Hello everyone, hope you are all having a fantastic and relaxing summer! I know I have! Thank you to everyone here, especially the best writers ever, Jazzy, Penelopy, Breezy, Mickey, and Farrah you guys are the greatest and inspire me daily!
Also, I'm working on a new story about G+J's kids, and if I ever settle on an idea, you could see that soon!
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AND...to everyone who keeps saying they missed me...I never left, I have always been here and i still am! :) Love you guys from the bottom of my heart and keep writing amazing stories!
ENJOY!
"What do you mean we only have one choice?" Juliet asked, curiously.
"I mean, that I want to be with you forever, and I can't do that here. Not the way we are living." He began.
Juliet nodded in agreement. Gnomeo paused for a second.
"Can we walk?" He asked and she took his arm. Slowly, they strolled amongst the flowerbeds.
Out of the silence, Gnomeo blurted, "Juliet, what if we just left?"
Juliet's face became filled with concern and confusion. "What if we just left New York?"
"And never came back." He finished.
Juliet swore she stopped breathing for a second. She had never really thought it was possible, to leave. Heaven knows, she'd imagined how great leaving would be, but she had never once actually thought they could.
"Where would we go?"
Gnomeo thought for a second. " We could go to London."
Juliet let it sink in. "Gnomeo, what would we do in London?" She exclaimed.
He pulled her to him, and looked in her eye, "We would live happily ever after." Juliet closed her eyes and laughed lightly, standing on tiptoe to kiss him gently.
"How do we just leave and live in London?" She murmured.
"I buy two first class tickets on the next boat, withdraw some money from my father's savings, and we board the boat, and we don't look back." Gnomeo whispered back.
He made it sound so easy, like that, but the truth was, that it wasn't.
Juliet pulled away to look at him, "What about everyone here? Nanette and my father and your mother and everyone else? We can't just leave them, can we?"
He gazed at her. "When we're with them, or around them, we have to be enemies. But without them, and their crazy ideas and foolish hate, we can be who we are- a matching pair."
Juliet nodded. He was right, he was so right. Could they really do this?
"Juliet." Gnomeo began, and before Juliet could blink, he was getting down on one knee, her hands clasped in his, his eyes gazing with adoration towards her.
"When I met you, I knew that there was this magic between us, and as I got to know you, I saw it everywhere. I've loved you since the day we met, and I will love you until the day I die, and every moment after. It doesn't matter to me anymore, that I am a Bluebury and you are a Redbrick. I want to spend forever with you, regardless of your last name or father, and I won't be satisfied in life, until I can wake up every morning beside you and never have to be apart again."
Juliet nodded her agreement, at a loss for words, she gazed into his gorgeous blue eyes, feeling her heart swell.
"I want that too." She told him honestly.
"I promise to make you the happiest girl in the world." Gnomeo's loving stare made Juliet feel exquisite and pretty. She grinned happily at him, "You already have."
"Here." He told her, reaching into his coat pocket. "There's this also."
Juliet gasped happily. Gnomeo revealed a small tiffany blue box and he opened it, so Juliet could was a simple gold band with a small white diamond.
"It's not a real engagement ring, but you can wear it until our actual wedding day. It's sort of a promise ring."
"Gnomeo." Juliet breathed, rightfully shocked. "It's lovely."
Gingerly, he slid the ring on her ring finger, and it fit perfectly.
"You knew my ring size?" She exclaimed.
"I checked." He explained, blushing a little.
"Gnomeo, this is beautiful, and I do love you, with all my heart. I've always loved you since I met you, and I'll always love you until the end of time. You've changed me for the better and I can't thank you enough for that, and I will marry you and I will love you forever. I will"
She kissed his lips tenderly and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Gnomeo pulled away gently, "We have to leave as soon as possible if we want to keep this a secret."
Juliet nodded. "Absolutely."
"It's Thursday, so what if we left on Saturday."
Juliet grinned, "I'm supposed to marry Paris that day, so I couldn't think of a better day to go."
"You're getting married on Saturday?"
She looked to the side and sighed, "It had to move up, thanks to Rosalie."
"How is your father going to arrange an entire wedding in four days?" Gnomeo asked.
"Oh, he's thrilled." Juliet rolled her eyes. "He's getting a lot of money from Paris's father for this, so he'll go at any ends to make it happen as soon as he can."
"Sheesh."
