MISSING SCENES: WYATT AND AMBROSE'S WEDDING AND HONEYMOON

"Jeb?" Wyatt Cain called as he descended the stairs. He was dressed in a white formal uniform far finer than he was used to, and despite Price's help, he felt more uncomfortable than nervous.

"Right here!" Jeb called back, rounding the corner as his father reached the bottom of the stairs. "You look great!"

"I feel ridiculous," Wyatt murmured, not really grumpy but still trying to get comfortable in the stiff new clothing he was wearing.

"Hey," Jeb said softly, making his father look up and meet his eyes. "Smile. I'm proud of you." Jeb busied himself straightening his father's jacket and pinning a rose to the jacket lapel a moment before Wyatt put his hand on the boy's arm and he looked up at him again, both smiling that special occasion grin.

"What for?" Wyatt asked.

"For following your heart," Jeb said quietly. A beat passed between them before Wyatt and Jeb embraced tightly and Wyatt kissed the top of his son's head.

"I love you, son," he said, slowly regaining his composure.

"I love you, too. Come on, Grant has the carriage waiting and we can't be late today," Jeb said. "After all, it's your wedding day." Jeb's suit was similarly fine, and also white, but Jeb seemed to carry off the look with that effortlessness that young people have when they dress to impress. Once they were settled in the carriage, they were off to the palace, the bells in the clock tower chiming merrily as they rode along the streets. Warm gold, red, green, and brown leaves turned the trees into riots of autumn color in the skin-tingling morning sunlight.

*************

"Are they here yet?" Ambrose called, buttoning the last buttons of his uniform coat. He took another look in the mirror and smiled as he smoothed the front of the white coat.

"On their way!" DG replied, entering the room with Azkadellia. The elder princess stepped forward as Ambrose turned to face them and produced a dark red rose to pin on his jacket.

"Thank you, Princess," Ambrose said with a wide smile. Azkadellia lightly kissed Ambrose's cheek, making the royal advisor blush.

"You deserve every happiness in the world, Ambrose," she added. DG preceded them out the door of the room and Ambrose offered his arm to Azkadellia, which she smiled and took.

"I wish the same for you, Princess. A long and arduous journey deserves a peaceful and happy reward," Ambrose said as they went along.

"I only hope that Jeb is that eloquent when I marry him in a few months," DG teased, taking his other arm. Ambrose chuckled. His wide brown eyes shined with happy energy today—after all, it was his wedding day.

*************

"Wyatt and Ambrose have come before us today, expressing a wish to be joined together in a state of matrimony. Love is that refuge of the human heart in which two people, drawn together by what can only be described as destiny…"

As the Bishop spoke, Wyatt lost most of the opening prayer staring off into Ambrose's dark chocolate eyes. They both managed to murmur 'amen' and other necessary responses as their hearts pounded in immeasurable joy. Finally, they were asked to pronounce their vows and Wyatt took Ambrose's hands in his own.

"All that I am and all that I have, I offer to you in love and in joy. From this day forward I will love and comfort you, hold you close, prize you above all others, and remain faithful to you all the days of our lives," Wyatt said, watching Ambrose's eyes start to well with tears. Wyatt swallowed hard—if Ambrose was crying already, he wouldn't be able to hold out for much longer!

"I used to be afraid of falling in love, of giving my heart away. How could I trust someone to love me, to give to me all that I wanted to give to them? When I met you, I realized how much we could share together. You have renewed my life and today I join that life with yours," Ambrose said, clutching Wyatt's hands as the blonde closed his eyes and a tear squeezed out and over his cheek. They exchanged plain gold rings minutes later, each asking the other to accept that ring as a symbol of love and fidelity. Each ring was engraved on the inside with their names and the date, a treasure that would never leave their fingers.

"By the power vested in me, it is my great pleasure to present to you, Wyatt and Ambrose. You may seal your union with a kiss," the Bishop said with a kind smile. The guests applauded as the newlyweds shared a warm, romantic kiss and then processed back up the aisle with the royal family immediately behind them, followed by their other guests.

During the reception and dance, Ahamo caught up to them to congratulate them and slipped them a heavy looking key.

"What's this?" Wyatt asked.

"Your honeymoon accommodations," Ahamo said with a grin.

