Long days of never seeing the light had Arrick Longfellow enjoying the golden rays as he lounged in the middle of the Uthlyn City Park. With the matron river to the east, and the sun rolling towards the west, life seemed perfect- even magical as his brown eyes took in the heart of the day.
It was rare for him to enjoy such a moment, but he treasured it like everything else in the world. Like his family, here he wore his heart on his sleeve, that brown eyed gaze staring off into the sunset, and even into something more. A cool breeze kissed his skin, and ruffled the grasses in which he lounged, and he watched as the river's reflection sparkled like gold.
His mother was having a good day, after being ill for months and finally was able to walk around a bit on her own; but his father...
he managed enough with a smile. It was at their insistence he get out of the house for a while, and though he protested, here he sat, enjoying the reverie of the day.
His life had been affected greatly since both his parents fell ill. He had been working along side his father in the mines when he passed out from coughing and under direct orders, was said not to return to the mines. Not that he could. THe illness did him in and he had never been the same since.
Arrick picked up both their shifts and kept working to pay the bills. They needed a big enough house to supply for all of them- He, both his parents (since now neither could work), and all four of his sisters. Though Artemis, the eldest daughter, worked just about as many hours as himself, it seemed the pair of them had turned into the parents when even his mother had gone ill, too.
Though many said his parents illness was unfortunate, it also made sense- they said they were never seen a hip apart, except when working, and now that one fell ill- and only a few weeks later, the other, it only made sense.
Arrick always smiled about that, that the love his parents had could conquer everything- and despite what pain they were in, they always had each other, and Arrick found his own heart aching for it-a nd used what strength he could to keep their family alive, to sacrifice whatever future he might have to protect his family's, in hopes perhaps, someday, his sisters could even have something better than he.
Mine work was tough, and even now he was sitting there in the grasses, and having washed but an hour ago, soot still lingered faintly across his skin. It was a quick wash- since it normally took over an hour to get all that black soot off his skin- and a lot of extra scrubbing help from his family. It was almost an event itself, and the water- always came out so nasty and black. But long ago were those days since that had been, for he had since resigned himself to the bath house, not wanting to ruin the last of their remaining bath tubs with his soot, for the other had become far too filthy to be of any use.
He gave a scratch to his nose with one dirty finger nail before resting both hands back at his sides, and kept his brown eyes onward, towards an unseen valley of dreams.
The woman that stood in front of the large mirrors looked out of place, dressed in snug black trousers fashioned for the hard working women of Connlaoth, a light blue blouse fitted her from beautifully, and a navy bodice that made sure her curves were just right. Not that she cared about that part. Well maybe just a little. What girl didn't like to look good?
"Not that one, the other one, the one without any embroidery. Yes, yes, that'll work. Hurry."
Holly was impatient, it wasn't the servant's fault though, and she did her best not to get snippy with the woman. Especially considering they had been helping her sneak out of the house for years so she could actually live a little. Shrugging into the plain, but well-made navy half jacket, her ensemble was complete. It really wasn't a great disguise, but it was better than nothing. The clothes were finely made, but out of wool, not anything particularly expensive, and they had been stripped of all embroidery and ornamentation.
Her red-gold hair was tied back in a long braid with a dark blue ribbon woven into the fine tresses, and tied in a small bow near the bottom. Giving herself a once over in the tall standing mirror in the corner of her room, she sighed softly in dissatisfaction. She still didn't look like a particularly poor person, while the clothes were simple; they were obviously not greatly worn-in or worn-out. At least she didn't look like a rich merchant's daughter. More like a modestly successful craftswoman. It would have to do.
Throwing her satchel over her shoulder, she threw open her bedroom window and climbed out. This window actually faced the next building, which made for a horrid view, but was spectacular for sneaking out of, as she could use the stone surface to climb down into the alley between buildings and waltz right onto the street without getting any suspicious looks. Usually.
It was just after noon when she found a bench in the park, curling her legs underneath her; Holly pulled her leather-bound sketchbook and charcoal pencils from her satchel and began drawing. There were pages and pages filled with all sorts of things. Birds, cats, dogs, statues, buildings, landscapes – whatever she saw that interested her, was brought to life on the paper beneath her fingers. First she drew a shop that she saw, then an old woman selling flowers. They were good drawings, but not quite what she wanted.
Deep blue eyes settled on him as they scanned the park for a new target. He was so tall, and the expression on his face and in his eyes. At such a distance it was hard to truly take in and appreciate every complex nuisance of his posture and countenance, but she knew immediately that she needed to draw him. The next couple hours Holly engrossed herself in capturing the essence of the lonely figure sitting in the grass. Her fingers became smudged with charcoal, but she hardly noticed as she slowly formed a clear image of him in black and white, staring from the grass into the sunset.
She wondered what he was thinking about. His thoughts looked so deep, complex, but he seemed to be enjoying himself, even if he was just sitting there in the park. Rarely did the young woman ever approach her subjects, but this time Holly felt compelled to. After all, he made such an interesting and attractive subject.
Standing and stretching she gathered up her things and shoved them back into her bag, except the book, which she left out and open to the drawing of the mystery man. Approaching him she became a little nervous. What if he got angry that she'd drawn him? It wasn't as if she'd asked permission first. Then again, it was just a drawing, nothing to get upset over. Coming to stand next to him, she smiled sheepishly and offered him the book with his drawing.
"Good evening, Sir. I've been staring at you for about two hours and I thought maybe you deserved to see this." The drawing of him wasn't just one of her sketches; the detail and shading put into it were precise, bordering on the compulsively perfect.
Arrick hadn't notice when the woman approached, but at her voice, he turned to her casually- as if not even surprised at all she was there. In fact, over hearing this young woman had made a drawing of him made him smile- that was, until he realized,
"Really? Have I been lounging here that long?" He gave a sheepish rub to the back of his head and gave the girl a once over as he laughed. He must've been lucky to have captured the attention of such a pretty girl, whcih made him smile.
His eyes caught more attentively to the pages now as a smile cut toothtily across his face.
"Say, this is really good! Wow! Look at that detail!" And his hand ghosted over the image, but he did not touch it before lowering his hand as he turned his brown eyes to her. "Do you have a whole book full of these? Drawings I mean."A nd he gave a gestured shrug of his shoulder.
Well she hadn't startled him and he didn't seem angry, so that was a score in her book. Holly laughed softly as he asked if he'd been sitting so long. He must have lost track of the time, it was easy to do, the only reason she knew how long it had been was because of the way the sun was in her drawing and the way it was in the actual sky now. Normally she'd didn't put quite so much time and effort into a drawing of a stranger, but he'd been very aesthetic, artistically speaking, of course.
"Yeah, that long! It's rare that I get such a cooperative subject. Thank you." She chuckled a little as she knelt down, watching the way he admired her work. Nice to see someone appreciate her talents. Her parents thought her technique was suburb, but thought her subject matter rather lacking.
"This is just the book I have with me today, but I have tons of books already full at home. Here, have a look." She pulled the page above his drawing down, revealing the drawing of the old woman with the flowers, then the shop front, ahead of that was a sparrow on a fountain. "I like to draw what I see, especially if it's interesting."
"Woah- hey, is that Mara?" His eyes grew large. "Man, I haven't spoken to her in months. How's she doing?" he asked, admiring the image of the shop keep. But then his attentions perked up as he turned to her with a raised brow.
"Wait... what? Interesting? You found me interesting?" He gave a laugh at that. "I dunno, for a guy who enjoys sitting for hours, I don't think many would agree with you." He cast her a smile. "But these drawings are really good. Do you have any more? I... I'm afraid to touch any of the pages." And he showed up his hands- now grass stained and still soiled from soot. "My hands aren't exactly the cleanest, and I'd feel awful smudging your work."
"She seems well, but I didn't talk to her today." Holly didn't know the old woman with the flowers very well, but she'd seen her before. Of course, she saw a lot of people coming and going when she ventured out into the park, but didn't know many of them very well. Her large blue eyes sparkled slightly when he laughed at the idea that she thought he was interesting.
"Well some people find different things interesting!" She offered with a smile. Holly found a handsome, if a little scruffy, man sitting staring into the sunset interesting! she turned her eyes back to the book and laughed at him not wanting to smudge her work, then wiggled her fingers at him, which were smeared with black charcoal from drawing for half the day. "I think they'll survive."
Even so, she turned to the next drawing, which had an old man and old woman holding hands while sitting on a bench, then there was a cat curled up inside an overturned flower pot, there was a knight in his armor, and the last she barely turned before quickly pushing it back. "So, uhm, I'm glad you liked the one I did of you. Sorry I didn't ask first."
Catching her dirty fingers, his eyes lit up.
"Seems like we have the same sorts of hands," he said, moving his closer to hers as the inspected them together. He laid his over tops of hers, and she'd be able to feel, just barely, the roughness of his fingers.
"Though I think my hand wins hands down for being hte dirtiest, and probably the most calloused. You can probably see years of dirt beneath these nails. But I'm a miner, that sort of things to be expected. You get pretty dirty down there in the dark." ANd here he paused to give his back a crack. "And a stiff back." And he gave a laugh at that.
"And you don't have to apologize. Heck, I'd let you draw me again if we were ever to cross paths again."
Holly had been prepared to get caught up with her drawings, but his sudden enthusiasm for the idea that they both had dirty hands was pretty amusing. Hadn't he ever seen a woman with dirty hands before? She knew her mother would have been aghast at the idea of having her hands soiled, and didn't like that Holly got charcoal all over hers all the time, but he was a worker. Actually, that was part of his appeal, and the feel of his calloused hands, even just as the grazed ever so slightly, made her smile.
All those men her mother and father tried to shove at her had such soft, weak hands. They had never worked or appreciated anything, and they were boring. These dirty, rough hands had personality. "I can see that." She giggled as he cracked his back. "And hear it."
Her eyes lit up when he offered to let her draw him again, if she saw him, that is. "I'll hold you to that. You do make a rather fine drawing." She teased.
Arrick laughed.
"I know you're excited to want to draw these monkey hands," he said, lifitng them up and wriggling his dirty finger at her with his palms towards her and his fingers fanned open. "though I'm sure most men would rather try to impress you with a muscle or fist, but maybe you and I can just exchange dirt patterns on our fingers, instead," he said with a laugh, though it was evident, even under the ratty coat he wore, that such a man probably had enough muscles to make over half the population of Connlaoth jealous- and at such a close range- a handsome face to boot.
His face, though the skin was roughged over, held a lot of character as the dirt smudges only seemed to amplify the way he looked. And though his nose was a bit crooked, it was not over bearing on his face and complimented the way he smiled and how strong his jaw line was. Even his brown eyes gave him character, and warmth.
"So you draw here often?"
Monkey hands? Holly didn't quite get it, but she laughed when he talked about men trying to impress her with their muscles or fists. "Exchange dirt patterns?" She wasn't even sure what he meant by that, but it was pretty funny, and she was also pretty sure he was trying to flirt with her. Oh my, but wasn't that interesting. "Lots of men have tried to impress me, but you are definitely the first to offer to exchange dirt patterns."
It was impossible to deny one of the reasons she'd felt the need to draw him was because he was quite handsome, from a distance she'd been able to tell, and now that she was right there beside him, knelling in the grass, it was all the more apparent. His smile was as warm as his brown eyes, and that was always a good thing. Handsome for sure, muscles to die for, and a killer smile. Oh dear, what was she going to do with him?
Grinning, Holly looked up at him with her dark blue eyes. "All the time. It's one of my favorite places to draw, you meet such interesting people and there are always new people to draw. For instance - you. I've never seen you before. Trust me, I would have remembered if I had, and would have drawn you then too."
Arrick gave a laugh.
