Update : Serendipity
So, here's another glimpse for you.
For ratings and disclaimer refer to:
http://evilangels26.livejournal.com/2013/06/13/
A/N 1: I promise to do more of the 'Mamie series' as soon as my muse strikes. I just had to write this for myself. Hope it isn't a let down.
A/N 2: Okay, so I have played a little with things. A certain dress has been referred to in this story, and I realize that it isn't as expensive so as to have monumental consequences, never the less I have made it out to be so, you know my muse wouldn't listen. The time frame is that of 2011 when Meryl had short hair, but I played a bit with that too..is it called 'writer's license'? Anyway,nothing too life altering. Hope you like it.
Rose coloured rain
Comune di Firenze
30th September 2011
8:34 p.m.
As Meryl made her way across the Ponte Vecchio her eyes were distant, glazed and lifeless, brimming with tears threatening to fall with the next blink. The soft north breeze brushed past her tear stained face. The chill in the air and the sorrow in her soul had lent a rose coloured tint to her cheeks and nose. She had been walking across this same place a few hours back hand in hand with another- it seemed like eternity now- things had been so different then.
Below, the river Arno surged ahead without a worry. The yellow lights adorning the various jewellery and art shops lining the bridge were almost blindingly brilliant. The voices of the shopkeepers haggling with tourists sounded almost soothing, a constant source to keep her from falling prey to the dark abyss, that was her heart and mind.
She didn’t remember feeling so vulnerable, lost and broken. Tonight’s fight had been one of the worst they’d ever had. It had been something they had never fought about and never thought they would: MONEY!
Of course they would fight often, but mostly about day to day affairs- small little mundane things- like who’d switch off the night lamp-it’s your turn! No, no it’s yours! ; could you for once maybe put your plate in the dishwasher?!; am I always supposed to remind you about your pills?; you’re lying, it was YOUR turn to get the car serviced; what have I told you about the lid of the toilet? PUT IT DOOOWNNN once you’re done; can you not get the kitchen pipe fixed, EVER?
Tonight, nobody seemed to have recognized her, atleast not as yet.. maybe because she was crying, her face distorted in sheer anguish that people had missed to notice the legend behind the woman or maybe they had never imagined Meryl Streep crying in real life! Wasn’t she supposed to have a perfect personal life? Hell, she did, so what had happened today...and today of all days..after exactly 33 years of blissful marriage!
The tears had almost blurred her vision and as she exited the old bridge gliding ahead with no specific destination in mind she felt the first drops of September rain. Rain in Florence at this time of the year wasn’t very common, but not unheard of. She felt silly walking around the town in her designer red tulle lace knee length dress. She was glad that she had scooped up the wrap while raging out otherwise she would certainly have been a sight. As the large cool drops of rain pelted against her skin, a shiver ran down her spine evoking events that had taken place earlier during the day.
The morning had started with ‘always the romantic’ Don Gummer waking his wife up with tender feather soft kisses. He had not neglected a single part of the magnificently naked body of his beautiful wife which lay tangled in the white Egyptian cotton bed sheets. Starting from that erogenous place below her right ear he had traversed down her slender neck, her clavicle, cleavage stopping at her pert nipples nibbling them, suckling on them ardently while she lay writhing in ecstasy one hand firmly clamped around his head and the other cupping his perfectly shaped ass.
Then he had ducked down shifting his attention to that part of her body which was throbbing with desire. Just with one swirl of his tongue inside her navel, Meryl started her low groans of want. Don seemed to want to take it slow and steady whereas Meryl was ready for release. Yanking his husband’s head so that he was gazing directly into his wife’s lust filled eyes he smirked; Meryl almost let out a feral groan and announced ‘MAKE ME COME!’
Instead of escalating his pace he seemed to take his time and torture his wife. Resuming his activity he let his fingers slip dangerously high on the inside of her thighs and then he rained kisses on both sides of her inner thigh until he reached her core. By that time Meryl’s breathing had become erratic and laborious and she was trying extremely hard to form coherent sentences, but all that came out were ‘uungh..’ and ‘aaahh’. Parting her legs even wider, he buried himself into her womanhood and started licking her clit and labia like a pro. He had always loved her smell and was amazed to see how wet and ready she seemed. Giving his wife (who was now almost spread eagle with hands tightly clutching the bed sheets and eyes closed in ecstasy and who was only chanting ‘Please..DON’T..DON’T stop’ over and over again in a breathless voice) one last look he decided it was time. Guiding his manhood into her dripping wet vagina he lifted up his wife’s limp body and kissed her on the full pink lips. She could taste herself on him, and found it intensely erotic. Arching her body into her husband’s while he was humping into her she nibbled his ears and kissed his jaws and then without notice her husband managed an incoherent grunt followed by ‘I’m..I’m... going ta...to...come’. As he quickened the pace of his deep thrusts she herself managed a ‘Uhn..me too...BABE’ And then the most powerful orgasm ripped through her entire body leaving her shaking and deliriously euphoric.
As they both rode out of the powerful orgasm-breathings irregular, sweat and cum stained sheets, sticky bodies attempting detanglement, fingers remaining entwined they looked at each other- the glow of ‘aftersex’ shining prominently, swollen lips and eyes glazed over.
