You Gotta Love a Wedding

Weddings, you gotta love 'em! All that romance and all that drama. You just can't beat them.

I've always enjoyed a good wedding. A spiffed-out groom in a tux and a blushing bride in a fabulous gown. You are guaranteed to have at least one hung-over groomsman and one that's already tipsy. There is just so much comedy and tragedy on tap that weddings are just too hard to resist. That and of course, an open bar at the reception!

This wedding would prove to be a memorable one. My girlfriend and I had been planning to attend a friend's wedding. On the day in question, she came down with a "massive headache" that meant she couldn't attend. Fine, going stag meant I'd get all the usual odd looks and questions but I didn't want to miss this wedding.

The bride was stunning and the groom looked shell shocked but they said their vows, exchanged rings and kissed.

I often skipped the photo sessions because they are usually as boring as watching paint dry but with no date, I figured I'd go along.

It was a beautiful, verdant park and I'm sure the photos would be spectacular. The wedding party smiled happily, but after the photographer had snapped the shutter I noticed one bridesmaid in particular lost any sign of mirth. She looked as sour as lemons, odd on such a special day. She was paired up with the hung-over groomsman. I noticed that during a break in the photo session, the groomsman walked over to a nearby bush and threw up. The bridesmaid shook her head in disgust. Who could blame her?

At the reception, I made it through the receiving line. The bride introduced me to any bridesmaids that I wouldn't know. She introduced me to the sour one.

"Marty Frobisher, this is my cousin Astrid Kopekne."

"Hello Astrid, it's nice to meet you."

I put on my full 1000-watt smile for her. She just grinned back.

"Hi, nice to meet you."

Up close I got the impression that she hated being there. If she was trying to hide it she was failing miserably. It made me wonder, is she perhaps secretly in love with the groom? Is she angry for not being chosen as the maid of honour? Or is she just pissed that she got paired with the irresponsible and hopelessly hungover groomsman?

After the speeches and the standard rubber chicken dinner, the dancing began. A pissed-off Astrid danced with her partner for the one official dance. She held him so far away from her that dancing looked comical.

When the music stopped she went back to the head table and took her seat. The groomsman made a full-on sprint to the bar.

I was sitting with a group of older adults, grandparents of the bride and groom. I wanted to dance but with no date, I was out of luck. The bride's grandmother whispered in my ear.

"Why don't you go and invite young Astrid to dance? Maybe it will brighten her day."

Grandma had a great idea, why not, I said to myself. I nodded at Grandma and walked up to the head table.

"Hi Astrid, I'm Marty. Would you like to dance?"

"Okay."

I offered my arm and she took it. We got to the dance floor and with a rock and roll classic we shimmied and shook our tail feathers to the band's playing. When a softer song began I held out my hand to her in invitation. She hesitated but then took my hand and we assumed the slow dance position. A little bodily contact but just a little. She did hold me closer than her former hungover partner. My guess was I probably smelled better.

Astrid was obviously of Scandinavian descent. Blonde hair done up with curls, especially for the occasion framed a beautiful face with clear blue eyes. The bridesmaid's dresses fit tightly to her top, showing a full figure. The gown flared out below the waist. She danced well in a pair of heels. Few women can pull that off.

"Are you enjoying the wedding Astrid?"

"I'm enjoying this dance, so far that's the highlight of my day."

"I'm glad I could make it a little brighter for you."

"That guy they paired me with is disgusting. I am filling in as a bridesmaid at the last minute. One got sick so I stepped in. This is her dress, it doesn't fit me all that well."

"You look wonderful in it like it was made for you."

"Liar, it's too tight up top. If I took a deep breath I'd split the seams."

"Well, for modesty sake keep up the shallow breathing!"

That got the biggest smile I had seen on her all day.

"Did you bring a guest with you?"

"No, my boyfriend hates weddings so he told me to go alone. I could kill him sometimes."

"Weddings are an acquired taste. I happen to like them."

"What about you? Are you here stag?"

"Yes, my girlfriend came down with a bad headache, I'm afraid she may share your boyfriend's opinion on weddings."

"So if we're both at loose ends why don't we stick together? I like you so far, you've made me smile and you're a good dancer, plus and you don't smell like puke."

