Chapter 5
Courage woke up the next day, sniffing around, as he felt his nose become dry. His nose, my dear Courage, had been bothering him all day. Courage laid down by my Rocking chair. "Courage, let's go have breakfast, honey". "It's time to have something, your tummy has been growling all night". I said, gently. "Ok, I guess we could have cereal, or something". Courage said. "What if we have some Eclairs, and some pudding for breakfast?". "I have some in the refrigerator". I said, gently. "Ok". Courage agreed, as I took some out of the fridge. Courage sat at the table, eating some. Courage ate his breakfast without making a mess. Winifred came downstairs, in a new suit, a tan colored one. "Courage, my best friend, my dear boy, I have something for you that might help you through your day just as easily as it did mine". Winifred said, gently. Courage glanced upwards for a bit.
"This is a box of your favorite kind of chocolates". "They are dark chocolate with vanilla ice cream filling". "Here we are, we can even split some if we need to". Winifred said, gently.
"Wow….thank you". Courage said. "I kind of…I like Chocolates". "This is so nice….thank you Winifred". Courage glanced down at the box, seeing a heart-shaped box with chocolates in them. Courage felt enthused to see it. He sniffed around the box a bit, before opening it. Courage ate some, enthused at how the chocolate melted in his mouth, and the vanilla chilled his mouth a bit. My Courage loved chocolate.
Winifred smiled a kind smile, kissing Courage on the forehead before petting him with a certain ease. A trophy husband he was. More or less a trophy man. I came downstairs, seeing Courage and Winifred laughing. "Courage…did you have your breakfast yet?". "There's a program on the television about Daniel Boone, and the new Frontier". "Hopefully, we can see it without any interruption". I said, gently, picking Courage up in my arms.
"That would be nice". Courage said, as he licked my face, affectionately. We both laughed. Courage glanced around as he perked up, seeing Winifred, licking his face as well. "I'll see you later, my Courage". "I love you, deeply, son". "We'll go to the Velvet Lounge later on, and have some drinks, and dance a bit". "They have a dessert corner we can go to, and have some ice cream". Winifred said, gently. He kissed Courage a few times on the nose, and cheeks. "Have a good day". Courage said.
"The Velvet Lounge sounds lovely". "I'll be sure to wear something nice and elegant, just for us". I said, gently. I kissed Winifred kindly on the lips, being sure to linger for just a bit. Winifred was such a lovely man. I trusted him more than I did, anyone. Even so, we were copesthetic. The Velvet Lounge was a place we loved to go. Even so.
The night was a bit dark, and the streetlights were low, dim with an essence of cocktail evenings. Still, it was fun to do. Winifred, Courage and I made our way to the Velvet lounge. Smooth jazz pianists played, as I wore a blue dress, and sweater trimmed with sparkles. "It is a lovely evening, isn't it?". I said, gently as I kissed Winifred's lips with tenacity and gentleness. "It certainly is". Winifred replied. "I love coming to the lounge, even on evenings when one wouldn't expect me to come". "It's a fascinating time".
"I'd be confident of that". I replied, as I kissed Winifred's lips once more. We both shared a laugh in the midst of our kiss. When we arrived, the valet took heed of our car, while we sat in the lounge, hearing the gentle smoothness of the jazz pianist. "Perhaps we should share a dance, I've been looking to share a dance with you, my love". Winifred said, gently. "I've been looking to share a dance with you as well, my dear man". I replied, in kindness. Winifred and I chuckled. We managed to come out to the middle, Winifred holding me close to him, his handsome, elegant suit smelled of a nice cologne. Still, he held me close, kissing me on the lips. I laid my head on his chest. As I laid my head down, I felt Winifred's hands caress my cheek, softly. I felt his lips caress my cheek softly as well. With every caress, I felt more, and more at home. I felt more and more comforted by his caress, by his kisses. I felt as if I was at home with my Winifred. His kisses, his nuzzles, his caressing of my cheek, I felt measures unexplained to the naked eye. Still, I loved my Winifred's kisses and hugs.
My Winifred was a good man. As I gazed into his eyes, as he gazed into my eyes, we felt something magical come over us. It couldn't be explained by love, or anything of the measure. We were just happy we were closer to one another. I loved my Winifred more than anyone. He was a gift to me…and Courage.
"Muriel, dear, I must say, you move with a silky elegance, one that makes me fall more in love with you by the second". Winifred said, romantically. "Thank you, Winifred". I said, gently. "I feel secure with you as well". "Perhaps more so than I have with anyone". "You are the truth I have been searching for". Winifred and I chuckled, kissing one another on the lips. "You are my truth as well, my Muriel…darling". Winifred said, gently. "Thank you". I said, as I laid my head on Winifred's chest once more. We both felt happy being with one another. Even as the soft jazz music played. Winifred kissed me gently on the forehead, as we danced. While we danced gently to the soft jazz of the piano music. Winifred kept me close, while we chuckled, humming softly. At our velvet lounge, it felt as if we were the only people in the world. From far away, a young bunny sat, perchance a girl rabbit, (whatever), known as Bunny, sat in the corner drinking her wine. She seemed to sit, glancing onwards. Beside her, was a slithering noise, out of the shadow's darkness, there came a snake that was slithering about. Her new beau, Aristotle.
