That Which Leads Us Home - Chapter 16 - Echoes of the Night Before (FINAL CHAPTER)
That Which Leads us Home
by Frakkin_Eh
Rating: M
Authors notes: This story is a sequel of sorts to the Movie 'For All time' starring Mark Harmon and Mary McDonnell. It picks up in the second to last scene in the movie. If you have not seen the movie you should be able to follow the story anyway as I hope (fingers crossed on that one) that I've provided enough information in the story about what happened prior to the timeline the story takes place in. You should watch the movie though, for no other reason than it's a wonderful little movie and .. well, Mary's in it.
**** This is the final chapter to this story. Not to worry though, I am in serious negotiations with my MUSE and am hoping to reach an agreement soon on the possibility of writing a sequel and making it into a small series. For now, however, we will be concluding this story so I can focus on Real Life for a while.
I can’t thank you guys enough for all the feedback and comments. You guys truly made writing this story a blast!
And tayryn ….. shit man, what can I say? You have been such an incredible help. Being so totally new to the whole ‘writing scene’ I can’t tell you how much you’ve helped and taught me. You’re a really good mentor and a wonderful friend. Hey, maybe some day I’ll even learn where to put a frakking comma!
Chapter 16 - Echoes of the Night Before
For the first time in six years, Laura awoke to a warm and solid body next to hers. Much like they were when they’d fallen asleep, they lay entwined in each other’s arms. Laura’s head rested on his chest, one arm nestled near his shoulder, and the other lay bent along his torso with her palm pressed firmly against him.
Unconsciously, she emitted a hum of contentment as she lay listening to the beating of his heart and his steady rhythmic breathing as he slept. Laura couldn’t count the nights she’d laid awake wondering how his body would feel snuggled up against hers. None of her dreams had even come close to the feel of his skin against hers now or the feelings she felt as she lay there in his arms.
A rush of warmth swept over her as she recalled their declarations of love, their deep embraces, and then their making love. They’d made love… they had made love. A nervous knot formed in the pit of her belly. She willed it away. “No,” she told herself, “you said there would be no second-guessing, no regrets in the morning.”
It was then that Laura realized that she truly had no regrets, and that’s what had her worried. She knew how she felt about the night before, but what about Charles? How would he feel about her now? Now that the heat of the moment was gone how would he see her in the morning light? What would he think of her considering how easily she’d given herself up to him? Would he feel that their love had been even further solidified by the pleasure and connection they had found in each other, or would he question her moral fiber and be disappointed that she’d allowed things to progress as they had? Notions of the latter made her shudder.
Laura froze at the realization that his breathing had become less rhythmic and the sound of his heartbeat had increased. In a quick motion she raised her head and was met by his bright eyes smiling down at her.
“Good Morning.” He whispered.
She smiled shyly at him but didn’t speak. He hitched a thumb under her chin and raised her face to meet his. His lips grazed hers gently before trailing off to gently caress the top of her head.
Sensing her uneasiness he asked, “You okay?”
“Hmmm.” Was her only replied.
Laura could feel his body tense at her response as he shifted slightly to look at her once more.
“Laura?” he asked in a tone that was laced with concern.
Charles’ mind was racing nearly as fast as his heart was pounding. He’d known there was a chance that, even though she’d said she wouldn’t, she might regret what had happened between them. But he’d made love to her anyway and had prayed that he wouldn’t see regret in her eyes in the morning. But he did, and the walls around his heart tightened at the sight of it.
Laura shyly shifted her glance from his eyes to focus on the small tuft of hair on his chest. Absentmindedly, she ran a finger through the coarse growth as she searched for something to say.
As he’d done only moments ago, he guided her chin with his thumb until her eyes met his once more.
“Laura, talk to me.”
Laura looked up at him shyly. Her heart skipped a beat and her belly fluttered at the look of sheer panic on his face. “I don’t regret last night, Charles.” She said, before quickly breaking eye contact once again.
