Chapter 11
And They Lived Reasonably Happily Ever After
Bermuda. Pink sand beaches, rum swizzles and oleander blossoms perfuming the night air.
Jordan knew they were going some place warm when Lily changed her plans for a Time of the Day themed bridal shower to a decidedly island themed function in which everyone present dug through her closet tentatively packing her suitcase for her honeymoon.
Jordan assumed Woody had planned on going to Hawaii. They would be spending a full day of their all-too-short vacation stuck in layovers and praying their luggage stayed with them to arrive in paradise with a million other honeymooners. Jordan had to admit spending her honeymoon in some road side motel in the middle of nowhere would be a dream as long as Woody was with her...but Bermuda, and its location off the beaten path, sounded like pure heaven.
"Bermuda?" she smiled. Woody pulled the set of tickets out of his pocket and fanned them out for her to take. Jordan opened the flap to verify. Their flight would be leaving the next morning. By lunchtime they'd be eating fresh snapper under one of those stone moon gates she read about in the travel brochures.
By her surprised tone Woody couldn't tell if she was happy or not. "Are you disappointed? 'Cause...'cause if you are we can..."
Jordan was quickly discovering she liked surprises. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed her lips against his. "It's perfect, just like this day...just like you. Thank you Woody."
Woody let his hands linger around her hips and his lips hover over hers a little longer than necessary. "As much as I'm enjoying taking all the rewards, we have most of the people in this room to thank. All I did was ask Garret for help and he...well, he went to..."
Woody's voice trailed out as he looked over at Renee Walcott who was locked in an animated conversation with Woody's friend the maitred. By their body language Jordan could tell Renee was either trying to contract them to cater her next holiday party or he was trying to impress her with his continental charm. Either way it made Jordan wonder just how much champagne had been flowing.
"I'm not naming our second born Renee."
"Then how about Nigel." Having had enjoyed his share of the good cheer Nigel slid up behind Jordan with his infamous smile. "I think it has a nice ring to it: Nigel Hoyt...or would that be Nigel Townsend Hoyt."
Bug's guffaw echoed from the other side of Woody. "Nigel Townsend Hoyt? Even though this is Massachusetts and there are laws protecting that...stuff...you're a couple hours too late. Woody's a married man."
Woody had been around these two enough to enjoy their sexually vague banter. He arched his eyebrow at Jordan as if to say 'he's right you know.'
"Oh would you stop that. I know he's married...and to a beautiful...if not territorial, woman." Nigel harrumphed wadding up a cocktail napkin and throwing it over Woody's shoulder at his best friend. "And you Buggles, my good man, should be taking advantage of the romance of the evening. The room is simply teeming with lovelies. Have you told Lily how utterly ravishing she looks in that shade of pink?"
Still in Woody's arms, Jordan watched with amusement as a blush rose over Bug's cheeks. "Well?" she teased.
Stymied, Bug emptied the glass of champagne he had in his hand and turned into the crowd.
"As delightful as it is discussing progeny with you two love birds I'm here to remind you what time it is..." Nigel addressed Woody and made a point of looking at his watch. He tried to make his last act as unofficial wedding coordinator-slash-groomsman sound as cryptic as every conversation had been the last few days. "The recovery team has just returned from your apartment; mission complete. The car is waiting around the side if you two would like to make a quiet exit..."
"Recovery team?" Jordan asked incredulously.
"Framus and Seeley." Woody said clearing his throat.
Jordan's hands left her husband's shoulders and balled at the points of her hips. "You gave Roz Framus and Matt Seeley a key to our apartment."
Wisely sensing that his job was done, Nigel said, "I think that's my cue to see where the delightful Detective Capra disappeared off too. She claims she can out dance the master." Spinning off his heels Nigel faded away.
Woody tugged at his ear, being left alone for what could be their first confrontation as man and wife. "They offered. It'll save time having to run back to the apartment for our bags...and I knew you wouldn't want Berman anywhere near it. He and Sydney offered first."
Jordan rolled her eyes and hoped she didn't find any surprises in their luggage. But knowing Roz Framus she was sure there'd be a few things in there to augment her honeymoon wardrobe which would make both Woody and the custom's agent at the Bermudian airport blush.
