Life has definitely been a bed of roses since our engagement. Of cause I had been very busy picking a dress taking care of the reception and also spending a lot of time with John. I was lost in these thoughts when John came and wrapped his arms around my waist.
Me: Hey! I was not expecting you. Its almost 10 p.m.!
Roxton: What you're not happy to see me?
Me: You know that's not true.
I moved up and touched his lips with mine. As we parted, he looked into my eyes and brushed off a strand of hair off my face.
Roxton: You do not know how good it feels to be so close to you.
Me: I know...I really don't know how I'll live without you.
Roxton: Me too. Anyway, both of us are not leaving anybody so let's enjoy
each other. Now close your eyes.
Me: Why?
Roxton: You'll see.
I closed my eyes and waited.
Roxton: All right. Open your eyes.
I gasped in disbelief as the diamond reflected off its brilliant shine.
Me: Oh My God! It's beautiful.
It was a heart shaped pendent studded with diamonds without a space in-between. I threw my hands around him and beamed with happiness.
Me: Oh John it's beautiful! It's...it's so beautiful...oh you shouldn't
have...
Roxton: I return it back then!
He said it with one of his smirks and started nuzzling my neck pushing me on to the bed behind. I held the pendent on my palm with it's cool brilliance against my skin while John was very 'busy'.
Me: Oh this is so...Will you stop it!
Roxton: Hey the pendent comes with a price...the one you are paying with
now.
Me: Stop it you're tickling me!
He stopped and looked at me.
Roxton: You like it.
Me: No...I love it but not as much as I love you.
He gently placed a kiss on my lips.
Roxton: I don't even want to think of the fact that I almost lost you forever.
Me: I shiver at that thought! But there was nothing I could do.
Roxton: And I think you were very brave to take that decision.
Me: Fortune favors the brave. How were you dong?
Roxton: I don't know...shock by shock was placed before me.
Me: It feels terrible to know I lost you. The night you all left, I slept
at the entrance to the cave because I missed you.
John looked at me in stupefaction.
Roxton: You were at the other side?! I was at this side...my God...
Me: Maybe that's why it felt comfortable for me to be there. But I don't
know how I got back...I did not even have to chant!
Roxton: Summerlee has this theory. He things that we loved each other so much that we shared one soul and when five souls were able to pass, we were taken as one.
Me: And I think I believe it.
I got on top of him and rested my cheek on is chest as he rubbed my back.
Roxton: but now everything's all right because you are here with me. And I won't let anything break us apart anymore. Why didn't you look for me Marguerite?
Me: I thought after you read the letter, you wouldn't want to see me again. Roxton:
Roxton: Nonsense! I'll never do that to you love.
Me: Besides, I took care of some business. John, there's something I need
to tell you.
Roxton: What is it love?
Me: I'm not an heiress anymore.
Roxton: I don't understand!
Me: To buy freedom from the Germans and about my past I had to give that
as a payment.
Roxton: oh that's nothing as long as you are free. Did you find your parents?
Me: Not yet, information is still coming in. But for now I have your mother.
Roxton: Oh yes, she's crazy about you!
Me: I'm glad but what about the cash...
Roxton: Marguerite, I love you not your title...I always have. Besides
someone's going to be Lady Roxton on December 3rd!
I smiled shyly.
Roxton: That reminds me, Melone wants a replay of our engagement kiss because he passed out before that!
Me: talking about Melone, how is that couple doing?
Roxton: Not so good. Veronica's pretty upset and someone just sent her a
message telling that they had found her father a few years ago and is in
America. It seems that the father is suffering from shock...almost a
vegetable.
Me: Could it be a bluff?
Roxton: No, the police passed the information. She's going to America next
month.
Me: Will she be here for the wedding?
Roxton: Yes.
Me: Listen sweetie, you have to go now. It's very late.
He once again rolled over me.
Roxton: Must I?
Me: yes you must!
Roxton: I can't wait to get married! I hate leaving you even for a second.
Me: I know what you mean. The tree house was better at least we were under
the same roof.
Roxton: Wonder how Tribune is doing?! Should send him an invitation!