"I'd come here more often if I had the time. That's part of the reason I just sat there for hours. It just feels.. peaceful here. And it's nice to get away from being cooped up inside all day." He shrugged. "But what about you? I guess you're from around here, though I don't recognize you either, not that I know everyone, that's for damned sure, but my father used to know just about everyone in town-a nd they knew him. It's a shame he can't come out here to see this. He used to love watching the sunset in the park."
Holly couldn't help but smile as she listened to him talk about the park, and how it was peaceful. He really did appreciate the place, didn't he? She noticed individual things, and drew them, but he saw the big picture. Settling down on the grass beside him, her dark eyes took in the park, the sun setting. It was breathtaking, too bad she didn't have canvas and oils with her, she could have painted the sun setting over the park and the city.
"Me? Yes, I'm from around. Funny we've never bumped into each other before, but it is a pretty big city and you said you don't come out here too often." She didn't want to say where exactly she was from. Having to explain she was from the wealthy part of town would be awkward. People acted funny when they knew you had money.
"Not to be rude, I mean, it's none of my business, but why can't he? It's a shame for him to miss something so beautiful."
"He's back at home. He's been ill for some time now, my mother, too. They haven't been outside in ages, either of them, but even still, they were able to chase me outside," he said with a chuckle.
"I guess it's been a while for me to. I work sun up from sun down- so being able to see the sun at all makes me realize how lucky I am when I am spared moments like this- since, well, my parents won't ever have them again. Though don't worry, they're both doing as fine as they can be. I think they enjoy being sick together, as strange as that sounds, but we don't have to keep talking about it. I know that sort of subject can make others feel sorry for me, or for them, but don't. It's no one's fault, and as far as I'm concerned, those two are just happy to be loved, even if they seem to cough out their lungs all the time."he said with a smile.
"Too bad I can't draw like you can, or use paints or whatever you call those things to make the paper full of color. Then I'd be able to capture what I see here nad bring it back to them."
Holly didn't say much as he spoke of his parents being sick, that was pretty sad. She couldn't imagine not getting to go outside, to feel the sun on her skin and the wind in her hair. When he said he worked from sun-up to sun-down though, she eyed as subtly as possible. Well working that much in a mine would probably explain just how muscly he was. It was a shame that he didn't get to enjoy more time to himself, though.
"I want to say that I don't feel sorry for you or them, but I kind of do, in some ways. I'm glad they're doing as well as they are, though. Staying positive is always a good thing." What he said about the paints though, well, she had just been thinking about that, hadn't she? Maybe she would drag canvas and oils out just to do a painting of the sunset.
"That would be a wonderful gift to them, if you could. I'm sure they would appreciate it."
"I'm sure they would, even if the painting wouldn't be very good, but since I don't have the skills or the paints, I suppose they'll just have to rely on their son recounting his time enjoying the sunset. Though I think they might be surprised to hear I've had my picture drawn, too."
"Ah, well they sound like the sort that would appreciate just the description." Holly's parents didn't appreciate anything. Not all the piles of useless trinkets, not their health, and certainly not her. "Would you like your drawing? I'm sure your family would like to see it. You can have it - if you promise to come back again so I can draw another." She said the last bit with a sly grin on her face.
"Really?" he gave a dumb founded smile. "I can have it?" He rubbed a hand over his mouth before nodding.
"Of course I'll come back again, the only problem is when? I mean... making a date with me isn't exactly easy," he teased, though it was the flirty kind as he gave he an equally sly grin in return.
"Oh, so it's a date now, is it?" Holly laughed, but she sifted through her sketchbook, found the drawing of him, and pulled it carefully from the other pages, but didn't hand it over just yet. "You know, they say things worth doing usually aren't easy, so a date with you must be really special."
When would she be able to talk him into coming back? He'd said that he worked from sun-up to sun-down, that didn't leave a lot of time for meeting with someone. Well they technically could meet after dark, but he'd probably be so tired and even the servants might decide it wasn't such a good idea to let her sneak out if she was out so late. "Well you managed to come out today, what is it, Sunday? Maybe we could meet again the next day you aren't down in those mines?"
Arrick gave her a smirk, though it was almost a bit too sad to seem, well- happy.
"Aye, but I don't know when that would be. Sundays are my only day off and I spend those tending to my family. My older sister has just left for Essyrn- what are the odds? It was her dream for years and well... Sunday is the only time I have to get things in order around my house."
He scratched at the back of his neck. "I.. err.. I don't suppose you could take a rain check? I honestly could not make a promised meeting. I would feel as if I've failed you already if I would have to break our first date."
Ansgar help them all, but he was difficult, wasn't he? Holly frowned at him, pursing her lips in thought as she tried to come up with another plan. How could he work that much and still have a smile like that? "Does it really take all day Sunday? You can't spare even a few minutes to come meet with me? Never taking a break is not healthy, you know. And it is really bad form when you want to meet a lady for a date to make her hunt you down."
Arrick gave a laugh and sheepishly itched the tip of his nose.
"I suppose you make a good case. Most times I get up early and finish what I need to do, then spend time with my parents since I rarely see them through the week- except in the hour before I go to bed."
He shook his head.
"I suppose it... it couldn't hurt to try to make a date. Maybe something in the afternoon? I'm sure my sisters might be able to manage the house for a few hours.."
Though Ansgar help them all if they tried to cook and burned the place down!
Somehow she felt just a little guilty that she'd be taking up some of the time that he spent with his parents, but on the other hand she wanted to see him, and while that seemed a little bit selfish, it didn't at the same time. He was a grown man, and obviously not married, he should be meeting women, especially as handsome as he was, it was crazy that he didn't have a woman already trying to get him.
Wait, was she trying to get him? Holly wasn't sure about all that, but she did want to meet him again. He was handsome, and sweet, and that smile - much more interesting than any of the men her parents kept trying to push her towards. "The afternoon is great. I'll probably be here all day, so whenever you get here I'll be waiting, probably drawing, so don't worry about being late, because any time you show up will be perfect."
Arrick laughed. This was too convenient, but perhaps, it was just fate. It seemed almost too real that this woman wanted to see him again, let alone- making it 'a date'.
Arrick smiled.
"Ok, then it's a date." And he paused to realize, "Though I don't believe I caught your name. My name's Arrick," he said, extending a large hand. "Arrick Longfellow."
Call it fate or just a happy happenstance, but it was most certainly happening. Holly had just made a date with some poor miner that she'd only just met because he was handsome and she'd decided to draw him, more importantly, she'd decided to show him.
Holly laughed when he introduced himself, but shook her head and grinned at him. "We really should probably have introduced ourselves before setting a date!" She grasped his huge hand with her delicate once, which was tiny in comparison. "Holly Marston, so glad to meet you, Mr. Longfellow." She playfully said with great formality.
Arrick laughed.
"No need to be so formal. Just Arrick will do," he told her with a wink. "But it's getting late..and as much fun as this is, it would be wise if we both headed home." He craned his neck to peer up at the darkening sky before looking back to her. "Need an escort back?"
Oh drats, he was right, though. It was getting late, and dark. Holly peered up at the sky, wondering if the servants were going to scold her when she slipped back inside. Knowing them they probably would, honestly, they worried too much.
Laughing slightly she shook her head. "I'm a big girl, I think I can find my way home alright." Turning those deep blue eyes on him she smiled and brought a finger up to smudge charcoal on the tip of his nose before handing over the drawing she'd promised.
"Next Sunday, then, and don't you dare think about not showing up." She waggled a finger at him. "I would be just heartbroken to think that such a handsome fellow stood me up." Her eyes were sparkling playfully as she said it.
Arrick found himself laughing again.
"I wouldn't dream of standing up such a pretty girl," he told her, and playfully drew a line down her nose with a finger. "And I'm a man of my word. If I make a promise, I keep it."
He accepted the drawing now and looked her over.
"Though are you sure you don't want an escort? I don't mind- and the hour really is rather late..."
Holly scrunched up her face a little as Arrick left a streak of soot down her nose, but she was smiling. "You would be honest on top of everything else, wouldn't you?" She grinned. How was this man not married? Probably only because he worked all the time and never got out, lucky for her to have happened to run into him today.
"Are you worried? I'll be fine, I promise. I'm out late all the time." Okay, that wasn't necessarily true, she usually did go home before dark, but she lived in a good neighborhood with lots of guards and very little crime. Not that she wanted to bring that up. As if to prove her point, she bounced to her feet energetically and shoved her closed sketchbook into her bag. "I'll be careful, promise."
Arrick sighed.
"So I guess we say goodbye here?" he said, moving a hand forward to brush some loose hair that had fallen across her face. She looked lovely in this light, the entire world cast in a deep, purpled rose.
"Unless you can put up with my company at least until we make it out of the park." And he grinned at her, hoping that she'd at least give him that.
Holly had been so absorbed with talking to him that she hadn't even noticed that a some of her hair had escaped her braid until he was brushing it out of her face, causing her to smile sheepishly. Her hair probably looked a rightful mess by this point, but Arrick didn't seem to mind, so why should she?
"Well when you put it that way how could I possibly refuse?" It wasn't that she was in a hurry to say goodbye to him, not at all, but she couldn't admit that the reason she really refused his escort was because she didn't want him to see where she lived - and she definitely didn't want her parents to see him.
They would have given her fits to know that she was sneaking out, especially if she was seeing people like Arrick when she did so. Of course if he was rich they would have been all too happy to have her in his company - the hypocrites.
Arrick's face brightened.
"I should have known my charms would win over," he said with a wink."And maybe you can even tell me a little bit about yourself as we walk? I mean, what do your parents do, and do you just draw all day? You're really talented. It's just a shame you want to waste all of that talent on drawing me," he said with a playful grin as he walked along side her while they made their way across the park.
"Most assuredly prince charming - covered in soot." She teased as she walked next him, though she puzzled over what to tell him. Holly didn't want to lie to him, deceit was no way to build any kind of relationship - friendly or otherwise. "Talent is never wasted when it is being used to do something that makes you happy. I don't draw all day, but a lot. Like you said, I'm good at it. Always best to play towards your gifts. My parents...well they spend most of their time telling me how to live my life, and when I'm not drawing, I'm fighting with them. So.." She shrugged.
After hearing about her parents, he frowned.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I guess I'm fortunate to have parents such as mine. You should meet them sometime, I think you'd like them."
"Inviting me to meet the parents already? Oh my, but don't you move fast." Holly gave him a sly grin, and shook her head. "They do sound really nice, maybe I will get the chance to meet them sometime."
"I'd invite the bums off the street to meet them if they were as charming!" Arrick admitted with a laugh. "My father, really- he loves meeting new people. And oh.. the stories he could tell you!"
"The bums?" Holly giggled, that was a strange idea, not that there was anything wrong with people in such dire straights, but it was an amusing thought all the same. "I'm sure his stories would keep me enthralled for hours. I can only hope your parents would find me as charming as you seem to!"
"Not to sound offensive, but my family can befriend just about anyone. Most those on the streets for miles around us know us by name. It's nice to think we've made so many connections. ANd since my parents have fallen ill....Mrs. Oliver always brings us soup on Tuesday- Mrs. Jansen, soup on Wednesday- Harrietta... soup on Thursday- er... I guess you see the pattern," he told her with a sheepish scratch to his nose. He gave a shrug. "Your family have any friends like that?"
"Why would that be offensive? Oh, well maybe the implied that I'm not special - but I guess I'm really not." Holly turned a little pensive. "I think it is great that your family has so many people willing to help you in your time of need. If my family fell on hard times, well...I'm pretty sure my dad's so-called friends would abandon us pretty quick."
