It was a cool autumn early evening and Evangeline sat at the vanity staring at her self in the mirror. The sun was slowly starting to set and let an eerie glow flood the room as she took a long deep breath and then let it go. She was sitting in her wedding dress staring at herself playing with her engagement ring that now lay on her right hand. Her left hand was bare and it felt unusual to her. The pearlisque wedding dress that she had picked out months earlier in New York City with her mother fit perfectly. The shear sleeves draped down her arms and flared at her wrists. She pushed back a ringlet of hair that was covering her eyes as she tried to adjust the tiara that was firmly affixed to her head. She adjusted the bodice of the dress as she stood up and took one last look at her self in the mirror. Five minuets earlier the room was bustling with her mom, cousins, bridesmaids and other well wishers. She needed a moment to her self and asked her mom to get everyone ready.
When everyone had finally left her alone she closed the door and locked it behind her. She needed time to collect herself and couldn’t do that with fifteen other people in the room. She walked over to the full length mirror that stood in the bridal suite of the St. Patrick Chapel in Ireland. Ten days earlier Evangeline, John, Michael, Eve, Marcie, her Uncle Clay, and Nora had all made the trip over seas to Ireland for the big day. There were still some finally touches left to do and they needed to be in the country to do them. The days leading up to the wedding were amazing. They toured the country side looking at 13th century castles and homes. They went over to England for a few days and toured there as well. She was remembering the castle visits when a knock at the door startled her.
“Umm, who is it?” she asked hesitantly, moving away from the mirror and towards the door.
“It’s me.” The low raspy, familiar sexy voice said on the other side.
She moved towards the door and stood next to it, not daring to open it for fear of bad luck. She was already fearful of marriage for fear of divorce she didn’t want to take any other chances. “Hi me.” She said with a sexy voice placing a hand on the door.
“How are you holding up?” John asked standing as close to the door as he could and placing a hand in the exact same place that hers now lay on the other side of the door.
“Me?” she asked rubbing her hands together twisting the engagement ring back and forth on her finger. “A little nervous, my hands are all sweaty and my face is a little clammy, but other than that I am okay.” She said as a small laugh escaped her mouth.
“There is nothing to be nervous about. You know I love you right?” he asked gently moving his hand up and down the door like he was touching her and reassuring her.
“Of course John, and you know I love you right.”
“No doubt.” He said laughing.
“How did you sleep last night?” she asked resting her head against the door. She wanted so desperately to open the door and fall into his arms. She had missed him last night. For their unconventional start to their relationship she demanded that they spent the 24 hours prior to the wedding apart. The 24 hour separation was putting a strain on both of them.
“Sleep? What is that?” he asked teasing her. She knew that he didn’t sleep very well if she wasn’t next to him.
“So I take it you didn’t sleep much last night?” she said laughing at him.
“You got that right. All I could do was think about you. Michael had to practically tie me down to keep me from leaving the room and finding you last night.” He replied with a huge grin that she could sense because she started smiling too.
“I couldn’t sleep much either. I sat out side on the balcony staring up at the stars thinking about you and what you were doing. I think I finally fell asleep around 2.” A laugh escaped her again as she thought of her restless night.
“At least you got some sleep. I was up and down last night, and I thought your snoring was bad. You got nothing on Michael.”
“John McBain how dare you, I do not snore.” She said insulted.
“I beg to differ.” He said trying to correct his bride. “So are you ready to become Mrs. John McBain?”
“More than you will ever know.” she said as she thought about what their future held for them.
“Great I will see you at the end of the aisle. I will be the one in the nice tuxedo you picked out for me. I love you Evangeline Williamson.” He said kissing the door.
“I love you too John McBain. I’ll see you in a few.”
“Don’t keep me waiting.” He said as he walked away from the door.
“Never, never….” She heard him leave and turned her back to the door once again and took a deep breath.
