by Mlyn Hurn
“Behave!”
Angie stopped laughing as she saw Julie pick up the gleaming razor. Julie had stropped it while Angie had gathered the supplies. Julie lowered the razor and it scraped across her sister’s skin. Angie shivered as Julie wiped the razor clean of lather on the cloth. She returned the razor again to Angie’s skin.
Over and over the razor moved over her mound, and then her lips. Angie’s breath caught in her lungs as she felt the air dancing over her smooth skin. She swallowed heavily when Julie finally said she was done. She started to move, but again Julie lightly tapped her leg.
“Not yet. Hold on.”
Angie felt Julie’s soft fingers moving over her shaven pussy and mound. The water on her sister’s fingers removed any last lingering trace of lather, and allowed the wet flesh to glide easily as she checked for any missed stray hairs. She then felt Julie smearing lotion into her shaven skin. Dear lord, Angie thought to herself, the sensations seemed so much greater than when her own fingers had touched her mound previously. Julie held her hand out for Angie to take hold of. She pulled Angie to a sitting position in front of herself.
Julie watched as Angie looked down at her own smooth, shaven pussy. Angie moved her hand and touched her sleek skin, slowly, carefully. Finally, Angie looked up at her sister and a smile lit up her face. She flung her arms out as if she needed to shout or something, but instead she grabbed Julie close, hugging her. Julie laughed at her sister’s spontaneous response.
When Angie released her, she went back to touching her smooth skin. Julie pushed the chair back and started putting the bowl and soap away, then the razor and scissors. She stopped and took a ribbon from her dresser and cut off a small piece. She came back and gathered the edges of the handkerchief together, tying it with the ribbon. She held it out to Angie, who accepted it with a frown on her face.
“That is for remembrance, for Tony. This isn’t any of my business Angie, but have you two…” Julie’s voice trailed away at asking such a private question of her sister. She did realize the silliness of being embarrassed, when she had just been about as intimate with her sister as she had ever thought possible.
Angie smiled at Julie. “Julie! You are blushing!” Angie stood up and put her robe on. “And to answer your question…well, I think it could very easily have been me in your situation!”
Julie gasped.
But Angie just shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “I say we blame it on the Morgan boys. They are just too darned irresistible.”
Julie laughed. “I don’t see Mrs. Morgan agreeing with that statement. She can’t stand me. She blames me for everything.”
Angie nodded. “I know, sweetie. But she’ll get over it, or we won’t let her see her grandchildren!”
Julie stopped pulling up the covers on her bed. She spun around to look at her sister. “Wait. Did you say grandchildren?”
Angie smiled at her sister. “Shh. It’s a secret. No one knows but Tony. And it is only two months or so.”
Julie laughed, shaking her head. “Does this make us fallen women, Angie?”
Angie laughed and shook her head. She unlocked Julie’s door and opened it. She paused before going out. “We have too much money for that, sister dear. I think the worst we can do is for people to whisper behind raised hands and count surreptitiously on their fingers.”
“Angie, wait,” Julie called out to her sister. Angie turned back again. “Hmm, this is just a suggestion…”
Angie smiled. “Go on.”
Julie cleared her throat. “You might want to ask Tony to help you, the first couple of times, until you get the hang of the razor.”
Angie nodded. “All right, although he will probably be as nervous as I will be.”
Julie laughed. “Just tell him to get some tips from Jim. He did pretty well, actually.” She stopped abruptly, flushing.
Angie laughed gaily. “I can just see me telling Tony about this before we leave. Well, you never know, do you?” She waved at her sister and then closed the door behind her.
Julie stared at the closed door. She sat down on the half-made bed. The last forty-eight hours were going too fast. Her head was spinning, and she was beginning to feel like she was lost in a fairy tale. She looked at the clock and realized that the wedding was just four hours away. She took a deep breath, trying to quell the panic rising up in her chest telling her to run!