That's really a shame. "I'm sorry to hear that, but it reminds me just how lucky I am, how lucky we are, and it's why I don't take any day for granted. It's why I don't mind working the long hours- because I know when I come home, what I'm doing is helping my family in the end, and it's through my family I feel blessed."
Holly smiled at him, she really was quite happy for him. He was poor and worked hard every day, but he was still happy and smiling. Her parents didn't work hardly at all and they didn't seem happy most the time - and they wanted to trap her in the same kind of life. "You are really lucky, and your family is lucky that you care about them so much. Not everyone would do what you do."
They were drawing close to the edge of the park, and she sighed softly. It was dark and she was going to be in so much trouble. Well, it had been worth it. She'd met someone interesting today. Dragging her feet a little, she didn't really want to go, it had been such a pleasant day. "I guess it is time to say goodbye for now, huh?"
"Yeah I suppose so," he said, reaching an arm up to scratch at the back of his head.
He gave her a smile.
"You sure you don't need someone to walk you back. It has gotten awfully dark, awfully quick."
And it wouldn't hurt to at least offer her that, one more time, and if not accepted, it could at least let him linger.
"It is a sweet and tempting offer, but I don't want to keep you too long, your family will worry, won't they? Besides, I'm not afraid of the dark, and I promise to be careful!" Holly smiled at him, her nose still had a stripe of soot on it from where he'd playfully smudged her with a dirty finger, and those stray strands of red-gold hair had fallen back in her face.
Instinctively, he swept her hair away from her face and smiled, it tugging more leftward on his face as he noted the smudge- but didn't say anything as he nodded. She could keep that as a memento.
"Then I guess this is finally goodbye. Good night, Miss Holly."
"Good night, Arrick, don't forget." Holly winked at him, before turning and hurrying home.
Climbing the stone wall to her bedroom window was instinctive by this point, and even in the dark she didn't have any trouble getting up and falling inside in an ungraceful heap. Deep blue eyes were immediately greeted with the sight of plain brown shoes tapping impatiently on the floor and she looked up to see her nanny glaring down at her with her arms folded. "Oops..."
The next Sunday she was on the same park bench that she'd been sitting at when she'd first drawn Arrick, a smaller canvas was next to her, wrapped in plain brown paper to protect the painting she had done earlier in the week. She was rather pleased with the sunset view of the park she'd captured.
While she waited for her 'date' she didn't waste any time, her sketchbook out and fingers smudged with charcoal as usual. There were children playing nearby and she had taken to drawing them with their ball as they threw it back and forth.
Arrick could see Holly readily as he made his way across the park, though there was now a limp in his step as he walked. It didn't deter his smile as he approached her from behind as he offered her a freshly picked, small bouquet of daisies and blue bells.
"Hey, I saw these on the way over, and the blue flowers reminded me of your eyes." And he gave her a leftwards grin and presented them out to her, his weight shifting as he rested one arm ont he back of the bench.
"Hope you weren't waiting long."
The young woman was quite absorbed in her art, and since Arrick came from behind, Holly didn't notice him until she heard his voice as he presented her with flowers. She jumped slightly, but her eyes lit up and she smiled brightly as her eyes fell on the flowers, and of course his comment about them reminding them of her eyes.
"How sweet, flowers on the first date? I am a very lucky girl." She giggled, accepting them graciously and smelling them with a smile as she looked up at him almost coyly. Ansgar, but he was handsome, and his brown eyes were so deep and warm. "Not long at all."
Patting the bench next to her, she smiled, almost giddy. "Don't be shy, come sit. I have something for you too! Actually it is for your whole family, I guess. I wrapped it up to protect it, so you should probably wait until you get home - and probably should let your parents open it."
"You brought a gift?" he said, scratching the back of his head. "Really?" He gave a soft, short laugh and shook his head. "You know you didn't have to, but maybe I'm the lucky one- I find some girl who gives me a gift on the first date. I wonder if she's trying to get a kiss out of this?" he jested, though the jest was playful and sweet- and well, he wouldn't mind sharing one with her. She was rather pretty, and idly be played with the blue ribbon in her hair.
"Now, Mr. Longfellow, I could say the exact same of you bringing me flowers. Such a scoundrel, trying to weasel a kiss from me on our first date." She grinned and winked, teasing him right back. Her blue eyes sparkled merrily as he played with the ribbon in her braid, wondering if she actually might give him a kiss. He certainly was handsome enough to earn a kiss, and that smile of his made her heart flutter every time she saw it. "Did your family like the drawing?"
Arrick smirked, a dimple cutting into his cheek.
"Of course," he told her. "They loved it. You should have seen the look on my sister's faces as they oogled the drawing. Naturally, after I found a way to get the drawing off of them so they wouldn't tear it to pieces, they were adamant to meet you."
Holly couldn't help but laugh as he told her about his sisters.
"They liked it that much that you had to rescue the poor thing?" A gentle heat rose to her cheeks and turned her creamy skin to a soft rose hue. That dimple had butterflies in her stomach. They wanted to meet her? "I would love to meet them, and your parents. Your family sounds so lovely."
Arrick gave a laugh.
"Yeah... if you knew my sisters, you wouldn't be surprised," he assured her, and made an effort to move around the side of the bench, the limp still evident as he took a few steps and sat down with a bit of a wince.
"My family is pretty lovely, boisterous, loud, but lovely," he confirmed with a breathy laugh. "But even still, I managed to survive getting out of my house." He gave his pained knee a rub. "I see you've been drawing," he said, glancing down at her pad of paper, and to her dirty fingers,which made him smile.
Holly decided that she loved hearing him talk about his family, they were obviously so close. She didn't have any brothers or sisters, and her parents weren't exactly around all the time trying to connect with her.
She looked down at the drawing of the children when he mentioned it. "Yeah, I've been here a while, have been drawing most of the day." Her blue eyes glanced at his knee, having noticed the way he limped as he came around the bench. To think he was in pain and had walked all the way here made her scowl softly - even if he could laugh about it. "What happened to your knee?"
"Yeah, you should have see my sisters- the second I get home, I showed my parents the drawing first, and my mother made the most exaggerated gasp- and my sister's all followed in line. They dropped what they were doing, all their crochet work and skirt mending and came scrambling around to see. I thought for sure my face in that drawing was going to end up torn in half." He gave a laugh, though it slowly faded as he noted her expression when she took notice of his knee.
He gave the thing a rub.
"Eh.. it's sort of embarrassing, but the initial injury I did at work."
Initially, since he was pretty sure- after he got home after walking on it- his sister's made it worse.
Holly would have loved the story and laughed, but she felt guilty now that she knew Arrick was hurt and he'd walked out here to see her, which had brought him pain. He certainly had kept his promise to meet with her today, though.
They were close enough on the bench that they were almost touching, which was actually probably already improper, but Holly scooted closer anyway. Looking up at him with a half-smile, she had a little bit of a guilty look about her. "Here you are limping and causing yourself pain just to come see me. I'll have to make it up to you somehow - but you didn't really answer the question." Her smile turned a bit teasing, if it was an embarrassing story that just made it all the more interesting to hear.
Arrick laughed.
"Well, if you want the full story," he said, giving the usual, thoughtful scratch to the tip of his nose, "My mind wasn't in my work, a certain memory of an artist, keeping me pretty distracted, and I came out on monday with more than just this limp in my leg. I got a bump on my head, and a big bruise on my back." And he laughed about it. "I never thought some girl could make me nervous, but I was a bundle of untamed energy at work all day Monday, and I might have even broke my foot. I'm sure you don't want all the details.." he said with a casual shrug.
"Though I think the limp was worth it," he said, giving her a wide grin.
Large blue orbs stared at Arrick wide-eyed as he told about his Monday. Holly's cheeks had deepened from pink rose to a deeper red, and when he grinned at her she actually looked away shyly, rather than teasing him. Had he really gotten himself so worked up over her? After having only met her the once? She must have made more of an impression on the handsome miner than she'd thought.
"You really think so? That it was worth it, I mean? I- I think I have more to make up to you than I thought."
At her hasty reply after growing flushed and silent, Arrick laughed and laughed. He nudged his shoulder against her.
"You owe me nothing. I think it was worth it," he said, tossing her a wink. "I don't have much time to make friends and well, I'd like to see this time in the park with you- even though it's been what- two days? As something special. It's just.. nice to find someone to do something with who's as pretty and talented as you are."
And not necessarily as crazy as any of his younger sisters! (Perhaps, Artemis, being the only sister in exclusion)
"But no, you owe me nothing. But I do think you wanted to draw me again? Maybe you can draw me as I limp." And he gave her another dimpled smile at such a suggestion.
Arrick's laughter only made Holly flush even harder, but wasn't she acting like a silly ninny for a man that she'd known two days. It didn't matter how handsome he was, or...She had made the mistake of looking up at him just as he gave her another dimpled smile and her thoughts got all scrambled up again.
Giving her head a shake she laughed softly, trying to regain her composure. "Oh it is quite special when a girl has to twist a boy's arm to get him to agree to come see her!" Holly even managed to sound playful and teasing, which made her rather proud of herself considering the little backflips her stomach was doing.
When he brought up that she'd wanted to draw him again, though, she couldn't help but blush again and give him a sheepish glance out of the corner of her eye. "I actually have a small confession to make on that..."
She flipped the pages of her sketchbook and came to rest on a page with a rather good likeness of his smiling face. It wasn't quite as good as her first sketch, as the new one was done from memory rather than with an active model to look at, but she was rather pleased with the result.
"Oh.. did you have more than one drawing of me?" he asked, peering down at the sketch book. "Man, you've got so many of these. YOu're so talented. I wouldn't be surprised if the Grand Duke hired you!" And then the thought occurred to him- "So if you had a drawing of me, is it that you really wanted to see me that badly again? I guess I should be flattered," he said, flashing her a toothy grin.
Holly blinked, then blushed. "No! I mean - uh..."
How awkward! This was totally unfair. With just a smile he could send her heart fluttering and having her tongue all tied up in knots, and she pouted slightly. "I did really want to see you again...that's why I drew this...on Tuesday."
"Tuesday?" Arrick blinked. "But how... did you draw me from memory?"
"Let's just say you left quite an impression on me. My drawings are never as good from memory, but the more vividly I can picture or remember something - or someone- the better it turns out." Holly smiled up at him demurely.
Arrick gave a whistle.
"I never thought anyone could remember me so vividly. I'm not even sure what to say- thanks?" he said, giving her an uncertain and bashful kind of smile.
"But you really are talented, in art, memory- and the impression you leave on my soul," and the last part was spoken playfully as he gave her a roguish grin. "I think the only thing that might make our little date more perfect is for us to get up and dance-" and there, he offered out his hand to her after he rose from the bench.
A sort of victorious grin crossed Holly's face when she saw the bashful way he smiled at her. If he was going to make her all jittery with every smile, then it was only fair that she be able to throw him off a little. Though she really wished that he would stop complimenting her so much, it was making her self-conscious, and he should keep that grin to himself! The expressiveness of his face only served to accent how handsome he was.
Blue eyes blinked when he stood up and offered her his hand. He wanted to dance? Here? In the park? Laughing she set aside her things on the bench and placed her hand into his, bouncing up with a positively radiant smile.
"How spontaneously wonderful." She giggled with a playful curtsy that didn't look quite right with her in breeches instead of skirts.
"Yes, but I can't do much fun in my life if it ain't spontaneous," he assured her, and took her hand and leaned down to kiss it. "Now I'm not one to know these rich people's dances, but I've seen a thing or two in town plays," he told her, as he pulled her close. "Er..' he blushed, realizing he might have added too much force to that. "I'm a bit under developed in the skills of dancing, but let's not see if I can't pretend I know it anyway." ANd he swept out with her in his arms out onto the park lawn, with as much grace as his limping leg could afford him.
