One-shot story inspired by the Tumblr Ship Drabble Challenge!
Thank you Anon for requesting this one, and I am sorry that it took me so long to write it! I've had rather a busy week…But now, enjoy!
P.S. Some parts of the story have been inspired by the second chapter of Edward Carson's story "Getting Married"
"It is very nice.", said Elsie Hughes as she and her fiancé stepped into the sitting room of their cottage.
"Yes, the builders have done marvellous work."
He walked to brush dust off the mantelpiece, letting his eyes wander around the room…This would be where they would spend the rest of their lives. Together.
"I hope it didn't cost you too much.", she wondered absentmindedly, letting her hand touch the carefully chosen fabric of the curtains.
"Mrs. Hughes, I wouldn't have bought this cottage if I didn't have enough money. And since it will be our home one day, I believe it was well worth it."
His words seemed to reassure her as she flashed him a charming smile.
"I love how you said our home."
"Well, it's the truth, isn't it?"
"Yes.", she said happily."I believe it is."
"Only six more days, Mrs. Hughes.", he finished the thought."And I can't wait."
The very thought of that filled her stomach with butterflies. She couldn't wait either.
"Shall we have a look at the kitchen?", she asked after a short moment, breaking the silence between them.
"Yes, I believe we should, Mrs. Hughes, don't you?", he answered, guiding her into the hallway with his hand at the small of her back.
They entered the kitchen, each taking a moment to look around.
"Lovely-", he mumbled."-we shall be very comfortable here."
He regretted his words the moment they left his mouth. She'll think me too forward for saying that, he worried, what were I thinking? But to his surprise his fiancé soon reassured him with smile;
"I agree. We shall be very comfortable here indeed."
He answered her with a proud smile of his own.
"It's rather musty in here, shall I open a window?", Elsie asked.
She didn't wait for his answer and walked over to the window that was just above the sink, her fingers quickly opening the latch and pushing the window open; letting the fresh spring air fill the room. Elsie let the wind caress her face as she inhaled in the smell of the nature waking up…She could already imagine seeing him through the window as he was tending to his vegetable patch in the garden, his sleeves slightly rolled up in the summer heat…How lovely, she thought happily.
When she turned around to face him again, she found him watching her with the most peculiar look in his eye. She couldn't help the little giggle from escaping her mouth.
"Mr. Carson, why are you looking at me like that?"
Her voice seemed to have pulled him from his reverie. He looked almost confused for a moment, but it didn't take him long to find his way back to present.
"I'm not?", he denied, trying his best to look like he truly had no idea what she meant.
Obviously, he was unsuccessful.
"Oh, well, I think you are. Don't you know it's not very polite to stare?", his fiancé told him with a shake of her head.
He cleared his throat; a habit quite familiar to her when he was nervous.
"Well, pardon me Mrs. Hughes, but-", Charles swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat."-it seems that I, ehrm, quite enjoy the view."
The violent blush on her cheeks was the sign that she had, indeed, got his meaning.
"Very flattering.", he heard her whisper as she lifted her face to look into his eyes.
Their gazes met, and for a moment they just stayed like that; staring into each other's eyes as if they were the windows to one's soul...But soon enough he needed to feel her touch, his hand in search of hers. Their fingers entwined and just a simple touch could make them both feel like they were two teenagers madly in love...But in a way, it was true. They might not be exactly young anymore, but they were madly in love.
Even if he felt immensely happy, just holding her hand, Charles had something he needed to tell her, something that he hoped she didn't need to hear him say aloud to believe. He proceeded to lean closer, and with his lips just inches from touching her left ear, the most important words tumbled from his tongue;
"I do love you so, my future Mrs. Carson."
And Elsie doubted she'd ever been more content in her life than she was at that moment.
She couldn't possibly wait to be his Mrs. Carson.