Chris helps Daphne out of the truck, careful not to damage her dress. He locks it behind them as he takes her hand in his, leading her to the door.
"Where are we exactly?" Daphne asks as they climb the four steps to the entry way.
"The Gastonian," Chris answers. "It's the most prestigious Bed and Breakfast in Savannah."
"Prestigious, huh? What did I do to deserve this?"
She asks playfully.
"By just being you, my sweet Daphne," he tells her with a kiss to the top of her nose.
Since Chris checked in earlier in the day they by passed the front desk. They walk hand in hand up the stairs, Chris leading the way. He stops in front of a door and fishes the key from his pocket. After unlocking it he asks Daphne to close her eyes.
She chooses not to sass him at this time and does as he asked. With her eyes closed she doesn't know that Chris is getting himself in place to sweep her off her feet, literally. As he lifts her into his arms she lets out a squeal but quickly puts her hand over her mouth, afraid to wake up any sleeping neighbors. Chris can't help but chuckle at his kind hearted bride.
"You can put me down," she says laughing.
"No ma'am. Traditional remember," he reminds her as he turns the door knob.
Daphne's eyes remain closed as Chris steps over the threshold into their suite. He sets her back on her feet with his arms wrapped around her waist. "Open your eyes, love," he whispers over the shell of her ear.
Slowly Daphne opens her eyes. She's met with a gorgeous suite fit for a king. "Chris," she sighs. "This is too much."
"I mean, it's no Holiday Inn but I thought it would be acceptable," Chris grins as he remembers a prior conversation the two had.
Daphne walks around the suite, taking it all in. The four poster bed, the sitting area, the private balcony and then the large jacuzzi tub. "It's all beautiful, but..."
"No buts Daph. I want this to be everything you've ever dreamed it to be. You deserve this and so much more."
Daphne finds herself standing in front of her husband again. She takes his hand, resting it on her cheek. "The way you see me," she sighs, closing her eyes. "I don't understand it, but I'm thankful for it."
Tenderly Chris lowers his head to place a soft kiss to his wife's pink, plush lips. "You are perfect for me. Others couldn't see how perfect you are because you were meant for me." Her heart races at his words. He continues to hold Daphne, reassuringly against his chest.
"I'd really like to just relax," Daphne says.
"Of course, whatever you want," Chris tells her punctuating his sentence with a kiss to the top of her head. He's being honest with her even though his flesh desires something much different.
Looking up at her husband through her lashes, "take a bath with me?" She asks timidly.
Chris's heart skips a beat at what Daphne just asked. "I'd love to," he says knowing what a large step this is for her.
He walks away from her to begin running the bath. Earlier in the day he placed her favorite bubble bath by the tub. Chris pours a generous amount as the bath begins to fill. Walking back towards Daphne he untucks his shirt and begins unbuttoning his dress shirt but feels Daphne's fingertips stopping him as she takes over.
Her movements are timid, shy, reserved. But Chris is in no rush. He stands still, admiring the sweetness of his bride. The small smile that adorns her lips, the playful but mysterious glint across her eyes.
Once the last button is finished she pushes the shirt off of his arms, revealing the t-shirt he wore underneath. "Hmm..." she hums.
"What is it love?" Chris asks as his hand grazes her arm.
"I seem to recall that I've never even seen you shirtless. Just the slightest bit of a tattoo poking out once," she reminds him thinking back to the hockey game they attended together.
"Well, hopefully tattoos don't bother you," he smirks as he pulls his t- shirt over his head with one hand revealing himself a little more.
Daphne takes a deep full breath as she's met with the body of a well sculpted man, chest speckled with tattoos, a glorious six pack of abs. "I knew you were fit, but..." she says unable to keep herself from tracing over the beautiful ink that adorns his body. Chris watches her intently, holding himself back from crushing his lips to hers. He shudders against the light touch from her fingertips. "I'm sorry. This is probably really awkward, me standing here gawking," she laughs and steps back away from him.
Chris takes Daphne's hand and places it flat over his heart. He holds it there with his left hand while he takes her cheek in his right hand, guiding her closer to him. He closes the distance between them, softly, still holding back, reserved to go at whatever speed Daphne wants. His hand leaves her cheek, traveling from the nape of her neck to the top of the back of her wedding dress. He feels his fingers graze the zipper. Looking at Daphne for assurance, "may I?" He asks.
She nods, slowly,giving him permission to proceed. She feels her breathing become erratic, heart beating faster with every inch the zipper moves. As Chris proceeds he peppers her shoulders with gentle kisses. Carefully he helps her arms out of the sleeves, the dress falling to the floor leaving Daphne in the corset set her mother gave her and her heels.
