The Adventure Continues

[abrightboy]

For thatsfascinating.



The villa Malcolm rented was in the Languedoc, not far from Marseilles, south of Avignon. It was a very historic region, though Malcolm was particularly not interested in visiting Marseilles again. There was a charming village nearby the villa and if they were going to go to an historic city for a day, he'd rather make the trip over to Montpellier, where he'd never been at all, much less with Dr Whitly.

The villa had six bedrooms. As the driver brought their luggage inside the bright and spacious main room, Malcolm handed him some folded Euros and thanked him and shut the door behind him.

"First choice of a room is yours," he told Edrisa with a smile. "But you might want to explore first."

Comments

[abrightboy]

Malcolm Bright had never needed coerced to work on a murder case. He'd been a very willing participant.

He could tell his hair was a mess, because a bulk of it was hanging in his face. He returned the kiss, then raised an eyebrow at her. "You do not think this looks good," he said, gesturing to his head.

[thatsfascinating]

"It's adorable," she asserted with a wide, warm smile. She was leaning in to kiss him again when the doorbell rang. "Ah!" She wrapped her towel firmly around herself. "The wedding clothes, maybe?"

[abrightboy]

He reached for his sweatpants and tugged them on.

"I can get it," he told her. Pants were more reliable than a towel and the didn't really know who was there....

He headed to the door.

It was her dress. Happily, it was folded neatly into a white box, so he couldn't see it. He held it out in front of him as he returned.

"I guess you can get ready," he told her. "Which means I can't see you, then, until it's time."

[thatsfascinating]

She came out of the bathroom as Malcolm was turning away for the door, and she bounced a little, excitedly, when she saw what was in his hands. She took it from him, put it aside, then threw her arms around him and kissed him firmly, since it would be a couple hours before they could see each other again.

"Can you direct the florist and the musicians? They pretty much know what to do."

[abrightboy]

He pressed his lips together after the kiss broke, nodding at her question.

"See you when the music starts," he told her softly.

[thatsfascinating]

She nodded, beaming, practically vibrating with excitement.

"When the music starts!"

She kissed him once more, then grabbed the box and headed to her room.

[abrightboy]

When the time came, he waited under the arbour as the music started, half turned so he could see her emerge.

[thatsfascinating]

She was standing at the door, wearing her dress, clutching her bouquet, waiting, listening, her heart racing a mile a minute.

This is it this is it this is it...

The music started and she took a deep breath...then another...then nodded. And stepped out. When her eyes met his, she smiled, her eyes sparkling. She walked across the lawn and joined him under the bower.

"Hey," she whispered, excited and happy.

[abrightboy]

"You look amazing," he told her quietly, before turning his attention to the officiant, who waited until he had their attention to start reading the service.

[thatsfascinating]

"So do you," she whispered back before turning to the officiant. The man smiled at them and began the ceremony, speaking in French-accented English.

"Today, Bright and Edrisa demonstrate their devotion to each other by dedicating themselves to a life together and they show their respect for each other. By setting forth to honor the vows they have created today, their lives, which began on separate paths, will be joined as one." He turned to Malcolm. "Malcolm, do you present yourself willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage? Will you promise to care for Edrisa in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?"

[abrightboy]

Malcolm had let Edrisa handle most of the details. Something to distract her mind. Something he was sure she'd be better at.

Had she told them to call him Bright. He just stared at her almost in wonder for a moment, then realized the officiant was talking to him and shook himself out of it, blinking at him for a moment as his brain caught up.

"Yes. I mean. I do."

He looked at Edrisa.

"I do."

[thatsfascinating]

She knew the name was important to him, so she asked the officiant to use it as much as possible. He used Malcolm in the statement of consent for legal purposes, but otherwise agreed to refer to him by his preferred, chosen name.

Edrisa smiled happily at him, then looked at the officiant as he began to address her.

"Edrisa, do you present yourself willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage? Will you promise to care for Malcolm in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?"

She turned to Malcolm and nodded, eyes shining. "I do!"

