The Convertible
Emily wasn't allowed to use a navy car for personal use; she had to use a city bus to go home. While on the bus, she reflected on her relationship with Charlie. She smiled broadly when she remembered slapping him after he had patted her derrière.
Then she pondered her reason for finding his bedroom the night of the party. He was like a magnet she thought. Then her mind added he was irresistible. And his very first kiss touched my heart.
She was brought from her day dream by the bus driver announcing her stop. She hurried on to her home. She found her mother in the garden tending to her flowers.
"Mum, Charlie's been given leave. He invited me to spend a week with him in Sussex."
"It should be beautiful there this time of year."
"Yes, I know. I need to pack, he'll be here shortly."
Emily was all packed and waiting in the front room. She opened her front door a second after Charlie had rung the bell. She looked towards the street.
"What have you done?"
"It's only a convertible, Emily. I've never driven one. I thought it would be fun."
"Yes I suppose. I'm game."
Mrs. Barham had heard the doorbell ring and came to say hello to Charlie. She had heard the conversation and had come to peer out the door over Emily's shoulder.
"Oh my, a car with no top, I never knew they built cars like this."
"It does have a top, Mrs. Barham. It folds up into that space by the trunk hinges. So if it begins to rain, I can quickly pull a lever in the front of the car and it will automatically release it and in a few seconds will lock in place on the windshield."
"I'm sure you youngsters will enjoy it. You better be on your way, Sussex is waiting."
"We will, Mum. Charlie, let me hand you my bag. I packed everything I thought I might need. It's rather heavy."
Charlie easily carried it as Emily held onto his arm and they walked to this beautiful red convertible. He placed her bag in the trunk and then opened the car door for her. She slid in and sat as close to Charlie as she could.
It was a beautiful warm day in late May. They had just left London proper and were now traveling on a road which allowed Charlie to drive faster. Emily didn't wear a scarf on her head as most women would do. She didn't have much hair to blow in the wind.
"Charlie, did you know May is called the lusty month because everyone throws self-control away. Are we going to be that way too?"
"I'll see what I can do to make it come true."
"How are you going to win my heart? You know I don't like chocolate."
"The old fashioned way, by whispering sweet nothings in your ear until I weaken your defenses."
"They're already weak."
"I know."
"Do I smell water?"
"We're almost there. Emily read to me the directions on this piece of paper. We just passed the sign for Brighton."
"Okay, it says to turn right on the next street."
Charlie turned. "Now where do I go?"
"Straight, until you see the pier on our right. You need to turn left on that street. Our cottage is on the right. It says here it's a two story cottage with a thatched roof and most of the house is covered in ivy."
"I see it Emily."
"So do I. It's very charming. That window in the peak must be our bedroom."
"Let me park and we can locate the front door."
Charlie did find the front door. He swept away the ivy so Emily could enter. He was right behind her. They were both staring at this old English style decorated room. A large wood trimmed fireplace occupied one wall. In this small room was also a wooden table with only three chairs. It was placed under a window which was framed in wood. On the walls was a cream colored wallpaper with a muted yellow design.
In a corner was a small wooden cabinet hanging there; inside was an assortment of small china keepsakes. And nearby was another wooden cabinet. They also discovered a small kitchen which was fully stocked with food for a week. And then they saw the stairs to the second floor.
"Charlie, let's go see our bedroom. I'm sure it will be just as lovely."
Their bedroom was in that window they had seen from the road. A large bed occupied most of the room with its head and foot boards. The bed linens were crisp white with a light blue checker board patterned blanket and a turned back heavy bedspread. A bench occupied the space by the footboard and a small chair was by the window.
The ceiling was covered with green ivy like wallpaper between the wooden boards which supported the cottage's peaked roof.
"Charlie, I've seen pictures of rooms like this. This is so much more alluring than any of those."
"I suppose I will need to thank Bus. He's got to deal with the Admiral, in my absence and that idea of his about making a movie about the first man on Omaha Beach being a sailor."
"Do you suppose, you could forget that and simply enjoy our week together?"
"I know I can Emily, you me and the birds and the bees. That's all we need. Why don't we take a walk? I saw the pier; it looked interesting."
"As soon as I freshen up, I'll be ready."
They discovered all that the pier had to offer, a large Ferris wheel, a multitude of carnival games to play and restaurants which sat looking west, a perfect spot to enjoy a romantic sunset.
They went back often. Charlie was able to throw balls into the painted mouth of a clown on a board ten feet away. He won a stuffed bear for Emily. They rode the Ferris wheel more than once; the view from the top was spectacular. And they discovered a place where they could rent a gondola.
On their next to the last day of Charlie's leave they rented one. Charlie didn't tell Emily he had never been in one. His poling skills weren't very good.
He was so inept that he pushed the pole so hard he fell; Emily threw back her head and laughed. He managed to bring it close to the shore. Here he helped the still laughing Emily out of the boat. And her laughing made her fall on the ground.
Charlie slipped off his shoes and gathered her in his arms. "I love you, Emily."
"How many more weeks do we have?"
"Three maybe four, the Admiral needs to be in Washington by the end of June."
"I hope I'm not pregnant. I've tried to tell myself not to become passionate about you. Charlie, I'm insanely in love with you."
"Have you ever given any thought about getting married?"
"You get right to the question."
"I suppose I did. I have some navy marriage papers with me."
"Charlie, we must be honest."
He didn't let Emily say anymore. "We're nuts about each other. I love you more than I can express in words. Let's get married."
"But first you must see to it the admiral gets his movie made. Didn't you promise him you would?"
"Yes, I did. And Bus has taken charge. He wants to be involved in this war. He's told me on more than one occasion, he didn't go to Annapolis to do yeoman's work. He dislikes typing up orders for everyone's assignments. He'll see to it this movie is made. Let's go back to the cottage and change clothes and we'll have dinner at that restaurant we liked on the pier."
The couple arrived there shortly before the sun began to set. They had requested a table on the porch. They enjoyed an appetizer as the sun set; the sky was pink, then red and finally purple before the sun dropped below the horizon.
After their meal, they walked back to the cottage as couple walk; their arm was around the other's waist. It put them in the mood for romance. And then they slept soundly until morning. After a quick breakfast, they packed their belongings. Charlie had placed their bags in the trunk. They stood as a couple as they gazed at the cottage.
"I'll never forget our time here, Charlie."
"Neither will I."
They didn't linger. Charlie opened the car door for Emily. She slid on the bench to once again sit as close to him as she could.
They returned the same way they came with the wind blowing their hair and the late afternoon sun half hidden by the trees.
Once in London they traded the convertible for a motor pool car. Emily drove him back to the hotel. Charlie let himself out of the car.
Emily rolled down her window. He kissed her forehead.
"I've been so silly. Of course I'll marry you. I'll give you the signed documents in the morning. I love you so."
"Oh, Lord, I hope you do get pregnant."
Emily smiled at him. She thought, he must really want to be a daddy. And I know he will be a good one.
Charlie had hurried to get out of the light rain which had begun to fall; he had no idea a hornet's nest waited for him. And Emily drove away in a state of total bliss.
A/N: I know I have readers. I would love it if a few of you would leave a review. It doesn't need to be long. And please tell other readers about this story. I know the movie Americanization of Emily is older that the sound of music and that it is an odd movie. It's not the war satire which I like; it's the story of Emily and Charlie. And I've given their relationship a more normal one.
I have several more chapters already written and I have ideas for many more. You can expect a new chapter every four or five days.