Making A Big Stink

Chapter Six

Leaving Anna while she was pregnant was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Not just because I didn't want to – although I didn't – but because I had no choice. Whenever I'm pushed into a corner, my whole body rebels. My chest gets tight and my legs get restless. It's like Stormy's claustrophobia except my cage is invisible. Why would I desert the woman carrying my children? It was the right thing to do. My daughter needed me, and I couldn't fail her. I wanted to protect her. If I let her down this time, she could die or lose her mind and never forgive me. I would never forgive myself, so I had to go, even with the very real possibility that I'd be gone for months. Anna would suffer morning sickness, doctor visits, and swollen feet without me. She might have to confront the rumors and defend my absence against critics. The worst case scenario was if Honor's treatment took longer than seven or eight months. I couldn't miss the birth and first days of their lives, but I also couldn't be in two places at once. No matter what I did, I was abandoning someone.

Turns out, while I was torturing myself with nightmares of my little girl locked away and my love slowly dying to support my unborn children, Anna was doing very well. She hadn't told anyone, but several people already knew. Hank noticed her scheduling appointments in the city and knew she'd only seek outside medical attention for one reason. Emma, as a telepath, heard the twins' first thoughts, and told Scott. Stormy noticed Anna holding and watching her tummy, and she confided in Jean, who also told Scott. Wolverine smelled the change in her body chemistry. Like most secrets at the mansion, it wasn't much of a secret at all. She was spoiled and subjected to every host of superstitions for pregnant women. (No spicy foods, too much food, don't look at fire or a new moon, no heavy lifting and plenty of laughter.) And when Anna decided she missed me and wanted to see me, she hopped on a plane and flew to Muir Island. To hell with MacTaggert's "restrictions"! I don't know what I was thinking, worrying like an old woman over her. She was a grown adult, not my child, and she could fend for herself. Like always, no one was going to put her somewhere or keep her away from what she wanted.

That's what I love about her and that's why I married her.

…

I woke up in a funk.

Why was I dreaming about Muir Island the night before my wedding? I hated that place. Hated it more since my daughter's incarceration. The smell of latex and Lysol with artificially chilled air against mind-numbing white made me want to jump out a window.

Half asleep, I rolled over and tried to find Anna, but something prevented me. I took a few strong breaths and tried to move my legs, but they tangled over a little, warm body at the foot of the bed. She was just a blurry lump hidden under the blankets, but I knew Becca by her smell. I pulled her up to the warm spot between Anna and me and watched her curl up like a kitten without waking. The sun poured in, chasing away the evil spirits that haunted my sleep. My wife opened her blood-shot eyes and smiled.

"Dat's de advantage t' dese eyes," I said, "No one's gonna see I'm hung over."

"At least Ah don't stink like hell," she waved my breath away.

Not long after, the door opened and Ollie peaked in with a quiet, "Becky?" He had her stuffed dragon tucked securely in his arms, as if he were afraid he'd dreamed her entire existence, and this was his last hope for proving he wasn't mad.

Anna reached out her tattooed arm to him, and the bed got very crowded. I didn't mind. For a brief, delicious moment, our family was complete. I was complete. But once the twins were fully awake, they'd be down the hall looking for breakfast. They were little people now, not babies anymore. Sometimes, like now, you could get them to lie still in your arms, but mostly they wanted to prove their independence. Always fighting or climbing or the like. Anna struggled for a little while to hold our son, but he finally got away after a hug and fleeting kiss. Becca climbed off the bed, carelessly flashing her little girl underwear, and they raced downstairs like rolls of thunder. Anna watched them with sad, green eyes.

"Ah guess they don't need me anymore…"

…

"Up, ladies!" I shouted at the immobile lumps that were Honor, Mona and Delphine. They groaned and shuffled or turned away from me. "UP!"

"Get out!" Honor shouted back and threw her pillow at me. It hit the wall and she re-buried herself like a clam in the ocean of her bed.