"Good to know, I hope I can bring more smiles and maybe even a few laughs."

Since it would look very odd and a breach of protocol for me to sit with Astrid at the head table, she came to sit with me at the table with the grandparents.

Grandma leaned over and whispered again.

"You two looked wonderful together. Thank you for making this day a little brighter for her."

Astrid and I drank in moderation. We wanted to be loose, not staggering like much of the bridal party. We danced often, each time we danced slow she held me closer until there was no space between us. As the song ended she looked up at me smiling, I lowered my head to hers and kissed her.

"That was nice, but if my boyfriend was here he'd skin you alive for that."

"I'd hate to see what he'd do if he saw this."

I kissed her again but I pushed my tongue past her lips. She welcomed my tongue with hers and we just kind of lost time. Eventually one of us broke the kiss.

"Marty, if he saw that you'd be dead meat."

"Well let's not let him see us then."

We resumed the passionate kissing. I was getting very excited, holding her close and kissing like this. My excitement was pretty obvious to Astrid who could feel it hard against her.

"Once the bride and groom leave, about half an hour from now, we get released from duty so we can do whatever we want after that."

"I want to stay with you as long as you'll have me, Astrid."

"What if I wanted you till morning?"

"Then I guess I'm yours."

"Don't go anywhere I'll be back."

She scampered off to do whatever it took to help the bride change into some travel clothes.

I sat back down with the grandparents. Grandma again thanked me for showing Astrid a good time. She also commented that we made a cute couple.

I decided to take a break and call my girlfriend. I should note here that we were not exclusively dating each other. We both had dated others while we were each other's primary. I hope that makes sense. What that meant to me was I could entertain Astrid quilt-free. I had no idea what Astrid's status was.

"Hey, how is the headache?"

"It's ok, I took some painkillers. I'll survive."

"Good to hear. The party is still going strong. Looks like it's going to be a late night. It's been a fun time."

"Did you meet anyone interesting?"

That was our code phrase for did you find somebody hot!

"Yes, one of the bridesmaids ended up paired with a hung-over groomsman. I had to rescue her."

"Don't have too much fun. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

I went to the bar and got a mineral water. I didn't need to be shitfaced when Astrid returned.

Astrid came back just a few minutes before the bride and groom entered the hall to say goodbye before honeymooning. That took another hour.

Finally, Astrid came to the table and kissed my cheek. The grandparents had all said goodnight and left. We sat at the table alone.

"So where are we off to then? She asked.

"It depends on how serious you are about me hanging about till morning."

"Very serious."

"Then where are you staying?

"Empire Hotel, a very nice room."

"Astrid, I need to ask this and I want an honest answer. What is your status with your boyfriend? You said if he'd seen me kiss you he'd have skinned me alive. That would indicate you are not really available."

"Wow, not only an excellent dancer and brutally handsome but you have a moral compass as well? You are a dying breed, Marty. My relationship status is flexible. My boyfriend and I are on again, off again. He can't commit to me and he was warned that if I went to the wedding alone I would be meat to all the eligible men. He didn't give a shit, so you and I are just fine Marty. Can you drive us to the Empire?"

"Just try to stop me."

We got in the car and started to make out in the parking lot. Eventually, I got the car in gear and we drove to the hotel. The room was beautifully appointed but the only thing I had eyes for was Astrid and the great big king-sized bed. It was a shame that so little of the bed would be used.

I climbed into bed and stripped down to my boxers. Astrid came out of the bathroom stark naked.

"Holy fuck Astrid, you are smoking hot!"

"I'm glad you approve. Now you can see why that tight-top dress was giving me grief."

The sheer size and round fullness of her breasts made it seem impossible to fit into so small a dress.

"You must have felt like you were being crushed by an anaconda."

"Pretty much, it feels much better now. Do you want to feel how much better?"

"Rhetorical question, of course I do."

She lay down on the bed and I felt the solid warmth of her heavy breasts. The tissue was so dense I wanted to ask if they were augmented, but before I could ask she whispered.

"They're all natural. I have been gifted. It's my good Scandinavian genes."

"They are fucking sensational." I said as nibbled lightly on a nipple."

"Suck on them Marty, it feels so nice."

