Rowan smiled at Cris. "One time is enough," he said softly. "I know once you make a promise you keep it. It might be a great excuse for a big party in fifty years, however."
A proposal of marriage was, in Rowan's opinion, a pretty big damn deal. It was a big deal when your lifespan was eighty years and an even bigger deal when your lifespan was infinite. Yet Rowan felt no hesitation in this, almost surprising when one considered his legendary lack of commitment - or avoidance of commitment if one were to be precise. He maintained to himself that none of his previous partners had ever been Cris before. Rowan wasn't stupid enough to not know perfection when he found it.
In short, he knew when Cris said 'forever' he meant it, and Rowan did too. That thought was enough to keep his heart pounding as he relived Cris's proposal in his mind. Ecstatic didn't even begin to describe the profound level of happiness he felt and he didn't try to restrain it, clinging as closely as he could to his partner when he removed the bracelet from its box and began to show him what, exactly, it was.
Rowan's smile only grew at the thoughtfulness of the gift. Opening it as directed he saw Cris's message in familiar print. Rowan smiled, pulled out the little stylus on his bracelet, and responded in tiny, precise flowing script that was the complete opposite of Cris's. Rowan was certainly capable of writing in many other ways but he was amused at the opposition. He responded to Cris's message with "I love you, too," and sent it to his partner. He gave a little 'ah' of understanding when Cris showed him how the one tiny button would let Cris know he wanted to speak privately.
When Cris showed him the tiny image of his proposal Rowan grinned and laughed softly. "This is outrageous," he said, meaning the word in the very best sense. "I love it, Cris. Did you make it?"
He put the stylus away and and fit the bracelet onto his right wrist, fastening it and admiring the dark metal. It was a style he could wear with anything, anywhere, not that he gave much thought to conventional accessorizing but still, the fact that it was clearly made with him in mind made him happy. "You're incredible," he said, beaming at Cris.
Glancing up at the camera Cris indicated, Rowan winked at it before sighing happily into Cris's kiss, returning it with equal intensity. Reaching up he slid his hands behind Cris's neck and sank his fingers into his partner's soft blond hair. As he did he clasped a little chain around Cris's neck and let the pendant fall upon his partner's breast. As they broke apart Rowan did not try to hide the glistening tears of joy in his eyes. "I cannot tell you just how happy you make me, Cris. There aren't any words. I'll just have to spend the rest of my life trying to show you."
He brushed his fingers gently against the little pendant he had just put around Cris's neck and then pulled away so Cris could look at it. The chain and pendant were made of shining titanium, polished to a bright silver. The pendant was diamond-shaped and slightly thicker than a traditional hammered-flat pendant, to accommodate the engravings on both sides. Both etchings were done in cobalt blue, and they were both very clearly done in Rowan's handwriting. On one side the letters C and R were entwined with some embellishment; not enough to be flowery and in a somewhat bolder style that Rowan had thought would suit Cris better than swirling calligraphy. The C encompassed the R for the most part, which was Rowan's intention to match the other side of the diamond. On the other side, in the same script, was the phrase, 'The guiding star to this wandering bark, never to be shaken.'
He had written the phrase himself and arranged it to be etched onto the pendant in the same cobalt blue as the initials. Rowan could not be certain the Cris had the same love for Shakespeare's sonnets as he did, but one in particular held a great deal of meaning for them, and this one very much summed up Rowan's feelings for his partner. As he had intended to give Cris a piece of himself, he thought this was the best way to go about it. There certainly was no pendant in existence that looked like this or accurately portrayed his thoughts. He'd had it made only a few weeks ago and had been thinking of giving it to his partner while on their vacation, but he'd been carrying it around with him and he could not have picked a better time himself than the current atmosphere that Cris had so thoughtfully created for them here and now.
"I think dessert and champagne sound wonderful." He smiled slowly at Cris, and added, "Just leave room for the private menu."
Cris was sitting on the outside of the booth now, so Rowan waited for him to turn toward the dessert cart. He certainly wasn't about to reach around Cris unless it was for another kiss. If they spent the next hour kissing instead of eating dessert, well, that would be okay too.