‘This is the best sex I’ve ever had! Happy Anniversary, dear husband!’ Meryl cooed while placing the softest kiss on her husband’s toned biceps.
‘You say that every time we have sex. Face it M,everytime we make it epic’ Don beamed, ‘Happy Anniversary love! Let’s get today started’
After a shower which was originally meant to clean them up but had quickly turned into further demonstrations of love they made their way to the hotel’s regal restaurant.
Florence, fondly called the City of Love, was the birthplace of Dante. This was where he had first met Beatrice, his only love who he had failed to woo during his lifetime. This was home to Michelangelo’s David and several other works. Venus is the presiding deity of Florence -- specifically Botticelli’s newborn (but very mature) Goddess of Love. People fall in love in Florence; they fall in love with Florence, too.
This is what had exactly happened to this couple who were now enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at The St. Regis which boasted of an old world charm and new world amenities. Meryl and Don had spent one of their first honeymoons in Tuscany when she had been pregnant with Henry. They hadn’t been very rich back then to afford 5 stars so they had decided to go camping. Ever since they had come back, time and again to renew the love which had prospered in this city’s very heart!
This time the trip had been planned by Meryl. She had always loved Italy, Renaissance and Michelangelo. She had got them booked for a weeklong trip covering their anniversary day, a stay at the best hotel the city had to offer and guidebooks to take them around the city.
Generally, she wouldn’t splurge too much on 5 stars. She only stayed in them when working on a film or promoting one. Don and her always had loved simplicity, making sure they gave more to charity than spending it in needless luxuries. This time however, she had wanted the best for her husband- she had been shooting films back to back in the previous years and would have to go back to promoting one in December. Don and her hadn’t had too many ‘romantic getaways’ that they would generally have, even if it were for a day or two when the kids were growing. So, this trip would serve as a ‘make up trip’ for all the days that had been lost.
It had worked very well, with Don more than eager to get it started. They had been in Florence for 2 days before their anniversary day and had managed to visit some places without too much attention. September being an off season had worked in their favour. Today, they had a few more places in their agenda. That being done they would come back to their hotel to exchange their gifts and sit down to a nice sophisticated dinner.
After attending to calls from their children who had more than enthusiastically wished them a ‘Happy Anniversary’ and had hoped they would celebrate it (Henry had said, ‘Dad, you do know what I mean by celebrate don’t you. All the best, Keep your girl happy’; Grace had giggled and then added ‘Don’t be too shy Mom, we’re out of earshot; Louisa had chimed ‘Please do what you have to coz I want a quiet house when you return!’ ; Mamie had been the only nice one) they had made their way into the city.
Their first stop had been Ponte Vecchio. Legend has it that if you and your loved one attach a padlock to any surface of the famous bridge and then throw away the key into the Arno River below, your love will last forever. They had done this ritual the first time they had been here. However, today seemed to be more than an appropriate day for reaffirming their love. There had been a lot of sceptics who did not believe in these mindless legends, but Meryl and Don had loved the idea when they had first heard of it and believed in it ever since. Of course, there were other things, but this small act had given them some kind of a courage which had helped them face all adversity. So, they were back again.
Securing a padlock, Meryl turned the key and handed it over to Don. He kissed it, gave his wife a fleeting look and let the Arno river take away with it their life’s key.
She loved being in Florence- away from the paparazzi, glitz and glamour, relentless scrutiny and sycophancy. Hand in hand with her husband they made their way across this City of Love stopping at museums, Cathedrals, grottos, Basilicas and souvenir shops.
Their last stop was Santa Margherita de' Cerchi, or The Church of Dante. This housed the tomb of Beatrice Portinari, Dante’s only true love who he could never attain. This pleasant little church would see visitors from all over the world who would pay homage to Dante, the poet or to his beautiful and celestial muse. Next to Beatrice’s shrine there was always a basket full of letters in rainbow colours from people in love who had been unable to reach out to their loved ones and craved their absence.
Meryl and Don prayed to her for having found each other and left a note saying:
‘Let all who seek true love-find it, let all who crave true love-receive it, and let all who pray to you have their wishes fulfilled. We have found each other, so we neither seek nor crave. We only pray for each other in every reincarnation’
Feeling elated, fulfilled and truly happy they had returned to their temporary abode at 5 pm after a quick late lunch in a roadside bistro.
Inspite of being young at heart, their sexagenarian bodies had given way, and soon they had fallen into a peaceful sleep on the more than comfortable king size bed.
It was around 6:30p.m. when Meryl woke up with a start. Somewhere, she heard Church bells chiming. As she glanced over the form of her peacefully sleeping husband and across the room to the Venetian windows she felt a strange feeling of calm. Outside Astreaus, seemed to be retreating in his chariot shrouding the once azure sky in a tangerine hue for one last time, soon Nyx would arrive and devour the orange pall to replace it with an ebony shroud. The birds in the sky would soon be home to spend a peaceful night with their loved ones after a hard day’s work.
Pulling herself out of her whirlpool of thoughts she woke up her loved one to start their anniversary night before they could retire for a peaceful night of love.
By 7:15 p.m. Don was pacing the room in his new black Armani tuxedo waiting for his wife to emerge from the bathroom. When the doors opened, Don Gummer forgot how to breathe.