She took one last look at her self in the mirror and smiled. Everything that she never thought she wanted was coming true. She found a man that was as handsome as he was loving, caring and honest. Their time together was nothing like she ever imagined and was extremely grateful for all of the time. She turned around and saw her bouquet sitting on the couch and picked it up. She walked to the door and unlocked the door and stepped out into the hallway. She heard the sting quartet playing in the chapel and the music filled the whole chapel. She turned the corner and saw Nora, Layla, and Marcie waiting at the entrance to the chapel. Her Uncle Clay came from around the corner and stopped short of her.
“If your father could see you know cookie.” He said grasping her hand and wrapping it under his arm.
“He is Uncle Clay.” She said looking up to the heavens smiling at her father whom she knew was watching over her right now.
“You are one beautiful woman, and John is one lucky man.” Clay said placing his other hand on top of hers giving it a squeeze.
“I’m the lucky one Uncle Clay.” She said kissing him on the cheek.
“Ready?”
“Absolutely.”
Peachball Cannon in D started to play as Nora fixed the back of Evangeline dress and then jumped in front of her as her maid of honor. Antonio’s daughter Jaime and Nora’s son Matthew were the first down the aisle followed by Marcie then Layla and Nora. The music stopped and then started up again as the doors opened and revealed Evangeline standing at the back of the chapel with a smile that could light up the world. She caught John’s eye and never left it as she and her Uncle walked down the aisle. John grabbed his chest and took a deep breath when he saw her at the back of the Chapel. “Are you okay bro?” Michael asked.
“I’m okay as long as I am with her.” He said pointing to Evangeline as she gracefully floated down the aisle towards him. Before she even reached him tears of joy, excitement and hope started to pool in his eyes. At seeing him start to tear up she did as well.
After what felt like hours Evangeline and Clay finally reached the alter of the Chapel. Clay took John’s hand and placed it into Evangeline’s. “Only the best for her.” He said as he did so.
“Only the best.” John said smiling back at Clay then taking Evangeline hand into his holding it tightly they both walked up to the alter.
Everyone took a seat and Evangeline handed her bouquet to Nora and wiped her hand that was sweaty against the side of her dress. She took a deep breath and noticed that John did the same thing at the same time. At noticing this Evangeline let out a small giggle and inched closer to John. Their fingers intertwined and she reached over and placed her other hand on John’s arm connecting them even more.
“You okay?” he asked at noticing how strong her grip became on his arm.
“Yeap.” She said. He placed his other hand against hers and gently rubbed it soothing her. When he did this her grip lessened on his arm and she was able to relax.
The Reverend started the ceremony with prayer and some words of wisdom for the future newlyweds. Next he moved on to the vow section. Evangeline and John agreed that they should write their own vows and Evangeline began.
She took a deep breath, turned to face him and he took both of her hands into his. She closed her eyes and concentrated on everything that she wanted to say to this man standing in front of her. “First thank you for letting me go first. I don’t think I could have handled going after you. I can barely keep it together right now.” She said wiping a tear from her eye and letting out a small laugh. He mouthed your welcome to her and she continued on.
“When I first came to Llanview I never in a million years thought that I would be there longer than a couple of months. After I finished my case I got another one and had the pleasant fortune to meet an FBI agent by the name of John McBain. There was something special about him not to mention he was extremely good looking. He dared me to be spontaneous and I took that dare. It was the best dare I could have ever taken.” They both smiled thinking back to that night in the Palace Bar. “Before I knew it we were an item, strings attached and all. I had barriers up in my heart and some how you managed to break them down with out me knowing it. I fell and I fell hard for this stately Irish man that came in to my life and turned it upside down. You are everything I never knew I wanted. Thank you for everything that you brought into my life you made it whole when I didn’t even know pieces were missing. When you are not around or near me I feel like a piece of me is missing. I love you John McBain and if there is a chance here then I am sticking with you for forever.” Tears were falling down her cheeks as well as everyone else’s in the audience. “I promise to love you for the rest of my life, I will trust you, and honor everything that you give to me.” After saying that she took another deep breath and smiled at him.
