Dudley had been thinking a lot lately and how every time he mentioned going to Demelza's favourite restaurant she would get ansty and make up an excuse why they couldn't go at that time. Wondering why that was, he planned to ask her again when he knew she had no other plans because she had told him they could go to dinner Thursday night.
He hoped she would allow him to see one more part of her with letting him see the places she liked to frequent before they had met.
They were meeting for coffee again today and he would ask her then. He only had an hour to get ready so he quickly got in the shower and dressed in a black sweater and black, denim jeans. It was starting to get chilly outside and he didn't want to get sick; work was too busy for that and it would give Demelza another reason to back out of going to wherever she used to eat. It was also weird how he had never been told what the name was. He hadn't realised this fact until he wanted to think of where it would be in the city and whether he had been there or not.
Within thirty minutes he was ready and leaving, deciding the fifteen minute walk to the cafe was good for him, especially with how much he had been eating out with Demelza lately.
When he arrived she wasn't sitting in their usual spot, signalling the waitress he ordered the same for Demelza but he decided to get a caesar salad and water for himself.
Demelza walked in the same time as the food was set down in front of them and smiled at him.
"Something different today, Dud?" She asked.
"Yeah, I've been eating a lot of unhealthy food lately. How was your day yesterday? I missed yo,." blushing slightly at the last little bit of that sentence.
Smiling she said, "I missed you too. Sorry I couldn't make our usual lunch, the head of another department and my boss needed me to work through lunch. There was a major breach and we had to sort it out." Her eyes flicked down at her plate and frowned.
Not wanting to let that expression stick on her face, he made a joke about needing bigger britches if they couldn't hold things together. The atmosphere relaxed again almost instantly as she laughed in response.
"So I was thinking on Thursday we could go to the restaurant/pub you used to go to lunch." He spoken with confidence and determination.
Demelza looked up at him like a deer caught in headlights, quickly stating, "Ah it's closed for renovations this month. They were really outdated and needed a fresh look."
"Oh… okay… I guess we can go next month when it opens back up," he replied, thinking she already had said they were having renovations done, but didn't want to ruin the mood.
"Yeah…" she looked down at their entwined hands and Dudley followed her eyes, wondering when they had done that; he hoped that she left her hand in his, it felt nice.
Even though Dudley knew she was hiding something from him with her job and the restaurant, he knew over the last few months they had gotten really close and he was pretty sure he was falling harder for her with every passing day they spent together. He hoped they wouldn't be ripped apart by secrets.
oOo
Dudley hadn't planned to get so involved with Demelza: this brilliant woman had snuck into his heart. He didn't have a clue when it had happened, but he had fallen completely and hopelessly in love and there wasn't a thing he could do about it.
Now to find the right moment to tell her. He had planned a dinner for her birthday and could tell her then. But what if she thought he was only saying it because of her birthday? He couldn't have that, when he said he loved her for the first time it had to be perfect.
He could plan it down to the last moment, but that wasn't what telling someone you love them should be about; there had to be the perfect moment where everything laid out before, obvious that love was shining around them.
There wasn't a moment like this for weeks and then one Monday he walked into their cafe, a small band off to the side singing of beautiful sunsets and roses, and he knew it was now or never as he looked into her blue eyes.
"Deme, I've had something on my mind as of late and I really need to get it off my chest. From the first day I met you, I felt like a piece of me had been found. I know we have only known each other for a year, and only been dating for three months so this may seem fast for you and you don't have to say it back if you don't feel it, but I really need to say it today." Dudley rambled on, getting more nervous as he went on.
"Say it Duds, and we will see if I want to say whatever it is back then." Her words were calm, having a pretty good idea what he was going to say. If he did say what he hoped, she wouldn't have a problem saying it back to him as she had been experiencing an extremely large amount of feelings for him as well.
"Okay… here it goes" he took in a large breath in and continued, "I love you and I think I have for a while now."
Demelza's face lit up as she smiled. "I love you too, Dudley and I know I've loved you for a while. You are the light of my day and I don't know where I would be if I hadn't of walked into the cafe that day."
Dudley couldn't help the massive grin that spread across his face., He reached across the table, placing his hand on her cheek as he leant forward to brush her lips to his. He could have sworn sparks filled the room, the music from the band fading, leaving only them in the cafe. Reluctantly, he pulled back and their hands locked. Without letting go of the other, they ordered a coffee and listened to the band, whose music became all the sweeter to their ears.
oOo
Dudley sat in his office, staring down at the light blue box in front of him. Piers had told him there was only one place to buy a ring and that was Tiffany's. He had dragged his best friend and his wife along to help him pick the perfect ring, but when they got n there, he hadn't needed their help after all. There in the center of the display was the perfect ring.
It was simple but elegant, shining Demelza's personality with the fiery red ruby in the centre surrounded by small diamond. Flanking the ruby were two medium diamonds on either side, all on a band of gold. What really stood this ring apart were the little filaments of gold crossing each other, giving the effect of vines that wound through the garden of his mother's house. This ring, in a nutshell, was perfect and Piers and Illiana had to agree with his assessment.