A modest proposal (Private, Attn: Rowan)
Cris debated with himself over many of the details of the night but one particular detail gave him the most trouble. He worried over it for days while he worked on the bracelets in the shop. Eventually Grisha threatened to water board him if he didn't spill whatever it was that was bothering him.
*********************************************
That had just made him worry all the more. So he explained to Grisha what he was planning and what his current problem was, waiting also to see what his Creator thought of the plan.
"Your strategy is sound, if that's what your worried about.†His oldest friend seemed amused. "Stop looking at me like I didn't answer your question, Crispin.†He settled back further into the chair and eyed his vampire son with steely blue eyes. "I think that it will work out just fine, either way. This might be one of the unexpected portions of the evening. So plan for it and move on. I suspect that whatever way the evening goes it will seem like perfection to your redheaded healer.â€
Cris nodded and waited, not turning back to his tools. He watched his Creator silently.
Finally Grisha snorted and shook his head. "What? I like him. He seems sensible. He likes books and he takes care of them...†That made Cris smile; leave it to Grisha to measure someone's worth by how they treated reading material. "He has a good head on his shoulders and still has some mischief in him. So long as that isn't directed my way then its a good trait.†Grisha sighed and stood up from his chair. As he walked past, he placed a hand on Cris's shoulder. "And he makes you happy.†It was rare disclosure from his Creator but he was happy to hear that Grisha approved of Rowan. It wouldn't change his course of action but it would have made him a little sad if Grisha had thought he had lost his mind.
The parting gruff murmur as he wandered back toward his book store sounded something like. "Now that I approve did you want me to give you away?†And then there was amused coughing laughter. Cris could only imagine what mental image had prompted such humor.
Alone again with his tools, he muttered to himself. "Maybe, but I am not wearing a dress.†He would at least like Grisha to be there and be happy for him and that sounded like what he was going to get.
**********************************************
His Creator had been right about the potential problem that was worrying him. He would just have to handle things as they arose and he thought that he had planned for that eventuality.
So now he stood by the door dressed in a slim cut suit of medium grey with a lighter grey pin stripe pattern. His shirt was white and his tie was a pale grey that looked almost silver. Hands in his coat pockets, he did his best to look casual as he waited for Rowan to join him. Hopefully any errant behavior would be attributed to excitment caused by their imminent Caribbean holiday.
Rowan Murphy
11 years ago
Christian Bern
11 years ago
Cris smiled and nodded. "I think we can plan on a fifty year party." If they started planning it right after the wedding then they might have a chance to make it the party that people will be talking about for centuries. He wondered if they could get so much going on that no one would notice him slipping out with Rowan for their own more private party.
He was happy to see that his partner liked the gift. Rowan asked if he made it and Cris nodded once more. "I had some help." Speaking of help, he would show Rowan the different sleeves that Aishe helped him make later.
During the kiss that he gave Rowan, Cris felt his lover's fingers slide around his neck and trail into his hair. Something light then rolled across his skin at the nape. The little tickle caused him to shiver but he was far too intent on what he was doing to notice much other than Rowan.
So it wasn't until after he pulled away and smiled at Rowan's comment that he noticed he was wearing a new piece of jewelry. Cris looked down at it and then back up at his fiancee. "I think you manage quite nicely but if you would like to keep trying then I will not stop you." He grinned, placing his fingers gently on the little diamond so that he could pick it up and get a closer look. Most likely he would encourage plenty of attention from Rowan as much as he could possibly pack into their future together.
He liked how the C was wrapped around the R like his arms around Rowan, holding him close. Cris turned it over to see if the letters were reversed on the other side though that might have been more tricky as an R wasn't exactly suited to cuddling. Luckily Rowan didn't share the same problem. Cris leaned his head against Rowan's arm as he read the words engraved in Rowan's beautiful script. Tears came to his eyes and he found he had a lack of words. Eventually he looked up at Rowan and nodded. "I hope to always be." Hugging Rowan close, he added. "So long as you are here to guide me as well." Rowan did that so well. His life had changed tremendously by Rowan just being in it. He spent more time with friends. His team thought he might have a heart in his mechanical chest. Above it all, he was truly happy each and every day.
Sitting up, he smiled at Rowan and said. [I intend to properly thank you later for this.] His fingers brushed lovingly over the pendant. [and saying yes. It is a good thing you do not work tomorrow.]
