As the early morning sun rose steadily, warming the chilled air through the thin atmosphere, Janna felt as if she were floating several feet above the ground: as if her new wife's grip on her arm was keeping her from taking flight. Ryan and Janna Norden-Zamora?

Ryan had not told Janna that she had intended to take her name, wanting to surprise her. Surprise her she had. After Kim made the pronouncement, it had taken Janna a few moments to realize what she had said.

They were already surrounded by their guests, who were wishing them well, when Janna turned to Ryan and said, "Ryan, what did she say?"

Ryan maintained a serious expression. "I present to you, Ryan and Janna Norden-Zamora."

Her cute features looking puzzled, Janna asked, "Um, she didn't mean Ryan Norden-Zamora, did she?"

"Yep, I think she did, love." Now she grinned and her smile lit up her beautiful face.

"Ryan!" Janna threw her arms around her wife, nearly knocking her over.

Ryan grasped her wife about the waist and held her in her arms. "Shall I take it that you approve of the idea, Janna?"

"Oh, Ryan…" Janna finished the statement by kissing her soundly.

Melissa Etheridge's romantic song faded, to be replaced by the Eagles singing, "Take it Easy."

Hearing the favorite tune, Janna released Ryan 's lips and pulled back somewhat, smiling as she said, "You're just full of surprises today, aren't you?"

Ryan smiled, pleased. "I am, baby. Are you happy?"

"Deliriously, Ryan. I'm absolutely deliriously happy!" She gazed deeply into her new wife's eyes. "I love you Ryan Norden-Zamora." She kissed her wife again and Ryan continued to hold her, not letting her feet touch the ground, either literally or figuratively. They stood together, kissing, oblivious to the presence of their guests, who stood around wondering what to do.

When the kiss finally ended, Ryan addressed no one in particular when she said, "Sorry, but we just got married!"

Laughter erupted around them and they were guided back over toward the railing to stand for pictures. As they posed for pictures together, the music changed again, this time fading into Janna's ex band's, "Teenaged Queer."

"Oh, God, Ryan…you shouldn't have gone there, love!" She giggled as she buried her face in Ryan's strong chest.

"Why not? That song means a lot to the both of us." Ryan wrapped her long arms around her mate and kissed her hair.

Janna's reply was a gentle kiss.

After Anna had procured shots of the brides with all of their guests, and in front of various backdrops, the ladies were ushered into the house to sign the certificate of union.

Their friends had also thoughtfully acquired various other forms for them to fill out at their leisure. Having been through the process of gay union, Anna and Terry were familiar with all of the ins and outs of lesbian couplehood, and knew what all of the options were, legally. Processes, such as becoming life insurance beneficiaries and legal next-of-kin, that straight couples took for granted, had to applied for in sometimes agonizing detail by gay spouses.

The formalities taken care of, Ryan and Janna were then shown to the immense breakfast spread that filled the large dining room table nearly to overflowing.

As they stood looking at the beautifully appointed table, both brides felt overwhelmed at the generosity of their loved ones. While Ryan and Janna had been focused solely on each other the last two days, their family had been busily arranging this wonderful and breathtaking celebration for them.

"My God, Ryan…look at the food."

"I see it, baby. What's everyone else gonna eat?" Her eyes and smile sparkled as she pulled her hungry mate closer to her.

"That's a very good question, love…I am hungry!" Janna eyed the bowls of fresh fruit, plates of waffles, bowls of scrambled eggs, platters of meat, dishes of several varieties of toast, bread, rolls, and pastries and all of the accompanying condiments, and was floored.

"I don't know where to start, Ryan." Janna gazed wide-eyed at the display in front of her.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out, babe! Come on, let's share." Ryan kept one hand glued to Janna's waist as she grabbed a large China plate and let Janna fill it with their favorite items.

As the lilting, Celtic strains of an Enya CD played softly in the background, the newly married couple sat together and shared a plate of delicious food. Ryan speared a strawberry with her fork, then dipped it in whipped cream before feeding it to her mate.

Janna's eyes sparkled as she accepted the sweet morsel from Ryan. "Mm, I love strawberries and whipped cream."

"I know you do, baby. So do I. Though," she looked around to make sure she wouldn't be overheard and whispered into Janna's nearby ear, "I prefer to eat them off of you." She leaned more fully into Janna and kissed her, receiving some of the sweet fruit in return.

"Let's save some of these for later, then." Janna raised her eyebrows in invitation, and Ryan's pulse quickened. She felt Janna's desire as well, and needed to close her eyes and take a calming breath. After a moment, she rose, gave her wife a quick kiss, and said, "Be right back."

Janna watched her go into the kitchen, grab a bowl from a pine cupboard, return to the table, fill the bowl with strawberries, and place the bowl in the refrigerator. She then wordlessly returned to her wife's side and said, "Now...where were we, babe?"

Janna grinned and shook her head as Ryan stabbed a bite of syrup-drenched waffle to share with her.

From across the room, Zac and John also shook their heads, having not missed any of the amusing scene. John remarked, "Jesus, sometimes I think of what I wouldn't give to be a fly on their bedroom wall…but then I realize that it would be sort of like seeing my sister in a porn film, and the moment is ruined." He took a sip of his coffee as Ryan's brother burst into laughter.

Spying her brother's fit, Ryan remarked, "I wonder what's up with them?"

"No telling, honey." Janna speared a hunk of ham and fed it to her mate.

"Mm, good. Thanks love."