“But…” he added for her in a cautious tone that urged her to continue.
“But I worry about how you feel about it now.”
Unable to grasp what she was saying he gave her a puzzled look. “How do you mean?”
Laura blushed slightly as her eyes wandered in search of something to focus on. Anything would do, so long as she didn’t have to look him in the eye.
“I mean how you feel about last night. About me. About my allowing…” her voice trailed off and she looked like she wanted to simply disappear.
Charles’ chest decompressed as he released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Laura, are you worried that my opinion of you will be compromised because we made love?”
She didn’t answer but her body language said it all.
With that he emitted a small sigh of relief. “Oh, Honey.” He whispered as he gathered her closer in his arms and kissed her forehead. “My opinion of you could never be diminished… EVER.”
Without releasing his hold on her, he rolled on to his side to obtain a full view of her expression. He cupped her face in one hand in an effort to force her gaze to lock with his. When she wouldn’t comply he said. “Laura, look at me. Please.”
When she finally looked at him he was overcome with love. He had so much to learn about this time and place he’d found himself in. As he gazed into her tear-filled eyes he was hit by the realization of just how much of a big deal the night before had been for them… for her. Emotion swept through him, catching him off-guard. With a lump in his throat he said huskily. “Last night was pure and beautiful. YOU are pure and beautiful. You are unlike anyone I’ve ever known. I wish I could find words adequate enough to make you understand that. Honey, last night only served to make me love you even more than I already did, more than I ever thought possible.”
Laura, so deeply moved by his words, couldn’t speak. With tears spilling from her eyes she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair and then slowly down to caress the side of his face. Without a word she brought her lips to his for a tender, almost chaste, kiss that seemed to linger forever. Their eyes met and the air was filled with a new energy.
Their next kiss was full-blown from the start. The instant his mouth touched hers his tongue parted her lips and stroked hers lustfully. Laura moaned as she returned his embrace with a hunger and want that surprised them both.
Charles’ eyes were locked with hers as he slowly slid his hand down her back to cup her bottom. The total absence of clothing offered no boundaries between them, only heat, flesh against flesh. Laura moaned wantonly as she felt the strain of his erection pushing hard against her belly.
Charles groaned as his hand found her wet and receptive. She winced slightly as his fingers explored her, causing him to stop.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “Did I hurt you last night?”
Laura shook her head. “No, Charles, I’m fine. Just a little tender, that’s all. It… ummm… it had been a long time since I’d…”
Charles smiled at her understandingly. “I’m sorry, I should have realized that.”
He began to pull away slightly when she tightened her hold on him “No, please don’t stop.” She said in a shaky whisper. “Just go slow and easy, but please don’t stop.”
He didn’t say a word. Charles simply kissed her for what felt like an eternity. His fingers brushed lazily against her cheeks and along her throat as he savored the sweet taste of her. His kiss was deep and profound. Laura whimpered as his tongue explored her mouth and then engaged hers in a beautiful sensual dance that left her trembling and weak beneath him.
As he gently slid into her, she moaned in pleasure and tightened her grip on his arms. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, as he looked down at her, concerned he was hurting her.
Through hooded eyes she looked at him but didn’t speak. She responded by passionately pulling his mouth firmly to hers as she gently began rocking her hips against his.
Charles moaned and lost himself in her.
“**********************************************************************************
“**********************************************************************************
Laura awoke several hours later and reached for him but her hand fell on empty sheets. Puzzled, she sat up and looked around.
“Charles?” she called out. No response.
Laura retrieved the shirt she’d been wearing the night before and slipped it on before making her way to the bathroom. She knocked on the partially closed door and called to him again. “Charles?” Nothing.
“Where in the heavens could have he gone?” she wondered. Just as she was making her way over to the desk in hopes of finding a note, Charles sauntered in with his hands full.
“Hey, you’re awake.” he chimed.
