A Walk In The Wilderness (36 page)

    They both agreed that they would prefer a very quiet wedding.  Neither of them had a great number of close friends that they wanted to invite, and they elected to have it at home to protect their privacy. 

     Though they had been very insulated from the press because of their private jet transportation and the private hospital, and of course the security of David's home, they were well aware that the story was big news and that it would certainly take some time to blow over. 

    Grace insisted upon having a seamstress come to the house to measure Caitlin, and to create for her the dress of her dreams.  She also got Cait's ideas about flowers, and made all the arrangements.  Cait was a bit uncomfortable with all that they were doing for her, but there was nothing else to be done. Grace was insistent.

      She sent an invitation to her Uncle and his wife, but he wrote with regret that they'd be on a trip and couldn't change the dates.  And so, Caitlin was going to be standing alone.  She asked Grace to be her matron of honor, and she ecstatically agreed. 

   Caitlin spent a lot of time swimming and David generally sat by the pool, watching while he slowly recovered. 

     He felt weak in his entire upper body, and was prone to headaches and chest pain.  He knew that there was quite a hole in his chest and that even though the bullet had missed the important bones and organs, he'd been very torn up. 

    He was lucky to be alive and he was being careful to follow his doctor's advice.  He wanted to be one hundred percent in his recovery, if possible.

     So, he watched Caitlin.  She was so beautiful.  He marveled at the goodness of God, to give her to him.  They also prayed together daily.  He read to her, and she read to him.  They talked about God and he watched her grow daily in the things of the Lord.  He was well pleased.  She was sweet and innocent, as well as beautiful.

     As he began to feel better, David spent more time at the piano and composed some work.  He was planning to go into the studio after their marriage, to record a new CD. 

    Caitlin took a few rides with Jana over the following weeks, but for the most part, she stayed near David.  She was well aware that her nearness brought him pleasure and comfort.  She was also well aware of his eyes on her, watching. 

    He was patiently waiting for their wedding.  The remembrance gave her shivers and caused her to hug herself with anticipation. 

     His eyes on her, his kisses, the touch of his hand caressing her, were all preparing her for the time when David would be her lover.  She was a bit afraid; after all, she'd never had a man.  But she trusted David.  She knew that she'd be all right with him. 

     And she was eager herself, to be quite honest.  The thought of having David take her became more and more exciting as the day drew near.  She had dreams about it.  She felt her body reacting even more to him as time went by. 

     The seamstress was making Caitlin undergarments to fit with the dress, and she made her a lovely nightgown of white silk, as well.  It was very daring and revealing.  It brought roses into Cait's cheeks when Madeline insisted she try it on.  The seamstress laughed aloud and covered her mouth when she saw Cait in it.

     "Madeline, don't.  It's not nice."  Cait objected.

   "Oh, it is in fact,
very
nice.  Darling, you're incredible.  I was only just envisioning the look on Mr. Majors’ face when he sees you in this.  He's going to like it
very much
."

      Caitlin rolled her eyes, and went to change.

     David was more and more himself.  At last, the day came when he cornered Caitlin about the shooting.

     “Tell me what became of Skyler and Connie.”  he insisted.

     “That’s not a pretty story.” she shuddered.

     “Get it over with, then.  You only have to tell me once.”  he urged.

     She shivered.  “Skyler broke up with Connie.  She went nuts, and shot him.  He told her that we were engaged, and she figured it had upset him enough that he’d dumped her.  She blamed us.  So she went after Skyler, then shot you.  Then she put the gun in her own mouth.  Neither one survived, though he hung on for a few days.”

     David closed his eyes and sighed.  “Poor fools.”  he mumbled.

     That’s all that was ever said about the incident.

    At long last, the day of the wedding came.  David wore his white tux with considerable elegance.  There was a ruby rose for his lapel and a matching cummerbund and tie.  Everything else was white.