"Yeah. The wedding is at three, so what about we rendezvous at one?" Her eyes were glittering with mischief and excitement. Gnomeo couldn't help returning the smile.
"I'll park the carriage outside around back behind the pine trees." He told her.
"I'll be there." She winked.
"And we'll leave this place." He added.
"And be together forever." She responded.
He clasped his hands with hers and kissed her joyfully. Juliet laughed out loud, almost squealing like a little girl.
"I can't believe this is actually happening!"
"You better believe it!" He exclaimed happily, picking her up and twirling her around. Juliet giggled feeling like her heart would bursts from happiness. Suddenly, Juliet had an idea.
"Gnomeo!" She exclaimed.
"What?" He replied.
"What if we get married today?" She said, breathlessly.
"Get married? Jules where are we going to find a church?" Gnomeo laughed.
"Not like that, there's no way to get to a church until London, but all we need is a witness and we'll say our vows so that way, no matter what, we'll be married in our hearts." She explained.
Gnomeo smiled happily, "We'll do it right here, in the garden!"
"Featherstone will direct it, and we'll use my ring." Juliet added.
He clasped his hand in hers. "We need to go find Featherstone!" Laughing, they ran to the house calling his name.
In one hour, Featherstone had managed to find an old trellis and cover it with blooming blossoms and vines. Juliet had picked her bouquet from the garden choosing roses and baby's breath, and lilies and lilac. There was an orchid, similar to the one he'd offered her that night they'd met in her garden, and there were flowers identical to the ones he'd sent her when they were passing notes in secrecy.
Now she was alone in a parlour waiting for the cue to come out. Unfortunetly, Diana's left behind wedding dress hadn't fit right so Juliet had just borrowed the lacy veil, which she had simply draped over her face. She was wearing what she'd come in, she didn't have bridesmaids or guests or a fancy wedding, but she didn't need it. All she ever needed now was Gnomeo and now she was getting him, and she was ready.
.Featherstone nodded to her through the window, and taking a deep breath, she stepped out into the sunlight. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, and the breeze blew gently setting off gentle chimes in the garden. The air was fragrant with flowers and the fountain added to the serenity. The ground was covered with rose petals as she walked to meet Gnomeo. HIs eyes were misty and she laughed a little, her smile mirrored his completely.
To Gnomeo, Juliet looked more beautiful than he had ever seen her. Her smile was radiant, and the sun seemed to halo her and to him, she was an angel, sent from somewhere divine to make him the happiest man alive.
A phonograph was playing "Ave Maria" and the birdsong serenaded her as she approached Gnomeo and took his arm. She had to smile, because right on Gnomeo's other side was Shroom, the loyal confidante. Juliet wouldn't have had it any other cleared his throat,
"It is with great honor and responsibility that I come here today, to witness the union of these two people in marriage. Due to the circumstances, they cannot marry in a church, but we hope that the Lord will bless their marriage anyhow. And now I have a short reading." He opened a marked page in the bible, and began to speak.
"Love is patient;
Love is kind;
Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way;
it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails."
Each in their own hearts, they knew the truth of the passage and each in their own hearts believed their love to overcome everything and never fail.
Featherstone closed the bible and opened a musty volume. He turned it around so Gnomeo and Juliet could see. They joined hands, facing each other.
"Gnomeo you're first" Featherstone explained. Gnomeo cleared his throat, gazing into Juliet's eyes.
"I, Gnomeo Caudillo Bluebury, take you, Juliet Rose Redbrick for my wedded wife."
Juliet blushed and replied, "I, Juliet Rose Redbrick, take you, Gnomeo Caudillo Bluebury to my wedded husband."
"To have and to hold." Gnomeo read.
"To have and to hold." Juliet repeated, reading her part."
"I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad." Gnomeo said next.
"In sickness and in health." Juliet replied.
"I promise to always love you." Gnomeo said.
"For better or worse." Juliet added.
"For richer or poor."
"I will love and honor you all the days of my life." Gnomeo read,
"I will love and honor you, all the days of my life." "Juliet said as well.
"Until death…" Gnomeo trailed.
"Do us part." Juliet finished, almost tearfully.
Gnomeo slipped the ring on her finger, gently.
"I pronounce you man and wife, wed by the heart and may kiss the bride!" Featherstone proclaimed, but it was no use, as Gnomeo had already lifted her veil and Juliet was already wrapped in his arms, kissing him passionately, the love of her life. The music swelled in the background, and happiness comforted them all.