Determined to leave without her, I rushed out. Still had to shave; if she wanted to sleep, I wasn't going to fight her. Descending her spiral staircase in a rotten mood, I almost collided into Belle as she passed me, hauling a bucket full of ice and water. She was dressed and ready to go, which meant Hero and Renegade were ready to leave, too. Meanwhile, our eldest slept as if she never meant to wake.

"What's dat?" I smiled.

"We used t' do shit like dis, too, remember?"

"Oui, I 'member. Except we got up when we were s'post t'."

"Exactly. Means we been too soft on her."

I skipped back up the staircase and made a grand gesture of opening the door for her. Without warning, she spilled a steady steam over Mona and Delphine. They screamed like witches burning at the stake and fell off their air mattresses. Honor peaked out, but too late. Belle threw most of the water on her blankets, which she kicked away with a blood-piercing cry. "What the FUCK?"

"Now dat I got y' awake," Belle said in a livid tone barely covered in sugary-sweetness, "I can say we're gonna be leavin' in five minutes. And I mean five minutes, girls, so get your asses movin'! 'Cause if I gotta come back up here, I'm draggin' y' out by de roots a' your hair!"

"I HATE YOU!" Honor screamed.

"Talk back t' me once more, Honor Julien, and see what happens."

Her red-on-black eyes burned, but her mouth remained firmly shut. With a pleased nod, Belle left, closing the door behind her. I had to peel myself off the railing and wipe away tears. Maybe laughter wasn't the best answer to these confrontations (which had been increasing lately), but I think it was.

"Sorry, Belle, I'll talk t' her-"

"No worries," she said lightly. "Not on y' weddin' day. If I gotta treat her like a petite t' get her t' behave like an adult, dat's what I'll do. Oh, I got a favor t' ask."

"Of course."

"Y' mind if I bring a date?"

That brought my smile back. "Date? I t'ought you was asexual! Y' just rip out dere hearts and take dere baby-makin' parts!"

"Y' coulda just said no."

"Hold de phones, chere, I don' care who y' bring. Gonna be twelve hundred people dere - ain't like I'm gonna notice anyway."

She looked slightly uncomfortable. "I only ask because… Remy, don't get upset, but Luc might make a scene."

"Who you date ain't been his concern for a long time, Belle."

"Not exactly."

We'd reached Honor's playing room, which was at the end of her staircase and separated her tower from the rest of the house. We were alone here, but Belle went further by locking the door. We were getting dangerously close to discussing our divorce – something we'd never done. I'd seen papers legally divorcing us, but that was after her death. I'd never signed anything and I didn't know if that was a problem now that I wanted to remarry. My knees turned to jelly. Could she have picked a worse time to tell me? How would I ever explain this to Anna?

"For a long time after you left N'awlins, I t'ought you were dead," she said. "After I found out you wasn't… And dat you were wit' her," (She meant Anna.) "I wanted a divorce. I'd been faithful t' our vows, even after you left. But after I seen dat you weren't, I wanted out. It was somet'ing I needed for me t' have closure. Problem was dat I knew I couldn't get you t' sign anyt'ing."

"'Cause Honor's name was all over dem papers," I said bluntly.

Belle and I'd never discussed the details. It was something we sort of figured out and dealt with and moved passed. Only after Belle's death did I learn we were divorced. She never wanted to tell me because I might ask for proof, and that proof included knowledge about I child I'd never met. When Belle came back, it all seemed so petty. I'd dealt with the sting of her betrayal, and we had bigger problems than legal documents.

"Oui, dat's right," she continued. "But I couldn't just divorce y' wit'out y' consent. I told de courts I t'ought y' were dead, but dey said dat wasn't good enough. So I got Luc t' sign for y'. He said he hadn't seen y' in seven years and he t'ought you were dead, too. He only agreed t' do it if I agreed not t' re-marry before Honor married or seek t' terminate y' parental rights. I ain't never brought another man around m' kids, so I dere ain't no tellin' how he'll react." She finished with a shrug.

"Dat ain't fair. He can't hold y' t' dat."

