“Am I being stupid, Hyrum?” Livia asked.

“About what?”

“Marrying Corvin. Is this going to ruin my life?” Livia asked.

Hyrum gave her a look. “Look, this is what I wanted to talk about. You need to forget everything—I really mean everything—Mom ever told you about relationships and start from scratch.”

Livia narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“Okay, so let’s answer your question with another question. Do you think Mom ruined her life by marrying Tad?”

“No,” Livia answered. “He makes her life so much better.”

“So….” Hyrum gestured for her to take the hint.

“You think Corvin will make my life better,” Livia said.

“I don’t know for sure,” Hyrum said. “But I see a strong possibility that he will. Enough that I support you eloping with him.”

“Hyrum, I don’t know how to do this…be in a relationship,” Livia said.

“You’ll have lots of learning to do. Everyone does, Liv. That’s part of being in a relationship—being willing to learn how to be a better person.”

“But I don’t even know….” Livia hesitated. Her voice squeaked when she spoke next. “What to do on the wedding night.”

Hyrum nodded. “Again. Forget everything Mom taught you—”

“That’s all I know!” Livia cried.

Hyrum took a deep breath. “Here’s my advice. Be honest. You don’t have to go all the way. Just try something new. Something you haven’t tried together before. That will be memorable and special enough. If it feels good, enjoy it. Let things flow. Be kind.”

Livia stared at Hyrum. “That’s all you have to say?”

“Sex in marriage is meant to convey your love and loyalty. That’s it. Don’t use it to reward or punish behavior. It’s not a negotiation tactic. Just love, support, and loyalty.”

Livia sighed. “What if it doesn’t feel good?”

“Stop. Try again later.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Don’t pretend. That’s insulting. It may take a while to figure out what you like. That’s normal. Don’t get overly emotional about that. Just be honest and develop your sense of humor. Try to have fun.”

Well, that was a place to start, at least. Loads better than Mom’s advice. Livia sighed. “Okay.”

Hyrum spoke again, “Now, Liv, I don’t want you to feel forced into doing this. I’m here. I can take you home. You can wait.”

“Part of me wants to do it this way—” she said. “Because…the papers are such a mess, and I want to be with him. I’m scared, but part of me is tired of being scared. I want the decision and the drama over with. I can’t imagine dragging this out two more years, and what’s to say that he won’t change his mind later. I don’t want that. I love him, Hyrum.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“That’s not a bad reason to be with someone,” he said. “You have just as much chance at happiness as everyone else, Liv. So, you don’t need me to drive you out of here? You’re choosing to stay? You’re choosing to go through with this?”

“Can you wait?” Livia asked. “I need to check with Corvin….”

“Sure?” Hyrum looked at her, questioning.

Livia didn’t explain. She hopped out of the car. She grabbed Corvin’s hand, pulling him abruptly away from a conversation with his parents. She dragged him to his SUV.

“We need to talk in the car,” she said, gesturing to the vehicle. She peered into the windows. “Alone.”

Corvin unlocked the car and opened the passenger door for her. Then walked around to the driver’s side. He closed the door and looked at her. “We’re alone.”

“Okay,” Livia said, heart racing. “I need to check if you’re okay with something.”

“Shoot,” he said.

“Uh,” Well, this was difficult to say. “I need…Are you okay if we can’t go all the way on our wedding night?”

Corvin looked surprised. Then he laughed. “Okay, let’s do this now. Liv, I know everyone has these huge expectations, but many people don’t make a big deal about the wedding night. They’ve already had sex or expect to be tried, drunk, or traveling. So, that’s not a big deal.”

“But we won’t be drunk, we won’t be traveling, and we haven’t had sex.”

Corvin nodded. “Granted.”

“And…I don’t know if I can….” Livia breathed.

“Liv, I understand this is all very rushed. If we were doing this the traditional way, we would have had time to become more comfortable with each other before this point. So, I completely understand that some of that work will have to be done after we are married. But being married doesn’t entitle me to make demands for sex.”

Livia’s eyes widened. That was better than she hoped to hear. She’d be a complete idiot not to marry him if he really meant that. The fact he said it at all revealed a lot about his character and his respect for her as an individual.

“Okay,” she said. “But…I don’t want to be in a sexless marriage. That’s depressing.”

Corvin smiled. “I don’t either.”

“So, I need you to help me,” Livia said. “I don’t know how hard it will be…I…what if it never works?”

“Liv, we’ll figure out a way, even if it takes work.”

“But you’re okay with that,” Livia said.

“Yes,” Corvin said confidently.

“I think I should be honest and not pretend,” Livia pressed, testing him further.

Corvin nodded. “I’d appreciate that, Hun.”

Livia thought about anything else she needed to say. “Um, if it doesn’t feel good. What do we do?”

“Stop. Try again later,” he said.

Livia studied him. She couldn’t come up with any reason not to marry him. “So, can we talk…about ideas…that would be nice on the wedding night? To do…if…when…we can’t.”

“What’s one of the ways you relax?” Corvin asked.

“I bake.”

Corvin laughed. “Besides baking or entertainment.”

“I-I exercise or shower. I like showers.”

Corvin’s face lit up. “Do you know what I’d really love?”

A knot of dread appeared in Livia’s stomach. What on earth would he ask? “What?”

“If you’d wash my hair. It felt so good that one night you flour-bombed me.”

Livia remembered the pleasure on Corvin’s face when she’d run her fingers through his hair that evening. Her stomach flipped. Was this feeling excitement? Anticipation, even? That was a new experience.

“Sure,” Livia agreed, a smile turning up her lips.

“Then,” Corvin’s voice lowered, cajoling. “Will you let me wash your hair?”

Livia had settled on her decision. She hopped out of the car before she answered Corvin. She strode to Hyrum’s car and gestured for him to roll down his window. As he did, Corvin came out of his car to hear her say, “I’m staying, Hyrum. You can go home. I’m going to marry him.”

Hyrum smiled. “See you in the morning, Liv. Caecilia and I will drive up for the ceremony.”

“See you,” Livia said.

Hyrum backed out.

Livia met Corvin’s gaze across the empty space between them. For a second, she thought he was mad. Then his head tipped back, and he laughed.

When he regained his composure, he teased her, “I passed the test, Liv?”

Livia blushed. “I had to figure out—”

Corvin put up a hand. “I’m glad you’re more confident now.”

Livia huffed. “It’s a big decision.”

“It is,” Corvin said. “And I’m proud of you for being forthright with me. I enjoy it.”

“Do you?”

“Immensely.”

Livia smiled.

Corvin gave her a playful look. “Now, that’s all settled. How about we get haircuts?”

This time, Livia laughed, giving him a significant look. “Maybe I’ll shave mine all off.”

Corvin pouted. “Why ruin all my fun?”

Livia’s stomach flipped again. She wouldn’t be shaving her hair off. Happiness sent tingles skittering down her arms. This was fun—flirting, teasing, making innuendo. Such games had always made her anxious before. The fact this exchange held no fear, only play, made her feel like she was making the right decision.