Autumn Spring: Wedded Bliss

By Sam Pettus

Welcome again, friends, to this third installment in the Autumn Spring saga. Come with us as we witness the marriage of a couple long in love, who complement each other almost perfectly and whose only real difference is the twenty-six years that separates them in age. You are cordially invited to witness the marriage of Larry Watts and Brandy Ames and to see them off on what promises to be a wonderful two-week honeymoon. See also how this development impacts the lives of those around them, especially with regard to two couples they know who are also growing close to reaching the same critical mass in their relationship as did they. One is young and one is old, but both feel the pull of the growing bond of love and trust as did Larry and Brandy. Join with Larry and Brandy as they come back from their honeymoon to find new jobs waiting for them and embark with them upon the adventure of finding a home to call their own. Witness the birth of Larry and Brandy's daughter, Nancy, and then come back twenty-years later, when Brandy is fifty-two and the same age as Larry was when she first met him, to see how their love has lasted. Come, reader, experience the magic of the autumn spring again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886547153

Sam Pettus

Sam Pettus is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a degree in mathematics who also studied at the United States Naval Academy and worked for a time in the nuclear power industry. Sam love's of videogames started early, when his father bought him a Sears Atari VCS and the game MISSILE COMMAND as a Christmas present in his youth. From there he moved on quickly to Commodore personal computers, staying with them and learning them well – from the venerable Commodore 64 on through the Amiga 4000 - throughout their original lifetime. It was his brother Mark who re-introduced him to his original love of videogame consoles with the Sega Genesis, and he would later come back to and rediscover it during a year-long period of unemployment following his nuclear power career. Sam eventually won a job with the United States Postal Service (with whom he still works today), but turned to writing in his spare time as the realization of yet another childhood love and dream. He combined both his passion for writing and his love for videogames in the original version of this book, which was written as a series of articles for the Sega-oriented website Eidolon's Inn (give address). Sam is also the author of the online treatise “Emulation: Right or Wrong?,” as well as an unpublished (but completed) effort to recreate the other two never-written books in J.R.R. Tolkien's Atanatarion Trilogy. He was both the main writer and editor of the “D2: Dreamcast Database” online newsletter, and has authored almost a dozen other online books on various science fiction and fantasy subjects under various pseudonyms.

Book preview

cover.jpg

Autumn Spring

Wedded Bliss

Sam Pettus

Copyright © 2023 Sam Pettus

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88654-705-4 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88654-715-3 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Epilogue

Suggested Soundtrack

About the Author

Every step of the way will find us

with the cares of the world far behind us.

We have all the time in the world just for love.

Nothing more, nothing less, only love.

—We Have All the Time in the World (John Barry)

Introduction

The story so far…

Larry Watts was a late middle-aged single man living in the Midwestern city of Middleton. He was a big man with a warm and easygoing personality and was liked by everyone who knew him. He had a good job as a forklift driver and was also a regular member of the local Catholic parish church. He had also been divorced for quite some time and had grown comfortable with living the life of an older single man. All of that was destined to change once young Brandy Ames entered the picture.

Brandy was half Larry's age. She was also pretty, playful, smart, and had a very good job with a local law firm. She was the kind of girl that every man has dreamed about at one time or another, either young or old. Larry first met Brandy when she was moving in the apartment next to his at the Richland Townhomes where he lived. From that day on, both their lives were never the same.

Because of an unusual set of circumstances that started the day Brandy moved in, the two of them quickly developed a strong friendship based on mutual trust and respect. They also discovered that they had a lot in common despite their differences in age. It was not long after that when both began to feel the pull of a romantic attraction for each other, and much to their mutual surprise. Larry saw in Brandy the chance to prove himself as a man worthy of loving by the kind of girl he had always wanted to love and cherish. For her part, Brandy saw in Larry the kind of man she had always wanted to love, one who honored and respected women instead of treating them as objects and one who wanted to earn her love no matter what it took to do so. Thus was the stage set for their coming together first as a couple and then later on as something more.

Larry and Brandy began dating within weeks of first meeting each other. Three months later, they were convinced that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. At the same time, both remembered the pain of past failed relationships, and they shared in their determination that theirs would not fail as well. That was why they both agreed to wait a full year before making the ultimate commitment to each other. This included not even considering the prospect of personal pleasure in the bedroom, much to the surprise of everyone who knew them. This started partly out of Brandy's respect for Larry's Catholic religious beliefs, but it eventually became a firm conviction for both to reserve that particular intimacy for the proper time or, to put it another way, to save the best for last, as the song said. That way, it would be a reward well earned for their faithfulness to each other through their voluntary year of trial.

