Outlaws to the End (HotCider & heartofcourage)

[HotCider]

“I’m just sayin’ why do we have to have rules? We should be able to have sex whenever we want to,” Ian said plainly as he took another piece of pie. As cool as he played this game, he knew Elizabeth was trying to mess with him. She had come a long way. An innocent thing used to having people do things for her, but on their journey, she was able to gain her own personality. He was probably seeing a side of her she probably wasn’t ever comfortable showing. He smiled on the inside, while on the outside, he kept up his nonchalant façade.

Ian finally made contact with her. “If you don’t eat any of this pie, then it’s gonna be gone.”

 

[heartofcourage]

“I got it for you to make up for the lack of action you were getting tonight. Especially after you pulled that stunt to propose.” She murmured as he told her to take the pie or it was going to be gone. “And we can have sex whenever we want. We’re rational adults. I’m just not gonna howl at the moon like you tend to do on a pastor’s property. I like you wild and unpredictable.”

She reached across the table and flicked a piece of cow licked hair out of his face, giving him a grin. “But you took care of yourself for tonight so I guess I’m safe.”

 

[HotCider]

When Elizabeth shared that the pie had been indeed his reward for being a good boy, Ian finished the piece in three bites and allowed the fork to clatter back on the saucer as he rose from his seat and muttered between bites, “Better than sex (the pie).”

He had meant to metaphorically jab her in the ribs for having subjected him to his own hand job, and for what? Pie. Ian waltzed right back into the bedroom. He threw back the covers and tossed the sullied towel over into a corner. I don’t howl, he thought irritably as he laid down to rest. She made more noise than him! It was her problem now. If she wanted to sacrifice sex, then she would have to deal with his frustrated aggravation.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're a terrible liar." Elizabeth called after Ian as he finished his slice and retreated back to bed.

She cleaned up, leaving the plate where she could remember to take it back to the main house in the morning. After that, she went into the bathroom to wash her face and freshen up. Absently, she noticed the gold band on her finger. It was just a borrowed ring. He had promised her something even better. She wondered what he thought was better than this. Would it be the gaudy style that Stephen favored? Simple with no stone? A diamond? Ruby? Emerald? Not that it mattered to her in the least what he gave her. She didn't need a ring to show the world that she loved Ian Darcy and had willingly married him.

Coming back into the bedroom, she pulled off her dress and carefully folded it. She didn't want it wrinkled if it was also going to be her wedding dress. In her bra and panties, she turned out the bedroom light and slipped under the covers for herself.

"Move over." She grumbled as she pushed Ian back onto his part of the bed as she got comfortable and let out a long sigh. "I don't think a bed ever felt so good."

 

[HotCider]

Ian kept his back to her as he laid on his side. He didn't want to look at her or even think about her lying next to him in her panties. When she had demanded he move over, he scooted until he was a few inches from the edge of the bed. He closed his eyes and thought, I can't wait for this night to be over.

He also couldn't wait until tomorrow was over. Just thinking about how big of a day it was going to be gave him a little anxiety. Why had he done it? Why had he said anything? Why had he gone to the pastor's house? They would have still been at the hotel (starving). He would have married Elizabeth eventually. He didn't regret his decisions, but he was panicking a little, and even feeling slightly scared. Should he had told the pastor? Would all of this really change everything? He hoped it did.

 

[heartofcourage]

Back to back, both quiet in the dark. Elizabeth could hear every breath that left Ian combined with her own heartbeat. It was almost deafening.

"Are you nervous?" She asked after a few moments of silence. "For the wedding, I mean. I didn't think it would happen so quickly."

She had no illusions that he would even answer her. The words just needed to be said. She was nervous at the possibilities and uncertainty of what faced them. They were two different people, but the loved each other immensely. That was going to be enough...right?

 

[HotCider]

Ian opened his eyes upon hearing Elizabeth. She was nervous, and she said she hadn't expected it to be so soon. Ian inhaled a deep breath and sighed. "If you don't wanna do it tomorrow, then we don't have to. We can do it another time…"

Ian turned onto his back and gazed up at the ceiling. "I just got excited when the pastor said he could do it. I really have been meaning to look for a ring, and when he offered to let me borrow his...I just...I don't know. I guess I just wanted to make you happy and prove to you that you'll always be my woman."

