A Rose in Bloom

“What plan? What are you talking about?” Scotty looked from one to the other, his confusion evident.

“It was something you did in my dream this morning.” Elyssa lifted her chin, daring Scotty to protest. “But I wouldn’t have dreamed it if you weren’t really like that.”

“You’re mad about something I did in your dream? Shouldn’t you be mad at yourself for dreaming it?”

“Trust me, Scotty,” Jaxon interrupted. “You should apologize. Your dream persona hurt her feelings.”

“I can’t believe you’re taking her side on this, Jaxon.”

“She’s my wife. I’m always on her side… no matter what.”

“Oh yeah?” Scotty crossed his arms, leaning back on one foot. “Did my sister ever mention she’s always dreamed of having a big family? Ten kids? Maybe more?”

Jaxon’s face was white, and his mouth hung open while his eyes blinked. “No, but… okay… if that’s what you want.”

Elyssa swung her hand at the back of Scotty’s head, and he ducked out of the way, laughing.

“Don’t listen to him, Jaxon. Ever. I want two or three kids some day, just like I told you. Scotty’s life goal is to cause me trouble.”

“And a noble goal it is.” Scotty chuckled. “Hey, guess what Aunt Lauren told me. You know how Uncle Ray left me that acreage, when he left you the building in the city? She said if I were interested she’d trade me her building for my acreage. She’d always thought about opening a dental office in the city, but she’s decided against it. Says she wants to retire to the country.”

“So you’re thinking about moving to the city? I’d love that, Scotty.” She caught Aunt Lauren’s twinkling eye and bit back a grin. What a devious genius.

They ate. They danced. They laughed. They toasted. Bird seed flew as they rushed to the waiting limousine. And he carried her across the threshold at the romantic bed and breakfast in the quaint Victorian house.

She found herself in the bathroom staring at the lacy little nightgown she’d chosen for her wedding night while her heart pounded no-way… no way in her ears. She sank to the cold tile floor, wishing she wasn’t so inexperienced. How long she sat there, she didn’t know, but after a time, she heard a tentative knocking on the door.

“Elyssa? Are you okay?”

With her tongue sticking to the roof of her dry mouth, she could only manage a garbled reply.

“Elyssa? I’m coming in.”

The door opened a crack, and Jaxon’s head appeared. His eyes fell on the white lace nightie knotted in her hands. In an instant he was beside her on the floor, pulling her into his warm embrace as the offending nightgown slipped from her fingers. He spoke in a soothing voice between peppered kisses on her cheek.

“You know I love you, right?”

She managed a nod.

“And you love me?”

She gave a more vigorous nod, murmuring “umm-hmm” into his chest. Somehow, in Jaxon’s arms, her fears seemed to fade into the background.

“So you’re just scared about tonight?”

She worked up enough moisture to swallow, lifting her eyes to his. “Yes. Well… I was. But I feel a little better now.”

“Let me tell you something.” He wore a grave expression. “I don’t expect we’ll be very good at sex at the beginning.”

“You don’t?”

“No.” His lips twitched until they broadened into a lopsided grin. “But I’m willing to practice until we get great at it.”

She buried her head against his chest and heard it rumble as he laughed.

Jaxon lifted her chin until she was looking into his intense sapphire eyes, and she could see the force of his emotion. He lowered his face, bringing their lips together in the most tender of kisses.

“Even if we lived forever, I wouldn’t have enough time to show you how much I love you.”