The Lawsons

This is a continuation of The Lawsons Pt. 5

Recap - Emma takes Roger out onto the property to show him the ropes and so that she can get back into the swing of being a responsible landowner in Montana. After reconnecting with her horse, Bella, Emma takes Roger out on horseback. In doing so, she reveals that he sometimes has bad dreams and wants to know how best to help him, also wanting him to promise that he will talk with her whenever he needs it. Later, Emma and Roger are joined by Sarah in the pool, resulting in not just sex, per Emma's request, but a lovemaking session for Sarah's benefit. While packing before heading back to his dispatching job and Emma's college courses, Roger finally asks Emma to marry him. They plan for a quick and simple wedding the following Saturday, and meet with Emma's attorney, Derek, to draw up the legal paperwork so that Emma can finally share everything with the man she loves, just as she had promised.

All characters in this story are 18 years of age or older. This is a work of fiction.

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*** Saturday Morning ***

Friday had been a busy day. After notifying a few friends that they were getting married, Emma decided to see if a few of Roger's friends would be able to fly up for the weekend to attend. She didn't want everyone to be locals who were just there for her. Her first call had been to Julia Ford to see if she could rally the cookout troops to come up and, if possible, to pack their uniforms since Roger would be in his. Unfortunately, Julia was only able to get three others to come with her. However, she had an idea to make things a bit special for Roger.

"Do you have a minister yet?" Julia asked.

"Not yet. I wanted to notify the guests first, but mostly you guys because Roger doesn't have anyone up here." Emma hadn't even thought about a minister.

"I may have a solution. Let me call Colonel Mueller. He's not a minister, but the internet can solve that problem."

"Do you think he'd come?" Emma asked.

Julia laughed, somewhat evilly. "I won't give him a choice! His wife and I are pretty close. But you let me take care of that, doll. And I may be able to work on something else, but I'll let you know if we can get it set up. Just don't tell Roger yet, okay? It would be a nice surprise for him."

"Thank you so much, Julia. I don't know how to thank you."

"Hey, I'm getting to ride in a private jet, and stay in a nice place in Montana for the weekend. I'm happy to do it." She paused. "But hear me on this Emma," she said, "Roger loves you dearly and I know you love him. But I swear, if you screw this up, I'm going to pounce on him like a tiger hunting game. You got me?"

Emma laughed. "I understand, Julia. He did tell me to keep an eye on you."

"I guess he told you I've been trying to get in his pants for the last few years, too?" she asked. "I know you're about to marry him and have already beat me to it, but he and I are pretty honest people. But don't you worry at all, you gorgeous girl. I know when I'm beat. Just take care of that big idiot, okay?"

Emma sighed happily. "I will. Thank you for being honest."

"Okay, girlie. I'll call you back as soon as I get more information." She disconnected the line and Emma thought back to her first meeting with Julia and couldn't understand why Roger had never been with her. Julia was a fox.

Carl, the only other employee of the Butler family who had been there since before Emma was born, was beside himself. Emma had gone to his house earlier in the week to personally ask if he would give her away since her father was no longer with them. He agreed right away, and Emma invited both Carl and his wife to stay Friday night at the house so that they would be on the grounds the next day.

Lastly, Tina flew in to attend the wedding. And she was the star of the show for the retired Marine men who came for Roger, but only a handful knew that she was more interested in Julia.

After Julia had arrived with three of Roger's friends plus the Colonel and his wife, Julia pulled Emma to the side. "Okay, here's the deal. Colonel Mueller is set. He's even memorized the service. Just one question: when he announces you at the end, how do you want him to say it?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Roger Lawson," Emma said without hesitation.

"Huh," Julia said, somewhat surprised. "I thought you'd keep your last name. Anyway, we all have our uniforms, but there aren't enough for the Arch of Swords. So, the Colonel pulled a few strings with a unit up here. They're sending up eight of their smartest looking Marines for that part of the ceremony."

"I'm sorry...the what?"

