Fast Forward 6 Months
Holiday in Venice
Stephen sat on the veranda, reclining, his long legs outstretched. The room overlooked a canal. The veranda had a bistro table and two chairs. Stephen drank his coffee, watching the sunrise. He stood up and leaned on the railing watching a gondolier row by.
Betty woke up and discovered Stephen was gone. Sunlight streamed in through the French doors. She could see him standing, looking over the railing, and she watched him. He turned around to look into the room and saw her watching him.
"Good morning, Love," he called to her.
She got up and walked out onto the veranda to join him. They sat down at the little table.
"I made you some coffee in the kitchenette. I kept it warm for you under the saucer and a towel. There are also some strawberries I bought from a man selling them on the canal."
"You're ever so thoughtful, Stephen." She took a sip from the cup, "This is delicious. Lovely. Thank you." She yawned.
They watched a gondola go by.
She stood up, set her cup on the table, straddled him, and sat on his lap. She kissed him.
"Stephen? Is there something wrong?" she asked suspiciously.
"No. Why do you ask?"
"Well, we've been here two days already and you haven't tried to…you know…" she pressed, eyebrows raised.
He sighed, "I'm trying to behave myself."
"Couldn't we have a little bit of misconduct?"
He closed his eyes and composed himself.
"Do you not find me attractive?" she asked.
"Yes. I find you deliciously attractive," he smiled and nodded, eyes fixed on hers.
"You didn't hurt yourself playing football with those chaps from Packing and Maintenance, did you?"
"No, the plumbing is working fine. Trust me. A little too well," he winced and rolled his eyes. He held his breath. He put his hands under her bum and lifted her slightly, shifted, and adjusted, "Be patient with me, please. I will explain everything in good time. I promise," he said, exhaling.
She started kissing him, touching his cheek, running her fingertips down his neck, "You know, this birth mark on your cheek is very sexy," she drawled.
He ran his hands up and down her back, kissing her.
"Come on," he said, motioning back into the room, "Let's get dressed; I'd like to go for a tour in a gondola."
"Where's the loo?" she asked.
"Down the hall."
She returned a few minutes later, "You're off the hook for now, I've started."
"Thank heaven for that," he thought to himself and exhaled, relieved
A gondolier rowed up to the sidewalk outside their Bed and Breakfast. Stephen asked the price for an hour's tour and then paid the man. He handed the gondolier a camera.
They meandered along the back canals, enjoying the architecture and relaxing in each other's company. Stephen looked over the side of the gondola, "There's fish in the water!"
Betty looked over her side.
Stephen reached into his pocket. He sat, arm around Betty. He took her hand in his.
"Do you remember the last day I worked at Grace Brothers? The day I resigned?" he asked.
"Yes. Awful day."
"Quite," he nodded, "That day, as I walked up the stairs to the lift for the last time, I made a pledge to myself."
"Go on," she said dryly.
"I pledged that if I ever got a second chance at this, the next time I made love to you, it would be as your husband. Betty, would you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me? I don't want to be friends with benefits anymore. I want to grow old with you."
"Before I answer, I need to know, can you be faithful?"
"Since that first night we spent together, I have been," he admitted.
She squealed, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him over and over. He smiled and gave the gondolier a thumbs-up. The gondolier snapped some pictures. Stephen opened his hand, revealing a ring. She offered him her finger and he slipped the ring on.
"This belonged to my grandmother," he said softly, looking deeply into her eyes.
She wondered how he managed to get Vivienne to give the ring back after the divorce.
She stared at the ring and smiled, "It's beautiful, Stephen! I love you."
"I love you, too, Betty. When we get back to England, we can start planning the wedding."
Monday back at Grace Brothers. The staff begins to file in and sign the book. Betty had a fresh rinse of fire engine red hair.
"How was your holiday, Mrs. Slocombe?" asked Miss Brahms.
"Oh, Miss Brahms it was so wonderful! We stayed in a Bed and Breakfast that overlooked a canal. We ate in the pubs; they have little tidbits of food, like a buffet, and you can make a meal out of little samples of everything. They have the most scrumptious wines. We ate fresh fruit on our veranda. We saw museums and took a gondola tour. We went for a gondola ride at night…so romantic. And," she said, showing Miss Brahms the ring, "he asked me to marry him!"
Miss Brahms' eyes widened and she grabbed Betty's hand to get a closer look at the ring, "Oh, Mrs. Slocombe! I'm so happy for you!"
Mr. Humphries, Mr. Lucas, and Mr. Grainger came rushing over.
"Did I hear right?" Mr. Humphries asked.
"Yes! Stephen asked me to marry him!" Betty gushed.
"Well done, Love! Congratulations!" Mr. Humphries hugged her and kissed her cheek.
"I am happy for you and Stephen, Mrs. Slocombe," said Mr. Grainger sincerely.
"Thank You, Mr. Grainger. That will mean a lot to him."
"Mrs. Slocombe, I know we bicker and argue with each other, but I am happy for you...and Captain Slocombe as well!" Mr. Lucas winked, smiling.
Mr. Rumbold walked up looking scornful.
"I will not have my staff gossiping on company time!"
Mr. Lucas muttered, "He's just sore because Young Mr. Grace hasn't replaced Captain Peacock and he's having to do two jobs for the same pay!"
"I heard that, Lucas!" Mr. Rumbold snapped.
"Mrs. Slocombe's getting married!" cried Miss Brahms.
"Well, Mrs. Slocombe, third time's a charm!" chimed Mr. Rumbold, "May I congratulate you and…er…er."
"Stephen," Betty answered curtly.
"Yes," he said flatly, "Now, everyone! Back to work!"