The following morning was very nice. A bit warmer than usual for a December morning. Almost felt like early fall. Just needed a jumper to be outside. Sir John had a fire in going in his outside seating area. Everyone was enjoying a leisurely late breakfast. Margaret happily went to the stables. Marianne decided to walk there to check on her.
Everyone else was happily chatting. They heard the back gate close and started hearing footsteps. Sir John just assumed it was one of the staff for the stable. Anne was chatting with Elinor and Adele. When Adele suddenly stopped to look up in disbelief. "Look who is here!" She said gleefully. They turned to look and saw Christopher heading towards them carrying his bags. Looking tired but happy to be there. He also was sporting a newly grown beard. He smiled as he walked towards them. "Christopher! What are you doing here?" John asked as he walked over to greet him. Christopher put his bags down. "The whole deal and project got settled early. I spent four hours at the Moscow airport on standby waiting to get on a plane for London early. I figured I would just come here." He said looking around. No sign of Marianne. "I spoke to Marianne from the airport last night. I didn't let her know. I thought I would surprise her. Where is she?" He asked. "She went to find Margaret at the stables. She is going to be so happy to see you. She has been very quiet without you." Elinor explained. She looked at his face and could not help but tease her future brother in law. "Do they not have razors in Moscow?" She asked. Christopher and everyone else giggled. Christopher reached up and felt his chin. "It is cold in Moscow and thought I would just try it." He explained. Truth is Marianne had joked to him about how handsome he would look in a beard when in November she had read how men grow out their beards for cancer awareness in November in the States.
Just at that moment they all turned as they heard Marianne and Margaret chattering as they walked back. They all saw them appear around the garden. Marianne stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted him. He had the biggest smile on his face. She froze for a few seconds not believing he was here. Her look of shock turned into a huge smile but she still stood in place. She was a bit taken aback that he was here and how handsome he looked. Finally the spell broke and she began running towards him. "What are you doing here?" She asked as she headed towards him. She practically leaped in his waiting arms not caring who was watching. He lifted her off her feet as he embraced her. He let her down and she pulled back to look at him. Both smiling at each other. She giggled and moved her hand to his cheek to feel his new look. Trying to hold back because they knew they were being watched they exchanged one quick soft kiss.
Marianne and Christopher stood next to one another with their arms wrapped around each other as they chatted with everyone. Christopher chatted a bit about his trip and how he managed to get a flight home soon and how he was at the airport the whole time while chatting with Marianne last night. He explained how he wanted to surprise her.
"Well you must be tired." Sir John stated. Christopher nodded. "Yes, a bit. I would like to get cleaned up and change. I think I will do that then come back and join you." He glanced at Marianne trying to send her a message that he wanted her to join him when he headed up to their room. "Yes, I am sure you do." Marianne stated grinning at him. She reached over and grabbed his carrying on bag while he grabbed his suitcase to carry up."
"Just so you know tea and lunch is in about three hours." John stated. Both Christopher and Marianne blushed receiving John's double meaning in that remark. Everyone else shared a giggle. When they both went into the house. "I don't think we will see them for awhile" Elinor stated. Everyone laughed. Anne looked shocked that Elinor would say that. "Elinor!" But even Anne could not hold back a giggle knowing how much those two missed each other.
Christopher and Marianne reached the top of the stairs giggling as they practically ran to their room. They both were grateful everyone was downstairs. As soon as they entered their room they just dropped the bags on the floor and embraced each other, while their lips met in a passionate kiss. Marianne had Christopher pinned against the closed door. "I have missed you so much. I can't believe you are here." She stated between kisses. Christopher was running his hands up and down her back. "I missed you too. I couldn't wait to get back to you." He mumbled between kisses. She pulled away to look at him and feel his face again. "You grew a beard. I was right, you look so sexy with one." She declared. Christopher blushed and smiled at her compliment. He leaned down to kiss her again. The kiss grew more and more passionate. Soon they were pulling at each others clothes. Once those were out of the way they fell to the bed. The passion between them exploded after finally being together again after their separation. Marianne looked at him with such love in her eyes as she moved her hand through his hair as he moved inside her, loving the pleasure she was feeling and could see he was receiving as well. "I love you Marianne." He panted as he leaned down to kiss her. "I love you too. Welcome back." She responded with a smile. He grinned at her and leaned down for another kiss. Their lovemaking continued until they both reached their peak and collapsed next to one another.