Dudley had tried many times to ask her to marry him, but nothing was good enough. That is until Illiana took pity on him and told him to propose at their spot.
Their spot meaning the cafe, which he smiled at the revelation that every milestone in their relationship had been there. He got the cafe's help to set up a time. All he had to do was stand up, move his jelly legs and meet her there for lunch.
Except he couldn't stand. What if she said no? What if she laughed in his face? As Dudley starting panicking, Piers walked in and slapped him lightly across the face, "Man up, Dud! She is madly in love with you and she will jump at the chance to marry you!"
Dudley nodded, taking in three deep fortifying breaths as he stood up and put the ring box into his pocket, hoping they get there before she did so everything worked according to how he planned.
Relief struck him when he received a text from her stating she was running behind. He smiling, thanking the heavens for being on his side..
Piers walked with him and sat down at a hidden table with his wife so they could watch as Dudley handed the ring over to the waitress pacing the floor and going over the plan repeatedly in his mind.
SItting down, he quickly straightened his posture to hide his nerves when she emerged into the cafe, smiling her beautiful smile. She bit her lip unknowingly as she half waved and sat down with him. The waitress, who Dudley had been arranging his plan with, came over, grinning at Dudley. , "the special today, sir?"
"Ah yes! The special will do perfectly." he stuttered out. Demelza narrowed her eyes, giving him a strange look and wondering why he seemed so different tonight.
Dudley flicked his eyes off to where he knew Piers and Illiana were and were met with beaming smiles from his friends who gave him the thumbs up. Dudley puffed a faint laugh as the waitress came back and set the drinks down in front of them."Enjoy!"
Dudley looked at the whipped cream in the drinks. "Be sure to only take a little at a time so you can get the full enjoyment out of the cream. It's worth it!"
She picked up her spoon, watching him stare at her as if waiting for something. Puzzled, she took a bite of the cream, savoring the taste it was normal, nothing special.
His eyes widened and quickly switched the cups around, "No! you took my whipped cream!"
"Dud, what does it matter? You can just have some of mine?" She said exasperatedly.
"No, mine is different than yours, you have to have a taste of yours." He could feel his hands grow clammy as his nerves began to rise..
"Okay then," Demelza side eyed her curiously behaving counterpart and took another spoonful. Before she could popped the spoon in her mouth, her eyes fell to the gold glint in her cup. .
"Take some more," he said anxiously.
She dug her spoon back into her cup and gasped. For there in the whipped cream, was a ruby gold ring. Moving her eyes up to lock with his, she could see a nervous grin spreading across his face.
Standing up and moving to stand next to her he knelt down, pulled the ring out of the cream and said in a steady voice that belied the shaking of his hands, "Will you, Demelza Robins, give me the honour of being your fiancé and marry me so I can show you for eternity how much I love you and how much light you shine into my life?"
Demelza gasped, placing her hands over her mouth as tears sprang to her eyes and nodded, "yes, yes Dudley I'll marry you!"
The cafe was filled with clapping as Dudley came to his feet, pulling her into his arms, and kissed her with all that he had.
Piers and Illiana came over smiling, "Told you you needn't worry, Dud!" his best mate said, slapping him on the back.
Congratulations were passed around and Demelza couldn't resist laughing and smiling. He loved her enough to ask her to be his wife, she had never thought she would have the love he showed her everyday. Now to start organising their wedding and tell her sister she was engaged.
Dudley couldn't help but keep his fiancé in his arms for the rest of their lunch together. She had made him the happiest man alive and they would have many years to show their devotion to each other.
oOo
Demelza stood in front of the floor length mirror, looking at the dress she had chosen. The bodice was fitted and had an intricate floral pattern moving over it, off the shoulder sleeves made of a sheer. Lace material of the floor length skirt flowed around her hips, showing her figure off to perfection.
Her makeup was light so as to look natural and still hide her small blemishes. Her eye shadow was pearl in colour and her large full lips were painted with a natural lip gloss coated over them. Her fair blond hair was placed flowing down her back in voluminous curls with blue flower clips holding it all back from her face.
Under her dress hid a white corset with silver threading throughout and six inch pearl white high heels. They had silver leaves moving up and over the point and over the shoe, meeting at the toes. She had sheer, light coloured stockings as to hide her scars on her legs, gained from the war of her past. She was self conscious of them, and though Dudley has seen them,she still didn't want anyone else seeing them accidentally.
Taking a deep breath, she smoothed the skirt down and stepped off the pedestal, turning to her sister and asked, "Well, what do you think?"
"You are absolutely stunning and Dudley is one of the luckiest men on earth for catching a gem like you. Now, let's get out there and get you married!"Her sister, who was fashioned in a light blue floor length dress, held her arm to lead her out of the room and down the aisle, knowing Deme needed someone with her on this day because of their parents not being able to have the honour of giving her away.
As she rounded the last corner and came to the aisle between the seats, her eyes locked onto Dudley and everyone else melted away. He was wearing a black Armani suit and vest combo with a black shirt and light blue tie. Standing beside him were some of his workmates and his father all smiling at her.
Everyone stood and turned at once, gasps rent the air as they saw how beautiful she looked in her dress and at the natural glow that seemed to surround her as she was forced to walk slowly toward her soon to be husband.
