Lawless Love

Chapter Eleven

Little Matthew woke up, crying. Sarah woke with a start and grabbed him from the bassinet that was next to their bed. "Come here, Matty. Mama's got you. Shhh..." She looked at Jake, who, thankfully, was still asleep. Sarah got up and walked to the other room. "It's okay sweetheart. Here." She sat in the rocking chair in the baby's room. She bared her breast and offered it to him. He immediately started nursing.

"That's my boy. Good boy. There, there." She started rocking with him. He calmed down as he nursed. Sarah was exhausted from all that had been going on for the last week. Jake and Lucius had finished the baby's room and were almost finished with the spare room. There was so much going on that Sarah could hardly remember what day it was. She slowly rocked back and forth for what seemed like an hour. She looked down when she felt Matthew stop suckling. He was asleep again.

She got up and went back to her bedroom. She laid Matthew in his bassinet and laid back down next to Jake. She envied him for being able to sleep through the crying. It wasn't long until she was asleep. She started dreaming again. This time it was her wedding day.

Sarah was standing in the backroom of the church. The sun was shining through the stained glass window, casting colors onto her white dress. This day had finally come and she couldn't wait to become completely his. Liza and Alice were fussing over her hair and  dress. "Now, let's just put this strand here aaannnd there! Perfect!" Liza exclaimed. Sarah wasn't really paying attention to what her friends were doing. Her mind was with the man waiting for her at the alter. Jake was starting to get anxious. He looked over at Barker standing just on the other side of him. "Don't worry Jake. She ain't gonna run on ya." Barker joked, trying to smooth Jake's nerves. God, I hope she doesn't change her mind, Jake thought. Sarah looked at herself in the mirror. She looked perfect. Her hair was up and neat. Her dress was straight and neat. She was ready. There was a knock on the door. Alice opened it, talked to who was on the other side and then closed it. "That's Lucius. Are you ready Sarah?" Sarah nodded. The women walked out and down the aisle to stand with their friend. Lucius looked at Sarah. "You look wonderful darlin'. Jake's a lucky man." Sarah blushed. "Thank you, Lucius. And thank you for walking me down the aisle." He nodded and led her to the main room of the church. The music started playing and they started down the aisle. Everyone stood and looked at her, but she only saw Jake. Lucius and Sarah stopped. He kissed her cheek and looked at Jake. "She's all yours boy." Lucius winked and stood on the other side of Will. Sarah and Jake faced Barker. He ran through the typical wedding speech but neither of them heard him. They were too busy staring into each others eyes.They said their vows, exchanged rings and kissed. Everyone in the church cheered as they turned and faced everyone. She was his and he was hers and they were ecstatic. They walked back down the aisle and ran out of the church. The whole town, with few exceptions, had filed out of the church ahead of  them and lined up to congratulate the newlyweds.

Sarah woke before she could finish the dream. She rolled over to find Jake still lying there. She moved over a bit and snuggled up to him. Instinctively, he put his arm around her and laid there for a while but sleep didn't come. 

Jake opened his eyes and saw that Sarah wasn't in bed and neither was Matthew. He yawned and stretched. It had been a long week and he was glad it was over. There were only a few things that had to be done and then he would be finished. He stood and grabbed some clean clothes and put them on. He clambered down the ladder and found Sarah in the kitchen, tidying things up. She had fashioned a sling out of some leftover fabric from one of the dresses she made awhile back. She was humming to herself and Matty.

She turned around and saw Jake. "Good morning, Jake. Sleep well?" She hugged him and kissed his lips. "I slept like a rock. I've been running around for the last couple of weeks, but I'm so close to being done." He kissed her and grabbed Matthew. She smiled up at him. "I really appreciate everything you and Lucius have been doing. I don't know how to make it up to you." Lucius walked into the house and made sure he kicked off his boots before he came all the way in.

"Mornin' Jake. Morning Sarah." He tipped his hat at them. "I come to see what else needs to be done with the rooms." Jake looked at him. "Not a lot thankfully. The baby's room is done and the spare room just needs some shelves and a bed." Lucius nodded and Sarah smiled at them. "Like I was telling Jake, I really appreciate everything that you have been doing lately."

"Well shoot, it ain't nothin'. I just want to help out where I can." Lucius looked at the baby. "Hey there Little Matty. How's my favorite grandson?" The baby smiled up at him. "He likes you, Lucius." The baby started fussing a little. Sarah shook her head. "I think he's hungry. I'll take him now." Jake handed Matthew to Sarah and she carried him into the other room.

"Well, son, we best get this done so Miss Sarah's friend'll have somewhere to sleep when she's here." The men went outside to gather what they needed to finish the room as Sarah fed Matthew. Jake went into the other to tell Sarah what they were going to do. "Sarah, baby. Lucius and I are going to get what we need to finish the room." Sarah kissed him and then Jake kissed the baby that was preoccupied with feeding. "I love you, husband." He kissed her again, harder this time. "I love you too, Duchess."