Author Note:
Just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone celebrating next week... a very Happy Thanksgiving!
I also wanted to give a heads up and let you know, because of the holiday and a work thing I have to take care of afterwards, there might be a slight delay in the next update.
Thank you so much for reading! :D
LIZZINGTON
The charming display of roses, carnations, bluebonnets, and lavender, which were wrapped snug at the stem by burlap and lace, was forced into Lizzy's hands just as she drew back from the embrace with Francis Holbrook.
The woman stared at the flowers critically, clearly unfocused and confused by the turn of events.
Susan leaned, whispering something in Liz's ear, and recognition seemed to dawn.
Red chuckled as a gaggle of women rushed to the floor, vying for a good vantage point. He was amazed by how brutal they were, shoving at one another without remorse.
Glancing over her shoulder, Liz took two practice swings... then let the small bouquet fly. She twirled on her heel to watch the resulting pandemonium and chaos with a stifled giggle of delight.
The men avidly followed the flowers descent as they landed in the middle of the swarm of hectic participants of the time-honored tradition. The delicate bundle was then judiciously pounced upon by the unruly, disorderly mob of wild-eyed beauties.
"Is it wrong that I find this arousing?" Francis leaned slightly to ask for advice and guidance from a reliable source.
Dembe Zuma lifted a noble brow. "I would be concerned if you did not."
The other men of the crowd looked on as skirts lifted far above any decent display a woman should allow...shapely body parts were shown off to perfection from time to time. Gowns were definitely askew, allowing delectable glimpses of feminine cleavage which whetted the appetite of any red-blooded male present.
Red cringed at one point, for two ladies emerged from the fray, both with hands interlocked tightly among carefully coiffed hair, strident expressions on both lovely faces.
"Cat fight! Cat Fight!" Francis held his plate of cake higher out of the way of the two advancing opponents. "This is so cool!" He dodged an artfully thrown right punch which landed its mark on the face of the other woman's cheek. The lady in question...went down.
Francis' mouth opened, gaping his awe as he watched the victor dust her hands, executing a smart about-face as she rejoined the now somewhat subdued women.
"A rather animalistic display." Dembe remarked casually. "One of which I thoroughly enjoyed."
Francis nodded his acquiesce, returning to his cake. "Oh, hell yeah."
Red was shocked to see a tiny five-foot four redhead pop up in the midst of things, her fist held high above her head...full of crumbled, disfigured flowers that resembled nothing of the attractive bouquet which had originally been tossed out.
Red grinned when Lizzy squealed her joy, having noted the lucky winner as well.
"That's my girl..." Danny grinned at the spunky redhead who headed straight for his outstretched arms.
Red was unceremoniously pushed into the circle of light someone had suddenly switched on. The man held up a hand to ward off the overly bright rays. He thought for a second that the Mother ship had landed and was beaming him up.
"Time to go spelunking, man." Mark chuckled, guiding Red to the center of the light. Elizabeth took her seat, waiting demurely, a smile playing about her lips.
"Are you the unsuspecting virginal sacrifice?" Red went down on one knee, grinning at his wife.
Liz played her part to perfection, even managing an up and under flick of those amazing eyes. "Are you a Druid Priest?"
"I can be...if that's what gets you off, baby." Red's deep baritone washed over her flesh like a soft, silk feather.
"Oh, good..." she purred happily, "I'm so totally up for playing the innocent virgin."
Easing his right palm up her leg, Red's fingers gently caressed the bare skin of her thigh. "Not here." He managed a sullen brood.
His searching fingers had come up with nothing but silken flesh, where a garter should have been. The man's thumb raked lightly down the center of Liz's panties before trailing back down her leg.
Liz issued forth a rather sedate gasp of surprise, covering it with a hasty smile of pure innocence.
Red was rather proud of her abilities to divert any undue suspicion as to his actions.
"Try my luck...here, I guess." His hand smoothed over her calf, tickling her knee, then moved...higher. He had placed her small foot against his thigh. "This is such hard work." He sighed heavily, the pad of his palm pushing her legs apart as he inched toward his goal.
"But a man's gotta do..." his fingers lightly pinched the tiny swollen clit with a teasing nip, his eyes holding hers masterfully.
Clearing her throat quietly, Liz sat very still under his administrations, biting her lip anxiously, her eyes never leaving the man's handsome face.
"...What a man's gotta do." Red's lips pursed, sending her a kiss before he let her off the proverbial hook.
"That man is dedicated to a fault." Silas knew just what liberties the man had taken under the guise of the innocent tradition. Or...he assumed, as he would have taken the same opportunity presented. "One should admire and emulate such diligence. You, young swains, take heed."
