Meeting.
"I still don't get why we needed to call a meeting together. Would it not have been so much better to tell people individually?" challenged Connie as both she and Connie headed towards Mack and Evelyn's for a lift to the Masterson's barn where they were to tell their friends and family in the society of their engagement.
"Suppose it depends on how you look at it" he replied sensing Connie's anxiety, "at least this way you only have to break the news once rather than tell people repeatedly" he finished.
"I guess" grumbled Connie as she tried to hide her nerves.
Taking Connie's hand Col reassured her, "hey we'll be fine, relax, I'll be right beside you he whole time darling."
"Okay I can do this, I can, I can do this- easy" Connie mumbled to herself breathing heavily and repeating the words like a mantra on their arrival at the Masterson's whilst Col gently put his hands on her shoulders and guided her into the barn where curious people and creatures were gathering.
When everyone had gathered and settled in their respective corners Connie and Col rose fully conscious of the many eyes glaring at them expectantly.
"Well...well Connie and I" Col faltered.
"Speak up son" Mack boomed.
"Connie and I have some news" he continued somewhat more steadily and with an air of confidence, "as I'm sure you all know we have been a couple for six years and well, we have decide to... to" Col blushed at the floor.
"To get married" Connie quietly finished. A silence followed a silence which equalled an echo in a dead forest, in which you could have heard the blink of an eyelid.
This silence was broken suddenly but unsurprisingly by Rat who grinned wolfishly "about time. Can I be your best man and all that?" "Sorry George" he added as an afterthought. Col grateful for both the instant acceptance of his best friend and of the eyes moving to study Rat's constant ability to be unaffected by awkward surroundings returned a half smile as if to convey his thanks before being engulfed by Mack.
............................
The impromptu celebrations went on long into the night. The dragons put on a flying display spurting golden flames towards the midnight sky and swooping precariously towards the ground before turning at the last possible moment. The banshees arrived and began to dance swaying slowly, those unaccustomed froze in discomfort uncertain as to how to react as Evelyn began to sway with them in a circle. It was like a trance, broken by Rat and the Clamworthy's joining in and soon everyone was drawn to the dance floor.
Smiling elatedly at Col from across the room Connie turned back to Jessica and tuned back into their discussion on Jessica's marine biology degree, "that sounds brilliant and it means your by the sea, not that Arran wouldn't follow you to the ends of the earth . Speaking of which how are you both?"
"Could I steal Connie for a mo?" Col suddenly intervened.
"Be my guest" Jessica laughed good- naturedly at the pair.
"Thanks I love Jessica don't get me wrong but I could really do with some fresh air and some peace." Connie whispered as Col led her through the doors.
"I know that's why I thought Skylark could take us for a quiet ride over the moors then home- you must be exhausted I know I am." Col finished by kissing her forehead and acknowledging his fortune to have the immense love of Connie.
"How about forgetting Skylark?" Connie said her outline blurring as her form changed into that of a giant, silver Pegasus.
Col hopped on "Sure, let's go."
Lavina smiled at the pair as they sneaked off into the inky night thinking of how much Connie had softened Col over time and of how conscious they both were of the others every movement gravitating around the other.
[Slightly longer this time though still short. In the next chapter an old character with unfinished business returns- Cassandra- I thought she deserved to return and I now know where I'm going with this story- it's like my pen has a will of its own and I am merely the puppet that holds it. Thank you for those who have reviewed or simply have read it. Mia xxx]