Hello all, hope you're having a wonderful day:) Here's a quick update:
Elsie felt butterflies as Charles took her hand. They were on their way to the cottage and she desperately hoped she liked it as much as he did. She could tell he was anxious about her reaction as well.
As they walked in silence, gravel crunching underfoot, he would absent-mindedly squeeze her hand as is if seeking reassurance. His faraway eyes told her he was unaware of his actions. She enjoyed the instinctive, tactile responses to his moods.
The path curved around a grouping of trees as the sun peaked over the horizon. She squinted and raised her free hand in response, the temporary shade allowing her a first peak of their future, because instinctively, she knew that's what it was. A glorious stone cottage wrapped up in gardens, trees, and sunlight.
Elsie felt a pressure on her hand and realized she had stopped in her tracks. Nervous eyes peered at her as she breathed in deeply, the air somehow tasting sweeter than it had just moments ago.
She exhaled slowly, becoming lighter as she did so, the discomfort of an injured ankle gone, pressure of ugly bruises fading away. Laughter surrounded them both; she had no words for the feelings welling inside of her so she let them fall out instead, reaching for the wonderful man who still had her hand clasped tightly in his.
She stood on tiptoe and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
"Come on then Charles, why don't you show me our new home."
A beaming smile graced his face, and she felt his lips on her forehead. He twined their fingers together, his other hand stroking her cheek, thumb running across the soft flesh of her lips. His lips followed soon after and she felt their delicious pressure for a brief moment before he spoke.
"Your wish is my command darling."
I know its a short one, but if you have a moment let me know what you think.
Thank you for reading!