you that I find you very sexy?" He lowered his head a little and let his lips press gently against hers, tasting the traces of the tea she had been drinking a couple of minutes ago.

 

  She kissed him back with vigour and wrapped her arms around his neck. The taste of his lips against hers caused her to shiver with lust. She swallowed it down, hoping he didn't know how much he excited and scared her. Still, her hands gripped at his shirt and she breathed a little harder.

 

  He could feel her body trembling against his and he knew she was still afraid of this, but she felt so incredibly good. He couldn't stop himself from nipping on her full lower lip, couldn't stop himself from sliding his tongue into her mouth to get a little more of her taste. One of his hands came to rest on the back of her head, holding her to him and he moaned softly. 

 

  She kissed him back willingly and held him tighter to her. She could tell he was excited and equally she was too, but her nervousness still bothered her, causing her to slow a bit and take time her with him. However, the sensations caused her to push her chest more against him, trying to get more of this.  

 

  He groaned again when he felt her soft breasts crushed against his chest and his arms tightened around her. She was definitely growing bolder these days, and although they had agreed to wait until their wedding night, Rick wanted her, now. It didn't really help having her plastered against him like this and with a supreme amount of effort, he broke the kiss, panting slightly. "I think we'd better slow down a little, sweetheart," he murmured, stroking her hair. 

 

  She pulled back a bit and was it was quite obvious, even in the dim light that she was blushing profusely. She covered her mouth with her hands. "Yes, of course, you're right," she said almost too quickly, standing up and shaking with desire.

 

  He frowned from where he was still sat on the floor and he reached up to grasp her hand gently. "Hey," he said softly, his concern growing when he felt the trembling of her body. "You okay?" he asked, his thumb stroking over her warm skin. "Did I do something wrong?" He was worried now that he'd messed things up somehow. 

 

  She shook her head. "I just got carried away. That's never happened to me before," she admitted and closed her eyes, leaning her cheek against the glass window. She hadn't wanted to admit that the fact he wanted to stop made her worry that he might not find her attractive enough.

 

  He rose to his feet and stood behind her, watching her reflection in the window. He was silent for a moment, not sure whether she wanted him to touch her or not after what had just happened. In the end, he let his hands fall on her shoulders and he began rubbing the tense muscles there. He kissed her hair as he said softly, "I guess I got kinda carried away too." He continued kneading her shoulders. "I'm sorry, Evelyn. I know you said you wanted to wait. I shouldn't have been so selfish."

 

  She felt both relieved and disappointed by this whole thing and she closed her eyes letting her back rest against his chest. "No, its fine. We have less than a day to wait," she told him gently and stroked his fingers as they worked at the knots in her shoulders and neck. "You weren't being selfish. Rick, I don't want to wait," she said softly.

 

  "I don't want to wait either," he admitted. "All week long, I've been thinking about our wedding night, about how I'm going to show you just how much I love you." He nuzzled her neck and let his hands slip from her shoulders to her waist, gently stroking over her stomach. "But hey, what's one more day?" he said, smiling. "Just another twenty-four more hours until we begin the start of our lives together." He smiled and rested his chin on the top of her head, swaying her gently in his arms.

 

  Good, she thought. "Then you want to make love to me?" she asked, wanting to make sure he really felt that way about her, that he wanted to share his body with her. She shivered pleasurably at the mere idea of that and she pushed her lips against his neck, nuzzling him gently, letting him soothe her.

 

  "There is nothing I would like more," he said softly. He turned her around so that he could see her face. He smiled at her, pressing his lips to his forehead and holding her close once more. He continued rocking her in his arms, squeezing her gently.

 

  Suddenly, the door opened and Johnathan walked in. He had come home early from the bars for once. "All right you two, break it up. You can keep your squirming little hormones in check for one more day I believe. Rick, don't even try to get frisky with my little sister. I won't allow it," he said as he put away some wine and beer into the cooler.

 

  Rick turned his head in Johnathan's direction, frowning a little at the man's appearance. "Don't you drink enough already?" he asked, indicating the booze Johnathan was stashing away. He turned his attention back to Evelyn and grinned, kissing her once again, completely ignoring her brother's presence. 

 

  She stared up at Rick, looking him right in the eye. "I love you darling, but I'm going to bed now," she whispered. She pulled his mouth down to hers for one last kiss and then after a few moments let him go. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. O'Connell," she said teasingly.