"But, we weren't going to take a honeymoon vacation. We didn't think we could get away long enough," Ambrose said, champagne bubbling in a flute in his hand.

"Nonsense," Ahamo said. "Her majesty and both princesses *insisted* that I figure out some way for the two of you to get some time alone after the wedding."

"Women," Wyatt muttered good-naturedly, making Ambrose and Ahamo chuckle. Ambrose took the key from Wyatt's hand and examined it. His eyes widened as he looked back at Ahamo.

"Is this what I think it is?" Ambrose asked.

"What's that?" Wyatt asked.

"The summer palace in Finaqua," Ambrose said quietly. Wyatt's eyebrows raised and both men looked at their king-consort in shock.

"Don't bother arguing," Ahamo laughed, "they'd only insist."

"I don't know what to say!" Ambrose stammered, reaching out to shake Ahamo's hand. "Thank you!"

"Thank you," Wyatt added, extending his hand also.

"The girls even went so far as to have everything sent ahead of you. All you two have to do is get there," Ahamo assured them.

"How *are* we getting there?" Wyatt asked a split second before both men looked at each other.

"They didn't," Ambrose said.

"You know them better than that," Wyatt said. Out in front of the palace, decorated with large white flowers and streamers, was Ambrose's car, with the top down and complete with a hand painted "Just Married" sign on the trunk lid. The newlyweds laughed as their guests spilled from the doors to the palace, tossing flower petals and birdseed at them. They laughed harder as they tried to dodge the onslaught and dashed for the car, hopping over the doors of the wide-open convertible and dropping into the seats before Ambrose turned the key and the engine roared to life. Their guests cheered as they waved goodbye in a veritable cloud of flower petals mingled with the loosened autumn leaves from the trees.

Raw dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief as he stood beside DG, watching their friends grow farther and farther away.

"What's wrong, Raw?" DG asked, resting her hands on his shoulders.

"Raw has been waiting since we all were first together for this very day," Raw said, smiling proudly.

*************

Once the newlyweds had been given a tour of the palace and grounds, had settled their meal plans for the week, and had finally been left alone, Wyatt was staring out a tall window at the lake beyond the gardens.

"What are you thinking?" Ambrose asked, coming to stand behind him and softly kissing the back of his shoulder while he wound his arms around Wyatt's torso.

"I'm thinking that there's hours of sun left and the lake has been warming up all day," Wyatt said.

"You want to swim? Now?" Ambrose said, a bit shocked.

"Sure I do," Wyatt said. "I'll bet it's just about like bath water by now." He was off and walking toward the lake with Ambrose still babbling behind him. Ambrose stopped near a large boulder just this side of the beach and watched as Wyatt eagerly tugged, pushed and unbuttoned his way out of his fine suit and jumped head-long into the water. He stayed down longer than Ambrose was comfortable with, but before he could call Wyatt's name, the aforementioned returned to the surface, wet blonde hair plastered to his head and a smile on his face.

"It's amazing!" Wyatt called, backstroking further out. "What are you waiting for?"

"I…I don't much feel like swimming tonight…I'll just watch you," Ambrose said awkwardly.

"Oh, come on!" Wyatt pouted. "I just married you! Come swimming with me!" A second later he recognized the look on his newlywed groom's face.

"You can't swim, can you?"

Ambrose sat down on the boulder and took Wyatt's abandoned jacket in his hands, smoothing the wrinkles and then spontaneously taking a deep breath in the fabric, calmed a little by the scent of Wyatt's musky aftershave. Wyatt treaded water for a moment and then took long strokes until he was closer to the shore.

"Come on," Wyatt said more gently. "Let me teach you." Ambrose bit his tongue nervously and remained where he was in terror.

"Ambrose," Wyatt called, "I love you." Wyatt's declaration making him a little bolder, Ambrose finally pulled off his boots and loosened his collar. Seconds later, he tentatively waded into the water to where the depth suddenly dropped off and then gasped as he plunged quickly over his head. Wyatt dove immediately to retrieve him and came up with Ambrose in his arms sputtering and coughing and clinging to Wyatt for dear life.

