First Class to Portland

by Aj Harmon

  Katy slid in next to her and away they went. Janie had never seen Ray drive so carefully and when she asked him if they were going to get above twenty miles per hour, Ray just laughed and said Mr. Lathem had threatened his life if Janie didn’t get to the church safely.

  They pulled up to the curb and there stood Adam and Tyler in their suits and ties and boutonnieres and Janie grinned from ear to ear.

  “You guys really clean up nice,” Katy joked with them as she climbed from the car.

  “Thanks,” blushed Tyler. “You look really nice too.”

  Janie, with Ray’s help, climbed out of the car without her train ever touching the pavement. Katy gently took it from him and handed her the bouquet. There were white lilies and off-white roses and the same forget-me-nots that were in her hair. Janie had chosen the color scheme of ivory, champagne, and blue; the blue to match Matt’s eyes. Maureen had questioned her choice, but after the trip to the florist, she was just as excited as Janie was. Every detail meant something to her, down to the tiniest flowers in her hair.

  Adam and Tyler stood there looking at Janie, mouths open in shock. They had always thought of her as just ‘mom’, but today they saw her as the vibrant young woman that she was.

  Adam leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful, mom.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, choking up in the moment.

  The boys helped her up the side steps and into the church. Katy fixed her train and stood in front of her, clutching her hand in hers.

  “I am so very happy for you,” she cried.

  “Thank you Katy. I love you so much!”

  “I love you too!” Katy turned and headed to the back of the church to the center aisle.

  The wedding planner said something into her headset and the string quartet at the front of the church began playing as Katy slowly made her way down the aisle towards Matt and Mark at the front. She looked at Mark as she walked to him and he watched her. She thought she should be horrified every time she saw him, after the way he had found her, but he had been so gentle with her and in the few days since, he had been nothing but kind. She smiled and he smiled back. A few more steps and she met him at the front of the church where he gently took her hand and led her to her spot on the other side of the aisle to wait for Janie. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it sweetly and then returned to Matt’s side.

  Adam and Tyler appeared at the back of the church with their mother between them. Matt looked up and audibly gasped as he saw his bride for the first time since Thursday evening. And then that big toothy grin appeared that Janie adored and their eyes locked on one another and they were lost. The quartet stopped and everyone stood and turned to get a peak of the bride. Maureen was at the front on one side and her mom, Patty on the other side of the aisle with Matt between them. He was beaming and she felt like a princess that actually got the fairy tale ending. Her heart was overflowing for love for the man who stood waiting for her. She wanted to run to him, but restraint and her shoes wouldn’t allow it. She grinned to herself at the thought of running down the aisle and tripping before she got to him. She giggled and Adam asked her if she was okay.

  “Perfect!” she said.

  Her favorite piece of classical music began, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, and she took one step and then another and she became completely overcome with emotion as she walked to Matt. By the time she got to him a tear had fallen to her cheek. He stepped to her and wiped it away with his thumb.

  “Happy tears?” he asked.

  “Very, very happy tears,” she smiled.

  “You take my breath away,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead.

  Janie turned to each of her boys and kissed them on the cheek and they went and sat next to their grandmother. Janie gave her bouquet to Katy and took Matt’s hand and Father Todd began.

  It was a traditional wedding ceremony, although Matt had insisted the word “obey” was removed. “We are equals,” he had told her.

  When Father Todd asked for the rings, Katy gave Janie Matt’s and Mark handed Matt Janie’s. They were matching white gold bands with a simple inscription inside each one. ‘Forever’. They slipped the rings on each other and Father Todd pronounced them husband and wife. Matt took her ever so gently into his arms and placed the sweetest, most loving kiss on her lips and Janie’s knees buckled. He held her to him and whispered into her ear, “My sweet Janie. My sweet wife, Janie!”

  As they turned to their family and friends, Katy and Mark were the first to hug them both and Janie took back her bouquet. They got two steps before Maureen jumped up and grabbed them both, tears streaming down her face. Matt chuckled and Janie hugged her, then her mother who had also joined them.

  Peter came next and then Tyler and Adam and they all walked together, as everyone congratulated them on their way down the aisle as husband and wife.

  *****

  After signing the marriage certificate and taking hundreds and hundreds of pictures inside and outside the church, Matt and Janie slid into the back of the BMW and Ray drove them back to the Ritz for the reception.

  Everyone was gathered waiting for their arrival and they received a standing ovation as they entered the room. They made their way to the head table and sat in their assigned places, Katy and Mark on either side of them.

  Dinner was served in three courses. Dessert would follow once the dancing started and after the cake had been cut. Matt had to admit that the poached Pacific Northwest salmon was actually pretty good.

  As the last of the plates were being cleared, Peter stood and thanked everyone for their support on the happy couple’s special day and he officially welcomed Janie to the Lathem family, even though, Peter said, it had felt like she had been a part of their family since the day they met her.

  It’s true, Janie thought. The brothers teased her just they like everyone else and Peter had not been shy about asking her to get him a drink or two, or even to make him a sandwich. Janie smiled at her new father-in-law and thanked him for his kind words.