 

  He leaned down for another kiss, not wanting her to go. "See you tomorrow," he replied softly, and released his hold on her. He walked over to the door, dragging her protesting brother along with him. "Sleep well," he told her, not even bothering to wipe the goofy love-struck smile off his face, much to Johnathan's utter disgust. 

 

*******

 

  She stood before the mirror doing up the miniature pearl buttons along her back and fitting the silk and taffeta dress about her figure. Once she had that and the veil in place, she turned around to look at her brother. "How do I look?" She asked softly and with a hint of nervousness in her voice.

 

  "You look positively radiant, Evie," he answered, smiling at her reassuringly. "Your Rick's a very lucky man to be marrying you, you know." He sighed, adjusting her veil slightly. "You should be proud. From here, you're just as beautiful as mum, you know."

 

  She felt a tear slide down her face at the mention of her mother. "Oh Jonathan...I miss her so very much," she said. "I wish she and dad were here to see me getting married."

 

  "I know," he said, lifting the veil to brush away her tear. "But, you've got me, sis and you'll always have me for as long as you want. You'll always be my baby sister, Evie," he told her. He gave a watery smile. "Oh, don't cry now." He handed her a clean tissue from his pocket. "You'll smudge all of that pretty war paint on your face," he joked, trying to lighten the mood a little.

 

  It did cause he to smile and she was grateful to him for that.  Leaning forward she hugged him tightly. "I love you, Jonathan," she told him and held on tighter to him, careful not to wrinkle the lace around her gown. "You'll always have me." If someone had told her six months ago she would be walking down the aisle she would have laughed in their face.

 

  "I love you too, old mum," he said, squeezing her carefully so as not to ruin her dress. He pulled back and offered his arm to her, taking a deep breath. "Well, here goes the most important day of your life, girl. You don't want to keep Rick waiting too long now, he's nervous enough as it is. Are you ready?"

 

  She nodded, brushing down her skirts and picking up her bouquet of desert flowers before making her way down the aisle towards her husband and her future. Her legs were trembling under her skirts and she wished her dress was a bit less tight around her so that she could breathe easier.  

 

  Johnathan held her arm and squeezed it gently when he felt her shaking a little. He smiled at her as they walked down the aisle, directing her to take her place beside Rick.

 

  Rick barely held in a gasp at the sight of his future wife walking towards him. Out of tradition, he had been forbidden to see her before the ceremony and he was blown away by how beautiful she looked. He didn't know much about women's clothing, but he did know that she looked absolutely amazing and he conveyed that to her by smiling sweetly at her. He was still a little nervous, but Evelyn's appearance had made his nerved calm somewhat. She always made him feel brave and his smile widened.

 

  She blushed, directing her eyes out of the way of his for she probably would have dropped the whole ceremony and kiss him passionately right then. He himself looked stunning in his suit even though it wasn't really his style and she looked him over appreciatively. When the minister informed them to take hands, she did so and her fingers were trembling against his own. This was exciting and frightening and she would never love anyone the way she loved him.

 

  "Do you, Richard O'Connell take thee, Evelyn Carnahan, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health for all eternity?" asked the minister, knowing from the look in the eyes of the man before him that the answer was a definite yes.

 

  "I do," Rick replied shakily, holding Evelyn's hand tightly. He swallowed as his nerves began acting up again. It was silly really, he didn't know why he was feeling this way. Marrying Evelyn was all he ever wanted and he was thrilled that this day had finally arrived. He took a deep breath and focused his attentions on the minister.

 

  She had to let the tear fall down her cheek as she heard the minister repeat the vows to her. She was afraid her voice wouldn't carry as she looked at him, but she gave the softest of replies. "I do," she murmured and gripped his hand tighter, not really noticing when Jonathan came forward and handed the minister the rings.

 

  The minister placed his hand over Evelyn and Rick's, holding the rings in his other hand. "The ring is the unending bind of love and devotion. Richard O'Connell take this ring and place it upon Evelyn's finger. Let her know that forever you take her into your life, and that you shall no longer be just one person, but the connection of two people. Say some words from your heart and then say 'with this ring, I thee wed,'"

 

  He cleared his throat nervously and then hesitantly began. "I know this sounds crazy, but the day I met you I just knew we were meant to be together. You saved my life, Evelyn and from that moment on, I fell completely in love with you and as we got to know each other, I got to love you even more if that were possible. There are so many reasons why; I love your spirit, your heart, your courage...I love all the little things about you and I will always love you until the day I die." He paused to take the ring, sliding it onto her finger and saying, "with this ring, I thee wed."