* * * * *
They arrived at the church late. Jim was standing outside the doors at the top of the steps watching for them. He walked down them as Jared stopped the open carriage. Jared handed the reins to the youngest Morgan, Bobby, whose job it was to stable the horses during the wedding.
“Thanks, Bobby.” Jared hopped down and turned to help Julie out first, and then they both turned to help Angie exit the carriage without harming her wedding gown. Julie held up the full train as they started toward the church. She saw Jim walking to meet them and realized that his eyes were trained on her, smiling. She couldn’t stop the smile from turning up her own lips a moment later.
Jim met them a few steps away. He greeted Jared and Angie, and then walked to Julie and kissed her full on the lips. He heard Angie giggle and Jared gasp. Obviously he didn’t care, though. He simply pulled Julie closer and kissed her again. When he pulled back, he saw that Julie now had a bright flush, which pleased him more than the white color she’d been a moment earlier. He turned and met Jared’s angry gaze.
“I’m marrying your sister, Jared, just as soon as we can arrange things.” Jim looked at Angie. “Now we better get in there before Tony comes out here looking for us. He was beginning to look worried standing up there.”
* * * * *
Pausing at the back of the church, Julie busied herself with straightening out Angie’s train and veil. She was to walk up the aisle first, and could not seem to stop shaking. Seeing all the people seated there and knowing they would all turn and look at her was almost more than she could handle at that moment.
Suddenly, Julie turned to look at Angie. “I don’t think I can do this, Angie.”
Jim must have heard her because he stopped from going up the side aisle to join the groom. He looked at Julie, seeing the fear on her face. He took a deep breath and seemed to make a decision. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a ring.
“Ohmigod!” Angie cried out in surprise, leaning to look forward over Julie’s shoulder.
Jim didn’t wait another second but picked up Julie’s left hand. Slipping the ring onto Julie’s fourth finger, the large diamond glinted brightly in the candlelight of the church.
Jim’s voice was soft as he spoke to Julie. “I’ve had this ring since San Francisco. I am telling the world I love you, Julie, and that you are carrying my child. And I couldn’t be happier, or prouder.”
Julie felt tears well up in her eyes as she looked up at Jim. She could hear Angie sniffing behind her. Before she could say anything, though, the organist started the marching music. She looked at Jim, panic again filling her eyes. But Jim turned her and tucked her hand into his arm.
“Come on, darlin’. We will do this together.” Without giving her time to consider, Jim took the first step and Julie had to follow him.
Jim walked proudly, though a bit haltingly, down the aisle. He looked straight ahead, smiling. He turned to look at Julie every couple of steps to reassure her. He whispered to her to ignore the gasps and keep her eyes straight ahead, or on him. She did as he said, and they made it to the front without incident. The minister smiled at them. Jim leaned forward as he released Julie’s arm, whispering to the man he’d known for years and who was about to perform the marriage vows. Julie missed the minister’s startled glance in her direction, downward, and then he nodded slowly. Jim moved behind his brother, grinning at him.
“Chin up, little brother. The best is still to come.”
The rest of the wedding passed in a foggy haze for Julie. She glanced over at Jim, and each time found him looking right at her. She wo
uld blush and hastily look forward again. Finally, she saw Tony kissing Angie, and then the minister introducing Mr. and Mrs. Morgan to the congregation. They turned and walked down the aisle. Julie moved to follow, but Jim reached out and held her arm, holding her back. He indicated to Jared to go ahead and start everyone outside. He ignored the look his mother gave him right before his father took her arm and practically dragged her down the aisle, following the happy couple. When the church was nearly empty, Jim turned Julie toward the minister.
“We’re ready,” Jim said softly.
Reverend Hill looked at Julie. “I have to ask, since you don’t have a license. Do you marry this man of your free accord?”
Julie gasped and looked at Jim. She nodded her head, unable to believe that this could be happening now, of all times!
“Dearly beloved…hmm, I guess I can skip that part.” He turned a page on his book. “Do you, Julie, take Jim for your lawfully wedded husband?”
