Part 2 of 4
Out of energy and starving, the couple more or less jog to town, completely unrecognizable. Well, she is still herself, albeit much happier and more than sated for the moment. Him, not so much. In chinos, a polo shirt, and deck shoes, no one who knew him would have recognized him in a million years. Not unless they looked directly into his eyes but even then they might not be sure because he is so much happier. He should also look satisfied except he doesn't think he ever will be again. As soon as they fuel up and talk to Catherine, he fully intends to take Camille back to his place for more.
He wants more of everything. More of everything he's already gotten and more of everything he's ever dreamed about… and maybe… just maybe… some of his nightmares too. He's liberal-minded.
Anyway, they reach their destination at a trot and snag the darkest table at the far end of the front walkway. They order huge meals and dig in like famished sailors who'd just washed up on shore… which isn't that far from the truth, really. Once stuffed to the gills, he orders tea and she orders coffee. Then they ask to speak to the owner and sit back and wait.
A few minutes later, Catherine strolls out and approaches the table. She can see the man but only the back of the woman. But the woman… "Cami?" she queries, drawing closer, "Cami, is that you? Who is this with you? I thought you were with…"
The strange man looks up right into Catherine's eyes and growls, "Me. She's with me."
The woman twists around and now Catherine is staring into a matched pair of suspicious eyes; one pair a most beloved dark brown, the other pair a bright hazel bordering on coruscating. Catherine jars back a step, raises a hand to her heart, "Ree-chard?! Oh, mon Dieu, is that you?"
"Yes," he rumbles, "it's me. Didn't expect to see me in one piece, perhaps? Maybe you thought I would be in the hospital?" At her continued silence, he continues, "Because I very nearly WAS, Catherine. We both were! It was only by blindest luck that I survived my fall into the ocean and Camille didn't get hit on the road walking home in the dark." He gives the older woman a hard look, "It WAS you, wasn't it? You put something into our drinks?"
Catherine can't keep meeting his gaze. She shifts her eyes to those of her daughter's and tries to explain, "Yes, it was me, but it was only supposed to be a harmless relaxation, not a poison." Now she frowns, "And I maybe got a bit over generous with the dosage. I just wanted for it to work, for it to…"
"To drug us into a stupor?" Richard growls again. Camille swifts a hand to his and he quietens but he doesn't drop his hot gaze.
Catherine sees this sudden movement and sucks in a breath, "Ah! I AM sorry about that, Cami, Richard, that was not my intent. I only wanted to help things along. I was getting worried that…"
Camille now turns back from her man and says, "Maman, I know why you were worried. I was worried too… but not enough to drug him and force him into doing something he wasn't ready to do. I…"
Catherine mutters under her breath, "Something that all men are ready to do anytime, anywhere, any place, except for THIS man." She crosses her arms and huffs, "Why do you have to have THIS man?"
Richard flushes then Camille answers, "Because this is the man I want. No one else. Just him." She turns back to him, puts both hands over his in the middle of the small table, "And now I do but…"
Catherine clasps her hands in front of her lips, trying to stifle her cry of joy.
Richard's eyes are no longer angry but softening to a lovely dark green as Camille twists back to face her mother, "BUT! This is between me and him and if he needs another 2 years to adjust to it then…" Richard's eyes jerk and he starts to shake his head at his woman but she just pats his hand and says, "… then that's how long he needs and that's how long I'll give him." She turns back to him now, sees his anxious face and smiles fondly, "I would give you anything, Richard. I think you know that."
As the couple link hands and fade away, Catherine slowly steps back until she slips around a corner and out of their sight. She leans up against the nearest wall and fans herself, "Whew! Well, my goodness! Who knew?" She jerks upright and hustles to the bar and within minutes a frosty bottle of her best champagne is delivered to the dark table where the occupants barely register its arrival.
Several minutes later, Catherine glides back into view and whispers, "Am I forgiven, mes chers?"
The man doesn't look up, he's memorizing a face, "I'm good. You?"
The woman doesn't turn around, she's memorizing too, "I'll think about it. That was a dirty trick."
Catherine sidles a bit closer, "I don't understand how it could have happened. I've gone to Clarisse many times over the years, when you were teething, when I couldn't sleep, when your father left. I've never had any troubles with her aids."
Richard is kissing a sleek little hand and murmurs, "Her god-awful nostrums, you mean."
Catherine fumes silently but answers, "I mean her aids! Either she got the wrong idea of what I wanted or I got the wrong idea how to administer it. I shall never attempt such a thing ever again. I promise."
Now he lowers the sleek little hand and finally looks at the hovering woman, "There's no need to promise, Catherine, the deed is done. We were dosed and could have died but instead I think you will be pleased by the outcome. I know I was."
Catherine holds her breath in sudden expectation but she just can't help asking, "And?"
Camille brushes a finger over his chin and he smiles at her as she says low, "Mission accomplished, Maman. You can stop advertising me in the 'For Sale Cheap' section of the newspaper want ads. I am officially off the market." She dips her eyes, "As is he, officially and with determination!"
Catherine slumps in relief, "Lah! Finally and at last! I am so relieved!"
Richard shoots her a tiny half-smile, "Not half as relieved as I am, believe me," then he laughs as Camille exclaims aloud and swats at him and he pretends to fend her off while Catherine quickly leaves them to it, her last view of them being a happy huddle as they whisper things to one another without a single care in the world.
As Catherine marches back into her kitchen, she vows to speak to Clarisse first thing in the morning.
END – part 2