“John do you have something to say?” asked the Reverend.
“Okay, here goes nothing. You know that I am not good with the words so I hope this comes out the way I thought it up. For the longest time I didn’t know how to love, I wasn’t even looking for love for that matter. Then a beautiful woman came strolling into my life and I knew from the moment I saw her that there was something special about her that I had to get to know her no matter what the cost. You were a challenge for me, always challenging me to achieve new heights and learn new things. You once told me that I was undiscovered territory. For me you were undiscovered territory as well. You turned me from a dark and brooding FBI agent to a bright and lively police Lieutenant. The things you do to me Evangeline are unexplainable. I have never met anyone like you and I am grateful for that. I promise to try and make you as happy as you have made me over the past three years. You taught me to love again and I am forever in your debt for that. I love you Evangeline Williamson, and nothing is ever going to stop me from loving you. I promise to love you till I die, to protect you with everything that I am and to trust your instincts even if I think you could possibly be wrong.” He smiled and leaned in to kiss her lightly on the lips.
“Do you have the rings?” Reverend asked looking over at Michael.
“Yeah, yeah. Here you go.” Michael said handing the rings to the Reverend.
“John take this ring and place it on the second to last finger on Evangeline’s left hand.” John took the ring from the Reverend and slid it slowly onto her hand and bend down to kiss it.
“Do you John Patrick McBain; take Evangeline Marie Williamson to your wife? To love, honor, and keep her all of the days of your life?”
“I do.”
“Evangeline take this ring and place it on the second to last finger on John’s left hand.” Evangeline took the ring from the Reverend and slid it slowly onto his hand and bend down to kiss it.
“Do you Evangeline Marie Williamson; take John Patrick McBain to be your husband? To love, honor and keep him all of the days of your life?”
“I do.”
“By the power vested in me by this great country of Ireland and the city of Llanview I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
John took Evangeline’s hand and pulled her close to him. They rubbed noses and foreheads before he dipped her backwards and laid a kiss on her that made both of their knees buckle. The audience cheered and clapped at conclusion of the ceremony. He pulled back some and looked deep in her brown eyes, “Hi Mrs. McBain.” He said and then kissed her again. Her hand went into his hair and they lost themselves into each other. Nora, the Reverend and Michael all clearing their throats brought them out of their kiss. John helped her back up and she wiped the lipstick from his lips and they both laughed. They turned to face the audience and Nora handed Evangeline her bouquet.
“I would like to present to you Mr. and Mrs. John McBain.” The Reverend said over the cheers of the crowd.
They both looked at each other and stepped down on to the aisle and walked down it. When they reached the end of the Chapel the doors closed behind them and John picked up Evangeline into his arms, she wrapped her arms around his neck and lowered her head to his. “That wasn’t so bad now was it?” he asked teasing her.
“Nope, not at all.” She said leaning in to kiss him. He twirled and spun her around as they kissed each other deeply and passionately. He lowered her to the ground and backed her up against the wall and pressed his body to hers.
He pulled back and she looked deep into his eyes, he played with a ringlet of hair that lay against her face. “God you are beautiful.” He said playing with her hair, “When do we get to do the honeymoon thing. I have missed you so much.” He said leaning into her more and kissing her neck. She let out a soft moan and her hands ran up and down his back. She gave into his kisses until she heard the door open behind him.
“Excuse me you two, but there are some people in here that would like to congratulate you two.” Nora said as she stuck her head from inside the chapel. “Are you two ready?”
“Yes we are.” Evangeline said pushing John away from her and straightening her dress and his tie. She grabbed his hand and led him outside where they would greet their guests. “Tell the bridesmaids and groomsmen that they can come out too.” She said as she held John’s hand.