“Good morning,” Laura said, with a curious smile. Gesturing to the bags in his hands. “What’s all this? Where did you go?”
“Well, first of all I went to your hotel to see if I could salvage your luggage.” He looked at her apologetically before continuing. “Unfortunately, Laura, nearly everything was lost in the fire last night.”
“I was afraid of that.” She replied.
“So…” he continued. “Although nearly everything in the city is closed, I did manage to sweet talk the hotel manager into opening the hotel’s boutique downstairs for me. I bought you a few outfits and toiletries.”
Laura gave him a nervous look before Charles laid her worries to rest. “Don’t worry,” he added playfully, “the manager’s wife helped me with what you would probably need. I explained to her that you’d lost everything last night and that you needed a few complete sets of clothing. I went by the sizes of the outfit that’s lying in a ball on my bathroom floor; I sure hope these fit okay.
Laura smiled as Charles yammered on about women’s clothing and how he didn’t understand why it had to be so complicated. She laughed out loud when he remarked that one hundred years had not changed that particular aspect of women and how he supposed it never would. He marked the conclusion of his monologue by placing a soft kiss to her lips before muttering “Good Morning.”
Laura plopped herself down on the bed and began riffling through the bags like a child at Christmas time. “Oh, Charles, these are perfect!” She exclaimed as she held up a blouse for closer inspection.
“You might want to try them on before you get too excited. Although, the manager’s wife assured me that they would fit.”
Laura’s expression took on a more serious look with her next question. “Charles, what did you tell them?”
“About what?”
“About me, about why I am in your hotel room with you.”
Suddenly understanding her concern, Charles gave her a sly grin. “Laura, the entire city is in chaos right now. I don’t think anyone would take notice or issue with two people sharing a hotel room under the circumstances.”
Laura opened her mouth to protest, but Charles silenced her by placing a finger to her lips as he continued. “But, I did make sure that both the manager and his wife knew that you were my wife. I told them that since my business in St. Louis had kept me here for longer than originally planned, you had decided to come for a visit.”
Laura gave him a small smile in relief. “Thank You.”
“You certainly don’t have to thank me, Laura. Pretending that you are my wife isn’t exactly a hardship.” He stated with a wink, before elaborating. “I only wish I wasn’t pretending.”
Laura giggled as she answered. “Likewise, Mr. Lattimer.”
Charles’ face took on a serious expression as he inhaled deeply before settling down on the bed next to her. Laura’s heart quickened and her insides fluttered at the look in his eyes.
“I’m serious, Laura. I want to marry you.”
The playful tone was quickly washed away, leaving Laura struggling to find her voice. In a tiny pitch she finally replied. “Me too.”
Charles exhaled in relief. He shifted nervously before he continued. “I ummmm… I don’t know how I’m supposed to do this. I don’t know what the protocol is that I’m supposed to follow.”
Laura just looked at him in confusion so he explained. “While some things haven’t changed at all over the past century, some things are very different, Laura, especially when it comes to this sort of thing.“
Charles’ face took on a fuller color as he admitted, “I have no idea what I’m supposed to do here. I’m so afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing… so afraid of offending somebody… offending YOU especially with my lack of social etiquette or knowledge thereof.”
Laura ran a soothing hand over his back and tried to gain a better understanding of what was ailing him. In a soothing voice she asked. “Like what?”
“Like everything. Do I need to ask your mother for your hand? What do I do when she tells me NO, because we both know that she’s going to tell me NO, then what? What are the rules of etiquette when we are...” Charles gestured with his hand indicating that he was searching for a word that eluded him.
“Courting.” Laura said, filling in the blanks for him.
“Courting.” Charles echoed. “What are the rules for courting? How long do we have to be engaged before we can marry? Help me out here, Laura; I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.”