Reaching over to the cart, Cris picked up the cake and set it on the table so that he could cut a couple of pieces and place them on the smaller plates that had been provided.
Amy came out on cue, almost as if someone sent for her, bringing a bottle of champagne and a couple of glasses. She set them on the table and then looked down at Cris. "Oh that's pretty!" Amy looked closer at the pendant and then at Rowan. She seemed a little confused, after all Cris had been the one proposing.
"I was not the only one planning a little secret." [i]He smiled and gave Rowan's leg a friendly squeeze.
Amy's eyebrows rose and then she smiled. "Great minds think alike as they say. Congratulations to you both!" She wisely got out of the way as Cris pulled the foil off the top of the bottle. Soon there was the sound of the cork popping; it landed on a nearby table. They would have to retrieve that.
Later.
He was happy to see that his partner liked the gift. Rowan asked if he made it and Cris nodded once more. "I had some help." Speaking of help, he would show Rowan the different sleeves that Aishe helped him make later.
During the kiss that he gave Rowan, Cris felt his lover's fingers slide around his neck and trail into his hair. Something light then rolled across his skin at the nape. The little tickle caused him to shiver but he was far too intent on what he was doing to notice much other than Rowan.
So it wasn't until after he pulled away and smiled at Rowan's comment that he noticed he was wearing a new piece of jewelry. Cris looked down at it and then back up at his fiancee. "I think you manage quite nicely but if you would like to keep trying then I will not stop you." He grinned, placing his fingers gently on the little diamond so that he could pick it up and get a closer look. Most likely he would encourage plenty of attention from Rowan as much as he could possibly pack into their future together.
He liked how the C was wrapped around the R like his arms around Rowan, holding him close. Cris turned it over to see if the letters were reversed on the other side though that might have been more tricky as an R wasn't exactly suited to cuddling. Luckily Rowan didn't share the same problem. Cris leaned his head against Rowan's arm as he read the words engraved in Rowan's beautiful script. Tears came to his eyes and he found he had a lack of words. Eventually he looked up at Rowan and nodded. "I hope to always be." Hugging Rowan close, he added. "So long as you are here to guide me as well." Rowan did that so well. His life had changed tremendously by Rowan just being in it. He spent more time with friends. His team thought he might have a heart in his mechanical chest. Above it all, he was truly happy each and every day.
Sitting up, he smiled at Rowan and said. [I intend to properly thank you later for this.] His fingers brushed lovingly over the pendant. [and saying yes. It is a good thing you do not work tomorrow.]
Reaching over to the cart, Cris picked up the cake and set it on the table so that he could cut a couple of pieces and place them on the smaller plates that had been provided.
Amy came out on cue, almost as if someone sent for her, bringing a bottle of champagne and a couple of glasses. She set them on the table and then looked down at Cris. "Oh that's pretty!" Amy looked closer at the pendant and then at Rowan. She seemed a little confused, after all Cris had been the one proposing.
"I was not the only one planning a little secret." [i]He smiled and gave Rowan's leg a friendly squeeze.
Amy's eyebrows rose and then she smiled. "Great minds think alike as they say. Congratulations to you both!" She wisely got out of the way as Cris pulled the foil off the top of the bottle. Soon there was the sound of the cork popping; it landed on a nearby table. They would have to retrieve that.
Later.
Rowan Murphy
11 years ago
Cris looked down at the pendant for longer than Rowan had expected. When he looked up again Rowan saw that his eyes were not the only ones that weren't dry. Cris hugged him and Rowan held him close, smiling at his boyfriend - no, his fiancee's words. Holy shit, he had a fiancee.
"I'm going to be here for you forever, Cris," he said, murmuring the words into his partner's ear. Then, pulling away, he grinned hugely. "I can't believe you're going to be my husband. And I'll be yours."
Cris's words in sending made him feel warm and almost euphoric. [What were your plans for after this, a ghra? You know, we're leaving for the Caribbean fairly soon. The Buccaneer is right here on the dock and she's fully outfitted...] They could go there now and stay there... Rowan wondered if Cris would be willing. Someone could bring their bags from Liefde, he was sure.
He had to laugh out of sheer joy. "I thought it didn't matter as long as we were together... and really, I would have waited centuries. But that you want this - God, Cris. I'm so damn happy."
