Livia woke up to the sound of Corvin’s soft snores. The pink dawn light was glowing around the window shades. Her eyes fluttered closed again, and then her mind kicked into gear. She could make omelets for breakfast or French toast. The fridge was packed, and there were half-dozen possibilities. Excited, Livia crawled out of bed and slipped downstairs.

If she made French toast, would they run out of bread in the middle of the week? If they ran out of bread in the middle of the week, it might be nice to make some from scratch. Did Corvin have yeast? That would be a strange thing for a bachelor to have on hand. So, she’d make omelets and ensure yeast was the first thing on her list for next week. Then she could make homemade bread whenever she wanted.

Livia found a piece of paper, titled it ‘grocery list,’ and put yeast as the first item. Then she hung it up on the fridge with the magnets there. She smiled. The simple act made Corvin’s place feel more like home.

Livia gathered her ingredients and started chopping the veggies. Corvin had excellent cutting knives and quality cutting boards. The kitchen was not only beautiful and spacious but well-designed. Livia estimated that she’d never get tired of cooking in here.

She hummed under her breath as she sauteed the vegetables for the omelet when Corvin came up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his face to her shoulder.

Surprise made Livia freeze for a moment. She hadn’t heard him coming. Then he pressed a kiss to the side of her neck.

“I got scared when I woke up, and you were gone,” he said.

“Scared?” Livia asked.

“For a moment, I thought everything was a dream. Then I smelled the food,” Corvin pressed his nose against her neck, inhaling a deep breath. “And I knew you were still here. That this was all real.”

“Do you want an omelet?” Livia asked.

“Yes. I’d love that.”

“Do you have yeast?” Livia asked.

“No. Why?” Corvin asked.

“I was thinking about making bread from scratch, but I’ll wait till next week.”

Corvin chuckled. “Liv, you are going to spoil me. Omelets and homemade bread?”

“I love your kitchen,” Livia said. “It’s amazing.”

Corvin tightened his hug, pressing his chest against the entire length of her back. That felt divine.

“Do you want some coffee?” Corvin murmured, kissing her neck.

“Hmm,” Livia made ambiguous noise, focused on the feel of his body against hers.

“Is that a yes or no?” he asked.

“Um, can I order a cup of you instead?” What a delight to flirt with him! She’d had to wait all these years, biting her tongue, and now she was free to be as scandalous as she wanted toward him.

Corvin laughed. “Absolutely. Right after I have a cup of coffee. Do you want some?”

He released her and walked over to the coffee pot on the end of the counter.

“No,” Livia said. “I enjoy being a little sleepy.”

“Taurus tried, you mean,” Corvin said.

Livia shrugged, eyes following the flexing muscles in his back as he filled the coffee maker. The smell of the food wasn’t the only thing making her mouth water this morning. Livia looked away to crack the eggs and beat them before she poured them into the pan.

When she looked up again, she found Corvin watching her with a grin on his face.

“What?” she asked.

“I just like having you here. Home.”

Livia smiled back. “It feels like home this morning.”

“Good.”

Livia loaded two omelets on separate plates as Corvin poured his coffee into a mug. Then, they sat at the bar together and shared breakfast.

“This is delicious, but your company is superb,” Corvin teased.

Livia grinned at him. “I was thinking…” she hesitated, biting her lip.

“I think I’m going to like what you’re thinking,” Corvin whispered.

“Do you want to take a shower together this morning?” Livia whispered back.

Corvin put his fork down and leaned in close to her. “I’d love to.”

Livia tried to wash the dishes after breakfast, but Corvin stopped her, grasping her hand and pulling her towards the stairs. “We can do that later.”

“Why not now?” Livia asked.

“It’s time to shower,” Corvin said simply.

Livia laughed. This time they decided to forget all about swimsuits. Their first shower had exceeded all of Livia’s expectations, so she hadn’t imagined that things could improve. So, she’d enjoyed herself more than she believed was even possible.

She giggled into Corvin’s chest after they were dressed in sheer disbelief. “Corvin, I can’t believe things can feel that good.”

He laughed. “Liv, have you just ignored how everyone talks about sex?”

“I thought they were all pretending,” she said. “Enough people said they didn’t like it even.”

“When you’re with the right person at the right time, it’s incomparable to any other experience,” he said, gently holding her in his arms.

“I want to hold you,” Livia begged.

Corvin pulled her onto the bed and held her close. Occasionally, he kissed her forehead or cheek, but he didn’t expect anything more. That was good for Livia. It let her process everything. What Hyrum had told her was true. She would have to reconsider almost everything she’d believed about intimacy and sex.

“What are you thinking, Liv?”

“I feel intimidated because…things are a lot different than I expected them to be…then I was told. Is anything I know even true?”

Corvin ran a hand over the back of her shoulder. “Liv, in some ways, every couple has to discover what’s true for them and what’s not. So, we’ll keep talking with each other and find out what’s good and not good, okay?”