The more Charles talked the more agitated and stressed he became, and the more enamored Laura grew by his insecurities. She was finally unable to contain her amusement as she giggled like a silly girl at him. “Oh, Charles.” She said as she gently massaged his shoulders. “You’ve got yourself worked up into a frenzy. Just breathe, relax a little, and trust that it will all work itself out. You don’t need to worry about any of this because I’m here for you. If you are unsure, just ask.”
Charles could feel the tension slowly seeping out of his neck at the gentle rubbing of her hands. “Okay, first of all, what are we going to do about your mother? She hates me, and with good reason I suppose.”
“She doesn’t hate you, Charles.”
Charles gave her a look that all but said “oh come on!!”
Laura laughed and admitted. “Okay, so maybe she hates you.”
Charles emitted a small groan, which prompted Laura to continue. “Don’t worry about Mama, Charles; I’ll take care of that. In answer to your earlier question, yes, it would be proper for you to ask her for my hand. She will want to say NO but she won’t.”
“How can you be so sure of that?”
“Because I will tell her that she needs to say YES. I will make sure that she understands that you are merely trying to be as respectful to her as you can but that you and I are going to be wed with or without her consent. She’ll say ‘YES’, she won’t have a choice in the matter.”
“She’s not going to be happy about it.”
“No, she won’t be. But there’s nothing we can do about that right now. She’ll come around, eventually.” Laura added with a sly grin.
Charles wasn’t so sure of that but decided to keep his doubtful thoughts to himself for the time being.
“As for ‘courting’ and ‘engagement’,’” she said, as she made air quotes with her fingers. “We should probably court for a least a couple of months before we become engaged, and the engagement should last for at least six months.”
Charles’ face lost all its color but he said nothing. Laura looked at him sympathetically. “Unfortunately, we won’t be able to do this,” she gestured at their intimate surroundings, “back in Somerville.”
Charles gave her a funny look as he stated flatly, “I kinda figured as much.”
The mention of Somerville sobered Laura’s mood considerably. “Charles? Have you given any consideration to what you want to do?”
“How do you mean?”
“Well,” she said hesitantly, “you’ve started to build a business here. My life is in Somerville.” She stated as she picked at the floral pattern of the bedspread. “I’m just wondering what we’re going to do about that.”
Charles leaned forward and tilted his head sideways in an effort to catch her downcast eyes. “And you’re wondering if I intend to move back to Somerville?” He stated in an effort to voice her thoughts for her.
Laura simply shrugged her shoulders in a gesture of agreement.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do about the advertising business that I’ve started. I have a number of established clients here in St. Louis that I don’t want to lose.”
He could see her body tense as she prepared herself for what she thought he’d say next. “But,” he added slowly, “as quickly as my business may be growing here, Laura, my life is with you. Somerville is your home and I would never ask you and your family to leave it.”
She looked at him with uncertainty in her eyes as she asked the question that weighed most heavily on her mind. “So what are we going to do?”
“As far as my long term plan goes, I’m not entirely sure. My short-term plan is to return to Somerville with you. It is going to be weeks before this city is back on its feet and until then I don’t see any of my clients making advertising their products a priority. City officials are telling visitors that the best thing we can do for the city of St. Louis right now is go home. They are having enough trouble supplying those who live here with adequate water, food, and shelter without having to worry about the visiting public. So, as soon as the train station opens back up, which I am hoping will be in a day or so, I think we should return home. “
Laura smiled at the notion of returning to Somerville. “That would be good. I miss Mary terribly.”
“I am going to make my way down to the station later to find out when the train will be running again.”
Suddenly overcome by just how beautiful she looked, sitting there on his bed, in nothing but his shirt, he smiled at her seductively. “In the meantime, until we leave for Somerville,” he leaned in and placed a series of kisses down the column of her neck, “I intend to take advantage of you as much as I can,” he kissed her again, and again, “Mrs. Lattimer.” He added with a drawl.
“Hmmm. Mrs. Lattimer,” she echoed, “I like the sound of that.”
“So do I.” He whispered, as he slowly lowered her to the mattress.