Cris served the cake and the waitress returned with two flutes and a bottle of champagne. Rowan thanked her when she congratulated them and watched the cork from the bottle fly across the room.
When they both had their full flutes of bubbling champagne Rowan lifted his glass to Cris and took his partner's free hand in his. "I love you, sweetheart," he said, "you've made me the happiest man on the planet tonight and I know it's only going to get better."
He wasn't sure he could taste anything at that point. Not the Great Cake, not the champagne or the tres leches when they split that either. He was sure it was fantastic but he kept glancing at the gorgeous bracelet on his wrist, the shining pendant around Cris's neck, and of course his partner. His husband. His Cris.
Rowan couldn't stop kissing his lover either. He truly did hope Cris had made too many more plans, because in his utter elation all he wanted to do now was try to demonstrate to his partner just how much he loved him - his way. With his hands, his mouth, anything, until they were both completely lost in each other.
"I'm going to be here for you forever, Cris," he said, murmuring the words into his partner's ear. Then, pulling away, he grinned hugely. "I can't believe you're going to be my husband. And I'll be yours."
Cris's words in sending made him feel warm and almost euphoric. [What were your plans for after this, a ghra? You know, we're leaving for the Caribbean fairly soon. The Buccaneer is right here on the dock and she's fully outfitted...] They could go there now and stay there... Rowan wondered if Cris would be willing. Someone could bring their bags from Liefde, he was sure.
He had to laugh out of sheer joy. "I thought it didn't matter as long as we were together... and really, I would have waited centuries. But that you want this - God, Cris. I'm so damn happy."
Cris served the cake and the waitress returned with two flutes and a bottle of champagne. Rowan thanked her when she congratulated them and watched the cork from the bottle fly across the room.
When they both had their full flutes of bubbling champagne Rowan lifted his glass to Cris and took his partner's free hand in his. "I love you, sweetheart," he said, "you've made me the happiest man on the planet tonight and I know it's only going to get better."
He wasn't sure he could taste anything at that point. Not the Great Cake, not the champagne or the tres leches when they split that either. He was sure it was fantastic but he kept glancing at the gorgeous bracelet on his wrist, the shining pendant around Cris's neck, and of course his partner. His husband. His Cris.
Rowan couldn't stop kissing his lover either. He truly did hope Cris had made too many more plans, because in his utter elation all he wanted to do now was try to demonstrate to his partner just how much he loved him - his way. With his hands, his mouth, anything, until they were both completely lost in each other.
Christian Bern
11 years ago
Cris blinked at Rowan and then put on his most serious face, which never had the normal affect on his partner, not even from day one. "You had best believe it. I will hold you to that promise." He was old in vampire terms, not entirely ancient but quite old and he would like to spend at least another of his lifetime's with Rowan. He could fathom a thousand years because he had seen a thousand. The idea of spending that length of time with Rowan beside him filled him with unspeakable joy.
He smiled slyly as Rowan mentioned the boat and their trip which was planned to start in the very near future. "There is a stop I want to make first." Cris leaned over and took another bite of the delicious cake, chewing thoughtfully and quite possibly dragging out the nature of this stop on purpose. Carefully setting his fork down again, he turned to Rowan and said. "It happens to be very close to the docks." A thought that had very much crossed his mind when he was planning this evening.
Pulling out his wallet, he opened it and slid out a scanned copy of a strip of photos that should be very familiar to Rowan. They made them on their first official date. "I was thinking of adding to our collection." It was an interesting tradition that he wanted to start. The photo booths didn't print out the best pictures but they were fun and the multiple shots expressed a moment much better than one that was staged by someone else. They could have professional photos made but he loved his photo strip from their date; it meant more to him that some fancy posed for pictures taken in a studio somewhere. They could go down there right after their dinner, dressed quite formally for a set of pictures taken by a machine.
"Perhaps we should get weddings shots done there also." Cris laughed but he was serious about the idea. Yes, they could have professional pictures as well but another strip of photos from their wedding day would be perfect.
"I would not have made you wait centuries..." He protested when Rowan said that he would have done so. "A few decades perhaps..." Brand had accomplished something he never intended and that was to bring them closer together and remind them both that life could be cut short even for a vampire. It was best to live it while you had it.