Later, Gnomeo dropped Juliet off behind her house. Saying goodbye to him was the hardest thing, but eventually she had to, gazing at him until she couldn't anymore.
She slipped up the stairs and fell onto her bed, sighing happily, clutching her wedding bouquet to her chest.
Nanette found her there, looking as if she was enjoying her sweet daydream.
"It all worked out between you two?"
Juliet rolled over on her side to face Nanette. "Yes!" She sighed again, unable to not smile.
"I'm guessing you didn't end things."
Juliet laughed, "Not at all!" She stared Nanette in the eye and said, "We got married!"
Nanette nearly dropped the laundry. "You did what?"
"Got married." Juliet said, like it was not a big deal.
"You mean to tell me, you went to a courthouse or, or a church and-"
"No!" Juliet interjected. "We got married in Bill Featherstone's garden. We said our vows and he gave me a ring!" She waggled her finger so Nanette could admire the ring.
"Julie, it's beautiful but you know your engagement ball to Paris is tonight."
Juliet's face fell somewhat but she put her chin up. "Gnomeo will be there."
"People will talk, your father will not like it, nor will your finance, Juliet what are you doing?" Nanette cried, exasperated.
"I don't care what people say or what Dad says or what Paris says because I'm leaving." Juliet said with complete seriousness.
"You're what?"
Juliet paused for a second and looked at the floor. "Leaving." She muttered. Before Nanette could jump in and exclaim, Juliet started talking,
"You're right. It's totally crazy. There's no way at all that we could ever just run away to London and leave everything behind. Oh, what was I thinking agreeing to this? Nanette what am I going to do?" She threw her hands up in the air and began to pace the room.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on a second honey. Run away to London?" Nanette stood up too, blocking Juliet's path. Juliet exhaled angrily.
"Sit down, and tell me everything, slowly. All the facts. Who is leaving and where are they going and why."
So Juliet did. She told Nanette all about how Rosalie had discovered the note and how Gnomeo and she had met and how they'd argued and then how they talked to Featherstone and how Gnomeo would pick her up and how he would buy tickets and how they would leave and go to London.
"London? Julie, how are you going to manage in London?" Nanette pointed out, after everything was said.
"I don't know, I thought Gnomeo and I could make it by!" She looked at Nanette with misery. "Now I'm a little afraid."
Nanette pulled Juliet into a hug. "Do you love this man?"
"Yes." She sniffed. "Yes, yes, I do! More than anything!"
"Does he love you?"
She nodded.
"Then why are you afraid?"
Juliet looked out the window. "Because what about you, what about Dad and everything else here?"
"I'll be fine, Juliet. If you were meant to be with this man, than fate will see to it that you are."
"You're right." Juliet agreed with certainty. "Thanks Nanette. I'll send for you as soon as I can. You can come once we find a place to live."
"When are you leaving exactly?" Nanette asked.
"Saturday."
"Wait." Nanette said. "This Saturday? That's when you're supposed to marry Paris."
"I know, but Gnomeo's picking me up at one and the wedding is at three. There's no other way to do it, I cannot marry Paris." Juliet explained.
"You can't keep doing this to Paris." Nanette chastised her.
"Doing what? We both know-" She stopped suddenly, seeing the expression on Nanette's face.
"Nanette, do you love Paris?" Juliet asked, in awe.
Nanette looked away.
Juliet ran over and sat next to her friend, taking her hand. "Because it's okay if you do." She laughed a little, "In fact, it's a little wonderful."
"Really?" Nanette asked with amazement. "All those times when you never wanted to be around him, I was there, and he really is a good man and when I talk to him, it makes feel happy to be around such a good man, after some of the jerks I've known."
"Does he love you too?"
She shrugged. "We've talked and it's always been lovely and everything, but I don't think he ever really thought of us like I do. He's too busy trying to please his father and your father and you."
"Well, that is going to change tonight." Juliet declared.
"Juliet, what are you talking about?" Nanette scoffed.
"You're going to the ball too!"
Hours later, Nanette looked like a new woman. They had had to make some alterations to make the magenta taffeta dress that was Juliet's fit Nanette. Then there were shoes they had to speed order and hair and rogue and jewelry until finally Nanette looked like a princess. She stood out next to Juliet's silver gown. Juliet grinned.
"What do you think?" She let Nanette admire herself even more in the gilded mirror.
"I..I...don't know what to say!" Nanette exclaimed.