"She's not an octopus, man...she's only got the two legs." Francis criticized freely. "Do you need some help?" he asked earnestly.
"I think he's feeling his way... if you get my drift." Mark put in his two cents.
"Hey, man," Silas offered solicitously, "I've got one of those Special-Ops flashlights like you see on tv... would that help?"
"Yeah, man," Francis nodded eagerly, "me and Ben got two for the price of one. All we had to pay was shipping and handling."
"Back off, assholes...I'm on a quest." Trailing his fingers slowly over the silky stocking covering her leg, Red traveled an invisible line up the gentle slope until he met the woman's bare thigh.
Etching a design into the soft flesh, his eyes twinkled mischievously. Liz's brow furrowed for such shenanigans, for she had missed his meaning entirely.
Inching further up the bare expanse just where the baby soft skin met the elastic of her garter, the thick fingers once again traced an indelible mark, Red's touch more pronounced.
Liz dropped her head to hide her grin and slight blush. The man had inscribed a capital 'R' and 'L' upon her flesh, marking his territory in a most unique manner.
Reaching a bit further, Red stroked his fingers over the lace of her panties, methodically tracing the slit between her legs.
"I'm pretty sure," Liz's whispered giggle amused the man, "in fact, I'm almost positive you've missed your mark." She murmured, but opened her legs to his exploration, nonetheless.
"Just being thorough." Red muttered distractedly, his concentration fixated on the humid crease and not the catcalling and whistling from the spectators that had sensed Red's playfulness.
"This is taking longer than when those old men wrote that paper that everyone was trying to steal in that Nicolas Cage movie." Francis was getting bored, for he had run out of cake.
"Do you refer to the Constitution of the United States?" Dembe wasn't certain of the topic, for it was Francis, after all, commenting.
"Well, I don't know." Francis was not only bored, he was getting antsy and a little cranky.
Sighing heavily, Mark produced yet another plate of... cake. Francis perked up right away, his boredom a thing of the past.
Stretching upright, Red caught Lizzy's mouth in a loving kiss as he caressed the edge of the tiny ribbon he had been sent to find.
"The things I do for posterity." He sighed heavily, tugging the satin and lace garter down and off, presenting it for all to see. He took a sweeping bow in response to the applause given for his efforts.
Red held his hand out for Lizzy, assisting the woman from her seat.
"I am so disappointed in you, Red Reddington." She smiled politely for all the guests to see. "I thought you were so much more adventuresome than you have proven yourself to be."
"The night is still young, my new bride." Red smiled just as politely. "Don't count me out just yet."
"How much longer do I have to wait?" She asked breathlessly. "For you to prove your sincerity?"
"Turnabout is fair play." Red drawled, laughing quietly. "I had to wait, so now it's your turn."
"Bastard..." Liz mumbled dejectedly.
Turning to his duty, Red offered another polite smile to all the men who impatiently waited for just such a moment. He held his amusement. "Yes, but... I'm your bastard now. That must count for something."
Lifting the sinful garment, Red craned his head, inspecting the gauzy fabric trimmed in lace. His smile widened at the sight of the red jewel affixed center ribbon and the dark black lettering printed on either side of the satin loop. One side listed the date, the other had the words boldly embossed... Red's Baby.
"What the hell...I'm not giving this to that pack of hyenas." He wanted to keep it for himself.
"I have a special one waiting just for you..." Liz's smile turned rather demur.
"Good things come to those who...wait." The man stretched the springy band, letting it spring off his finger, out...into the air.
Liz watched its trajectory make a bee-line for Francis. The man opened his hands like a catcher's mitt, but just as it appeared her friend would be the victor... a large hand shot out of nowhere, grasping the prize in a secure snatch.
Scowling his disappointment, Francis jerked about only to come face-to-face with a maniacally grinning Daniel Courtland.
"You're not dancing with my girl, you slut." Daniel smirked.
Backing away, Francis lifted innocent hands as Danny strutted unto the dance floor, searching out his little red head.
Red and Liz watched the entertaining exchange, smiling their amusement.
"It's still warm." Danny winked as he approached the couple, working the garter up over his elbow.
"Good catch." Red congratulated, letting the 'warm' remark slide considering the tall cowboy pulled his ass out of the fire this fateful night.
"Thank you for what you did." Red said, sincerely shaking Danny's hand. "Now...go collect your reward." Grinning, he motioned behind the large man.
Daniel barely turned in time to catch his little pixie gleefully throwing herself into his capable arms. Swinging the woman about, the young man chortled as Emma giggled infectiously, planting an affectionate kiss on his waiting mouth.
