This particular story takes place between 'Changes, Fate and Love' and
'At the Beginning'.  I've had numerous letters, asking me what
happened in between. There may be two of these, I'm not sure, yet. 
As always, the characters involved do not belong to me. I'm just
borrowing them.  Permission is granted to post on the fkfanfic site,
and the JADFE site.  E-mail questions, or comments to me, at:
tigrlady@pacbell.net.  Hope you like it!

Matrimony
 
 *Natalie Lambert stood staring at her reflection in the mirror.  She
could scarcely believe how quickly this day had arrived.  

When she and Nick had announced that they were getting married,
everyone had expected at least a six month engagement. But with Nick's
resources, they had managed to put together a small, yet elegant,
wedding, in just eight weeks.  

"Hey, you ready?" Grace asked, sticking her head in the door.

"Grace, I've been ready since the day I laid eyes on him." Nat said,
smiling.

Grace grinned at her. "MmmmHmm. I thought so. You were just waiting
for him to come around, right?"

Nat looked back at her reflection. "Something like that." She took a
deep breath.  "Do I look all right?"

"You look beautiful, honey. Don't worry, everything's gonna be fine."
Grace came up behind her, pinning the small sprig of white roses and
baby's breath in her hair. 

"I hope so." Nat sighed. They still hadn't heard anything from
LaCroix, since the night they'd announced their engagement. 

"Your dress was your mother's- I like what you did with it, by the
way.  We bought your shoes last week, and you borrowed the earrings
from Myra. Something old, something new, something borrowed...Do you
have something blue?" Grace asked.

Nat smiled, lifting the hem of her dress. "The old standby."

Grace laughed, as she adjusted the baby blue garter. "Good idea."

Tracy knocked once, then entered. "They're ready out there."

Nat looked once again at her reflection. 'Please don't let LaCroix
ruin this.' She silently prayed.

'Don't worry, Nat. Everything will be fine. I love you. Hurry and get
out here, so we can make this official.' She heard Nick's voice in her
head.  She smiled. 

'Are you as nervous as I am?' She asked him.

'At least. Maybe more. We're just waiting for you. Are you sure you
still want to do this?' 

'Absolutely.  I love you, Nick.'  She readjusted her collar. Taking a
deep breath, she turned. 'Ready or not, here I come.'  She stepped out
the door and walked the few yards to the pathway that led down to the
altar. She smiled at Joe Reese, who stood patiently waiting for her. 

"There you are. We were beginning to think you'd changed your mind."
Reese smiled at her. He knew that wasn't really a possibility.

"Yeah, well, I just wanted to make sure everything was perfect." Nat
said, accepting his proffered arm.

"Well, I can honestly say, you succeded." He kissed her temple. "We're
all very happy for the both of you."

Nat smiled and nodded to Grace and Tracy. "Let's do it, then."



  Nick stood, watching silently as first Tracy, then Grace, marched
down the aisle. He smiled as Nat's niece Amy walked down the aisle,
spreading a blanket of rose petals. She reached the altar, then
quickly went and sat beside her mother in the front row of seats. 

He looked over at Schanke, then grinned. Schanke looked more nervous
than he did.  He leaned over, about to say something, when the music
began playing the 'Bridal March'.  He stood up straight, looking
towards the back of the crowd. When Nat and Reese came around the
corner, Nick caught his breath.

 Nat walked gracefully down the aisle, towards Nick. She smiled at
him, her eyes filling with unshed tears. Swallowing hard, she reached
the front and took his hand.

The minister picked up his book and smiled at the couple.  "We're
gathered here today, before friends and family, to witness the union
of Nicholas Knight and Natalie Lambert. I have been told that these
two have waited long enough, so we'll keep this simple."  He again
smiled at Nick and Nat.

"In the Beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth, and all that
was in it. On the sixth day, he created man. But the man was unable to
find a companion which suited him. So God caused the man to fall into
a deep sleep, and he took from him a rib, using it to create woman."
He took a breath, glancing up at Nick and Natalie, who were smiling at
one another.  "Then God joined them together in marriage, instructing
them to 'Be fruitful and multiply.'  Natalie, God created you for
Nicholas."

Nat looked at the minister.  His words echoed those of Aliyah. She
smiled and nodded once, for she knew it was true.

"Nicholas, God created you for Natalie. Though you've faced many
trials and tribulations, you've come through them all. Thus, your
reward." He gestured towards Nat with an open palm. 

Nick looked quizzically at the minister, then at Nat. 

She returned his puzzled look.

The minister continued.  "You will no longer be alone, Nicholas and
Natalie. From this moment on, you will be together, as one, for all
eternity."