She reached down into my boxers and held my growing erection in her hand.

"I could tell you had a nice cock from our dancing but I didn't suspect it was like this. It's bigger than most."

"It's all natural. I have been gifted. It's my British genes."

She laughed and I laughed. We kissed and then she spoke the words I longed to hear.

"Fuck me Marty."

"Are you on birth control?"

"No, I'm not."

"I don't have a condom."

"I don't care, fuck me."

I had positioned my now rock-hard cock against her and since she had asked, I entered her hot and well-lubricated vagina.

"Oh fuck Marty."

" Let me know what you need Astrid, tell me and I'll give it to you."

"Just fuck me as you please. That feels so good, I feel so full."

Five minutes of gradually speeding up my strokes had her panting and on the edge of an orgasm. We were in missionary position and thought another position might be better but she was so close that I didn't want to disturb the natural flow. How to take her over the top? She had her eyes closed and so close now, I simply kissed her lightly twice on the lips and then the third time I pressed my tongue into her mouth and the passion overcame her and she shook in ecstasy as she came.

We lay side by side panting and sweating. I had completely forgotten to ask her whether I should have withdrawn to ejaculate on her belly. Instead I had thoughtlessly inseminated her with a huge load.

"Tell me, is it Marty or Martin?" She asked.

"Martin, but I get called Marty a lot."

"I'll call you Martin. Martin, I think you are the best man I've ever had. Mind you I haven't had many but you are top of the fucking charts!"

"And we've only started. You are spectacular Astrid. If your boyfriend won't commit to you he should be committed! If you were mine I'd never let you go."

"Silver-tongued devil, keep it up and I may just take you up on that."

We relaxed and kissed until I could feel myself getting ready for more love. Astrid noticed the tumescence and scooted down the bed to take my growing member into her beautiful mouth. It wasn't long before I stopped her and rolled her onto her stomach. She positioned herself so I could enter her doggy style. It felt warm and wonderful, not as tight as the first time but I could go way deeper inside her. She came twice before I found my release. I half pulled out.

"No, don't pull out. Stay inside me. Stay until you're soft again."

I followed her instructions to the letter.

Again we rested in each other's arms.

"This seems so strange, I feel like I've known you for a long time yet we just met today." She commented.

"Sometimes something just seems right. This feels more than just right, it almost feels predestined."

"Yeah, that's the word, predestined."

"I'm glad you came along Martin."

"I'm glad I found you Astrid. Where is home?"

"I live here in Grantham, on the other side of town.

"I assumed you were from out of town. So we might see each other from time to time."

"It would be nice to see you regularly."

"Mmm, I think I might be up for once more if you are Astrid."

"I can't wait, take me again Martin. Make me yours tonight."

We started in missionary because we liked being face to face but this time she brought her legs up and put them on my shoulders. I could go deeply into her. I accidentally pulled out and I slipped going back in and my glans popped into her anus.

"Oh fuck yes, take my ass Martin."

I pressed in and she had a wild orgasm. I slowly pumped in and out, afraid to hurt her. I came hard in her ass. That was it. Hell it was a record, I had never managed three times in a night.

"Hold me till I fall asleep okay Martin?"

"Yes, whatever you need Astrid."

We held each other until dawn.

The morning light peeked through the corners of the blackout curtains in the hotel room. I could make out Astrid's sleeping form on the bed. She rolled over and opened her eyes, she smiled.

"Good morning."

"Morning, Astrid."

"Shower and breakfast?

"Yes, in that order."

We showered together. We touched each other intimately but we were both sore from last nights activity.

We went to the dining room for breakfast. I dressed in the same suit and Astrid in jeans and a sweater.

"So what are you thinking Martin?"

"I'm just thinking about you and what a lucky man I am."

"How so?"

"I met you. Please tell me if you don't think that we have something special brewing between us, because I do. A one night stand is not something I have ever done and I don't want that now. I want to see if there is a possibility that we can have something greater between us."

"Greater than last night? Impossible because last night was the most incredible experience ever. I hear what you're saying and I want to believe. I've not been lucky in love. I seem to attract all the wrong sort. You are the first half way decent guy I've met. I will need to let my friend know. He may not be pleased but he has had the opportunity to commit and he refuses. So yes, I feel very strongly that there is a possibility for more with you."