The End
Chapter 15
Previous Chapters
by Frakkin_Eh
Rating: M
Authors notes: This story is a sequel of sorts to the Movie 'For All time' starring Mark Harmon and Mary McDonnell. It picks up in the second to last scene in the movie. If you have not seen the movie you should be able to follow the story anyway as I hope (fingers crossed on that one) that I've provided enough information in the story about what happened prior to the timeline the story takes place in. You should watch the movie though, for no other reason than it's a wonderful little movie and .. well, Mary's in it.
**** This is the final chapter to this story. Not to worry though, I am in serious negotiations with my MUSE and am hoping to reach an agreement soon on the possibility of writing a sequel and making it into a small series. For now, however, we will be concluding this story so I can focus on Real Life for a while.
I can’t thank you guys enough for all the feedback and comments. You guys truly made writing this story a blast!
And tayryn ….. shit man, what can I say? You have been such an incredible help. Being so totally new to the whole ‘writing scene’ I can’t tell you how much you’ve helped and taught me. You’re a really good mentor and a wonderful friend. Hey, maybe some day I’ll even learn where to put a frakking comma!
Chapter 16 - Echoes of the Night Before
For the first time in six years, Laura awoke to a warm and solid body next to hers. Much like they were when they’d fallen asleep, they lay entwined in each other’s arms. Laura’s head rested on his chest, one arm nestled near his shoulder, and the other lay bent along his torso with her palm pressed firmly against him.
Unconsciously, she emitted a hum of contentment as she lay listening to the beating of his heart and his steady rhythmic breathing as he slept. Laura couldn’t count the nights she’d laid awake wondering how his body would feel snuggled up against hers. None of her dreams had even come close to the feel of his skin against hers now or the feelings she felt as she lay there in his arms.
A rush of warmth swept over her as she recalled their declarations of love, their deep embraces, and then their making love. They’d made love… they had made love. A nervous knot formed in the pit of her belly. She willed it away. “No,” she told herself, “you said there would be no second-guessing, no regrets in the morning.”
It was then that Laura realized that she truly had no regrets, and that’s what had her worried. She knew how she felt about the night before, but what about Charles? How would he feel about her now? Now that the heat of the moment was gone how would he see her in the morning light? What would he think of her considering how easily she’d given herself up to him? Would he feel that their love had been even further solidified by the pleasure and connection they had found in each other, or would he question her moral fiber and be disappointed that she’d allowed things to progress as they had? Notions of the latter made her shudder.
Laura froze at the realization that his breathing had become less rhythmic and the sound of his heartbeat had increased. In a quick motion she raised her head and was met by his bright eyes smiling down at her.
“Good Morning.” He whispered.
She smiled shyly at him but didn’t speak. He hitched a thumb under her chin and raised her face to meet his. His lips grazed hers gently before trailing off to gently caress the top of her head.
Sensing her uneasiness he asked, “You okay?”
“Hmmm.” Was her only replied.
Laura could feel his body tense at her response as he shifted slightly to look at her once more.
“Laura?” he asked in a tone that was laced with concern.
Charles’ mind was racing nearly as fast as his heart was pounding. He’d known there was a chance that, even though she’d said she wouldn’t, she might regret what had happened between them. But he’d made love to her anyway and had prayed that he wouldn’t see regret in her eyes in the morning. But he did, and the walls around his heart tightened at the sight of it.
Laura shyly shifted her glance from his eyes to focus on the small tuft of hair on his chest. Absentmindedly, she ran a finger through the coarse growth as she searched for something to say.
As he’d done only moments ago, he guided her chin with his thumb until her eyes met his once more.
“Laura, talk to me.”
Laura looked up at him shyly. Her heart skipped a beat and her belly fluttered at the look of sheer panic on his face. “I don’t regret last night, Charles.” She said, before quickly breaking eye contact once again.