“Okay,” Livia whispered.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“The fact that this surprise is so pleasant for you makes things extra sweet for me. So, don’t think you are anything less than wonderful and desirable to me for a second.”

“I love you, Corvin,” Livia said.

“I love you too, Liv,” Corvin said, kissing her temple. “Now, we need to discuss something.”

“What?” she asked.

“We need to tell people about our marriage today, but we can decide how we do it.”

“What are the choices?” Livia asked.

“We can announce it on Tabula and let Gaius hear about it.”

Livia winced.

“That would cause a lot of drama,” Corvin acknowledged. “But some people thrive on that sort of thing—”

“No way. Not me,” Livia said. “Also, that seems cowardly to let Gaius know like that.”

Corvin smiled. “Some people would also get a kick out of how insulting it was—”

“You think we should insult him?” Livia asked.

Corvin thought about it.

“Corvin?” Livia asked.

“Sometimes it is useful to insult people but…I think the downsides outweigh the upsides. We will need to get along with him on certain projects, eventually. So while he deserves it, it’s not wise.”

“So, do we call him?” Livia asked.

“We could invite him to dinner at my parents’ house,” Corvin said.

“You like that idea the most,” Livia said.

“It’s the most respectful and contains the drama,” he said. “It’s the best choice, and we’ll have my parents there to back us up if things get tense.”

“Then let’s plan for dinner,” Livia said.

###

Lars and Aurelia welcomed Corvin and Livia into their home with warm hugs and confident smiles. Livia, however, was extremely nervous. Corvin kept squeezing her hand to comfort her. Livia wished Aurelia had left something for her to do in the kitchen. But Corvin’s mother had prepared everything for Gaius’ visit.

When Gaius arrived, he immediately noticed Corvin and Livia were holding hands. He glared at them, displeased. Then resignation crossed his face.

“You’re going to tell me you want to get back together,” he said.

“We’re going to tell you that we expect your congratulations now that we’re married,” Corvin said.

Gaius froze; the only motion visible was the rapid blinking of his eyelids. “Excuse me?”

“You mean, Congratulations,” Corvin instructed.

Gaius returned to glaring. “You can’t be married. I didn’t give my permission.”

Lars spoke, “I married them.”

Gaius turned on him. “You did what?”

“Her brother and patron signed the witness papers—”

“Livia!” Gaius’ voice spoke sharply. “Did you sign any papers?”

“Yes, I did.” Livia regarded him with a glare in return. She tried to look calm and unaffected, but she squeezed Corvin’s hand tighter as the knot in her stomach grew.

“They are only in force until a true marriage contract is written,” Lars said.

Gaius looked furious. “And what rights did you give them to Taurus House property in these papers, Livia?”

“They didn’t ask for any,” Livia said.

Gaius looked impatient. “That you know of, yet—”

Livia was irritated at him. She wasn’t as careless as Gaius. She’d made sure she hadn’t repeated his mistakes. “I consulted a lawyer, and Justin and Hyrum approved of them, too,” Livia argued.

“Livia!” Gaius said, “This is inexcusable behavior—”

“As inexcusable as controlling her behavior with Senate votes,” Lars drawled in a pleasant tone that held a note of warning.

Gaius looked at Lars. His chest rose and expanded with impatient breaths. “I can order them banished, Lars—”

“We’d like this to remain a pleasant conversation,” Corvin said. “But if there is going to be talk of banishment, there will also be talk of prosecution for Senatorial misconduct.”

Gaius’ face got very red. He took a step toward them. “You’re threatening me,” he growled.

Livia stepped back, stomach twisting. Corvin didn’t move an inch. “Lex Talionis,” Corvin said. “What you reap is what you sow.”

Aurelia stepped to Livia’s side. “Now, Gaius, come sit down at the table and eat. There’s no use getting upset. We wouldn’t want Salina to face the shame of all these hearings. Who knows what would come out about you? Or her even? Especially when she is already the subject of so much gossip. It’s better to keep things agreeable between us. Why bring the Senate into it?”

Then with a courage and confidence that impressed Livia, Aurelia walked to Gaius and linked her arm around his. She gave him a kind smile and guided him to the table. She released his arm and stood by him, expecting him to sit.

Corvin’s sisters came to the table, pulling out chairs and sitting down. Corvin tugged Livia’s hand and drew her to the table with him. They sat. Livia gave Corvin a bewildered look. Lars sat at the head of the table until Aurelia and Gaius were the only two left standing in the room.

An awkward silence descended as Aurelia stood with him, a polite expression of welcome on her face. Livia knew her temper would have snapped at the delay. In contrast, Aurelia still waited with a warmth and softness that conveyed a quiet strength.

“Please, join us at our table instead of a Senatorial hearing,” Aurelia pleaded.

