"Dr. Turner, put me down this instant!" Bernadette cried, trying to sound stern against the smile

playing on her face as her new husband swept her into his arms, carrying her over the threshold and

into the sitting room before lowering her feet to the floor. Even though she had since shed her wedding

dress for a white cotton dress with a pin tuck waist and soft blue cardigan, she still looked every bit the

glowing bride. In the morning they'd be off to the seaside for a few days honeymoon, but with Timothy

staying at Chummy and Peter's, the couple had decided on spending their wedding night at home.

Dr. Turner wrapped his arms around his new wife's waist, pulling her close and meeting her

clear blue eyes with his. He had loved her since the day he had kissed her hand after the 3 legged race,

and her beauty still awed him every day. Her hair was golden blonde, falling just below her shoulders in

soft waves when she wore it down. Her figure, hidden behind that beastly habit all those years, was the

most perfect thing the doctor had ever laid eyes on, surely, he though, had she gone strolling down the

streets of Poplar, any sensible man would trip over his own feet at the sight of her. She was as beautiful

outside as she was inside, and Dr. Turner absolutely adored her.

Dr. Turner brought his hands to cup her face, kissing her soft lips, Bernadette kissed him back,

running her hands through the hair at the nape of his neck. She had never been courted in her life

before him; she had gone almost straight from boarding school to the convent. She had no practice at

these things, these physical displays of affection, but somehow, under the influence of love, her body

had responded to his every kiss and touch as if it was second nature. "I love you so much." He whispered

in her ear; Bernadette shivered at the feel of his breath on her skin. "I love you too." She breathed.

Their foreheads met, meeting each other's gaze once more before Dr. Turner moved to cross

the room. Bernadette furrowed her brow, both out of wonder at what he was up to, and frustration that

contact with him had been lost. "What on earth are you doing?" She asked as she watched him

approach the radio, switching it on, he grinned back at her, "You'll see, my dear." Dr. Turner fiddled with

the dial until slow, sweet music filled the room. "Now, my wife," he began, gathering her in his arms

once more, "We have had quite the day, the best day of my life frankly, but I must say this, ever since

the day I picked you up from that sanatorium, and we became quite the district celebrity couple, we

have barely had a moment for ourselves, I respected, and still respect, your commitment to purity until

we were married. I never overstayed at Nonnatus, kept my distance at the clinic, and courted you like a

gentleman. Even so, now we are married, and I promise to love you and take care of you for the rest of

my life, and I promise to never take for granted these moments to just hold you in my arms. So, my love,

my darling, I would like a proper dance with you." Bernadette responded by sinking fully into his

embrace, wrapping her arms around his back, resting her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her

head, lingering there as they swayed around the room. Bernadette relished it, she knew this was what

she was meant for. She was still devoted to God, and to her work, but she felt that this must be what

earthly devotion felt like, and she desired it, she desired to be this man's wife, to be a mother to his son

and maybe children of her own.

As the two continued to dance, Dr. Turner gently guided the cardigan from Bernadette's

shoulders and absently tossing it to the sofa before running his palms up and down her now bare arms.

Equally gently, he pulled the pin holding up the loose bun from her hair, letting her locks fall around her

face and taking up a strand, turning it in his fingers. Bernadette smiled, kissing his chest were her head

had been resting before bringing it up to meet his. Their lips met briefly, before Dr. Turner moved his to

plant delicate kissed along her jaw line and down her neck. Bernadette sighed deeply in contentment

and let out a gasp as his lips lingered at the hollow of her neck. This was all so new, new and

marvelously wonderful.

Their eyes met again, and Dr Turner let out a soft laugh at his wife's innocent reaction. "My

darling, you are so beautiful, so beautiful and I love you so much and I would very much like to continue

this elsewhere," he said gently, watching her eyes widen a bit. "but, we don't have to, only if you are

ready, there's no rush." He finished, a serious air coming over his face. Bernadette smiled, kissing him. "I

want to, I trust you, I want you so much, I'm ready." she said. The music carried on as her kissed her

once more before taking her hand and gently leading her to their bedroom.

Book Of Love by Peter Gabriel

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It's full of charts and facts and figures and instructions for dancing
But I
I love it when you read to me
And you
You can read me anything
The book of love has music in it
In fact that's where music comes from
Some of it is just transcendental
Some of it is just really dumb
But I
I love it when you sing to me
And you
You can sing me anything
The book of love is long and boring
And written very long ago
It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
And things we're all too young to know
But I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
You ought to give me wedding rings

(lyrics courtesy of )