A short time later, John stood and held up a champagne flute, tapping it gently with his spoon. As the room quieted, he said, "Folks, it's time for me to offer a toast."

Looking at his partner, he began. "I've known Ryan for over ten years, and been her partner for six. We've been through a lot together, seen a lot, and I consider her my best friend. I can honestly say that I've never known a finer human being…or a finer cop. But as fine a lady as she is, she wasn't complete. Even if she didn't know it, I knew that something was missing from her life. A few months ago, we both learned what that something was. A wonderful little lady named Janna came along and turned her world upside down…in a good way! Ryan told me that Janna completes her, and I can see, I think that we all can, that it is true for the both of them."

He looked pointedly at Janna and smiled. "Janna, this is for you…for coming along and settling her down. She's a lot easier to work with now...she comes to work in a good mood and never wants us to stay and work late anymore." As their assembled friends chuckled, led by Ryan, he continued, "And for Ryan, I'm so glad to see how happy you are now. You deserve the happiness that Janna has brought you. You both deserve each other and the happiness that you share." He raised his glass high, "To Ryan and Janna and a long, happy marriage!"

"To Ryan and Janna!"

After taking a sip of her champagne, Ryan stood and embraced her friend, hugging him tightly and kissing his cheek. She whispered in his ear, "Thank you John…I love you, buddy."

"I love you too, Ry." He pulled away from her and wiped the tears from his cheek, then punched her gently in the arm.

Ryan sat and was embraced by her mate, who then wiped the tough cop's errant tears away. They sat and enjoyed their champagne together, drinking from the same glass.

Theirs was a true partnership and was beginning in the right vein. It would continue as such, unabated, for fifty-three more years.

Grandfather Sun was high in the sky, at the zenith in fact, when Terry gathered everyone out onto the deck to watch the gift opening. Lake Tahoe was in its full splendor. The day was a beautiful one. A deep blue sky was unmarked by clouds and a slight, refreshing breeze blew in off the lake, which sparkled like diamonds in the brilliant sunshine. Its surface was sparsely dotted with sail and other boats, some trailing skiers and parasailers, and the large paddlewheeled cruise ship that slowly made its way across the twelve-mile span.

Ryan and Janna sat together by the deck rail, in the same spot in which they had exchanged their vows hours earlier. They still wore their wedding clothes, but both now wore their trademark Ray Bans and identical wide, brilliant smiles. They made a stunning picture, and Anna, using Janna's cameras, captured dozens for them to enjoy in the years to come.

Kris handed Janna a card, which sported a large golden bow, and addressed the brides. "We know that you asked that no gifts be exchanged, but we wanted to do something special to commemorate this special day, and you two special ladies. So we picked three charities that we know that you support and we each gave a gift to one of them. These cards represent the charities we chose and the amounts donated to each in your name."

Janna looked at Ryan as tears began to flow anew from her eyes. Ryan simply shook her head in amazement and said sincerely, addressing their loved ones, "That was a wonderful idea. Thank you all so much." She shook her head as tears threatened her own eyes and encouraged Janna to open the first envelope.

Janna opened the card and read, "A gift in the amount of $200 has been donated in your name to the World Wildlife Fund." Janna looked up at her friends and family and gently shook her head, speechless. Ryan simply looked at the ground.

Kris handed the next envelope to Ryan, who took it, and after a moment with which to gather herself, read, "A gift in the amount of $200 has been donated in your name to the San Joaquin County Women's Crisis Center." She squeezed her eyes shut as she was overcome by tears. Janna pulled Ryan into an embrace and kissed her hair as she gazed lovingly at their family.

Kris handed her the last envelope as she smiled warmly and said, "One more."

Janna took a deep breath and exhaled before reading the card. "A gift in the amount of $200 has been donated in your name to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation." Janna's voice broke as she read the last words and her tears of joy became a fitting thank you to their loved ones, as she and her mate were too choked up momentarily to speak.

As Ryan and Janna sat and tried to compose themselves, Terry approached carrying two packages. They were both wrapped in beautiful white paper sporting embossed dreamcatchers. As Terry set them at their feet on the wooden deck, both brides wiped their tears, replaced their sunglasses and leaned forward to glimpse the tags on them.

"You gave me a gift?" Ryan asked Janna incredulously.

Janna matched her tone and said, "You gave me one?"

They both shook their heads in disbelief, smiling widely as they each leaned forward to pick up a box.

Dan piped up with, "Knowing you two, you got each other the same thing." Everyone laughed, knowing that he might very possibly be right.

"You first, baby." Ryan sat with her gift on her lap and gazed expectantly at Janna.

"Thanks, love." Janna carefully undid the paper, wanting to preserve it, and removed the top of the box. She gasped as she saw the contents, and carefully reached in, lifting out a beautiful Navajo Wedding Basket. "Oh, Ryan, it's beautiful. Thank you, sweetheart!"

"Your welcome, baby." She leaned over to touch the lovely article as Janna lovingly caressed it. It had a stunning, large star-shaped design in the middle, surrounded on the outer edges by a symmetrical stair-step design that very nearly matched that of their wedding bands. The design was used in many tribes to denote mountains.

Janna leaned over and kissed her wife tenderly. "I love it, Ryan." She nodded at the package in Ryan's lap. "Your turn."