Holly was grinning from ear to ear, her blue eyes sparkling with an almost awe of him as he bent down to kiss her hand. She'd had suitors for years trying to win her over, all in an effort to add her and her father's money to their pocket of treasures. Arrick completely blew them and their fancy trinkets away with his genuine appeal. He didn't try to impress her with fancy babbles, just with himself.
A gasp was quickly followed by a soft giggle as he pulled her close, and she looked up at him, seeing his blush and flashed him a warm, reassuring smile. She laughed as he swept her out onto the lawn. "You don't need fancy dances to sweep a girl off her feet."
"Well that's good, because I don't own any!" he laughed, before suddenly stepping on her foot. "Oops, er, sorry! Guess I'm truly a novice at this!" he said and laughed again but continued, more wary of her feet this time, naturally.
Holly yelped when her foot got stepped on, but laughed it off. "That's okay, you can use me for practice anytime." She teased him with a grin. "I can even give you lessons if you like." She'd had dancing lessons after all, how hard could it be to teach him how to waltz as well as any wealthy man?
"That sounds like you're offering another date," he said, smiling at her, his brown eyes sparking.
"More than one." She grinned, correcting him with a playful wink. Oh yes, Holly could definitely picture herself having another date or twenty with him.
"So I suppose you presume I'd need more than one lesson?" ANd as if to drive the point home- his boot crunched over her foot again.
"Perhaps I'm not meant for dancing!" he said with a laugh and halted in his swing, keeping her in his arms.
Holly let out a soft squeak of pain as surprise as he stepped on her foot for a second time. "I think more than one lesson for sure!" She smirked as Arrick brought them to a stop, and she found herself blushing as he held her in his arms. "Everyone can learn to dance, but I wasn't talking about lessons, I meant more dates, dancing optional." She teased.
"So I see I've upgraded to 'just a date' instead of us finding excuses for one, though I'm not sure if we are breaking etiquette there- but if you were to ask my sisters," Arrick went on. "They would chastize us greatly, I'm sure, as they are the know it alls of the high societal ways of dates- and dancing I'm sure." He chuckled and then leaned in as he whispered, revealing, "But to let you know, I don't think any one of them is truly an expert or has had a real date."
Holly had a hard time concentrating on Arrick's words. Oh she was definitely watching his lips move, but it wasn't what he was saying that had her so riveted. A little thrill went through her as he leaned in, whispering to her, causing her heart to flutter and race as the color rose to her cheeks. What had he said? Oh yes, etiquette and his sisters.
With a somewhat shy smile she whispered back, "I don't much care for proper etiquette." Then she did the very un-etiquette thing of leaning in to give him a soft, chaste kiss. He was so tall this was really probably her best chance of planting one on him!
The kiss wasn't entirely expected , but definitely not something unwanted as she'd feel his own lips curl into a smile- even through the kiss's soft briefness.
"I'm not sure what I did t deserve that, but if you let me know, I'll gladly do it again."
Holly grinned as she felt his smile, then grinned wider at his words. Her heart had nearly hammered its way out of her chest when she'd kissed him, partially from the thrill of the action itself, partly because of nervousness to how he might react.
"You already did." She murmured softly, raising one hand up to lightly caress his cheek before pressing her lips against his again, this time lingering over the kiss.
If there was any doubt on the feeling behind the kiss before, there would be no doubts when the second kiss came. Still soft, this one lingered, long enough for Arrick to lean in, his large, rough hand cupping her cheek as he kissed her back, and the sensation was intoxicating because he didn't stop at just one kiss as he kissed her more and more.
Holly must have been out of her mind! She felt his rough hand against her cheek, her stomach was doing backflips as he not only returned the kiss, but began kissing her more and more. He was holding her close, and she couldn't help but cling lightly to him. Her skin was growing hot, her face flushed and her eyes closed as she lost herself in the moment, the kiss becoming something far less innocent.
When was the last time he properly kissed a woman? Years, probably, unless you count the holidays, but he and the other girls were normally a bit tipsy- and more kisses were normally shared that day. No, this was definitely something different, and a whole lot more.
And he most certainly did not want this moment to end.
"I wonder if we shouldn't take this conversation elsewhere?" he said between kisses. "Things are a bit more private by the river..."
Holly had never kissed a man before the way she melted into Arrick's kisses. She'd never met a man before that she'd wanted to kiss like this. Or to kiss at all. Just the insufferable "gentlemen" that her parent's had tried to push upon her.
Her heart really did skip a beat as she turned an even darker shade of red. He wanted to go by the river...for privacy. Holly's head swam for a moment, but she knew that Arrick wasn't like that, and she realized they were drawing looks. "Of course...just let me grab my things."
It took an effort to stop kissing him and pull away, hurrying over to the bench she shoved her things into her satchel and threw it over her shoulder, then carefully picked up the wrapped painting and tucked it under one arm. It probably took less than thirty seconds for her to reappear at his side, her fingers gently intertwining with his as she took his hand and smiled bashfully up at him.
"Would you like me to take that?" he offered, gesturing to the wrapped painting. "I wouldn't mind carrying it," he said as he walked along, hobbling a bit from his limp, but keeping his smile all the same.
"I should make you carry, considering it is for you." Holly teased, sticking her tongue out at him before grinning. "On the other hand, can't have people thinking I'm being mean to an injured gentleman, especially not such a sweet, handsome one as yourself." A playful wink was afforded to him, her fingers squeezing his hand gently.
Arrick laughed.
"So make me look like the horrible gentleman and making my lady carry my gifts? I think not. How about you just hand it over before I find out if you're ticklish or not?"
Holly's eyes widened, making her large, dark blue eyes pop even more, their kissing had made a mess of her braid, silky strands of red-gold falling loosely about her face.
"You wouldn't dare!" She hadn't even noticed that he'd referred to her as his lady, although it probably was just a slip of the tongue anyway.
"I have four younger sisters, would you really try to dare me?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at her playfully.
"Yeah, I would." Holly grinned, pulling back from him. She had the feeling he definitely wasn't bluffing. Of course, what fun would it be if she just handed it over?
"Alright, you know you leave me no choice, Holly Marston," he growled playfully. "BUt since you're being stubborn, I'll be nice and let you carry it.."
And so he was as good as his word- she would carry it, but a second later- he was soon carrying her! He hefted her up onto his shoulder with a grunt, and continued to limp on forward.
"But now you have to deal with me carrying you both!"
Holly's eyes had never been so wide in her life, he lifted her up and had her slung across his shoulder so fast she didn't even have time to squawk in protest. She'd known he was strong, his bulging muscles were a testament to that, but just seeing them hadn't done Arrick justice at all. Feeling those muscles put to use lifting her easy as you please, well, she truly was stunned and in awe.
Then of course she realized that she was being carried like a sack of potatoes. "H-hey! This is not dignified! Put me down." Though her voice betrayed her as she let out a giddy laugh. Oh my, if she looked down this advantage did give her a lovely view of his backside. Though her face went scarlet as she realized he could get an a rather good view of her own behind right now.
"Just keep a hold of that gift,a nd I'll keep a hold of mine!" he told her, tossing her a wink- though she probably couldn't see it at her angle. "Besides, I hear you laughing.." he said, and continued to walk off with her until they were at the river side, where he put her down with a smile and bent over so he was more at her height. HIs leg hurt but he ignored it for now and grinned at her.
"So, when we leave the park, you'll leave me help you carry that gift? Cause if not, I won't think twice about carrying you again."
Holly couldn't be mad at Arrick for his transgression, although she probably should have been. Everyone that was just in the park saw her get picked up and carried about like a sack of flour, and before that had seen them kissing like two lovestruck ninnies. She should have been beyond embarrassed.
Instead the young woman found herself unconcerned with what everyone else thought and more concerned with admiring a certain very studly miner - and admire him she did. Holly couldn't think of a single man she'd ever met that was quite so deliciously defined as her new, ahem, friend.
They finally reached their destination and he put her down. She was just a little unsteady on her feet as she swayed slightly, smiling sheepishly at him and his thrice-damned grin. "Yeah, I think you made your point."
"So you said you wanted to sketch me, why not by the river? The view here is beautiful, and who knows," he added with a chuckle. "The sun and river's reflection could catch my good side. ANd you could make a nicer drawing of me. Though I'm sorry, I.. came so dirty. I tried to wash off the soot but... well, you should see me after a day of work!"
His laughter was more fully blossomed now as he chuckled again. "I'm covered from head to toe that my skin tone and clothing become black. THough I don't think I can ever fully get all of that grime out." He shook his head, blushing a bit at the thought. "Though I suppose you probably don't care what color my finger nails or skin are. "And he gave a sheepish smile in reply as he looked back over at her, and the smile grew a bit more just taking in her dark blue eyes. Damn, was she ever pretty.
Holly was mesmerized by him, really, perhaps a case of infatuation. Though she agreed with the view by the river being beautiful, it wasn't drawing him that she was really thinking about. Although perhaps drawing him would be a good idea to try to get her mind off of the way his lips had felt when he'd kissed her like that.
"I wouldn't mind seeing you all covered in soot, I wouldn't mind seeing you anytime." She blushed and smiled shyly. No, she didn't care if he wasn't perfectly clean, or clean at all, he was gorgeous and his smile and his laugh made her heart and stomach flutter. "Maybe I should start drawing now." She said sheepishly, beginning to rummage through her satchel for her charcoal and paper.
Arrick smirked.
"Good to know I've made such an impression on a girl," he told her, giving her a leftward grin. "But I don't know- I would think I'd be more handsome with out. But I would't mind stepping outside of the mine after work some day to see you... It sure would be a sight for sore eyes. BUt I work incredibly long days, and I would never ask a lady to try to meet me in some place as compromising as the mines."
Holly was embarrassed, and it showed on her face. How could she let herself get so flustered by a handsome face and gorgeous smile? Though she laughed softly when he said he wouldn't mind seeing her after a day at the mind. "A sight for sore eyes?" She grinned, well at least he seemed to be at least a little eager to see her too. How awful would it be if it was all one-sided?
"How compromising would the mines be? I know you said you work past dark..." She'd already been scolded once for staying out late, but it had been worth every bit of chastising, just to spend those few more minutes with him. Holly's hand was already moving across the paper, charcoal lines forming as she began to sketch.
Arrick shook his head. "It's just not a safe place. At least not for you, so late at night," he assured her. "But who knows, I still have Sundays off. We could make it our thing- you know, a date in the park."
Holly smiled sheepishly over her sketchbook at him. It made her blush a little to think he was so worried about her safety. "The late hour, yes, but I wouldn't go in the mines, just..." She sighed softly, waiting for him outside of the mines wasn't any safer, and still involved being out very late.
"Sundays in the park with you sound lovely," she grinned playfully, "But are you sure you can get away so much? I know that you have a lot to do and don't want to be a bother..."
"This is true- I don't think I could promise every Sunday," he told her in earnest, his expression growing more serious. He turned away from her, his body now in profile as he glanced at the river.
"But when I can, I will." And he picked up a nearby stone, and threw it to the waters, and watched it bounce across the surface, causing dots of ripples in a path across the current.
Holly grinned, he looked so serious, and that is the expression she began to carefully draw and shade on his face in her sketchbook. His smile might have made her heart jump, but even serious he was extremely handsome. "It would be selfish for me to ask you to promise every Sunday to me, but there is something I will ask."
She paused then, still grinning, but also blushing a little. "Next time can I meet your sisters?" She'd love to meet his parents too, and he had said that his sisters wanted to meet her.
Arrick had taken up another rock and was about to throw it, but then he heard her request and turned to her.
"Meet my sisters?" His face twisted in confusion. "Oh, so maybe you are crazy," he told her with a grin.