     He greeted his guests along with his mother, who looked very elegant in a ruby velvet dress.  They had invited some of his mother and father's closest friends, and some of his own.  Mostly, they were associates from his ministry and business life.  It did trouble David that Caitlin hadn't wanted to invite anyone other than her uncle.  He wondered that such a lovely young girl would have no close friends at all.  But he knew that her life had not been without upheaval, so he let his worries go.

     Grace had hired a string quartet to play, and one of David's friends played the grand piano.  When the parson came down the stairs with Caitlin on his arm, it was almost more than David could manage.  She was incredible.  Lovely, wonderful.

   Her dress revealed her soft, creamy chest and her sleeves were almost detached from the garment.  Long and straight, they were very elegant.  The bodice was fitted and the skirt was fitted to the hips; then went full in a tapered sweep.  She had a sweet circlet in her hair with white roses and a long, net veil.

     David was enchanted.  He stared at her and couldn't seem to take his eyes away.  When she finally reached his side, he took her hand in his and with a secretive smile, he drew her close.  The parson had to smile as he looked down upon these two.  They were a very happy couple.

     The vows were difficult for both of them to get through without allowing their emotions to take over.  They were both ready to giggle, then found that the words they’d been longing to say came so hard over the lumps in their throats.

      David's friend, Douglas, played a song that David had written for Caitlin.  It was so beautiful that David nearly broke down and Caitlin had to wipe tears from her cheeks.  Finally, it was over and David lifted her veil to look into her eyes and kiss her tenderly.

      After the wedding, there was a party.  Caitlin met all of David's closest friends and relatives, and they ate a banquet fit for kings.  By midnight, the last of their guests were gone, and Grace retired. 

      David smiled at Caitlin and took her hands. 

      "Lady.  At last." He whispered.  "Shall we?"

     Caitlin blushed and nodded.  David swung her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs, showing his dimples at her shyness.  But he said nothing.  He put her down outside her room.

      "Why don't you get ready and then open the doors between our rooms?" he suggested softly.

       "All right."  She agreed hesitantly.

     David tipped his head and raised an eyebrow.  "You will unlock the door, won't you?"  he asked with a teasing chuckle. 

      She blushed, and laughed against his chest.  "Of course."  She assured him.  "I'm just surprised.  I thought you'd want us to sleep in your room."

      He smiled, and shook his head.  "I have pictured and dreamed about coming into your room and being with you there so many times that I simply can't conceive of doing anything else.  Perhaps tomorrow, you can join me.  But tonight, I'm coming in to you." He said with sureness and purpose.

    Caitlin blushed, and nodded.  She went into her room and smiled at him before she closed the door.  Then she hung her dress up on its hanger, showered quickly and shaved her legs again, and put on some lovely perfume.  At last, she put on the white gown and brushed out her hair.  Then she went to the double doors and reached for the handle. 

     Just short of it, she stopped.  Her heart was pounding.  David was going to come in here and take possession of her!  Suddenly, it frightened her.  It was bound to be painful.  Her life would never be the same.  She could become pregnant.  She would belong to him.

     "You already do."  She reminded herself.  "It's far too late to have these silly fears.  Just do it."  She steeled herself and unlocked the bolt.  Then she walked to the windows and waited.  Her bridegroom came through the door without delay.  He was wearing a robe and nothing else.  He looked at her standing by the windows and closed his eyes for a second.  Her loveliness was incredible.  Desire rushed through his veins as the moonlight allowed him to see her body through the silk.  She was lovely.  He stood there watching her for a time, and then he saw the fear in her eyes. 

      He went to her and held her against his shoulder, smoothing her hair.  "Don't be afraid.  Darling, please."  He soothed her.  "Everything is going to be fine.  I promise you.  Come on." 

      She let him lead her to the bed, and she got in.  Then, he took off the robe and joined her.  She could not watch.  She just could not.  She closed her eyes and waited.  His warm arms drew her close and wrapped her against him.  He kissed her cheek, her eyes. 