Julie nodded, her “yes” spoken very softly. She heard him repeat the question for Jim, and he spoke loudly and strongly. She was further surprised when asked about a ring, she saw Jim pull a diamond studded band from his pocket. He ignored Julie’s little gasp and gently pushed the ring onto her finger, pressing it close to the one he had place there a short time earlier. Julie didn’t hear much else and then Jim pulled her close and kissed her fully on her mouth. He released her and shook Reverend Hill’s hand.
“Thank you, Reverend. You will never know how much grief you have spared us by doing this right now.”
Matthew Hill nodded. He was well acquainted with both families. “I can guess, Jim.” He turned to Julie. “Congratulations, my dear.”
Julie laughed, shrugging her shoulders. “You can say ‘and not a moment too soon.’”
Matthew laughed softly. “My dear, God has a plan for us all. I’m sure you are doing things according to his plan. Now, I think you should get going before they all come back in here looking for you.”
Jim nodded. “You are so right, sir. Come on, Julie. Oh, excuse me. Come along Mrs. Morgan.”
Julie laughed at hearing herself called Mrs. Morgan. This would take some getting used to. Outside, Jim helped her into his own carriage, which he had parked a short distance behind the church. Instead of driving toward his home, where the reception was being held, he started toward her family home. Seeing her questioning look, Jim smiled.
“We are picking up your clothes. I’m moving you into my house now.” His tone brooked no disputes, and Julie sat quietly. It didn’t take all that long once they reached the house. Jim went upstairs with her and had her sit down and point to what she needed for the first few days. The rest they would pick up over the following week. Soon they were on the way to Jim’s home.
Julie felt her stomach tensing up as they neared his ranch property. Jim drove the horses around back of the house. Julie looked surprised, hating herself when she had the thought that he might be ashamed of her. But she shook that thought from her head. He wouldn’t have married her if that were true. Jim helped her down, then reached in the back and grabbed her bag.
“I thought that by going this way we could sneak upstairs, store your things and then come down the main stairs together. If anyone says anything, I’ll make the announcement then. Otherwise, we can wait till later and not steal Tony and Angie’s thunder.”
Julie nodded, appreciating how considerate he was being. She hated that she might be ruining her sister’s wedding day. She followed Jim up the stairs, holding her breath until they were inside his bedroom. She breathed an audible sigh of relief. Jim smiled as he set her bag down on a chair. He reached out and pulled her into his arms.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Morgan.” He kissed her surprised lips. His tongue found hers easily. They kissed hotly for a long, quiet moment. Jim slid one hand down and caressed her tummy. “I’d rather stay up here, Mrs. Morgan, and consummate this marriage.”
Julie shivered at his sensual touch. “I think in most people’s minds, we have already done the consummating part, Jim.”
Jim laughed. “Probably, but that won’t stop us from doing it again and again…” He paused and kissed her. “And again.”
Julie laughed. “I think we need to get out of this room or I will be the one to lock your door and keep you prisoner. All we need is food.”
“I’ll sneak back downstairs for some bread and cheese. We won’t starve.” Jim stepped away from her, though. “All right, sweetheart. Let’s get going or we won’t go at all.”
Jim led Julie to the main stairs. Below they could hear all the guests, and the reception was obviously in high gear. He looped Julie’s hand through his arm and started down the steps. They had almost reached the lowest step when Nick saw them. He was the first to reach them.
“Hey! What happened to you two? I waited for a few minutes but you didn’t come out of the church. And by that time, Mother and Nicole were in no mood to wait any longer.”
Julie looked at Jim, leaving it up to him whether to tell Nick or not. Jim smiled down at her. “I needed to thank Reverend Hill, and I had told Tony I would pay for the services. By that time everyone was gone, and we came on together.”
Nick nodded, but the look on his face revealed that he didn’t fully believe his best friend. “Well, you haven’t missed much. We haven’t had any toasts yet, and the cake is still uncut.”