Nat and Nick looked at each other, then back to the minister. 

'There's no way he could know... is there?'  Nat asked Nick, silently.

'I didn't tell him anything. I don't see how.'  Nick responded.

'Coincidence, maybe?' Nat suggested. 

'Must be.' Nick insisted.

They turned their attention back to the minister.

"Nicholas and Natalie have chosen their own vows. They will exchange
rings, as they exchange vows." He announced.

Nick smiled, taking Nat's hand, then looked into her eyes. "Natalie.
You've brought light into my world of darkness, and I love you more
than you can ever know. You are more beautiful to me, than a thousand
sunrises.  I shall love, honor and cherish you, as long as we both
live. With this ring, I thee wed." He placed the golden band on her
finger, then kissed the top of her hand in a gentlemanly fashion.

Nat sniffled once, then smiled.  "Nick.  I've loved you from the very
moment I laid eyes on you.  I knew that somehow, you and I were
destined to be together. I don't regret a single moment we've shared
and I promise to love, honor and cherish you, forever. With this ring,
I thee wed." She placed the ring on his finger.

Nick fought back his own tears, as he smiled at Natalie. 

"Well, then, by the powers invested me, I pronounce you, husband and
wife."  He watched them for a moment, smiling at one another. "Well,
go on.  Kiss the girl."

Everyone laughed, as Nick pulled Nat to him.  He kissed her for
several long seconds, before Schanke patted him on the back.

"Save it for the honeymoon, partner!" He laughed.

Nick pulled away, smiling, then led Nat down the altar.  They turned
the corner, and ran straight into a minister, who looked extremely
frazzled.  

"I'm terribly sorry I'm late. There was a mix up with my taxi." He
told them.

Nick and Nat looked at one another, then back at the harried clergy. 

"Late?" Nick asked. "I'm sorry, but, I don't understand."

"I'm Reverend Birch. You arranged through St. Catherine's for me to
officiate.  Is something wrong?"

Nick looked at Nat, then they turned and looked back down towards the
altar.  The other minister was nowhere to be seen.

They pushed past the crowd of well-wishers, looking around the front.
There was no other way out, but the way they had come.

Looking at one another, they turned and noticed the book the minister
had been holding. On top was a note, addressed to them.  Nick picked
it up, opening it and holding it so Nat could see. 

"Nicholas and Natalie: There's no such thing, as 'coincidence'.  Let
no man tear asunder, what God has joined together.  Be well, my
children."

Nat and Nick looked at one another, then at the altar, then back at
each other. 

"Nick, how--what--?" Nat whispered.

Nick looked at her, shaking his head. "I don't know, Nat. I don't
know." He looked up at the sky, and saw the twinkling stars. 

Natalie looked up at the stars, then back at Nick. 

Grace and Schanke came up to the two. 

"I'll take care of filing this, while you're away." Grace said,
indicating the marriage license, which now bore not only Nick and
Nat's signatures, but those of the minister, Reverend Michael Angel,
and Grace and Schanke.

Nat smiled at Grace. "Thanks, Grace." She looked over at Nick, eyes
wide.

Nick had a puzzled look on his face. 

"Come on, you two! Let's get this reception finished, so you can start
your honeymoon!" Schanke said, jabbing Nick in the ribs.

Nick grinned at his partner, then took his bride's hand.  "All right,
then. Lead the way."



  Nat stretched and turned off the tea kettle. It had been a long
evening, and she was looking forward to spending the day in bed with
her new husband. She smiled, as she remembered the evenings' events.  

They had passed on the traditional 'feeding the cake to one another'. 
They had explained that Nick was 'allergic' to several of the
ingredients in cake.  

Tracy had caught the bouqet, and Vachon had caught the garter. Nat
smiled as she remembered Tracy's grin, and Vachon's dark, bewildered,
unblinking eyes.

Grace had pulled her aside, giving her a small package. "It's a
special tea. You're supposed to drink it on your wedding night, to
assure a, um, 'productive union'." She was actually blushing.  "It's
an old tradition in my family."

Nat laughed and hugged her friend. "Thanks, Grace. I appreciate it."

"Well, I don't think you two will have much trouble, but it couldn't
hurt." She grinned.

Nat blushed, this time.  She was saved from answering, by Myra.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but the Limo is here."

"You two have fun.  We'll see you in two weeks." Grace said, hugging
her.

"Thanks, Grace, Myra. For everything." Nat hugged them both, then
joined Nick, as they headed for their transportation.