A little while later Christopher and Marianne were both enjoying the feeling of the hot water pouring over them in the nice roomy shower. After rinsing her hair she turned to embrace Christopher. He leaned down to softly kiss her. "How was your exam?" He asked. "It went great. I am so happy to be done for awhile. Now we can enjoy the holiday." She said. He smiled at her. "So did they find a dress for you?" He asked her with a smirk. Marianne laughed. "Not yet. We are going shopping during mid week. I just want to be married to you." She confessed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Likewise, I must confess I cannot wait until I can refer to you as my wife." He admitted. She smiled and reached up to kiss him.
They soon rejoined the group and everyone giggled and smiled at them as they made their presence. Both of them looked refreshed and happy. It did not go unnoticed by Elinor that their hair was both wet. She was assuming his shower was a team effort. She might have to tease her younger sister about it. She loved an opportunity to tease them. Especially Christopher. She was so happy to see that he found someone and was so in love. It was even better that it was with her sister. Marianne deserved happiness with the right man after the tough time they all had.
Anne Adele and Mrs. Middleton came over and sat down across from Marianne and Christopher. Anne had a notepad with her. "I was thinking we might want to start a guest list so we have an idea of how many people we want." Anne explained. Both Marianne and Christopher looked at each other and grinned. Marianne reached in her pocket and pulled out a small list. She handed it to her mother. "We came up with one before Christopher left. I had a feeling this would come up this weekend." Marianne explained with a grin. Anne looked at it. "That is great darling, but are you two sure this is all who you want to invite. It is your special day?" Anne asked. "Yes Mum. We want small and intimate with just close friends." Pretty soon the ladies were talking amongst themselves and adding people to the list. Marianne was getting frustrated but did not want to say anything and got up and walked towards the garden. Christopher got up to follow her into the garden area. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "What's wrong darling?" Marianne sighed. "I know she is excited and wants a big wedding, but I just want family and close friends and casual wedding." Christopher kissed her on the cheek. "I want that too darling. I just don't want to hurt your mother's feelings." She sighed. "I know. We should just go get married today then come back and tell them. Then we can just have a reception in a few weeks." She stated. Christopher giggled. Marianne kept thinking and had thought it was a very good idea at this point. She turned to look at him. "What do you think? We can leave now and find a clerk's office to do it?" She asked. He smiled and stroked her cheek. "Darling it is Sunday. I don't think they are there to do it. I would more than anything to marry you now. But we would be sorry later. We should put our foot down and just let them know what wedding we want." She sighed. She knew he was right. "I know darling. I think we need to go for a walk and talk about some plans so we can tell them." He agreed.
Marianne walked back to Elinor and pulled her away from the group a bit. "Christopher and I are going to go for a walk. We are going to discuss some plans. Those two are getting out of control. I know they mean well but we just want a simple wedding." Elinor grabbed Marianne's hand. "I know Marianne. I am on your side with this. You two deserve the wedding you want. I will talk to them. Go for a walk and clear your head." Elinor told Marianne. Marianne grinned and headed back towards Christopher as they headed for a walk.
A little bit later Elinor walked over to the ladies. "Okay guys I need to talk to all of you. I know you mean well, but you are overwhelming both Christopher and Marianne. They just want a simple wedding. The wedding is not the most important to them. They are in love and just want to be married. Its great to help and share ideas but you must let them decide who to invite, the size and everything else." Elinor let out. Anne was surprised. She did not want to overwhelm them. She wanted them to be happy. "I am sorry if we got out of control. I just want to have a nice wedding." Anne explained. She looked at Adele. "I suppose we have been going overboard and giving her ideas without asking what she thought. It is their final decision." Adele explained. Anne looked back at Elinor. "I am just so happy and was excited to have another wedding to plan. But I want them to be happy. I will go along with whatever they want." Anne explained. They continued to chat for a bit and decided to just let Marianne and Christopher lead the way in the planning and they would be there to help with the details.