Me: then what about Hipollita, Danielle, Callista...
Roxton: Someone seems to be jealous!
He got up and pulled me up too.
Roxton: So this is good bye. I'll come tomorrow.
Me: Okay.
One last goodnight kiss and me made his way towards the door and turned.
Roxton: Why didn't you wear my ring once you found it?
Me: I wanted it to be put by you or I didn't want it.
He smiled a smile showing relief and left.
We did get married on December 3rd. I dressed in a beautiful satin and Italian lace gown and carried lilies. It was not such a grand ceremony but it definitely was the happiest day of my life among may more to come. Melone was over the moon to see John and me finally married but Veronica did not share the joy as she has just returned from a dreadful trip. She had in fact found her father who was rescued few years ago but he suffers from shock, amnesia and possibly stroke if his condition gets worse. Her mother, however, can't be found.
I sometimes find myself just staring at my wedding ring reliving that glorious day in my mind. And it's pure joy to wake up next to John everyday, to hold him, to tell him I love him and to hear those words. I thank God for him.
It's already Christmas and now I have a the whole Roxton clan to celebrate it with. There quite nice people...except for aunt Edna who calls me from different names every time because 'the name 'Marguerite' is too much for her pea sized aristocrat brain' as John explains it.
Of cause Christmas eve was a busy day as we were having a reunion dinner with the added guests of our expedition. But one should remember that the Roxton clan is not that small!
And there is that husband of mine who had so smartly strapped a stick to his back and suspended mistletoe on it, right above his head, so that he can stand next to me and demand a kiss!
It was a wonderful party till I saw veronica wondering off to a garden seat.
Meanwhile:
Melone put his head out of the washroom and pulled Roxton, who was passing by, into it too.
Melone: Roxton I need your help.
Roxton: geeze you think?!
Melone: It's Veronica. She wants to go back to her father, take care of him.
Roxton: Oh dear.
Melone: I know. Roxton I need to stay here. I want to stay here! I have a
great job and a good future here. But she wants to go and I need her too.
Melone walked over and placed the toilet cover down so that it was a seat and sat down.
Melone: I don't know what to do!
He got up again and waked off when Roxton came and put it back up.
Melone: I can't make her understand no matter what. I need her but...
Without turning and without realizing, he backed up and sat on the toilet seat. Whoosh he went into it and he desperately tried to get up.
Melone: Er Roxton...I'm stuck.
Roxton: I know but you must make her realize that...
Melone: Roxton I'm stuck stuck!
Roxton turned and gasped at the scene. There Melone was with his bum halfway into the toilet and his feet up.
Roxton: Oh my God!
Meanwhile:
Me: Veronica, are you okay?
Vero: yeah just a bit...shaken.
Me: Who won't be.
Me: Veronica, I can't give you advice because I have never had parents but
I can tell you one thing. Sometimes, life throws at you the most cruel and
terrible obstacles. And when that happens, you need to believe yourself and
fight but not alone. You can never do it alone. I had a terrible past and I
thought I would never get rid of it. I never even wanted to let John in on
it but it was he who got rid of it last. Look at me now...married...
Veronica gave me a smile.
Me: You are lucky Veronica. At least you have memories of your parents and your father but I had nothing. Sometimes it was hard to ...it was so puzzling not knowing your very essence. It was so isolating and frightening. You don't have to go through that. God gave you your father back but that does not mean that you have to leave the one you love and dedicate you whole life to him. I know your parents wouldn't want that.
Veronica: I have been thinking about that too...
Our conversation was cut short by John who seems to be in a hurry.
Roxton: Excuse me ladies but can I borrow my wife for a while?
Me: sweetie what's wrong?
Roxton: Oh it's just a small problem.
Veronica: Er Roxton have you seen Melone?
Roxton: Melone... the last time I saw him he was...stuck to his seat!
('Literally' he added in his mind)
Roxton dragged me through to the toilet only to see Aunt Edna coming out with a shocked face.
Roxton: don't ask!
Roxton took me in, to Aunt Edna's utter shock, and locked the door.
Me: Oh my God! MELONE!
There sat Melone with a desperate look on his face.
