Dinner had been delicious at Bud's Bar and Grill. Of course, Desmond did make a quick trip to the Bostonius beforehand to see if Raymond would like to join them, though the older butler had declined. By the time they all returned though, it had already gotten dark so it felt best to wait until morning to set off again.
"I really wish you 'ad't decided to play along with Emmy's game," Elaine muttered. She and Desmond were on the beach, sitting on a wooden dock on the beach. Enjoying the night sky and ocean. "I didn't even think you would go along with it."
"I'll admit that Emmy did catch me a little off guard with that suggestion, but seeing your reaction made me realise it would actually be rather amusing," said Desmond, smirking at Elaine. "And don't you like the idea of being called 'Mrs. Sycamore'?" Elaine looked away from him, scowling as her cheeks reddened.
"There's no safe way for me to answer that question."
"I wouldn't think there to be a need to be a safe answer."
"Well I was just thinking, since you were married at one point, that you could have been a little… uncomfortable with it," Elaine explained, tracing a circle on the wooden surface.
"I appreciate the concern. I truly do." Desmond paused for a moment before asking, "Would it be too early and uncomfortable for us to discuss to probability of marriage in the future for us?"
"It would be realistic I suppose," Elaine admitted. "I mean, we are taking it slow and we're 'ardly going to be engaged by the end of the week."
"Then I suppose I should be honest and say that I can't absolutely guarantee it," Desmond admitted. "To be fair, after Lucy died, I never thought I would feel the way I felt with her with any other woman, let alone ever marry again. With you however, not being able to feel that way has already been disproven." Desmond cleared his throat. "I do like what we have, and maybe marriage could occur at some point. I just can't promise it."
"Would we still be together though?" asked Elaine, looking back to him now.
"I believe we would be."
"… I did 'ave one or two dreams of a wedding as a petite fille," Elaine murmured. "But, I could live without that. But I still want children. I really like Johanna, and adore 'er. But I still want to experience pregnancy and actually 'olding a baby that's mine." Elaine looked a bit more serious. "I want children, Desmond. At some point and at the very least, 'ave one. Even if some people might not like the idea of a child out of wedlock."
Desmond looked to her, giving an almost calculating look. Elaine's heart felt torn between going up, and sinking down as she waited for his response. After a moment or so, Desmond gave a small nod.
"I can understand what you're saying. And I wouldn't have a problem with it. Lucy and I did intend to have one or two more children after Johanna, and I'm certain Johanna herself would like the idea of being an older sibling. So, yes. Regardless of whether we do get married or not, once we're both comfortable with it I don't see any trouble with us having children." Elaine felt some relief hearing that.
"Bon," she murmured.
"It's still a little early into our relationship to be thinking about all this, I know," Desmond said. "But it's probably best to know what to possibly expect later on. Assuming we're still together that is. Something I fully intend on." Elaine gave a small smile and touched his hand to give it a light squeeze.
"I'm 'appy to 'ear that."
"Good." He squeezed back. "I still think that you look adorable when you blush though." Elaine glared as he smirked and sharply drew her hand back.
"Be careful or I'm shoving you into the water."
"You wouldn't be able to. Not without me dragging you in at least."
"Oui, of course." Elaine rolled her eyes. "Anything else I should be aware of?"
"I suppose I consider it a small disappointment that we don't have a chance to find that facility Aurora mentioned that's under San Grio. It would have been fascinating to see what it actually work. Perhaps at a later stage we might try to find it, you and I."
"If that's your suggestion of a second date, it does intrigue me," Elaine said, smiling as she looked back to the calm tides. "Just don't try to tell any more of your jokes. They're simply 'orrendous."
"It's not my fault that no one finds humour in them."
"I think our definition of humour might 'ave a gapping difference. Mine actually make people laugh while the most your's can do is cause uncomfortable confusion. I actually 'ad a dream last night where you and Professuer Layton were trapped in a cave and when we found you both, you were telling jokes non-stop and 'e was dead."