The garter about the man's bulging bicep threatened to snap as Daniel lifted the woman to his height. Emma wrapped her legs about his waist, more than content to hang on for the ride. Draping her arms over his shoulders, the remnants of the bouquet in her hand dangled freely, swaying with the rhythm of the song the DJ now played.
Wrapping his arms low around Lizzy's waist, Red pulled her close. He lowered his mouth, planting a gentle kiss on those amazing lips. He was much more interested in kissing the woman than paying too much attention to the perfunctory dance.
He lost count how many times the songs changed, and he didn't much care. All that mattered now was holding Elizabeth...with their earlier words echoing inside his head.
He knew Elizabeth's doubts would linger for some while, but he was more than ready to face the challenge of disproving any preconceived notions she may have about his loyalty to her. He was persistent, if nothing else. And when the prize was so very much worth having, he wasn't about to let anything stop him.
Catching the first strains of violins and clarinet blend together as one, floating on the air, Red took Lizzy's hand, spinning her under his arm.
A flood of memories enveloped Red as the ballroom filled with the jazzy orchestral tune from the big band era.
It was a song he had not heard since the days his parents hosted parties when he was a child.
Closing his eyes, Red swore he could hear muffled voices and the distinct clinking of his mother's dinnerware just as he had from his upstairs bedroom some forty years ago.
Sinking further into the memory, the scratch and pop of the needle gliding effortlessly through the dusting of lint collected within the grooves of vinyl disc echoed in his mind like a haunting melody.
Even now, he could still hear the pronounced thump through the speakers when he cleared the stylus of that little ball of fuzz before playing his records of choice.
The emotion the memories evoked brought a smile.
As was the style in the day, the instrumental ascended into a dramatic crest in hopes of matching the power and charisma the vocalist produced on the first note.
In Red's humble opinion, very few had properly accompanied the rich, bourbon laced baritone of Frank Sinatra.
Years of unfiltered cigarettes and long nights deepened the smoky husk of the man's voice. It was through years of life experience, however, that taught Sinatra to caress the lyrics just as sensually as a man would his lover.
It seemed somehow fitting as Red danced with his wife to long ago memories, Sinatra suggested the past wasn't as important... as the present. A man's desire, his hopes to witness his love in a variety of settings in whatever their future might bring...was tantamount to the fulfilment of life in general.
Images of seeing Elizabeth at dawn as she lay sated in his bed or under the moonlight as they strolled hand in hand... floated into Red's mind's eye like a welcome breeze.
His smile softened recalling how exquisite the soft glow of the candles illuminating Elizabeth's face was, and how he hoped one day she would share the intricacies of her long thought-out birthday wish with him.
What other moments like those were on their horizon yet to be explored, he wondered?
While Sinatra wondered what his lady fair planned to do with the rest of her life... Red could say with absolute certainty what direction Elizabeth's life would take.
Thoughts of experiencing the passage of time through seasons change and listening to Lizzy relate her thoughts to him about the everyday happenings of their life together... became high priorities on his list of must-haves.
He felt a certain peace of mind and excitement their days would begin and end in each other's company. It was the simple things in life that meant the most, after all. So often said, but to really believe and live those words, meant something to the man.
Never before had Red felt such excitement imagining tomorrow and all it would bring.
Witnessing the innocent wonder in Elizabeth's eyes as she explored the world around her offered the man a new perspective on things he took for granted, he knew. The joy he felt imagining her reaction to traveling to places she only ever read about, or even building a home together to their exact specifications... was overwhelmingly satisfying now.
One thing he knew with absolute certainty, he would never grow accustomed to the love and passion Elizabeth shared with him when intimate. The raw intensity of those emotions never failed to render him speechless.
How would she react the day she learned their lovemaking created a child? How would he?
Visions of Lizzy's fearful, nervous, tearfully happy eyes staring back into his, made Red pull the woman closer even now. He silently vowed, on that day, should God ever bless them in such a manner...he would move Heaven and Earth to make Lizzy see how very moving...how very poignant a thing it was to him.
The woman's eyes were truly a window to Elizabeth's soul.
Elizabeth had gifted him so many cherished memories in just their short time together.
Now that they had a lifetime, the possibilities open to them, the memories they would create... the adventure before him had never felt so staggering, nor so indelibly etched in his mind.
For the first time he could ever remember, Red felt indescribable peace, knowing on the last day of his life on this earth, he would look back on that precious time with such serenity and tranquility of spirit.
Resting her ear against Red's chest, Liz smiled when she heard the low rumbling of her husband humming along with the tune being played.
"Through all of my life," Red's deep rough voice quietly blended with that of Sinatra, "summer, winter, spring, and fall of my life..."
Lifting her head from Red's chest, Liz looked into the man's content gaze, her eyes full of wonder and awe.
