"Wow! This is really great Aaron!" Norah said enthusiastically, as she and Aaron clinked glasses of a very nice Bordeaux.
"I thought you would enjoy going overseas for your honeymoon," Aaron said smiling.
"Of course, I would! What lady wouldn't enjoy seeing Paris and Italy and several other places, especially when she's never been out of the states," Norah shot back. "How you got me a passport so fast I don't want to know."
It took several months to get a passport, but Aaron had pushed it through rather quickly. Norah supposed that was the power of having so much money at your disposal as that person often had political influence as well.
"I didn't do anything illegal," Aaron assured her with a chuckle. "I just have a lot of influence that's all."
"I figured that out already, thanks," Norah said with a sarcastic expression.
"Well, you are in the mood aren't you," Aaron said, as he kissed his wife's temple.
They had been married just a few days ago in a beautiful ceremony out on the grounds at the Hotchner estate.
"Sorry, I suppose I'm more stressed out then I realized," Norah said.
"Planning weddings can be stressful, even if you had a wedding planner, you were still heavily involved," Aaron said.
"That's true," Norah sighed taking a sip of her Bordeaux. "I just need time to destress."
Their wedding had been absolutely spectacular and the perfect day, though that didn't mean that it hadn't been stressful talking to all those puffed up peacocks who might be brilliant in business, but otherwise, she didn't like most of the ones she had met. For one thing they looked down on her because she wasn't part of their set not that they hadn't actually said as much though she was sure they believed she was a gold digger. That they didn't really know anything about her didn't seem to bother them at all.
Norah was sure they believed that Aaron would divorce her in a few years and marry someone more appropriate, but if they really believed that they didn't know Aaron at all, as he had avoided any serious relationships for a long time. One reason why Aaron would never divorce her was she was already immortal, so that wasn't going to happen. She had liked David Rossi, one of his many lawyers though and Emily Prentiss, Aaron's administrative assistant.
Both of them had been loyal to Aaron for many years, just like Derek and Penny. They also knew his secret. She had enjoyed talking to them and several other people during the reception.
"The wedding was wonderful," Norah added.
"But you didn't enjoy the reception as much," Aaron said.
"That's true," Norah said blushing. "I could just feel those puffed up peacocks judging me. They might not have said so, but I know they believed I wasn't worthy of you."
"Their opinions will change once they get to know you honey," Aaron told her not unsympathetically. "Most of them have trouble understanding real love because they married by arrangement or at least married someone of the appropriate breeding, then again, most of them also have a mistress, which I will never do. They've forgotten what it is like to truly fall in love. Either they never experienced it or who they fell in love with was considered inappropriate, probably by their parents. You have to remember that they were once young, just like you, but our parents influence has a great impact as I'm sure you know. If you love your parents it's hard to buck family expectations. I well remember Ralph's parents and they were rather uncompromising, particularly the father. They expected their son to marry within his social circle or be cut off from the family teat."
"I had forgotten how long you've been around, even if those of your status think that you're the son of the original Michael Hotchner, and don't know that there has only ever been one of you," Norah said.
"I was going by Michael back then, because that's my middle name," Aaron said. "Because it is my name I'll answer to it automatically not like with a totally made-up name for the next generation."
"Oh by the way, when you were talking about those mistresses most of your peers have you better not even think about acquiring one or or you'll be in deep trouble," Norah told Aaron poking him in the stomach playfully.
It was clear that Norah wasn't joking in the least.
"Why would I do something so hair-brained, as long as it took me to win you over," Aaron asked. "You have to remember that I'm not going to reach the age where most men start questioning their virility and so they think cheating on their wife of 20 years is the way to go. Both of us will still be young a hundred years from now. Even if I did age like a normal person I would never betray you, as I searched too long for happiness."
"Good, make sure you remember that and stay on the right path," Norah said then changed the subject. "It was nice seeing my parents and sister again. I haven't seen them in awhile."
"We'll visit often over the next decade or so or they can visit us," Aaron said. "They have free use of the shuttles I own and I told them so. I can see us getting together for Thanksgiving or maybe Christmas."
"Sounds wonderful," Norah sighed happily. She then kissed her new husband deeply for being so generous and kind. "So I wonder why mom and dad didn't tell me about your offer?"
"They probably didn't have a chance to honey. It was a rather busy day," Aaron said. "I'm sure they would've told you once we got back from a honeymoon if I hadn't already done that."
"Probably," Norah said. "I can't wait to introduce you to my home."
"I've been to Philadelphia on business before, but still, I'm looking forward to it. I never actually bothered to see the sites," Aaron said.
"Well then, I'll just have to show you around," Norah said cheerfully.
"Sounds like a fine idea," Aaron said. "For now though, I have plans."
"Don't you always?" Norah suggested with a raised eyebrow.
"I wouldn't want you to get bored with me," Aaron told her in a teasing tone.
"Not possible," Norah told him. "You got past my considerable doubt of it ever working out between us. That was some accomplishment. That I agreed to marry you and be turned immortal ought to tell you I love you more than anything."
Aaron said nothing simply took Norah into his arms and kissed her thoroughly.
~~~Aaron and Norah~~~
"So ready to go see the leaning Tower of Pisa?" Aaron asked his lovely wife the next morning.
"Yes, I am," Norah said. "It's just amazing that they managed to keep it from falling, to stabilize the foundation."
"Yeah, it is pretty amazing, that it's lasted this long considering the foundation was unstable. It doesn't really surprise me that the government would go to such lengths to preserve such a tourist site though. I'm sure you know it has to do with the money it brings in," Aaron said.
"I'm sure that's a major reason," Norah admitted. "But they would also want to preserve such a historic monument, as it's been around for very long time."
