41. Chapter 41
Talmage
T hings are better since coming back to Utah. I still feel like there’s something missing, but I can’t pinpoint what.
I accepted the position as Captain and adopted a little golden retriever who’s currently in training to be a search and rescue dog. Siren may just be the love of my life. When I looked into her big puppy eyes, I knew she was meant to be mine.
Going to church has become a struggle. I used to love putting on a suit and interacting with the other single adults. In California, there were a lot of older singles I had stuff in common with. We were at similar stages of life, and we had the same views on marriage.
Here, everyone is so young. Freshly graduated eighteen and nineteen-year-olds fill the pews, and though I know some people wouldn’t balk at the age gap, I don’t like it. I feel weird trying to date a woman whose peers are high schoolers .
I’ve heard some other guys talking about how younger women are easier to “train” or whatever, and I refuse to participate in that rhetoric. Women are not beings to be trained or used. They’re humans with opinions and ideas, and they deserve to be treated with respect.
The more I listen to the men around me… the more I realize I don’t think I like the way marriage or women are talked about in the church.
Are women really only seen as incubators for the next generation?
Are they really only supposed to go to school until they find a husband? What about their goals and aspirations?
The thought of someone teaching Lauren and Lacey their dreams aren’t valid makes my skin crawl with unease.
Not for the first time, I wonder if the church isn’t as great as I’ve been taught to believe.
Mack and I have officially been married for a little over two months, and maybe we’re in the honeymoon phase, but I swear I can’t get enough of her.
If I’m not at work, I’m sitting next to Mack while she clicks away on her computer.
If we’re home alone, our clothes are off, and we’re exploring each other’s bodies.
I’ve been memorizing every line of ink on her skin, listening to her explain the stories behind them or the way it felt to be in the chair .
My favorite moments are in the post-orgasmic haze, though, when our sweaty bodies are smooshed together and I feel Mack’s heartbeat racing. The connection we have has only grown stronger in the last month.
Everything’s been great since lunch with my parents. Mom’s even taken Mack to get her nails done to try and bridge the gap between them.
Mack said it’s a bit awkward, but she can tell my mom is trying, and with time, she can see them forming a closer bond.
Thank whatever higher power exists for that.
Tonight is Hannah and Morgan’s one year anniversary. Since they got married at the courthouse and didn’t have a big wedding, they’re having a party to celebrate.
I’m sitting on the bed in my suit, waiting for Mack to finish getting ready, when the bathroom door opens. All the air rushes from my lungs, and all the blood in my body plummets south.
I’ve seen my wife dressed up before, and I’ve seen her comfy in old sweats. I’ve seen her makeup done meticulously and bare-faced and perfect. I love every version of her.
But god damn this dress might just do me in.
“Is this dress okay? I know the invitation said ‘cocktail,’ but… is it too risqué ? ”
“No.” My voice comes out gravelly, so I clear my throat. “No. It’s perfect. You look incredible, Firefly.”
Her hair is curled in soft ringlets and pulled half back with wispy tendrils framing her face.
The olive green dress has a corseted bust, making her breasts sit high on her chest. It’s ruched on the side, giving it an asymmetrical hem and showing a glimpse of her thigh. The way it clings to her curves makes my cock stir in my slacks.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to stick out anymore than I already do.”
I snap my head up so I’m no longer tracing the lovely curve of her stomach pressing against the velvet. “What do you mean?”
She shrugs. “I’m worried I’ll stick out like a sore thumb with the tattoos and piercings, and I don’t want even more unwanted attention.”
I can’t help but bark out a laugh, and Mack’s lips turn down into a frown.
“I’m sorry,” I say, pulling up Emma’s Instagram on my phone.
“I clearly haven’t done a good job giving you a family tree rundown.
This,” I turn my phone around and show an older picture of Emma that showcases the ink on her arms, “is my cousin Emma. And you already know about Elli’s fiancé, Wes.
They’ll be there, so you won’t be the only one with tattoos. You’ll fit in perfectly.”
“Wow, your cousin is gorgeous,” she murmurs before she closes her eyes and sighs. “I’m not used to socializing with people I want to impress. At the bar, I socialized because it’s what paid the bills. I want your family to like me.”
I lean in and give her a gentle kiss on the forehead. “They’re going to love you, I promise. Now, let’s go before I peel that dress off of you and we’re late.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time, husband,” she purrs as she runs her hand over the tent in my dress pants .
I groan, powerless to stop myself from thrusting into her grip.
She giggles as she pulls back and shakes her head, slipping on black heels so she’s nearly my height.
“Let’s go, Bear. The sooner we get there, the sooner you can come back and fuck me.”
“I can’t wait, wife.”
