Chapter 8
M walked into the sitting room the next morning to find James on her laptop.
"What the hell do you think you're doing." She asked.
"Well you want a small wedding, just us and someone to marry us so I was doing some research online and anyway, you've got a bloody cheek having a go at me, don't you."
"How do you mean."
"I mean this, why did you bring your laptop with you."
"Well I…."
"You were checking up on the office, weren't you."
"I just had a quick look, that's all."
"What happened to no work at all."
"Alright I'm sorry, I won't touch the damn thing again, okay."
"Good, now come over here. I've got something to show you."
M smiled and walked over to join James on the sofa. He put his arm around her bringing her closer to him.
"Now, you wanted a quiet wedding yes."
"Very quiet."
"Right, well we can get married on the waterfront right here."
"Where."
"Here, down at the water, 10 minutes from here. You know for the Head of MI6, you're a bit daft sometimes."
"Cheeky bugger, so come on then, what else."
"There is a Judge Francesca Hamilton who lives about 30 minutes from here, now I've contacted her and she can be here in 2 days."
"That quickly."
"You wanted quick."
"You have been busy this morning, haven't you."
"Well, I aim to please the woman I love."
"I love you too. We need to go shopping."
"Huh, why."
"I didn't bring an appropriate dress to get married in."
"Yeah but this isn't exactly a normal wedding is it. Does it really matter what you wear."
"It does to me and you'll need a suit."
"I have suits."
"Yes but those are work suits, you'll need a dress suit."
"Okay M, seriously it really doesn't matter."
"James…"
"What."
"We're going, no arguments. You don't want to upset your future wife, do you?"
"No Ma'am."
They grabbed their jackets and set off into town. They drove for 40 minutes before reaching the city of Perth. James found a parking spot fairly quickly and they then made their way around a few dress shops. James waited outside the changing rooms as M tried on dress after dress. He smiled as she came out wearing a mid-lengh, low-cut cream dress.
"James, what about this one."
"M, this is about the 8th dress you've tried on and each time you come out, you look great. Just pick one."
"Typical bloody man." She muttered.
"Okay, okay. Look the one you're wearing now, I like it."
"You do." She asked, not sounding convinced.
He got up and walked towards her and pulled her into his arms, a few customers looking on and whispering as James kissed her.
"Trust me M, out of all of them, that one's the best and it shows off your best features."
"James, honestly."
"Go and get dressed and we'll go and pay for it."
"Okay and then we can go and find yours."
His faced dropped at the mention of more shopping, she decided to let her enjoy her moment.
They made their way to the counter and paid for M's dress and then M dragged him into a suit store near by. The assistant showed him 4 different suits and he decided to indulge her and try each of them on. He came out in the 3rd suit, a black tailored suit and fitted in all the right places and judging by M's smile he could see she liked it.
"I take it this is the one then." He asked.
"Oh James, it looks perfect on you."
"You think huh."
"You look very dashing."
James kissed her before walking back into the changing rooms. He came back out a few minutes later and paid for the suit. M linked her arm in his as they walked along the road.
"So James, we now have everything we need." She smiled.
"Yeah not quite."
"What do mean, what else is there."
He remained silent for a few moments before he looked to his right and saw what they needed. M was dragged along with him as he came to a stop outside a jewellery store.
"We still need the rings M."
"I completely forgot about rings."
"Come on, let's go and have a look."
They made their way inside as came to stand at the desk as they browsed the wedding bands. James gave a polite smiled as the assistant approached them.
"Hello Sir, Madam. How can I help you today." She smiled.
"Yes hello, my Partner and I are looking for some wedding rings."
"What kind of rings are you both looking for." She asked, politely.
"Oh I'm not sure, what do you think." He asked, looking at M."
"How about we just go for a simple band."
"You heard the lady." James smiled.
"Okay, gold or silver Madam."
"Silver I think, is that okay with you James."
"More than fine with me."
"Okay, well we have a few plain bands here, some quite a wide fit or a thinner band, entirely up to you of course."
"James, how about these." M said, pointing to a set.
"I love them, we'll take them."
"Very well sir, I'll get these rung up for you."
James chose a deep groove Aztec wedding ring, while M chose a shaped channel set wedding ring. The assistant was about to ring up the items when James turned to M.
"Listen, why don't you go next door, I noticed there was a grocery shop, get some more wine for tonight." James said.
"Oh, alright. Red okay."
"More than okay."
He watched her leave before he turned back to the assistant.
"Before you ring those up, could you show me a small selection of your engagement rings please."
"Ofcourse, just a second."
He waited a few moments before she returned with a small tray of rings. He took a few minutes inspecting each one before he finally settled on the Dauphin white gold 18 carat vintage engagement ring. She boxed it up for him along with the other two.
"Will that be all Sir."
"I think that's enough now, you think she'll like it."
"How could she not Sir. Okay, that will be £3,2056."
"Card okay."
"Ofcourse." She smiled.
She rang up the rings and James paid for them before wishing the assistant good day. He went and stood outside the grocery store waiting for M. He took the engagement ring and slipped it inside his jacked pocket, so that she wouldn't see it. He smiled when she eventually appeared.
"Got the wine then." He asked.
"4 bottles okay."
"You trying to get me drunk."
"Ofcourse not, come on let's go home. My feet are killing me." She smiled, taking hold of James arm and the walked back to the car.
To Be Continued…