"Pretty crowded here, issss-n't it?". Aristotle hissed a bit. "I would believe so". Bunny said. "It's always crowded in the Velvet Lounge". "There's a lot of people to contend with". Bunny looked to her side.
"Hey, that's the purple dog, he rescued me that one time from my ex-boyfriend". Bunny mentioned. "He helped me onto a train the one time with my friend". "I know him very well….his name is Courage, or something".
"Courage, yes?". Aristotle asked, as his eyes glowed a yellow color, in the dim dark light of the lounge. "I remember him as well". "He did a lot for me, it ssssseems".
"He did do more than what was expected". "He is so amazing". Bunny mentioned. "Let me go say hello, and I'll come right back".
Aristotle nodded, hiding in the corner, as shy as he was. Bunny came to Courage, as Courage sat talking with someone. "Hey…aren't you Courage?". "You saved me that one time…I'm sorry to interrupt, but I remember you from a long time ago". Bunny said. "Oh, hi there". Courage said, shyly. "It's good to see you, too".
"Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to say, thank you for helping me a long time ago". "I really appreciate it, and I really appreciate you". "You changed my life for the better". "Thanks, Courage". Bunny said, kissing Courage on the cheek. "You're welcome". "I appreciate it, too". Courage said. Bunny smiled as she talked with Courage for some time, all while my Courage listened intently. "I'm happy you're in a better place". Courage said. "I thank you for coming to say hello".
"I thank you for helping me, honey". "You're the best one, my favorite". "I'll never forget what you did for me, it'll stay with me always". Bunny said, kissing Courage on the cheek. Courage nodded, as he glanced up at Bunny. He smiled, knowing Bunny was in a better place because of him. Bunny went back to her spot with Aristotle. My Courage sat, contently, drinking his lemonade. He felt relaxed, even in his favorite lounge, the Velvet lounge. There were no threats, nothing to scare anyone at the moment. We were safe. For now, in essence.
The night at the lounge, hand in hand, cheek to cheek, lips to lips with Winifred was one of my best evenings. It only got better.
I sat in my bedroom, swooning over my dance with Winifred. What a perfect evening filled with treats, wine, and a close dance. I've always loved dancing with a man. I even danced with Eustace when he was alive. As I took my jewelry off, my diamond necklace, I glanced at the mirror, smiling, knowing this man was someone special. Winifred came into the bedroom. "Muriel, there you are, darling". Winifred said, gently. "I was searching for you, I thought perhaps you might have gone to bed already".
"I was still up". I said, kindly. "I just found Courage downstairs, sleeping". "He is pretty tired as well". Winifred mentioned. "How lovely". I said, gently. "Well, it is good to see you". "Thanks for a wonderful evening". "You are a wonderful man for me, a dream come true".
"You are a woman for me that has done amazing things". Winifred said, gently. "I love being near you, having adventures alongside you, and being someone you love to rely on". "I wish to still be that companion for you, even as you go into the sunset". "That made me ponder us; going into the sunset together".
"I was thinking that as well". I mentioned, gently. "Which is why I have something important to ask you". Winifred said, gently. He took out a case from his pocket, opening it. It was a diamond ring. "Muriel, I know us well; and what we need in our lives is a bit of companionship, and a family we can hold onto as we end our stories". "I must ask you with that in mind; Muriel, will you marry me, and be my wife, my companion until the end?". "I promise to serve you, honor you, sing to you, and be your king alongside you until death do us part". "I want to spend my golden years with someone, and end widowhood, I want to be married to you".
"Oh…that is lovely". "That is wonderful, truly, special and amazing; a dream come true". I said, gently. "Yes, I will marry you". "Besides, that is a beautiful ring". "Go ahead now, place it, and we'll spend our golden years together". I smiled a gentle smile, kissing my Winifred. Winifred smiled a gentle smile, embracing me as we kissed, fervently. So, that was something. I was a widow who was getting remarried. It was something lovely and special. I was a part of it. Something truly magical in essence that I loved being akin to.
Winifred slipped the ring onto my finger, keeping it nestled, tightly. I smiled a gentle smile, looking down at the ring. "It is very beautiful". I said, gently. "Thank you, darling, I love it". We both got in our bed, kissing as we gazed at one another. We just kissed for the longest time. We kissed, knowing that we were beginning again with one another, even after our spouses were deceased. We weren't committed in the eternal sense. But we did write vows to keep one another company until we met our spouses in the heavens. At least we had our golden years to spend with one another. So magical in essence. I knew at some point, I had to tell Courage. He would certainly wish to know what it was. Something like that. It is exciting that I get to dress up, and be married once again.