“But…” he added for her in a cautious tone that urged her to continue.
“But I worry about how you feel about it now.”
Unable to grasp what she was saying he gave her a puzzled look. “How do you mean?”
Laura blushed slightly as her eyes wandered in search of something to focus on. Anything would do, so long as she didn’t have to look him in the eye.
“I mean how you feel about last night. About me. About my allowing…” her voice trailed off and she looked like she wanted to simply disappear.
Charles’ chest decompressed as he released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Laura, are you worried that my opinion of you will be compromised because we made love?”
She didn’t answer but her body language said it all.
With that he emitted a small sigh of relief. “Oh, Honey.” He whispered as he gathered her closer in his arms and kissed her forehead. “My opinion of you could never be diminished… EVER.”
Without releasing his hold on her, he rolled on to his side to obtain a full view of her expression. He cupped her face in one hand in an effort to force her gaze to lock with his. When she wouldn’t comply he said. “Laura, look at me. Please.”
When she finally looked at him he was overcome with love. He had so much to learn about this time and place he’d found himself in. As he gazed into her tear-filled eyes he was hit by the realization of just how much of a big deal the night before had been for them… for her. Emotion swept through him, catching him off-guard. With a lump in his throat he said huskily. “Last night was pure and beautiful. YOU are pure and beautiful. You are unlike anyone I’ve ever known. I wish I could find words adequate enough to make you understand that. Honey, last night only served to make me love you even more than I already did, more than I ever thought possible.”
Laura, so deeply moved by his words, couldn’t speak. With tears spilling from her eyes she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair and then slowly down to caress the side of his face. Without a word she brought her lips to his for a tender, almost chaste, kiss that seemed to linger forever. Their eyes met and the air was filled with a new energy.
Their next kiss was full-blown from the start. The instant his mouth touched hers his tongue parted her lips and stroked hers lustfully. Laura moaned as she returned his embrace with a hunger and want that surprised them both.
Charles’ eyes were locked with hers as he slowly slid his hand down her back to cup her bottom. The total absence of clothing offered no boundaries between them, only heat, flesh against flesh. Laura moaned wantonly as she felt the strain of his erection pushing hard against her belly.
Charles groaned as his hand found her wet and receptive. She winced slightly as his fingers explored her, causing him to stop.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “Did I hurt you last night?”
Laura shook her head. “No, Charles, I’m fine. Just a little tender, that’s all. It… ummm… it had been a long time since I’d…”
Charles smiled at her understandingly. “I’m sorry, I should have realized that.”
He began to pull away slightly when she tightened her hold on him “No, please don’t stop.” She said in a shaky whisper. “Just go slow and easy, but please don’t stop.”
He didn’t say a word. Charles simply kissed her for what felt like an eternity. His fingers brushed lazily against her cheeks and along her throat as he savored the sweet taste of her. His kiss was deep and profound. Laura whimpered as his tongue explored her mouth and then engaged hers in a beautiful sensual dance that left her trembling and weak beneath him.
As he gently slid into her, she moaned in pleasure and tightened her grip on his arms. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, as he looked down at her, concerned he was hurting her.
Through hooded eyes she looked at him but didn’t speak. She responded by passionately pulling his mouth firmly to hers as she gently began rocking her hips against his.
Charles moaned and lost himself in her.
“**********************************************************************************
“**********************************************************************************
Laura awoke several hours later and reached for him but her hand fell on empty sheets. Puzzled, she sat up and looked around.
“Charles?” she called out. No response.
Laura retrieved the shirt she’d been wearing the night before and slipped it on before making her way to the bathroom. She knocked on the partially closed door and called to him again. “Charles?” Nothing.
“Where in the heavens could have he gone?” she wondered. Just as she was making her way over to the desk in hopes of finding a note, Charles sauntered in with his hands full.
“Hey, you’re awake.” he chimed.
“Good morning,” Laura said, with a curious smile. Gesturing to the bags in his hands. “What’s all this? Where did you go?”