Meryl had been very nervous about this dress. It wasn’t something she would generally wear..it was pure haute couture and for somebody half her age- something you might wear to a prom. It was a Zuhair Murad long sleeve red tulle lace knee length dress almost transparent waist up. She couldn’t place as to where she had acquired this sudden affinity for semi transparent things. The back was deeper than what she would generally wear but not too deep. So, taking a leap of faith and knowing this was only for her husband’s eyes she had decided to wear it on her anniversary night. Not to mention she had spent a lot of money on it, considering she would never probably wear it again!
{If you want a quick sneak-peek of the dress and a better idea take a look: http://www.babyonlinedress.com/goods-13443-Zuhair+Murad+Dress+Scoop+Long+Sleeve+Red+Tull+Lace+Knee+Length+Ball+Gown+Prom+Evening+Dresses+ZH106.html }
She had also kept a wrap ready in case of some exigency. She couldn’t deny how the dress had fitted each and every curve of her body making her look- sexy yet cute. Leaving her shampooed long blonde hair down and with the makeup restricted to a bare minimum, the only other accessory that adorned her body were her diamond studs, wedding ring and a solitaire ‘forever’ ring that Don had gifted to her right after 9/11 when their lives had been threatened and forever changed.
Standing in front of the 5 star bathroom she looked no less than a Goddess. If the world saw her now they would never dare to call Angelina Jolie or Gwyneth Paltrow beautiful, hell, even the Italian beauties would fall flat in front of this vision in red. She looked classy yet chic, young yet elegant, shy yet desirable, hesitant yet confident. Don would never figure out how he got so lucky.
Finding his tongue after what felt to him like a million years he said ‘How did you get to be this beautiful? You look stunning, but that’s not the right word. There is no word I can use t...’ and without completing his sentence he rushed up to his wife and captured her lips in a passionate kiss and didn’t let go until they were panting for breath ‘Don’t be this beautiful, I can’t concentrate..we need to get through dinner before I devour you...I’m going to kill the designer who made this..and God because he made this’ he ended gesturing at her perfect body visible through the dress.
‘Oh darling! Like what you see? Sorry to break it you, but you can’t remove this before 11 p.m. and I’m thinking of keeping it on tonight..I like it a little better than you’ she finished with a wink and a girly giggle.
‘Then, I AM sorry to break it to you, but I will have to rip this dress and win you back’ he said a little disengaged and started to playfully meddle with the dress.
‘Don don’t, it’s very expensive!’ playing coy she began to move away from her husband’s embrace. The dress caught in Don’s Tag Heuer watch and being mostly net and lace, the net got pulled. Not realizing the source of confinement, Meryl walked ahead and with one last pull the net tore off leaving a neat thin line of tear near the knee..some 1 inch above. Hardly visible, blending well with the rest of the net and lace.
But then, then the Wrath of Titans.
As soon as Meryl realized what had happened she stopped stunned, gaping first at the thin line of tear and then at Don.
Saying she was furious was an understatement.
First, THE DRESS WAS EXPENSIVE!
Second, she had had it on for barely 10 minutes!
Third, Don’s childish antics were NOT CUTE!
Fourth, her good mood had already tucked tail and disappeared.
‘Oh God Don! What have you DONE? Look at this’ she shrieked
‘M, I’m really sorry...I didn’t do it on purpose, my watch caught your dress..and what kind of material is it that it tears at the slightest contact’ he was clearly on the verge of getting pissed now.
‘I told you to not mess with it...and what do you mean what kind of material...huh? Do you know how expensive this is..you know how much I hate spending money on such things...ONCE..just this one time I decided to give in...but maybe haute couture is not meant for children-people like you- your numerous girlfriends might have found your antics CUTE, I clearly DON’T!’
‘Oh HONEY! I’m soo sorry for being a CHILD although you look more like one than I do! Look...it was NOT done on purpose and don’t bring up irrelevant things! I swear, I love the dress and...okay..okay..let’s not get worked up..I’ll buy you another one...alright...same dress..once we get back’ Don tried to reason out curbing his growing anger.
Now Meryl was royally pissed. She knew this wouldn’t lead anywhere and should be stopped, it was a minor issue but something inside her decided to irk him on. Her vengeful streak was out on full display!
‘Oh really! Buy me another? Isn’t one expensive enough? Money isn’t worth wasting this way!’
Don who had earlier decided to appease the argument now seemed livid ‘I’m not asking you to buy it, I will, with my own money! And..you didn’t get this for FREE, did you..YOU had to buy it!’
‘Stop it! What’s this-my money-your money...it’s our money!And I DON’T WANT another dress ’ she squeaked shrilly pacing the room scrutinizing the tear.
‘Really M, why does this ‘EXPENSIVE rule’ not apply to you..huh? What happened when you were booking A honeymoon suite at The St. Regis, Florence and flying us here?’ Don spat. He couldn’t believe how the evening was proceeding.
‘Oh God! I’m gonna pretend that you didn’t just say that! If I may quote you, ‘Oh honey! I can’t believe you planned such a beautiful surprise for us! I can’t tell you how much I love you’ and then the SEX that followed.’ she ended completing her wild airy gestures and transformed voice.
‘You know what! Maybe I was “surprised” that you had splurged a fortune on this trip. We could have had a longer stay in one of the beaches in our own state at half the price!’