"I know the perfect place where we can be wedded". Winifred said, in the midst of our kissing. "Where is that?". I asked, kindly after my kiss. "It's just up a ways past the coastline". "Somewhere with a botanical garden, with some herbs, and flowers". "They have a lovely Italian bakery where we can dine, and have a bridal party's meal". "We'll dine, we'll play soft music, and we'll go to bed early so we can honeymoon in France". Winifred said, gently. "Oh, that sounds lovely, but I'm not sure I can make the plane ride to France". I said, as I kissed Winifred's lips, gently, touching his chest. "We could perhaps do somewhere in Florida, or in Key West, but out of the Country sounds exhausting". I mentioned, gently.
"You're perhaps right, maybe we should just travel to the Keys". Winifred said, gently. "I feel exhausted just getting out of bed anymore, come to mention it".
"Let's go to the keys, or somewhere close, oh, I don't know if we should travel anywhere far away". I said, as I touched the tiny hairs on Winifred's face. "You might have a true statement there". Winifred said, gently. "True". I said, as I sniffled back some dust. Winifred and I continued kissing, as I stroked his cheek. His cheek was filled with stubble. It was the stubble that had come from not shaving, or perhaps shaving. Either way, I loved kissing him, and touching his cheeks. Now all I needed to do, was to tell Courage we were going away for a wedding. Courage would be happy to know it. I knew Courage's happiness well.
The next morning, Courage was waking up, sniffing around the couch he had slept on. He seemed to like the couch and the smell of the couch a lot. The smell was that of warm cookies. "Courage". My soft voice, silky, and laden with feminine gentleness, and wisdom was like that of lace and pearls. "Are you awake, pumpkin?". I asked, kindly. Courage lifted his head, looking in my direction. "Kind of". He mumbled. "It's time to wake up, and have some breakfast". I said, softly with gentleness.
"Ok". Courage said, coming off of the couch, as I picked him up. Courage lifted his head, as he walked over to me. "I have something very exciting to share with you, my dear". I said, gently, kissing Courage's head. "Winifred proposed to me last night, we will be married soon". I said, with happiness in my voice. Courage nodded in his own happiness. "That's really amazing". Courage said. "I'm happy for you".
"I'm happy for us, too". "We were waiting to marry, but we both felt that now was the time". "We'll be married for a long while". "You'll be a part of our wedding, my Courage". I said, gently. "We love having you, and we love that you're our boy, we wish to make you a large part of the wedding". I smiled a kind smile, petting Courage's head, as he sniffed. I loved my Courage so much as to kiss him. He was my boy. He always will be.
Winifred came downstairs, seeing the nuzzling happening between Courage and I. Courage closed his eyes, feeling the comfort the nuzzle had to offer. "I love you, too". I said, gently. "Let's have some breakfast now, and we'll kiss and hug in just a bit". I petted my Courage, kissing his head. "I love you, darling". I whispered, gently, kissing Courage in a friendly manner. "I love you, too". Courage said, as he put his nose up. I tickled underneath his nose, kindly.
"Courage, want to come see me for a bit?". Winifred said, kindly. He petted Courage on the head, as Courage came to him. "Yes, I love you too". "We'll be married soon, Muriel and I". "How exciting, huh?". Winifred said, gently as he nuzzled Courage as well. Courage licked his face, gently, as he hugged him. "My tired boy, let's get some Oat Milk, then we'll lay down for a bit of time". Winifred said, gently. "Love you, pal". Winifred kissed Courage on the cheeks, as I took Courage to the refrigerator, while holding him in my arms. "Let's see what we have, now". "There is some Oat Milk, I have some yogurt, there are some pancakes, I have quite a bit". I said, gently with kindness. "Which would you like today, my Courage?".
"Oat Milk, please". Courage said, as he pointed with his paws. I took out some Oat Milk, pouring it into a to-go cup for my Courage. It was really a sippy cup. "There you are, my Courage". "Some Oat Milk for my sweetie pie". I said, gently, kissing Courage's nose. "Thank you". Courage said. Courage and I went to the television room, sitting down. Courage curled up in my arms, similar to a baby, drinking his Oat Milk, as I petted his tummy. His wide eyes looked up, as he drank his Oat Milk. I sat, watching the television, as I glanced at the morning news. Courage felt a kiss on his head, a gentle kiss as he looked upwards. "Have a wonderful day, my boy". "Don't let Muriel spoil you too much". Winifred joked, as I pawed at him, playfully. "Go on now, my cookie pie". I said, as Winifred and I laughed. We shared a kiss as Winifred went on to work.
It was a perfect day, no monsters to defeat, no oddities, nothing obstreperous to keep us weighed down. We just had an easy day. I tickled Courage's cheek, and tummy, kissing him, as he laid, relaxed. We both benefited from being near to one another. Courage loved my kisses, loved my nuzzles, and loved my pets. As he drank his Oat Milk, he relaxed, knowing the day was in his reach. Nothing to keep him busy. Nothing to keep me busy. It was just a happy day. The wedding was happy as well. It was perhaps the most eventful day we had. Besides everything else. I might love my Winifred, but I love my Courage even more. That's the most important thing, is that my Courage and I are well, and alright. Which, we definitely were.