He turned his head to look at her and gave her a warm smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

Turning onto her side, Elizabeth looked at Ian as he offered her the chance to get married another time. She didn't want that. She wanted to get married to him as soon as possible. She was just nervous at the idea that things might change afterwards. That he might decide that she wasn't worth it anymore when he discovered how woefully unprepared for life outside of her pretty little life she really was. They were very different people from different backgrounds. She hoped that none of that would change his mind.

"If we're married, my family can't interfere. I say the sooner the better because I'm not going back to being a caged bird." Elizabeth said as he turned his head to give her that warm smile. "Besides, we can always have something fancier later. What we've talked about all along. I meant what I said when I told you that all I want is to be Mrs. Darcy."

She reached out and touched his cheek, staring into his dark gaze as a silence washed over them. "Promise me nothing's going to change. That you're not going to get tired of me one day and send me back to Chicago."

 

[HotCider]

As Elizabeth reached out to cup his cheek, Ian reached out to grasp her hip to draw her closer to him.

Promise me nothing’s going to change. That you’re not going to get tired of me one day and send me back to Chicago.

Ian’s arms coiled about her as he reassured her, “How many times do I need to say it baby? You’re the only woman in the world who I have risked my life with, traveled with, knows some of my darkest secrets…There ain’t anyone else I’m gonna share that with.” He then blushed as his eyes darted off to the side. “I mean, besides the pastor…”

His attention returned to her and he smirked. “Oh there’s gonna be changes. We’re probably gonna get fat and ugly, or maybe just me. Who knows, thirty years from now you’ll probably still look twenty, and I’ll look like an old fart datin’ a young, hot broad. We’ve gone through so much together. Why would I want anyone else? We’re gonna be together forever babe.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and then immediately ruined the moment by rolling back over, putting his back to her. He squirmed about as though getting comfy as he muttered, “Ugh, I’m so tired. I’m goin’ asleep. Good night.” He still hadn’t forgotten the temporary celibacy agreement.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth felt comforted as he pulled her into his arms and swore that they might change, but she was the only girl he wanted. It made her smile as he pressed a kiss to her forehead and then left her there to turn his back to her and proclaim that he was going to sleep. She punched his exposed shoulder and muttered under her breath as she did the same and turned her back to him.

It took a few good moments of squirming before she found a comfortable spot and let her eyes close. In the morning, she was going to marry that most stubborn and infuriating man that she had ever met in her life. He made her blood boil and her heart race in the most exciting way. Her family was certainly in for an adventure when they actually met Ian and she was sure he was going to have the same smart mouth with them that he did with her. She just hoped that they wouldn't disown her forever...

 

[HotCider]

Ian smirked when she punched the back of his shoulder. Having that small talk with her had eased his nerves and allowed him to sleep. He was glad they had it. However, come morning, Ian had his baptism prior to the wedding, and he had done it in the only clothes he had: the same old red flannel shirt and blue jeans. It made him long desperately for some new clothes but nothing like what Elizabeth was wearing. Pastor Davis gave his sermon, and then caught Ian off-guard when he slapped his hand against his forehead and dunked his head under water. Immediately, Ian reacted, grasping the holy man by his collar and dragging him under with him.

Nancy's and Amy's hands both went to their mouths in shock, while Chris gawked with raised brows. Ian sat up in the river, glaring at the priest who was floundering around, trying to regain his feet and snag his bible before it was swept down river.

"The hell you trynna' do drown me?" Ian growled.

Pastor Davis once he regained his feet, shook the water from his glasses, laughed, "Sorry Ian. I didn't mean to startle you. I thought you were familiar with the process. We had to wash away your sins."

Ian glanced down at himself, and then the river as a slow, red blush rushed to his cheeks. He felt so stupid for reacting so defensively. The pastor wouldn't have harmed a fly. Ian's hand went to his face, and Nancy grumbled to Elizabeth:

"Go get your husband-to-be before I drown him in the river."