"You're fine, Ambrose. Just breathe…just breathe, sweetheart," Wyatt said with a grin, leaning back in the water and kissing the side of Ambrose's head as he rested against Wyatt's shoulder, finally breathing normally again. "Now, lesson number one—treading water," Wyatt said. An hour later, Ambrose was keeping up with Wyatt as they swam laps to the middle of the lake and back.

"Thank you," Ambrose said suddenly as they relaxed in the middle of the lake for a moment. He rolled onto his back and floated in place for a while, staring up at the sparse clouds turning pink in the fading sunlight. Wyatt joined him and smiled as he replied, "Consider us even—you taught me to dance."

*************

They walked back to the palace arm in arm, grinning and laughing, heedless that the maids were smiling and quietly making themselves scarce. When they reached their bedroom, Ambrose took his time arranging their wet clothes near the fire to dry. Wyatt smiled at this and joined him on that side of the room, setting his hands on Ambrose's waist while he softly kissed his neck. The suns had set and now the fire was the only light in the room save for a few candles in sconces on the walls and a small arrangement of them on the bedside table.

"Are you ready for bed?" Wyatt murmured against the warm, smooth skin of Ambrose's neck. Ambrose's eyes were closed as Wyatt's hands moved to encircle his waist. It felt so good to be close to him, to be held, to let himself be loved…surely no woman who had rejected him in the past could have filled his heart the way Wyatt did now. Something stirred low inside Ambrose; between the warm fire, the gentle pressure of Wyatt's kisses, and the protective embrace of his arms he could already feel that it wouldn't be long.

"Wyatt," Ambrose choked out, his breath quickening. He could feel the curve of Wyatt's smile.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Wyatt asked, gently starting to rock from one side to the other. "You're not nervous are you?"

"You're not?" Ambrose asked, his voice starting to tremble.

"Well, yes, a little, but the learning curve is a little unavoidable so I figure it doesn't pay to really worry about it," Wyatt replied. "Are you okay?"

"I…well, that is to say…" Ambrose stammered.

"You're a virgin?"

Ambrose said nothing in response but simply bit his lip and nodded. Wyatt chuckled softly and hugged Ambrose tightly.

"I think DG said that on the other side, men like me are called 'geeks'. I'm not sure what that all entails, but—"

Ambrose never finished his sentence. Wyatt had turned him to face him and closed his mouth over Ambrose's in a fear-silencing kiss. Ambrose relaxed into this kiss and draped his arms around Wyatt's neck while Wyatt himself slowly undid the buttons of Ambrose's shirt. When Wyatt broke the kiss and pushed Ambrose's still damp shirt off his shoulders, Ambrose was shaking.

"This part's easy, scarecrow," Wyatt said soothingly, brushing his nose against Ambrose's and kissing him again. "Relax…we're both bound to make mistakes tonight." By this time both of them were showing evidence of readiness and Ambrose finally took the initiative to slip his hands beneath Wyatt's shirt and kiss him in return. In the next few minutes, Ambrose and Wyatt took great care in disrobing one another and slowly moving toward the bed. It was far larger than they needed and sumptuously decorated, and, as Ambrose found out moments later, it was as soft and comfortable as it looked. Wyatt was covering his collar bones and chest in kisses, sending him into delirium. Wyatt's hand slipped beneath his head and he pulled his beloved into another soothing kiss before stopping to catch his breath and smile.

"You know, if you tell me what you like, this might be a little more productive," Wyatt teased.

"If I knew I could tell you," Ambrose gasped as Wyatt nipped his neck.

"You've never even—"

"Heavens, no!"

"Oh, Ambrose…" Wyatt said sympathetically. With one hand still behind Ambrose's head, he slipped the other hand down Ambrose's hip and was rewarded with his whimper and a thrust of his hips against his own. Ambrose came hard, his body spasming in orgasm. Wyatt was somewhere between amusement and surprise—if Ambrose really was so easy to arouse, it was going to be an interesting night.

"I've disappointed you now, haven't I?" Ambrose murmured, one arm flung above his head and the other resting on his chest as Wyatt sat back. "We didn't even really do anything yet and I've finished already!" Wyatt smiled and leaned over him again, pressing a soft kiss against Ambrose's forehead.

"Oh, you're not finished by a long-shot. I'm not even close to being done with you," Wyatt chuckled.