"Yeah, must be, after all, I want to keep seeing you." Holly said with a sly grin. "And I kissed you. That makes me double crazy."
"Yes, but I don't recall complaining," he said, playfully tossing the stone he was holding and catching it as he stared at her, just smiling and smiling.
"Of course not," she set her tools aside and crawled towards him with a grin. "If you'd have complained you'd have been the crazy one."
Arrick grinned at her as she approached. He threw another stone that skipped across the river before turning to her again.
"You ever swim in the river before?" He said, and with out warning, he suddenly scooped her up into his arms and began to carry her away as he sloshed ankle deep in the river.
Holly blinked as he asked if she'd ever swam in the river before, but a moment later he was picking her up, and she squealed. The high-pitched giggles couldn't be helped as she clung to him, rather pleased to be pressed close and in his arms. Of course then his feet splashed around in the water and her eyes became huge as she realized what he was up to.
"Don't you dare, Arrick Longfellow!" The words came out as a gasping laugh, and her eyes were gleaming. If she went home soaked from head to toe, well, that was going to be awfully hard to explain...but at the same time, it was so much fun.
"What?" her turned to her, flashing a grin. "Afraid to get your trousers wet?"
"I'm not afraid of anything!" Holly gave a pout before sticking her tongue out at him. "If you throw me in the water I'm going to be all wet and cold, are you going to warm me back up?" Her blue eyes glittered playfully at that thought. Her parents would have choked on their tea to see her behave this way!
Arrick's eyes shined at the idea.
"So, what you're saying is if I drop you- you'll let me be responsible for keeping you warm?"
Oh, that sounded like a challenge if he ever heard one and opened his arms, just enough, to let her nearly slip out of them- but still, he held her close, his grin growing boyish and playful as he laughed.
Well Holly hadn't thought of it that way. Seemed kind of like rewarding him for throwing her in now that she thought about it. Before she could come up with a clever reply his arms opened, letting her slip in his grasp a bit. With a squeak of surprise she grabbed hold of him tighter. "I'd probably let you be responsible for keeping me warm either way." She giggled, peeking down at the water and wondering just how cold it was.
"Oh really?" he said, and pretended to drop her again- this time, mere inches from the water's surface as he bent over it, their reflection dancing beneath them in a blurring swirl of colors.
"Ansgar's beard!" She squealed as he dropped her so close to the surface of the water, her breath came in pants as her eyes were wide. Peeking up at him she stuck her tongue out at him. "If you wanted to." Holly grinned, face flushing just a little, adding a touch of pale rose to her creamy cheeks.
"You know.." he said, grinning just mere inches from her face. "You're not really helping your case..."
"Are you sure you even know what my case is?" Holly asked playfully, a mischievous grin flashing across her lips. "Maybe my case is simply getting you to keep me warm - one way or another." Her arms snaked up around his neck before their lips were pressed together in a warm kiss.
The kiss was warm, an dhe moaned through it- but it caught him off guard and he was leaning just to much on his weakened leg- so while he was warm by the kiss- the sudden- SPLASH of water was not, and both he and Holly were suddenly in it when his balance was lost. A moment later, he gasped for air, Holly still in his arms and the pair of them- soaked.
"Oh, Ansgar, are you alright!?" he asked, water dribbling off his chin.
Holly had been smiling into the kiss, pleased with the thought that she could draw a moan from him so easily. The young woman's satisfaction only lasted a few seconds though, because in an instant they had tumbled into the water and it was COLD. The breath was stolen from her lungs with a sharp gasp, followed by coughing and sputtering as she clung tightly to Arrick.
It only took a few moments for her to recover from the shock of falling into the river, though, and when she realized what happened, and the concerned way that he asked after her, she threw her head back and laughed. Come to think of it, she thought she might have hit the bottom of the riverbed, but she figured his pride was probably more bruised than her butt. "I'm fine, but now we're both cold and wet. Does this mean I get to keep you warm while you keep me warm?"
Arrick stared at such a statement, blinking at her after a time before he laughed.
"Perhaps, or this was just some crazy plan for me to take you swimming." And he moved out into the slightly deeper waters as he smiled at her. "Do you want to come out further with me? I can hold onto you if you're afraid of the current."
Holly grinned as they tread water, loving the way he laughed.
"I thought I just told you I wasn't afraid of anything?" She giggled and splashed some water at him. This was the most fun she'd ever had on a date before. Way better than stuffy men in suits, and her in constricting dresses that were hard to breath in, and the fakeness of it all. The dancing, the wine, the laughter - none of it was ever real. She laughed at their stupid jokes because she was expected to, and all the while she would cringe inside and wish to be somewhere else.
Arrick jerked his head back, reflexive to the water splashed at his face. He shook it away and beamed.
"Not afraid of anything then? Is that some sort of a challenge?" he told her, eyes sparkling. But in truth, he was just being playful- he had no idea how to challenge such a statement- but by Ansgar's name if she wasn't beautiful- even now, as she was soggy and wet.
Holly swam out towards him, grinning. Too bad it wasn't the height of summer when the cold water would have actually felt refreshing instead of just cold. "A challenge? Why I don't know what you're talking about. I wouldn't dream of challenging you, and to such a silly game. Hardly seems fair to draw you into a contest you can't win."
"So I take it you've swam in the Matron River before?" Arrick asked playfully, swimming further and further out in the cold waters.
"Well I'm not supposed to, but I kind of like to do things I'm not supposed to. It's exciting." Holly swam out with him, letting him draw her into deeper water where the current grew stronger. She could swim pretty good, not the best, but she didn't think she was in danger of drowning.
"Oh, really?" Arrick laughed. "Then I guess it's back to the shore with you, Miss Holly. I'd hate to be the gentleman to get you into trouble."
Holly stuck her tongue out at him. "I'm always in trouble anyway, what's a little more?" She grinned and splashed at him again. "Besides, I'm not going back without you. Who would keep me warm?" Blue eyes flashed playfully.
Arrick flinched as the water came at him, but it didn't stop him from smiling.
"So is that an invitation for me to visit your home?" he asked her playfully, splashing back.
Holly giggled and turned her head as he splashed her with water. Though she did have a problem. "Oh, well, um..." Her giggles faded and she made a slight face. "I don't know if that's a good idea, I would have to sneak you in..."
Arrick titled his head, now completely curious.
"Oh?" He swam closer to her. "Sneak me in? My, my- you are a dangerous one aren't you. But doesn't that seem a tad risky? And as I believe I stated before- I'd hate to be the man responsible for getting you into trouble." And he moved a hand forward to brush a stray lock of wet hair from her face.
Holly blinked and blushed. Well she hadn't been seriously thinking of sneaking him into her parent's house! Not really... She smiled as his fingers brushed the hair from her face.
"I get myself in trouble. Besides, if a man is going to get me in trouble, at least let me decide which man I want it to be." She grinned and got closer, but she didn't lean in to kiss him again, even if she wanted to.
Arrick smirked at their closeness.
"I don't think I'm the sort of man who could get you into trouble," he chuckled. "Considering I'm reserved for you only on Sundays."
"Even just one day is plenty of time to get into trouble. Just ask anyone that knows me, it only takes me a few minutes to find something." The grin on her face was positively mischievous. Well it was true, wasn't it? She'd only met him last Sunday, and today they had been kissing and dancing, and now swimming.
Arrick laughed.
"So are you implying that I'm trouble?"
"Oh yes, you're most definitely trouble." Holly grinned playfully. Though a shiver coursed through her a moment later and she gasped. "By Ansgar this water is cold. Tell me, how'd I let you talk me into this again?"
Arrick laughed at her questioning. He was shivering too, but he didn't let it show.
"You didn't," he told her, brown eyes sparkling. "Now come on," he said, suddenly wrapping his arms around her as he lifted her to rest against his chest. "I suppose it's time we both got back to dry land. But I won't lie. Our little river rendez-vous was fun."
Holly laughed breathlessly through chattering teeth as he pulled her against his chest. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her smile stretched from ear to ear, blue eyes sparkling as she shivered in his arms.
"The most fun I've had in ages." She agreed, then again, everything seemed more fun with Arrick.
Once they were on shore and out of the obvious mudpit of the river bank, he set Holly down delicately before peering around.
"Seems we've swam a bit away from where we left your gift," he said, and gestured towards the wrapped painting that was nestled in the tall grasses just a few yards away to their left. "Come on, let's make sure no one's messed with it."
Holly nestled in his arms quite nicely, and smiled the entire time he carried her and set her down beyond the mud, it was kinda sweet how he made sure not to put her down where it was muddy. Her clothing was close-fitting to begin with, but now they clung to her slender body, accenting her features. Goosebumps had risen on her pale flesh and shivers coursed through her.
Turning her head, she spotted the wrapped painting and her satchel, they didn't look like they'd been disturbed during their short swim. With a bright smile she took hold of his hand and pulled him along with her to where their things were still sitting - untouched. Her teeth chattered softly as she spoke. "Everything looks okay to me."
"Everything but us being cold!" Arrick said with a laugh. "M-m-m-maybe going for a swim wasn't such a good idea." But he smiled anyway as he looked down at her, teeth chattering behind closed lips.
Holly grinned at his comment about being cold and going swimming not being a good idea. "I'm not complaining, it was fun!" She couldn't suppress a rather violent shudder, but the grin never left her lips. "Besides, weren't you going to keep me warm?" She teased before leaning against him and wrapping her arms around his waist. They were both equally cold and clammy, but she didn't care.
Arrick wrapped his big arms around her and gently rubbed at her back.
"I guess I did make a p-promise," he said through a laugh. "Though I'm not sure how well I can keep a wet girl warm. Though I'd offer my coat- it is a bit soggy!" he said wth a laugh while lifting up one soggy corner as water dribbled down frm it and formed a puddle in the grass. In fact, where they were both standing was already making hte ground swampy between the two of them.
"But perhaps I'm just going at it wrong. I mean, I should have thought about bringing a blanket." he told her, hugging her tighter to him so they were just a few inches apart as he grinned down nto her face.
Holly closed her eyes as he wrapped her up in his arms and rubbed her back. It felt nice, but she had to giggle at the way he stuttered with the cold. "Well the swimming was kind of spontaneous. Can't expect you to think of everything."
Of course her blue eyes also flashed mischievously as he pulled her closer, gazing up at him with a grin. "You'll think of something to warm us up."
Arrick enjoyed feeling the girl so close to him as he kept his large arms around her. His eyes danced at her words as he told her, "I think I already did." And he leaned down to kiss her.
Arrick wasn't the only one enjoying the embrace, and when he pressed his lips to hers Holly let out a pleased sigh as she pressed softly into the kiss, raising her hands from where they'd been wrapped about his waist to softly stroke his face and neck. This was the first time he'd initiated a kiss between them and it delighted her.
"I like your idea." She murmured breathlessly against his lips.
"Good," he told her in an almost growl before he kissed her again. "Because I'd feel pretty awful if you didn't!"
Holly grinned against his lips, her arms moving up to wrap loosely around his neck until her body was flush against his. They were cold and wet, giving her shivers, but she honestly didn't care about that.
Arrick was shivering too, but not just from the cold waters that had soaked them. But his kisses soon turned palpable, a hand smoothing across her face as he turned his head and kissed her this way, then turned the other way, lips meeting with hers again and hesitantly, slipping in a little tongue.
The first time she felt his tongue brush against her lips, Holly did make a soft squeak of surprise. Her face turned a bit red, not only from the contact, but from her reaction. She'd been the one encouraging him all this time, why she should be surprised by an attempt to deepen their kisses was beyond her. Despite that, she found herself suddenly feeling a little shy as she pulled her lips away and looked up at him with wide blue eyes and flushed cheeks.