Woody was quick to swoop and kiss what was left of that how-could-you look off her face. "We have some pretty amazing friends."
"Yes they are. They gave us the perfect wedding."
Woody leaned over and whispered in her ear. "What do you say we sneak out? Nobody'll miss us."
Jordan craned her head and looked around the room. As parties go, this one wouldn't be confused with wild, but everyone looked like they were having a good time.
True to his word, Nigel had found Annie and was leading her in a remarkably convincing and very lively cha-cha, while Bug was looking at Lily's feet in effort to step on her toes.
Among the partygoers Jordan noticed Howard obliviously telling a bemused Kim the story behind the Jerry Garcia tie he was wearing while she was trying to nonchalantly rub her feet under the table and Emmy standing at the buffet table wrapping a piece of cake in a napkin which Jordan had know doubts would find it's way under her pillow that night.
Calvin was in the corner laughing at something Luisa Santana was saying while holding a bottle of Italian designer water. Garret was searching his jacket pocket for the twin to the unlit cigar clamped between his teeth while Max was pointing to the outdoor dining deck where Drew Hailey and Eddie Winslow were already comparing Jordan Cavanaugh stories with a celebratory smoke of their own.
The only one that seemed to still notice them was Lois Carver and if she could read their minds she winked at Jordan and nodded her head toward the door.
"You're right. What are we waiting for...?" Jordan gave Woody a smile that made him want to ditch the honeymoon trip altogether and just take her home. He returned her a smoky look that made her insides melt.
Jordan bit her lip as Woody grabbed her hand and stealthily lead them out of the room. They pussyfooted their way down the stairs and out the side door finding Woody's Chevelle waiting for them right where Nigel said it would be. Woody stopped long enough to pull her into his arms and kiss the way he's wanted to since he first saw her standing at the top of boardwalk a few short hours ago.
For the second time that evening Jordan felt her knees giving way.
"I have one more surprise for you, Mrs. Hoyt."
After that kiss Jordan didn't care what it was as long as it included getting naked with her new husband. "Lead the way..."
As Woody drove, Jordan closed her eyes to try and capture as much of this evening as she could into her memory. She was a realist enough to know in the big scheme of things, the wedding had very thing to do with the marriage. She knew that they both still had many adjustments ahead of them. A marriage license doesn't come with a guarantee, but after all they've been though Jordan figured they had a better then fighting chance.
But the closet romantic in her felt like the princess at the end of the fairy tale...all she had left to do was live happily ever after.
For tonight she's let the dreamer win. After Bermuda she'd worry about the empty milk carton in the fridge and sharing a single bathroom sink.
When she opened her eyes again they were pulling in to the hotel were Kim was married. Out of all the surprises of the day this one had to be the most special. "You remembered."
"How could I forget the most incredible night of my life?" He pulled a key card out of his pocket with two fingers and held it out. "The same suite. It took some coaxing, and a little badge flashing, but I got it. And the best part is...nobody knows we're here."
"My hero," Jordan said teasingly.
Jordan waited for the doorman to open her door and took Woody's hand as they walked through the lobby. More then a few heads turned and smiled...and Jordan's heart began to pound.
Waiting for the elevator Jordan caught her reflection in a floor to ceiling mirror that graced a wall adjacent to the elevator bank. In the reflection she could see Woody saying something polite to a well wisher. Funny, she never noticed he talked with his hands before...namely his left hand. Seeing the ring on his hand was going an adjustment.
His eyes met hers in the reflection after the person left. "You look beautiful Jordan."
Like a bolt of lighting it stuck her it was the first time she saw herself in all her wedding finery. The apartment doesn't have a full length mirror. She's only seen herself in bits and pieces. Self-consciously, she turned right and left. Looking at her dress in the tri-mirrors of the dress shop was on thing, but now with light makeup, her hair, the veil, the gold band...and the groom.
Good God! I look like...like...a bride!
The words Dr. Mrs. Woodrow Wilson Hoyt echoed in her mind as she smoothed her hands over his virginal white gown. She could almost read the wedding announcement that would be running in the newspaper in Kewaunee Wisconsin...The bride wore a traditional gown of white with a full length veil. She was such vision of purity...such a lovely bride for her husband...