  Next up was Katy. She was to give a short speech and Mark had told her it was fine if she would prefer not to, but she insisted she could go through with it.

  She stood with a glass of champagne in her hand, the bruises still visible on her wrists, and was short and sweet.

  “Janie has been my best friend since high school,” she began. “And I have watched her the past few months and can say without question that Matt has made her as happy as I have ever seen her. I am so pleased that she has found someone to love her as much as she deserves.”

  All the guests raised their glasses and toasted the couple. Katy squeezed Janie’s hand as she sat back down and their attention was turned to Mark.

  “I had a whole speech planned with embarrassing stories about Matt and I fully planned on humiliating him tonight.” Everyone laughed and Mark continued. “But this past week has made me rethink that speech,” he said as he looked over at Matt and Janie and then at Katy. “This week I saw exactly how much my brother loves this woman, what he would risk for her. And it just doesn’t seem appropriate to make fun of him anymore. I have looked up to him all my life. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t think he was the coolest brother ever. And I am so very happy that Janie stumbled into his life and forced him to realize that he deserves to be with somebody sweet and kind and giving and just absolutely perfect. And that person is my new sister-in-law, Janie.”

  Matt and Janie gazed into each other’s eyes and smiled.

  “So tonight, I raise my glass to two people who I am so glad found each other. I raise my glass to Matt and Janie. Congratulations!”

  Cheers and applause erupted and Janie blushed at Mark’s kind words. Matt shook his brother’s hand and then stood, quieting everyone as he began to speak.

  “I know that I am not on the list of speeches, but, as many of you will attest, it was a huge surprise for all of you to receive an invitation to a wedding listing me as the groom.”

  Ch
uckles were heard through the room.

  “But a few months ago, the beautiful woman seated next to me, literally stumbled into me at an airport and my life drastically changed in that moment. I actually tried to keep her at arm’s length, stupid I know, but my heart knew what it wanted and I am so grateful that she has chosen to be my wife. I promise that I will spend the rest of my life making sure she does not ever regret that decision.” He turned to look at Janie and said, “I love you forever.”

  Another tear escaped down Janie’s cheek and Matt kissed it from her as the guests stood and cheered. The music started and Janie immediately recognized the song Matt had chosen for their first dance. He escorted her to the middle of the dance floor and pulled her close as he started to move them to the music. The lights dimmed and a hush fell over the room as the music played, and as husband and wife they shared their first dance.

  Their bodies moved as one and Janie closed her eyes, her cheek on Matt’s neck, his cheek resting in her hair, their bodies touching from the top of their heads all the way down to their feet.

  Matt began singing softly, “You give the strength to me, a strength I never had. I was a mess you see, I’d lost the plot so bad.”

  “You’re going to make me cry,” Janie whispered.

  “You dragged me up and out, out of the darkest place. There’s not a single doubt when I see your face,” he continued, as a very happy tear rolled down her cheek.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Matt watched Mark escort Katy to the dance floor. There’s something there, he smiled. I hope they can rescue each other.

  Other couples slowly joined them and the song came to a close far too soon.

  *****

  The cake was cut, more pictures were taken, more champagne drunk, and more dancing done. It was time to take his bride upstairs and Matt wasn’t going to wait any longer. The women gathered for the bouquet toss and Janie steadied herself, took a deep breath and threw it high above her head. She heard the commotion and turned to see Katy holding the bouquet. Janie laughed at the horrified look on her friend’s face and hurried to congratulate her.

  “Oh, no!” Katy said as Janie came and stood by her side. “Throw it again!”

  “I can’t do that!” Janie said.

  Matt stood next to Mark as he impatiently waited for his wife to say goodbye to Katy.

  “Janie is really worried about her,” Matt said.

  “I know,” replied Mark. “So am I.”

  “Well, we all have to go back to Portland in a few weeks for the depositions. I think that’s what the prosecutor said.”

  “Yeah,” said Mark. “I’ve offered to fly back to Portland with her and make sure she gets settled at home and stuff. I would guess it’s probably gonna be hard for her, you know?”

  Matt hugged his brother. “You’re a good man,” he said.

  Katy and Janie joined them by the door.

  “You call me if you need anything,” said Janie to her friend.

  “I’ll be fine,” she smiled.

  “And she has my number too,” added Mark. “I am available day and night.”

  The rest of the family joined them and Matt and Janie said their goodbyes and Matt pulled her through the doors, ready to get his wife upstairs.

  “Let’s go Mrs. Lathem,” he grinned.

  Janie giggled.

  *****

  The elevator stopped on the sixteenth floor and the door opened. Matt started to walk out, but Janie tugged at his arm and said her suite was on the thirtieth floor.

  “I know where your suite is but we aren’t staying there tonight.” He tugged right back and she stumbled out of the elevator and had to hurry to keep up with him. He stopped outside the door and pulled the key card from his jacket pocket. “I thought we could start our married life the way we started before,” he said as he opened the door.