Cupping the woman's face, Red lovingly kissed his wife, nuzzling his cheek to hers. "All I ever will recall of my life," he sang softly, "... is all my life with you."
Leaning slowly, Red placed his mouth softly to Lizzy's, barely aware the song drifted into another.
The ballroom filled with the romantic strains of an acoustic guitar...and something totally recognizable to any criminal present...
Jerking from her dreamlike state, Liz tensed in Red's arm, her eyes snapping open.
Grasping Elizabeth's arm, Red quickly pulled her to a darkened alcove, having shielded her with his own body. He pushed the woman up against the protection of a nearby wall.
"Stay here!" Red hissed quietly as Daniel pushed Emma down beside Elizabeth. Red sought the man who would know the next move to be made.
Silas appeared from the chaos of people running from the room, exiting through any portals available. The man's weapon was up and at the ready, but his keen eyes did not seem too horribly alarmed as yet, Red noted.
"You got 'em?" was Red's only point of interest at the moment, though.
"Yeah, I got 'em." Silas acknowledged, covering the ladies. The guard waved Amanda, Amy, and Lily to come to him. Francis was already headed over, Susan and Melissa held in capable hands. He collected the other females, ushering them over hastily into a small group.
Pulling their weapons, Red and Daniel rushed towards Michael and Ben, who were taking up the opposite side of the ballroom where the sound originated from. Michael motioned to an adjoining corridor.
Francis made certain the women were safe, then moved out on his own with but one stern warning to remain stationary. Silas threw out his hands in open exasperation when the young man neglected to realize...the guard was already keeping the females safe.
The men made their way to the corridor, ready to meet any obstacle, or menace encountered.
Still, caution was the order of the day as each moved stealthily forward. It took only seconds for Dembe to round the corner; the man pulling up short at whatever greeted his eyes.
Red was right behind, chancing a quick glance about the safety of the wall.
Red's brows lifted with a mixture of consternation and aplomb at the sight which greeted the new arrivals on scene.
Erica Bouchard glanced up from her quiet stance, an object in her hand.
All the men stiffened, their adrenalin pumping at this stage.
Red instantly recognized the object as a phone, holding up his hand in a staying manner.
Still, a wariness was present as each man advanced slowly toward the scene.
They gathered about, staring down at the body of... Natalia Tascano.
Slowly lowering the sights on his weapon, Red sought Erica. The woman returned his questioning gaze with an arresting one.
"Your services are no longer required." Erica replied coolly, her attention taken by something more important. "Why? Well, because I just killed your employer, that's why." She replied rather lackadaisically. She rolled her eyes to Red.
Red's scowl deepened when the woman's expression tightened.
"If that wasn't clear enough for you," the woman's brittle reply caught the attention of every man present, "if you do as Natalia asked... Reddington will stop at nothing to hunt you down and kill you like the rabid dog you are."
Nodding tightly, Erica smiled pleasantly. "I'm glad we understand one another."
Sighing her aggravation, Erica snapped the phone closed, handing it over to Red.
"Care to explain..." Red waved a hand towards the body. He motioned to Dembe to keep the gathering onlookers at bay.
"Natalia was placing a hit on Elizabeth." Erica sighed heavily. "Even tried to use a credit card to pay the man." The woman scoffed, pointing at the card laying in Natalia's limp hand. "What's worse, I think he was ready to accept payment, like an idiot. Takes one to know one, I guess."
"Hey, you can get like five-percent cash back on purchases." Francis haughtily reminded. "Or flyer miles...did everyone forget those little incentives?"
Michael gave the guy an odd look.
"A woman is dead here." Dembe needlessly pointed out. "Have a little dignity." The man waved a signal to Silas, giving the guard the all clear.
"Like we didn't see that coming." Francis dismissed the issue. "I even said earlier," he reminded everyone present, "with this crowd... it was a given someone would bite it." He looked at Red. "I said that, right, you remember."
Waving the young man off with a curt hand, Red returned his attention where it was needed. "Need a little more detail here."
Snapping her head about, Erica offered the man a scolding reprimand. "If you have to ask why she–"
"No," Red shook his head, "why do you care?"
"I may be a lot of things, Red, but I'm not a complete bitch." Erica's lips pinched. "Elizabeth has done nothing wrong, certainly nothing to warrant a hit. All she did was fall in love with you." She could accept that now. "Natalia was always a loose cannon. She needed to be dispatched."
"Red..." Liz cautiously stuck her head around the door, Silas close behind.
"Elizabeth..." Red hastily stepped, blocking sight of the body on the floor.
Not that he believed Elizabeth couldn't handle such a thing, but because enough drama unfolded this evening already.
It was Lizzy's wedding day. A day she was supposed to experience nothing but joy and love... not death.
