It takes hands to build a house

Jan 10, 2011 12:15

Category: Pink Sheep RPG

Feeling quite smug, Stephen strolled across the Atrium towards the lifts, a shrunken pack tucked away in his pocket. It had taken some time and a bit of planning, but everything was ready. Or so he hoped.

Cassie hadn’t brought it up again since the first time, but he knew she wanted a house of their own. Not a flat, but a real house. Somewhere to call their own and one day-- not any day soon-- raise their children. Since then, he’d been scouring estate sales in his free time, flipping through the Prophet and making discreet calls to estate agents when he found potential properties. He knew Cassie would want to be involved, and she would be. He just wanted to weed through the undesirables before showing her what he’d found.

As the lifts opened, he strode down the hall towards the Committee for Experimental Charms’ office. Hopefully his bride-to-be wouldn’t already have lunch plans or a full afternoon. If things went according to plan, she wouldn’t be coming back to the office at all today.

He gave the office secretary a grin as he entered the main office. “Afternoon, Wanda. Is Cassie in?”

The grizzled older woman squinted at the young fellow before her, pushing her glasses up to get a better look at him. It was the Montgomery girl’s betrothed and a wry smile curled her mouth as she took in the satisfied air about him. “She is, and I’d bet money she won’t be for long. You’ve the look of a man with something up his sleeve. Go on with you now, go find your girl and make her smile, then.”

“As you command, my lady,” Stephen said, executing a bow with a flourish and a wink before he strode past the women’s desk towards Cassie’s cubicle.

Knocking on the side, he pulled out a pink rose and ran it along her ear. “Why so serious, love?”

Jumping at the unexpected touch and the voice that followed, Cassie laughed as she turned to her fiance. “I was heavily involved in the intricacies of a new levitation charm. You scared the pants off of me.” Despite her words, Cassie was happy to see Stephen. This was the kind of mid-day surprise she could get used to. “What are you doing here?”

“Stealing you away. The intricacies of a levitation charm will have to wait,” he answered gallantly, bending to press a kiss to her forehead.

“Away? That sounds intriguing. Where are you stealing me away to, pray tell?” It was the work of a moment to gather her coat and personal effects and then she was at his side, bright-eyed and eager.

“You’ll see,” he replied, taking her hand and placing it in the crook of his arm. With a grin, he lead her back out to the main office, waving at Wanda as they passed her by. As they waited for the lifts, he said, “So, how has your day been so far, my love?”

Cassie mind was churning, trying to think of an occasion she might have forgotten or anything that would give her a clue what Stephen had in store for her. She was coming up blank. The lift doors opened and he handsome boyfriend escorted her inside as she said, “It’s been fine. Nothing out of the ordinary until now. Did you take the whole day off or is this a quick outing?”

“Took the afternoon off. It’s a slow day, and besides, this is better than pretending to work. Better to skive off and spend the afternoon with you,” he replied, glancing down on her with an amused smirk. She looked utterly bewildered, and it amused him to no end.

“I’m pleased you think I’m better than make work, seeing as we’re getting married soon. I’d hate for you to spend your life with someone you see as a chore,” she teased. “I don’t even get a hint?”

“Nope.”

“Hmph.” She might have pouted a little, but Cassie would never admit it.

“Don’t pout, love. I promise,” I hope, “it’ll be worth it,” he assured her as the lifts opened, revealing the bustle of the Atrium.

“‘m not pouting,” she insisted, sticking her tongue out at him. “But fine, if you’re going to keep me in suspense, I guess I can suffer through it.”

“That’s a love.”

He led her through the crowded room towards the nearest Apparition point, ducking through passing witches and wizards as they did. Taking his wand back from the security wizard, he pulled Cassie close and Apparated them away.

A cold wind caught her breath momentarily as they appeared in a large garden. When Cassie looked forward, eyes wide on the grand home they stood before, she lost her breath a second time. “Stephen? Where are we?”

“We’re in Hertfordshire,” he said, “outside Tring. Thought we’d have a picnic out here. What do you think?”

“I think it’s chilly, and you didn’t really answer the question.” Wide blue eyes turned up to him. “Whose house is this? Why are we here?” It wasn’t as if Stephen had never surprised her with a picnic, but not somewhere wholly unfamiliar, even if it was stunningly beautiful.

“Why don’t we go inside?” he asked, lacing his fingers through hers. “It’s open.” Without waiting for an answer, he led her across the grassy lawn to the house’s front door. As he said, the door opened without a key, and he led her into the large foyer.

Looking around the entry to the vast empty house in awe, Cassie started to wonder. Was this house for them? It seemed too grand a gesture, much more than she’d intended when she suggested they find a home of their own. Still, why else would they be here? She looked to her fiance, the question written on her face.

“So?” he asked, spreading his arms and circling. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s gorgeous,” Cassie said, her voice a whisper. “This is for us?” She was almost afraid to ask. It was too perfect. This was the kind of home you lived in forever, passed down to your children. This was a place for a family.

“If you want it,” he said, stopping to catch her gaze with his. Despite his confidence that this was the one, his heart was still pounding in his chest as he waited. What if it was too much?

Happy laughter spilled from her lips as she threw herself at Stephen. “If I want it? It’s perfect!”

Catching her up in his arms, Stephen spun her around in a circle. Pulling her close, he ducked his head down to press his lips against hers in a long, slow kiss.

It was a few minutes later that Cassie came up for air, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. They’d only had the one conversation about finding somewhere of their own to live and yet Stephen had taken that one conversation and found them this amazing place. “I love you, and I love this house. I can’t wait to spend my life here with you.”

“Then I will owl the estate agent and tell him that we’ll take it,” he said, brushing a tear away with his thumb. “And then you and I have a home.”

“Our home,” she said, looking around the property that would soon be theirs. “Show me the rest of it. I want to see where I’ll be making love to you for the next eighty years or so.”

“That, my to-be wife, sounds like the best idea I’ve heard all day.” Pulling her close, he dropped a kiss to her nose. “Did I mention it has nine bedrooms?”

She held him tightly, the happiness she felt nearly overflowing. “You didn’t mention that. I suppose it would be in poor taste to christen them before they’re truly ours, hmm?” Her expression turned thoughtful then, and after a moment Cassie shook her head. “Actually, it would be kind of nice to wait, to have only ever made love here as husband and wife, don’t you think?”

Stephen held her close, running one hand through her long blonde hair. “I think that sounds like a good plan,” he murmured pensively. “And that means we’ll actually get to enjoy the picnic I packed.”

Laughing softly, Cassie rested her head on Stephen’s shoulder, enjoying his closeness and the promise of their tomorrow. She’d never imagined making these kinds of plans so young, but being with him felt so right, there was no other future she could imagine now. “Yes, it’d be a shame to waste all your effort.”

“Good woman. Then follow me. Your feast awaits.”

cassandra, stephen, pink sheep rpg, stephen/cassandra

Previous post Next post
Up