    "I love you, Caitlin.  Relax, please.  I won't hurt you.  I promise."  He said against her ear.

     She looked up into his eyes and her heart melted.   He was so patient and kind.  He kissed her and she kissed back, wanting him to know that she loved him.  She was just so afraid.

     He chuckled in her ear and began to kiss her neck, her throat.  "Caitlin.  I won't come to you until you beg me to.  I'm not going to just
take
you." He whispered. 

     "David, I don't know that I can ask you to."  She objected.  "I ... I've never done this."

     "I know that."  He growled.  “But wherever we go, or don’t go – we do this together.” He told her. 

      He kissed her softly, and before he was finished, the blood was pounding in her ears.  He touched and tasted every part of her systematically, except for the places that were private.   He forced himself to be patient; he didn't want her to be frightened of him.

      He took his time, lighting fires and letting them slowly build and burn into a torch of desire.  And the private places were beginning to cry out for his touch, his mouth.  His possession. 

      He began to oblige her desires, and Caitlin gasped.  She did not object when he unbuttoned the gown and exposed her body to the moonlight.

     "Caitie.  I love you so."   He whispered, kissing her and pulling her into his arms again.  Then he began his attack.

      Caitlin closed her eyes, and caught her breath.  A shudder of desire coursed through her body as he began to convince her that she did, indeed want a lover.  He caused her to need it.  It did not take her long to know that she was going to have to beg.

      "David."  She gasped. 

      "Hmm."  He asked, waiting patiently.

      "Please."  She begged.

      "Hmm?" 

      "Please stop tormenting me."  

      "What would you have me do, then?" he asked with a chuckle.

      "Make love to me.  Please.  Hurry."  She begged.

      David laughed in her ear.  He was very obliging.

      Caitlin awoke in the morning to find herself alone.  She heard the shower running and knew that David was still close by.  And so, she let her eyes slip shut again.  The next thing she knew, David was leaning over her, kissing her neck. 

      She turned and met his eager kisses.  His hands lifted her and turned her in the bed until she was facing him, and then he joined her.  It wasn't but moments until she knew that he intended to take her all the way to paradise again.   

      She laughed.  “David,”  she objected.

      “Hmm.”  he mumbled. 

      “Don’t you think we should wait?”

    “For what?” he challenged.  “There’s nothing as important as this, today.”  he assured her. 

     She sighed and let her eyes slip shut as he convinced her that all he said was true.

    When it was over, she lay there with her face against his warm, hard chest, marveling at it. 

    How could such things be?  How could he so fill her soul, and take possession of her?  It was a great miracle, one she was sure she’d never grow tired of. 

     Grace was a happy woman.  She had David at home indefinitely, and she had Caitlin as a daughter-in-law.  Based upon David’s obvious hunger for his bride, she had no doubt that she would soon be a grandmother.  The thought brought a smile to her lips. 

    It was true.  Not many weeks went by before Caitlin became ill.  She’d never felt such a strange malaise in all her life.

    “What is it?” David asked, leaning over the bed.  He studied her pale face and smiled quizzically.

     “I just don’t feel right.”  she admitted.  “I don’t know what it might be.”

     David grinned.  “Don’t you?” he teased.  “I can hope that my wish is coming true.”

      “What wish?” she asked warily.

       He chuckled.  “A wish for stretch marks and sleepless nights, love.” 

       She blushed.  “Do you think?” she asked doubtfully.

       “Indeed, I do.  Lord knows, I’ve tried hard enough.”  he teased.

       She blushed again. 

      It soon became evident that David was quite right.  Caitlin was with child, and David was immensely pleased with himself.  Grace knew it almost as soon as David did.  Caitlin even looked different. 

      Cait was a bit frightened, but she was glad as well.  To have David’s child would be a great joy.  It was all just a bit overwhelming at times.  But her life was easy, and she soon became more pampered than anyone had a right to be.