Frowning, Liz inched past the doorway, craning her neck to see what Red was hiding. Her confusion grew when she first saw Erica... then the lifeless body on the floor between the two.
"Well, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person." Liz shrugged carelessly, grimacing her newfound distaste.
Silas shook his head. "What the hell. A woman's dead here."
"A woman that would just as happily have said the same had it been my body down there." Liz retorted.
Erica chortled behind Red, before muffling her amusement. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth."
Liz frowned at Erica. "Whatever for?"
"For dropping a body at your wedding reception." The woman seemed sincere enough. "It wasn't planned, believe it or not."
"I'm sure you had your reasoning." Liz crossed her arms over her chest, beyond perturbed. "Let me guess, she tried to stab you in the back as you walked past?"
"I like her, Red." Erica laughed lightly. "Not me." It was corrected. "Your back was the one in question here." She said, primly dropping her weapon back into her handbag.
"Erica..." Red scowled, uncertain how to handle this new situation.
"Oh, Red," Liz scoffed derisively, "like we didn't see this coming." She waved his doubts aside. "Natalia was a psychotic bitch, you know it, I know it... and Erica knows it."
"All God's children know it." Francis assumed, checking with his counterparts.
Erica swept the males gathered with a disinterested glance.
"Thank you for intervening, Erica." Liz smiled demurely, offering a nod of gratitude.
Red's head swiveled back and forth between the two women. He checked with Silas, then Dembe, then...Michael Fairfax. All seemed resigned and accepting of what had gone down. He was definitely somewhat deflated.
Liz continued her spiel. "I don't know how I could ever repay your–"
"Consider it a wedding gift." Erica graciously waved the issue aside. "Well, that and the toaster."
Jerking his head upright, Red's incredulous eyes darted towards Dembe. The man offered a mere shrug of his shoulders, then returned his attention to the problem at hand.
"God only knows what Mark is going to say to this debacle." Red's lips tightened with open irritation. "Not that I'm not happy you intervened, Erica. I am."
"Then act like it." Liz whispered scoldingly.
All stepped aside when Hunter Gaines arrived on scene, directing his security team to lift Natalia's body to a rolling gurney.
Mark watched security pose the woman as if she had merely taken ill before tucking a sheet just under Natalia's chin, having carefully covered the blood-stained hole in the woman's chest.
The furrow on Red's brow increased dramatically before he glanced towards Mark.
"It's less morbid than carting an obviously dead body through the lobby." Mark explained, shrugging indifferent shoulders. "Bad for business." He grimaced apologetically.
"I will handle this, Raymond." Kaplan arrived suddenly, assuring all involved that a more capable individual was now on scene. "I'm about partied out, to be truthful. Of course...you will get my bill."
All stepped back and out of the way as a member of the hotel staff set up a carpet cleaner to tackle the nasty spot left behind. Kaplan came alongside the man, directing how things would proceed.
"I do apologize, Mark." Erica watched the proceedings with an indifferent air. "It was just one of those things that simply could not be avoided."
"No..." Mark sighed his woe, "we're used to this sort of thing, aren't we?" Turning about, the man plastered a smile on his face, gesturing for everyone to return to the ballroom. "Nothing to see here folks, just a minor mishap. All is well, I assure you."
Nodding her head sedately, Erica trailed after the great showman, leaving Red and Liz in the hall.
"I'm so sorry, Lizzy." Red muttered tightly out of the silence which finally prevailed as each individual returned to his or her former activity, leaving the two newlyweds alone with their thoughts.
"What for?" Liz canted her head questioningly.
Jerking his head upright, Red frowned hard. "What do you mean, what for?" He gestured to the vanishing bloodstain on the carpet. "We can't even have a wedding without some sort of death or drama taking place, for God's sake!"
"It has certainly been more exciting than my first wedding." Liz granted.
"Maybe you were right." Red's jaw tightened painfully. "Maybe you should get an annulment and get as far away from me as you can."
"Who's being a dramatist now?" Liz scowled hard at the man.
"I'm being serious, dammit!" Red snarled.
"So am I!" she snapped. "You know what? I actually expected worse."
"Excuse me?" Red frowned. He didn't know what was worse than a dead body dropping at a wedding, but who was he to set limits on anything?
"I just knew the Cabal or the FBI would come bursting in...or one of your business associates would pick this day to settle old grievances... right before we could complete our vows," Liz told the truth. "So, really, considering what could have happened, this is way below the expected norm in my book."
"Which makes my point!" Red waved a curt hand. "You shouldn't have to live like this! You deserve a normal life... a better–"
"Thanks to my parents, I will never lead a normal life!" She air-quoted irritably.