"Mais, don't ruin your good mascara over it. He only did it t' prevent a coup, and dat didn't work out, did it?"

"Wait… Is dat why y' banished Jean-Luc? To marry Franco?"

She walked away with a smile and called over her shoulder, "Oh, de tangled webs we weave…"

…

Luckily, Marguerite had the presence of mind to make breakfast. I felt a little guilty. She was a guest in my home and working like the hired help. Luc sat at the table, reading the paper like he'd done every morning since I'd met him. He let his wife bring him his coffee with a kiss and didn't mind the traffic crisscrossing around him. I had the sudden urge to smack the back of his head, if only to bother his unnatural peace. Everyone else grabbed a piece of toast or fruit and scurried off to their assigned car. Lena was fighting to brush Ollie's teeth and Becca's hair; Belle kept running upstairs to fetch things for Anna; Honor was last through the kitchen with her dress in a bag, thrown over her shoulder.

"Wait," she said, "Where's Edgard?"

Everyone paused and looked around.

"Still not feelin' well, petite," my father answered, turning a page. "Afraid he came all dis way for naught. Makes y' wonder if it ain't somet'ing more den jet lag…"

"But… then who's gonna be my date?"

"I'll walk ya in, Sis," said Renegade.

"No, you have to escort Marie! Especially after that mess Poppy made! People will think you've broken up if you don't."

"Then Logan can do it!" Anna snapped.

"Logan?"

"Oh, t' be sixteen again and care about de man on your arm," Belle said dismissively.

"Who's ready t' get married?" I asked the room at large.

The twins ran out, pumping their little fists in the air and cheering.

We all seemed to have what we needed and tossed our things in the cars. Lena buckled the twins into their booster seats in the Lexus and strapped Hero into her car-seat in Belle's Rolls Royce. Jean-Luc and Marge took Mona and Delphine in their car and left first since they had the least to carry. My wife stood at the opened trunk for a moment and pointed at everything, checking it off in her mind. I pulled her close and quietly asked if she remembered the towels.

Over the chaos, Honor asked to no one in particular, "Shouldn't Logan be walking in with Tante Ro? You know, he's the man of honor and she's the best man. Woman. Whatever. They should be together."

"Publicly?" Renegade asked and they laughed together.

"Ya'll keep dem jokes t' yourselves," I said. "Your tante's gettin' married and I don't t'ink she'd appreciate dat rumor gettin' out."

Honor was supposed to ride with her mother, but squeezed herself between the twins to carry on our conversation.

"She's getting married? To whom?"

"Nobody you'd know."

"He's got a name, doesn't he?"

"Honor LeBeau, I've heard enough outta you today."

"Sorry. Would you please tell me his name?"

"He's de King of Wakanda and his name's-"

"T'Challa," my daughter finished, sounding disappointed. Then she fell back against the seat and crossed her arms. I expected all sorts of complaints, but she seemed very confused. Like me. Her silence was even more alarming than her rants. Her mind was in a dark place, I knew, and headed to a dark conclusion. I wanted to lead her away from it, but didn't know how. I also felt like Stormy was abandoning us.

My cell phone, which had been recklessly tossed in the center console, vibrated with an incoming call. Anna picked it up, looked at the number, and said. "Ah! Speak of the devil! Hey, Storm, we're off to a late start, but we're on our way… No, he's drivin', is everything okay?... Why d'ya wanna talk ta Honor? Ah'm right here, 'Ro! What's goin' on?"

My heart sank and the car went silent. Why did something have to go wrong today? Why did Anna have to hear about it? All she wanted was this one day…

Anna's lips pursed like they always do when she's trying to cover her displeasure. "A detour?... Oh, alright, which way?" She looked off into the distance and nodded while listening. It was several, long seconds before she spoke again. "Alright, thanks. We'll see you soon. Okay, so there's a little glitch," she told us after ending her call. "We're gonna have ta cut through Salem Center. There's another car waitin' there for us, and someone's gonna drive this one as a decoy. 'Parently, someone tipped off the damn paparazzi…"

Becca giggled. "Momma said a bad word!"