The officiant smiled at them. "Please turn to each other to share your vows." Once they had, he turned to Malcolm. "Repeat after me." He read the vow, pausing every few words for Malcolm to repeat.

"Today I promise you
that though the world may change
and though we may change with it
I will always love you
always treasure you
and will share all that I am with you.
I am proud, from this day forward
to be called your husband."

[abrightboy]

Malcolm held her gaze as he repeated the words, and the further he got, the more he was absolutely sure that this was right. That this was what he wanted for his life.

That this was what he needed.

"I am proud, from this day forward, to be called your husband," he finished with a warm smile.

[thatsfascinating]

Edrisa gazed back at him as he repeated the vow, her eyes shining, her heart full to overflowing with happiness and love. She had still had some lingering doubts that this was what Malcolm wanted, but they were completely washed away by the utter sincerity with which he spoke the words.

When it was her turn she repeated the words with equally heartfelt sincerity.

"I am proud," she concluded, beaming at him, "from this day forward, to be called your wife."

She kept her eyes on his as the officiant retrieved the rings, resting on a small silk pillow, and held them out to her and Malcolm.

"For thousands of years, men and women have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Let these rings be a sign that your love has a past, a present, and a future." He turned to Malcolm. "Bright, take Edrisa’s ring and place it on her finger and repeat after me:

"I give you this ring
as a sign that I choose you.
To be my wife
my partner
and my best friend
to the end of my days."

[abrightboy]

He swallowed tightly and took the ring, slipping it on her finger and repeating the words, suddenly a little relieved nobody was watching. What if he couldn't keep it together?

[thatsfascinating]

She saw that swallow, and after he slipped the ring on her finger she took his hands in hers, smiling at him and squeezing his hands, comfort and encouragement, that everything was okay, that he was safe and loved, even if he couldn't hold back the emotion.

Then she took his ring, and slid it onto his finger.

"I give you this ring," she repeated, "as a sign that I choose you. To be my husband, my partner..." she faltered for a moment, her eyes tearing up. "And my best friend, to the end of my days."

She took his hands again and squeezed them tight.

[abrightboy]

When the officiant told them that they could seal their vows with a kiss, Malcolm gave her a tender and chaste but lingering kiss, offering her a soft smile as it broke.

[thatsfascinating]

Edrisa closed her eyes as Malcolm gave her that sweet kiss, and opened her eyes and smiled back...then threw her arms around him and kissed him firmly, drawing some amused laughter out of their witnesses. She drew back and grinned at him.

"Bright and Edrisa," the officiant said, smiling. "We have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage. In the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today, it is my honor and delight to declare you henceforth to be husband and wife. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Malcolm and Edrisa Bright!"

[abrightboy]

It felt right, that declaration and Malcolm held her hand tightly.

He glanced around at the faces of strangers, then looked at his wife with a smile, giving her hand a squeeze.

[thatsfascinating]

Their small audience all clapped their approval, and Edrisa smiled back at her husband, squeezing his hand in return. This was right and perfect, and she was so, so happy.

"I love you," she said softly.

[abrightboy]

"I love you, too,” he said. He glanced around. Could they go inside, then? He headed that way, nodding acknowledgement to the witnesses.

Once in the door,he tilted his head towards the yard. "They're not invited to dinner or anything, are they?"

What was the etiquette for witnesses you hired?

[thatsfascinating]

"Hmmm. Maybe not dinner...but we do have that bottle of champagne. Do you want to invite them all onto the patio for a champagne toast?" It would be a nice way to express their gratitude. And it wouldn't take too long.

[abrightboy]

He nodded. That sounded nice, actually. "Let's do that," he said. "Do you... want to grab the bottle and I'll get the glasses?"

[thatsfascinating]

"Sure! I think there are ten of us, yes?" She glanced back at their "guests." "Officiant, two witnesses, four musicians, a photographer and us. Ten!" She smiled and headed in to grab the bottle.

[abrightboy]

He gave it a quick recount in his head and then went into the kitchen and grabbed glasses. There weren't enough champagne flutes for ten, so he grabbed a few wine glasses to make it up, then met her before the door. His hands were full, but he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then a nod.