Chapter 8: Her Gift, and His Gift

Bash let out a deep breath as he laid his head against the head rest of his seat. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarillo, lighting the cigarette and breathing the clove mixture into his lungs. He didn't bother rolling down the window as he stared at the ceiling, willing his mind to blank.

He remembered the bag sitting beside him. Turning his head he regarded it for a moment before reaching out and pulling it to him.

Now that he thought about it, the bag was pretty light weight. He peered inside the plastic bag and saw a brown envelope fashioned closed by a purple ribbon. He reached for the envelope gently removing the ribbon as he placed it to the side. He opened the envelope and slid the black, metal tag onto his palm.

He flipped the tag around and examined it, on one side, it said:

Sebastian Nikolas Poitiers-Valois

110 BA Long Rifle

Caliber Optional

LH optional

Scope and bipod available upon request of customer

Receipt: 00911213900854

"How...?" Bash wondered aloud, as he stared at the tag. The tag was a proof of purchase, signifying that he had a 110 BA left handed long rifle, with a 300 Win. Magnum caliber and a customizable scope a bipod, ready for pick up. He was astounded. How Mary knew he had wanted the law enforcement grade weapon, Bash had no idea. How she was even able to purchase one for him on her own, Bash had no idea. Money talks. So does Royalty.But the gun itself was already expensive enough. Bash wondered how much more she paid in order to get away with it. After all, she wasn't old enough to request, or authorized to buy the gun (and it was illegal to walk around the mall with a gun bought from the surplus store there.)

Setting up a conference call on his phone, Bash called the only people who would know what to do in this type of situation.

They all three answered, but Connor answered the swiftest. "Boss?"

Jackson and Reily said simultaneously, "What's up?"

"What would you do if you were wanted by a married woman?"

"Shut the shit down," Jackson said.

"What does she look like?" Connor asked.

"I'd rise to the challenge," Reily replied.

"You're an Irish dog, O'Reily." (Connor)

"You decide to shut it down and she later buys you a 110 BA," Bash continued.

All three of his men whistled.

"What caliber?"

"You already know the answer to that."

"Left handed?"

"Really?"

"Additional Attachments?" Reily asked.

"Scope. Bipod."

"Are they customizable?"

"Why would they not be?"

"Boss," Connor interjected, "let me get this straight. A married woman you turned down bought you a 110 BA Long Rifle? As in, detachable magazine, accustock, accutrigger, matte finish, two thousand-six hundred thirty-eight dollar law enforcement grade weapon?"

"Sounds about right."

"Boss, you better lay her up good."

"Reily!"

"Jackson, he has a point! Boss hasn't even slept with her? I hope he can Magic Mike; boss, can you Magic Mike?"

"More like XXL. Man, if a woman got me a gun like that I'd thoroughly show her my appreciation -"

"Connor. Reily."

"Sorry, Boss."

Bash shook his head and regarded Jackson. "Jackie Boy?"

"Personally, Boss, I'd skip the drinks and take her straight to my place."

"You're on the clock."

"But you won't be in an hour."

Bash paused. "I have to go."

He ended the call swiftly, and looked at the clock. He swallowed harshly, his mind working a mile a minute, debating.

He put the car in drive and pulled out the driveway. Twenty minutes later he was back in the pink dress shop.

"Sebastian! You're back," Amy said as she went to him. "Did you miss me?"

"I'd like to buy a dress," he stated. "No, I won't need help. I'll let you know when I find it, so stay close."

"Yes, customer," Amy winked, "Your authorative voice isn't bad."

"Amy?"

"Yes?"

"I can't concentrate with you flirting with me. Take that however you'd like, but I really need you to remain quiet for a while."

His eyes scanned the dresses, looking for one that caught his eye. As he went throughout the store, Bash found his feet stopping in the store's far corner.

For a dress so beautiful, it didn't make sense to Bash why it was hidden. The dress was black satin and chiffon. It was turtle neck, the A line going to her midriff, yet still subtle, and covered by the chiffon sheer, the sleeves a chiffon lace. As he glanced down the dress, diamonds - white and rose - glittered as a cinched waist. The dress skirt was penciled, all satin before transforming into a chiffon mermaid flare, sparkling again with white and rose colored diamonds. The back of the dress was open, but the chiffon sheer made the places for exposed skin elegant and modest.

Bash imagined Mary in it, her hair pinned up save a few loose curls. His eyes darkened.

"I assume you have this dress in a four," he said to Amy, "And I'm assuming these are real diamond rhinestones?" Amy nodded. He glanced around then, "I want matching gloves for this. Satin, with white diamonds on the cuffs. With a rabbit fur petty coat. Black. That last one behind the counter."

Amy laughed lightly, "This is all very expensive."

"Do I look like a poor man to you?"

"But...you said she was a companion. You said she had a boyfriend."

"If you understand that much then, can you get everything together for me quickly?"

Huffing, Amy grabbed the dress, gloves, and coat and brought them to the counter.

"Your total, Sebastian. I don't even dare read it aloud." Amy said, all snippety.

Unfazed, Sebastian took out his VISA card. Amy processed his transaction and printed the receipt. When she stared at it, her eyes bulged at what must have been the remaining balance in his account.

"Holy shit, you're loaded!"

Snatching the receipt and picking up his bags, Bash smiled wryly.