‘Then WHY didn’t you SAY it for God Sake! I can’t believe you’re putting this on me now! If you wanted to go to the ‘beaches’ YOU could have told me!’
‘Why do I need to tell you? You do know I love beaches...and I get it that the sun is not too good for your skin...but we haven’t been anywhere except for 5 stars and monuments in ages..places which you like!’ Don said dejectedly.
‘Don! You haven’t said EVER that you’ve NOT liked these places! I thought I was doing this for us, only...only to find out that you don’t want THIS! I’m sorry that I wanted to make US happy. I don’t care about my SKIN..I would go anywhere for y---forget it....I need to...’ by now the tears were freely flowing down her exquisite cheekbones and she was on the verge of hyperventilating.
Yanking her red-maroon wrap from the love seat, she dashed across the room when her wrist got caught in Don’s hand.
Looking back, she saw her husband look at her with eyes betraying a constellation of emotions.
Freeing her hand with one strong jerk she nodded a teary ‘No’ to her husband and jogged down the corridor, leaving him bewildered and befuddled.
9:03 p.m.
Giardini di Boboli
She didn’t remember how long ago she had left that hotel room. The affairs of the morning seemed like a galaxy away. She had made her way across the Ponte Vecchio (where she had frantically searched for the padlock that they had tied in the morning, but had only got confused among the innumerable locks) and was now making her way aimlessly through the maze of the Boboli Gardens.
The rain which had started off to irk people slightly with large well spaced drops had turned merciless after a while and was now falling relentlessly and in a powerful and steady rhythm.
The cool rainwater had drenched her thoroughly and the wrap did nothing to stop the shivers wracking her frame. She would inevitably catch a cold later. The strange yet familiar scents of the flowers that the garden had to offer mixed with the petrichor worked wonders to soothe her frayed nerves. The garden was mostly empty and the humungous and glorious works of sculpture seemed to look down upon her with pity, whispering among themselves.
Sinking into a seat in one of the few benches placed at a corner of the garden, she let the tears fall which were now mingling with the raindrops trailing down her face. She realized how foolish she had been to argue with her husband over a dress which was now beyond recovery-soaking wet and torn. She realized that Don had been right- she didn’t remember the last time they’d had a beach trip. Don loved the sun much unlike her, and he had sacrificed his love for beaches for his beloved wife-making sure they went to places Meryl loved. Of course, she had planned this trip to make Don happy, but internally her soul was at war. She knew she had chosen Florence to relive the memories, but she could also have chosen Myrtle Beach, where they had gone with the kids while she was pregnant with Grace and had spent the most blissful summer. She remembered how much Don had liked the golf courses there. She couldn’t believe she had gone so awfully wrong this time..she had made sure to generally pick places that Don and the kids loved, she had always put them first. Eventually, she would also end up liking those places. Don, on the other hand would choose places she liked. Always.
She wondered if Hollywood and her recent success had got to her. Her recent work load had been too much- she was making more films than she did in her heydays. She wondered if she had lost sight of her priorities.
No, Don and the kids would ALWAYS remain most important. She welcomed the cold rain drops which served as a reminder of everything important- yes nature, relations, family, love, happiness and authenticity were important. All else-money, power, fame, Hollywood, glamour were transient and perishable. It was easy to be overpowered by them, like she had been tonight..but it didn’t matter anymore. Feeling heavy under the soaked dress and drowsy due to her relentless crying, she picked herself up from the bench and made her way through the dark gardens- she will fix it tonight and make another year of marriage successful.
Walking towards the exit, she saw a lone figure standing in the rain, water dripping from toned forearms and thinning hair. An unmistakeable figure.
Walking as fast as her two feet would carry her, she stopped an inch away from her devilishly handsome husband. They could feel their soft breaths on one another.
‘I knew you would make your way here, I know how much you like the flowers’ Don said against her ear.
‘You always find your way to me! I’m sorr--’ Don cut her off and sealed his lips to her. No more words were needed
‘I’ll always know where to find you-because you are my home..it’s okay, we’ll remain jerks in this lifetime, but maybe these are the ties that bind us together.’ He said embracing his wife tightly, as if he was frightened that she would run away if he let go.
Burying her head into the crook of his chest, she mumbled a ‘Thank you’ and then kept on repeating it fervently while kissing him everywhere she could. Don didn’t know who she was thanking, God or him, he only kissed her forehead while she kept mumbling her gratitude to, or for, the one who loved her best.
Managing in the best Italian he knew, he looked into his wife’s swollen eyes and whispered ‘Non mi lasciare di nuovo ... mai. Ti amo.’ [Never leave me again...never. I love you.]
Meryl giggled like a child through her tears and said ‘Ti amo troppo.’ [I love you too.]
‘I only have this to give you tonight. No expensive gift’ with that Don presented his beloved with a single red rose and kissed her chastely ‘Tu sei la mia rosa.’ [You are my rose.]
With that, hand in hand they walked under the rain without a worry. Somewhere far away the accordion played a familiar tune-The Waves of Danube.
Roses and rain would always be a lucky charm for them from now on.
So pretties, I would love me some reviews..like I said reviews are like Crème brûlée...my muse loves desserts! I'll give you some from it..promise!