"Ah sure did, sugah. Shame on me." Then, she lowered her voice and asked me, "How're we gonna get the kids past 'm?"

"Hey, I've got an idea!" Honor said loudly to the twins. "Let's play the alphabet game. En espanol ou francais?"

I thought to myself for a moment while the petites complained about having to speak in a foreign language. (One day they'd be grateful for it.) I couldn't let pictures of my kids fall into the wrong hands. There were too many people who'd come after them for things I've done. I didn't even want it publicly known that I'd reproduced, but it'd be stupidly obvious once I'd arrived in a car full of children who resembled me. I didn't want to go the Michael Jackson route, either, and throw a blanket over their heads, but it was becoming an attractive option. No, I was thinking too small. A big problem needed a big solution.

.::.

Storm was waiting on the deck under the mid-morning sun. Most of the X-Men were inside, where the camera lenses couldn't reach. The herd of photographers were kept at bay, but were still within eye-sight. The mob thinned out when the decoy car left Salem Center, but too many stayed behind. They couldn't follow the yacht at sea or steal any shots from the sky, but the in-between time was completely up for grabs. And they were gorging themselves on it! This insanity was almost inevitable with the contract conceived and completed in two days, and she worried for the children's safety. Would it be unethical to strike them all with a few hundred thousand volts of electricity? Personally, she was weary of being photographed. Did anyone truly wish to see her pacing?

An overhead shadow broke her thoughts.

Rogue was flying towards the ship. In her hands she carried her family car like an over-sized Easter basket.

Storm's heart dropped. She hoped the car was vacant, and Rogue planned to drop it on the picture-hunters. A closer look revealed the shadowed faces of two toddlers in the back seat, and Honor's less obscured face behind the steering wheel. Her breath caught in her throat until all four wheels landed safely on board. She rushed to the vehicle and rescued the giddy children from their inane mother. Despite the antic, the photographers were leaving in droves.

"In the name of all things sacred, Rogue!"

"Ready ta get this show on the road?"

"Without your groom?"

Rogue pointed to the dock. A masked man on a motorcycle was racing towards them. Pink flames sparked off the back tire, flickering against the wooden planks of the dock until the charge finally caught. A pink streak trailed the bike, like a little river: splitting out between the boards and widening out the further the motorcycle rode. Some people cleared the deck, but most were defiant till the bitter end. When he reached the edge, he jumped the brief but steep distance from dock to ship, and the sea vessel tipped irascibly. It was not designed to handle so much weight so suddenly. The passengers braced against the shift and almost didn't notice the dock imploding. The area crowded with photographers fell into the sea, spoiling their equipment and film.

Gambit removed his face-covered helmet as his children rushed to him. Now that the cameras were removed, they could relax. No more hiding or sneaking…

Storm, however, was eager to move on. "Shall I tell the captain we're ready to deport?"

.::.

We raced to the changing rooms with the same sort of excitement and chaos that preceded a mission. Even the petites were excited, although they had no idea what was happening. This was like a big birthday party to them. That energy turned to frustration as soon as we saw the rooms.

"What is this? The last phone booth in New York?" Honor complained.

"Well, we're superheroes," Anna said bravely. "It's what we do."

She kissed me one last time as a single femme and disappeared into the single stall-sized room. Between the tissue-paper walls, I could hear Anna fussing to put stockings on Becca. Honor's arm struck someone and they all giggled. Finally, Anna squeezed into her dress and they all panicked when the garter went missing. Not to worry – the tiny leg ornament was soon recovered, and they laughed again when Anna had to open the door to bend over and stretch her leg out.

"Girls are silly," my boy told me very seriously, apparently fed up with their chatter.

"Fils, you ain't got no idea."

