Natalie woke, troubled. She felt compelled to go somewhere, to do something, and she was not sure where or what beckoned her. Vaguely she recalled the dream that had awakened her, more intense, more... specific than any she'd had in recent days. Rising from her bed, Natalie paced before the mirror then paused and gazed at her own reflection. The ties to her night dress had come undone during her restless slumber, and now she raised her hand to gently stroke the skin of her neck and throat, her chest... No, that was not what she wanted; her hand was not the hand she wanted - needed - to caress her. Reaching for her dressing gown, Natalie wrapped it around her body but did not secure the buttons. She now knew what she wanted - what she craved.

Leaving her room, Natalie hurried down the hall. She paused halfway to her destination when she saw someone coming toward her. The candles in the hallway had burned low, giving off weak light, and they were nearly facing one another when Natalie realized the person approaching her was the person she sought.

"Joshua."

"I am here, Natalie. I awoke and knew..."

She nodded and Joshua took her in his arms, their mouths meeting in a

demanding kiss. She wrapped her arms around Joshua and pulled him closer. Their passion ignited and Natalie was pleased to feel Joshua's desire for her. He released her mouth, to place kisses on her neck and face, his hands sliding under her open dressing gown, finding the undone ties to her night dress. Natalie was equally anxious to rid Joshua of his night clothes, but she had the common sense to slow down and pull back enough to meet Joshua's gaze.

"Not here, Joshua."

He stared at her for a moment, then took her hand and led her down the hallway to his room. The door closed behind them and Joshua turned to face Natalie. She stood by the bed, her dressing gown open to reveal her half closed night dress beneath it. He groaned softly, feeling as though he would experience excruciating, unending pain if he did not have her.

"It is our wedding night, Joshua. We should not be apart."

Natalie smiled as Joshua stepped toward her. She more than wanted him, she desperately needed him, and knew the ache she now felt would turn to agony if they could not be together.

Joshua closed the distance between himself and his wife. He smiled with approval as she stood still and allowed him to disrobe her. He then helped her to lie down on his bed, and enjoyed the fact she was watching him disrobe. Smile met smile as Joshua also got into bed.

Natalie lay still and allowed Joshua's gaze to rake over her. She could see his desire build, his need increase. She in turn liked what she saw; a strong, virile man, not yet gone to paunch. Almost tentatively he reached out to caress her skin, her shoulder and arm, her hips and thigh. He gently traced the contours of her body with a finger tip. Moments later he bent close and began to trail kisses along the path his finger had traced.

She sighed heavily with need, trying to relax and enjoy Joshua's stimulation of nearly every part of her body. The need she felt was becoming unbearable and a gasp of desire escaped her throat when Joshua caressed her in ways she had never thought to experience again. Natalie gripped the sheets with her hands as she felt what Joshua was doing. The sensations were exquisite, and she yearned for him to take her over the edge into bliss.

Natalie opened her eyes to look at Joshua. He knelt beside her, admiring every inch of her.

"Joshua,... do not stop,... please..."

He blinked and shook his head as if to free himself from a trance, then bent to resume his exploration of her body. She sighed loudly, contentedly, hoping Joshua would not take too much longer to complete this union. She loved what he was doing, but she wanted more, much more.

Kissing Natalie deeply, Joshua slid his hands along her torso and felt her shiver in response to his light, feather-like caresses. When the kiss ended, Joshua raised his head to meet Natalie's gaze. She opened her eyes to meet his, and smiled.

"This is what you want, Natalie?"

"Oh, Joshua, yes..."

He nodded and shifted his position on the bed so he could oblige.

"Yes, Joshua, yes..."

He complied, completing the act and consummating the marriage that was never to have become this intimate.