The new Mr. and Mrs. McBain stood outside along with the wedding party and said hello and congratulations to the guests that were able to make the trip overseas to witness their nuptials. Guest after guest came through the line shaking their hands, offering hugs and placing kisses on John and Evangeline. Evangeline looked over at John and could see that he was getting tired and annoyed with the whole thing. By this time the line had died down and the wedding photographer grabbed them and the bridal party to take photos of the new couple.
All the guests made their way back to the hotel where the reception was being held and waited patiently for the new couple to arrive. Evangeline and John took their time taking pictures and just enjoying each other before they would be bombarded with family and friends again at the reception. By the time they made it to the hotel ballroom John took a deep breath turned to his new wife and kissed her passionately and deeply. “What was that for?” she asked looking back at him smiling and rubbing her fingers over his chin.
“I just needed something to get me through the night.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well I know you, and how popular you are. I probably won’t even see you since you will be all over the place dancing with friends and talking with family.”
“You don’t think you can get rid of me that quickly do you?” she asked with a sexy voice.
“I plan on never getting rid of you. You are stuck with me.” He said laughing.
“That’s what I like to hear, and just so you know I am not leaving your side unless it is to go to the bathroom.” She said with a smile.
“Oh really, I believe that when I see it.” He took her hand and helped her out of the limo.
They walked hand and hand into the ballroom and stopped at the close doors.
“Attention everyone, I would like to introduce you for the first time to Mr. and Mrs. John McBain.” The DJ said.
They walked into the ballroom that was beautifully decorated. The room was a nice size to accommodate their 100 plus guests. There were round tables spread out all around the room with a dance floor in the middle. The tables were covered with white table clothes and a center piece of all different kinds of lilies on them. The napkins on the plates were both a pale purple and a pale blue that matched the bridesmaid’s dresses. The lights in the ball room were low but candles on the tables flickered creating a romantic atmosphere. Evangeline’s breath was taken away at the sight of the room. She squeezed John’s hand as they entered the room.
They made their way through the crowd and found the head table where the bridesmaids and the groomsman were sitting at. The waiters came over and poured them some champagne and the couple toasted each other. Next the music started playing in the background as a dinner of either fish or chicken was served to their guests. The meal was great and both John and Evangeline dug into being as they had not eaten all day. After dinner was served the DJ called John and Evangeline to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. The Flamingos I only have eyes for you played quietly and then got louder as John pulled Evangeline close to him. His arm wrapped around her tiny waist feeling the fabric of the dress by rubbing his thumb over it. Their fingers intertwined and their foreheads rested against each other. They closed their eyes and completely zoned out everyone in the room. The floated across the floor like they were on a cloud letting the words of the song wash across them.
When the song ended, Unchained Melody started again and other couples were free to come and join the couple. John and Evangeline were so into each other that they didn’t even notice other people that had joined them. The next couple of songs were pay to dance songs. You could pay a dollar or more to dance with the bride and groom. This was Nora’s bright idea and neither John nor Evangeline enjoyed it. They could not take their eyes off of each other during the whole time. He would mouth how silly this was and how much he loved her every time they switched partners.
After some fast songs which the couple sat out of and decided to mingle with their guests instead. They were never far enough away to not be able to touch hands at the least. At one point in the evening Evangeline got caught up in a conversation with her cousins about the wedding, John, the honeymoon, and their life afterwards. She was so deep into the conversation that she didn’t notice that John had moved away from her and he was talking to one of his cousins as well.
“Excuse me.” John said as he walked back over to his bride.
Evangeline felt a strong hand slide up and down her back; she knew the touch and a bright smile crossed her face. Her cousins began to laugh as John grabbed her hand and dragged her away from her family with out saying a ward. He took hold of her hand with out saying a word and took her behind closed doors. He pulled her into the coat room and spun her around so she was pressed up against the wall. John pushed back her hair away from her neck and started kissing using his lips and tongue to send her into frenzy. Evangeline let out a soft moan as her hands went into his hair making his lips press firmer against her neck.
