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 felt as much at peace as it was possible for him to feel, especially without a case to occupy his brain. He lifted his head to look at her face.

"This is going better now," he noted. "What with you being alive and me not hallucinating," he joked weakly. He took a breath. "Dinner smells good."

[thatsfascinating]

"It's wonderful," she breathed. "All of it. Thank you so much."

He had done all of this for her, and she was so grateful.

She took a breath as well. "It really does! What are we having?"

[abrightboy]

It was all for her and it still didn't feel like enough to him.

"It's supposed to be bouillabaisse," he told her. "With creme brulee for dessert."

[thatsfascinating]

In her opinion it was more than enough. It was more than anybody had ever done for her. But he mattered most of all. She would be completely happy even if it was just them in his apartment in New York, eating dinner together in his living room. All of this was bonus on top of bonus.

"That sounds amazing! I've never had bouillabaisse before. That's a sort of fish stew, right?"

[abrightboy]

He nodded. Of all the things that might be called 'meat', he found fish and seafood easiest to stomach and red meat the hardest.

"Are you okay with seafood?" he asked. He hadn't thought to ask.

[thatsfascinating]

"Yeah, definitely! Seafood is a-ok! I assume you like seafood too?"

He was the one who ordered it, after all...

[abrightboy]

"I can eat it without throwing up," he said. "That's the ultimate praise from me," he joked.

[thatsfascinating]

"It is!" she said sincerely, knowing how important that was to him. She sighed, smiling wide. "You're so good to me."

[abrightboy]

"I'm good to you?" He huffed a laugh, ducking his head. "I don't even know how to start being half as good as you are to me."

[thatsfascinating]

"You are," she insisted. "You make me so happy, Bright. And it's not just about all these amazing things and places. The best thing about all of this is that I'm here with you. We're together, sharing these things. That's what makes me happy."

She leaned in to kiss him gently.

[abrightboy]

He returned the kiss, his hand leaving her waist to cradle her jaw with just his fingertips. After it broke, he lingered there a moment, his eyes still closed.

"This is real, right?" he murmured. Wasn't it too good to be true? Especially for him?

[thatsfascinating]

"I definitely hope so," she murmured in return, her own eyes closed, her forehead against his. "U don't know what I'd do if it's not."

[abrightboy]

He smiled.

"I usually scream when my dreams are too horrible to bear," he offered.

Ugh, sorry for the typo, I was on my phone.

[thatsfascinating]

She smiled back. "Yes you do," she agreed. Her smile faded. "I'm not sure I'd scream, though. Crying would be a given..."

no worries!!

[abrightboy]

"Well, we don't want that," he told her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

<3

[thatsfascinating]

"Not even a little," she agreed, closing her eyes and smiling as he kissed her forehead. "But I don't think it'll be a problem, because this is real. All of it. And it's wonderful."

[abrightboy]

"Good things do happen," he murmured, leaning in to kiss her again when the chef tapped on the doorway and announced that dinner was served. He lifted his head and looked at her. "Hungry?"

[thatsfascinating]

"Totally," she agreed, leaning in to answer that kiss when they're interrupted by the chef. She grinned at Malcolm. "Always and especially now," she said cheerfully. She gave him a quick peck on the lips before letting go of him and heading to the table.

[abrightboy]

The dining table was beautifully set, and when they got there, Malcolm pulled out Edrisa's chair for her to sit before taking his own across from her.

The chef placed a bowl in front of each of them and there was a basket of fresh bread in the middle of the table. Wine was already in their glasses.

[thatsfascinating]

"Thank you!" she said as she sat, beaming at Malcolm as he sat down. Then, "oh, wow, thank you so much!" to the chef as he served the bouillabaisse. She closed her eyes and inhaled the steam. "Oh that's good." She picked up her spoon and smiled at Malcolm, waiting to dig in until he was ready.

[abrightboy]

He gestured with his spoon for her to go ahead. He skimmed a little broth off the top and took a tentative bite. He had to ease into meals, even if it was something he could generally stomach. Especially so soon after a panic attack. Even as he took the small, careful bite, his eyes were on her.

[thatsfascinating]

Edrisa's spoonful was not small nor careful. She dug right in, and paused on that first mouthful of broth and fish, closing her eyes and savoring it.

"Mmm!" She swallowed and opened her eyes. "So good! What do you think?"

[abrightboy]

"I think I'll keep it down," he said with a grin. "It's the highest compliment I can pay to food." He took a slightly bigger bite. "It's nice. The flavours blend nicely."

[thatsfascinating]

"Oh good!" It was always great when Malcolm found a food he could stomach. She enjoyed being able to share a meal with him.

"Did you have this when you would come to France as a kid?" she asked, reaching for her wine glass.

[abrightboy]

"I don't think so. I don't remember eating much soup back then."

He took another bite.

"I might try the bread. Do you want to split a piece with me?"