"I thought you said you'd never done this before," Ambrose asked softly.

"I haven't, but I know what pleasures me, and I can start there. If I do something you don't like, stop me," Wyatt said. "That's all there is to it." Ambrose considered this as he traced his long fingers over Wyatt's shoulder and bicep.

"If you already know what you like, why don't you teach me to do it to you instead? I feel terrible that I haven't performed up to spec and it's our wedding night," Ambrose proposed.

"No, not yet. I want you to be comfortable with yourself and what feels good to you before we think about me," Wyatt said. He would spend nearly the rest of the night physically explaining his point, bringing Ambrose to climax again and again before exhaustion claimed them and they fumbled to snuggle in beneath the covers. Ambrose sank into Wyatt's arms and the two were quickly asleep in the still warm firelight that danced in the fireplace.

*************

As the light of the first of the O.Z.'s twin suns warmed the room, Ambrose stretched and took a deep breath. During the night, both of them had rolled over and now Wyatt's left arm was wrapped snuggly around him, securing him to his place with his back against Wyatt's chest. When Ambrose stretched, Wyatt shifted, rolling onto his back and slipping back to sleep. Ambrose rolled over to face him and smiled—even when he was relaxing, he never looked quite so at peace as he did when he was asleep. Carefully, Ambrose sat up and leaned over his lover, slowly lowering his lips to tenderly kiss the middle of Wyatt's bare chest, directly over his heartbeat. A smile tugged up the corners of Wyatt's lips and Ambrose rolled his eyes up to look at him.

"Good morning," Ambrose said softly.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Wyatt said, tangling his hand in Ambrose's curls. The newlyweds spent a few minutes cuddling and kissing before finally deciding to get up for the day. There was fishing to be done, walks to be taken, horses to ride and fine meals to be had before they would once again retire to the warmth of their bed. A week was gone before they knew it, and Wyatt and Ambrose found themselves on their way back to the city, rested, refreshed, and eager to return to work.

*************

"Why, Ambrose!" the queen called happily when Ambrose arrived for duty on their first morning home. "You are positively glowing!" Ambrose was smiling from ear to ear when he knelt at the queen's feet and kissed her hand when she offered it.

"Love does that to a person," Ambrose replied shyly.

"If I'd known you'd be so much improved, I'd have married you off years ago!" the queen teased. Ambrose laughed softly.

"With all due respect, I'm glad you didn't!" Ambrose teased in return. She laughed a melody that echoed on the air before asking after Wyatt.

"Oh, he's in the training yard this morning. He's eager to see if the men have been keeping up with their training while we were gone. While I'm here, thank you again, from both of us, for the use of the palace in Finaqua. It really was more than we could have asked for." Ambrose said.

"It was our pleasure. How else could we reward two of the people who helped to restore our daughters to us?" the queen said.

"And *that* was our pleasure, your majesty," Ambrose replied with a deep bow. The queen was laughing again.

"Off you go now, to your inventions. I will ring for you if I need you today," the queen said with a nod of her head.

"Good day, your majesty," Ambrose said with a grin as he turned and strode out of the throne room.

*************

"Dad!" Jeb called when Wyatt entered the courtyard. Wyatt smiled despite several men looking a bit disdainfully at Jeb for calling their captain 'dad' while they trained. The Cain men smiled, clasped arms at the elbow, and then briefly embraced.

"How was the honeymoon?" Jeb asked as they walked.

"Amazing," Wyatt said. "Did *you* know that they were planning that?"

"Of course! I seconded the idea," Jeb teased.

"You could have said something," Wyatt replied, still smiling.

"Hey, I was sworn to secrecy by three women—there was no way out," Jeb said as his father laughed.

"If the reunion is over, Captain, the men are in formation and ready to begin," another officer said, falling into step beside them.

"No need to be so short, Lewis. He was just saying good morning," Wyatt said, maintaining his smile but mentally noting the comment. He would need to talk to Jeb and see what the sentiment was amongst the men concerning the recent wedding and Jeb's presence on the guard. If there were many others who were as sensitive about it as Lewis was, he would need to make some adjustments. Wyatt wasn't worried about too much on this sunny Monday morning. He came to the front of the guard and Jeb slipped into his place as Wyatt shouted, "Good morning, men!"

*************