Cris smiled at Rowan's toast and added. "One of the happiest men on the planet. I feel the need to claim that title also." He sighed happily and leaned into his partner. "It will get better and maybe worse. There will be surprises and bumps, joys and sorrows but there will always be the two of us to experience it all together."
"So...I do not have to work tomorrow." He began. "And I just asked Grisha to get our bags to your boat." He had thought that they might spend the night on the boat tonight since it was so close to the little booth where he wanted to get the pictures. Cris was aching to show Rowan exactly how happy he truly was. He had suspected that they both might feel that way and that they might want some time alone. For that reason, his plans for after the dinner were very short. Perhaps it should all be bigger and more grandiose but really all he needed to make the night perfect was Rowan.
And a private place.
He hadn't intended on leaving for their vacation early but when Rowan hinted at it the idea seemed rather perfect. They could be miles out to sea before anyone knew they were gone. He had promised to send back news to Aishe and Grisha. Alfarinn certainly deserved to know, if he didn't already.
"Let us see if we can get the rest of this cake and champagne to go. Shall we?"
He smiled slyly as Rowan mentioned the boat and their trip which was planned to start in the very near future. "There is a stop I want to make first." Cris leaned over and took another bite of the delicious cake, chewing thoughtfully and quite possibly dragging out the nature of this stop on purpose. Carefully setting his fork down again, he turned to Rowan and said. "It happens to be very close to the docks." A thought that had very much crossed his mind when he was planning this evening.
Pulling out his wallet, he opened it and slid out a scanned copy of a strip of photos that should be very familiar to Rowan. They made them on their first official date. "I was thinking of adding to our collection." It was an interesting tradition that he wanted to start. The photo booths didn't print out the best pictures but they were fun and the multiple shots expressed a moment much better than one that was staged by someone else. They could have professional photos made but he loved his photo strip from their date; it meant more to him that some fancy posed for pictures taken in a studio somewhere. They could go down there right after their dinner, dressed quite formally for a set of pictures taken by a machine.
"Perhaps we should get weddings shots done there also." Cris laughed but he was serious about the idea. Yes, they could have professional pictures as well but another strip of photos from their wedding day would be perfect.
"I would not have made you wait centuries..." He protested when Rowan said that he would have done so. "A few decades perhaps..." Brand had accomplished something he never intended and that was to bring them closer together and remind them both that life could be cut short even for a vampire. It was best to live it while you had it.
Cris smiled at Rowan's toast and added. "One of the happiest men on the planet. I feel the need to claim that title also." He sighed happily and leaned into his partner. "It will get better and maybe worse. There will be surprises and bumps, joys and sorrows but there will always be the two of us to experience it all together."
"So...I do not have to work tomorrow." He began. "And I just asked Grisha to get our bags to your boat." He had thought that they might spend the night on the boat tonight since it was so close to the little booth where he wanted to get the pictures. Cris was aching to show Rowan exactly how happy he truly was. He had suspected that they both might feel that way and that they might want some time alone. For that reason, his plans for after the dinner were very short. Perhaps it should all be bigger and more grandiose but really all he needed to make the night perfect was Rowan.
And a private place.
He hadn't intended on leaving for their vacation early but when Rowan hinted at it the idea seemed rather perfect. They could be miles out to sea before anyone knew they were gone. He had promised to send back news to Aishe and Grisha. Alfarinn certainly deserved to know, if he didn't already.
"Let us see if we can get the rest of this cake and champagne to go. Shall we?"
Rowan Murphy
11 years ago
"You do that. And I will too," Rowan said with a smile at his partner's serious, incredibly sexy, face.
When Cris said he had a stop to make Rowan nodded; it wouldn't have mattered where Cris wanted to go, he'd go. But when he made it clear where that stop was Rowan grinned. "Oh yes," he said enthusiastically. "Of course we have to go."
He joined in Cris's laughter when he mentioned wedding shots too. "Agreed. We can make a lovely series of frames for our new, expanded, home."
He liked the thought of that; taking the strips of photos and framing them either together or separately as parts of a series, and arranging them on the wall in their home somewhere. Every family had family portraits; Cris was his family now. The thought made him smile and lean in to his partner for another kiss.