Ryan proceeded to open her box, just as gingerly as Janna had, looking up pointedly with raised eyebrows at her male family members, challenging them to tease her about it. They all remained silent, but their faces were lit by smiles. As she opened the box and its treasure was revealed to her, she gasped, "Oh my God, Janna…where did you find this?"

"Probably at the same place where you bought the basket…where we got our rings."

Ryan shook her head, smiling, as she lifted the beautiful blanket from the box. She addressed their guests, "It's a Cherokee Wedding Blanket." She held it up, displaying the lovely symmetrical designs done in hues of blues and greens. She set the empty box on the deck and stood, reaching for her partner's hand. As Janna stood before her, Ryan leaned forward and wrapped the large blanket around her shoulders, and then stepped in at her side and wrapped it around herself as well. It easily enveloped them both and Ryan pulled it up over their heads and greeted her new wife with a private kiss in the traditional Native way.

Their guests applauded and waited for them to reappear…and waited...and waited. Within the privacy of the blanket, the two brides were kissing deeply, overcome by several different emotions. Gratitude and love warred with desire, spurring on the deep kiss. As their lips and tongues slid sensuously together, hands began to roam gently, prompting Zac to suggest that they get a room.

With that, Ryan's head popped out from under the blanket, grinning widely. "Sorry about that!"

She let the blanket fall to their shoulders, revealing Janna with her head resting on her chest, arms wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Thanks, everyone…from the bottom of our hearts. You've made this day more special than we could have possibly imagined."

"You've done the same for us, guys." Terry smiled warmly at her friends. "Come on in for some cake now."

Ryan and Janna's deep love and respect for one another prevented them from making a spectacle of the sharing of the cake, despite the encouragement from most present to do so. They gently and lovingly fed each other bites from the cake and kissed, sharing more of the delicious morsel with each other. The two small bridal figurines from the topmost layer were gently cleaned and packed away by Janna's mother, to be presented to them later.

Several hours later, as the party continued in full swing, Ryan held Janna as they danced slowly together on the deck. She kissed her mate passionately and then laid her cheek on the blonde head. "I'm beginning to detect some real drawbacks to having our wedding night at the same place as the reception. These people may party all night."

Janna didn't look up as she mumbled against Ryan's throat, "I'm glad they're having a great time. We'll manage to find some privacy…you know that, love."

"Yeah, I do. But I'm really starting to want you bad, baby."

"And this is different from every other day, how?" Janna asked impishly.

"I've never made love to you as my wife before. I can't wait Janna." Ryan's eyes sparkled seriously at her.

"I can't wait either, Ryan." Janna reached up and captured her wife's lips for another long, deep kiss. Tongues danced and caressed before Janna moved her lips down Ryan's throat, to her choker. "I love this choker on you, Ryan. My Warrior."

"I'll wear it for you more often, then." Janna's lips and tongue continued their gentle assault. "Oh, Janna…you don't know what you're doing to me baby…"

"Yes, I do. I feel what you feel, remember," she mumbled against Ryan's throat. She looked up into Ryan's eyes. "Do you think it would be rude if we retired for a while?"

Before Ryan could answer, John appeared at her side. "Hey guys…we're all going down to the South Shore for dinner and some gambling." He grinned, "I don't suppose you'd like to come with us, would you?"

Ryan swallowed the elation that she felt, and grinned warmly back at her friend. "Not on your life, buddy...have a good time!"

"Okay. Dan and Kris will be back around 9:00, to get the kids to bed." He smirked, adding, "Just so you know."

"Thanks."

A short time later, they followed their guests around to the front of the house and saw the small caravan off. As she waved goodbye to Janna's parents, Ryan checked her watch and gleefully exclaimed, "Five hours…we have five hours of alone time, baby."

"Well let's get this honeymoon started, then."

Ryan entered the master bedroom carrying a champagne bucket in one hand and a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream in the other. Janna sat demurely on the edge of the bed, wearing nothing but a smile and her wedding necklace. And her wedding band, of course.

Ryan grinned wickedly and, kicking the door shut behind her, made her way quickly into the bathroom to deposit her goodies. As she exited the large bath she was pulling her shirt off over her head.

"No, love…let me." Janna stood and approached her. Ryan let the blouse settle back down and grinned, leering at her wife unashamedly, greatly enjoying the view.

Janna stepped up to her and reached for the topmost button, undoing it as she gazed into Ryan's eyes. Two sets of desire-darkened eyes communicated their devotion before Janna leaned forward and kissed Ryan's chest where the shirt lay open. Ryan closed her eyes at the gentle, yet sensual touch and brought her fingers up to run through Janna's hair. Janna continued until each button had been unfastened and she had left a warm trail of kisses down Ryan's abdomen.

As Ryan stood with her shirt hanging open, Janna reached up and gently pushed it off her shoulders. She brought her hands up to caress her mate's breasts through the silky bra.

"You wore a pretty bra today." Janna's voice was soft, matching her touch.

"Mm. I wanted to impress my new wife. Does she like it?" Ryan's silky voice vibrated pleasantly through Janna, setting her nerve endings aflame.

"Mm, hmm." Janna nuzzled Ryan's chest briefly, enjoying her mate's warmth and then gently kissed the curve of a breast above the bra. Ryan encouraged the contact with her gentle touch behind Janna's head and a moan and Janna happily complied. She reached around and unhooked the bra, then pushed it off Ryan's shoulders and let it drop to the floor.

As she began paying devoted attention to Ryan's breasts, her hands adeptly untied the drawstring in Ryan's pants and she pushed them off, snagging her mate's panties as well. Ryan stepped out of them and pulled her wife close to her, then embraced her head in her hands as she kissed her.

