Chapter 12
It was twenty-minutes before midnight and Mary couldn't believe where she was – in bed with Francis Valois, the love of her young life. He lay beside her, smelling like heavy sighs and fallen leaves. She was completely and utterly in love with him. She could feel the bliss and love radiating from deep within herself. For the first time in her life, Mary finally felt contented. She had him. With a final glance back at the clock, she snuggled closer to him and finally closed her eyes, allowing herself to slip into the tenderness and warmth of their love for each other.
Xxx
"My mother is crazy!" Mary murmured to Francis as both of them exited the Stuart household and unto the driveway, hands intertwined. Francis gave her a look and a raised eyebrow.
"Have you met my mother?" Francis replied with a smile. "I think mine wins the 'Crazy Mother' award."
She gives him a look but couldn't argue with his statement. "She scheduled an appointment with a bridal store in Paris."
"And that's a bad thing?" He questioned. Last time he checked, Mary loved shopping. Didn't every woman?
"Yes, especially because she booked the whole store." She said, annoyance was in her tone but it was mostly because she didn't want anyone – especially not her mother – to control her wedding. "She's already reserved dresses for me to try on."
"Mary, your mother's just trying to help." Francis tried to defend his future mother-in-law, "She's excited, aren't you?"
Mary's face turned soft and the smile on her face said it all.
She faced him, his hand caressing her face and both of their heart conflating together with their affection for each other.
"Of course I am. I'm more than excited!" She replied, "I just want to do things on my – on our grounds."
She corrected because they were a team.
He smiled and kissed her. It was sweet and innocent. A far contrast from their desperate kisses they exchanged two nights before.
"Hey, you love birds!" They heard someone call and turned to see Kenna with the others.
"Hello," Francis greeted them with a smile while Mary hugged her friends.
"What time does your flight leave?" Greer asked.
"In an hour," Mary answered.
"So soon?" Aylee commented, with a visible shiver. She wasn't wearing a coat, unlike the rest of them.
"Aylee, where's your coat?" Mary asked, she has always been worried about her. She was the baby of the group – the innocent one. But all of them knew there was more to Aylee.
"She forgot it in back at my place," Lola replied. They all stayed at Lola's house the night before.
"We tried offering her another one, but she doesn't want any of it." Greer explained.
"Aylee, it's too cold to be out without a coat." Mary said, concern filling her face and voice. She turned to Francis.
"Do you want mine?" He offered but Aylee just shook her head.
"Just because I'm broken doesn't mean I'm fragile," She said and all of them stood silent for a moment.
"Aylee, you're not broken," Mary said, feeling sympathy for her friend. Has she already given up?
The somewhat solemn moment was shuttered when they heard a loud slam and all turned to see Sebastian walking towards them. Apparently, he closed the doors of the Stuart house just a little too loudly.
"What are we standing here for?" He said, ignoring the look on everyone's faces. He didn't like the seriousness in the ambience around him. "We have a flight to catch."
Kenna stood there deciding her shoes and the stones on the ground were far more interesting than Bash or any of her friends.
This wasn't gone unnoticed by her friends.
"Francis, why don't you and Bash get in the car first," Mary suggested, "I want a moment with my friends."
"Of course, yes." He agreed before kissing her on the cheek and motioning Bash to follow him to the car.
When they were far out of earshot, the three of them started to interrogate Kenna.
"What was that all about?" Greer asked.
"You shied away from him like the plague." Lola mentioned.
"Kenna, did something happen between you and Sebastian?" Mary asked bluntly.
"Oh my gosh!" Kenna exclaimed, her cheeks tinted with crimson. "Why do you jump to conclusions so fast?"
"Because we know you." Aylee replied in a loving manner, or at least that was how she hoped she sound.
"Well, fine!" Kenna said, feeling jittery like a teenager. "During Lola's party, we may or may not have made out! But that's all." She added with a serious face.
"What? Oh my gosh!" All of the screamed.
"How did it happen?" Lola asked, after a second of all of them just smiling and laughing like little girls.
"I was the bar and ordered a cocktail when he came up to me." She told with a bashful smile, "He told me he liked a woman who could hold her poison. We got to talking and then… you know!"
"Oh wow!" All of the seemed giddy with the information.
Bash had it all. He had had all the classical training- he knew how to entertain, to waltz, to find his prey, to wear the charming smile. And apparently, all of that worked on Kenna. She looked smitten with him and that doesn't usually happen with her. But with Bash, Kenna seemed like she was back in high school.
Xxx
"Here comes the end of our magnificent beginning." Mary said as they arrive back at France.
The two of them in the back seat of the Valois car, Francis wanted to drive his own car but decided that it was better to be close next to the woman he loved than his eyes being on the road.
Bash decided after arriving at Orleans that he would do some catching up with his other mates. Or that was what Francis told Mary.
Leaving the two love birds alone. Which was totally fine with the both of them.
"Don't be so grim," Francis commented.