For ratings and disclaimer refer to:
http://evilangels26.livejournal.com/2013/06/13/
A/N 1: I promise to do more of the 'Mamie series' as soon as my muse strikes. I just had to write this for myself. Hope it isn't a let down.
A/N 2: Okay, so I have played a little with things. A certain dress has been referred to in this story, and I realize that it isn't as expensive so as to have monumental consequences, never the less I have made it out to be so, you know my muse wouldn't listen. The time frame is that of 2011 when Meryl had short hair, but I played a bit with that too..is it called 'writer's license'? Anyway,nothing too life altering. Hope you like it.
Rose coloured rain
Comune di Firenze
30th September 2011
8:34 p.m.
As Meryl made her way across the Ponte Vecchio her eyes were distant, glazed and lifeless, brimming with tears threatening to fall with the next blink. The soft north breeze brushed past her tear stained face. The chill in the air and the sorrow in her soul had lent a rose coloured tint to her cheeks and nose. She had been walking across this same place a few hours back hand in hand with another- it seemed like eternity now- things had been so different then.
Below, the river Arno surged ahead without a worry. The yellow lights adorning the various jewellery and art shops lining the bridge were almost blindingly brilliant. The voices of the shopkeepers haggling with tourists sounded almost soothing, a constant source to keep her from falling prey to the dark abyss, that was her heart and mind.
She didn’t remember feeling so vulnerable, lost and broken. Tonight’s fight had been one of the worst they’d ever had. It had been something they had never fought about and never thought they would: MONEY!
Of course they would fight often, but mostly about day to day affairs- small little mundane things- like who’d switch off the night lamp-it’s your turn! No, no it’s yours! ; could you for once maybe put your plate in the dishwasher?!; am I always supposed to remind you about your pills?; you’re lying, it was YOUR turn to get the car serviced; what have I told you about the lid of the toilet? PUT IT DOOOWNNN once you’re done; can you not get the kitchen pipe fixed, EVER?
Tonight, nobody seemed to have recognized her, atleast not as yet.. maybe because she was crying, her face distorted in sheer anguish that people had missed to notice the legend behind the woman or maybe they had never imagined Meryl Streep crying in real life! Wasn’t she supposed to have a perfect personal life? Hell, she did, so what had happened today...and today of all days..after exactly 33 years of blissful marriage!
The tears had almost blurred her vision and as she exited the old bridge gliding ahead with no specific destination in mind she felt the first drops of September rain. Rain in Florence at this time of the year wasn’t very common, but not unheard of. She felt silly walking around the town in her designer red tulle lace knee length dress. She was glad that she had scooped up the wrap while raging out otherwise she would certainly have been a sight. As the large cool drops of rain pelted against her skin, a shiver ran down her spine evoking events that had taken place earlier during the day.
The morning had started with ‘always the romantic’ Don Gummer waking his wife up with tender feather soft kisses. He had not neglected a single part of the magnificently naked body of his beautiful wife which lay tangled in the white Egyptian cotton bed sheets. Starting from that erogenous place below her right ear he had traversed down her slender neck, her clavicle, cleavage stopping at her pert nipples nibbling them, suckling on them ardently while she lay writhing in ecstasy one hand firmly clamped around his head and the other cupping his perfectly shaped ass.
Then he had ducked down shifting his attention to that part of her body which was throbbing with desire. Just with one swirl of his tongue inside her navel, Meryl started her low groans of want. Don seemed to want to take it slow and steady whereas Meryl was ready for release. Yanking his husband’s head so that he was gazing directly into his wife’s lust filled eyes he smirked; Meryl almost let out a feral groan and announced ‘MAKE ME COME!’
Instead of escalating his pace he seemed to take his time and torture his wife. Resuming his activity he let his fingers slip dangerously high on the inside of her thighs and then he rained kisses on both sides of her inner thigh until he reached her core. By that time Meryl’s breathing had become erratic and laborious and she was trying extremely hard to form coherent sentences, but all that came out were ‘uungh..’ and ‘aaahh’. Parting her legs even wider, he buried himself into her womanhood and started licking her clit and labia like a pro. He had always loved her smell and was amazed to see how wet and ready she seemed. Giving his wife (who was now almost spread eagle with hands tightly clutching the bed sheets and eyes closed in ecstasy and who was only chanting ‘Please..DON’T..DON’T stop’ over and over again in a breathless voice) one last look he decided it was time. Guiding his manhood into her dripping wet vagina he lifted up his wife’s limp body and kissed her on the full pink lips. She could taste herself on him, and found it intensely erotic. Arching her body into her husband’s while he was humping into her she nibbled his ears and kissed his jaws and then without notice her husband managed an incoherent grunt followed by ‘I’m..I’m... going ta...to...come’. As he quickened the pace of his deep thrusts she herself managed a ‘Uhn..me too...BABE’ And then the most powerful orgasm ripped through her entire body leaving her shaking and deliriously euphoric.
As they both rode out of the powerful orgasm-breathings irregular, sweat and cum stained sheets, sticky bodies attempting detanglement, fingers remaining entwined they looked at each other- the glow of ‘aftersex’ shining prominently, swollen lips and eyes glazed over.