I was helping Ollie into his little black and white suit when Mercy came for a chat. My boy shouted at her to leave because this was the "boys only" room, and although it was disrespectful, I agreed. She'd brought me nothing but misery, and she turned everything I gave her into a weapon against me. I ignored her, hoping she'd take the hint and leave. Instead, she pretended to wait patiently until I could give her my full attention. A direct look would likely melt her flesh, and for my brother's sake, I wouldn't do that. So she fished for my attention another way.

While polishing Ollie's shoes, she told him how she and I met.

"De first time I seen your papa, he was ten years old. Had a head full a' wild hair and eyes dat burned when he heard de word 'no'. Every time I see your papa, I see dat little boy. And look, you almost dat age now…"

"Whatchya want?" I asked irritably.

"I have a favor to ask. On dis, de day of your weddin'."

"I can hardly wait."

"Go to Paris. Please. You got no idea de trouble Luc gone t'rough t' get dat boy here, and now he too sick t' come!"

"I ain't movin' de weddin' t' Paris."

"Oh, no! Y' know what I mean, Remy! Visit de Guildmaster. For Honor's sake! You seen de way dey looked at each other! This could be de piece we been waitin' for-!"

"I ain't pawnin' her off. You know when I'll agree t' let m' daughter marry? When she brings home de mooncatcher who puts stars in her eyes. Not till den."

"Who's t' say dat ain't Edgard?" She pressed. "Just let dem spend some time t'gether and see… Anyways, you can't just let her pick somebody! You gotta t'ink about de Guild! Who will help her lead dem? If she doesn't marry Guild den Belle's boy inherits everyt'ing!"

"I don't know how t' say dis any clearer, Mercy. Dis ain't your family! Mon Dieu! You people make me sick dat I ever met you!"

For once, she was at a loss for words. Her eyes fell and she left. Whatever guilt I felt ignited when I saw Ollie's sad face. I'd underestimated how attached he'd become to this conniving clan who'd taken me in. He felt like I'd disowned him, too.

"Désolé, cher. Shouldn't fight in front of you. Your tante, she just a bitch. You know what a bitch is, non?"

His face split open with a grin. "Yeah… Dat's a bad word, Papa!"

"Only bad if y' get caught!"

Once dressed, we gladly bounded out of the tiny dressing room. The mirror was smaller than my television, so I double- and triple-checked things like my shirt tail and fly. (Couldn't trust Ollie to point them out.) I could smell something burning from the girls' room and hoped they were just straightening or curling their hair. I watched Ollie run up the stairs and out onto the sunny dock as Stormy descended the stairs and lightly brushed his hair in passing. She stopped me, and behind her I heard the coo of women as Ollie approached.

"Gambit, my apologies…" she said softly, "It seems we have another problem…"

"Hey, it's what we do best."

"Indeed… It would appear we've debarked without Father Newman."

"Oh." I really didn't have any words. We'd arrived over an hour late, which means that self-righteous prick was even later. If we'd waited all day, he probably wouldn't have made it. Secretly, I was planning on grabbing Anna, hijacking a raft and rowing back to shore.

"No cause for alarm," Stormy assured me. "It just so happens we have a substitute on board."

Behind her, I noticed Professor Xavier cautiously descending the hall in his hover chair.

"I have not been ordained by the Catholic Church, which I know was your preference for the occasion, but I am licensed by the state," he said. "As founder of the cause which first brought you and Rogue together, I'd like to think I played a role in the establishment of your exceptional and sprawling family. And nothing would give me greater joy than officiating this union. That is, of course, if you feel so obliged."

"You keep it short, Prof, and it'll be a joy for me, too."

"Wonderful!" Stormy clapped her hands together. "Let's find our places, shall we?"

