I'll be taking a semi-break from all of my stories in the sense that I will not be posting regularly but spaced out as I did with ATEOTB when I had writer's block for this. Recently, I've just been busy and overwhelmed and emotional, I'm taking a break from studying as I have to pre-read for my last year of university which had to be cut down from 4 years due to the current situation, I'm taking a break from writing but not entirely as I will be writing new chapters, just keeping them in a box for a little while so I can make sure I never let it be too long without a chapter as I'm used to updating every day. I need some 'me' time so to speak but there won't ever be a long break as I do have pre-written chapters. Thanks, guys, you're amazing and I hope you enjoy the next chapter. PS: you'll see this exact message on the other fics :) x
For the sake of this story, I'd like Mary to live in Holyrood House instead of the Queen as I think as a distant descendant of Mary, Queen of Scots, her family would have rights to the place, even with the Queen's blessing. I wanted to do Mount Stuart for an option of their wedding reception but it's over two hours away and I doubt everyone would like a long journey to get to a wedding reception, haha.
"Francis," Mary starts, inhaling the air. "Welcome to Scotland."
Francis chuckles, flinging an arm over her shoulders as they wait for her brother to pick them up. "What a grand welcome. I was expecting bagpipes and tartan."
"Be careful what you wish for," Mary replies, kissing his cheek. "I can't wait to show you around. Scotland is just as lovely as France."
"I'm sure it is," he says, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
She scoffs. "We are not spending the whole time in bed, Francis!"
"One can dream," is Francis's reply before an old G-Wagon pulls up in front of them. "Our ride's here."
"Jim!" Mary cries out, hugging her brother tightly when he gets out of the car and spins her around.
"Hey, Trouble," he says, going over to shake Francis's hand. "Francis."
Francis smiles. "Hi, Jim."
"Right, I'll put these in the back for you, shall I?" Jim asks, already taking their suitcases and opening his boot up. "We're going with the scenic route, Mary's orders."
Mary giggles giddily, pulling Francis into the car as they settle in the back seats. "Warning, it gets dirty," she says before Jim gets in the driver's seat and starts heading away from the airport.
"How was the flight?"
"It was alright. We indulged in a little..." Mary giggles. "A little wine."
"Tut, tut, Mary," Jim says, eyeing them through the rearview mirror. "Marie can't wait for you to see the house."
Mary snorts, looking over at Francis. "Holyrood House is not like your family's estate but it's pretty cool."
"Yeah, a castle is miles better than a huge mansion," Francis tells her. "I can't wait to see it, where you grew up."
"So, how's your career going, Francis?" Jim asks him.
Francis smiles. "Really well, thanks. Your contact's a blessing."
"Glad to hear that," Jim says kindly. "Will you be singing at your wedding reception?"
Francis blushes as he turns to Mary. They have not even gone through their wedding music selection. They don't exactly have a 'song' for them as a couple. Probably his own songs but it wouldn't hurt to start thinking about it.
"We haven't sorted the music out yet," Francis says honestly.
"You've got time. Just over a month," Jim replies. "If you'd like, I've got a few options-"
"We will not play death metal at my wedding, James Stuart!" Mary cuts him off.
Jim starts laughing loudly. "Damn. Worth a try."
...
"Okay, we could go with the stuff I rejected for Kenna and Bash's wedding," Mary suggests after she's given Francis a tour of her home and they settle in the kitchen breakfast table. "Kenna wanted it to be a surprise so we're safe to choose any of these..." Then she bites her lip. "Or you could write us a song if it's not too much pressure."
Francis raises his brows. "Uh, I think we should have three backups just in case because I'm working on the soundtrack and I'm about to go for gigs and-"
"No pressure," Mary quickly says, cutting him off.
"Okay," Francis says softly. "I'll think about it." And surprise you, he thinks but keeps a neutral face as he wants her to be in the dark of his plans to write her a love song. He can't wait to see her face on their wedding day.
Mary scans the list of options they have and she circles a good few, not noticing her fiancé smirking beside her. "I love all of these, they seem like great options we could use."
"Yeah," Francis says, choosing a random one. "I like this one the most for our first dance."
Mary nods and underlines it. "Then we'll go with it. I'll set up a collection of music to play during the reception so it's not quiet. What's next?"
Francis looks at their to-do list and taps on the 'reception' word. "We haven't even booked a venue."
"Hopetoun House is forty-four minutes away from here," Mary tells him. "It hosts a select few of weddings but my mother is friends with the host and she has her on standby if we want it."
"Let's find out more about it," Francis replies, looking at their opened laptop screen to watch as she types it in and selects the link. "Wow, wedding breakfasts and somewhere for the guests to stay the night?"
"And we can have some guests stay here because we have many rooms," Mary adds. "And it's beautiful and lovely and elegant... Ooh, we could mix the two colours of our countries. The two blues for the reception hall scheme! I can envision it right now..."
Francis beams, running his fingers down her hair. "Book it and we can go there and check it out."
"Perfect," his fiancée gushes, already dialling her mother's number. "Mum, tell them we want Hopetoun House. And we are available to meet with them within these five days that we'll be in Scotland."
Francis listens on to the one-sided conversation, scrolling through the other parts of the reception venue, excitement growing inside him as it gets more real by the second. When she's done with her call, he presses a quick kiss on her lips.
"Let's go explore some more," he says, making her stand and pull him up.
...
Dinner is delicious.
Francis tries haggis for the first time, courtesy of Mary informing her brother what she wanted for him and the household staff to prepare for her fiancé's visit. She wants him to have the full Scottish experience with a few stereotypes here and there.
"Do you guys want bagpipes?" Jim asks as his wife sticks her fork into his plate and grabs a piece of his meal much to his mock horror.
Mary snorts, shaking her head. "I love bagpipes but I think Francis's French and Italian family won't appreciate it."
Jim chuckles, nodding in agreement. "I could grab my old kilt out," he says. "I wore it to a mate's wedding a few weeks ago so it's ready to go."
"K-Kilt?" Francis repeats. He's obviously seen them, quite a few Scotsmen from Kenna's side had attended the wedding in them and the French had been curious to learn more much to everyone's enjoyment. Would he have to wear one since they're leaning to having a mainly Scottish wedding?
"Don't look so scared!" Mary laughs, slapping his arm lightly. "Slacks for you, sweetheart and Jim, you can if you like." She turns to Francis. "You wanted to ask him a question?"
"I'm low on groomsmen," Francis starts nervously. "Would you like to be one?"
Jim smiles widely. "Sure."
"Great!" Francis breathes out. "If you'd send me your measurements I can send it to my tailor in France and my father will bring down the suits nearer to the wedding."
"I'll send them as soon as I can," Jim promises, whispering to his wife to help him get measured much to her pleasure and the other couple's flushed faces.
"Jim, we're in public," Katherine chides him with a giggle.
Mary smirks and looks down at her food, shaking her head slightly. "I was thinking that you guys can come along with Francis and me to see more landmarks and tourist spots."
"We'd love to," Katherine says.
"I want to learn as much as I can about the country that birthed my beautiful fiancé," Francis says sweetly, making her sister-in-law swoon and Mary blush.
"So sweet," Mary mumbles, squeezing his hand. "I love you." It's quiet and just for him and he grins.
"I love you too."