‘This is the best sex I’ve ever had! Happy Anniversary, dear husband!’ Meryl cooed while placing the softest kiss on her husband’s toned biceps.
‘You say that every time we have sex. Face it M,everytime we make it epic’ Don beamed, ‘Happy Anniversary love! Let’s get today started’
After a shower which was originally meant to clean them up but had quickly turned into further demonstrations of love they made their way to the hotel’s regal restaurant.
Florence, fondly called the City of Love, was the birthplace of Dante. This was where he had first met Beatrice, his only love who he had failed to woo during his lifetime. This was home to Michelangelo’s David and several other works. Venus is the presiding deity of Florence -- specifically Botticelli’s newborn (but very mature) Goddess of Love. People fall in love in Florence; they fall in love with Florence, too.
This is what had exactly happened to this couple who were now enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at The St. Regis which boasted of an old world charm and new world amenities. Meryl and Don had spent one of their first honeymoons in Tuscany when she had been pregnant with Henry. They hadn’t been very rich back then to afford 5 stars so they had decided to go camping. Ever since they had come back, time and again to renew the love which had prospered in this city’s very heart!
This time the trip had been planned by Meryl. She had always loved Italy, Renaissance and Michelangelo. She had got them booked for a weeklong trip covering their anniversary day, a stay at the best hotel the city had to offer and guidebooks to take them around the city.
Generally, she wouldn’t splurge too much on 5 stars. She only stayed in them when working on a film or promoting one. Don and her always had loved simplicity, making sure they gave more to charity than spending it in needless luxuries. This time however, she had wanted the best for her husband- she had been shooting films back to back in the previous years and would have to go back to promoting one in December. Don and her hadn’t had too many ‘romantic getaways’ that they would generally have, even if it were for a day or two when the kids were growing. So, this trip would serve as a ‘make up trip’ for all the days that had been lost.
It had worked very well, with Don more than eager to get it started. They had been in Florence for 2 days before their anniversary day and had managed to visit some places without too much attention. September being an off season had worked in their favour. Today, they had a few more places in their agenda. That being done they would come back to their hotel to exchange their gifts and sit down to a nice sophisticated dinner.
After attending to calls from their children who had more than enthusiastically wished them a ‘Happy Anniversary’ and had hoped they would celebrate it (Henry had said, ‘Dad, you do know what I mean by celebrate don’t you. All the best, Keep your girl happy’; Grace had giggled and then added ‘Don’t be too shy Mom, we’re out of earshot; Louisa had chimed ‘Please do what you have to coz I want a quiet house when you return!’ ; Mamie had been the only nice one) they had made their way into the city.
Their first stop had been Ponte Vecchio. Legend has it that if you and your loved one attach a padlock to any surface of the famous bridge and then throw away the key into the Arno River below, your love will last forever. They had done this ritual the first time they had been here. However, today seemed to be more than an appropriate day for reaffirming their love. There had been a lot of sceptics who did not believe in these mindless legends, but Meryl and Don had loved the idea when they had first heard of it and believed in it ever since. Of course, there were other things, but this small act had given them some kind of a courage which had helped them face all adversity. So, they were back again.
Securing a padlock, Meryl turned the key and handed it over to Don. He kissed it, gave his wife a fleeting look and let the Arno river take away with it their life’s key.
She loved being in Florence- away from the paparazzi, glitz and glamour, relentless scrutiny and sycophancy. Hand in hand with her husband they made their way across this City of Love stopping at museums, Cathedrals, grottos, Basilicas and souvenir shops.
Their last stop was Santa Margherita de' Cerchi, or The Church of Dante. This housed the tomb of Beatrice Portinari, Dante’s only true love who he could never attain. This pleasant little church would see visitors from all over the world who would pay homage to Dante, the poet or to his beautiful and celestial muse. Next to Beatrice’s shrine there was always a basket full of letters in rainbow colours from people in love who had been unable to reach out to their loved ones and craved their absence.
Meryl and Don prayed to her for having found each other and left a note saying:
‘Let all who seek true love-find it, let all who crave true love-receive it, and let all who pray to you have their wishes fulfilled. We have found each other, so we neither seek nor crave. We only pray for each other in every reincarnation’
Feeling elated, fulfilled and truly happy they had returned to their temporary abode at 5 pm after a quick late lunch in a roadside bistro.
Inspite of being young at heart, their sexagenarian bodies had given way, and soon they had fallen into a peaceful sleep on the more than comfortable king size bed.
It was around 6:30p.m. when Meryl woke up with a start. Somewhere, she heard Church bells chiming. As she glanced over the form of her peacefully sleeping husband and across the room to the Venetian windows she felt a strange feeling of calm. Outside Astreaus, seemed to be retreating in his chariot shrouding the once azure sky in a tangerine hue for one last time, soon Nyx would arrive and devour the orange pall to replace it with an ebony shroud. The birds in the sky would soon be home to spend a peaceful night with their loved ones after a hard day’s work.
Pulling herself out of her whirlpool of thoughts she woke up her loved one to start their anniversary night before they could retire for a peaceful night of love.
By 7:15 p.m. Don was pacing the room in his new black Armani tuxedo waiting for his wife to emerge from the bathroom. When the doors opened, Don Gummer forgot how to breathe.