"I'm sorry," She suddenly felt guilty for being such a downer when Francis has been nothing but wonderful. "It's just, with my parents already controlling our wedding; I'm worried what your parents want. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," He replied, "I'm sure your right. When he finds out, my father will probably book the church on the spot."
"What about your mother?" Mary asked, suddenly feeling anxious. "She hates me."
"Don't be ridiculous!" Francis tried to sound convincing but with the look Mary gave him, he stopped and just admitted that Catherine didn't love the idea of Mary. She never did. "But hate? That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?"
"No." Was her simply reply.
He gives her a reassuring smile, "Just relax. Close your eyes and let yourself loose."
"How can I?"
"Like this," He placed his hand on her cheek and slowly leaned in to meet her lips with his.
Xxx
"Listen to me for once in your dynamite and whore filled life!" Catherine finally screamed at Henry. They've been arguing about their son's engagement to Mary. It seemed like the only time they talked was when they were arguing. Which was all of the time.
"Catherine!" Henry had enough of his wife. His was growing tired of her. "I've had enough of this conversation. I have talked to James Stuart. Francis and Mary have decided to get married sooner. You have no more further choice. They're getting married."
"No. You can't do that." She said, her eyes filling with anger. "They can't!"
"They will." He rebutted. "I've been informed that they're on their way back home now. We will celebrate their engagement at dinner. Tell the cooks to prepare something delicious."
Catherine looked at Henry and tried her best not to scream with anger. She just walked out of his office with all the dignity she could gather.
This couldn't be happening.
Xxx
When Mary and Francis arrived back at the Valois mansion, Mary was quickly called by Catherine to meet her in her room.
"Oh great," Mary whispered to Francis.
"Hey, smile." Francis said, "Relax, it's probably nothing. I'll meet you later, okay?"
"Okay." She tried to smile for him but she felt too anxious to. She kept holding onto Francis' hand. "It's selfish of me and I know, but my fingers don't want to let go."
"You'll be fine," He said,
Mary climbed the stairs to Catherine's room. Catherine stayed in a different room than her husband. They didn't share the same bed. Mary was always curious why Catherine and Henry had two different rooms when she was young but when she grew older, she pieced the pieces together.
"Do not marry my son." It was the first thing Mary heard when she entered the cream colored room. The bed was in the middle of the room, two bed stands on each side, mirrors above and two night lamps.
Catherine stood in the dim lighted room and Mary could feel the temperature drop twenty degrees.
"What?" Was Mary's reaction. What was Catherine saying? "Why?"
"I don't like you," Catherine said, simply. Her face hard and bleak. "I'm sure you've figured that out by now."
"You don't try to hide it," Mary said with pursed lips. "However, you were kind to me once."
"You were young," She replied, hands folded.
"I don't understand," She said, "Why don't you want me to marry Francis?"
Catherine stare was cold and terrifying but Mary wasn't going to show any weakness to her.
"You look so much like your mother," Catherine observed, her tone heavy.
"Catherine, what are you talking about?" Mary asked, annoyed. "What does my mother have to do with everything?"
"I see you in her, you know," She started, "Charming, highly intelligent, and hard-working. But your mother." She paused and looked at Mary with faint unsettledness. "She was weak."
"My mother is not weak!" Mary protested. "She's a strong woman."
"And yet so cold," Catherine countered. "Contrary to Henry and your father's words, it was your mother that thought of marrying you to Francis."
"What?" She asked, startled. Her mother? How? Why?
"I see her in you so much," Catherine continued, "My dear, you're so much like your mother in so many ways. So much so that maybe one day, if you do marry my son, you might just sell one of my grandchildren to the highest bidder to save a business."
"I—I wouldn't." Mary said. "Francis wouldn't." Her mind was reeling. Her mother? "But you agreed! Even Elizabeth!" She argued, referring to Francis' 19 year old sister that was sent to Spain and marry one of Henry's business partner's sons.
"I love my children, I tried to stop what happened to Elizabeth but Henry was persistent." She explained, as if she could ever justify Henry's decision. "But I don't want that to happen to Francis."
"I love Francis." Mary said and it felt like there was an ocean in her veins, but she was somewhere buried in the dessert. "And I am my mother's daughter but I will never sell my child for a business partnership!"
She tried to study Catherine's face but to no avail.
"Marry my son and I will make your life hell." She threatened.
"I will go to hell and back for him, I love him." Mary exclaimed. "Neither you or anyone can change that."
"So be it then," Catherine waved her hand. "I've grown weary of this conversation. You may go."
Xxx
Mary wondered the halls until she found Francis' room, which didn't take much effort. She entered and saw Francis exiting the steam filled bathroom connected to his room. Only a towel around his waist. How long was her conversation with Catherine that Francis got into the shower and finished? Water droplets falling from his hair and hitting the floor.
She took a deep breath. Wait, when did she stop?
"Yes?" Francis asked, a smirk on his face.