Lizzy's life would always be of interest to someone and for all the wrong reasons, that was a fact the man could not dispute.
"I think, considering those circumstances," Liz snapped, "I made the best possible choice in a husband I could possibly make... don't you!"
Red huffed angrily under his breath. "I'm fucking serious here, Lizzy."
"At least this time around," Liz's voice sharpened, "my husband wants and loves me! And has proven, without doubt, he will be by my side when the shit hits the fan!"
"I can do all those things," Red vowed, "...yes, but..."
"For better or for worse, Red." Liz threw the vows he made in his face. "We're in this together, from now on, whether you like it or not!" The man sought out a higher power, his expression a disgruntled one, to say the least. "Or at least, I thought so anyway!"
"You're not listening to what I'm saying." He stated quietly.
Stiffening her spine, Liz's eyes lit like fire. "Red..." she shook her head, seeing the set of his mind, "...no, you know what? Never mind!" She snapped angrily, spinning away from him.
"What were you going to say?" Red followed the woman with his eyes.
"Not a damn thing." She scowled back at the man, gripping the doorhandle. "I had plans for my wedding night that didn't include this shit." She spat. "This day has been a roller coaster ride. I'll be damned if I put up with one more thing disturbing it!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Red narrowed his eyes at the woman, following her retreat, his mood certainly no better for the turn of events.
"What does one normally do on their wedding night?" Liz seethed the words, throwing back the taunt.
Red's eyes darkened as he stared back at the glowering woman.
"We've done our duty to God and guests..." She smiled pleasantly over. "Now, it's my turn to enjoy a little of what's left of my wedding!"
Red couldn't really throw blame at the woman, but it royally pissed him off she was once again going off on a tangent.
"Now, if you'll excuse me," she yanked at the door, opening it. "I plan to do what I've been looking forward to all damn day... with or without your participation!" she snapped before disappearing through the doorway.
Growling under his breath, Red holstered his gun, stalking his way back into the ballroom. Scanning the festively lit room, he located her easily enough as she marched her way across the room.
"What did you do now?" Danny came alongside the man, shaking a woeful head. "Should I get my phone out?"
"Very amusing, Daniel." Red murmured tightly, unconsciously rubbing his thumb against his wedding ring.
"She looks kinda determined there, old buddy, just saying." Danny nodded sagely. "This does not bode well, I'm thinking...for you." He grinned at the other man's predicament.
Watching the woman snatch up her bouquet in passing, Red's anger flared as she walked straight towards a group of men who all welcomed the bride with wide, welcoming smiles.
"What the hell is that woman up to now?" Danny frowned his growing confusion.
"Attempting to piss me off." Red snarled under his breath, unexpectedly lurching forward, marching determinedly after his scheming heathen of a wife. He knew exactly what was in that empty little head...
"This is getting good." Danny rushed after the man. "Best damned wedding ever!"
Glancing up from his activity, Francis frowned curiously as a dark shadow blew past him, unsettling the paper instructions laying to his left. Hastily making a grab for them, he drew them back his way just as he caught sight of Red walking stiffly across the dance floor.
Francis stopped attempting to add food dye to the bubble machine, his curiosity aroused.
"Won't people get pissed if this stuff pops on their new threads?" Ben pondered the aspect of their activity aloud.
"Nah...it's all in good fun." Francis had other priorities now. "Hey listen..."
"I'm telling you, dude, Liz will have Silas kill your ass if this shit gets on her new gown." Ben warned.
Francis glanced over, smacking Ben on the arm and pointing. "Hey, man... Red looks pissed."
Sensing excitement on the horizon, both men dropped any previous plans and pushed up off the floor. Trotting their way through the crowds, both quickly gained on Red and Daniel's position.
Danny fought to withhold his smile for Red's deep growl of aggravation. "So, like...it's working, is it?" he couldn't resist. "This project Liz has come up with to piss you off?"
"Yes." Red's tone sharpened to a razor's edge. "It's fucking working." He pulled up short just in time to hear a sweet, innocent request called out to all the anxiously awaiting men in a group which Lizzy had approached.
"...So, if any of you are available," Liz reiterated her earlier point with a bright smile, "I would like to get fucked and fucked really hard this evening with as much meaning as you can muster, if you get my drift." Her smile encompassed any and all. "Male or female, doesn't matter. It's my wedding night and darn it...I just feel like it should be memorable on some level."
"Oh... shit." Ben threw a cautious glance Red's way, stepping back hastily for the other man literally oozed malice of forethought.
"Uh, oh." Francis winced emphatically. "I don't think she really means that, Red." He tried for damage control.
"This is a very interesting wedding, I'm just saying." Ben shared his thoughts with his friend.