Meryl had been very nervous about this dress. It wasn’t something she would generally wear..it was pure haute couture and for somebody half her age- something you might wear to a prom. It was a Zuhair Murad long sleeve red tulle lace knee length dress almost transparent waist up. She couldn’t place as to where she had acquired this sudden affinity for semi transparent things. The back was deeper than what she would generally wear but not too deep. So, taking a leap of faith and knowing this was only for her husband’s eyes she had decided to wear it on her anniversary night. Not to mention she had spent a lot of money on it, considering she would never probably wear it again!
{If you want a quick sneak-peek of the dress and a better idea take a look: http://www.babyonlinedress.com/goods-13443-Zuhair+Murad+Dress+Scoop+Long+Sleeve+Red+Tull+Lace+Knee+Length+Ball+Gown+Prom+Evening+Dresses+ZH106.html }
She had also kept a wrap ready in case of some exigency. She couldn’t deny how the dress had fitted each and every curve of her body making her look- sexy yet cute. Leaving her shampooed long blonde hair down and with the makeup restricted to a bare minimum, the only other accessory that adorned her body were her diamond studs, wedding ring and a solitaire ‘forever’ ring that Don had gifted to her right after 9/11 when their lives had been threatened and forever changed.
Standing in front of the 5 star bathroom she looked no less than a Goddess. If the world saw her now they would never dare to call Angelina Jolie or Gwyneth Paltrow beautiful, hell, even the Italian beauties would fall flat in front of this vision in red. She looked classy yet chic, young yet elegant, shy yet desirable, hesitant yet confident. Don would never figure out how he got so lucky.
Finding his tongue after what felt to him like a million years he said ‘How did you get to be this beautiful? You look stunning, but that’s not the right word. There is no word I can use t...’ and without completing his sentence he rushed up to his wife and captured her lips in a passionate kiss and didn’t let go until they were panting for breath ‘Don’t be this beautiful, I can’t concentrate..we need to get through dinner before I devour you...I’m going to kill the designer who made this..and God because he made this’ he ended gesturing at her perfect body visible through the dress.
‘Oh darling! Like what you see? Sorry to break it you, but you can’t remove this before 11 p.m. and I’m thinking of keeping it on tonight..I like it a little better than you’ she finished with a wink and a girly giggle.
‘Then, I AM sorry to break it to you, but I will have to rip this dress and win you back’ he said a little disengaged and started to playfully meddle with the dress.
‘Don don’t, it’s very expensive!’ playing coy she began to move away from her husband’s embrace. The dress caught in Don’s Tag Heuer watch and being mostly net and lace, the net got pulled. Not realizing the source of confinement, Meryl walked ahead and with one last pull the net tore off leaving a neat thin line of tear near the knee..some 1 inch above. Hardly visible, blending well with the rest of the net and lace.
But then, then the Wrath of Titans.
As soon as Meryl realized what had happened she stopped stunned, gaping first at the thin line of tear and then at Don.
Saying she was furious was an understatement.
First, THE DRESS WAS EXPENSIVE!
Second, she had had it on for barely 10 minutes!
Third, Don’s childish antics were NOT CUTE!
Fourth, her good mood had already tucked tail and disappeared.
‘Oh God Don! What have you DONE? Look at this’ she shrieked
‘M, I’m really sorry...I didn’t do it on purpose, my watch caught your dress..and what kind of material is it that it tears at the slightest contact’ he was clearly on the verge of getting pissed now.
‘I told you to not mess with it...and what do you mean what kind of material...huh? Do you know how expensive this is..you know how much I hate spending money on such things...ONCE..just this one time I decided to give in...but maybe haute couture is not meant for children-people like you- your numerous girlfriends might have found your antics CUTE, I clearly DON’T!’
‘Oh HONEY! I’m soo sorry for being a CHILD although you look more like one than I do! Look...it was NOT done on purpose and don’t bring up irrelevant things! I swear, I love the dress and...okay..okay..let’s not get worked up..I’ll buy you another one...alright...same dress..once we get back’ Don tried to reason out curbing his growing anger.
Now Meryl was royally pissed. She knew this wouldn’t lead anywhere and should be stopped, it was a minor issue but something inside her decided to irk him on. Her vengeful streak was out on full display!
‘Oh really! Buy me another? Isn’t one expensive enough? Money isn’t worth wasting this way!’
Don who had earlier decided to appease the argument now seemed livid ‘I’m not asking you to buy it, I will, with my own money! And..you didn’t get this for FREE, did you..YOU had to buy it!’
‘Stop it! What’s this-my money-your money...it’s our money!And I DON’T WANT another dress ’ she squeaked shrilly pacing the room scrutinizing the tear.
‘Really M, why does this ‘EXPENSIVE rule’ not apply to you..huh? What happened when you were booking A honeymoon suite at The St. Regis, Florence and flying us here?’ Don spat. He couldn’t believe how the evening was proceeding.
‘Oh God! I’m gonna pretend that you didn’t just say that! If I may quote you, ‘Oh honey! I can’t believe you planned such a beautiful surprise for us! I can’t tell you how much I love you’ and then the SEX that followed.’ she ended completing her wild airy gestures and transformed voice.
‘You know what! Maybe I was “surprised” that you had splurged a fortune on this trip. We could have had a longer stay in one of the beaches in our own state at half the price!’