When Pastor Davis stepped onto the bank, Nancy was all over him cooing and asking if he was all right.

 

[heartofcourage]

The river was beautiful that morning as they gathered at the bank shortly after dawn. Ian was cool as he and the pastor waded out into the slow moving current. Elizabeth watched at Nancy’s side, her arms crossed over her chest. She had gone through confirmation as a young child and it was nothing like this. Things were much different in the Catholic Church. If it made Ian feel better about himself and his situation, that was really all that mattered.

Then, in true Ian fashion, all hell broke loose. She let out a long sigh as he brought the pastor down with him. The both of them splashed in the river, Ian looking properly cowed as the pastor exclaimed that this was all part of the process. Elizabeth waded into the water as Nancy bade her to retrieve her fiancé, offering Ian a hand.

“I guess it’s appropriate that your baptism went this way.” Elizabeth said with a grin towards him. “Do you feel properly cleaned? Can we get you cleaned up and then get on with this wedding?”

 

[HotCider]

Ian waded over to Elizabeth, glancing down at her up to her knees in the river. He then looked over his shoulder at the rest of the river and the scenery, and then grabbed Elizabeth by her shoulders and dumped her in. “I think this is a suitable spot for a wedding don’t you agree?” Ian said with a naughty grin at her. “We just needed to get you ready.”

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth let out a scream as Ian suddenly pulled her into the water by her shoulders. When she emerged, she was sputtering, red hair matted to her face and shoulders and Ian grinning like a damned fool. She stood, water pouring from the thick material of her dress and dripping onto the surface of the river.

“Are you kidding me?!” Elizabeth muttered, fighting the urge to shake like a dog and beat Ian to a bloody pulp. “Married here? After you just did that?”

 

[HotCider]

Ian laughed at her stunned reaction, while Nancy was staring in disbelief. She couldn’t believe he had done that. He walked over to Elizabeth and stopped before her, gazing into her pretty blue eyes. “It would take all day for us to get dry, and this is different…I think this will be a special memory for us to share.”

He brushed a few of her dripping strands out of her face and behind her ear. “No matter what you wear, you’re beautiful.”

“We can get married, dry off over a meal (Nancy willing), and be on a train by afternoon headed to Vegas. This is our last day here. Think about it; in a few hours, we’ll be Mr. and Mrs. Darcy in Vegas.”

 

[heartofcourage]

Ian seemed so confident in that moment, laying out their plans and telling her that it would make for a special moment. She huffed as he pushed her hair back behind her ear, telling her that she was beautiful no matter what.

“I know you hate this dress. It’s the only way it was ever going to be formfitting on me.” She said as she glanced down at the dress that was stuck to her like a second skin. “And you did it on purpose.”

“Hey, Pastor.” She called out as she took Ian’s hand and marched him to the edge of the river. “I think this is as good as we’re gonna get, so we might as well do that wedding now. He’s libel to change his mind otherwise.”

 

[HotCider]

In the river, it had been so easy for Ian to convince Elizabeth to get married soaking wet and by the riverside. When Elizabeth called the pastor, agreeing that they should have the wedding there and then, Ian felt his breath become thin. He felt his heart pounding in his chest, and a tingle in his fingers. This was really happening. His brown eyes settled on Elizabeth, looking at her deeper than he ever had. In a few moments, this woman who he met by happenstance and who he had been through thick and thin with, was going to be his wife. There was going to be no undoing it. Law could possibly, but she would legally and by the blessing of the Lord Almighty be his. His hand gripped hers a little tighter as overwhelming emotions of excitement swirled within him.

“I’ll make it up to you,” Ian told her. “I know you dream of wearin’ a big, white puffy gown, and seein’ me in a suit.”

He cracked a grin at the last mention for who knew when was the last time anyone saw Ian Darcy in a suit? Pastor Davis looked between the two, and smiled. He nodded.

“All right, you lovebirds. Come on over here.”

Ian approached Pastor Davis with Elizabeth.

“Go on and face each other and hold each other’s hands,” he instructed.

