She turned when she heard me approach. Smiled. That real smile that lit up her entire face.
"Hi, husband."
"Hi, wife." I crossed to her, her smile widening as I closed the distance between us, "You look incredible. Have I mentioned that?"
"A few times. You might have been biased though."
"Absolutely biased. Completely unable to be objective where you're concerned." I reached her. Hands finding her waist. "But also correct. You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
She reached up. Started working on my tie. Pulled it free. Let it drop to the floor.
"We're married." Her voice was soft. Awed. "Actually married. Not forced. Not arranged. We chose this."
"Best decision I ever made." I caught her hands. Brought them to my lips. Pressed soft contact to her knuckles. "You okay? Not too tired? Today was a lot."
"I'm perfect. Better than perfect. I'm happy, Kai. Actually, genuinely happy for the first time in so long."
That did something to me. Made emotion swell in my chest until I could barely breathe.
I cupped her face. Brought my mouth to hers. This wasn't the desperate claiming we'd done before. Wasn't the frantic need to forget or the possessive marking of territory.
This was reverence. Worship. Love in its purest form. My lips moved against hers slowly. Savoring. Her mouth opened for me and I explored gently, learning her all over again like this was the first time.
Her hands found my chest. Started unbuttoning my shirt. Fingers trembling slightly.
I helped her. Shrugged out of the shirt. Let it fall.
Then I reached for the zipper on her dress. Paused.
"Is this okay? We don't have to do anything tonight if you're not ready. There's no pressure. Noexpectations."
"I want this. Want you. Want to be with my husband on our wedding night." She turned, presenting her back. "Help me?"
I lowered the zipper slowly. Reverent. Like I was unwrapping something precious. The dress fell away, pooling at her feet.
She stepped out of it. Turned to face me.
White lace underneath. Delicate. Beautiful. Her body already changing with pregnancy. Curves slightly fuller. Breasts heavier. The smallest swell of her belly visible.
Perfect. She was absolutely perfect.
I dropped to my knees. Pressed my lips to that small bump. Our baby. Our future.
"I love you." My hands splayed across her stomach. "Both of you. So much."
Her fingers threaded through my hair. "I love you too. More than words can say."
I stood. Lifted her carefully. Carried her to our bed. Laid her down like she was made of glass. Then I followed. Settled beside her. My hand finding her face, thumb brushing across her cheek.
"You're sure? I don't want to hurt you or the baby."
"You won't. We're fine. I promise." She pulled me closer. "I need you, Kai. Need to feel close to you. Need this to be real."
I lowered my mouth to hers again. Poured everything into the contact. Love. Devotion. Promise.
My hands explored slowly. Tracing the curves I'd memorized but treating them like new discoveries. Down her neck. Across her collarbone. Finding the lace covering her breasts.
I pulled back just enough to remove it. Then my mouth followed where my hands had been.
