A/N: Okay, I'm going to tell you all right now, this is a lot of fluff. But it's going to be important in the future so I suggest you at least read the end part.
I also want to say that I have the very last chapter of this written, so there is no way I am going to drop this story any time soon. That doesn't mean you guys don't have to review though! I work FASTER when I know people enjoy reading the story, and I know people enjoy the story when they REVIEW!!!! So do it! When you're at the bottom of the page, just press that little rectangular button. Even a few words. PLEASE tell me what you think!
Read, Review, Pass it on!
-Wish
Paris, France 1699: For All Eternity
Paris. It was a name Annamarie had heard many times before, often described as a bustling city to rival London. But what Annamarie hadn't heard was how romantic it could be; walking down the footpath of one of Paris's parks, arm in arm with someone you loved. That was where Annamarie found herself now.
Annamarie and David strolled down the walk, the picture of two young lovers on New Year's Eve. They could smell others in the park, but they ignored the hot blood that coursed through their veins. The city was alive tonight, ushering in a new century. A night like this would've been perfect for hunting. A person or two getting "lost", disappearing. It would've been all too easy for Annamarie and David to lure in an unsuspecting victim. They wouldn't be missed until the next morning, by which time Annamarie and David could've disappeared. But neither entertained any such thoughts of feeding. They'd fed two days before, and tonight was all about them.
Annamarie and David had been together since leaving Roland's coven twelve years before. They'd travelled France and parts of Luxemburg and Flanders, sticking to larger, metropolitan areas where the occasional missing human wouldn't be overly suspicious. David had insisted on spending New Year's in Paris, and Annamarie was enjoying his choice thus far.
"What do you think?" David asked.
Annamarie looked up at him from where she rested her head on his shoulder, her arm linked with his. "It is beautiful," she replied. "I am so happy we came."
"So am I," David replied. He leaned down and planted as kiss on her forehead.
They walked on, enjoying the night. The air was cold, though it didn't bother either of them. They wore nothing more then everyday clothing, a practical, light blue dress for Annamarie, and a slightly worn, white tunic for David with sturdy, brown breeches. Neither wore shoes, and neither had for a long time.
The day in Paris had been sunny, which meant David and Annamarie had avoided public eye until the sun sunk away to the west. Then the moon rose and the stars winked. The moon was like the sun to Annamarie and David. They basked in its light, the only light they could bask in. They enjoyed looking up at the stars, a million points of light in the dark expanse of the sky. Those were the light, puffy clouds.
They walked on, under the light of their sun and clouds, coming to a small wooden bench. David seemed to have been waiting for this.
"I have something," he said quickly. He steered Annamarie to the bench and sat her down, stepping away a moment to fiddle in his pants pocket.
"David?" Annamarie asked. "What are you doing?"
"We have known each other for nineteen years now," he told her. "For humans, that is a long time, though for us it flies by in the blink of an eye."
Annamarie nodded, thinking back to their first meeting, nineteen years before. He'd pulled her out of the dirt, helped her to her feet, and hadn't looked away since.
"I know you have expressed your satisfaction with how our relationship is now, as mates," he continued, "but I cannot help but feel unfulfilled."
Annamarie was worried. Was there something wrong? Was it her? Was David not interested in her anymore? She breathed a sigh of relief as he continued, though.
"I want us to be more than just 'mates'. What we have is more than just affection or lust. It is love, and I want everyone to know that, for all eternity."
Annamarie's breath caught in her throat as David took a step forward and knelt before her on the bench. "Annamarie, there are hundreds of stars shining above my head right now, but your brightness outshines all of them. If you will have me, I ask for your love, and your hand in marriage."
Annamarie was speechless. He'd done it again. Just when she was almost content with her life, David had showed her a new way, one that she hadn't know she'd been hoping for, until he laid it before her. Marriage. An eternal bond, with David. She longed for the very thought of it. Yes, she would.
Annamarie took a deep breath and was dismayed how it did nothing to calm the butterflies that were in her stomach. "My hand, I will give, but my love you have always had."
David smiled and finally pulled his hand out of his pocket. In it, he held a simple band. For a moment, Annamarie thought it was her father's wedding band, but she could touch it on her thumb, where it always is. This one was different. As David presented it to her, Annamarie could read the flowing script inscribed around the inside of the band. "For all eternity, and every star in the sky."
David took her left hand and slipped the ring onto her third finger. It was a perfect fit, not like the one she wore on her opposite thumb. This one was made for her. He laid his hand over hers and drew her in close for a deep, passionate kiss with only the stars and the moon as witnesses.
Exactly one month later, on February 1st, 1700, Annamarie and David stood together in a small chapel, accompanied only by a minister, and two witnesses they'd taken off the street, another couple, with graying hair. The ceremony was simple. Annamarie wore a simple, white silk dressed with a bodice of lace and a pair of plain, white slippers. David stood at her side, wearing a dark suit and a white shirt, with black boots. He'd run his fingers through his deep, brown hair that morning, dislodging all the twigs and leaves that were typically tangled in it.
"…do thee, Annamarie, take David to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?" asked the minister.
Annamarie looked up at David and smiled. "I do."
"And do thee, David, take Annamarie to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," David replied firmly.
"Do you have the rings?" the minister asked.
David pulled out two rings from his pocket. One was the ring he'd given Annamarie a month ago. The other was another they'd had made. It had the same inscription, but it was made to fit David's finger. He handed them to the minister, who blessed them and then handed Annamarie's to David.
David repeated after the minister, his hand hovering over Annamarie's. "'With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." He slid the ring back into place on her finger. Then it was Annamarie's turn.
"With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit," she repeated, sliding the larger ring onto David's left, third finger.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the minister declared, "I am pleased to present, Mr. and Mrs. David Conway."
The older couple cheered for the younger, and then they all signed the marriage registry, sealing the agreement. As Annamarie signed the registry, her lifeless heart swelled in her chest. She would stay with David now. For all eternity.
A/N2: I'm opening up a poll on my site for Memories. It's about David's and Annamarie's story, rather then in the "present" story. So after you review, hop on over and check it out. I'm trying to give you guys a bigger part in the relating of this story. So don't let me down!
-Wish