Cris's insistence that they might have waited decades rather than centuries met with another laugh, this one warm and content. Rowan knew with absolute certainty that he would have waited. He had waited centuries to find Cris already, it seemed; waiting to marry him would not have been a hardship.
He acknowledged their sharing of the 'happiest man' title with a grin and a light tap of his glass against Cris's. When Cris leaned into him Rowan embraced him, nodding at his partner's words. "I will always be here with you, love," he said. "You will never be alone again." He delivered those words with the gravity of a promise. "And neither will I."
Rowan wouldn't have considered himself a lonely person, not by a long shot, before meeting Cris. But since having his blond in his life, he was ready to acknowledge that he certainly hadn't had true intimacy. He had hundreds of friends but not a single one of them could give him what Cris gave him, that love, that complete sense of belonging. Anywhere Cris went, Rowan would go to. He was absolutely fine with that.
Cris seemed to be looking forward to leaving just as much as Rowan was, and doing so a little bit early seemed perfect for them. Impulsive? Yes, but that was certainly Rowan's style and Cris wasn't always opposed to impulsive. Rowan smiled when Cris said he'd asked his Creator to help with their things.
"That's kind of the grumpy old goat," Rowan said, using the affectionate nickname he'd heard Cris refer to Grisha by. "I assume he approves of your plan to make an honest pirate of me, then?"
Rowan quite liked Grisha. They hadn't spoken often but Rowan saw a great deal of Cris in him and that automatically made him like the man. They had a common love of books as well.
Rowan took one last bite of cake. "I think that's the second best idea you've had all night," he said, smiling and brushing his fingers over his bracelet to imply what the first best idea had been. Then he lifted his hand, lightly traced his fingers over the nape of Cris's neck, and drew his fiancee close for one more kiss that was lingering, but full of more sin than sweetness. He could taste the trace of rum on Cris's lips, and hints of himself as well. He sucked lightly at Cris's lips, flicking his tongue against them, very nearly forgetting where they were before he pulled away.
It was definitely time to go.
When Cris said he had a stop to make Rowan nodded; it wouldn't have mattered where Cris wanted to go, he'd go. But when he made it clear where that stop was Rowan grinned. "Oh yes," he said enthusiastically. "Of course we have to go."
He joined in Cris's laughter when he mentioned wedding shots too. "Agreed. We can make a lovely series of frames for our new, expanded, home."
He liked the thought of that; taking the strips of photos and framing them either together or separately as parts of a series, and arranging them on the wall in their home somewhere. Every family had family portraits; Cris was his family now. The thought made him smile and lean in to his partner for another kiss.
Cris's insistence that they might have waited decades rather than centuries met with another laugh, this one warm and content. Rowan knew with absolute certainty that he would have waited. He had waited centuries to find Cris already, it seemed; waiting to marry him would not have been a hardship.
He acknowledged their sharing of the 'happiest man' title with a grin and a light tap of his glass against Cris's. When Cris leaned into him Rowan embraced him, nodding at his partner's words. "I will always be here with you, love," he said. "You will never be alone again." He delivered those words with the gravity of a promise. "And neither will I."
Rowan wouldn't have considered himself a lonely person, not by a long shot, before meeting Cris. But since having his blond in his life, he was ready to acknowledge that he certainly hadn't had true intimacy. He had hundreds of friends but not a single one of them could give him what Cris gave him, that love, that complete sense of belonging. Anywhere Cris went, Rowan would go to. He was absolutely fine with that.
Cris seemed to be looking forward to leaving just as much as Rowan was, and doing so a little bit early seemed perfect for them. Impulsive? Yes, but that was certainly Rowan's style and Cris wasn't always opposed to impulsive. Rowan smiled when Cris said he'd asked his Creator to help with their things.
"That's kind of the grumpy old goat," Rowan said, using the affectionate nickname he'd heard Cris refer to Grisha by. "I assume he approves of your plan to make an honest pirate of me, then?"
Rowan quite liked Grisha. They hadn't spoken often but Rowan saw a great deal of Cris in him and that automatically made him like the man. They had a common love of books as well.
