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Date: 10-02-11
Poster: Christopher McCormick
Post # 1
The
Proposal
The place was a ghost town but it didn't keep Chris from coming when he
could. A purpose set in his mind. A hope. It has been some time since
he'd seen AJ and distance didn't have him forgetful. A whistled tune
accompanied the light hearted steps that took him right up to the porch
of this notorious tavern in Rhydin, then within. They use to always hang
out on the porch when the mods took over, but those of his timeframe
went inside. Use to always be inside or the balcony. A spot probably
most of the mods didn't even know about! Place was deserted thus far but
that didn't stop him from helping himself to a bit o' whiskey from the
bar. Had him behind it. Autumn was here and the leaves turning into
those tremendous colors that you stopped and stared at along the way.
Red foliage making the trunk of a tree look black in contrast, blue sky
with fluffy white clouds as well other trees in colors mixed with
those still green. Woolen sweater, fisherman style, of a cream color was
worn over black pants and tooled boots of ebony too. A small catch of
wild flowers, mostly mums, were set on the counter as he took out a few
shot glasses.
When AJ was in the city, she sometimes stopped here to have a look
about. The last few times the tavern was empty with only ghostly
whispers left to fill the void. She had been visiting Jules after her
latest assignment and was amazed at how the teen was growing. Then it
was back to Rhydin for a break and some down time. Of course, there was
one she hoped to see, along with Shi and her family. Today had been
busy, opening the house again, seeing to a few things, including buying
needed items and finally, after a bit of dinner, she headed out for the
MT. She was planning to head to Heathfield in a day or two. Jeans were
tucked into knee high leather boots of brown. Under a long leather coat,
she wore a vest of black embroidered with colorful threads and tiny
mirrors, and a shirt of green. Her hair was pulled back though she was
considering getting it cut again, just for a different look. Pausing on
the steps, she tried to look through one of the windows but the glass
was dusty and it was dark inside. So with a shrug, she went up the steps
and tested the door, then stepped inside.
The first tumbler filled as he set the bottle aside, then lifted it.
About to kick it back when he froze in that moment as the door went
flying open. It was lowered instead as a grin spread. "Well, look
what the cat finally dragged in!" He was around from behind the bar
so fast it might take her a moment to realize who had her up into a big
hug before she could get a step further.
Well, the voice was familiar! She squeaked in surprised, her eyes wide
then laughed when she realized who it was that had her in his arms.
"What a wonderful surprise!" She laughed as she hugged him
back, then planted a kiss on him. It had been way too long! That was the
problem with traveling. Sometimes things moved very slowly, or so it
seemed.
"That's the squeak I remember too.." still grinning as well as
he let her slide down so her feet touched back to the ground. Chin
dipped as he took in the sight of her. "A sight for sore eyes. It's
been too long. Place brings back memories long after it has died. I
wonder if one day it would be revived back to what it was
originally," wistful thoughts verbalized but then, he would not
have met her had the mods not come. "I want to take you
home.." glance had strayed to the place only to come back to her to
watch her expression the last of his words might bring about.
It was quite possible that she was saying rather hateful things to the
sky. Why? Eliza didn't do cold weather very well. In fact, she didn't
even like chilly. She stood on the steps of the porch for a long while,
in a too large sweater of deep blue over jeans. Brown shoes on her feet.
With one last shiver, though, she hurried inside and smiled instantly
when the warmer atmosphere of the interior met her. She started for the
bar in a quiet shuffle-step.
"It be nice if it would but that would mean the original owners
would have to come back." And she didn't see that happening.
"I think Bess comes on occasion." She recognized Eliza as she
stepped inside but Chris' words had her looking back. "I was
planning on surprising you but you turned the tables on me." Not
quite sure of his meaning. "Or do you mean something more?"
Whispered before she smiled at Eliza so she wouldn't think she was being
ignored.