They stood pressed together, kissing deeply until they became breathless with need and Ryan bent and dipped her head, drawing a soft breast into her mouth. Janna threw her head back and grasped Ryan around the waist, thrusting their hips together.

"Let's move this into the tub, baby," Ryan murmured insistently.

Wordlessly, Janna grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the bathroom. Before they could enter the large tub, she pulled Ryan tightly against herself and kissed her again, caressing her wife's body with her hands possessively.

"I'm all yours baby…take me."

Janna looked up at Ryan, her green eyes burning with passion, and nipped at her neck, snaking her tongue under the choker. Ryan's eyes rolled back in her head before she recovered and picked Janna up bodily, setting her in the tub. She stepped in after her and sat her tall frame against one side and pulled her wife into her lap, devouring her lips all the while.

"Ryan, yes…God, I love you Ry…Ryan…" Janna fairly moaned the words into her mate's mouth and then the dark head dipped lower, lavishing devoted attention on excited nipples. Her tongue swirled and stroked them hungrily, as if Janna were a meal and she had not eaten in ages.

Janna moaned loudly, quickly becoming overcome by the pleasant sensations coursing through her body. "Baby…slow…slow down a little. Let's make this...last."

Ryan mumbled around a delicious pink nipple, "I can't help myself, Janna…you taste so good, baby."

Janna reached over to the bowl of strawberries sitting on the edge of the tub and snared a piece of the fruit. "Here, love, taste this." She held the fruit to her lover's lips and as she met Janna's eyes, Ryan bit it in half. Janna then seductively rubbed the red, juicy fruit against her nipple, her eyes never leaving Ryan's.

"Oh, God, Janna…" Ryan bent her head and her tongue snaked out in a long, sultry stroke against the excited nub. They moaned in unison as Ryan removed all of the juice from her mate's breast, and then reached for another piece of fruit. She had Janna bite it and then she coated the other nipple with the sweet juice. As she licked it off her mate, she mumbled, "This is good baby, but not as sweet as you are."

"Here, let me try." Janna picked up a strawberry and had Ryan bite it, then rubbed it slowly all over a dark nipple.

"Fuck, baby…that alone feels great..." Janna silenced her with the addition of her loving, skilled tongue on the anatomy in question and Ryan could only moan incomprehensibly.

Janna then scooped up a handful of whipped cream from the same bowl and smeared it all over Ryan's breasts, covering them completely. She then spent long minutes devotedly licking it all off, working Ryan into a frenzy as she did so. Finally, she gently urged her wife up out of the water, onto the rim of the tub, so she could attend to her immediate need. She lovingly spread the sweet white cream over her wife's dark, silky curls and dutifully licked it off, interspersing long, gentle strokes with deep, erotic thrusts of her tongue. Ryan didn't last long under the loving barrage and joyously screamed her release. Janna's name reverberated off the bathroom walls.

Janna rested her head between Ryan's thighs, catching her breath and trying to slow her breathing. Ryan's scream, and the release of her sweet nectar, had nearly sent her over the edge as well. When she regained her senses, Ryan reached down and ran her hands gently through Janna's hair.

Breathless, Ryan murmured, "Thank you baby…that was so good…" She took a deep breath and settled back down into the water, pulling Janna in for a sweet kiss.

"Mm, your welcome, but it was my pleasure. You taste so sweet, Ryan…I could do that all day."

"And I wouldn't stop you, baby." Ryan embraced her wife and nuzzled her hair. "My turn to love you, my destiny." She kissed Janna's cheek. "What would like, love?"

Janna looked coyly at her mate. "I think I'd like to be a dessert too."

Ryan's grin was breathtaking and nearly stopped Janna's heart. "Your wish is my command, baby." She wasted no time in reaching for the whipped cream and proceeded to fix herself a luscious dessert, which she slowly, gently, erotically licked, stroked and sucked and from her wife's body.

"Oh, my God…Jesus…yes…Ryannnn…" Her scream matched Ryan's in sheer decibel level. When her breath returned, Janna exclaimed, "Oh, Christ, are you good, Ryan…" She reached down to caress her mate's hair.

"Thank you, baby. Nothing makes me happier than pleasing you. Nothing." She gently pulled Janna back down into her lap and held her close.

"I think I need a drink, my wife. Will you open the champagne?"

"I'm your wife…God, Janna!" Ryan gazed at her wedding band through teary eyes, and Janna brought the ring to her lips and kissed it tenderly.

"Yes…you're my wife, love." She grasped Ryan's left hand in hers and they gazed at their wedding rings. "Get used to it, babe."

"No problem there, love." She grinned as she reached for the champagne bottle and deftly opened it. The contents bubbled up out of the bottle and she quickly lifted it to her lips, but then a better idea occurred to her and she held the bottle near Janna, letting the pale amber liquid flow onto her chest.

Janna squealed, but then giggled as Ryan began to lick up the spilled alcohol. Her giggles soon became moans, however, as Ryan's talented tongue didn't miss a drop.

The beautiful Lake Tahoe day faded into early evening as the lovers danced their dance of love once again and Luna prepared to arise. They would still be entwined in love hours later when the first rays of her silvery light entered their abode.