Her sister had to physically slow her from racing down the aisle as she was trying to reach him and marry the love of her life.
The look in Dudleys eyes showed her the pure adoration and love he professed feeling for her. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet by the time she reached the end of the aisle, and basically dragged her to the end so he could hold her close. They hadn't seen each other in two days as per her family's traditions, and they had missed each other beyond measure.
Dudley grinned at Demelza.
Before Demelza could reply the officiating minister started, "Today, I will not speak of dearly beloved and betrothed, nor will I have any ancient rhymes of the married."
Dudley couldn't take his eyes off of his beautiful fiancé and hardly heard any of what the minister said but the crowd was enthralled with his words.
"There will be no use of dead languages on this most special day. Today we will talk of the solemnising of vows are alive between these two that stand before you and will remain alive forever."
There wasn't a dry eye in the crowd, listening to the words being spoken, and witnessing the love the two felt for one another.
Dudley felt a tear run down his face but he couldn't fathom separating his hands from Demelza's so he allowed it to fall.
"Today, these twos promises become everlasting and friends become family." The officiant spread his hands wide to include the whole of the guests.
"However," he paused and looked at the couple, "this day is not about the words spoken or rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements! This day! The day of Demelza's and Dudley's wedding- is about love. The love these two share and the love they give to all here today!" He exclaimed.
"One of my favorite authors once wrote, 'If love is not all, then it is nothing: this principle, and its opposite, collide down all the years of my breathless tale.' Demelza and Dudley, your breathless tale is about to begin."
Dudley looked at the officiant briefly, thinking they had found the perfect person to marry them.
"If the love you both share is not your all, then it is nothing. If your love for each other is all, then it is everything," smiling at the couple he then looked out at the crowd.
"Now from what I have seen from this couple as we have gotten to know one another, their love for the other has shone as everything to me. I now have the pleasure of asking these two loving people in front of you to recite their vows of promise."
He turned to Dudley first, "now, Dudley, I understand you have your own vows written to speak to Demelza. You may say them now!"
Dudley took a deep calming breath in and out, "Deme, from that first day in the cafe when you boldly came up to me and asked me if you could sit down at my table, I knew I was in for an adventure. What I didn't know, was that my heart had sat down across from me and I would never have to be alone again." He paused for a moment as a bubble of emotion got stuck in his throat, "you looked beyond my past and helped me to see that I was a better person. You accepted my many flaws and loved me for me and made the effort to become close to my parents and my best friend. I promise from this day forth you will have my undying love, my loyalty, and I will protect you from the storms that will come our way."
He let go of her hand with one of his, and wiped at the tears falling down her face. He went on, "I will be a devoted husband and if we get the miracle of having a child together I hope I can be a worthy father. I love you, Demelza, and can't wait to start our future together as husband and wife. You are my best friend, my rock and my life partner. I have found my eternity in your eyes and heart."
The officiant waited a moment to allow Dudley's words to sink in. Then turning to Demelza, "I understand you also have your own vows written?"
"Dudley, the moment I saw you sitting in that corner table at the cafe, the place so many of our special moments have happened, I knew deep down that I had to go over to you. There was a tugging sensation pulling me towards you." breathing in to contain her composure, she continued, "you have shown me a light where there was only darkness and you accepted my sister into your family without question. Everytime that you say I love you or smile my way, my heart soars and I feel like I can knock down a building - I feel that strong."
Dudley's eyes shone with unshed tears as she spoke of her love for him.
"You are my rock, my best friend, my love, my soul and my heart, and from this day forth I promise to love and protect you, to be there through the trials, and if we ever have children I hope I am a mother worthy of them and I know you will be an amazing father, I love you, Dud!"
Everyone seated could be seen wiping away tears and smiling up at the couple. Even Vernon Dursley seemed to show some emotion on his usually stoic face.
"Okay, now that their own vows have been said, they would also like to say the traditional vows so Dudley repeat after me!"
Dudley nodded at the officiant but didn't take his eyes off Demelza.
"In the name of God, I, Dudley, take you, Demelza, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Dudley repeated the vows back and placed the gold band with one small ruby and two diamonds onto her finger, Demelza looked down at her ring finger and the tears she had failed to refrain started flowing freely. It was really happening.
Giving her a moment, the officiant continued with a warm smile, "Demelza repeat after me!"
She nodded slightly, now only looking into Dudley's eyes, their guests fading from her vision once more.
"In the name of God, I, Demelza, take you, Dudley, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
With her left hand, she took the offered gold band with one small ruby and placed it on his right ring finger.
After both rings were presented, the officiant's smile widened, "with the power vested in me, by our Lord and queen, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife," pausing for a moment to let that sink in he then followed with, "you may now kiss the bride, Dudley!"
Dudley didn't have to be told twice. He leant down and placed his hand with the ring on her chin and slanted his lips over hers in a deep and passionate kiss. They continued until Piers wolf whistled and said to get a room, causing a ripple of laughs from their family and friends. Pulling back they grinned at each other, ready to begin their next chapter in their life together.
oOo