"I – I talked with you mother," Mary said, her eyes still on Francis or moreover, his torso.
"About?" He asked, a smirk still on his face when he walked over to Mary.
"She said – She said something about," Mary gulped when Francis' hand snaked around her waist and pulled her closer. "About her not wanting me to marry you."
"Really?" Francis didn't seem surprised. "Well, I knew she didn't like you, but that's a bit much. Even for her."
"That's not all, she said…" She was cut off by Francis' lips on hers.
"Mary, I love you." Francis said. "We will get married. She can't do anything about it."
"But Francis, she said that –"
"I'll talk to her," He interrupted. "But for now, you can just take it easy. I'll handle my mother."
"Okay," She said lightly. "But, Francis. Stop interrupting me."
Francis laughed at her words and nodded. "Yes, dear."
"I need to talk to Jem," She noted suddenly, "Father wants him back in Scotland."
"He's in the city for business," Francis said, "He called your phone while you were talking to my mother."
"My phone?"
"Yes, it was in my pocket for some reason." He replied like it wasn't an unusual thing.
"Oh."
Xxx
"It'll be good to run and open by the end of the week," Said the voice of Stéphane Narcisse over the phone to Henry.
Construction of the resort in Santorini was almost finished and Narcisse and Jem were the ones who handled most of the papers.
"That's good," He replied in his office. "I want Francis to be the one to oversee things over in Greece, with the Stuart girl."
"Why is that?" Narcisse actually sounded interested.
"So they can be out of my sights!" Henry laughed.
He was getting weary with the constant drama that came along with Mary Stuart or any Stuart, honestly. He wanted her gone, far away, even if that meant his son being just as far away. Once they got married, the Stuart enterprise would be his and James Stuart could go and die.
Xxx
Later that day, when Mary and Francis where walking in the garden, both of them could feel nothing but effervescent bliss.
"Let's go out to lunch," Francis said to Mary, their hands intertwined.
"Where?" She asked, her smile never fleeting. The twinkle in her eyes and smile evident.
"I'm thinking of Gourmand, maybe." He said, "I haven't been there since I left for Santorini."
"I haven't been there, period." She replied. It was a nice thought that she could spend a lot of her first with Francis but it bugged her knowing that Francis probably has been there with someone else. A date probably.
"You'll love it there," He said with a brilliant smile – a smile that only Mary could bring. "Trust me."
"Okay." She smiled.
Xxx
Francis and Mary entered the door of a lovely restaurant. Inside, they see flowers and notice the peaceful ambience of the restaurant. The hostess greeted them and took them to be seated.
"This is beautiful," Mary commented. The candles scattered around them were more than charming.
"I told you," He said with a smile before checking his phone. A gesture that Mary didn't like but she just ignored it. It might have been about business. "I need to go to outside, business call." He said as he stood up and motioning for one of the waitress to get Mary's order. "I'll be back soon."
"But –" Mary didn't get to finish her words because Francis was already walking away from her.
Five minutes passed and Francis was still not back. Mary was getting bored and annoyed with sending away the waitress because she wasn't ready to order without Francis. Suddenly a familiar tune fluttered to her ears as she heard one of her favorite songs.
A man with sun glasses and a pleated shirt from two tables over stood and started singing along to the song. Walking over to one of the waitress working, he took hold of her hand and from her position; Mary could see the woman smile brightly.
Mary couldn't help but smile herself. Other patrons were smiling and taking photos of the scene, even she couldn't help but get her phone and take a video of the two. It was such a romantic scene. It was a shame Francis wasn't here to witness this.
Soon after the song was over, everything returned to normal, which was what got Mary suspicious. All of that seemed a little anti-climactic. Looking around the room, she noticed that everyone acted normal. Not one person still talking about the performance.
Maybe, it really was just a performance. Mary thought.
Oh, there's a rumor in my heart
It's saying there's a girl about to make me fall apart
The voice singing from the speaker seemed familiar and when she looked up, she saw Francis with a bouquet of flowers. He was walking up to her and a smile so magnificent that Mary couldn't help herself but smile too, a blush on her face.
You're like the sky so vast and blue
And I'm like a bird getting lost in you
Mary looked around and saw everyone watching them but when she looked back at Francis, everything seemed to disappear. It was just the two of them and that was what really mattered.
He gave the bouquet to her and she smelled the wonderful scent of green roses. She felt so overwhelmed with everything.
Francis got on one knee and started to speak the words that Mary never imagined in her life that she would ever hear.
"I know I've done this before but I just want to make it more official." He said with a smile and she could already feel what was going to happen. "Mary Stuart, no matter what happens my love will still be yours and no matter what they ever say it is still you. In a world of uncertainty, I want us to make the future a yesterday. When we're together, there's nothing missing anymore. I love you, Mary Stuart." With each word he said, Mary could feel the tears starting to cloud her vision. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box. In it was an elegant silver ring. "So, do me a little favor. Will you marry me?"
"Yes," Was all Mary could say.
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