Rowan took one last bite of cake. "I think that's the second best idea you've had all night," he said, smiling and brushing his fingers over his bracelet to imply what the first best idea had been. Then he lifted his hand, lightly traced his fingers over the nape of Cris's neck, and drew his fiancee close for one more kiss that was lingering, but full of more sin than sweetness. He could taste the trace of rum on Cris's lips, and hints of himself as well. He sucked lightly at Cris's lips, flicking his tongue against them, very nearly forgetting where they were before he pulled away.
It was definitely time to go.
Christian Bern
11 years ago
Cris wondered if Rowan would mind the pictures placed on their wedding invitations. They could do them in black and white and perhaps Rowan could do the script for them, something fancy but clean and modern? He then thought they could do another set made up as old men for the inside. Something about growing old together... His security people wouldn't know who he was if they added a bit of humor to their wedding. Perhaps he could start a rumor of alien abduction.
They both agreed and toasted to their being together from now on. Cris thought that would make the bad times more bearable and the good times so much more wonderful. He was almost giddy thinking of his future with Rowan. There was a wonderful sense of cheer, hope for the future and just plain excitement threatening to bubble over if he couldn't find an outlet of expression sometime soon.
He laughed when Rowan called Grisha a kind grumpy old goat. "Yes, though he assured me that he was only doing it to get me out of his hair for a while." Cris smiled and then the grin got bigger as he had a thought. "I should ask Aishe to keep him company." His daughter seemed a little daunted by his Creator and Grisha should get to know his granddaughter. "Perhaps I should suggest she bring Shaweh too." He said the last with a little chuckle; raccoons and bookstores didn't mix very well. Grisha might be tempted to retaliate by letting Shaweh play in his shop in the back. There were plenty of bits and shiny things to entertain a raccoon back there. He could only imagine what might go missing. "He approves of you, honest or dishonest though quite frankly he would probably find the dishonest you more entertaining. He told me he liked your sense of humor. An actual compliment is rare so you are one in a million." Cris smiled and hugged Rowan. "Of course I already knew that."
If he hadn't already said that it was time to go Rowan's kiss would have convinced him immediately. Cris clutched his partner tightly, sighing softly in disappointment when the embrace came to an end.
Amy came out along with the owner of the restaurant. They were both congratulated again. Amy wrapped up the rest of their cake and the owner handed them another bottle of champagne to take with them. He expressed his hopes to see them again after their vacation and asked that they bring pictures. Amy suggested that all the pictures might not be appropriate to show and gave them a wink before they left. The rest of the staff and their family and friends emerged to wave and wish them well. They began filtering back to their tables along with the cooks, enjoying their very rare night off while working.
The car was waiting for them outside to take them to their next stop in style. He would have to send to someone to come pick it up at the docks while they were gone.
They both agreed and toasted to their being together from now on. Cris thought that would make the bad times more bearable and the good times so much more wonderful. He was almost giddy thinking of his future with Rowan. There was a wonderful sense of cheer, hope for the future and just plain excitement threatening to bubble over if he couldn't find an outlet of expression sometime soon.
He laughed when Rowan called Grisha a kind grumpy old goat. "Yes, though he assured me that he was only doing it to get me out of his hair for a while." Cris smiled and then the grin got bigger as he had a thought. "I should ask Aishe to keep him company." His daughter seemed a little daunted by his Creator and Grisha should get to know his granddaughter. "Perhaps I should suggest she bring Shaweh too." He said the last with a little chuckle; raccoons and bookstores didn't mix very well. Grisha might be tempted to retaliate by letting Shaweh play in his shop in the back. There were plenty of bits and shiny things to entertain a raccoon back there. He could only imagine what might go missing. "He approves of you, honest or dishonest though quite frankly he would probably find the dishonest you more entertaining. He told me he liked your sense of humor. An actual compliment is rare so you are one in a million." Cris smiled and hugged Rowan. "Of course I already knew that."
If he hadn't already said that it was time to go Rowan's kiss would have convinced him immediately. Cris clutched his partner tightly, sighing softly in disappointment when the embrace came to an end.
Amy came out along with the owner of the restaurant. They were both congratulated again. Amy wrapped up the rest of their cake and the owner handed them another bottle of champagne to take with them. He expressed his hopes to see them again after their vacation and asked that they bring pictures. Amy suggested that all the pictures might not be appropriate to show and gave them a wink before they left. The rest of the staff and their family and friends emerged to wave and wish them well. They began filtering back to their tables along with the cooks, enjoying their very rare night off while working.