Julia explained the tradition of the Arch of Swords, where Marines stand on either side of the wedding exit to "shelter the bride" as she and the groom walk out and how it represents the Marine Corps' pledge of fidelity to the couple. She told her how the last two Marines will lower their swords and direct her to kiss her Marine, then when they continue, she'll be swatted gently on the ass with the flat side of a sword, welcoming her to the Marine family.

"They do this for retired Marines, too?"

"Oh, honey," Julia said with a genuine smile, "any chance the Corps gets to represent one of their own, we jump at it. Once a Marine, always a Marine."

"He is going to love this, Julia. You are an amazing woman," Emma said as she wrapped her arms around her. "And I can't wait to see you in uniform," she added.

"Hell, if you weren't getting married soon, I'd let you watch me get into uniform." Julia winked at her.

"Interesting," Emma replied with a curious smile. "Who knows what the future holds? But for now, I have quite a bit to do. Thanks again, Julia."

After running back and forth to the airport a few times, Roger and Emma finally had time to start packing for their trip to Italy. Tina was a bit upset that she wouldn't be able to fly them herself, but she was already committed to another flight going to Scotland and couldn't find someone to swap with her.

The day before the wedding, the couple decided that it was time to make the move to the master bedroom of the house. Sarah had taken the time throughout the week to remove a few items from the room that were obvious and likely painful reminders of Emma's parents so that she and Roger would have an almost clean slate to work with. Emma ordered a new mattress set, not wanting to lie in the same bed that her parents had been in, or more to the point, defile the bed that her parents had been in, and made sure to get the waterproof covers that Roger had purchased for his own bed. And this room had his-and-hers walk in closets and a bathroom that put the cavernous one they had been in to shame.

It didn't take long for Roger to get his few articles of clothes into his closet. It took almost two hours to get everything belonging to Emma into hers. But they finished just in time for a dinner that had been planned for them the night before the wedding.

"Is it weird that we're doing this backwards?" Emma asked. "Normally you have a reception after the wedding."

"Nah. Not everyone can stay after tomorrow, so having a nice dinner now and just a small reception with cake tomorrow, is better I think."

Emma and Roger both made a small comment before the dinner, thanking everyone for coming on such short notice, and giving most of the kudos to Sarah for her amazing skill at pulling off all the planning. Roger wanted to make sure everyone knew that it was an open bar, but he made sure to eyeball the Marines in attendance, including Carl, letting them know that they had better watch how much they drink because he wouldn't be able to save them from Emma if they couldn't perform their duties due to a hangover.

Roger had made his first big purchase for this event. Very large grills that were posted just outside of the rear kitchen doors. He and Emma decided on steak, shrimp, crab cakes, salmon steak, and all sorts of fresh vegetables. The kitchen staff enjoyed getting to grill the food and they were all having a good time doing so. To Roger's astonishment, by 11 pm no one was staggering drunk, and all the guests were starting to head back to their respective rooms.

Saturday morning came and everyone was up and about. The kitchen staff had a large breakfast waiting for them all and they filtered in and out of the kitchen, dining room, and other areas with plates of an amazing breakfast. Emma had specifically requested eggs benedict because it was the first breakfast Roger had made for her, along with lashings of sausage, bacon, ham, and various fruits.

Once they woke, it was a hard thing to do but Roger and Emma had decided to stick with tradition and not see each other until the wedding. After a night of gentle lovemaking in their new bedroom, they didn't want to let each other out of their sight, but it was only for a few more hours.

Tina and Sarah had whisked Emma away to the bedroom that she and Roger had originally been staying in and Roger was left to his own devices in the master bedroom. As the time approached, he shaved, showered, and began putting on his uniform. He heard a knock on the door. It was Julia.

"Come in," he said as he pulled on his blue dress trousers.

"Your Best Marine has arrived," Julia said as she walked in and closed the door. She was already decked out in her officer dress blue uniform. The biggest difference in her uniform and Roger's was that officers didn't have the red piping running down the trouser legs that enlisted staff had, the belt was a different color, and her rank insignia, the oak cluster for a major, was located on her shoulder epaulette. She mentally kicked herself for announcing that it was her, seeing that Roger was just now fastening his pants. She might have gotten a peek at the goods, but she resigned herself to just seeing his broad shoulders and muscular chest and abs.