Morgan’s rented out a quaint little restaurant called The Silver Spoon. I’ve never heard of it, but I like the vibes so far. The tables are pushed to the side and a makeshift stage area has been decorated with arches littered in sunflowers and roses. It looks beautiful.
There are only a few tables, and I vaguely remember Hannah saying it was just going to be our cousins, Morgan’s family, her brother, Jake, and a few of her friends.
“Talmage! It’s so good to see you! This must be your wife. Mackenzie, right? This is my husband, Morgan.” Hannah smiles, wrapping me in a hug. Morgan greets me and Mack with a friendly handshake before stepping back to stand next to his wife. He can’t seem to keep his eyes off her.
“Yeah, hi. Nice to meet you. You can call me Mack—”
“WIFE?!” Emma screeches, rushing over with her boyfriend, Ben, in tow.
“ Dulzura, give them a moment. We just got here,” Ben grumbles with an amused smile on his face, wrapping an arm around her waist and tugging her into his side.
Emma rolls her eyes. “I’m sorry, but I just found out my cousin is married and didn’t tell me!”
My cheeks flush, but then my eyes snag on something, and my smile turns into a smirk. “Oh? And when were you going to announce your engagement?” I nod towards her left hand displaying a large pink stone.
She brings her hand up to her chest and gives Ben a beaming smile.
“Didn’t he do good with the ring? We didn’t want to steal Hannah and Morgan’s thunder, so I wasn’t going to say anything, but I couldn’t bear to not wear it.
Oh! Where are my manners? Hi, Mackenzie, was it?
I’m Emma, and this is my fiancé, Ben. It’s so lovely to meet you.
My God, you’re stunning. Good job, Tal,” she says the last part in a stage whisper and tosses me a wink.
Mack’s eyes are wide with so many questions as she extends her hand and lets Emma shake it. “Nice to meet you. I love your dress.”
Emma’s smile grows wider as she runs her hands down her hot pink ensemble. “Thank you! I love yours. The green really makes your eyes pop. And the way it hugs your curves? Perfection. Now, tell me everything. How did you two meet? When did you get married?”
“Who else got married?” someone gasps from behind me, and we turn to find Elli and Wes.
“Talmage, apparently! And he didn’t even invite us.” Emma pouts.
Elli comes around to hug Emma and Hannah while Morgan, Ben, and Wes fist bump each other.
“Well, rude,” Elli teases, giving me a hug. “I’m Elli, this is Wes. ”
Mack’s eyes widen even more, if that’s possible, as Wes sticks out his hand.
Sometimes, I forget my cousin is dating a very popular up-and-coming musician.
Wes doesn't make a big deal out of his success, so it’s easy to see him as a normal guy.
He and Elli are so in love, so right for each other, and even though Elli and I haven’t been super close since we were kids, I’m happy for her.
“I’m M-Mack. Nice to meet you. My sisters are big fans of your music,” she says to Wes.
He dips his chin, his alabaster skin splotching red at the attention. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, too. I’m happy to take pictures or sign autographs later if you’d like.”
Mack just nods.
Emma snaps her fingers. “Hellooooo. Details, Talmage. Details. We have fifteen minutes before the ceremony starts.”
“ Dulzura, be patient,” Ben chides, but it holds no heat. He looks at Emma like she’s the sun. I’m glad to see they figured their stuff out. Last time they were in Utah, Emma wasn’t sure she wanted to give in to the feelings between them.
Hannah chuckles. “I’m in charge, so I can push it back. I’m dying to know. Emma, we’ll need an engagement story after.”
Emma’s cheeks turn pink. “Tal first.”
“Wait! I want to hear this, too!” A brunette comes barreling into the conversation. “Sorry. I’m Sage, Hannah’s best friend, and I like to know things.”
We introduce ourselves, then I say, “Mack and I were high school—well, junior high—sweethearts. We fell apart, and I thought I’d lost her for good, but by some miracle, we reconnected. I knew I couldn't let her go again, so I convinced her to marry me the day after Valentine’s Day.”
The girls “awww,” and the men nod their heads like they get it. I’m sure they can relate.
“That’s so sweet. Very Mormon of you, Tal, getting married so fast.” Emma winks.
“One last act before I remove my records.” I chuckle. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, though.” I pull Mack into my side and place a kiss on her forehead.
“Ugh. Everyone’s so in love in your family, Hannah. Is it my turn yet?” Sage grumbles, but there’s a smile on her face.
“It’ll sneak up on you and happen when you least expect it.” Emma knocks her elbow into Sage’s.
“Emma would know. You’ll have to tell us all about your engagement after the vow ceremony. Come on, Butterfly. Let me declare my love for you in front of all our important people.” Morgan takes Hannah’s hand and drags her away.
We take a seat at the makeshift banquet table made up of a bunch of smaller tables mixed together and turn to give Morgan and Hannah our full attention.