Ryan smiled in her sleep as the dream vision danced in her head. Her bard was writhing wildly in her arms, and the joy the warrior felt at giving her mate pleasure filled her soul nearly to overflowing. A light tapping noise pulled her from her dreamy reverie and she awakened, fuzzily shaking her head. The tapping continued and she realized that someone was gently knocking at the bedroom door.

She pulled the covers up over her wife, who was, naturally, sprawled across her, and in a sleep-roughened voice, called, "Yeah…come in."

She yawned and stretched as the door quietly opened and Terry poked her head in.

"Are you all up?" Terry grinned, because it was obvious that the lovebirds were nowhere near up.

"Not quite, but come on in. We're decent."

Terry raised her eyebrows at the comment as she gazed around the disheveled room and drawled in her soft twang, "I hardly think so, hon."

Ryan blushed as she suddenly realized what a state the room was in. She lifted her head slightly to look around, and seeing clothes strewn everywhere, and plates, bowls, glasses and champagne bottles littering the floor, lay back down with an embarrassed groan. Several candles sat on the bedside tables, burned nearly down to nothing.

Anna, who had stepped into the room behind Terry, commented, "It looks like it was quite the wedding night." She grinned and winked at Ryan.

"Shit…" Ryan's low voice rumbling through her roused Janna and she stretched, then settled more comfortably against her mate's torso, nuzzling her neck.

"Janna, love…we have company."

"Tell them to go away." Was the grouchy, mumbled reply.

Ryan grinned at Janna's closest friends, and shrugged as best she could under the one hundred twenty pounds of dead weight.

"Janna, babe…we're sorry to bother you, but we need to get on the road. We wanted to say goodbye." Terry drawled softly, amused.

Ryan felt Janna stiffen upon hearing her friend's voice, and she slowly turned over, grasping the sheet to ensure that it didn't slip down. She grinned, embarrassed. "Hi…what time is it?

"Almost ten."

Both newlyweds groaned in unison and Ryan exclaimed, "Oh, shit…sorry …"

"Hey, don't worry about it. You're on your honeymoon...everyone understands. Stay in bed all day…we did!" Terry smiled at her mate and Anna smiled and winked at her in return.

At that, Ryan grinned and kissed the blonde head under her chin. "We would probably do that, but my little dynamo here needs refueling, I'm sure." She looked down at her wife, who was scowling gently at her. "Can you give us just a minute to throw some clothes on, so we can see you off?"

"Sure thing." After taking one more amused glance around the room, they both left and closed the door.

"Jesus, Janna…10:00!"

"Hey, we had a very busy night." She kissed the prominent breastbone beneath her and rolled off her mate.

"That, we did, baby…that we did." Ryan stretched and lay contentedly, watching her mate look for her clothes. "God, Janna, last night was great. Mmm…," she moaned happily.

As she slipped into one of Ryan's t-shirts and shorts, Janna approached her wife and leaned over her, saying, "It sure was. And tonight's gonna be special too." She gently kissed Ryan as she reached down for her arms and pulled her up, helping her from the bed.

Ryan gazed lovingly into Janna's eyes and smiled affectionately. "I can't wait, love…again. But right now, let's go spend some time with our guests."

After making plans to get together before Thanksgiving, they saw Anna and Terry, who had a long drive back to San Francisco, off. They sat at the kitchen table with Beth, Marv, Dan, and John. Ryan savored a warm cup of coffee, while Janna enjoyed a mug of tea with some toast.

Apparently, their guests had enjoyed a late night as well, most of them returning from the casinos well after midnight. Ryan smiled as she heard the laughter of the children in the yard beyond the deck. She could hear them playing a game of tag with Kris and Sara. She glanced at her mate and grasped her hand.

After a few minutes of enjoying the peaceful morning, Ryan finished her coffee and sat back in the chair. "I need a shower, babe."

"Okay, I'll, um…go with you and, uh, tidy up the room." Janna glanced shyly at her parents and brother, but they didn't seem to notice her discomfort.

As she and Ryan left the room, Janna's brother casually remarked, "Have a good time…we'll see you in a few hours." Beth playfully slapped her son's arm and scowled at him as her daughter and daughter-in-law stiffened and half-turned, blushing.

"Um, thanks. We'll, uh, see you in a bit." Ryan grabbed Janna's arm and pulled her out of the room.

Janna buried her face in Ryan's chest and giggled as they made their way back to the master suite. "I guess we're not fooling anyone, are we, love?"

"Right! Come on…" Janna pushed Ryan toward the large shower stall.

The large bathroom was filled with steam, and water vapor covered every surface in the room. Gentle murmurs arose from the large shower stall and the vague shape of two entwined bodies could just be discerned through the opaque glass of the door.

Suddenly, the quiet ambiance was shattered by a low voice moaning loudly, "Jannnna…oh, Jesus…fucking…Christ!"

Janna stood pressed against her wife with one hand down in between them and one behind her mate, both hands stroking Ryan in unison. Ryan leaned back against the shower wall and writhed uncontrollably, moaning and very near release under her wife's loving attentions.

"Oh, God, baby…yessss…" Ryan's head rolled from side to side as she lost control and Janna stilled it by capturing her lips passionately. She felt the rhythmic clenching of muscles within in her mate's body and stroked her powerfully and deeply, sending her over the edge once again. As the spasms faded, Ryan slid down the tile wall to the floor, bringing her mate with her. They sat together in each other's arms for several minutes, until both no longer felt weak.

Ryan chuckled. "I hope no one else needed to use the hot water this morning."

