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]

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.

[thatsfascinating]

She smiled as he kissed her cheek, then turned her head to press an answering kiss to his cheek before going out onto the patio.

"Do you want to invite them over in French?"

[abrightboy]

He smiled and, in very formal French, very formally invited them over.

He set the glasses out, then took the bottle and started pouring, stepping back so Edrisa and the guests could take their first.

[thatsfascinating]

Once they all had glasses, Edrisa took Malcolm's hand, smiling at him.

The officiant lifted his glass. "To Malcolm and Edrisa Bright!"

"Santé!" the rest cheered, lifting their glasses. Edrisa lifted hers as well, and drank with everyone.

[abrightboy]

Once the 'guests' had dispersed and they were inside the villa, Malcolm carefully locked the door, then turned to Edrisa and offered his hand.

"Mrs Bright, will you come to bed with me?" he asked, holding out his hand.

[thatsfascinating]

Mrs. Bright. It sounded so good, so perfect. Edrisa smiled wide and accepted his hand.

"Mr. Bright," she said, beaming at him, "it would be my pleasure."