Now, as Natalie sipped at the tea Grace had given her, she sighed.
They were staying at one of Toronto's finest hotels, before they
caught a flight to Paris, tonight. Nick had gone downstairs, to make
some sort of special arrangements, while Nat had taken a hot bath. She
took a seat in front of the fire, closing her eyes and letting the
soothing effects of the tea wash over her. 


 Nick returned to their suite, to find Nat asleep on the sofa, in
front of the fire. He smiled down at her peaceful form, then leaned
forward and kissed her softly. He carefully picked her up, carrying
her into the bedroom, laying her on the soft, silk sheets. He removed
her slippers and covered her with the comforter, then climbed in next
to her.

He propped himself up on one elbow, watching her as she slept. He
smiled at how beautiful she was. He took one of her hands, kissing her
fingers, then caressing her arm and shoulder. He continued his way up,
touching her face, her neck, then moving down to trace an outline of
her full breast. The satiny feel of her nightgown made him long for
the even softer feel of her skin. 

He began softly kissing her face, moving to her neck, then to trace
the edge of her nightgown. He moved back up to her neck, then lightly
kissed her lips again. He was surprised, when she reached up and
pulled him to her, deepening the kiss.

Nick grinned as he pulled back, looking into her eyes. "How long have
you been awake?"  He asked.

"Long enough." She smiled at him. "Don't stop, now."

Nick laughed lightly, then grasped her breast and began kneading it
through the silky fabric. "Is this better?"

"Mmmmm." Nat sighed. "You never did tell me why you went downstairs."
She said, closing her eyes and arching her back slightly.

Nick smiled at the movement. "I'm not going to, either. It's a
surprise." 

Nat opened one eye. "I suppose I can wait a bit longer. As long as you
keep me properly distracted."

Nick smiled at her, lightly nipping at her breast through the thin
fabric of her nightgown. "I think I can manage."

Nat untied the belt and pushed Nick's robe off his shoulders. She
tossed the silky fabric to the floor, caressing his chest, shoulders,
arms and back, with the palms of her hands. She leaned forward and
swirled small circles around his nipples.

Nick threw his head back, moaning in delight. When he looked back down
at Nat, his eyes were golden. He kissed the side of her neck, then
traced the outline of her ear with his tongue, sending shivers up and
down her spine.

Nat allowed Nick to pull her to a sitting position and remove her
nightgown. She caught the silky waves of his blonde hair in her
fingers, as she kissed him deeply, pulling him down on top of her.

Nick kissed her cheek, then along her jawline and down her neck to her
full breasts. He took his time, giving each one equal attention,
licking and sucking gently on them. He kissed a trail of cold fire
down her stomach, to the warm, musky triangle of her pubic hair.  He
stuck his tongue through the engorged folds,  licking her swollen
clit.

Natalie arched her back, lifting her hips slightly, to give him better
access. Her breath came in ragged gasps, as she tried to pull him up
to her. 

Nick stopped and removed his briefs, then laid on the bed next to
Natalie. He used his lips and hands to bring her closer to her climax,
then he moved on top of her and slipped inside her.

Natalie gasped and lightly dug her fingernails into his back. She
moved her hips in slow rhythm, allowing Nick to penetrate deeper with
each thrust. 

Nick growled softly, then began thrusting faster into her. He leaned
forward and hissed in her ear. "Nat, are you ready? Beg me to take
you?"

Nat gasped and looked into his eyes. "No, Nick. I won't beg you. I'm
ready. Take me. Now. You need it as much as I do."

Nick smiled wickedly at her, then thrust fast and hard into her a few
more times, before sinking his fangs into her neck and exploding in
release.

Nat cried out, as she felt the power of not only her own orgasm, but
Nick's as well, flow through her. 

When their bodies began to relax once more, Nick looked down into
Nat's eyes.  "I love you, Mrs. Knight."

Nat looked into his blue eyes and then pulled him to her. "I love you,
too, Nick." She turned into the comfort of his embrace, as he rolled
off of her. 

They made love several more times that morning, falling asleep in one
another's arms in the afternoon. They slept peacefully content until
early evening, when they awoke to prepare for their flight to Paris. 

As the plane took off, Natalie looked down at the lights of Toronto,
watching as they disappeared from view. She smiled over at her
husband, then laid her head on his shoulder. 

'At last, things are the way they should be.' She thought to herself. 

Nick kissed the top of her head, as she slipped into slumber. He
smiled to himself, as he thought of the surprise he had waiting for
them in Paris.  He really hoped that Nat would enjoy seeing his home. 
He hoped that she would like owning her own castle, even more. 

>END
KC Smith
tigrlady@pacbell.net