"Oh, God, I do too. We kind of hogged it, didn't we?"

"Mm."

Janna sighed deeply, feeling completely sated and fulfilled. Ryan felt the same way and echoed the sigh.

Ryan kissed her wife's forehead and quietly asked, "What do you want to do today, love?"

Janna simply looked at her pointedly with raised eyebrows.

"I mean in between, baby! Like right now. I hate to admit it, but I'm spent."

"Well, I could do with some lunch. Why don't we take a picnic down to the beach? I'm spent too and laying on the beach for the rest of the day sounds wonderful."

"That sounds nice. Maybe Zac would like to come…I want to talk to him about our baby plans before he leaves later."

"Mm, right…good." Janna settled more deeply into Ryan's embrace. "But I don't want to get up yet. This feels so incredibly nice."

Ryan answered her with a loving squeeze, agreeing completely.

It was a beautiful day, for the last day of summer in the mountains. Remarkably, there was not yet even a hint of fall in the early afternoon air. The sun shone brilliantly and the sky was sparsely dotted with cumulus clouds, which chased each other slowly across the enormous lake into Nevada. A moderate breeze kept the temperature in the mid seventies and the friends on the beach enjoyed their last day together.

Janna, Kris, Dan and the kids were playing in the sand, making an enormous walled fortress, while John and Sara cavorted together in the water. Beth and Marv sat in the shade of nearby pine trees, with a radio between them, listening to a Giants ballgame. Ryan and Zac sat together on towels, watching the activity and visiting quietly.

Ryan glanced at her brother and saw herself mirrored in his driving glasses. "Zac, I'd like to talk to you about something…would you like to take a walk?"

"Sure, Sis. Let's go." He stood and reached for her hand, helping her to her feet with a smile, though her six feet of height nearly matched his.

"Oh, so you're a gentleman now, huh, Zac?" She grinned widely at him. "I'm glad to see it."

"You're a riot, Sis. Come on." He started up the private beach.

As they walked, Ryan began, "Zac, this is a tough thing to ask, so I'm just gonna come out with it." She looked at her brother and smiled, receiving a smile in return. "Um, Janna and I want to have a family," at Zac's wide grin, she blushed, but continued, "And we want the baby to be related to both of us, if possible. So, our first option is to use sperm donated by one of our brothers."

They came to the dock at the edge of the property and climbed the steps. As they walked along the pier, Ryan continued, "Um, Janna wants to carry the baby, so our first choice for father would be you." They reached the covered bench at the end of the dock and sat, overlooking the lake.

Ryan looked hopefully at Zac. "Would you feel at all comfortable helping us with that?" She quickly added, "Before you answer, please know that we don't want you to feel any pressure. We know that this is a huge and very serious request, and believe me, we don't make it lightly. We both will understand completely if you aren't comfortable with the idea, and we won't be upset...there will be no hard feelings." She removed her glasses and looked warmly into his eyes. "We would want you to be completely comfortable with the idea, Zac."

Zac looked out at the lake for a long minute before answering, then turned to his sister and said, "Sis, I can't think of a single thing that would make me happier than to do this for you and Janna." He smiled warmly at his sister's shocked face. "Yes, Ryan…I would be happy…more than happy…to be your sperm donor."

Ryan sat speechless, seemingly in shock, and Zac waved his hands in front of her eyes. "Ryan, are you in there?" He laughed.

A large smile slowly lit Ryan's face and she threw her arms around her brother.

"Oh, Zac, thanks so much!" She gazed seriously at him. "You don't know what this means to us, Zac."

"I think I might, Sis. I've, uh, been having family-type feelings myself...ever since meeting a certain pretty Captain."

"Zac, that is so awesome! I'm happy for you, bro…I really am." Ryan stated warmly.

"Thanks Sis, but let's not get carried away. She and I are just starting out."

Ryan raised her eyebrows in question. "But you two are…you know…"

"Engaging in the type of behavior that you and Janna seem to be constantly engaged in?" He grinned. "Yeah…we're not quite at your level, but we're getting there." He shook his head. "I thought this might be special, but I wasn't quite sure, you know? But being away from her this week has convinced me that I don't want to do it again. I'm missing her bad, Sis."

"You've called her while you've been here, right?"

"Yes…every day…actually, sometimes twice." He looked away, embarrassed.

"Oh, yeah, you've got it bad!"

"Oh, and you're one to talk, Ms. Norden-Zamora."

"Hey, I'll admit it…happily. She's my world. Hell, Zac, she's my Universe." She gazed down the beach and a smile touched her lips when she spotted her mate holding her young nephew. She turned back to Zac. "I gotta tell ya, you definitely scored major points with your lady by calling her every day. You're gonna be one lucky guy when you get home." She smirked at her brother and enjoyed his blush.

Zac cleared his throat. "Speaking of which, I'm leaving in an hour or so, Sis."

Ryan sighed. "I'm sorry to see you go, Zac. I've really enjoyed this." Her eyes teared up and she put her sunglasses back on.

"I've enjoyed it, too, Sis. It was way long past due." He put his arm around his sister's shoulders and pulled her close.

"Yep. That it was. We're gonna stay in touch now, Zac." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes, we are. Especially since I'm gonna be doing that special duty for you." He grinned. "When are you thinking about doing this?"

"Sometime within the next year, I think. We're both really looking forward to it. Um, we haven't worked out the details yet, but I would think that we should probably make a visit out your way and stay for a week or two…do it there. Uh, also, I think there's some testing that we would have to have done…both Janna and you…at a clinic first. Would you mind?"