Arrick's cheeks were also pink as he stared at her through half-lids.
"I... I'm sorry. Was that too much?" he asked her softly.
Holly couldn't help but grin as she took in the blush on the huge, burly miner's face, and his words were adorable too. Shaking her head she giggled before softly kissing him again, her words whispered against his lips. "Nobody's ever kissed me like this before."
Arrick gave a blush at the notion and sheepishly rubbed at the back of his head.
"Well, er... that makes it awkward. I- I guess I just assumed wrongly you might enjoy it."
Or have experience. Though to be fair, the women that had kissed him like that were when he was in his youth- and the women, not exactly the most innocent. And a few beers after a hard week of worth allowed Arrick some moments that were stolen away by make out sessions that didn't lead anywhere except to him buying more drinks and getting a head ache when he arrived home. THankfully, that part of his life hadn't lasted too long.
"I guess I can keep my tongue out of there," he said, giving her a wistful grin. He didn't meant to scare her anyway. He just.. suddenly longed for something deeper. And always imagined what it'd be like to share that sort of kiss with a girl when he wasn't drunk and they both did it of their own choosing.
Holly blinked up at him, watching the sheepish way that he rubbed the back of his head, blue eyes wide with disbelief this time. Did he really think she didn't enjoy it? Her eyes widened impossibly further at his second words, eyeing his wistful grin incredulously. He did think she hadn't enjoyed it! Tch. Silly man. Her lips split into a huge grin, eyes sparkling deviously. "I didn't say I didn't like it. You just surprised me - so bold on the second date."
It was here his cheeks turned crimson.
"Y-yes, it was bold of me," he admitted, but still smiled at her when she smiled back to him.
"Perhaps I'll wait to try again on date number three."
Holly grinned and snuggled herself against his chest, nuzzling lightly at his neck and cheek. She couldn't help the soft hint of teasing that entered her voice as she placed a couple soft kisses to his cheek. "As long as I get a date number three I don't mind!"
Arrick's smile grew wistful at that revelation.
"Oh, and a date four and five as well!" He gave a soft laugh and leaned in to steal a quick kiss from her lips. "But we should be heading back.."
Though it was reluctantly spoken, the day was getting later- and the sun, beginning to set. And the pair of them were both cold. He moved towards their things resting at the river bank.
"Can I escort you home?" It was only proper, after all.
Blue eyes lit up, no, her entire face lit up with a huge grin at his proclamation of a fourth and fifth date. A soft, happy hum left her lips as he stole a quick kiss, though her lower lip pouted softly at how brief it was. Giving an decidedly unhappy sigh, she knew he was right about leaving. She'd get in trouble no matter what time she got home, considering how wet she was, but it would be worse if she was too later again.
"You can escort me part of the way." Holly said carefully. She still knew that Arrick couldn't be seen with her, not too close to home. Her parents would freak out. Plus she didn't want him to find out she was wealthy and decide that he didn't want her after all.
"Only part of the way? Still afraid of me figuring out where you live?" he jested, and moved to pick up their things. "But don't worry, perhaps you can visit my home first-a nd if you can survive that sort of atmosphere with my sisters- than maybe... just maybe, we can consider me walking you all the way home some day?"
"Not afraid of anything!" Holly protested stubbornly, though she did feel a little guilty. Could her refusal to show him where and how she lived be considered as deceptive? It wasn't like she had ever denied being from a wealthy family. He just hadn't asked and she hadn't mentioned it.
"I'd love to visit your home and meet your family. They sound nice. I hope your parents like the present, I really do." She smiled at him sheepishly, hoping that she could win over not only him, but his family as well. Gathering up her satchel and securing it over her shoulders she smiled at him and held out her hand for him. "I'll let you walk me all the way home soon, I just need to sort some things out first."
Arrick gave her a grin.
"Sort things out?" ANd he gave a dramatic sigh, thinking back to some of the conversations he had had with his sisters. "Oh, the dramatic life of women..." and he went about it, saying it in an air of evident teasing- for if anything, as an older brother of so many sisters, he had the teasing thing down pat.
Holly shot Arrick a dirty look at his teasing. Was she being dramatic? Did it matter?
"Hey, men can be just as dramatic as women!" It seemed a hollow and feeble protest, but it was what the young woman had. Sighing she made sure that the painting was secured and dry before walking towards her part of the city. If she let him walk her very far he'd know she was from the richer part of the city anyway. As long as her parents didn't see him, it should be okay. Arrick wouldn't stop meeting her just because she had money, she didn't think. At least she hoped not.
"You want me to carry that for you?" Arrick offered as they began to make their way through the streets. "I don't mind. I've carried heavier stuff when I work."
Holly grinned at Arrick before pushing the wrapped painting carefully to him. "You might as well, that's going home with you anyway. I hope your parents do like it." She had worked really hard on it, taking special care to get everything just right. Every brushstroke had needed to be perfect, and in the end, she was happy with the result.
The painting had been perfect indeed, for each stroke was taken in care, and showed the vibrancy of the sun as it glowed across the trees, grass and river of the Uthlyn park. His parents adored it, gushing over the intricacies, and naturally, not only they demanded it, but Arrick's sisters as well, that thye were to meet this 'secret' girl whom Arrick had been 'courting'.
"Woah, woah, now let's not get ahead of ourselves. I don't know if courting is the right term..." Arrick began but was abruptly cut off by Arisa.
"Then what would you call, it brother?"
"It's evidently courting," Naddy pointed out.
"Yes, no doubts about that!" Jane chimed in, as the girls went about gushing over how romantic it all had been. Arrick laughed and shook his head.
"Yes, but a man like me... I'm not sure it would even be kind to offer up marriage-"
And it was here his own father chimed in, as sick as he was, as he rapped his cane against the floor boards to get order from his children. Once all of the girls grew quiet, Mr. Longfellow sighed and looked up at his much taller son. It was evident he had some of that Adelan traits in him, for he was so tall ad well muscled, where as the rest of his daughters all inherited the usual Connlaothian traits primarily shared between he and his wife. But that was hardly of any consequence now as the sickly man rose to his feet, despite the protests from his son and wife.
"Now, Arrick, I'd have to agree with the girls.." and before they buzzed about with more words to gush over, he rose a hand to silence them. "Courting, I dare say, would be the correct term. It is not right for the girl to be lead on so other wise. And it is clear how much she cares, as is evident in that drawing of you, Arrick, and in this painting here, that she had made for us, and she has not even met any one of us."
At such a notion, Arrick knew it was true, and blushed while giving a nervous rub to the back of his head.
"Well, it's just-"
"No buts about it, Arrick. Now I nkow you have a gentle, kind heart, and you always think of others, but I think a wife would do you some good. But the decision, it is ulitmately up to you... ad the girl in question, but I think it is more than evident what your dear Holly has to say."
Turning away from his father, Arrick peered at the painting and let his mind drift back to those fond memories at the park.
"And we can do quite well here with our daughters, Arrick," his mother chimed in from where she lay in her bed. "Artemis has been sending us more than enough money to keep the house hold running, and now that she has found a means to get out of the house, you should do the same."
And with a nod, Arrick's smile brightened.
"Well, as much as I'm glad you all approve of her, I brought up Holly becuase well... she'll be stopping by here to meet you all this evening."
And his mother's jaw dropped, and his three youngest sisters gasped.
"Here?" Arisa said.
"At our home?" Naddy gaped.
"To meet us all?" Jane gushed. And Arrick laugheda nd hugged Jane to his side while ruffling lightly her hair.
"Yes, for dinner, it's why I wanted us to purchase a ham. It has been ages since we've been able ot afford such a thing, and with the extra income..."
"And you wanting to impress," Arisa commented coyly, and soon everyone was laughing at that as the house came to life with them all preparing the food. Arrick left some time later, to meet with Holly at the park, and he was as nervous as he had ever been. Meeting hsi family was no light matter.....
He just hoped she could survive the exuberance that was his youngest sisters!
Holly had been nervous ever since she'd agreed to have dinner with Arrick's family. Honestly, she wasn't sure what she'd been thinking when she had said yes. Not that she didn't want to meet them, she really did want to, but things were kind of spiraling out of control. A few weeks ago she'd drawn a very handsome man she had noticed in the park, and now she was going to have dinner with his family.
Now that the day had actually arrived the nervousness that had been building all week was almost at a bursting point. Her stomach was doing little flips and she wondered if she would even be able to eat. What if they didn't like her? That was probably her biggest concern on that front.
"Calm down child before you make yourself sick. Arrick obviously likes you if he's bringing you home to his family. I'm sure they'll adore you. You're such a darling girl, after all." Her maid had brushed and was now braiding her hair, with her typical blue ribbon.
She'd spent most of the day agonizing over what to wear. Arrick always saw her in the breeches, blouses, bodice, and boots that a well-to-do woman of modest upbringing might wear. Holly had been very indecisive if she should wear similar to dinner or if she should put on one of her simpler dresses. Impressing his family was oddly important to her.
The other source of her nervousness had been sneaking out of her house without her parents realizing she was gone. Not that she didn't do that all the time, but this time was different. Holly didn't know how late she'd be out at Arrick's house. Luckily, her parents had announced they were going out tonight. Some dinner with another rich family. They'd wanted her to go, but she'd feigned illness and begged herself out of it.
By the time everything was said and done, Holly had to walk quickly down the street, kicking at her skirts with her dainty little slippers. In the end her maid had talked her into wearing a dress. First impressions and all that. She had on a short wool lady's coat, and a woven shawl as well. Creams and blues had been the colors decided on, as her maid had suggested those would best compliment her natural colors.
Basket of goodies in hand, she actually walked out the front door of her house to see Arrick for a change.
When she arrived at the park it was easy to spot Arrick, and Holly grinned as she swallowed her nervousness and bounced up to him exuberantly, giving a little curtsy before twirling around for him to examine her more girly attire.
"Well what do you think?"
Arrick was gaping, and he didn't hide that fact either! His jaw was nearly on the ground, and his smirk twitched a bit in appreciation of what he saw. He gave a whistle.
"Is this the same little artist I've been flirting with the last few weeks?" he asked, blue eyes taking her in up and down.
Seemed like her maid had been right, dress had definitely been the way to go. Holly grinned shyly with a blush as she stopped twirling. Was it wrong for her to like the way he was looking at her? Blushing a little more she decided it wasn't, considering what else she'd been doing with him.
"Well if I wasn't would I do this?" She asked playfully as she set her basket down and stepped up, putting her hands on his shoulders and standing up on tip-toes so she could press a soft kiss to his lips.
Arrick blushed at the chaste kiss before boldly wrapping his strong arms around her and keeping her close.
"You call that a kiss?" He asked playfully, and before she could protest, he dipped her gently and let their lips meet again in a powerful and passionate kiss.
When he pulled away, he looked hazily into her eyes.
"Just thought such a dress warranted an equally as astounding kiss," he said, jutting his chin out just a bit.
Holly only managed to give a soft squeak of surprise as his arms encircled her before his mouth was all over hers in a kiss that made her skin flush from scalp to toes. At least it felt like it. Her hands were clutching his broad, strong shoulders when he finally pulled away, leaving her breathless and eyes slightly dazed.
"A very," She cleared her throat, as her voice had come out far too much a squeak, "Very astounding kiss. If I'd known you'd react like that I'd have worn a dress for you sooner."
A shy, nervous giggle escaped her. It was still hard for her to believe that she was going to be meeting his family today. Taking home a girl to meet your parents wasn't exactly something men tended to do just willy nilly, or so she thought.
Arrick's grin broadened at such a statement.
"Yeah, but then you wouldn't be able to run with me in the park," he told her with a wink. "So how you feeling? Think you're actually ready to meet my family? They can be..err... quite a hassle," he went on, explaining as he scratched at the back of his head. "But, well, I think you'll be able to survive this just fine."