‘Then WHY didn’t you SAY it for God Sake! I can’t believe you’re putting this on me now! If you wanted to go to the ‘beaches’ YOU could have told me!’
‘Why do I need to tell you? You do know I love beaches...and I get it that the sun is not too good for your skin...but we haven’t been anywhere except for 5 stars and monuments in ages..places which you like!’ Don said dejectedly.
‘Don! You haven’t said EVER that you’ve NOT liked these places! I thought I was doing this for us, only...only to find out that you don’t want THIS! I’m sorry that I wanted to make US happy. I don’t care about my SKIN..I would go anywhere for y---forget it....I need to...’ by now the tears were freely flowing down her exquisite cheekbones and she was on the verge of hyperventilating.
Yanking her red-maroon wrap from the love seat, she dashed across the room when her wrist got caught in Don’s hand.
Looking back, she saw her husband look at her with eyes betraying a constellation of emotions.
Freeing her hand with one strong jerk she nodded a teary ‘No’ to her husband and jogged down the corridor, leaving him bewildered and befuddled.
9:03 p.m.
Giardini di Boboli
She didn’t remember how long ago she had left that hotel room. The affairs of the morning seemed like a galaxy away. She had made her way across the Ponte Vecchio (where she had frantically searched for the padlock that they had tied in the morning, but had only got confused among the innumerable locks) and was now making her way aimlessly through the maze of the Boboli Gardens.
The rain which had started off to irk people slightly with large well spaced drops had turned merciless after a while and was now falling relentlessly and in a powerful and steady rhythm.
The cool rainwater had drenched her thoroughly and the wrap did nothing to stop the shivers wracking her frame. She would inevitably catch a cold later. The strange yet familiar scents of the flowers that the garden had to offer mixed with the petrichor worked wonders to soothe her frayed nerves. The garden was mostly empty and the humungous and glorious works of sculpture seemed to look down upon her with pity, whispering among themselves.
Sinking into a seat in one of the few benches placed at a corner of the garden, she let the tears fall which were now mingling with the raindrops trailing down her face. She realized how foolish she had been to argue with her husband over a dress which was now beyond recovery-soaking wet and torn. She realized that Don had been right- she didn’t remember the last time they’d had a beach trip. Don loved the sun much unlike her, and he had sacrificed his love for beaches for his beloved wife-making sure they went to places Meryl loved. Of course, she had planned this trip to make Don happy, but internally her soul was at war. She knew she had chosen Florence to relive the memories, but she could also have chosen Myrtle Beach, where they had gone with the kids while she was pregnant with Grace and had spent the most blissful summer. She remembered how much Don had liked the golf courses there. She couldn’t believe she had gone so awfully wrong this time..she had made sure to generally pick places that Don and the kids loved, she had always put them first. Eventually, she would also end up liking those places. Don, on the other hand would choose places she liked. Always.
She wondered if Hollywood and her recent success had got to her. Her recent work load had been too much- she was making more films than she did in her heydays. She wondered if she had lost sight of her priorities.
No, Don and the kids would ALWAYS remain most important. She welcomed the cold rain drops which served as a reminder of everything important- yes nature, relations, family, love, happiness and authenticity were important. All else-money, power, fame, Hollywood, glamour were transient and perishable. It was easy to be overpowered by them, like she had been tonight..but it didn’t matter anymore. Feeling heavy under the soaked dress and drowsy due to her relentless crying, she picked herself up from the bench and made her way through the dark gardens- she will fix it tonight and make another year of marriage successful.
Walking towards the exit, she saw a lone figure standing in the rain, water dripping from toned forearms and thinning hair. An unmistakeable figure.
Walking as fast as her two feet would carry her, she stopped an inch away from her devilishly handsome husband. They could feel their soft breaths on one another.
‘I knew you would make your way here, I know how much you like the flowers’ Don said against her ear.
‘You always find your way to me! I’m sorr--’ Don cut her off and sealed his lips to her. No more words were needed
‘I’ll always know where to find you-because you are my home..it’s okay, we’ll remain jerks in this lifetime, but maybe these are the ties that bind us together.’ He said embracing his wife tightly, as if he was frightened that she would run away if he let go.
Burying her head into the crook of his chest, she mumbled a ‘Thank you’ and then kept on repeating it fervently while kissing him everywhere she could. Don didn’t know who she was thanking, God or him, he only kissed her forehead while she kept mumbling her gratitude to, or for, the one who loved her best.
Managing in the best Italian he knew, he looked into his wife’s swollen eyes and whispered ‘Non mi lasciare di nuovo ... mai. Ti amo.’ [Never leave me again...never. I love you.]
Meryl giggled like a child through her tears and said ‘Ti amo troppo.’ [I love you too.]
‘I only have this to give you tonight. No expensive gift’ with that Don presented his beloved with a single red rose and kissed her chastely ‘Tu sei la mia rosa.’ [You are my rose.]
With that, hand in hand they walked under the rain without a worry. Somewhere far away the accordion played a familiar tune-The Waves of Danube.
Roses and rain would always be a lucky charm for them from now on.
So pretties, I would love me some reviews..like I said reviews are like Crème brûlée...my muse loves desserts! I'll give you some from it..promise!