Francis shrugged non-committal shoulders. "Well...Red never does anything halfway."
"Elizabeth!" The man in question grated his annoyance and rising fury.
Rolling exasperated eyes towards the man, Liz frowned at the interruption. "Do you mind? I'm trying to get laid here."
Before the woman could blink, Red stepped, bodily lifting the woman in capable arms. He crossed to a convenient surface, depositing the slight form upon the linen of a pristine tabletop.
"You want to get fucked?" He stared down at a willfully admonishing pout. "I'll see what I can do to help out..."
Gripping the woman's waist, he pushed her skirts out of his way, running his hands under the heavy fabric of her gown.
Liz gasped at the sudden turn of events, blinking her disorientation.
Red hiked the material over her knees, roughly shoving her legs apart with his calloused hands.
Liz primly attempted to lower her dress, a dark scowl between the lovely brows. "Red Redding..."
Plundering the woman's mouth with his warm tongue, Red situated himself between the gap, leaning his weight towards the woman, his intentions clear to any interested onlookers.
Most of the crowd laughed for his antics, turning discretely aside, but a few boldly watched and waited... cake in hand.
Gripping Lizzy's hips, Red dragged the woman closer, upsetting the contents on the table. Wine glasses teetered dangerously before falling over, spilling their contents.
Daniel grimaced as one glass rolled off the table and to the floor, shattering on impact. "Such primitive behavior." He sighed at a reticent Francis Holbrook.
"One would think this type of function would attract a better class of individuals." Ben agreed sotto voce.
"Don't you dare to..." Liz's objections were cut short, Red's mouth once again claiming the rights he now exerted.
Knocking away the woman's attempts to escape his grasp, the man captured Lizzy's wrists in his hands, pinning the smaller ones flat against the tabletop.
Catching the low moan of her approval in his mouth, Red deepened the already intense kiss, pushing his groin against the woman's humid alcove.
"Do you think you guys would like this on your wedding video?" Silas asked jovially off to their side, reminding the couple... they had an audience, a very captive one at that.
Breaking the kiss, Red panted as he looked down at the woman beneath him. "What'd ya say?"
"Well, I don't know..." Liz taunted, "did you grow a set and decide to attend to your duties? If not," she called his fucking bluff. "I would appreciate you allowing me to continue with my earlier cordial invitation."
Narrowing darkened eyes for the blatant provocation, Red felt an unexpected smile pull at this mouth.
"You conniving little bitc–"
"Now, Reddington," Antonio interrupted, holding his laughter, "that's a legitimate question. To which all these people are anxious to hear a reply."
Maria came alongside her husband, smiling contentedly at the couple. "Oh, it makes me so happy to see that you two are so right for each other."
"To be young and in love, my darling...yes?" Antonio sighed wistfully.
Maria agreed readily.
"It appears..." Antonio watched the scene taking place with undue interest. "Elizabeth has quickly learned to push your buttons and with adept precision. Would you not agree?"
"Looks like I'm the one on top here, Antonio." Red reminded.
"Which is exactly the position I prefer." Liz countered. "Well...most of the time." She relented.
"This is just so romantic." Maria teared up.
"Now, darling." Antonio patted her hand tenderly. "You know how you get at these functions."
"Okay, are you two ever going to leave so we can continue to party?" Francis, for one, was getting a little perturbed for these constant overly dramatic interruptions to his plans for the evening.
Red exchanged bemused looks with the woman beneath him.
Liz glanced around, her brow furrowing for another reason. "Red...they're forming the lines." She crinkled her nose comically. "I-I think they want us to...go." She shifted stunned eyes.
"What gave you that impression?" He stared transfixed at the impatiently waiting guests, who were even now receiving their flower petals and individual bottles of bubbles to blow.
Antonio followed more sedately, for Maria had rushed off to secure a spot in one of the lines. The older man grinned back at a befuddled groom. "You did not truly believe you two were the important part of this day, did you?" He chuckled his amusement.
"Apparently not." Red lifted a bewildered brow.
Exhaling the breath she was holding, Liz relaxed beneath him. "Can we go to our room now?"
Nodding, Red leaned, placing a gentle, loving kiss to Elizabeth's swollen pout of a mouth.
Closing her eyes, Liz sighed happily, then startled when she felt a wet pop against her cheek.
Red chuckled as a plethora of bubbles floated all around them, shimmering in a rainbow of brilliance before popping as they fell against any solid surface.
Glancing over his shoulder, Red shook his head, suddenly greeted by the sight of Francis holding a large electric bubble machine aloft. Ben had the other side...both men were no longer bored, clearly.
Guests too, joined in the frivolity, blowing through tiny wands held between their fingers.