Ian faced Elizabeth and gently took her hands in his. She would notice that his hands were sweaty, and it wasn’t the river water. Ian Darcy was about to marry the woman of his dreams. When the pastor started the ceremony, Ian hadn’t even noticed. He heard nothing in those moments. He only stared at Elizabeth’s beautiful face and reflected on everything they had been through and the future that awaited them.

Ian…

Ian…

Ian!

Ian’s eyes widened and fluttered as though he was waking from some dream. “The rings,” he told him.

Ian released one of Elizabeth’s hands to dip his fingers into his jean pocket and remove a set of rings. “Don’t be disappointed. I still owe you a ring. The Davises were nice enough to allow us to use these ones for this.”


He gently took Elizabeth’s left ring finger and slid the ring on with a smirk. “I never would have imagined that I would be here a month and some change later with the woman of my life and not dead in a gutter somewhere. Although I feel like I’ve been through everything with you, our journey ain’t over. Our lives ain’t over, and if I’m gonna continue on livin’, I wanna live it with you, Elizabeth. Don’t ever doubt my love for you. This seals the deal, Sunshine. You’re mine for life and I’m yours.”

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't have to make up anything, Ian." Elizabeth said softly as he mentioned another wedding. "I don't need all of those things. I just need you."

As they moved back towards the shore, Elizabeth tightened her grip on his hand. She was nervous, but she knew that this is what she wanted. Perhaps this was the only time in her life that she knew that this was right where she needed to do. Not even her parents could stop this from happening and she felt giddy at the prospect that she had done this all on her own.

Facing Ian when the pastor directed, she could feel his hands sweating. Hers were trembling. They were an absolute mess. She had to give him a cocky little smile at that thought, trying so hard to keep from laughing as Ian seemed lost in the moment. It took the pastor repeating his name over and over again for Ian to respond and produce the rings that had been borrowed for the moment.

"Borrowed wedding rings seems appropriate for us." Elizabeth murmured as he showed her the bands and slowly slipped the band onto her ring finger. "I had something beautiful once before and felt completely trapped by it. I don't need anything special."

When he called her Sunshine, the smile that broke across her face was luminous. He loved her fiercely and he was promising her the world with those few words. It was all she needed from Ian Darcy.

"Just don't be a jerk." She whispered with a grin. "And I think we'll be just fine."

 

[HotCider]

Pastor Davis smiled and continued the ceremony. “Do you, Ian Darcy, take Elizabeth Darrow, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God, make this vow.”

Elizabeth’s humor had broken the ice a little and allowed Ian to calm. His thumbs ran over her knuckles as he stared warmly into her blue eyes. “I do,” Ian answered.

“Do you, Elizabeth Darrow, take Ian Darcy, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God, make this vow.”

Once Elizabeth had gave her answer, Pastor Davis concluded: “Throughout this ceremony, Elizabeth and Ian have vowed, in our presence, to be loyal and loving toward each other. They have formalized the existence of the bond between them with words spoken and with the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore, it is my pleasure to now pronounce you, Elizabeth and Ian Darcy, husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Ian smirked and muttered, “I’ve been waitin’ forever for him to say that part.”

Ian stepped over to Elizabeth. His hand rose to grasp the side of her face, his warm calloused hand cupping her smooth, porcelain cheek. He leaned down to kiss her, but before their lips met, Ian’s hand dropped from her face and arm hooked around behind her back. Ian dipped her and smashed his lips against hers.

Chris made a blegh sound, while Amy swooned. Nancy was wiping tears from her eyes. Weddings always made her teary-eyed.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth was shaking as the pastor said his part, Ian running his thumbs over her knuckles as his brown eyes looked directly into her soul. For someone that she had only known for a short amount of time, she would have died for him. She knew that deeply. Moving train, speeding bullet, or any other means of death. She was prepared to stop it.

When it came time for her own vows, she was barely listening. She swore that she said "I do," but her heart was hammering so loudly that she couldn't hear her own words. It was only when he pronounced them Mr. and Mrs. Darcy that she knew it had all been done. A small smirk broke across her face as Ian declared that he had been waiting for the kiss. She closed her eyes as she waited, her head tipping back to greet him as he placed a hand on her cheek. Of course, he didn't just kiss her. He had to make a show of it.