It was possible for at least someone took care of the place. A few from
his homelands had come and cleaned it up months ago. It had been kept
up. A fire burned in the hearth that he had not kindled. He noted the
lass coming in with a smile. "Hello there, may you be my
witness.." as in the next breath focus turned back to AJ. "I
mean more. We've known each other for many years now and there is no one
else for me. So.. unless there is someone else for you, I'd like to
marry you. I don't like the separation our time frames cause so I can go
with you when needed, learn more of your world as you learn more of
mine. It worked for Shiloh and Danny Frasier, it could work for us. I'm
not getting any younger and my father is getting older.." which had
the grin spread wide again. Arm was still loosely tucked around her but
not so close as they had been.
Ooooh, Eliza had not seen AJ in ages. Her eyes widened in surprise and
she lifted up a hand to wave at her cheerfully. Then the man with AJ
informed Eliza that she was going to be a witness? To what?! Eliza,
always thinking the worst, briefly bristled. She took on this tough, big
girl stance, all puffed up and what not. But when she heard the man's
words to AJ, she exhaled so sharply it was as if she had been the one
punched in the gut. She wanted to scream something like don't do it,
it's a trick! But, no, she wouldn't interfere too much in their moment.
She cleared her throat, flashed a wide smile at the pair. But didn't say
a single word! She didn't want to spoil whatever was happening!
Eliza didn't need to worry. She and Christopher had met when they were
still in their teens! She knew him like she knew herself. Well, she
thought she did. His proposal caught her by surprise though. Maybe she
had expected it to happen some day but it still caught her off guard!
She heard Eliza but didn't look her way yet. "I ... oh... "
She was nearly breathless! "Yes." Though she had to wonder
what Ian would think of how Chris had worded it! She wouldn't tell him
though!
Eliza, when the moment was over, flashed another smile--a wide one, then
suddenly.. swept to the door and out. She didn't know where she wanted
to be tonight!
Yes was what he hoped to hear.. feared it might not be so. He had her up
into an enormous hug with another swirl around. "I love you. I have
loved you and now I can love you the rest of my days." That is what
mattered to him in what it all came down to. "My father, brother
and sisters will be thrilled." AJ knew them and knew they all liked
her a lot. Once having her back to her feet, he did a Charlie move in
dipping her and a kiss that would seal their words. One not to be
forgotten in the way it seared. Promises hinted at for another time
before he would ease her back up. Usually he would not be so
demonstrative in front of another he didn't even know. Except the other
was gone he would notice when he brought himself back from the kiss.
"I hope I didn't scare her away?" Hard to tell, they were in
Rhydin where anything could and would happen!
"No, you didn't scare her away." At least she hoped not. She
was a bit stunned, a bit giddy and maybe a bit relieved. She had
wondered if it would happen and then she laughed again. "You do
know this is where Danny proposed to Shi?" Only there had been so
much more to the whole thing. "Of course, it was a bit busier
then." A lot busier then.
Bright, colorful leaves of red and gold clung to her hair. IT was rather
obvious that she'd been doing her exploring thing--sweeping through
forests and enjoying the scenery every step of the way. Now that it was
nighttime, it was best to stick to indoors as much as possible. She
bounded up the steps, swept inside. Brown pants were worn, and above a
beige tunic that was a bit too large, worn over a long sleeved brown
shirt. Soft boots didn't make too much noise as she moved across the
floor to the bar, requesting cider once she got there.
"He did?" Had him do one of those swift glances around before
he was ushering her to the bar. "No, actually I didn't but at the
same time pleased. A good omen then." Danny and Shi's marriage had
been one others looked to. The love undying that spanned centuries to
have it happen and kept it true. "I like the privacy, "only
one other for the moment. Here he picked up the bunch of flowers to
offer her. They had been wrapped in a way, the stems, to keep them from
wilting for a few hours before they would need to be put in water. Where
one had left, another came. "Hello, meet the happiest man in the
world today.. me."
"Yes, he did." She laughed softly. "But she didn't answer
here." She'd tell him the story another time. She smiled as she
accepted the flowers, giggling as he introduced himself in that way.
"Evening." The smile still bright as she looked toward Gaelle.