Pushing upright, Red brushed Lizzy's skirt back into place as he helped the woman up from her prone position.
"I guess we can take a hint." Red huffed, gesturing towards the blatant message laid out before them. He led his new bride to the hastily formed exit lines awaiting.
"Well, that's okay, because I'm ready to go." Liz smiled gamely as flower petals... and bubbles fell about them from all directions as they bravely forged through the gathered throngs.
Clasping the woman's hand in his, Red smiled. "They weren't that much fun, anyway." He whispered, holding his smile, sharing the moment with his new wife.
"I'm just glad someone's going to lay me tonight." Liz shared right back. "How embarrassing would that be? Not to get some on your wedding night."
"I can almost guarantee that will be the least of your worries this particular night, my lovely."
"Thank god." The woman ducked, allowing herself to be trustingly shown through the haze of bubbles assaulting her from every direction.
Red glanced back, his grin a gentle, loving one. "Come on, you little hellion...I can't wait to get that dress off you."
"Yeah...it's all wet now." She grimaced accordingly. "That's a hell of a lot of bubbles, is all I'm saying. It was like running through a carwash."
"Francis outdid himself." Red nodded, continuing on down a much quieter hall and finally, out into the large foyer of the hotel itself. There were relatively few people out here, as most were still enjoying the party... back there.
He slowed his steps, leaning to catch Lizzy's mouth in a sweet caress. "Well, Mrs. Reddington... we made it through."
"What a hell of a day, Red." Flashes and moments suddenly inundated her. "How did we make it through is the question?"
"All I know is, I'm glad we did." He could finally breathe. He took her hand, stepping on down the quiet hall. "It's peaceful here."
"I didn't really mean that back there." She hastily assured, the blue eyes wide and fretful suddenly. "But...you knew that, right?"
"I knew that." He grinned, guiding the woman into the elevator. "After a while. You keep me guessing sometimes, though." He grinned down at her. "I kinda like the unknown. It's my forte, you know."
"Wasn't Maria sweet?" Liz's face softened, and her head lay back on the man's shoulder. "She and Antonio are so much in love still."
"I thought for a moment, he was there to whack the back of my head for putting you in such a predicament." Red mused, enjoying the woman's laughter even if it was at his expense.
"Serves you right, you totally over-reacted."
"Oh, did I." He scowled down at the amused little face.
"No one took me up on the offer." She reminded.
"Cause they knew I was packin'." Red reminded helpfully.
Liz tittered again. "Are you going to chastise me when you get me alone?"
"Do you want me to chastise you...when I get you alone?" Was the question of the day. They stepped from the elevator.
"Use your best discretion." She advised sagely.
"I'll do that then." He decided. The night was finally looking up. "Chastisement can be a good thing."
"Oh, I know." The woman agreed readily. "If a guy knows his business, which I think you do."
He bowed minutely. "How astute of you."
"You have an astute wife...some men don't, you know." It was cautioned with a petulant frown.
"I have heard that." He nodded. "I'm one lucky S.O. B."
"Are you going to carry me across the threshold?" Liz seemed energized by the possibility.
"Lizzy...it's been a long, tiring day." He groaned playfully. "Cut me some slack."
"Well, that's not very romantic." She pouted superficially. "I guess it's okay though, as long as you don't poop out on me...in other areas." She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You don't plan to...right?"
"Eh...no." Red made an executive decision. "Those areas? I can do."
She looked him up and down airily. "Well...we'll see, Mr. Reddington, won't we."
"Oh yes, Mrs. Reddington." He smiled pleasantly. "We certainly shall."
The woman preceded him, her hips swishing saucily as she traversed the corridor leading to their suite. Red's eyes watched those hips quietly, his smile just under wraps.
"I know a little girl who needs to be taught a few basic lessons tonight...on how to keep a man from blistering her sweet little ass because she's grown a little too cocky of late. Should I name names?"
Liz's heart skipped a beat, her blood heating in her veins for the veiled accusation but more so...for the promise of sweet retribution from Red's all too confident gaze.
"Why, to whomever could you refer," she offered over a demure blink of those blue eyes, "Mr. Reddington."
The man sauntered forward, meeting the open challenge the woman subconsciously offered. "Open the door..." He indicated with a nod of his head. "I'll explain my statement in more... detail, yes? Once inside."
Liz linked her arms behind his neckline. "What fun that should be!" She kissed his cheek lovingly. "I can't wait."
Red's gaze flicked her beauty restlessly. "Neither can I." He murmured silkily, his eyes dropping to the front of her gown. "...Neither can I."
LIZZINGTON
Author Note: I didn't think I could do it, but I finally worked in your song suggestion Martha! I sure hope I did it justice! :D
"What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" by Frank Sinatra