“Well, first of all I went to your hotel to see if I could salvage your luggage.” He looked at her apologetically before continuing. “Unfortunately, Laura, nearly everything was lost in the fire last night.”
“I was afraid of that.” She replied.
“So…” he continued. “Although nearly everything in the city is closed, I did manage to sweet talk the hotel manager into opening the hotel’s boutique downstairs for me. I bought you a few outfits and toiletries.”
Laura gave him a nervous look before Charles laid her worries to rest. “Don’t worry,” he added playfully, “the manager’s wife helped me with what you would probably need. I explained to her that you’d lost everything last night and that you needed a few complete sets of clothing. I went by the sizes of the outfit that’s lying in a ball on my bathroom floor; I sure hope these fit okay.
Laura smiled as Charles yammered on about women’s clothing and how he didn’t understand why it had to be so complicated. She laughed out loud when he remarked that one hundred years had not changed that particular aspect of women and how he supposed it never would. He marked the conclusion of his monologue by placing a soft kiss to her lips before muttering “Good Morning.”
Laura plopped herself down on the bed and began riffling through the bags like a child at Christmas time. “Oh, Charles, these are perfect!” She exclaimed as she held up a blouse for closer inspection.
“You might want to try them on before you get too excited. Although, the manager’s wife assured me that they would fit.”
Laura’s expression took on a more serious look with her next question. “Charles, what did you tell them?”
“About what?”
“About me, about why I am in your hotel room with you.”
Suddenly understanding her concern, Charles gave her a sly grin. “Laura, the entire city is in chaos right now. I don’t think anyone would take notice or issue with two people sharing a hotel room under the circumstances.”
Laura opened her mouth to protest, but Charles silenced her by placing a finger to her lips as he continued. “But, I did make sure that both the manager and his wife knew that you were my wife. I told them that since my business in St. Louis had kept me here for longer than originally planned, you had decided to come for a visit.”
Laura gave him a small smile in relief. “Thank You.”
“You certainly don’t have to thank me, Laura. Pretending that you are my wife isn’t exactly a hardship.” He stated with a wink, before elaborating. “I only wish I wasn’t pretending.”
Laura giggled as she answered. “Likewise, Mr. Lattimer.”
Charles’ face took on a serious expression as he inhaled deeply before settling down on the bed next to her. Laura’s heart quickened and her insides fluttered at the look in his eyes.
“I’m serious, Laura. I want to marry you.”
The playful tone was quickly washed away, leaving Laura struggling to find her voice. In a tiny pitch she finally replied. “Me too.”
Charles exhaled in relief. He shifted nervously before he continued. “I ummmm… I don’t know how I’m supposed to do this. I don’t know what the protocol is that I’m supposed to follow.”
Laura just looked at him in confusion so he explained. “While some things haven’t changed at all over the past century, some things are very different, Laura, especially when it comes to this sort of thing.“
Charles’ face took on a fuller color as he admitted, “I have no idea what I’m supposed to do here. I’m so afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing… so afraid of offending somebody… offending YOU especially with my lack of social etiquette or knowledge thereof.”
Laura ran a soothing hand over his back and tried to gain a better understanding of what was ailing him. In a soothing voice she asked. “Like what?”
“Like everything. Do I need to ask your mother for your hand? What do I do when she tells me NO, because we both know that she’s going to tell me NO, then what? What are the rules of etiquette when we are...” Charles gestured with his hand indicating that he was searching for a word that eluded him.
“Courting.” Laura said, filling in the blanks for him.
“Courting.” Charles echoed. “What are the rules for courting? How long do we have to be engaged before we can marry? Help me out here, Laura; I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.”
The more Charles talked the more agitated and stressed he became, and the more enamored Laura grew by his insecurities. She was finally unable to contain her amusement as she giggled like a silly girl at him. “Oh, Charles.” She said as she gently massaged his shoulders. “You’ve got yourself worked up into a frenzy. Just breathe, relax a little, and trust that it will all work itself out. You don’t need to worry about any of this because I’m here for you. If you are unsure, just ask.”