Me: what are you doing?!
Melone: Riding a bike...WHAT DO YOU THINK!
Me: what happened?
Roxton: he had put the seat down to sit I did not know and I put it up. He
backs up, sits and now stuck.
Me: what are both of you doing in the bathroom?!
Roxton: talking about Veronica.
Me: Okay now...
Roxton: We tried everything but I can't get him out.
Me: okay listen. I will call Veronica...
Melone: NO!
Me: Melone! There's no time to argue. I need Roxton to help me find
something and someone needs to be here with you.
Melone: Okay.
I opened the door and got Veronica. I explained to her what had happened
and when we went back, aunt Edna stood there wondering what's going on!
Leaving Veronica with Melone to argue, John and I went to our room to find cream or oil which would reduce the grip. While there, John stared at the bed.
Me: Why what's wrong?!
Roxton: I always knew there should be something between the bed and me.
Me: And what is that?
Roxton: YOU!
He exclaimed with a excited tone and stared once again started to kiss me.
Me: John we don't have time for this!...Or maybe we do!
After our little session, we went to the washroom with the camera and took a picture of Melone on his throne. We applied the cream around his bum and tried to pull him out till the argument about going to America continued.
Veronica: then why don't you do something!
Melone: Maybe I will do something!
Veronica: Oh yeah what!?
Melone: marry me!
John, Veronica and I stood there shocked.
Melone: Veronica, I love you and dread losing you. I don't want you to go
away from me. I want to marry you...to be with you.
Veronica: Oh Melone!
Melone reached into his coat and took a ring out.
Melone: Veronica, the love of my life, will you marry me?
Melone: I would have done it on a bended knee but I'm in a bit of a fix!
Veronica: Yes I will!
For his joy, Melone forgot about his situation and he stood up in a flash
and gave Veronica his engagement kiss.
Roxton: I guess it's the power of love!
They did get married on Valentine's day with Veronica looking absolutely divine. Now Veronica lives in England and her father just came from America to live with them. Although he is not fully recovered, he seems so much happier with her.
It was April when I had a terrible fall and John fussing over me, got a doctor over.
Roxton: How is she doctor?
Doctor: She is fine.
Roxton: She is fine.
Doctor: It's just a sprain.
Roxton: Just a sprain.
Doctor: The baby is fine.
Roxton: the baby is fine...
Roxton: THE BABY?! WHAT BABY?!
Doctor: The one you are going to have by December.
That's how John knew he was going to be a father and was he celebrating! He would just spend hours talking to my tummy and also introducing him/her to almost everyone. It was wonderful to me to know that inside of me was a future, my baby and sometimes, I find myself looking at the mirror to see how much bigger it is today.
Me: John?
Roxton: uh?
Me: I look like a whale, don't I?
Roxton: No nonsense...you look like you have eaten one!
It was only in August that I received a telegram that my parents have been found but they had passed away. Without even telling John, I left to the place and found two tombstones standing alone in that vast field. I sat there and traced their names. What else could I do? And then, I told them of my life.
It's when I reached the end that John came.
Me: here he is mother, the wonderful person I told you about.
I wiped my tears as John sat beside me.
Me: her name was Matilda Sumereson. He was Virgil. My father a German and mother a British. They still don't know how they died but I found them. They died so young.
The cold wind blew pass us making my warm tears turn to ice. John wrapped his hands around me and looked on.
Me: I wish they could have seen me. I wish...
Roxton: If they did Marguerite, they would be so glad that you are their
daughter. Look at you! You are beautiful, strong, intelligent and I can't
imagine life without you!
Me: Now...I don't want to know what happened to them John. I don't want my life just to be about searching.
I touched my tummy.
Me: God had given me a new beginning and I'm going to take that John.
This baby is a part of us. Best of you and me. And both of us are going to
love and cherish him forever.
I touched the stones one more time and stood up.
Me: Let's go.
As we went over the field, John tried to cheer me up.
Roxton: You know Marguerite, Let's name the babies after them!
Me: Babies?
Roxton: Oh yes babIES. I'm quite a stud you know!
And yes we did have babIES. Plenty of them...
The end.