  Janie looked up at her husband. “This was my room,” she whispered, as they walked inside. It was just as she remembered from a few months earlier.

  “You are a total romantic,” she smiled.

  “Well not before I met you. You bring it out in me,” he winked.

  There was vase full of lilies on the coffee table and a bottle of chilled champagne and two goblets.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said. “But my little wedding night ensemble is up in the suite!”

  “You won’t need that tonight,” he grinned. “We’ll have some fun with that tomorrow.”

  Matt shut and locked the door and leaned back against it pulling her to him. “I recall liking this door,” he growled as his mouth devoured hers. He kissed with love and passion and desire and Janie accepted everything he offered and gave right back. Their tongues danced and played and Janie held his face in her hands as his fingers caressed her back.

  Matt pulled back, out of breath. “Are those my mother’s earrings?” he asked.

  “They are,” she smiled. “She said she had been waiting for her daughter to wear them on her wedding day. It was so sweet.”

  Matt kissed each one of her ears and chuckled. “Do you know how many times I heard about those earrings?”

  Janie smiled, now knowing Maureen a little better she was sure she could imagine.

  “I want to undress you,” he said. “I want to take off your wedding dress and see you. I’m going to take it off very slowly.”

  Janie’s breath hitched as she saw the desire in his eyes and heard it in his voice.

  “But you can keep the earrings on,” he grinned.

  Matt guided her to the edge of the bed where he had her sit down. He took off his jacket and bowtie and laid it over the desk chair. Then he knelt at her feet and gently lifted her wedding dress to reveal her shoes. He pulled off one shoe and then the other and carefully placed them next to the desk.

  He stood and slid onto the bed behind her and nuzzled on the back of her neck. Then he carefully undid each tiny pearl button going down and down her back. After the last button was finally open, he crawled off the bed and knelt back in front of his wife. He reached up and gradually pulled the cap sleeves down over her shoulders and down her arms and gently lifted each hand free of the dress. The satin pooled around her waist, her strapless lace bra exposed. Matt leaned in and kissed her neck, then her shoulders and the smooth flesh of her breasts spilling over her bra.

  “Your skin is so soft,” he purred.

  He stood up and pulled Janie up to him and her dress swooshed to her feet. She stepped out of it and Matt gently picked it up and laid it over his jacket on the chair. Now she stood in front of him in white lace pantyhose that stopped at her thighs and white lace panties that matched her bra.

  His gaze moved up her body and then back down.

  “It’s all supposed to match,” she blushed. “It’s from a bridal collection.”

  Matt chuckled. “You look positively virginal.”

  He knelt down on one knee and rolled down her pantyhose from one leg and then the other and the act had Janie panting with desire. His hands were gentle and sweet and the sexual tension between them was palpable. She lifted one foot and then the other and Matt threw the lace over to her shoes. He turned back to her and kissed her feet, each toe receiving its own sweet kiss. He slowly licked up her leg to her inner thigh and Janie thought she was going to come right then. His fingers kneaded and stroked her behind and he kissed higher and higher until he kissed her panties. His thumbs hooked the sides and he pulled them down and kissed her again and Janie’s eyes closed and her head fell back as she felt his tongue part her.

  “Ahh,” she cried as he found her throbbing and in need of release. He kissed her again and pushed her panties further down her legs.

  Matt’s kisses inched higher and he licked and nipped over her belly. He stood up and reached behind her and flicked open the hooks of her bra that quickly fell from her body. He took each nipple in his mouth. They were hard and distended and he sucked and nipped until she cried out his name and ran her fingers through his hair, holding h
is lips to her.

  Matt feasted on her body, driving Janie wild and when she didn’t think she could take anymore he pulled away and took two steps back, his eyelids half closed, his mouth open and his breathing heavy. He kicked off his shoes and pulled off his socks and Janie’s eyes dropped to watch his every move. Unbuttoning his tuxedo trousers, he never took his eyes off her, barely blinking. The second Janie moved in his direction his eyes squinted and he told her not to move.

  “I want to help,” she purred.

  “No!” he said. “You are going to stand there and let me watch you. I want to see the desire in your eyes and in your body.”

  Janie stood still as his eyes caressed her. She watched him remove the rest of his clothing so that he stood naked in front of her. Her eyes traveled down to his feet and then back up to see him hard and throbbing, ready to pleasure her, ready to give her body the climax it desperately needed.

  He closed the small space between them and took her face gently in his hands and kissed her like it was the last time and she felt the love pouring between them.

  “I love you with all my heart, all my soul and all my body. I am yours and you are mine,” he whispered.

  In one swift move, her reached behind her and lifted her to him and he carried her around the side of the bed and gently laid her down. He covered her with his body and held himself up on his elbows and gazed into her eyes.

  “Janie,” he spoke with such tenderness in his voice. And he pushed her legs apart with his knees and he slowly entered her. She closed her eyes and arched to him, sucking his length inside her and holding him there.

  “There isn’t a better feeling in the world that this moment right here,” she smiled.