Two hours later Marianne and Christopher made it back to the house. Feeling good about the plans they had made. They decided on a date in May. Marianne would be done with her courses at the beginning of the month. Christopher thought it would be a good idea. He looked ahead and saw the 24th. That was the date they met. When he had been struck by the sight of her sitting in the lobby after her interview. It was a Saturday as well. She loved the idea and could not help but kiss him. It was going to be perfect. Not that far away, it would be nicer weather and plenty of time. They also agreed to ask maybe if they can have the ceremony and reception at Sir John's if he didn't mind. Of course the discussion of the wedding night and honeymoon came up. Which led to some serious kissing between the couple and flirting about what they had in mind for the wedding night.
Anne and Adele walked over to them to apologize for getting out of control and explained it is their special day and they should have the wedding we want. They looked at each other as the held hands. "Actually we made a decision on some things." Christopher stated. "Yes, we decided on a date. May 24th." Marianne announced. Everyone agreed that was a good time frame a nice time of year. "Also we don't mean to be presumptuous but we were wondering John if we can have the wedding and reception here outside on the grounds?" Sir John and Mrs. Middlton's face lit up. "Oh yes, that would be lovely." Mrs. Middlton said. "Oh yes that is going to be splendid you two. We have plenty of room and love having gatherings here. Especially such a special occasion." Sir John explained. Marianne and Christopher smiled as they saw the reaction of Anne and Adele. They were thrilled as well.
The next morning they were all gathered to leave. Elinor and Edward just finished loading up the car. Anne and Margaret were just chatting with Adele, Sir John and Mrs. Middlton. It was then Anne looked around and noticed two people were missing. "Where are Marianne and Christopher? I thought we were all leaving together?" Edward and Elinor looked at each other. "I actually haven't seen them at all so far this morning." Edward explained. "I will go see if they are leaving now or planning on it later in case they overslept." Anne stated as she walked towards the stairs. "Wait Mum. I will go see if they are leaving now. Christopher took a taxi here so I don't know how they are planning on getting home." Elinor explained then headed up the stairs. For what happened last time Elinor had to go find them in this house, she didn't not want their mother to interrupt something personal going on between them. "I feel like I am chaperoning teenagers sometimes." Elinor thought and laughed to herself. But she would not want it any other way since they were both so happy. Elinor approached their door and was about to knock. Sounds of mutual giggling and soft moaning was heard. Elinor sighed and winced as she knocked on the door. The sounds suddenly stopped. "Just a minute. I will be right there." Elinor heard Marianne state. She heard the sounds of scurrying and then footsteps heading towards the door. Marianne opened the door a few inches to peak out. "Oh its you." Marianne said in a relieved voice trying to finish tying her robe. She could hear Christopher rushing about in the room, guessing he was trying to find clothes. "Yes, it is me. We are leaving soon. Mum was wondering if you are coming with us or leaving later." Elinor explained. Marianne gasped and looked at the clock. "Oh we lost track of time." Marianne said as Christopher made an appearance at the door in his pajama pants and tshirt. Elinor immediately noticed that the shirt was on backwards and inside out. She giggled a little to herself. "I guess we will just get dressed and leave with you. We can be ready in about 15 minutes." Christopher explained glancing at Marianne to see if she was in agreement. Marianne nodded and looked back at Elinor who was smirking at them. Elinor noticed a blush appear on both their faces and suddenly Christopher could not look her in the eye. Marianne caught on though. "Don't look at us like that. We have not seen each other in a week. I am sure you and Edward are the same way when you have to go away on business as well." Elinor blushed and giggled. "Yes, I know how it is. I just still find it amusing with you too. You are also lucky. Mum was going to come up here to see if you are ready. I stopped her because I suspected what I would find." Elinor said trying to hold back a laugh. The blushing continued as Marianne and Christopher smirked, blushed and looked down at their feet. "Thank you Elinor. We will be down soon." Marianne stated. "Okay I will let them know. See you in a bit." Elinor stated and began to head for the stairs. She heard the bedroom door close and laughter come from behind the bedroom door.
Christopher and Marianne made their appearance with their bags 20 minutes later. They both could tell by the grins and smirks that everyone was giving them when they came down, they knew that them oversleeping might have not been the cause of their tardiness. They all exchanged thank yous and goodbyes. Marianne and Christopher thanked the Middletons again for letting them have their wedding there. They all then headed home looking forward to the next time they would be there to celebrate their wedding.