John pulled back a little and looked into her eyes, and then captured her lips in a mind numbing kiss. Their mouths parted as their tongues re explored each others mouths. John pinned Evangeline’s hands above them against the wall. He took his other hand and started moving her dress up trying desperately to find the bottom of it. She started giggling at his efforts and helped him out by pulling the dress up with him. John finally found the one spot that he had been dreaming about all night. Evangeline let out a loud groan when his hand started to caresses in between her legs.
They continued to kiss while John’s hands found the warm, tender, and sweet spot they had been longing to touch all day. He sent her so wild with his touch that she had to bit her lip to keep from screaming out when he hit the right spot. John stopped kissing her but continued to pleasure her with his nimble fingers. John watched Evangeline closely watching her squirm, and move to the touch of his hands. When she climaxed from his touch she her head fell back against the wall and she was panting trying to catch her breath.
“That was good.” He whispered into her ear.
“Yes, but we were very, very bad.” She whispered back and then let out a soft giggle.
“I’ve missed you so much, I had to do something. I couldn’t stand watching you with everyone and not being able to touch you, feel, you. God I need you. Can we leave now?” he asked pleading with her.
“I wish we could baby but we still have to cut the cake.” She replied with a soft kiss on his lips. She readjusted her dress with his help, smiled back at him and then took his hand and led him back to the reception.
The reception was amazing. The food, the dinner, the dancing, and the speeches by Nora, Layla, and Michael made the crowd laugh their heads off. Everyone decided to make fun of John which he was a good sport about. They cut the cake and Evangeline warned him not to smash it into her face. He did as he was told, but she didn’t listen to her own advice. She proceeded to take her piece of cake and smash it all over an un-expectant John. He gave her a look like he was pissed off at her until she proceeded to remove the cake with her mouth and not a napkin.
When the cake was all cut up and dispersed to the guests next came the bouquet and garter toss. The DJ called all the single ladies to the floor and Evangeline threw the bouquet behind her falling right at Jessica Buchanan’s feet. She picked up the flowers smiled and twirled them around in her hands. Next came the garter toss. Michael brought out a chair for Evangeline to sit in. She took a seat and John came strolling out and stood in front of her. Barry White’s Let’s get it on started to play as he bent down on both knees and Evangeline swung her leg up and it landed on John’s shoulder. He caught her gaze and held it as he slid his hands up her legs and found the garter. Up under her dress he played with the garter and ran a finger over the inside of her leg sending chills throughout her body. He gave her a quick wink and threw the dress over his head and found the garter with his mouth. He kissed her inner thigh quickly before biting the garter and pulling it down her leg with his teeth. Evangeline covered her face as soon as his head went under her dress. Her face was not the only thing starting to get warm. When John finally came from up under her dress Evangeline looked at him threw her fingers that were still covering her face. She pulled her dress back down and hit John in the chest. He stood up and Evangeline moved to the side and grabbed Nora’s hand in embarrassment. John turned and flicked the garter to the waiting single guys. It fell into Michael’s open hands and he swung it around his finger with a huge smile.
Everyone enjoyed the night, dancing till the wee hours of the morning. Evangeline and John were dead on their feet and they said goodbye to their guests kissing friends and family as they made their way to the waiting limo to take them back to the cottage that John had rented for their honeymoon. They slid into the limo and threw their heads back against the seat and kicked their shoes off. All of their stuff was already in the car, but the cottage was a good hour away from the hotel.
“Can I just tell you how glad I am that is over?” She said leaning into John and resting her head against his chest. She ran her hand over his chest playing with his tie. She caught the flash of sparkle out of the corner of her eye. She stuck her left hand out and admired her new jewelry. “Can you believe that we actually did it?”
“Yes I can.” He said taking her hand and kissing it gently. “Ready for a wild week Mrs. McBain?”
“A wild week huh?”
“Yeah a wild week, you haven’t seen nothing yet baby.” He said as he kissed the top of her head as they rode off into the night to their awaiting cottage in the hills of Ireland.