 

  The minister turned to Evelyn. "Evelyn Carnahan, your turn. Place the ring on Richard's finger and say what you would, and then 'with this ring, I thee wed.'"  

 

  Her lip was trembling and strands of thin curls brushed her cheeks from the tied up hairstyle she wore. A soft breeze was blowing through the window and it waved the silk of her gown. "It's amazing..." she whispered and had to cough to catch her voice. How she wanted to bury her face into his chest. "I came into find you in the worst of places, and not in the best of situations. When you kissed me, I lost myself and that's never happened to me before. You joined my side and I was no longer doing it alone." A tear rolled down her cheek and she squeezed his hand. "We have defeated so many obstacles and overcome the greatest things, and we have found ourselves. I know that no morning that I wake up by your side I'll feel empty. You *are* my soulmate." Her hands were shaking as she took the ring and slipped it onto his finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."

 

  He held her hand tightly in his and he could feel her trembling. He gently stroked his thumb over the back of her hand to reassure her and he gazed at her beautiful face as he waited for the minister's next words.

 

  "Well, by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The minister looked over at Rick. "You may kiss your bride."

 

  She smiled and kept her eyes wide, offering a slight laugh in happiness as she awaited her husband's kiss.

 

  He brought a hand up to cup her cheek and he lowered his head until his lips met her own. He kissed her gently and with all the love he felt for her, letting his tongue lightly brush over her own before pulling back slightly to look at her. He gently nuzzled his nose against hers and smiled broadly at his new wife. "I love you," he whispered to her.

 

  She brought her hands up to her eyes and wiped the tears. "I love you," she said and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.  It was a small wedding, she could do as she pleased.   

 

  "I am pleased to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Richard O'Connell," said the minister. He shook the couple's hands, then left through the door seeing as he was no longer needed.

 

  Rick held her close, nuzzling her hair. "Can you believe we're finally married?" he asked, giving her a gentle squeeze. He kissed her forehead and brushed his fingers over her cheek, wiping away the rest of her tears.

 

  She nodded to him and closed her eyes. She then looked up at him and pursed her lips. "Oh darling, we have a boat to catch. It will leave shortly and you know it won't wait for us." She wound her arm through his and pulled him closer to her. She couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life with this man.

 

  He grinned down at her and they began to walk out of the church. "I guess you have a point," he said. "We still have to go get our bags from your place before we board. So as much as I'd like to just stay here and hold you in my arms, we really should get our things and go." 

 

  Johnathan followed them to the church doors. He didn't want to admit it, but he'd had a tear in his eye at the sight of his baby sister during the ceremony. "So, are you ready to pick up your bags now before you go?" he asked them.

 

  Evelyn nodded. "I also want to change into that new dress I bought for our honeymoon," she said, getting into the car with Rick's help. "Thank you, darling." She took off her veil and set it in her lap. The car was a two passenger car but she didn't mind at all sitting in her husband's lap.

 

  He held her close, kissing her forehead every now and again as they made their way back to her flat. He went inside to pick up their things while she waited in the car. When he got back from stashing their bags in the boot, he heard Evelyn and Johnathan saying goodbye.

 

  "Yes, yes, I remember. Don't bring any girls back. Don't bring any alcohol back. And I won't forget to feed the cat," Johnathan said, rolling his eyes. They had already gone through this before. "Don't worry, I'll remember. Now you go off and have yourself a good time old mum, you hear me?"

 

  She wrapped her arms around her brother's neck and held tightly to him, standing on her tiptoes, holding onto him as if she would never let go. More tears fell from her eyes as she said goodbye to one life and hello to another. "Yes, of course, Jonathan. I promise," she told him. "I love you." 

 

  He hugged her back, wiping away her tears. "I love you too, old mum," he said. He pulled away so she could get settled in the car. "Have fun and I'll see you when you get back." He kissed her cheek and then turned to Rick. "You take care of her, O'Connell," he told him. "Have a wonderful time."

 

  "I will. And thank you," he said, shaking Johnathan's hand. "See you soon." He got into the driver's seat and started the engine, waving goodbye to his brother-in-law with Evelyn and they set off to start their new lives together.