I'm going to be sick.
She chalked her sudden case of nerves up to much champagne and not enough cake. Her steps slowed as they reached the door. Woody keyed the lock and turned to her sweeping her up in his arms. Jordan let out a surprised gasp.
"Humor me Jordan. I want to carry my bride over the threshold."
He kicked the door shut and let her slid down his body until her feet hit the floor. She rolled away before he could kiss her.
"Jordan? Is there something wrong?"
"Of course not," she smiled walking though the sitting room running her hand over Woody's garment bag that was laying over the back of the sofa.
"You changed for the wedding here?"
"Yes, and stop trying to change the subject."
Feeling oddly like she was make a sacrifice to some unknown marriage god, Jordan pulled her veil off and laid it gently on top of the garment bag. Mumbling to herself that it was too hot in the room, she reached around her back for the zipper of her dress. "I'm just worn out I guess."
Not fully convinced with her answer Woody nodded, "It has been a long day..."
Jordan's hands were shaking too hard to undo the eye hook at the top of her gown. After a few fumbling attempts she gave up groan and turned to the window. A few short weeks ago, in this very room, she successfully fumbled her way through her first time with Woody. The night was perfect on so many levels...as their relationship had been since. What if it were different now that they were married? The ringing in her ears blocked out the sound of Woody moving closer. She jumped when his hands cupped her shoulders.
"Jordan. What's wrong? Is it the room?" When she didn't answer, he drew a tendril of her hair from the side of her neck and studied it thoughtfully.
She leaned back against him. How could she tell him that her happily-ever-after-fairy-tale-princess was taking her story book ending a little too seriously and turning Jordan into a born again virgin. "The room is...perfect. It's silly really."
He draped his arms loosely around her. Jordan noticed he had shed his tuxedo jacket. She could feel his body heat through the thin cotton of his shirt sleeves. Her own arms were covered with goose bumps.
"Silly?"
Jordan took a deep breath. "Believe it or not I'm nervous. Very nervous."
He didn't say anything at first, but she could feel his smile against her hair.
"Silly huh?"
"Not at all. To tell you the truth I'm a little scared too. This is our wedding night Jordan."
She turned in his arms and rested her head against his shoulder and groaned.
"Come here," he whispered. Woody took her hand and led her over to a wing backed chair that sat in the corner of the dimly lit sitting room. He sat down and pulled her into his lap. Once they were comfortable he lifted her hand and kissed the ring on her finger, "We have our whole lives, Jordan."
Jordan bit her lip at the irony of his words. The last time they were in this room she was tearing at his tux while he wanted to go slower. "We have all night" he told her. He set the pace which mirrored the relationship they had developed over the years and Jordan discovered that the way Woody made love the same way he pursued her...slow, steady and with single minded determination. He wasn't out to just win heart, but her soul as well.
The ring didn't change anything. This was her Woody.
She threaded her fingers through his hair and brushed her lips against his. "I love you."
He tenderly returned her kiss with one of his own. "I love you, too."
One kiss was answered with other. Some as light as butterfly wings and others that teased a heat that was just under the surface. Jordan found herself relaxing under the spell they were weaving over each other. Feeling empowered her fingers toyed with the buttons along the front of his shirt. One by one she slipped them out of their holes.
Woody was never one for sitting idly. He was busy freeing her hair from Bryon's hard work. He sighed her name against her lips as her fingers trailed over his bare chest. He wrapped a fist full of hair around his hand and devoured her mouth.
That's all that took for Jordan to kick her fairytale princess to the curb and take over. Peeling her lips away from his she found her breath and stood up almost drunkenly. She smiled smugly at the picture he presented. His eyes were dusky dark and his lips slowly curled up at the corners still moist from their kisses. His clothes were rumpled and half undone, his body all softly warm and hard at the same time. She ran her hands down the front of her dress and wondered if he saw that look mirrored in her own eyes. Sitting there, sprawled out, he looked good enough to eat. She smirked thinking that might be the second best idea she's had all day...the first being marrying him, of course.
Wordlessly, she held out her hand. Woody didn't have to think twice and wove his fingers with hers. Jordan led him through the room and up the single step that led into the bedroom. Like before, the bedding had been turned down and looked warmly inviting.