"Shit, no! Whatever's needed. And I want you guys to come out…sooner if you'd like."

"Great, Zac, we'll plan on it." She leaned forward and hugged her brother. "Thanks so much, Zac. We can't ever thank you enough." Ryan swallowed hard and tears fell from beneath her glasses, but she let them go.

As she and Zac approached their party on the beach, Ryan made a beeline for her wife. Janna spotted her coming toward her with a large grin on her face and straightened to meet her. Janna thought she looked stunning in her new, white Harley tank over her black swimsuit and treasured the vision of Ryan's long, lean legs walking barefoot through the sand.

When Ryan reached Janna, she pulled her into an embrace and picked her up off the ground. She whispered into her mate's ear, "We're gonna have a baby, Janna!"

"Ryan…he said yes?" Janna looked excitedly into her wife's eyes.

"He said yes, baby." Ryan returned her lover's intense gaze and kissed her. Their family gave them the space they needed for their private moment and the newlyweds didn't return to them for several minutes.

Twilight was beginning to settle over the lake and the lovely cabin that sat at its edge, and Janna waved as the minivan carrying her parents, her brother and his family turned onto the highway to begin the two-hour journey back home. They had bid farewell to John and Sara minutes earlier, and to Zac a few hours before that.

"Well, baby, it's just us now…what're we gonna do with ourselves for three days?"

Janna shook her head at her incorrigible mate and led her by the hand back onto the deck. They sat together in the swing and quietly watched dusk settle over the beautiful lake that they both loved so much and that now held such special meaning for them.

As they sat in the swing, quietly rocking back and forth and enjoying the peaceful surroundings, Janna went over in her head the short ritual that she would use later. She would basically simply be asking the moon spirit and the other benevolent spirits of the area to bless their union and allow them to express their love physically within their realm. It would involve using sacred materials to create a protected space for them and stating their intention that they wished for their act of love to be respectful of all beings present.

Their intention was to make their union as sacred as possible and to show respect for the earth, animal and nature spirits there. In all things metaphysical and spiritual, intention is of the utmost importance. Janna had consulted with a shaman friend, who had assured her that the ceremony that she had in mind would be acceptable.

Janna's plan involved waiting until midnight, when the moon would be at her highest point in the sky that night, and would also roughly mark the autumnal equinox: the start of fall. She found herself filled with anticipation and excitement and could feel that Ryan was experiencing the same feelings. Only, hers may quite possibly have more to do with being horny than spiritual, she told herself with an inward smile.

Just then, Ryan broke the silence when she said, "Sweetheart, I'm really looking forward to later." She looked down at her wife. "And not just because I'm a horny fucker, but…I don't know…it just seems so sacred. I love the sacred sex techniques you've shown me…I think they've enriched me as a human being… and I just can't wait to share this with you. I love the moon…I feel at times like she blesses us, and I can't wait to make love with you in her light."

My God, could she be any more perfect? "I'm so glad to hear that, my love. I'm looking forward to it for exactly the same reasons." She picked up Ryan's hand and kissed it before laying it in her lap. "My spirituality is very important to me and it means so much to me that you're taking an interest in it too."

"It's my heritage Janna. It is about time I took an interest in it, don't you think? In addition to that, apparently it is my spiritual heritage too…remember the Warrior dream I told you about where I was acting as a shaman? I wasn't only a warrior in that life, I was also a shamaness and a healer. I'm very proud of that fact and I'd like to regain some of that knowledge if I can." Janna watched with admiration as Ryan became pensive, looking out over the darkening lake.

I will help her. I'll teach her what I know and help her to achieve greater knowledge. We'll take the journey together. Janna picked up the long-fingered hand that sat in her lap and brought it to her lips. "Let's get some dinner, love, and then come back out here and watch Luna rise."

"Sounds great, baby."

Near the northern edge of the lakefront property, a small copse of trees sat near the shoreline. It provided shelter on three sides, with the fourth facing the lake, creating the perfect location for Ryan and Janna's special encounter.

Ryan unzipped the sleeping bags and laid them out, one on top of the other, within the circle that Janna had created out of stones. She then laid their wedding blanket over the top. The aroma of sage still sat heavily on the air from the smudging that her mate had done earlier, and the glow of several candles added their light to the rising moon's silvery glow.

Luna was now high in the east, her light creating a yellow-silver path along the surface of the lake, as if showing the way to heaven. Ryan sat quietly on the blankets as Janna conducted her ritual, silently admiring her beautiful mate and respectful of her views and of her knowledge. I want her to teach me what she knows. I want to share this aspect of her life.

Janna respectfully offered the sacred tobacco to the four directions of the earth, and to the moon and other spirits present. When the ritual was complete, Janna sat beside her mate and took her hand.

Ryan could feel how centered and balanced Janna was at that moment. She feels complete…this is truly one of her callings. The wholeness that Janna felt at that moment translated to joy, and Ryan felt that as well, through their link. Silently, Ryan pulled her wife into her arms and held her, and they waited in that position for Luna to take her place at the zenith, on her throne, so to speak.

A short time later, with Luna high above and her celestial companions twinkling dimly in her brilliant light, Janna turned in her mate's embrace and calmly sat in her lap, wrapping her legs around her torso in the Tantric fashion. She leaned forward and kissed her wife, communicating all of her love through the touch of her lips and the energetic connection that they shared. The kiss was loving without becoming passionate.