She observed the couple, offering them both a friendly smile. The man
had her laughing brightly and her gaze turned towards AJ. "Does
this mean you are the happiest woman in the world today?" Her eyes
lit up. She had no idea what had them both so happy, of course.
"And what is causing such a fine, fine mood?" She had to ask!
Even if it probably wasn't her business.
"Yes, it does." She looked up at Chris and back, her smile
growing and her eyes sparkling. "He proposed and I said yes."
And she was stunned! She was going to get married! "I think I need
to sit." Laughing as she slid onto a stool. Breaaathe, AJ, breathe.
He gave a nod to her reply and would hear the story another time.
"I'm Christopher McCormick and this is my fiancee AJ." She had
told him her real name, the initials stood for but there were only a few
that knew it. Most of those were relatives. He saw to her seating before
taking out one single mum from the bunch to offer to Gaelle. "Share
in our happiness."
"My name is Gaelle Thorpe. It is nice to meet you both, and
congratulations!" She grinned wide to the two, obviously delighted
with the news. "I love hearing stories of folks getting married. I
.. was at a wedding last evening.." Hesitating because it was a
wedding that she just... sort of wandered up on by accident. She hadn't
been invited. Wedding crasher!! She took the offered flower from
Christopher. "Thank you! I like flowers." She tucked the
flower carefully into her hair; another flash of color to add to the
others. "I hope you both have an endless, love filled marriage with
many children." Aww, she went all moon eyed and swooned. What? It
was romantic!
It was romantic and if he had his way, it would become even more
romantic as the years wore on. In whatever way he could pleasingly
surprise her, he would. Just as this was done so. The Proposal. He was
pleased she took the flower too and had that look about her that she
understood. Too many were cold hearted in this world or so self centered
they could not be happy for others unless they had it too. "Nice to
meet you Gaelle, are you from around here?" This place could have
her way from the past or way into the future.
"Originally yes. Well, not too far from here. But I moved, then
moved back home, then moved again, and now I'm just..drifting."
Sounded horrible, but in truth she was enjoying herself. "I have
seen so many places! But.. I suppose I should find a house again. Maybe
back here. But not so close to the city. In the mountains, maybe. Or,
ooh, by a river." She was so very chatty tonight!
"It looks nice!" Today everything and anything had a glow
about it. Didn't matter what it was. "Weddings are nice." She
wasn't sure how they would go about this. Oh well, they could worry
about that later.
Plans could be worked out, mostly for the bride. He was elated she
agreed to marry him. Sounded like Gaelle was from his time frame if she
lived around here or there was the haze between which side of the tracks
you traveled too. "I have a ring but not with me." He had not
expected himself to ask her like he did. He was hoping to find her here
and bring her home to ask her. Inspiration and seizing the moment
instead. "I'm from Heathfield. My father use to come here along
with many others." He was one of the second generations of his
lands.
She nearly fell off of her stool when he said that. About living in
Heathfield. "I lived there for a while. Such a beautiful place. So
many friendly faces and.. well, the men are handsome too." She
snickered! Couldn't really help it. A grin flashed to AJ. "So, are
you already thinking of a wedding date? Receptions? That sort of
thing?"
Well, actually, the ring was his grandmother's that his father told him
he could have once he decided on a lass to marry. He had yet to tell his
father and get the ring. He would let AJ answer those kind of questions.
He filled the shot glasses that were empty.. of the whiskey before
taking his up. "To the future and the happiness it will
bring." Once he had his kicked back to seal the toast. "Who of
Heathfield do you know?" Most likely he would too. "Do you
know Charlie One Time as well?"
"I... " She blinked then started to laugh. "I guess we'll
have to sit down and figure that all out." She'd be going to see
Shi for help! And now it was time to snuggle up against Chris.
Was there a glass for her too?! If so, she took a shot and lifted the
glass to the toast. "Yes, I do know Charlie," she grinned.
"And the Cunninghams. Some of the McAndrews--I still don't know if
I have met all of them. I know so many. And it seems I am still meeting
many more!" She laughed brightly.
"There are plenty of them." She chuckled softly. "Have
you met any of the Frasiers? My aunt is married to Danny." Well,
not really her aunt but she had come to think of her as one. Charlie she
had met here too. So many good memories and now one more special one.