We finished breakfast and we went back to her room. She packed her bag and I offered to drive her home. She said it would be better for her to go by an Uber. Just in case the boyfriend was in a skinning mood.

I called my girlfriend and told her about yesterday but not telling her all of the exciting details.

"Did you enjoy your time with the bridesmaid?"

"Actually, yes. More than I anticipated."

"Oh, so do you think you will try to see her again?"

"I think so, we seemed to have a strong connection. I believe I should pursue it or at least see where it leads. I know we said that it was alright, that we were not exclusive, but I just want to make sure that I'm not stepping on your toes here."

"I've dated other men and we're still close. You are free to date too."

"That was my understanding too, just clarifying. Let's get together tonight and have dinner."

I fired off a text to Astrid.

"I hope everything is good at home. I had a wonderful time at the wedding. Let me know how things worked out."

I didn't receive a reply for four hours. I figured she was busy. The reply contained an attached photo. The message read...

"This is how it worked out!"

The photo was a selfie, taken in the hospital. Her eye was red and swollen, she'd have a hell of a shiner tomorrow.

"He did that to you?" I texted back.

"Yes, hell of a temper. He called me a slut and kicked me out. He isn't wrong, I was pretty slutty with you last night. I guess we're officially broken up this time."

"Blame me and not yourself. I saw something in you that made me think that something deeper was possible and I wasn't wrong. So he kicked you out?"

"Yeah, as I said it was on and off. Now it's off for good."

"Where will you go?"

"Probably a cheap motel until I can find a cheap apartment to rent."

"Come and stay with me."

"I couldn't ask that of you. We've only just met."

"After last night I'd say we know each other well enough. Please Astrid, come stay with me."

"Okay, give me your address."

I did and she promised to come right after the hospital gave her the go ahead.

I called my girlfriend to let her know what happened. I had to cancel dinner. She said that Astrid should have him charged with assault. I said I'd recommend exactly that."

Astrid looked pretty rough, the eye had already started to discolour and she had stitches on her forehead. The scalp looked to be torn.

"He should be charged with assault Astrid, and you should get a restraining order."

"Yeah, that'll piss him off royally. I'm inclined to to take my lumps and live to fight another day. I didn't even tell him about us. He was just pissed cause I spent the night at the hotel. I'm through with him. Between him and the barfing groomsman, I can really attract the good ones. You were my only bright light Martin, my port in a stormy sea."

"I hope I can offer you a safe place to anchor and heal."

"How did your talk with your girlfriend go? What's her name anyway?"

"Caroline, and she is fine with this. She confirmed that we are more like friends with benefits than boyfriend and girlfriend."

"Is that what you want me to be, your friend with benefits?"

"No, I get the sense that with you Astrid it would be all or nothing."

"I like that. You're right, I would either be totally yours or not at all. How do you feel right now?"

"I feel like I've been run over by a locomotive. I feel as if I've gone from a total skeptic to believing in love at first sight. I think we need to learn more about each other, but I see a lot of promise."

She never did press charges and he never bothered her again. She healed nicely and she was left with only a small scar. I told her it was the only thing separating her from being a Norse goddess. She laughed at that. I came to love that laugh.

She stayed with me for a month. When she found an apartment that she could afford she rented it and moved out. I asked her not to leave but she said it was important to her that she have her own space. Her experience with men had taught her that she couldn't rely on them to support her. It made her fiercely independent.

She assured me that It shouldn't change us or our relationship. She wanted me to know it was not a rejection of me. She still intended to spend many nights here with me. I had become so attached to her that not having her there felt wrong.

The week she moved in she missed her period. She did a home test and double checked it with a doctor visit. She was pregnant.

I pleaded with her to come back to my place but she said no. She said it could be my child or it could be her ex's. She wanted the time to herself.

It took three months for her to realize that she missed being with me. She also realized that I was different than the men she had been with. I wasn't going to abandon her.

She moved back into my apartment. I have a two bedroom apartment. I had converted one bedroom into an office so I repurposed it back to being a bedroom. She usually slept with me but it gave her a sense of security, having her own room.