There was absolutely no formality on my part, which was probably expected. Stormy and I strolled down the aisle hand-in-hand like two lovers on the beach and then she demurely stepped back, taking Ollie's hand to make sure he didn't get restless and run off. A short time later, Xavier joined us and waited patiently. The hundreds of eyes turned our way didn't seem to bother him at all, but they bothered me immensely. Sure, I know how to draw attention to myself, but there are times when a man prefers some privacy. I finally met those eyes head on. The most mismatched motley crew imaginably sat behind me: my father and his family, my ex-wife with hers and a man who could've easily passed for Hero's father, my lovely daughter, and a hodge-podge collection of young-old-black-white-tan-thieves-bosses-killers-witches. On Anna's side… Ironically, not that different. Blue-fire-Asian-Aussie-fat-slender-green hair-black hair-pixie wings. I saw Cyclops, too, without Emma for the first time in years. His younger kids were with him, though: Megan holding his hand and Baby Alexander on his knee. Everyone had an easy tête-à-tête, but only with those on their side of the aisle. Watching these oddballs, I felt something I had never expected… Gratitude? Pride? Better stuff those fluffy things back wherever they came from.

I focused instead on the weather, which was heavenly. The sun and breeze were soft and pleasant. I turned around to thank Storm, but she'd been looking elsewhere. Her eyes flashed to me and suddenly her smile was forced. I looked to where her eyes had been – Wolverine.

"You sure she's comin', Gumbo?" he asked. "Maybe the girl came to her senses."

"She's gotta come," I said. "I've got her kids."

Everyone who'd been sitting down stood as one and Becca meandered out. She almost ran to Logan and half-hid behind his leg, but she was smiling and pretty as a China doll in her pink and white dress. I could've forgiven her anything for that smile.

Then Anna appeared. To be honest, I don't really know what happened after that. It was just her with the wind blowing her hair in her beaming face. She was the real reason any of us were here. Not just on that boat, but in this world. Our kids, my family and half our guests – all alive because of her. Even me. If it weren't for her, I'd be in an early grave with no one to remember my name. She deserved the rest of my life for my whole life.

"Hey handsome," she whispered.

"Hey," I whispered back, appalled at my own voice: sounded like I'd been in the girls' room during gym.

"Dearly beloved," Xavier's voice boomed, "We are gathered here today to witness the legal joining together of Remy and Anna. I know many of you never thought this day would come… Not for lack of love, but for lack of love for tradition. And yet here we are! This is not the joining together of families: they were joined years ago in the eyes of God, and some time before that in our own hearts. This is a celebration of what love can overcome and endure… My only instructions for today were 'keep it short'-" he smiled, "So with that, I leave the words to them."

The old saying 'ladies first' doesn't apply to marriage vows, but just in case I forgot, Anna squeezed my hands to remind me. We used the same vows as last time, which were intentionally different from the ones I took with Belle. I remembered the words without even knowing I had remembered them.

"Wherever you go, I'll go… Wherever you stay, I'll stay wit' you. Your people are my people, your God is my God…" Her eyes glossed over and I felt something sharp stab my chest. I cleared my throat. "Where you die, I'll die and be buried wit' you. And may God strike me down if we part before that."

In the distance, I could hear my clan sniffing and crying. We're Catholic; we cry at every wedding, birth and funeral. Trouble was, everyone was looking at me.

"Wherever you go, I will go," she said proudly, "And where you stay, I will be with you. Your people are my people and your God, mine. Wherever you die, I will die, and be buried there with you. May God strike me down if anything but death separates you from me."

"By the giving of vows, you are man and wife!" Xavier proclaimed. "Remy, you may kiss your bride!"

There was a thunderous applause as I grabbed her head and planted a memorable kiss on her lips. A tear spilled on my thumb: one of those warm, happy droplets that mark the years.

…

If we could've left after that, life would've been perfect. Instead, we had to stay and shake everyone's hands and hear how happy they were for us. If they really wanted to see me happy, they would've left me alone. I was more than willing to use my children as human shields. (Ollie was thirsty, Becca was about to spill punch on her dress, Honor was picking up some poor femme at the bar who had no idea she was underage…) Unfortunately, everyone in the world was willing to "help" me today. So I had to meet Belle's beau (a stony silent fellow who could still make her laugh), and look Drake in the eye after he ogled Anna's cleavage, and pretend not to hear Cyclops's cynical view on matrimony. His brother finally pulled him away, but Megan stayed close and played with my kids. Once she'd decided things had calmed down enough, she approached and asked, "Are you married now?"