Larry and Brandy went through a lot during the following year. There were times when it seemed that their love teetered on the brink of failure. It would always pull through and they would emerge even more strongly committed to each other than before. This included the last and most gut-wrenching trial of all for Brandy, when almost at the end of that year Larry suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized. As with all their past trials Brandy's love for Larry pulled her through, and she was the first person he saw when he finally recovered. Once that trial was behind them, and with the year they had agreed to wait having ended during Larry's hospital stay, he formally proposed marriage to Brandy. She in turn gladly accepted with all her heart, body, and soul. A new stage had been reached in Larry and Brandy's relationship, one which the both of them had worked hard to achieve. It was time to become husband and wife.

Chapter 1

Wedding Bells

There came a Sunday afternoon in the early summer at the Catholic parish church in the American Midwestern city of Middleton when both its parking lot and sanctuary were as packed as they had been for the morning mass. This was not normal for Sunday afternoons, but there was the best of reasons for it on this particular day. Today was the wedding ceremony for Larry Watts and Brandy Ames, and both their family and friends had shown up in earnest. The crowd of those attending was quite large despite it being a closed private ceremony. Not that the public was going to miss out for their part. There was a news truck and camera crew positioned on the edge of the street as close as the Middleton Police Department (MPD) would let them, watching from afar as eagerly as the crowds pressed against the church's street-side fence. Brandy's status as a local celebrity had a lot to do with that. There was also the rumor that pop singing sensation Mike Roth was there as a guest of the bride's twin sister, Terri, a potential pop star in her own right who would be performing at the ceremony for the bride and groom. The rumor was unfounded, of course, and all the young people mixing in the throng outside the fence did not know that Mike had been there for the wedding rehearsal only and had left the day after it was done. All the same, both those factors did a lot to explain the presence and press of so many people also watching from afar, one that the MPD was doing its best to hold in check.

Things were far more serene inside the sanctuary of the church, where the soothing sounds of Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D Minor expertly flowed from the pipes of the church's organ and across the wedding guests below. The buzz among those invited quickly settled as the rear doors of the sanctuary opened, and then the members of the wedding party began their slow walk to their appointed places in front of the church's altar. First out were attorney Alan Hansen for the groom and legal office assistant Kimmy Stevens for the bride. They would be the ones standing on the farthest ends at the altar, with the others filling in between them. Next came best man Eric Meyers and maid of honor Jodie Marks. They made the same slow walk down the center aisle as the organ played, and then they took their places in the formation in front of the altar. After them came Eric's wife, Laura Meyers, the bride's ring bearer and flower girl, and pushing her in her wheelchair was the groom's ring bearer, Ted Wright. Together, they too made the same slow and solemn passage of the church's center aisle as the organ continued to play, then Ted helped Laura to her place with the bride's party before taking his own place with the groom's. It was a double ring ceremony, which was why there were two ring bearers for both bride and groom, instead of only one for the groom. Both were positioned somewhat between and a bit behind the best man and maid of honor respectively, so they could hand the rings off to them at the appropriate time. Next to last came the groom, Larry Watts, walking slowly but proudly down the church's center aisle with a smile on his face and his head held high. The organ finished with Canon in D Minor even as he reached the formation in front of the altar and then took his place in one of the two empty spots left, next to his best man. The music ended, and there was a pause while the audience held its collective breath, knowing what was going to happen next but still eager with anticipation all the same.