The car was waiting for them outside to take them to their next stop in style. He would have to send to someone to come pick it up at the docks while they were gone.
Rowan Murphy
11 years ago
Rowan tried to think back before he'd met Cris, to what he'd felt like in general. Cris just blew it all away. And to think they had found themselves here, now, in this time and space, seemed so improbable yet so amazingly perfect he had to wonder if there wasn't some kind of force at play. How lucky had it been, for him to come to Nachton when he did? He could easily have gone west. He'd thought about it when he'd left the Dakotas. He hadn't even been sure he'd stay in Nachton.
But he'd met this man, and he had fallen in love with him. With his cool calm authority, with his carefully concealed passion, his gentle humor, his caring heart. Rowan smiled and shook his head as Cris pondered sending Aishe at Grisha with her raccoon accomplice. "Not nice," he grinned, then nodded in agreement when Cris realized the raccoon might just wreak havoc in his own workshop.
"I'm glad Grisha approves," Rowan said, "but really the only one who matters at the end of the night is you."
As they prepared to leave they were met by everyone from the restaurant. Rowan added his thanks to Cris's, for a wonderful night and a perfect meal. Rowan held their leftovers while Cris drove them once again, and they were soon at the docks and the familiar picture booth.
Rowan had thought he might feel a sense of almost surreal at this point but no. He was firmly aware of the here and now and he wanted this feeling to last. He memorized every nuance, every little bubbly laugh, so that he could recall it at will and remind Cris of it with a perfect copy in a glamour at some point down the road.
Leaving the food in the car for the moment Rowan got out and met Cris at the side of the car for another kiss. Then he said, laughing softly, "Maybe this time we can manage to stay on the seat."
The second to last picture in their first strip was the funniest one, with Cris's hand reaching out to try to save them as they nearly toppled the entire booth over. Next to the one that had followed it, it was Rowan's favorite.
When they finally reached the Buccaneer, Rowan smiled at her. She was newly outfitted although some of the new things he'd purchased had been there for several months. The galley was stocked, the sheets on all the beds freshly laundered, everything perfectly polished and cleaned. The most noticeable change from the outside was that there was a second jet ski in the previously empty bay, across from the first one. His yacht was now completely outfitted for two.
Everything he planned for from now on would be for two... that, in and of itself, seemed like a minor miracle.
But he'd met this man, and he had fallen in love with him. With his cool calm authority, with his carefully concealed passion, his gentle humor, his caring heart. Rowan smiled and shook his head as Cris pondered sending Aishe at Grisha with her raccoon accomplice. "Not nice," he grinned, then nodded in agreement when Cris realized the raccoon might just wreak havoc in his own workshop.
"I'm glad Grisha approves," Rowan said, "but really the only one who matters at the end of the night is you."
As they prepared to leave they were met by everyone from the restaurant. Rowan added his thanks to Cris's, for a wonderful night and a perfect meal. Rowan held their leftovers while Cris drove them once again, and they were soon at the docks and the familiar picture booth.
Rowan had thought he might feel a sense of almost surreal at this point but no. He was firmly aware of the here and now and he wanted this feeling to last. He memorized every nuance, every little bubbly laugh, so that he could recall it at will and remind Cris of it with a perfect copy in a glamour at some point down the road.
Leaving the food in the car for the moment Rowan got out and met Cris at the side of the car for another kiss. Then he said, laughing softly, "Maybe this time we can manage to stay on the seat."
The second to last picture in their first strip was the funniest one, with Cris's hand reaching out to try to save them as they nearly toppled the entire booth over. Next to the one that had followed it, it was Rowan's favorite.
When they finally reached the Buccaneer, Rowan smiled at her. She was newly outfitted although some of the new things he'd purchased had been there for several months. The galley was stocked, the sheets on all the beds freshly laundered, everything perfectly polished and cleaned. The most noticeable change from the outside was that there was a second jet ski in the previously empty bay, across from the first one. His yacht was now completely outfitted for two.
Everything he planned for from now on would be for two... that, in and of itself, seemed like a minor miracle.