"Oui, petite."

"Because you had a wedding?"

"Dat's right."

"My mommy and daddy used to be married," she said with big, sad, blue eyes. "But they aren't married anymore."

All the tears I'd been choking back all day suddenly surged forth. What could I possibly say to her?

"I'm sorry to hear dat, chere."

She rebounded effortlessly. "Can Ollie and Becca come play now?"

"Sure," I croaked. "Lemme get his vest off…"

"I have it," Stormy said dismissively. She dashed after him, stripped away his jacket and vest, and watched him run off with Becca, Hero and Megan. Lena was close behind them, so I turned my attention back to my most challenging child.

Honor held Edgard's food poisoning as an attack on her good reputation. Apparently, it was no excuse to stand her up. Even after the ceremony, she did nothing but gripe about being dateless. Who should come to her rescue? That Daumier boy. He swept in, moments before we walked into the reception room, offering his arm and company. He didn't even have a suit! But if I had the choice, I'd be wearing jeans and flannel shirt, too. And she just lit up at his appearance. Of course I couldn't tell her no. But I had no idea they'd be together all day – secluded even in this crowded room.

"Ah thought she hated him," Anna said, draping her arms around my shoulders.

It was the first time I'd sat down all day and I felt exhausted. I realized this was also the first private moment she and I'd had all day, and relaxed into her hold.

"Yeah, he's pretty disgustin'," I said.

"Ah dunno. He's got a certain… charm. They're like the lady and the tramp!"

My lip curled of its own accord. "Y' comparin' me t' him?"

"No, him to you… Is that a bad thing?"

"I know how dat cretin thinks. I know what he's after."

"Yeah, but she's your daughter, so she knows, too. Contrary ta your mighty high opinion of yourself, ya really ain't that hard ta figure out, sweetie."

"She deserves better."

"Ah dunno…" Anna smiled, "Ah think Ah got the diamond in the rough."

"Chere, you got de diamond and de rough."

She giggled and fell into my kiss. The crowd dispersed: everyone either finished bothering us or taking the hint to leave. This was my chance!

"Dat skirt lift easy?" I asked, expecting rejection.

"Depends on how well you starched those pants," She smiled.

That was all the encouragement I needed. Before anyone else could tangle us up, we were out of the reception room, down the hatch, and back into the dressing room. The girls' room was too full – I knew that without looking – so we stumbled into the less crowded room and slammed the door shut. I didn't bother with the lights: bold florescent says 'examination' more than it does 'romance'. I locked the door, lifted her up against it, and pushed up her skirt in a single motion. My hands moved up her thighs with less passion than usual (I didn't want to rip her dress), but she didn't repay my thoughtfulness. She tore open my fly and tried fishing my cock through the zipper, which sent me in a bit of a panic. I supported her with a knee while opening my belt and pants more completely. I really didn't want to get castrated today…

She reached behind her back and I heard another zipper sliding open. Then she pushed the cap-sleeves down her arms and crunched the top and bottom of her dress at the wide, cream-colored ribbon that had accented her waist so delicately. When she reached behind again, she opened and discarded her bra, and leaned forward a little so that her breasts her pressed against me. I grabbed them both in my hands, loving the weight and warmth of them, and lifted them to my mouth. I rolled her nipples between my teeth, trying to decide which I preferred. She had both legs wrapped around my pelvis and rubbed against me, smearing her scent on my shirt tail. Frustrated, she groaned, and gripped at the door frame to pull herself up and gain the advantage. There was a soft creeeak and then a loud snap! as the door frame splintered under her grip. We both paused and glanced at the damage.

"Oops…" she said.

"Can't take you anywhere!"

I lifted her bottom and transplanted her to counter. An enormous splinter was the last thing either one of us wanted. She pulled me close with her legs and nearly tore open my shirt just to nibble on my neck. The physical strength she possessed and chose to repress for my safety was intoxicating. I loved watching her lose control, even if it resulted in a few bruises. Her hands slid down my stomach and I noticed the rest of her body followed suit. When I tried to stop her, she slapped my hands away and pinched my hips in her hands.