"This is true, can't go running or swimming with you in a dress." Holly grinned, remembering the little dip in the river they'd taken last Sunday, which consequently made her cheeks burn again. She certainly hadn't been behaving like a lady around him, had she?
Taking a deep breath she flashed him the brightest smile she could muster. She hoped she didn't look as nervous as she felt. "I'm sure I want to meet them, Arrick. Are...are you sure you want them to meet me?" She asked softly, feeling her confidence waning again. They'd hardly had any real time together, was he really ready to take her home to meet his family?
"What kind of question is that?" he said, taking her hand and squeezing it. "Of course I do! I just hope my sisters don't eat you alive!"
Taking a deep breath she smiled and nodded, trying to force herself to think positive. Arrick wanted her to meet his family. That was the important thing, right? "Alright, if you're sure. I just hope they all like me. Oh! I brought bribes! Nothing super special, just some pastries, a jar of honey, and some tea leaves father got from Adela. I hope that's okay." She pointed to the basket she'd set down so that she could give him a proper greeting.
Arrick blinked.
"You didn't have to go all out! Now they're think you're rich or something, bringing me and my family home gifts," he joked, throwing an arm around her and hugging her closely to his side. "And trust me. They'll love you." And he looked her clean in the eyes. "I know I do."
"Er..." Was all Holly managed to get out as he mentioned being rich, words failing her, instead she just gave him a sheepish smile as he put his arm around her and hugged her close. what he said next kind of knocked the air out of her.
"You...love..." Large blue eyes had grown impossibly larger as she gaped at him for a moment. Surely he couldn't be serious. Pale skin flushed deeply as she dropped her gaze to the ground embarrassed. They barely knew each other. He was dangerously gorgeous, and his smile was to die for, but could she already be in love with him? She thought about the sweet kisses they had shared, and the swim in the river. A small smile crossed her lips. "Do you really?"
Arrick's grin broadened, his own cheeks tinting pink.
"I'd like to think it's the beginning of something," he mused, staring more at the skies now than her as they began to walk, or, at least he tried to coax her into walking with him.
Holly stooped and grabbed the basket before walking close by his side. "I think it is a very good beginning."
Arm and arm the pair walked, strolling forward, onward into the unknown...
Well, perhaps it wasn't the unknown, well, not to Arrick. He already knew what to expect, but well, perhaps it was the unknown to his guest? For as they walked through the gardens, then wove their way through town, through nicer streets until houses began to get smaller, less nicer, and then to the side where places seemed to be almost shack like in their appearance and the cobblestone, so garbled it was gravel in some places...
It was here he lead the fine woman on his arm and gestured to a small, squat house among a long row of similar ones at the end of the way.
"There's my house." And he flashed her a smile. "I won't scold you if you remember it. The location that is. For you know..." he gave a sheepish rub tot he back of his neck, before pausing, palm of his hand resting at the base of his neck. "For any future visits, should you decide you still want to see me after this day."
It was definitely the unknown. Arrick had told her a little about his family, but Holly was still nervous and not sure what kind of reception to expect. Big blue eyes cast a shy glance in the direction of the handsome man walking beside her. He'd said they would love her, but he seemed pretty nervous too.
They passed through town, moving to a poorer and poorer section of the city. Holly's eyes flashed uncertainly and she began chewing on her bottom lip as they approached his home. Did his family really live like this? These houses were tiny, and he lived in one with his parents and sisters? She could only imagine the looks of horror and disgust that would be on her parent's faces. Though she'd known how they'd react to Arrick even if he lived in a mansion. Her gentle giant was usually dirty. Well Ansgar take her parents for all she cared.
Stopping and taking in the house he gestured to for a moment before she turned to Arrick and smiled up at him. She didn't care if he lived in a tent. Taking his hand in hers she gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Of course I will want to still see you, Arrick. Trust me, nothing that happens today is going to change that."
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly she peered at him with a little smile. "Can I have a kiss before we go in?" Giving a soft giggle she added. "For luck, of course!"
Arrick laughed and paused a moment to pull her in towards the shadows of a nearby building and swept her up into his arms.
"As the lady wishes," he said, and stole a kiss upon her lips. "Nervous?" he asked breathily, as he held her close.
Holly couldn't stop the giggles from escaping as he swept her into his arms in the shadow of a house nearby. Did he not want his sisters or parents to peek out the window and catch them? her own arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, pressing close to him with a large grin.
"Little nervous, yeah. Kind of a big day, meeting my handsome stud's family and all." Feeling a little bold, she let her fingers trail up the back of his neck before running them lightly through his hair and pressing a few soft, nibbling kisses to his lips. "We're keeping everybody waiting..." She said with a sly grin.
"Let 'em wait," he murmured against her lips, stealing yet another kiss from her. "They'll have all night to gush over you. You just wait."
"All night?" Holly asked grinning against his lips before letting a question purr out between sweet, brief kisses. "Is that a promise or invitation?"
"Well, I uh.." Arrick blushed at his choice of phrasing. "I.. I meant all evening." Though his face was turning scarlet the more he thought of it. "But hey er... I'm not the sort of man to turn a lady away. Especially if she wanted to er... to.. er.. well.." ANd he rubbed at the back of his neck. "Stay through the night. But I guess we can call it a promise," he told her, giving her a sheepish grin. "That you'll have so much fun with me and my family, you might just have to stay the night. We do have Artemis's spare room..."
Though who's to say her parents would approve? Those parents that he had yet to meet...
Oh how red his face had become! Holly giggled at his stuttered response. She'd known that he hadn't meant it that way. Her own cheeks were a little rosy, a little surprised with herself at what she'd said, but still grinning. Especially since he wasn't telling her no or trying to insist that wasn't a good idea. No, indeed, he mentioned they had a spare room.
"What if I have so much fun I want to stay forever?" Holly whispered with a glint in her blue eyes.
Arrick's heart just about melted, and well...
Something else was heated as well. Angsar save him! He was having dirty thoughts about her already! Not that he'd mind it but...
His lips found hers as he kept her securely against him as they leaned against the cool wall of a nearby house.
"Then I'd let you," he whispered and kissed her again, and again and again as he softly moaned.
Holly found that she was heating up to her very core as her skin flushed hotly. It made the cool wall of the house they leaned against feel that much better as the coolness seeped through her clothing.
His whispered response sent a delighted shiver through her as she clung tightly to him, making a soft, needy whimper against his lips as he kissed her repeatedly. There was something he had wanted to do the last Sunday, and she had stopped him, though it had been unintentional. Well, there was no time like the present and she had told him she'd let him this time.
Letting her large blue eyes flutter closed, Holly parted her lips invitingly, one hand gently massaged the back of his neck as the other slid down his chest. Feeling just how solid he was held so close to her body, and noticing there was a particular bulge at the front of his pants that pressed lightly against her had the young woman gasping softly.
Arrick paused in mid-kiss, a hot breath splaying across her lips.
"Err... sorry about that," he murmured. "Kind of a reaction sort of... thing."
"Don't apologize, just kiss me." Holly chuckled, soft and breathless, before catching his lips eagerly again, letting her tongue slide out along his lips teasingly. She knew very well what it was, and that knowledge had her turning just as red as he'd been a moment before. It was so naughty, kissing him like this in the shadow of a house, so close to the home of his parents' where his family was waiting on them to show up for dinner.
"Y-yeah, but this kissing is going to get me into trouble. Maybe I should apologize in advance?" he managed to get out between breathy kisses. Gods, she just had to use her tongue, and he moaned and leaned in more against her, pressing himself up agianst her so there was no doubt exactly why he did it or how he felt. His body was in need. And he needed her more badly than he had ever know.
"Ansgar's name.. Holly.." he whispered, lips meeting to hers as he kissed her again, tongue slipping inside her mouth and wrestling with hers hotly.
A kiss for luck was quickly escalating, Holly thought as he pinned her between himself and the wall of the house they were leaning against. She could feel the heat and hardness of his arousal pressing against her through the layers of their clothing. There was no doubt in her mind of the need and desire that was gripping him. Just knowing that she was the cause of that intense need notched up her own desire for him.
Feeling his tongue battling with her own caused Holly to moan softly as his mouth devoured hers. What would her parents think? What would anyone think? She wasn't even engaged to this man, and here she was so scandalously kissing him this way. Well those strict stipulations and restrictions on such behavior were more important for high society, which Arrick obviously was not. Still...
"Arrick..." She groaned softly, trying to pull herself from the kiss, though the action was obviously done with reluctance. "We." A soft moan. "Have." A gasp. "To stop." Her protest held very little conviction.
"Yeah..." he agreed through a breath, and drew another one in and took a step back away from her. "But I think I need a moment." Considering his pants felt a bit tighter now after that! It wasn't exactly.. proper to go walking home with a tent in his pants.
He stepped away and Holly immediately gave a sigh of discontentment. Stopping had been her idea, but that didn't mean she had to like it. A grin spread across her face as she peered up at him mischievously as she smoothed a few wrinkles he had just put in her dress.
"Remind me to kiss you like that again later. I kind of like your...reaction." With that she gave a playful chuckle, though it was obvious she was still trying to catch her breath, and picked up the basket she'd dropped, making sure everything was back in place. "Do you think they suspect what we've been up to?"
Arrick gave a shrug.
"They might. With any luck, one of my nosy sisters might have seen us disappear beside this house." He gave a shake of his head, but smiled anyway.
"Here, let me help with that," and he picked up the basked and worked a hand through his hair.
"Thankfully it's a cold night." He said, then moved to adjust his pants a bit. "Too bad the cold isn't helping much in the lower department." He said, then gave a short laugh. "ANd if you do try that again, you might be in trouble. Because well.." and here he pulled her in closer. "I really like kissing you."
Holly let him take the basket with a smile. He liked carrying things for her, didn't he? That thought had her holding back a smirk.
"Ah, well I did tell you I was good at getting in trouble." She giggled softly as he pulled her close again, her breath did catch slightly as he said he liked kissing her, causing her to blush slightly. "Guess it is a good thing I like kissing you too, then. You're a really good kisser by the way. Makes me curious what else you're good at." Her blue eyes flashed playfully, a totally devious, while somehow completely innocent, smile coming to her lips.
Arrick could have dropped the basket as his lips fumbled over a smile.
"Well, I can tell you one thing I'm bad at." And he stole another kiss from her. "Keeping myself away from you!"
Holly was positively giddy by now, her nervousness had evaporated sometime while she was playing around with Arrick. "Ah, but that's not a bad thing to be bad at!"
Not at all. The young woman rather liked all the attention she got from him. He made her feel wanted, which was something her parents hardly ever did. Smiling brightly she gave him one last kiss. "C'mon. Let's go before your sisters lose their patience and send out a search party. There will be time for more of this later."
Arrick gave a sigh but finally caved. He supposed he was as ready as he was going to be to have Holly meet the Longfellows, and the moment he approached the door and threw it open, Naddy, Arisa and Jane were already eagerly poking their heads about, their plain colored skirts fluttering as they rushed all around Holly, eagerly and giddily gushing over her that it was making Arrick's head spin.
"Woah, woah, woah, Naddy, Arisa, Jane, hold on! Holly hasn't even made it two steps inside the house and you're already asking a million questions!"
"That's because we have a lot to ask you!" Naddy reminded.
"We've heard so much about you, we couldn't be more thrilled you're here!" Arisa said, looping one arm around Holly's.
"And Arrick was right, you are a pretty one!" Jane went on with a giggle as they lead Holly away from their brother and deeper into the small but quaint Longfellow home.