Jordan felt a shiver up and down her spine as she pulled her hair to the side and presented her back to her husband. "Please."
This time it was Woody's fingers that felt slightly numb as he felt for the little hook that guarded the long zipper that held her gown together. He thanked some faceless designer that didn't feel this wedding dress needed an endless row of buttons to negotiate. This foresight enabled him to nibble of her neck while he pulled the tab of the zipper down.
"You look so beautiful in this dress..."he added one last time. Even as the words left his mouth, the hopelessly crumbled linen gown floated down pooling around her feet leaving her dressed in a seemingly demure white stain strapless merry widow...and little more.
Woody moaned for mercy.
Jordan looked over her shoulder feeling a small rush of power from his obvious reaction. Unable to help herself she asked, "And?"
"And...and you look breathtaking without it."
"Right answer," she said turning around giving him the full view.
Using one finger she backed him up until his knees hit the edge of the bed and then with the plane of her palm she pushed, sending him flat...
...thus sending her inner Cinderella screaming for the hills once and for all.
Maybe it had to do with shedding her virginal white wedding gown and its customary inhibitions. A wild thought took root in her mind and left her asking herself...why not? Jordan had never been good at playing sexual games. She had always been the get-straight-to-the-point kind of lover. Woody had shown her that laughing during sex only brought them closer and playing set her free. From the love-smacked expression on his face she doubted he'd have any problem taking her time.
"That's a good boy," she said with a smile that was far from innocent.
Woody leveled himself up on his elbows and chuckled at her remark. He didn't have the breath to do much else as she stepped between his legs and boldly lifted her knee and balanced her shoeless foot on top his thigh giving him a teasing view of what her lacey thong did a sorry job of concealing. With a dramatic flick of her fingers the garters that held up her stocking came undone. His elbows were next to give way when Jordan's toes wiggled up his thigh as she peeled the stocking off. By the time her second leg was bare he was ready to jump off the bed and take her against the wall if necessary. Instead he clenched his hands against mattress and enjoyed the show.
Jordan climbed over him lowering her self intimately on top of his body. "Still nervous?" she said toying her fingers along the row of hooks that held the front of the corset together.
He face broke out with a dopey smile getting caught up in her playful talk. "Should I be?"
"I don't know..." she shrugged flicking open the bottom hook of her corset. "That depends..." The next hook up was freed.
"On how good of a boy I can be?" he asked charmingly.
Her hands still at the third hook and she pretended to think about his question. "Good is a matter of opinion."
He all but purred rolling his hips under hers. "I can be very good..."
Oh, he was very, very good. The third hook slipped from its anchor and she ground her hips back. Yes, she was enjoying this game. "I may need some convincing."
To prove he was better than average Woody sat up and helped her with the last few hooks...with his teeth.
That's new! "Where did you learn how to do that!" she breathlessly she asked.
Woody chuckled against her chest. "The winters are long and cold in Wisconsin."
As his hands went to work doing some very interesting things to her with the elastic of her panties Jordan was left wondering just how many other hidden talents Woody honed during his cold, dark winters in Wisconsin and who she had to thank for it.
Later, in a tangle of sheets, Woody dozed in the euphoria of afterglow while Jordan drew figure-eights on his chest with the tip of her finger.
"Do you think it'll always be like this?" she asked softly.
Woody buried his nose in the cloud of tangled hair at the top of her head. He knew the question was rhetorical but he answered nonetheless. "No," he said solemnly.
Jordan lifted her head to look into his eyes asking him to explain.
Woody stretched languorously. "I'd like nothing better than to spend the rest of my life making love to you, but we'll fight. We'll scream at each other over things like COD and my grandmother's recipe for tuna casserole..."
"I told you, I refuse to eat anything with tuna and casserole in the same title," Jordan interjected.
"See? We'll have our moments but I think if we remember what's in our hearts we'll be fine. So to answer your question...no, I don't think it'll always be like this...it's only going to get better."
"Ahhhh and they lived...reasonably happily ever after...with lots of hot make-up sex and without tuna casserole." she added with a lopsided smile, slipping her thigh between his.
"Yeah, something like that." he laughed.
The End