His heart was in his throat. His mind was a mess. His nerve endings were sending jolts to every part of his nervous system, and all Bash could think about was the day he had shared with the Queen of Scotland, the things she said and did, and the bags in his car. He had known it from the time he had kissed her at the rest stop. Even if she was simply projecting her feelings on to him, he was going to be greedy and take them all. He had known that was going to be his resolve but never did he think that there would be such a sense of urgency. His Altima wasn't going fast enough.

When he arrived back on the castle grounds, he had fifteen minutes before he would be considered "on call".

As he approached Mary's door, he paused and listened before entering. She wasn't in the main area of the room and he looked to the closed bathroom door and wondered if she were there. He placed the bags and boxes on her bed, before leaving the queen rosa corsage he had picked up, on her vanity. He quietly left Mary's chamber and went down to his own room.

He took off his jacket, then his weapons. He slipped off his black tee and donned a black tank top, changing into black shorts and grabbing his gauge and a white towel. He left his room and found the elevator in the far dark corner of the entry hall. Hitting the basement button, he stepped out the elevator and walked through the warehouse and into the first door on the far left.

It was the gym. His darkened blue eyes fell on the black punching bag, as he wrapped his hands and feet. He knew he only had a few more minutes left. His muscles were tense and his body taut with the hot blood rushing through his body. He brought up his fists and swung, knowing that there was only one proper way to release the tension he was feeling, and it had nothing to do with his training facility.

Very slowly she shut off the shower, escaping from its depths and wrapping the towel around her body. With her hair falling around her face in loose curls, Mary walked into the main part of her room, her eyes falling onto the packages, then upon the corsage.

She gasped softly, making her way towards them and looking them over before opening the boxes ever so carefully. When her eyes fell upon the dress, gloves, and the coat she couldn't hide the expression of happiness from her face.

Ever so quickly, she ran into her bathroom, picking up her cell phone on the way and sending a text to someone she figured had left these presents for her. She texted him, not sure what to say over a text message, so she just opted for the simplest one. Bash, would you please come to my room.

After the message was sent, she dried off quickly and changed into a pair of jeans and a simple ivory colored chiffon blouse. She quickly dried her hair, allowing it to fall in waves along her back and shoulders as she ensured that she was ready by the time he would arrive. She picked up her phone and headed back into the main part of her bedroom, shoving her phone into her back pocket of her jeans, than went and pulled the gown, gloves and the coat from their respective boxes and bags.

She laid each article of clothing out over her bed, and smoothed it out as she admired it all in earnest. It was perfect, each individual piece of clothing that she now had was absolutely perfect, and he had seemed to find something that suited her in every way.

"Oh Bash..." She whispered, tracing a hand over the dress before moving to her vanity to admire the corsage that he had left there. It was perfect, so beautiful in every way and it came from him. He must have opened his present then, no doubt there would be a question as to how she was able to do that, but thankfully she had a few tricks up her sleeve.

Mary shook her head as she pulled back a section of her hair, tying it into a fancy knot-like ponytail in order to better frame her face. Upon the completion of that, she set to work on adding more curls to her hair there in front of her vanity mirror. When her hair was finished she pulled over her tiara box, scanning through it for one that would suit her this evening. She opted for the simple silver diamond encrusted tiara, weaving intricate patterns throughout the tiara made entirely of diamonds. She positioned the tiara in her hair, and added a simple yet elegant silver necklace and earring set.

She stood up from her vanity, tracing a hand delicately over the corsage box before she went to sit down in front of the fireplace while she waited. The fact that he had done this, it spoke mere volumes to his character, to the fact that she wouldn't regret loving him, there was no way she would regret loving him right now. She couldn't, not knowing that he had such a sweet side to him. She felt the small tear of joy escape down her cheek, and she smiled as she looked back at the presents laying out on her bed.

Mary curled up on the small bench by the fireplace, her eyes moving to watch the door as she pulled her phone from her back pocket. She fiddled with it, checking through the messages and seeing none from anyone else at the moment. Well there was one from Greer, Lola, Kenna and Aylee, but that was the usual gossip about what to do at the next party.

With a shake of her head, she set her phone down on her lap as she turned her gaze to the fireplace that held no fire. She was pretty sure that those presents must have cost him equal to what it cost her to get him that rifle, and she didn't care about the cost, no money was no object to one such as herself.

Mary stretched out on the bench, resting her head back against the cushioned pillows as she waited, she was sure he was probably training in the gym or something, but she was also sure that he would respond to her message.

Why wouldn't he respond?

Honestly Mary, he saw your gift and got you these gifts…

Bash will come to you, just give him time, I mean really…

A smile crossed her features as she sat there, watching the fireplace and imagining a fire warming the hearth as she tried to imagine herself in that dress. Where would she wear it? At least that he could see without the prying eyes of anyone that knew her status? They could figure it out, she was sure of it.

Mary stood up, making her way over to her bed to admire the dress, coat, and gloves once more. She knew she would have to wear heels with it, there was no other way, and she didn't mind wearing heels. As it stood right now, she was barefoot, which was probably why her feet were so cold. She slid her feet into the small flats by her bed, and went back to admiring her presents.

She would have to thank him, and she knew just how she would thank him when he arrived. The only hope she had, was that he would embrace her in return and not let go. She wanted to show him how grateful she was, and the feeling stirring within her was more than she had last known.