Julie frowned. “Maybe I should go and see if I can help with anything.”
Nick shook his head. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Jules. Phyllis and Mother seem to be handling everything pretty well so far.”
“Good,” Jim said. “I am going to find you a seat, Julie, and then I will fill a plate for you. Knowing you, you probably didn’t eat much breakfast.”
Julie flushed at his insightfulness. A few minutes later, she was settled on a comfortable chair in one of the side rooms, away from the bulk of the crowd. Jim had even propped her feet on a small, padded stool. She felt a little foolish, but quite pampered. She had only been alone for a few minutes when suddenly, in a flurry of white skirts, Angie pulled a chair over and sat down next to her. Julie couldn’t help but appreciate how beautiful her sister looked.
Angie leaned forward. “What happened to you two? You didn’t follow us down the aisle, and then we got swept up in the crowd. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Julie shook her head at her sister. “You have better things to do as the bride than think about me, Angie.”
“Humph,” Angie snorted. “Well, Phyllis looked ready to spit when Jim came down the aisle with you. I think I saw Mr. Morgan reach out and actually hold her in the pew at one point. So, why didn’t you follow me back?” Angie paused and then reached out to grab Julie’s left hand. “I’m dying to get a closer look at this ring. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything that big—” Angie’s voice died away as she looked at her sister’s hand. Another ring had joined the first. She nearly screamed when she recognized it for what it was. “Oh my goodness!”
“Shh!” Julie tried to quiet her sister before she drew attention to them.
“Are you married? Is that what Jim was doing when I saw him lean forward and talk to Reverend Hill?” She lifted Julie’s hand again and stared at the rings. “I can’t believe this! It’s wonderful!”
“Angie, we weren’t going to tell anybody yet. We don’t want to ruin your wedding day.”
“Silly! How can this ruin my wedding day? I’m married; the worst part is over. Now we just have to get through the reception, and then we are on our way to San Francisco.”
Julie laughed softly, shaking her head at her younger sister. “You know that Phyllis is going to erupt like a volcano when she finds out. I don’t want that happening now.”
Angie shrugged. “I won’t let anything she does bother me.”
“Somehow, I don’t think what I want is going to have any effect on Phyllis Morgan, Angie.” She stopped talking as Jim walked up, carrying a glass of punch and a plate filled w
ith food. He handed her the plate, pulled a small table over and set the glass upon it. He pulled another chair up on Julie’s other side.
Julie looked from the glass of punch to Jim. “I thought I would get some champagne.”
Jim shook his head, reaching out and tapping Julie lightly on her nose, which she had wrinkled up at him. “I’m saving that for the toasts. Now eat, wife!” Jim stopped abruptly, realizing a second too late what he had just said. He looked up at Angie and saw that she was grinning back at him.
“It’s all right, Jim. I already wormed it out of Julie. Congratulations! And I won’t say ‘took you long enough!’” Angie laughed. “Oh,” Angie leaned over conspiratorially, whispering to Jim. “I may have Tony come and ask you for some advice, before we leave on our honeymoon today.” Without saying anything else, she popped up out of the chair and went looking for her groom.
Jim frowned, turning to Julie. “What the hell was that about?”
Julie flushed. “If I tell you here, we will draw way too much attention to ourselves. And you probably wouldn’t believe me anyway.” She paused and took a bite from the overly laden plate.
Jim stared at her for a moment. “All right, for now. I’m going to circulate for a bit, to make my mother happy. I’ll be back in about twenty minutes to check on you. Don’t move!” He leaned down, not caring who might be looking, and kissed Julie’s upturned face.
Chapter 10
Julie sat alone, feeling that people were watching her surreptitiously. She knew she was probably being silly, but she also knew that appearing in her sister’s wedding so suddenly and so obviously “expecting” was bound to cause a stir of gossip. She smiled to herself, wondering what they would say if they knew she was now Mrs. Jim Morgan?