He smiled. "Emma told me about that. I think it's an amazing idea. Thank you for doing it, Julia. It means a lot to me, and even more that it's you."

"I couldn't turn down that pretty little fiancée of yours," Julia said as she watched him pull on a skintight, white t-shirt. "And don't worry about Mueller. His wife and I have drilled the ceremony into him."

He smiled, never thinking that his friends would be able to come up and be a part of his wedding, much less having Colonel Mueller preside over it. "Oh, hey," he said as he pointed toward the large dresser across the room, "in that wooden box on the dresser. Can you get the wedding bands out? I'm to tell you that you're to guard them with your life or you'll find some size 7 shoes firmly seated in your posterior. Emma's words."

Julia laughed and opened the box. "If it were anyone else, I wouldn't worry about it. But that little spitfire could probably pull it off." The box was mostly empty with just a few items that must have meant something to Roger, but her eyes drifted to the two silver colored wedding bands. There was a wide one with beveled edges, and a thin, plain band. "She didn't want a fancier band?"

He shook his head as he pulled on his dress shoes. "No. She loves the engagement ring and didn't want to take away from it, but still wanted a band. It fits nicely against the engagement ring and doesn't make it too uncomfortable."

She put the rings in her pocket for safe keeping. "Silver, huh? She must be pretty practical with her money."

He chuckled. "Ah, no. Platinum. Mine was almost three-grand. But she was adamant since her parents wore platinum bands."

"Damn, Roger," she said as she crossed the room and carefully pulled his dress blouse off the wooden hanger to hand to him, "I know I've been trying to get you in the sack, but it looks like I was chasing the wrong sex, maybe?" She laughed. "Ah well. You made a very good choice, you know. She's drop dead gorgeous, very smart, and of course there's the money. But she's also tough enough to put you in your place. I think I like that about her best."

He pulled the uniform blouse up and shrugged his shoulders a few times to make sure it was situated just right. And just like a good Marine, Julia pulled a small lint removal tool out and began going over his back and shoulders. Once he was all buttoned up, minus the collar, he secured the white belt around his waist. Before he could get to the mirror, Julia was standing in front of him checking his ribbons and badges to make sure that they were straight and, for those that required it, gleaming. She ran a hand down his left and right sleeves checking both his large first sergeant rank and his four service stripes to make sure that there were no stray strings or frays.

"You've still got it, First Sergeant," she finally said, calling him by his rank.

"Thank you, Major," he replied as he buttoned his collar. With one last check of his eagle, globe, and anchor pins, he turned to a long metal case and opened it up. Inside was his ceremonial NCO sword and scabbard, which he clipped to the small hook on his belt. Last was his cap which was in its own protective container. He inhaled and exhaled before pulling it out. "I didn't think I'd be wearing this again," he said as he put it on for a fit test. "But I have to admit, Jules, I miss it."

She smiled as she took him all in. "It's hard to let go of. But listen, that little girl of yours is going to cream her panties when she sees you in this. It sure as fuck gets me going. But do me a favor, okay? Don't disrespect our uniform by getting globs of jizz on it, okay?" She continued while Roger was laughing. "That shit's hard to get out, and somewhat embarrassing when you take it for dry cleaning. First-hand knowledge here."

Roger instinctively straightened up in his uniform, his cap tucked under his arm. "Okay, let's do this."

Julia had him remain in the room for a moment so that she could make sure Emma's room was closed. Once the coast was clear, she waved him out. Walking down the hallway, into the foyer, and out the back door, several people stopped to stare. They all knew Roger, but none had ever seen him in his uniform. He was nervous, though, so it was hard to return the smiles and well-wishes sent his way as he walked. He mostly responded with a nod.

Outside, Sarah had done amazing work imagining a beautiful setting for the wedding. Not far from the house was a tree line that made a great setting for the small dais she'd had erected for the wedding party to stand on. It was a little cool out, so tall but discrete heat lamps were scattered around the venue. One thing that amazed Roger was that not only was there a dance floor, but the floor had extended to the seating area. So instead of walking in grass and dirt, they were on black portable flooring. There was a large white tent set up next to the seats where they would all go for the mini reception, cutting of the cake, and some dancing. The woman really had thought of everything.