"For once!" Juliet crowed.
"It's the most fabulous thing I've ever worn! Oh Juliet! Thank you so much!" Nanette cried.
"You're welcome, Nanette. Paris is sure to be impressed!" Juliet told her friend.
"Gnomeo won't be too let down either." Nanette replied. Juliet's eyes lit up and she put a finger to her lips.
"It's a secret, Nanette. You tell no one!"
"I know! You really think Paris will like it?"
"I know so. Now come on, we can't let the party start without us."
She took her friends arm and together they headed for the ballroom. The ballroom was garishly red. There were red drapes and red flowers and red table cloths and red champagne. Juliet was trying her best to lie low, especially because Rosalie was there, dressed in in faded mint green. She moved easily throughout the crowds, staying towards the back of the ballroom when a familiar voice spoke from behind her.
"Miss me?"
She turned around, laughing. "Gnomeo!"
He stepped towards her. "I told you I would come tonight."
She wanted to leap into his arms, but there were people all around. "I did miss you!"
"I missed you too." He was close now, and it took all her restraint to not lay her hand on his chest. She was about to reply when Benny came up to Gnomeo's side.
"Gnomeo, come on, Tybalt's being a jerk and a coward as Redbricks usually are. We'll make him pay!"
He suddenly seemed to notice Juliet standing there, and blanched.
"What are you doing talking to her? Aren't you the Redbrick tramp?" He asked, scornfully.
Gnomeo looked extremely mad, but Juliet replied sassily, "I prefer being called Juliet, thank you."
Gnomeo broke in, "Listen, I'm very sorry Miss, Benny? Can I talk to you?" To Juliet he added, "If you'll excuse us a minute."
Benny eyed Gnomeo, confused. "Why are you defending her?"
Gnomeo shook his head. "I'm not, but you can't just go calling a girl a tramp, especially the hostess."
Benny shrugged, "Okay, geez I didn't know you were so concerned, man. I'm gonna go fix Tybalt, you coming?"
"Sure." Gnomeo said, uneasily so Benny would leave. "But I'm going to apologize to Juliet first, for you."
"Whatever."
Benny melted into the crowd, and Gnomeo looked for Juliet but she was already at the front of a the ballroom. Lord Redbrick was announcing the engagement of Juliet and Paris. Paris was looking oddly stiff and Juliet's face was stony, but her eyes were joking. Her eyes met Gnomeo's and he knew she was resisting the urge to laugh at everything. Who cared if she was engaged to Paris, because they were leaving!
"May I have this dance?" Paris asked Juliet, stammering and wiping his brow with awkward formality.
Juliet didn't want to dance with Paris, but with their fathers standing right there, she couldn't really get out of it. "Sure." She replied, "But there is someone you should meet first."
Juliet led Paris over to where Nanette was standing. "Paris, this is my friend Nanette, Nanette, this is Paris."
Nanette flushed and curtsied, "Pleasure to meet you Paris."
Paris bowed, "It's all mine, ma'am." He glanced at Nanette again. "Ah, may I steal her away for a moment?" He asked Juliet, gesturing to Nanette.
Juliet smiled happily. "If Nanette would be alright with that, of course you can."
"May I?" He asked Nanette.
She smiled and nodded, and he took her arm leading her into the dance floor.
"I'm impressed, Jules." Gnomeo said, coming up beside her.
"Thanks." Juliet answered. "I try."
Gnomeo lowered his voice, "I'm sorry about Benny back there. Really."
Juliet shook her head. "Don't worry about it."
"When we're in London, it won't have to be like this, where I can't even dance with you." Gnomeo said, as they saw Rosalie watching them from behind her fan.
"Saturday seems so far away." Juliet agreed. "And thanks for coming tonight." She added.
"Of course." He responded. "And may I just say? You are the most ravishing woman here tonight."
Juliet blushed and laughed, "And you're the most handsome man." 'She saw Nanette and Paris waltzing happily. "Oh look at Nanette!" She exclaimed.
"I think they make a good pair!" Gnomeo commented.
She turned and grinned. "I think they'll be very happy, don't you?"
"I think we'll be very happy." He replied.
"Yes." Juliet agreed, watching the crowd on the dance floor, "I think we will."
I know that was a tad fluffy, but things will change really soon.
Will they be able to leave? Or will something happen? All this, and more...NEXT TIME!
Love you guys and keep doing what you do!
xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo- lorelibelle54 or carrie.