Then, she looked into her wife's eyes and recited her wedding vows. Ryan did likewise, and as tears trailed down both faces, they kissed again, letting their desire build and their love for each other begin to cascade. As they kissed deeply, Janna pulled Ryan's sweatshirt over her head, baring her upper body. Ryan did the same with Janna's heavy shirt and gasped as their torsos came together in the chilled night air.

They necked passionately for many minutes, in no hurry. When her desire began to pool in her groin, Ryan groaned, signaling Janna to help her to remove her pants. They stood together and disrobed completely before sitting again in their sacred position and resuming their lovemaking.

As their kisses deepened, hands began to roam sensuously and breasts brushed together erotically, creating the buzzing electricity that the lovers had become accustomed to when they touched. As she kissed her wife, Janna felt not only the physical sensation of building desire but a sense of emotional completeness. Of connection. Not only to her mate but to all of existence. Her body's physical reaction to her mate's sensual touch seemed to magnify the spiritual connection that she felt.

Ryan whispered into her mouth, not breaking their connection, "Janna, love…I'm starting to feel very high…I'm a little afraid."

Janna tightened her embrace around Ryan and whispered, "It's okay, love...I've got you. Just breathe, sweetheart. Here, follow me." Janna breathed slowly and deeply, guiding Ryan by example back to a safe place. "We'll go more slowly. You make our connection when you feel ready."

"Thanks, baby."

Ryan relaxed and soon felt the completeness that Janna was feeling. She let the spiritual high escalate in conjunction with her mounting physical desire and very shortly felt ready to connect with Janna.

She reached long fingers down between them and found Janna's soft, warm center. She entered her mate gently, slowly, reveling both in her partner's slick readiness and in her sharp intake of breath at the contact. She began a slow, rhythmic stroking and at the same time felt Janna enter her in the same manner.

Each stroke sent shockwaves of pleasure up their spines and caused a mounting pressure as the desire within their bodies soared. They began to moan in unison, increasing the pleasure even more. They synchronized their breathing with their stroking and when the first orgasmic wave hit, they rode it out, lengthening their breaths, which in turn lengthened the crest of the wave. The pleasure plateaued and then crested again, at a higher intensity than the first, and the cycle continued, over and over for nearly a half hour.

Luna gazed down at the entwined lovers, noting how her light bathed their slick skin in a silver glow as their bodies thrusted and gyrated rhythmically as one. She reached out with her essence and bathed their spirits with her energy, allowing them to enjoy the incredible gift of oneness with her.

Within the throes of the incredible ecstasy, Ryan felt sky high and as one with the Universe. For a brief instant, she felt omniscient; as if all the knowledge of the Universe were available to her. She gazed through glassy eyes into her mate's similarly glassy eyes and saw the same awareness. Janna smiled joyously at her and captured her lips fervently, sending them over the highest pleasurable peak yet, and causing both of them to arch and shriek their pleasure. The final orgasmic thrust ebbed and flowed for another few minutes, gently guiding them back to earth.

They stayed within each other's arms, rocking gently, silently, for long, timeless minutes. At one point (she couldn't say exactly when), Ryan pulled their wedding blanket around their bodies to keep out the chill. When they finally changed position and lay down, Luna was already in the western sky.

As the lovers lay in each other's arms, under the moon's loving light, they both felt as if they were among the most blessed humans on the planet, and felt a gratitude unlike any other they had ever experienced. Their love, as well, felt limitless: for each other and for all of creation.

As they gently kissed each other to sleep, their lunar friend smiled on them, and remembered the first time she had done so. It had been in a much earlier life. A life in which the small woman had helped to redeem the soul of her darker companion.

At the instant that Grandmother Moon set in the west, her counterpart rose in the east, bathing their friends in soft, pink light. He smiled, picking up on the energy of the scene and sent a silent question to the moon. Her answer returned, and he smiled once more. He enjoyed interacting with enlightened humans: he knew that overcoming their ignorance was a nearly impossible task and respected those who were able to shake off their modern programming. He watched as the dark one stirred, waking her mate in the process.

"Ryan…"

"Morning, Janna." Ryan stretched, letting cold air seep under their blanket, then shivered and pulled her bodywarmer closer. "Janna, was last night a dream?"

"Mm…nope. Real…all of it." She smiled against her wife's breast. "Intense, huh?"

"Janna, the word hasn't been invented yet for what that was."

Jana smiled again. "Yeah, it surprised me too. I, um, hadn't planned on the Tantra part…it kinda just happened that way."

"What did you think would happen?" Ryan gazed expectantly down at her mate in her arms.

"Well, I guess…that we'd just go at it like…like we usually do...and..."

"You thought I'd be my usual take charge, horny self and we'd fu...."

"I thought that we'd make love…beautifully, like always…I just didn't plan the Tantra as part of the ritual." Still sleepy green eyes gained a twinkle as she gently corrected her mate.

"Well, it certainly worked for me." Ryan looked down at her wife. "I want to talk about it. I want to understand what happened, Janna...and I want you to help me learn what you know."

"Let's go do that, love. We need to make our morning connection, so let's go inside and do that."

They shared a sweet kiss and rose, the dark one wrapping them in their blanket and walking her mate up the beach, onto the deck and into the house. At the door to the house, they turned as one and looked out at the lake, and Grandfather Sun winked at them. Janna felt it and smiled.

Return to Main Page