Gaius heaved a sigh. He pulled back the chair and fell heavily into it. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know what I’ll tell Salina,” he muttered.

“Say it was never her decision who I married,” Livia said.

Gaius glared at her. “Livia, it was mine, however.”

“No, it was mine,” Livia countered. “You don’t own me.”

Gaius scoffed. “That is how these things work. The House takes care of you, and in exchange—”

“When did the House take care of me?” Livia cried. “When I was cold with no electricity? When I was delirious with hunger? When I wasn’t safe in my own bed because my father could beat us at any instant? Is that how the House took care of me?”

Gaius didn’t respond instantly. He looked away. “That wasn’t my choice.”

“It wasn’t mine either,” Livia said. “So, don’t act offended when I refuse to let more bad things happen to me. You’ve proved you are untrustworthy and just as bad as the rest.”

Gaius’ cheeks lost their red color, but he was still sullen. “I’ve never hit you.”

Livia snorted. “No, you only tried to force me to leave the man I love!”

Gaius winced. “Salina told me he was going to play you. That he would never commit to anyone. I thought I was doing you a favor—”

“So he’s proved you wrong,” Livia growled. “We’re married. We’re committed.”

Lars interrupted before Gaius could reply. “We understand you have concerns, Gaius. However, I assure you we treated Livia generously, and protected Taurus House interests. If you review the contracts, you will see that we took the highest care to be both generous and fair. Will you at least look at them before determining what actions to take?”

“Fine,” Gaius said bitterly. “I’ll look at them.”

“And if you find them all in order?” Lars asked.

“I’ll approve the marriage. There’s no need to banish them or make a fuss as long as the contracts are as you say they are—” Gaius said.

“Thank you,” Corvin said. “I promise you that I intend to fully support Livia in every challenge we face and treat her with the utmost respect in every circumstance.”

Gaius heaved a drawn-out sigh. “Let us eat and review the papers.”

Dinner was a little stiff and sparse on conversation, but Gaius’ mood mellowed by the end of it. He followed Lars into his office afterward, and they remained there for about an hour. When Gaius came out, he approached Corvin and held out his hand.

Corvin looked at him in surprise and with an air of hesitance. He accepted the handshake like he didn’t entirely trust Gaius’ gesture.

“Congratulations,” Gaius said.

“Thank you,” Corvin replied.

Gaius continued, “Lars and I will make the announcement tomorrow. We’ll leave banishments behind us.”

Gaius released Corvin’s hand and turned toward Livia. “Congratulations, Livia. May you have every happiness.”

Livia nodded. She stepped closer to Corvin’s side, seeking his reassurance. She didn’t believe that Gaius had let things go so quickly. She thought he’d find a way to punish her later when Lars and Corvin couldn’t retaliate in kind. She’d do what she could to be ready when he did. They spent another hour with Corvin’s family after Gaius left. Everyone expressed their joy and happiness anew now that things had been settled with the Paterfamilias of Taurus house.

When they got home, Corvin disappeared into a small office to catch up on email. Livia didn’t know what to do with herself. She’d turn on the TV at home, but she was worried the noise would disturb Corvin’s work. So Livia puttered around, trying to find something to clean.

“Liv?” Corvin’s voice called from his office.

Livia straightened from dusting Corvin’s bookshelves and walked toward his office. She peered around the doorframe.

“Yes?”

“Come here,” Corvin gestured. “Flavia sent some pictures that she took with her camera.”

Flavia had brought a fancy camera and had taken a lot of shots throughout the wedding. Livia approached his desk hesitantly, wondering where she should go. There was only one office chair, and Corvin was sitting in it. Should she lean over his desk?

Corvin gestured for her to stand next to him. So she followed his invitation. He showed her the first few images of their wedding. Flavia had done an excellent job getting cameo shots that captured the spontaneous, laid-back vibe of the entire wedding.

Livia smiled.

“You like them?” Corvin asked.

“They’re perfect. Do you like them?”

“I do.” Corvin rolled back his office chair a few inches. Then he pulled Livia into his lap.

Livia laughed, feeling awkward. “Corvin, what are you doing?”

“You need a place to sit,” he said.

“I’m not bothering you?” she asked.

“No, I like you here,” he said.

So they viewed the rest of the wedding images snuggled together in his office chair.

Livia turned her face into the crook of Corvin’s neck after they looked at the last picture. “Corvin?”

“Yeah, Fabulous?”

“Can…I change my mind about something?”

Corvin drew back, searching her expression, concerned. “What do you want to change your mind about?”

Livia hesitated. She took a brave breath. “Can we go on a honeymoon?”

Corvin laughed, relieved. “Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t care where we go. I just want to be alone with you. I want to forget Caesarea, school, and work. I want to savor being your wife.”

Corvin grinned. “Let’s plan something then.”

They shared a quick kiss. Then they turned back to the computer to search out the best place to temporarily forget everything but each other.

Finis