Daphne's eyes are closed, afraid to open them and see a look of disgust or disappointment across Chris's face. Even though she is still partially clothed this is the most vulnerable she's been with any man.
"Open your eyes Daphne," Chris says. She shakes her head back and forth, afraid to. "Open your eyes, baby. I want you to see me take in every beautiful, perfect inch of you."
She's hesitant, but then she reminds herself that he chose her. This amazing man chose her. Slowly she lifts her head, her eyes opening to be met by the eyes of a man filled with passion. She would say lust, but this is more than a fleeting night, this is her forever.
Chris allows his gaze to move across her form. Moving closer to his wife he decides to pour words of appreciation upon her. "These hands," he begins, taking them in his own, "are the hands that have written love letters. Hands that were folded in prayers. Hands that wore a symbol of purity." He reaches higher, caressing her arms. "These arms have held me tight, reassured me, clung to me in both fear and excitement." He moves his lips to rest beside her ear. "I love how your body responds to me; my words, my touch." Now he kneels in front of her, holding her waist, placing small kisses along her stomach where the corset doesn't cover. Daphne's breath hitches as she relishes in the new sensation, her own hands threading through his hair. "This is the body that will carry our children, nourish them and protect them. There is nothing more beautiful than your body Daphne, except your soul."
He stands again, urging Daphne to turn around. "These shoulders have carried the burdens of family members and your students, fears of the unknown." He kneads her shoulders before his hands continue their journey.
Chris starts to untie Daphne's corset, slowly, meticulously. He's keeping an eye on her body language, preparing to back off if necessary. She glances over her shoulder at him, cautiously watching his expression. She feels the last of the corset come undone as she holds it to her chest, unsure of whether or not to let it fall away.
Holding onto her shoulders Chris turns her around to face him. He looks into Daphne's eyes as he gently removes her arms from her chest. The corset falls, but Chris's eyes remain on Daphne's. She reaches out and pulls Chris against her, bare chest to bare chest. With his hands flat against her back, holding her tightly, her arms around his neck, their lips find one another in a heated kiss. This is another new sensation for her, being skin to skin in this manner.
Feeling confident Daphne continues her earlier work in undressing Chris. First his belt, her fingers beginning to fumble. Taking note, Chris helps her and is soon standing only in his boxers. Their hands once again on each other, a feeling of urgency coming over Daphne. The urgency coming from a feeling of fear and anxiety.
"Relax," Chris says. "I don't want you doing anything you're not ready to do and I'm definitely not going to rush just so the first time is over with."
Daphne nods her head taking in a deep steady breath. "You read me like a book."
"I've never had reason to know someone the way I know you," he cradled her face gently. With a sweet kiss to her forehead, "come on, the waters getting cold."
~~~~~
Daphne's POV
I open my eyes, the room still dark. A quick glance at the clock shows it's just 5 am. Quietly I slide out of the bed to use the restroom, careful to not disturb the sleeping man next to me. I straighten out Chris's t-shirt that I wore to sleep in as I make my way to the bathroom. I can't help but let my mind recall the nights events. The moments that did happen and the moment that didn't come to completion.
Tears begin filling my eyes again as I remember. I hate that we couldn't consummate our marriage on our wedding night. As much effort that Chris put into helping me along my body still rebelled and the pain became too much. "Damn you endometriosis," I whisper aloud looking at myself in the mirror, feeling like a failure.
But the eyes that met mine as I cried from the pain were the same eyes that comforted me after the accident. "It's okay, love. I promise," he says knowing that's what I need to hear. He cradled me in his arms and we drifted off to sleep, the events of the day lulling us.
I finish berating myself in the bathroom and walk back to bed. I can't help but stop and admire my husband. Chris is laying on his stomach with his arms holding the pillow under his head, the sheets laying just at his waist, his bare back begging to be touched. His breathing even as I slide back into my spot next to him. I lean over just enough to softly kiss his back, just over his shoulder blade.
I lay next to him and just watch him as he sleeps. His patience with me is astonishing. What man would wait this long just to have to wait longer? Most would just take what they want. Push through the pain for eventual pleasure. But as I apologized to him he just kept reassuring me. He kept telling me there was no rush, that he's happy to just be this close to me.
I roll over to my right side, sinking back into my pillow. A strong arm wraps around my waist. I lean back into Chris's waiting chest as he begins kissing along my neck.
I feel myself relax in a way that feels unfamiliar. His hand roams as my own find the back of his head urging his kisses and suckling along. My body intuitively finds itself on its back allowing him better access to me. We don't speak. Our bodies move in a way as if they already have full intimate knowledge of one another. We live for this moment alone.