"True that," Aaron agreed. "So let's finish breakfast and get ready to go. I've arranged for a private tour."
"You didn't need to do that Aaron," Norah told her husband rolling her eyes. She thought about how much it had cost to arrange for just two of them to see it. Norah knew that she had no control over how much Aaron spent, but it just seemed ridiculous that he had arranged to give them a private tour, instead of them just going along with the crowd.
"Yes, I did and I'll tell you why," Aaron answered.
"Okay, I'll bite, why?" Norah questioned.
"Because there's bound at least a few unattached females there that will recognize me, even if they don't hear my full name spoken. I am on the news all the time and not just in America, as I do have some interest here and those woman won't necessarily care that I'm now married. While they may leave me alone once they learn I'm married, I'm taking no chances of being mobbed. For one thing, I don't want you feeling inferior, just because some woman doesn't know her place or doesn't care that I am now not a free man anymore, or just doesn't care if she insults you, my wife. I've met plenty a woman over the centuries that don't necessarily care about the sanctity of marriage, particularly after the 20th Century, where morals and ethics got looser in a lot of ways, particularly after the 1960s and Woodstock. While that might not happen here in Italy you never know, because there would be mostly tourist there, not Italians. I'm sure that some Italians visit one of their most famous sites, particularly if they're not from Pisa itself, but such monuments are mostly for those from other countries who are visiting."
Norah listened and saw that Aaron had a good reason asking for a private tour. He didn't want to have to fend off any women who didn't care that he was not available anymore. She couldn't really blame Aaron for that. He was also trying to protect her from any feelings of inadequacy, which was something she could respect, even if she still didn't like the way he spent so much money. She knew she had promised to let Aaron spend what he wanted without protesting, but that was hard because she had grown up knowing the value of a dollar. On the other hand, Aaron had been around for a long time, so he probably had multiple accounts tucked away in private institutions, which meant he wasn't going to go broke no matter how much he spent.
"Alright, I understand," Norah said finally. "I appreciate you trying to protect to me."
"It's not just for that reason Norah," Aaron said quietly.
"I know," Norah promised him. "I know you don't want any women surrounding you like a bunch of cuckoos, all wanting the same thing, you're time and your attention."
"It might not happen but you never know," Aaron shrugged. "I've never had any trouble when I come to Italy for business, but then, I also didn't go to the tourists attractions. I'm usually not here more than a day or two at most and while I might eat out I do so at a high enough class place that the women know how to behave if they recognize who I am due to newspaper articles and the news. Besides, the staff in such a place tend to be very protective of their customers and would prevent anybody from bothering me until they asked me at least. This isn't my home country where most people know who I am, so I'm not as likely to be bothered."
"But at a tourist attraction it would be different," Norah said.
"It would be just my luck if somebody recognized me and made a pest of themselves not necessarily women. They might want to talk about a business proposal, not caring if I tell them I'm on my honeymoon, because they consider themselves more important than me being with my wife," Aaron said in a cynical tone
"That seems a little far-fetched," Norah admitted.
"Wait until you've lived a hundred years then repeat that," Aaron told her with a smile. "You'll have enough experience with people by then to realize I'm right. This isn't like the 17 or 1800s where people didn't often get out of what was considered their place, or even the early 1900s where people had more manners. There was a clear class structure, while not necessarily a bad thing it wasn't really good either, as women had very few rights and unless you were a certain class you had a few options and even if you were your options were still limited. Arranged marriages weren't uncommon back then, particularly for daughters from wealthy families. I won't say people didn't break out of the molds forced on them by society, but it was a hard road if you did."
"So you're saying I need more experience with people," Norah suggested.
"Yes, of all types and different nationalities. There are just some things that you need to experience yourself that I just can't tell you and have you understand," Aaron said. "You will be getting plenty of experience with different personalities over the next 20 or so years, as we'll both be attending plenty of events, parties for charities, or going to the opera to be seen, though hopefully, you'll learn to enjoy it too."
"I've never been to the opera," Norah said.
"Well, hopefully, you'll enjoy it," Aaron said. "We don't really have to go if you don't want too. I go because I do enjoy the opera. I didn't always, but I learned to appreciate it."
"Well, I have nothing against giving it a try a few times," Norah said. "Who knows I might learn to appreciate it to, though I doubt I'll understand a word of any of it, since most of them are in a foreign language."
"That's true," Aaron laughed. "I just enjoy the music and watch the drama on stage, even though it is often in Italian or some other foreign language."
"So you don't speak Italian," Norah teased him.
"No more than a few words I'm afraid," Aaron said with amusement in his tone. "I just don't seem to have an ear for languages like some people do. I can order in Italian with the best of them, but that's about it."
"Well, it's nice to know you do have a few flaws," Norah joked.
"I have more than a few I promise you," Aaron told seriously, "but then, so does everyone."
"What are you trying to tell me I'm not perfect?" Norah asked him her tone joking.
"Nobody is perfect and that would make us Gods if we were," Aaron told Norah softly. "However, you are perfect for me in every way and that should be all that matters."
Norah said nothing simply melted against him and Aaron put his arm around her.
Finally, Norah spoke, "That is so sweet Aaron. You're perfect for me to no matter how hard I tried to deny that fact. You finally won me over though, which I know wasn't easy."
"Every word I said I meant," Aaron promised tenderly. "I would've been miserable for the rest of my life without you. I've never been one to give my heart away lightly like Dave has done several times."
"Well, you got me," Norah said lightheartedly. "So let's finish breakfast before it gets cold and then go for our private tour."
"Yes, ma'am. Happy too," Aaron said happily. The two of them returned to their breakfast out on the balcony of their hotel suite.
~~~Aaron and Norah~~~