Suddenly, the opening notes of Wagner's bridal march from Lohengrin sounded from the organ like a clarion call. The entire audience stood as one and turned to look at the entrance doors to the sanctuary. Standing there was Lester Dent, filling in for the bride's deceased father by both her request and that of her mother's, and he too held his head high with pride for the special duty with which he had been honored. Standing beside him, and with one arm linked in his while the other held a bridal bouquet, was a stunning vision in white. Brandy Ames, the bride of the groom, Larry Watts, wore a full-length open sleeveless wedding gown that was a pleasant mix of fashion styles past and present, with a full-length ruffled skirt and matching long gloves, as well as a comfortable choker decorated with white roses. It had a modern ruffled long skirt that evoked the Victorian; however, it had a long and rather daring side slit that went all the way up almost to her lower hip, and one could see both long white hose and the occasional peeks at garters as she walked. She also wore a double veil on her head both front and back, although the front was already up and draped back behind her head in modern fashion. Her dress was a wonderful nod to the old wedding adage of something old, something new, and it perfectly complemented her slender youthful form. No one seemed to notice that her dress was off-white instead of pure white, but it probably didn't matter and very few would have cared with regards to why. Those looking at Brandy in her full bridal finery seemed to take in their collective breath at the sight, even as the organ continued to play. A beat later, Lester and Brandy began their slow walk toward Larry and the altar, where the aged retired parish priest, Father O'Malley, was already in place and waiting for her to arrive along with Father Gregory, the current parish priest. Larry had asked Father O'Malley to do the ceremony and he had graciously consented. Cameras began to flash even as the pair slowly moved down the aisle, and Larry felt his heart swell within him at the sight of his beautiful bride. Brandy felt the same, and her face radiated with her own inner joy as she and Lester finished that walk. She took her place beside Jodie and next to Larry, and then Lester smiled and nodded before going to his seat beside her mother, Jennifer. The wedding party was complete. The triumphant final bars of the bridal march seemed to fill the church in its final grandeur, and then it ended.

Before we begin the ceremony, Father O'Malley announced, Brandy's sister, Terri, has a gift in song she would like to present to the bride and groom. Terri?

Father O'Malley stepped back beside Father Gregory even as Terri Ames came up to the altar to stand where he had been standing, wireless microphone in hand. She was dressed in an outfit very similar to Brandy's bridal gown, save that hers was a standard mid-length ruffled skirt with no slice and her head was bare. Terri gave her best performing smile to both Larry and Brandy, and they smiled back, and then she began to sing Sunny Hilden's Together. It was a beautiful wedding song originally written for an imported anime series back in the 1980s that had eventually earned its own following and a place in the popular panoply of Western wedding songs. Terri sang the whole song from start to finish, giving a wonderful performance as she did and matched in kind by the church organist accompanying her, but this storyteller includes only the chorus of her song in this narrative:

To be together

for the first time in our lives,

it's us together

as married man and wife.

We'll be together

from now on,

until death do us part

and even then I hope

our heaven lasts forever.

After she was done, Terri gave one last smile to the bride and groom and then resumed her seat on the bride's side of the sanctuary, on the front row and on the other side of her mother, from where Lester Dent sat. Father O'Malley stepped forward again even as Terri resumed her seat, and once she was seated, he began to speak in a surprisingly loud and strong voice, although it wavered a bit now and then because of his age.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God and these witnesses to unite this couple in the bonds of holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate. If anyone can show just cause why these two should not be joined, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

A pregnant pause settled over the sanctuary as Father O'Malley held the ceremony at this moment. Jennifer saw his eyes glance briefly at Terri beside her, as if he half-expected a repeat of what Terri had done at this point during the rehearsal. Terri felt one of her mother's hands gently grip one of her own even as she heard her mother's voice quietly whisper in her ear. Terri, don't you dare say a word. You hear?

Terri turned and looked innocently at her mother. Who, me? she whispered back, with a fake innocent look on her face that fooled no one who had been at the rehearsal.

The pregnant pause lasted for a few more seconds, and then it was broken by Father O'Malley's dignified but relieved voice. No one? Very well. He looked first at Larry and then at Brandy. Would you two join hands, please? Brandy removed one hand from her bridal bouquet, slipping it down and to her side to find Larry's already waiting for her. Their smiles grew as their hands touched and then gripped each other, their fingers intertwining as they did, but both kept their eyes on the priest before them.

Father O'Malley directed his attention at Larry. Do you, Larry—he solemnly intoned—take this woman, Brandy, to be your lawful wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?

Larry's response was quick but firm and spoken as solemnly as the priest's own words. I do, he said, turning to look at Brandy as he did.

Father O'Malley nodded, then turned to Brandy and spoke. "Do you, Brandy, take this man Larry to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?

Brandy's response was as quick and as firm as Larry's. I do, she said, likewise turning to look at Larry with her words.

Father O'Malley again nodded, then spoke to the wedding party as a whole. Will the ring bearers present the rings?

Even as Brandy handed off her bouquet to Jodie, Laura from her position between and slightly behind them held up a man's golden wedding band. Jodie took it with one hand and handed the bridal bouquet off to her even as Ted finished fishing around in one of his suit pockets. He pulled out a woman's golden wedding band and handed it to Eric. When both had their respective rings in hand, then both nodded slightly to Father O'Malley, who nodded back. Larry, you first, the priest said.