There were about forty guests at the wedding, all already seated. In the front row on the groom's side were his grilling buddies, decked out in their own dress blues, and the Colonel's wife. Since they were the only family he had before Emma, they were given the seats of honor where his parents would have been seated. All three stood, saluted, and shook his hand before he ascended the portable dais. And at the top of the three steps stood Colonel Alexander Mueller, decked out in his full regalia and holding a small ceremony book.

Roger stood at attention and saluted. Mueller returned it sternly then stuck out his hand with a big smile. "Congratulations, Roger. I knew I liked that young lady."

"It's incredibly difficult not to like her, sir," Roger replied. Mueller may have been a civilian now, but no one, other than his wife, dared call him anything but Colonel or sir.

As they waited for the bride with the Colonel at the top of the dais, Roger one step down, and Julia on the bottom step as his Best Marine, Mueller noticed Roger fidgeting.

"Knock that shit off Marine," he whispered into Roger's ear. "This may be the toughest mission you've ever set out on, but you're the right man for the job."

Roger exhaled, trying to calm himself. It wasn't the fact that he was marrying someone he'd only known for a month that worried him. It was if he'd be able to contain himself when he saw her coming down the aisle, and if he'd be the man she wanted him to be after that.

Colonel Mueller raised his hands to the crowd prompting them to stand. However, before Emma appeared Roger was surprised to hear drill commands shouted from beside the house. He saw eight Marines that he didn't recognize walking solemnly in two rows, four in a row, toward the seats. They took up standing positions behind the chairs, four on a side. Roger couldn't help but smile broadly.

Tina appeared in a beautiful, but simple light peach dress that fell just below her knees. It was conservative in that it showed none of her chest, but it was sleeveless. Her hair was up in an elegant twist. Once she reached the line of Marines, one peeled off, gently took Tina's arm and escorted her to the dais and then returned to his former position.

"Showtime," Julia said just before "Canon in D" by Pachelbel started playing. "Smarten up, Marine."

Emma, escorted by Carl, appeared from the back door of the house. The two walked slowly down the aisle. There were several "Ooh" and "Aah" noises from the crowd only briefly disturbed by the Gunnery Sergeant at the back bringing his Marines to attention. Once Emma had passed, they were put at parade rest for the rest of the wedding.

Roger, however, could only see Emma. She had never looked more beautiful. Her light blonde hair had one braid that wrapped around like a headband with the rest of her hair up tightly. She wore a slightly off-white sleeveless dress with a deep V-neckline. The bodice was what he would learn later was princess cut. Then there was the long skirt and the train. The beadwork on the dress was amazing and his smiling little Nordic princess made her, and the dress, the most beautiful woman in the world.

The music stopped as Emma and Carl stood at the bottom of the dais and Mueller began.

"Thank you all for coming today to help us celebrate and witness the joining of Emma Belle Butler and Roger Lawson. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to acknowledge and strengthen a bond that already exists. This ceremony is a public affirmation of that bond and as their dearest family and friends, it is our honor and privilege to stand witness to this event.

"This day is made possible not only because of your love for each other," he said to Emma and Roger, "but through the grace and support of your family and friends. It is our hope that your fulfillment and joy in each other will increase with each passing year.

"Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a lifetime."

He paused a moment to look at the crowd and then back to Emma and Carl. "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Carl, standing dutifully beside her in a nice black suit and a small Marine Corps lapel pin, cleared his throat before answering. "She gives herself, sir, with the blessings of her friends, and we firmly believe with the blessings of her family who have gone on before her."

Emma's eyes became watery. It wasn't what she had asked Carl to say, but it was the most wonderful thing he could have said. Carl turned to her, planted a chaste kiss on her cheek, and ceremoniously handed her off to Roger. She very carefully ascended to Roger's step and, once Colonel Mueller had stepped back to make room, the couple rose to the top of the dais.