Joseph had to leave Miriam's house soon after their passionate night. He headed back to Sepphoris on business for his firm. He was convinced that his betrothed, given her background, would be faithful to him in his absence. Given that probability, his own sense of fairness forbade him to use the youths of Sepphoris as he had in the past.
As for Miriam, she was quite pleased to have lost her virginity, but she was also rather worried about it. All well and good for Joseph to claim that her cherry was his to take when he pleased, but she had to face the risk of being accused of "whoring in her father's house" and getting stoned to death for it. There was no guarantee that they would assume that Joseph had broken her hymen.
There was only one thing to do: convince Joseph to play a ruse on her parents. They had to find a way to ensure that there would be blood on her sheets when it was required as "proof" of her supposed chastity. Could she persuade him, she wondered. It would mean that one or both of them would have to cut themselves and spill their blood on the sheets, but just enough to pass for the result of consummation.
Two weeks later, another problem occurred to her. Her monthly period had not happened on schedule. There was no mistake in Miriam's mind for what that meant. She carried a child in her womb. It was undoubtedly Joseph's child. Then again, this might be the best thing for all concerned. Joseph might want to ensure that his child's mother did not get executed for "playing the harlot" during her betrothal. He might go along with her plan.
Meanwhile, the thought of what to do about Miriam had occurred to Joseph. He was, unknowingly, thinking along the same lines as his betrothed. He knew very well that he had to make it appear to his in-laws that their precious daughter had lost her "innocence" on her wedding night.
The best way was to cut himself. He would take on the duty, as he didn't want to inflict that pain on her. She was softer, had beauty that he didn't wish to harm, and had already suffered pain during her actual deflowering as it was.
When Joseph returned to Nazareth two days later, he was greeted by a rather anxious Miriam. She clearly had some secret that she hid from her parents, but was eager to tell him. As soon as he got some privacy, he confronted her about it.
"What's wrong, my love? Something is obviously bothering you, so tell me what it is," he demanded. "Joseph, I carry your child! I know this because I have not bled as women do every month at my age. What shall I do?" she asked him desperately.
"It's very simple, Miriam. I'll cut myself and make it appear that you bled on your wedding night. That way, your parents will assume that you were a virgin until our wedding. Calm down, my dear cousin," Joseph encouraged her.
Miriam relaxed a bit, but remained somewhat concerned. She just hoped that her parents were not too picky about the number of months between consummation and birth. If they were, both she and Joseph would have to explain a lot to her parents just to keep them from stoning her and even then they would be upset with her.
A week later, the wedding feast began, with everyone from the family gathering in Nazareth to celebrate their nuptials. Joseph's parents and siblings were there as well. Plenty of watered wine was drunk, much food was consumed, and there was even some entertainment in the form of musicians, which Joseph's prosperous family had hired for the occasion.
Benjamin, Miriam's father, approached Joseph at the end of the feast and embraced him, saying, "Good cousin, thank you for marrying my daughter. I wish that I had a better dowry to give you, but I appreciate that you would take a bride as poor as Miriam. Rebekah and I have always feared that she would not able to get a husband as worthy as you. She's a wonderful girl, despite her faults, and I'm pleased that you can see that instead of dwelling on her poverty."
"It is my pleasure, cousin, and I agree with you that she deserves a fine husband. I will make sure to be such a man," he reassured his father-in-law.
"It is a great man who sees more virtues than just wealth," a voice spoke behind them.
It was Rebekah, Miriam's mother. She was standing with her daughter, the bride herself.
"Thank you, cousin. I take it that you are now ready to give your child into my hand," he probed.
"Naturally, cousin. However, be gentle with our daughter. A husband is a master, so be a kind master to our Miriam. She will serve you well," Rebekah urged him.
"I promise you, cousins, that I will treat your daughter well. You need not worry on that point," he declared.
When they smiled and formally handed Miriam over to his custody, Joseph returned the smile and led her to his house. They were both completely quiet until they entered the house, but once they were free from eavesdroppers, they looked at each other and laughed.
"Well, my dear wife, are you ready to be deflowered?" he teased his bride.
"Yes, of course, my lord! After all, obedience is my duty, is it not?" she joked back at him.
"Well, your first duty is to hand me a knife, so that I can use it for something that desperately needs to be done," Joseph instructed her.
Miriam grinned and gave him the knife that he had kept beneath his blanket. He cut a gash in his left palm as she removed her dress and gave him the proper cloth for "her" blood. He let his own crimson fluid soak the garment. The fraud was ready. It was just a question of convincing their parents now.