Eric presented his ring to Larry, who took it in his right hand. He then turned back to find Brandy holding up her left hand with its ring finger raised higher than the others and extended to its full length. Larry gently took her offered hand and held with his left hand as he moved the ring into position with his right, stopping just short of her finger. He then looked back up at Father O'Malley.

Repeat after me, Father O'Malley instructed. With this ring, I thee wed…

With this ring, I thee wed… Larry solemnly repeated.

And with all my worldly goods…

And with all my worldly goods, Larry again repeated.

I thee endow.

I thee endow. Larry slipped the ring onto Brandy's ring finger even as he said those final three words. Brandy beamed at him, letting out a barely audible but contented sigh as she did.

Brandy, your turn.

I'm so jealous, Jodie whispered, as she offered the man's wedding band she was holding to Brandy.

Your turn's coming. Just hang in there, Brandy whispered back, as she took the ring from her. These whispers were not missed by the groom's party. Both Larry and Eric smiled and gave sideways looks at Alan. He smiled back but said nothing.

By now Brandy had turned back around to find Larry's left hand already raised and waiting for her, ring finger extended to full length. The wedding band on her own left finger seemed to flash in anticipation of what was about to be done with the one she held. The both of them looked at the priest, who nodded. Repeat after me, he said to Brandy. With this ring, I thee wed…

With this ring, I thee wed… Brandy repeated respectfully.

And with all my worldly goods…

And with all my worldly goods…

I thee endow.

I thee endow. Brandy slipped the ring onto Larry's waiting finger even as she repeated the last line of the ring vow. After that, she clasped his ringed hand and he hers, looking lovingly at each other as they did, and then their other hands came up to clasp as well. At the back of the church, Aaron and Ann Anderson smiled knowingly at each other. They were newlyweds themselves, so they could still feel the excitement they knew must be coursing through their friends Larry and Brandy at that moment.

Father O'Malley let the pair hold hands for a little longer, and then he stepped forward, raised both arms, and lifted his hands to heaven. Let us pray, he announced. With that, Brandy and Larry let go and stood before the aged priest with heads bowed and eyes closed. The rest of the wedding party did the same, as did every other person in the church save one. Terri Ames was the only exception, as she personally believed that all religion was a bunch of hogwash. She bowed her head out of respect for her younger sister and the event itself, but hers were the only eyes that remained open. The priest lowered his hands until both gently came to rest, one each on the top of Larry and Brandy's heads, and then he too bowed his head as he began to pray. Gracious Father above, we ask your blessing today for the joining of these two in the sacred union of marriage. Let their love and their lives be an example to all and also to thy glory. Amen.

Amen, Larry and Brandy echoed. With that, the prayer was over, and everyone lifted their heads again.

Father O'Malley looked around at the audience and then back at Larry and Brandy before him. He let his face change from its previous solemn mien into a warm smile. It was time to close the ceremony. May the Lord strengthen and further bless this consent declared by you both before his church, he proclaimed. What God hath joined together, let no man part asunder. He paused for effect and then added in just as strong a voice, By the power vested in me from the Lord through His most holy Roman Catholic Church and under all the laws of man, I declare this couple to be husband and wife. After that, his smile grew as he looked at Larry and then spoke in softer and more kind tones. I believe it's time to kiss the bride?

Larry had wanted the bridal kiss to be a dramatic one, with him half-turning and then dipping Brandy back and down somewhat as he kissed her, and as is often done in the movies and on television for dramatic effect. Unfortunately, the tall side slit in Brandy's wedding gown had worked against his plans in rehearsal no matter how he tried to do it, as it exposed more of Brandy legs during the kiss than either they or the two priests preferred. Larry had no choice but to settle on a simple embrace, but with as long and loving a kiss as he dared. That was what he did now at the end of the actual wedding, with Brandy responding in kind exactly as they had practiced it. He gently turned Brandy and took her in his arms. She then wrapped her own around him in kind, and then they engaged in a simple but passionate kiss. The crowd came to its feet at once, clapping and cheering for them. All members of the bride's and groom's party were smiling and grinning, and so too were both priests. As soon as the kiss ended, the church organist broke into a heartfelt rendition of Mendelssohn's Bridal Chorus, the traditional closing song for Western wedding ceremonies, and with that it was over. Larry and Brandy were the first to leave, walking down the aisle to the back doors arm in arm, with her leaning lovingly against him. Next came the bridal party, although not in the order in which they had entered. They exited the sanctuary as the couples they were in real life. Eric and Laura Meyers were next, with him pushing her in her wheelchair, followed by Alan and Jodie, and at the last, Ted and Kimmy. After that, the church emptied starting with the inside of the front pews all the way to the far ends of the back, with both the two priests and the organist the last ones to leave.