She picked up a glass to take a drink.
Of course there was.. his had already been filled. He filled two more.
"There are many McAndrews, three or four generations of them."
One lost count. "Seems you know a good many. Had you ever met my
father, Ian McCormick? We're not far from the McDonough ranch. Maurice
or Ice as well Joseph." Maurice being called Ice.
Frasiers. She canted her head. "I think that I might have. There
were so many that I met when I lived there..." She was trying to
recall! Then Christopher asked other names. "I do recall Maurice. I
am not so positive about Ian, but it is quite possible that we
met." She pursed her lips as she tried to remember names, faces.
Then suddenly laughed. "It has been so long since I have seen so
many."
"I still don't remember everyone I've met." And she had met a
few, first with Shi, then with Chris, though of course, she'd remember
his family and the Frasiers! She couldn't wait to see Shi and Danny and
tell them! So much to think about. She had downed the shot with the
toast but maybe one more would calm the jitters that suddenly were
there.
"Well, Patrick Frasier runs the race tracks." So she may have
met him, "or Brogan who runs the casino." There were quite a
few Frasiers! He tucked AJ at his side in a comfortable leisurely way.
"Oh! I do know those two!" Patrick and Brogan that is. She
nodded sharply, flashing another smile at the two. "I uhm.. "
She trailed off, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Broch and
I.." Not a Frasier, but still, the news might have them chuckling.
She couldn't quite finish. She cleared her throat and turned her
attention to her cider.
"Broch and you..." urging her to finish as she left that
hanging. "Met..?" Could be anything beyond met. Obviously they
had met, she knew his name!
"Uhm.." She bit her lower lip. "..A little more than
that. A little more than friends.." She kinda trailed again.
She nodded while Gaelle kind of fumbled but just smiled. Nothing was
going to take that smile off her face so Gaelle would have to excuse
her. She was a bit twitterpated at the moment.
"Ah, nothing bad then." It probably would have bothered him if
she had a bad experience with someone well noted in the lands.
"Good family, the Cunninghams." Giving a nod before he was
filling their glasses, or topping them off, again. AJ might well be more
than twitterpated by the night's end!
She grinned offside at AJ. She knew what it was like to be all
twitterpated--so she could easily see what the woman was experiencing.
Her head shook when she looked back to Christopher. "Oh no, nothing
bad at all. I adore the entire family."
Yes, she might! They may have to stay at the house here. She was giddy
happy, but trying to behave though once it a while, she'd poke Chris in
the side. If he asked, she'd just say she was making sure he was real
and she wasn't dreaming!
"Then, here is to your friendship with the Cunningham family,"
raising the filled glass as it was kicked back promptly. He was sure to
come up with many toasts if allowed! He twitched at the poke, he was
certainly alive.
That worked with her. She lifted the glass, laughing before she
swallowed down the liquid. Then with a sigh, she slowly eased up.
"I should probably head off to rest. I wish you both the best of
luck, however." The long day of exploring finally caught up to her.
"Thank you. I wish you a warm winter." Least she could be in
places to keep warm during those harsh cold days and nights. "I
should see AJ back to my lands. We've a few to tell the good news to.
Perhaps we shall see you around if you visit?"
"I would like that. I do visit sometimes." She smiled. Then
with a wave, she headed out!
"Good night then, Gaelle. It was nice to meet you." She stood,
agreeing in silence. Yes, they did have a few to tell. Then when Gaelle
was gone, she looked up at Chris. "We can take the portal at the
house." Shi's old house that she kept for AJ and Jules had a portal
created by Andrew.
"That sounds like a good plan." He had rented a horse which
would be returned by the stable he left it at if he didn't come back for
it. That was the deal. The bottle was going with them too.
It was a nice walk from the tavern to the house but it was a nice night
for it. In spite of the chill, the stars would be out and they could
snuggle to keep each other warm. The walk would end all too soon but
then there would be family to talk to and share their good news with and
plans to be made.
-tbc- |