"So apparently, my jokes kill people now?" Desmond questioned, looking indignant by that thought.
"They bore them to death," Elaine teased.
"I think I like it better when I'm the one teasing. At least I have a chance to make you blush."
"Maybe I like to tease you whenever I get the chance," countered Elaine. "Is it a crime?"
"For you it should be. A very punishable crime."
"Punishable? And what type of punishment would that be?"
"Hmm… I haven't quite thought that part out yet, but I assure you there will be one."
"Then it's a shame no one would listen to any law you declare then," Elaine remarked. "Then I fear we'll be forced to bow down to you. Either that or find a way for the world to support your big ego."
"If that's how you imagine my rule, one can only imagine what your rule would be like."
"More fun and liberal within reason," Elaine said. "Definitely more fun than if you were making laws." Desmond huffed
"Perhaps your punishment should be a lack of kisses from me."
"No problem really," said Elaine, giving a small shrug. "If I really needed to kiss, I could call one of my ex-boyfriends and ask for a favour."
"Try that, and I'll lock you in your room and tie you down," Desmond threatened, glaring with slight playfulness at the smirking Frenchwoman.
"Then I'll kiss you to distract you." Desmond raised a brow towards Elaine before giving a small chuckle.
"Amusing, but not likely to happen either way," he said as he moved an arm around Elaine's shoulder.
"Did you and Lucy ever go to the beach together? You mentioned a beach when we were at Ambrosia?" Elaine asked.
"Our honeymoon," Desmond replied. "It was a small island community. A bit like San Grio, but without the abundance of merchandise mimicking an ancient artefact. It was a very pleasant place from what I remember."
"Would you like to ever go there again?" Desmond thought this over and shuck his head.
"No. While I did enjoy myself there, I'd rather just leave it as a memory now."
"What if there was an artefact or structure that emerged there that intrigued you?"
"Hm, depending on what it was, I probably would go again if that was the case. But I think it would have to really peak my interest. But right now, we should probably head back to the Bostonius," Desmond said as he stood up and held a hand out to Elaine. "I'd rather not sleep in tomorrow morning before we fly out."
"Just don't try anything with the engines, please," said Elaine, taking Desmond's hand as she stood up.
"I assure you, I've learned my lesson after the second time."
"Didn't Raymond say there was nearly a third time?"
"L-let's just get back to the ship." Elaine smirked briefly before they began their short trek back. Enjoying the peaceful sounds of the tide softly moving and the occasional gull cry. Back on the Bostonius, it seemed everyone was still in bed like they were when the pair left.
"Are you sure you were annoyed by being Mrs. Sycamore earlier on?" Desmond asked Elaine as they stepped into the hall. "I could have sworn I saw one or two envious glances towards us."
"And why would the glances of these made up people exist?" Elaine queried. An amused glint in her eyes.
"Because of a rather dashing husband and his equally dazzling wife were already taken before they could try anything," Desmond explained, ignoring Elaine's comment.
"Well, I'm still certain these people are non-existent. They would 'ave gone to the Professeur or Emmy then."
"They thought they were married but were mostly jealous of us."
"And you say I'm the childish one," Elaine mused before they stopped by his room, and she leaned up to kiss his cheek goodnight.
"Bonne nuit, mon chere," Elaine murmured.
"Et toi aussi, chiot," Desmond replied back. Smirking when Elaine gave a half hearted scowl.
"You're going to call me that in French as well?"
"Even in French, you're my puppy."
Just want to say a quick thanks to Sonicgirl0485 for the idea she gave in their review in chapter eighty nine that I used in chapter ninety. I meant to say so last chapter, but it was late when I finally finished it, and I was really, really tired. Once again, thanks. And yep, just nine more chapters until we hit chapter one hundred :D Be sure to have drinks of your choice ready when we hit that chapter!