*****

Larry and Brandy were anxious to get through the reception, for reasons everyone who was present well knew. Nevertheless, they were courteous and polite to everyone and played their parts to the hilt—Brandy the blushing, beautiful young bride and Larry the pleased-as-punch older groom. They did everything they were supposed to do—the reception line, cutting and sharing the first piece of wedding cake, the tossing of both Brandy's bridal bouquet to the single young women present and one of her garters to the single young men—and generally mixed and mingled with everyone. All the same, none missed the look of excitement on both of their faces when a black limousine pulled up outside. It was for them, and it was courtesy of their friend Alan Hansen. His family had been happy to loan it for the occasion once Alan had explained why he needed it, and it had come with both their congratulations and a nice little financial present from the Hansen fortune along with it. Every bride needs a dowry, Alan's father explained with a smile in giving the check to Alan so he, in turn, could give it to them. It wasn't wealth unlimited, but it was more than enough to see that their marriage got off on a sound financial footing.

Twenty minutes after their leaving the reception found Larry and Brandy wrapped around each other in the back of Alan's limo, still in their wedding outfits and passionately kissing and embracing each other all the while. The driver was hidden from them by a polarized pane of glass he had raised between the front and the passenger compartment once they were in. Rap if you need anything, sir and madam, he said politely before raising it and then driving them away from the church. He left them in peace and did nothing else but drive them around per his instructions. Under normal circumstances he would have reached the Richland Apartments within fifteen minutes from leaving the church, but his instructions were to keep looping on the main beltway around Middleton until the newlyweds told him otherwise, or he needed to stop for gas. He was a professional and did as he was told, but privately he was enjoying the whole thing. His part reminded him of the cabbie in the classic Christmas film It's a Wonderful Life, and he might have said the same thing as him had his passengers asked. Don't mind me, folks. He continued to drive on the beltway at a steady pace, as other vehicles passed and occasionally honked at the limo, its purpose betrayed by the legend Just Married neatly painted in white above its tinted rear window.

One of those sets of horn honks finally seeped in and reached Larry and Brandy. They pulled back from their latest kiss and gave each other a silly grin, although they remained in loving embrace. Larry chuckled.

Ever'one's honkin' at us, he said, stating the obvious. Must be the sign, you think?

Must be, Brandy replied sweetly and then giggled.

Gawd, but I hope that shoe polish washes off, Larry observed. I'd hate to ruin the finish on the Hansen family limo.

It'll be all right, Brandy replied. They have others, and besides, I made sure they were using water-based paint, not shoe polish. She pulled back from Larry long enough to pantomime a famous scene from the movie The Karate Kid, grinning all the while. Brush on, wash off.

Larry laughed. You did, huh? He pulled her close again. "Well, that was a right, smart idea there, Mrs. Watts. Guess I'll have to give you a reward for that."

Brandy leaned in close. "Thank you, Mr. Watts, she said in a low and husky voice. Now just what kind of reward do you have in mind, good sir, if I may ask?"

Larry gave her a kiss. How 'bout more of the same?

Sounds like a plan to me, Brandy replied, and kissed him back.

*****

It wasn't until almost three-quarters of an hour after the limo had left the reception when it finally pulled into the main parking area for the Richland Townhomes. By this time, all their neighbors who attended the wedding had returned, and they welcomed the newlyweds heartily. Richard Dickman grinned as he held the back door of the limo open while Larry and Aaron helped Brandy out the back, doing their best not to let her wedding dress catch on anything as she did. At the same time, Rufus and Mama Nelson made small talk with the driver, while Jim Cozort and Ann Anderson watched and offered the occasional encouraging comment. Only the Wolcotts were not present, as they had already made plans to visit relatives that day, but they had given Larry and Brandy their best wishes all the same. Everyone walked and talked with Larry and Brandy as they made the short trip to Larry's apartment door, and then Mama practically ordered everyone to stand back.

You folks knows what comes next, she said with a grin. Git the door for 'em, Rufus.

Yes, Mama, Rufus said with a smile.

Here, you might need this, Larry said, pulling his apartment key out of his pocket and handing it to him.

Rufus used the key to open the door. Larry picked up Brandy in order to carry out the time-honored Western tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold. Ann snapped pictures with her cell phone of Larry holding Brandy at the open door.