She let out a cry of surprise as he tipped her backwards and then smashed his lips over her own. Her arms wrapped around his neck tightly as she was afraid that he might drop her back into the river. She didn't put it past him dunking her beneath the water for a second time.

When they parted, she let out a sigh and let her eyes open to stare into his own. "I'm Mrs. Darcy." She whispered. "It's about time."

 

[HotCider]

“Congratulations, Ian and Elizabeth,” Pastor Davis cheered once more.

Nancy walked over, continuing to wipe her eyes. “I wish I had some gifts for you two.”

Ian straightened Elizabeth and removed the wedding bands from his finger and hers to hand back to the pastor. “It’s all right…”

He looked at Elizabeth once more and smirked. “We’re about to go celebrate in Vegas.”

“Not until you’ve had a big breakfast,” Nancy said.

Ian’s brows rose and he nodded eagerly. “Yeah, we can do that. I mean, what would you like to do Mrs. Darcy? Breakfast and then train, or just train?”

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth wrapped her arm around Ian's waist as he gave the loaned rings back to the couple. Leaning into his side, she could feel the eagerness rising in him. He wanted to hop a train for Vegas. After all of the turmoil that they had been through, he still wanted to take her to the city of sin. Money from her brother was waiting for them there. It would be nice to have quiet time with just him as husband and wife.

"I think we could do breakfast," Elizabeth said as she looked up at Ian. "It would give us some time to dry off before we caught a train to our next stop. There's no need for gifts. This entire family has given us much more than we ever expected."

 

[HotCider]

Ian was pleased that Elizabeth had agreed to breakfast. He was tempted to just jump on the train, but he didn’t think he could ride for so many hours on an empty stomach. Pastor Davis and Nancy started back to the house with Amy and Chris racing ahead of them. Ian reached down and picked up Elizabeth, carrying her in his arms with a silly grin.

“This ain’t our house, but I can dream right?” he said. He carried her back to the house and set her back upon her feet once they reached the door.

Nancy had prepared a pancake breakfast with eggs, however they preferred, and crispy bacon. Ian liked his eggs fried hard and was forking up bite after bite of fluffy pancake. He didn’t care about being modest when it was their last breakfast in Utah. His cheeks were so round that he had to dissolve it all with a swig of orange juice.

Chris was attempting to copy Ian until Amy elbowed him in the side. “Stop before you choke.”

“Ah wovf choff!” Chris angrily stammered (I won’t choke!).

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth let out a small cry as Ian swung her up in his arms to carry her back to the pastor's house. "When you break your back it won't seem so magical." She laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck and simply let him do what he wanted.

Nancy cooked them a feast of bacon, pancakes, and eggs. Elizabeth ate sensibly as Ian acted like an absolute deviant. She sipped at her coffee, watching him with a sigh. He was a monster at the dinner table, but it was just one of his many quirks. She watched as Chris tried to imitate Ian, his little sister admonishing him.

Elizabeth gave Ian a small nudge with her foot under the table, motioning towards Chris with her head when he looked her way. "Maybe slow it down a little?"

 

[HotCider]

Ian felt Elizabeth’s foot nudge and paused in his chewing to meet her eyes. He glanced over at Chris who was imitating him, and if Elizabeth thought she was hoping Ian would be a responsible adult, all she did was encourage him to be an even bigger fool. It was first indicated when the corners of his mouth impishly curled. Chris’s blue eyes met Ian’s brown, and the boy watched with round cheeks Ian slowly lean down to his plate. He grasped the remaining two pancakes between his lips and reared back in his chair. The flapjacks folded over his chin.

“Ew!” Amy exclaimed.

Chris’s hands clapped over his mouth as he tried not to spew his food on bouts of laughter. Pastor Davis gave Ian an arched brow, and an amused smirk. He continued to eat even though he knew if Nancy saw him, she was going to throw a fit. He was lucky she was busy at the stove. It made Chris happy so he didn’t stop him. It only revealed what kind of a father Ian would be. Just another big kid Elizabeth would have to look after.