He pushed aside his menu and gave her his full attention.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly before continuing. "Birth control."
He frowned. "We decided we want children, didn't we? Why do we need to use birth control? Why not let it happen naturally?"
"I thought it would be nice if we adjusted to each other before we complicated our marriage with children."
He stared at her for a moment. "Megan...First, I don't consider children to be a complication...more an enhancement. Second, how long do you think we will need to adjust to each other...more than nine months?"
She smiled and put her hand over his. "I suppose complication was a poor choice of words, but children do complicate a marriage where two parents are working. Do you expect me to quit work?"
He turned his hand palm up, so that it touched hers. "I guess I did." He met her gaze. "Would you object to that?"
"I haven't really thought about it." She shrugged. "I wouldn't mind staying home for a while, anyway." She shrugged again. "I can't say I would object to it, but I suppose I won't really know how I will feel about it until the time comes."
He nodded. "So that's why you want to put it off for a while - children?"
"I don't know. Dad has pressured me for so long about a grandchild that I don't know how I feel about it." She squeezed his hand. "I want a baby sometime...more than one..."
He smiled and released her hand. "I'll buy some protection...until you've had time to think about it. I don't want to pressure you into making a sudden decision about that too."
Thursday afternoon they were married in a little community church with only Sylvia, Joe and her parents attending. Her father gave her away and Sylvia was her bridesmaid. Joe was best man. It was a simple, fast ceremony and suddenly she was Mrs. Justin Keaton. She walked out of the church on his arm with a surreal feeling. She looked up at Justin and he gave her a reassuring smile.
After a small reception hosted by Sylvia and Joe, they drove back to her apartment alone. Justin insisted on unlocking the door. He pushed it open and turned to her. Lifting her into his strong arms, he carried her over the threshold. As he set her down, she slipped her arms around his neck.
"I love you," She whispered as his arms surrounded her.
"I love you too," he said as he kicked the door shut.
For a while they kissed and hugged all they wanted, knowing there was no such thing as going to far now. It was a feeling of total freedom.