Copies to everyone who wants one, she said pleasantly.

Better put me on that list, Brandy said pleasantly.

You'll be the first. Ann grinned back.

With that, Larry carried Brandy over the threshold. He stood there and held her, as both of them grinned and everyone said their goodbyes. Rufus was smiling as he pulled the door shut behind them, leaving Larry and Brandy alone in Larry's apartment.

Well, Brandy said as she smiled lovingly at Larry, here we are. She gave a pleasant laugh. We finally did it! she exclaimed, as she nestled her head against his.

Yeah, Larry said, turning his head so he could give Brandy a kiss on the cheek. He was riding high in the excitement of their wedding day, which made her seem light as a feather in his arms. Gawd, but how I used to dream about this day! He gave a little laugh. I even sang to you in one of the earliest.

Brandy looked at him, cocking an eyebrow as she did. "You? Sing?"

Yup, Larry said proudly.

Sing to me now, Larry, Brandy said lovingly. Sing that song you sang to me in your dream.

Well, I'll try, said Larry.

And the sailors said,

Brandy, you're a fine girl,

what a good wife you would be,

and your eyes could steal a sailor

from the sea.

Larry did not give the Looking Glass classic anything close to what it deserved, given that he was both tone and pitch deaf, but Brandy didn't seem to care. She was just as caught up in the wonder of their wedding as was he. She instead beamed at him. Oh, Larry, she said lovingly. That was wonderful.

It was? Larry looked surprised at first, but then he grinned at her. Brandy, maybe we'd better skip the honeymoon and go have your hearing checked.

Brandy laughed pleasantly. "I said wonderful, not beautiful. She then looked at him. Could you set me down, please? I have legs, you know."

You do? Oh yeah, right. Sorry, Brandy, Larry said, somewhat embarrassed, as he gently set Brandy down so she could stand on her own.

As soon as she was on her own two feet, Brandy pressed herself close to Larry and put her arms around him. He did likewise, and the two did nothing but stand there, embracing each other as they looked lovingly into each other's eyes. It was Brandy who spoke next.

Well, Larry, she said softly and in a teasingly husky tone, "you've got me over the threshold, and we've done everything else. You know what comes next, my most loving old man, and you definitely deserve it."

Correction, young lady, Larry said, just as softly and in a similar husky tone. "We earned it."

Yes, Brandy agreed. "We earned it."

And now that our special year is over, Larry added, and with the wedding out of the way, we can finally do it! He finished, flashing the biggest and silliest grin on his face Brandy had yet seen.

It was too much. Oh, Larry! Brandy giggled, leaning into him. She rested her head on his shoulder as she continued to giggle. Soon enough, Larry began to chuckle, and together they enjoyed both their embrace and their shared mirth. They finally settled down, and then Brandy looked up at Larry. "There's a word for it, you know. It's called consummation."

Larry silly grin came back. So what are we waiting for? Let's start consummatin'!

Again it was too much. Oh, Larry! Brandy exclaimed, even as she started laughing. Larry laughed with her, and they continued to hold each other close as they laughed. This time, when they finished, Brandy leaned back enough so she could look Larry in the eye. That way, he could see that she was wearing her trademark mischievous smile, the one he had come to know, sometimes dread, but more often than not love. This time, it had an almost playful air about it, as she lovingly teased him with her next words.

"You know, Larry, the sooner you can get me upstairs and out of my dress, the sooner we can start consummatin'. How about it?"

Larry's response was immediate and heartfelt. Yeeessss, ma'am!

The ecstasy of that first sexual encounter between a husband and wife after marriage, especially those who have followed traditional Western religious preferences and refrained from physical intimacy until marriage, is difficult to describe. It is also difficult to explain to those who are more open in their beliefs and practices regarding physical relations between man and woman. The physical experience is not everything in such a case. Most of the time, it is also a deeply emotional, psychological, and spiritual experience as well. Pop singer Vanessa Williams may have been singing about something else with her hit single Save the Best for Last, but the song's title is as apt a brief statement as any in attempting to describe to the unknown this intense and singular sexual experience between the newly joined but previously chaste husband and wife.

Larry and Brandy were no exception. They had waited a full year for this to happen. They had abstained from all but the lowest level and most common of intimacies while they were dating—embracing, hugging, kissing, simple spooning, and so on. They had deliberately limited themselves in that regard so that once they achieved their intended goal and were joined as husband and wife, they would have literally saved the best for last. For both of them,