Charles could feel the tension slowly seeping out of his neck at the gentle rubbing of her hands. “Okay, first of all, what are we going to do about your mother? She hates me, and with good reason I suppose.”
“She doesn’t hate you, Charles.”
Charles gave her a look that all but said “oh come on!!”
Laura laughed and admitted. “Okay, so maybe she hates you.”
Charles emitted a small groan, which prompted Laura to continue. “Don’t worry about Mama, Charles; I’ll take care of that. In answer to your earlier question, yes, it would be proper for you to ask her for my hand. She will want to say NO but she won’t.”
“How can you be so sure of that?”
“Because I will tell her that she needs to say YES. I will make sure that she understands that you are merely trying to be as respectful to her as you can but that you and I are going to be wed with or without her consent. She’ll say ‘YES’, she won’t have a choice in the matter.”
“She’s not going to be happy about it.”
“No, she won’t be. But there’s nothing we can do about that right now. She’ll come around, eventually.” Laura added with a sly grin.
Charles wasn’t so sure of that but decided to keep his doubtful thoughts to himself for the time being.
“As for ‘courting’ and ‘engagement’,’” she said, as she made air quotes with her fingers. “We should probably court for a least a couple of months before we become engaged, and the engagement should last for at least six months.”
Charles’ face lost all its color but he said nothing. Laura looked at him sympathetically. “Unfortunately, we won’t be able to do this,” she gestured at their intimate surroundings, “back in Somerville.”
Charles gave her a funny look as he stated flatly, “I kinda figured as much.”
The mention of Somerville sobered Laura’s mood considerably. “Charles? Have you given any consideration to what you want to do?”
“How do you mean?”
“Well,” she said hesitantly, “you’ve started to build a business here. My life is in Somerville.” She stated as she picked at the floral pattern of the bedspread. “I’m just wondering what we’re going to do about that.”
Charles leaned forward and tilted his head sideways in an effort to catch her downcast eyes. “And you’re wondering if I intend to move back to Somerville?” He stated in an effort to voice her thoughts for her.
Laura simply shrugged her shoulders in a gesture of agreement.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do about the advertising business that I’ve started. I have a number of established clients here in St. Louis that I don’t want to lose.”
He could see her body tense as she prepared herself for what she thought he’d say next. “But,” he added slowly, “as quickly as my business may be growing here, Laura, my life is with you. Somerville is your home and I would never ask you and your family to leave it.”
She looked at him with uncertainty in her eyes as she asked the question that weighed most heavily on her mind. “So what are we going to do?”
“As far as my long term plan goes, I’m not entirely sure. My short-term plan is to return to Somerville with you. It is going to be weeks before this city is back on its feet and until then I don’t see any of my clients making advertising their products a priority. City officials are telling visitors that the best thing we can do for the city of St. Louis right now is go home. They are having enough trouble supplying those who live here with adequate water, food, and shelter without having to worry about the visiting public. So, as soon as the train station opens back up, which I am hoping will be in a day or so, I think we should return home. “
Laura smiled at the notion of returning to Somerville. “That would be good. I miss Mary terribly.”
“I am going to make my way down to the station later to find out when the train will be running again.”
Suddenly overcome by just how beautiful she looked, sitting there on his bed, in nothing but his shirt, he smiled at her seductively. “In the meantime, until we leave for Somerville,” he leaned in and placed a series of kisses down the column of her neck, “I intend to take advantage of you as much as I can,” he kissed her again, and again, “Mrs. Lattimer.” He added with a drawl.
“Hmmm. Mrs. Lattimer,” she echoed, “I like the sound of that.”
“So do I.” He whispered, as he slowly lowered her to the mattress.
The End
Chapter 15
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