"Ah just wanna taste you!"

It was no use fighting her, so I didn't bother. She dropped to her knees and ripped my pants down to my ankles before impatiently stroking my cock. At first, it was a shock, but then delicious – like jumping into a lake on a hot summer day. All the blood rushed to engorge my member, which itched to please her. She must've realized she was being rough and slowed down when I wanted her to speed up. Out of desperation, I pumped my hips back and forth to regain some friction. I heard her mewl and then felt the warm, wet greeting of her mouth. I sighed and tried not to thrust down her throat like a novice. Slowly, the lively creature that was her tongue stroked the underside of my cock, and her mouth created a gentle sucking sensation, taking in more and more as she found room for it. I gripped the counter top until my fingers hurt, and then fisted her hair for relief. Her head began to bob, sliding back and forth with ease and taking me deeper and deeper into her mouth. The last time we were together, I was far from impressive, so this time I closed my eyes and concentrated on the mechanics of unlocking a safe. But turning the lock reminded me of twisting her nipples and the clicking sounded like bed springs and opening the safe meant release and reward.

I didn't bother asking for her permission. At the risk of losing my dick, I ripped her away, turned her over the counter, and pushed her head down. I only glanced up to make sure she wasn't fighting me and saw her in the mirror. Her perfectly curled hair was tousled, her lips were swollen, and her bare breasts were pressed up against the faux-marble top. I frantically dug around in the sea of white lace to find her ass, which still sported a white G-string. There was a warm, moist little stain that I longed to taste, but the time for foreplay was over. I didn't bother to remove the garment properly; I just moved it aside and found my home between her legs. We fit together perfectly, always have. That's the benefit of taking a virgin. Yes, they're inexperienced and nervous, but afterwards they're molded to their lover. I felt it that night in Antarctica when we first made love. She was tight and unformed at first, but once her body relaxed, it was tailor-made. Like hand prints in cement, I returned time and again to find how perfectly we connected.

Anna hitched one leg up to the counter top and stood on her toes so her ass was more even with my hips. I was able to reach as deep as possible, and kept the pace furious so that she had to keep her hands braced against the mirror. She wanted to grab me, but couldn't find the angle and time for everything she wanted, and her hands left faint pale streaks on the glass when she squirmed. I felt her cunt alternate between weeping and gripping, and the longer she was helpless, the more frequently she responded. She was close because I rode her G-spot from this position, and I wanted to bring her to climax… But not like this. I wanted to see her.

I pulled out and turned her around. For once, she didn't throw me up against the wall and rape the hell out of me. Our lips warmly met again, easing together as our bodies followed. She gently held my face and we made love on top of her dress in a closet beneath our wedding party. I laced one hand in her hair and used the other to hold her ass: it was rocking rather precariously on the ledge. Her eyes locked with mine and I knew what she was thinking. 'It's not enough.' What I felt for this woman couldn't be expressed in words or rites, and while sex came close, it wasn't enough, either. I felt something like panic curl in my belly and rise to my chest while her inner walls gripped me again. I cradled her close and gave in to my caveman impulse to fuck her. I wanted to bury my seed deep in her womb and watch our love come to life. This time, she clenched and melted at the same time, and when she peaked, she took me with her. I'd been fucking since I was old enough to pull my pants down and ejaculating since I had balls – nothing new there. But with Anna, it was new. It was something special. For her, I'd suffer all the stupid ceremonies in the world.

.

Fin.

Author's Notes: The vows come from Ruth 1:16-17 of the Bible, and I think they're terribly romantic… Much more so than the traditional ones. Hope this finale was well worth the insane wait – I know a lot of people were waiting for a long time. I apologize. As I was writing this chapter, it suddenly occurred to me that I'd never read a fic like this, so I hope it makes the ROMY world a little sweeter. Thanks for your patience, and – as always – please leave a review!