Page 4 of Rory: His to Discipline

* * *

Tess pulled herself back to the present just as Maggie and Nick were exchanging rings. There was an awkward silence for just a moment when Father O’Connor asked Maggie if she promised to love, honor and obey her husband. The whole congregation seemed to be holding its breath. From her position, Tess could clearly see Nick’s face as he looked at Maggie, his heart in his eyes. When Maggie hesitated, he leaned slightly forward and whispered something in her ear. Immediately Maggie softly repeated her vows and it seemed to Tess the entire congregation sighed in relief. Nick’s brother, Mason, who was sitting in the front pew on the groom’s side, grinned and his wife, Rebecca, blushed scarlet as Mason slid his arm around her.

The rest of the wedding went smoothly and soon Tess was being escorted from the church, her small hand tucked securely in Rory’s arm. Every step caused the stiff crinoline to brush against her sore bottom and it took all of her will power not to stop in the middle of the aisle and rip it off. With a phony smile plastered on her face, Tess pinched his arm and whispered.

“Please, may I have my slip back?”

Rory smiled and nodded to assorted guests, but basically ignored her request, guiding her into the receiving line and sliding his arm around her. Patting her bottom, he leaned over and brushed his lips across her cheek.

“Not until I’m convinced you’re going to mind me, babe,” he told her softly before he straightened and began shaking hands with the long line of well-wishers.

Tess gave up, forced a smile and chatted with the guests, occasionally managing to push the heel of her shoe into Rory’s instep. Retaliation felt good until he tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes so fiercely she began to back-up. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to go and he clamped his arm around her waist, pinning her to his side and occasionally brushing his hand across her skirt just hard enough to cause her more discomfort. By the time pictures had been taken and documents signed, Tess was ready for a drink, or ten.

* * *

The limo ride was short and Tess made a point of sitting across from Rory instead of next to him. Molly and Patrick were whispering and smiling, not an inch separating them. Rebecca was unusually quiet, her small hand resting on the swell of her stomach. Mason had insisted she would be more comfortable in the limo and she was, except for the tension she sensed between Rory and Tess. It seemed that Tess was as uncomfortable as she was for some reason. Watching Tess squirm and fidget it suddenly dawned on Rebecca exactly what was wrong with Tess and she gasped. Instantly, Rory had his arm around her.

“Are you okay, Rebecca?” he asked solicitously, concern etched in his rugged face. “Do you need me to call Mason?”

“No, I'm fine,” Rebecca assured him as her eyes flitted uneasily between him and Tess. Good Lord, not another one she thought. There just could not be so many men in one area that believed in spanking their women. It was unheard of in this day and age. Mason and Nick were brothers, so it stood to reason they might have this character flaw in common, but Rory too? No way. He was a detective for God’s sake, sworn to uphold the law, protect and serve. Rebecca looked away, realizing she was staring at Rory in amazement only to find Molly blushing profusely. Horrified by what she saw in Molly’s face she burst out, “Not you too?”

Molly slipped across the space between the seats quickly, taking Rebecca’s hand as she settled in beside her. Rory and Patrick exchanged confused glances, but Rebecca ignored them. If sweet funny Patrick spanked his wife, then there was no help for any of them. Molly was psychic; she had to see it coming. Why didn’t she run?

Molly’s laughter tinkled through the limo like crystal wind chimes on a summer breeze. Why indeed? Pushing the question out of her mind she concentrated on soothing Rebecca.

“No need to worry about anything, Rebecca. Everything is exactly as it should be,” she murmured, her voice as soft as angel wings.

“Somebody better tell me what the hell’s going on in the next two seconds,” Rory’s voice boomed, making both Rebecca and Tess jump. “Do I need to stop this car and call Mason? Rebecca, are you in pain? Don’t try to be brave, honey. Just tell us so we can get some help.”

“Only in my ears,” Rebecca shot back, her green eyes flashing. “They’re all Neanderthals, aren’t they?” she asked of no one in particular, shaking her head in wonder.

“Be still, Rory,” Molly instructed quietly. “Rebecca’s fine, the baby is fine. No need to call Mason at all. We’ll be there in a few minutes and Mason will take care of his wife.”

Rebecca shot Molly a suspicious look. Mason hadn’t spanked her since he found out she was pregnant, though Lord knows, he’d wanted too.

Correctly interpreting the concern in Rebecca’s eyes, Molly hurried to reassure her.

“No, of course not, sweetheart, don’t even fret about that,” Molly told her kindly. “But the other thing ...” she whispered, “the white board. That’s not going to work. He has a hard copy.”

Rebecca gasped again. She knew exactly what Molly was referring to. Mason had a white board on the back of their closet door on which he kept track of what he considered "serious" infractions that Rebecca committed during her pregnancy. The intention was to let her know they would deal with these later. Rebecca had a habit of ‘accidentally’ brushing against the board and erasing several of them at a time.

“For crying out loud, how do you live with her?” Rory demanded of Patrick in frustration. “I would spend the majority of my time beating my head against the wall or pulling my hair out. No insult intended, Molly.”

Molly laughed. “None taken Rory.”

“I happen to love each and every fascinating inch of her,” Patrick replied grinning lecherously.

“Oh God,” Tess moaned, holding a hand to her head and collapsing back against the seat.

Rebecca was too busy chewing on a fingernail and wondering where the hard copy could possibly be to comment.

The minute the limo pulled up in front of the reception hall, Tess scooted out, entered the building and made a beeline for the bar. Rory and Patrick helped Rebecca gently out of the vehicle and turned her over to a grateful Mason. At the last minute, Rebecca turned to Molly and embraced her.

“I’ll find it,” she whispered. “Thank you.”Molly nodded and slipped her arm through Patrick’s as they headed into the building.

“Find what?” Mason asked, slightly bent over his wife, his arm securely around her waist as he guided her forward.

“Oh … a book Molly wants to borrow,” she answered, distracted. “Maybe it’s in the cellar, or even the attic. I could always check the garage,” she continued, thinking aloud.