The only comparison that came to mind in Holly's mind was feeling a bit like a lost lamb being surrounded by a pack of wolves. Arrick's sisters had flocked around her almost as soon as the door had been opened. She was pretty sure they were asking her questions, but the girls were all talking at once and as soon as they finished one question they seemed to be asking another.
"Told you I was pretty, did he?" Holly asking with a twinkle in her eye as she cast Arrick a playful grin over her shoulder as the girls led her away. Part of her was still nervous, but his sisters seemed to already be won over, so that left gaining his parent's approval.
"So how old are you?" Arisa asked.
"And what sorts of things did you study in school?" Naddy asked, intrigued.
"Naddy! What a boring topic to ask! If anything, you should tell us how many times you've kissed our brother," Arisa pressed.
Naddy gasped. "Arisa! That is not appropriate!"
"But I want to know too!" Jane chimed in.
"Woah, woah, woah, Naddy, Arisa, Jane, calm down. Holly's not used to the Longfellow girls just yet. I'm afraid you'll scare her away!" Arrick said, attempting to come to the rescue of his date.
"Not afraid of anything, remember?" Holly giggled as Arrick tried to swoop in to save her. That was so sweet. Unnecessary at the moment, but sweet.
"Let me see, I'm twenty-three years old, I studied art mostly, but my mother insisted I learn to sew also, and I'm afraid I wasn't keeping count!" Blue eyes were gleaming and she had a grin on her face as she peeked over at her handsome miner to see his reaction, though she was equally interested in what the girls would say.
The girls were a mass of giggles and delight.
"Oh, you're young!" Naddy gasped.
"Young, but apparently a good kisser!" Arisa teased.
"I guess our brother had to be okay enough to want to kiss him more than once back!" Jane also teased as Arrick laughed at his sister's who were positively gushing. "Do you plan to marry him?"
"Jane!" Naddy scolded. "We've only but met her! Give her some space!"
"But don't you want to know?"
"Yes, but certainly we do not want to scare our guest away," Naddy replied, trying to stifle a giggle.
"We saw the paintings and they are lovely!" Arisa gushed. "You must paint me sometime.
"No, me!" Jane added in.
"Arisa, Jane, please! Give the girl some space!" Naddy interjected, and suddenly, Arrick was laughing,a loud, clear noise that made all of the girls grow quiet and turn to him.
"You three act as if you've never met another person in all of your life!" Arrick quipped.
"But we haven't met anyone like her," Arisa reminded him with a pout. "You never bring girls around here. She must be special."
"Yeah, special!" Jane chimed in.
"Well, yeah, I'd like to think she is. But I don't need you to scare her off!" But he was laughing in good humor about it.
They really were giving her a run for her money. Holly had expected that Arrick's sisters would question her extensively, but all three of them going at once was almost dizzying. How did he manage it all the time? She hadn't been in the house ten minutes! Too bad she was an only child, some practice dealing with nagging sisters might have been useful now.
"Er." She managed to squeak out. It was a little weird having anyone talking about her kissing Arrick, and her cheeks turned red, but she bit her tongue. Holly had brought it on herself, she could have denied ever having kissed Arrick.
"M-marry him?" What kind of question was that?! She was only just meeting them. "Well, uh..."
Blue eyes glanced at Arrick, he was laughing now, and she gave a shy smile and looked away. It made her a little giddy to know he thought she was special.
"Maybe I should meet your parents before we start considering marriage!" She said with a slightly nervous laugh.
And that's when Arisa hooked arms with Holly.
"Then come with me to the other room! My parents are dying to meet you!"
"Then we can ask them for you if you two can marry!" Jane said through a happy laugh and moved along with her sister as they began to usher her into the other room.
"Woah, Jane.. Arisa!" But it was too late, the girls were already dragging her along and into the other room they went...
and there, in the center of a crowded room was a bed full of layers of blankets, pillows and all sorts of bottles and bowls scattered about, and two very tired but happy looking sick folks laying there.
"Well there.." Arrick's mother said, her smile broadening, eyes warming. "You must be Holly. Hello."
Arrick paused beside his sister's and Holly, and gave his mother a smile, and took a step forward.
"Holly, this is my mother, my father, Raiella and Jaimen Longfellow."
"...ask them..." Was the only coherent words Holly was able to muster in response to the idea of Arrick's sisters asking his parents if she could marry Arrick. Since when was this an interview for the position of Arrick's wife? She giggled nervously, hoping that Jane was just kidding. They were just kidding, right?
Holly felt herself paling as she was dragged into the room, finally laying her widened blue eyes on the sickly couple in the bed. The woman was beautiful, and she had a warm smile, like Arrick, which made her feel a little better, though she was still rather intimidated now that the moment was at hand.
"It's such an honor to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Longfellow." She said as she dropped into a curtsy and gave them a nervous smile before moving closer to Arrick and grabbing his hand for reassurance.
Mr. Longfellow let out a long series of coughs and wheezes, but it seemed everyone (except, perhaps, his giddy daughters) remained patient for him to finish his spell, and it was only then he could go about speaking.
"And it is an honor to meet you, young lady," came the gravely voice of Arrick's father. He has the same deep brown eyes as his son, as did most of the family."We've heard quite a lot about you,a nd Arrick here, he showed us your pictures. The one...t he one of the sunset in the park with the river..." And here, Arrick's father's eyes glistened. "It was beautiful."
"And it only makes sense such a lovely young woman were to paint it," his wife chimed in softly. She gave Holly and Arrick a warm smile, noting the way her son held on firmly, supportingly to his lover's hand as she stood before his sickly parents. "I'm sure your parents must be very proud of your skills."
Holly watched sadly as Arrick's father had a coughing fit. Well, she had known his parents were sick, but actually seeing it was still disheartening. Even so, she never let her smile slip, though the nervous quality eased out of it. Especially when Mr. Longfellow told her how beautiful her painting was, and she could see the way his eyes glistened.
His mother's soft voice only put her more at ease, and she probably didn't need to hold onto Arrick's hand now, but she squeezed it anyway and kept their hands joined just because it felt nice to have the contact with him.
"Yes, I suppose they are rather proud of my art." They liked to brag about it, saying her work was good enough to line the walls of the palace, and they always brought it up when they were trying to impress people with son's within a reasonable age of her. She didn't want to talk about them. "I'm so glad you liked the sunset. When Arrick told me that you used to love the sunsets at the park but were too sick to see them yourself anymore I just wanted to give you a sunset again."
"It was such a beautiful thing, to think, you went out of your way to capture this for us. Thank you, Holly. And again, I am very delighted to finally meet you," his mother said, while Arrick squeezed her hand reassuringly again.
"We'll be serving a ham tonight. It's been ages since we could, and it's something my sisters prepared themselves," Arrick pointed out, the girls all chiming in, happy to be acknowledged again.
Holly smiled brightly at Arrick's parents. They liked her. All of them. It was a great relief to the young woman to feel that she was acceptable to his family. That just made her think of what the girls had been pestering her about almost since she arrived. Well, if she was so desperate for his family's approval maybe she was entertaining the idea of marrying him, even if she hadn't realized it.
"Oh, you didn't have to do something special on my account!" She said, feeling a little self-conscious about the idea of them going out of their way for her.
"Think nothing of it!" Arrick told her with a smile. "My older sister sends us extra money a month, so it was more than enough to cover the ham for dinner. But I'm just glad we had the coin to spare. It surely beats the regular old stale bread and porridge, that's for sure!"
Somehow Holly wasn't reassured at all. Indeed, she felt kind of guilty. Never in her life had she worried about food or had to settle for less than excellence in food, clothes, or education. Suddenly she felt very out of place here, and worried that they'd realize she was just some rich girl that didn't have a clue about the real world or appreciate anything in it.
Shuffling her feet nervously she tried to return Arrick's smile, but it was obvious she was struggling to keep her nerves from showing too badly. She wished that she was still tucked away in the shadows of that house, kissing Arrick so sweetly. Of course that thought made her blush faintly.
"You still didn't have to, Arrick." She said quietly, if you didn't know her better you might have thought she'd said it meekly.
"Oh, but he did it so he could impress you!" Jane blurted out, her youth and enthusiasm winning over.
"Jane!" Naddy hissed, giving her youngest sister a scolding look.
"But it's true, Naddy" Arisa said with a giggle. "We suggested doing a chicken, but he said it wasn't enough. He wanted this dinner to be special." And she gave her brother a coy and playful look.
Holly still felt guilty that they'd spent extra money just because she was coming to dinner, but she blushed a little more to think that Arrick wanted this to be even more special than it already was. Just getting to meet his family made it a special evening as far as she was concerned. Casting her blue eyes over at Arrick for a moment, she looked back to the sisters with a smile.
"Men can be so silly sometimes. Arrick didn't need to get a ham to impress me. I'm already rather impressed with him." Glancing at him again she grinned slyly, wondering if he was going to blush again. Ansgar, but he was so handsome.
"Well, you must have been impressed enough to want to meet us," Arisa gushed.
"And to paint such a lovely painting," Jane reminded.
"I think it's only natural that things would come to be this way. Especially for those in love," Naddy pointed out, matter of factly. And their mother only chuckled while Arrick blushed and did the same.
"Girls, now, we don't need so much energy here. I know you are all excited, but really, shouldn't you all be going to the kitchen now to help finish preparing the meal?" Their mother reminded.
"There's not much left to be done," Arrick told her with a shrug. "I think the biscuits might be the only thing, and they're already cooling on the table."
"I made the biscuits myself!" Jane informed Holly, looping an arm with hers. "Shall I show you the dining room? Arrick put some flowers on the table. Just for you."
And the girls all giggled at the idea.
Oh Ansgar this was going to be a long evening. Holly was blushing again and looking shyly at Arrick. For those in love, huh? Well, she didn't know if she was in love, certainly infatuated, attracted, and impressed, but love was such a strong word!
She blinked at Jane before smiling. "Flowers just for me, huh? You're right, he must really be trying hard to impress me." She leaned towards Jane to speak conspiratorially into her ear, but still loud enough for everyone to hear. "Well it's working!"
Turning her blue eyes on Arrick she grinned. "Why don't you show me these flowers, Arrick? Are they blue like the ones you got me before? You know, the ones to match my eyes?" Oh yes, she was going to torture him a bit tonight.
Arrick, still blushing, gave a laugh at her accuasations, and as the massive group of Longfellows (plus one) entered into the kitchen, he swept a large hand in the vase's direction.
"See for yourself."
And there, upon the table was a massive vase, over flowing with those same, blue flowers.
Well she hadn't gotten quite the rise out of him that she'd wanted. Holly followed along with the rest, eyes lighting up as they entered the dining room and she saw the flowers in the vase. They were the same. She had sort of been joking. The young woman couldn't help but wonder just how much trouble Arrick had gone through in arranging this dinner for her to meet his family. Did he really want to impress her that much?
Smiling she turned to peer up at him with a gentle scrutiny. If he was trying this hard then maybe he was really serious about courting her. A few meetings in the park, a dozen stolen kisses, those were all well and good, but her cheeks heated as she considered the possibility of more then innocence rendezvous in the park on Sundays. Arrick's sisters certainly seemed to think this was more than just a fling.
Well she had wondered how a man like him could possibly still be unmarried. He was handsome, sweet, gentle, a good kisser, hard-working, and obviously devoted to family. What more could a woman ask for in a man? Not a hell of a lot, that was for sure. Holly almost laughed when she thought that her parents had been nagging her to get married, but she was pretty sure this wasn't what they meant. Well, at least not who they meant!
"They're lovely, Arrick. It was sweet of you to pick them for me again." She finally said, beaming at him. She still had one of the ones he'd picked before, she'd pressed the flower inside one of her sketchbooks to preserve it.
Arrick blushed, but gave a warming smile.
"I'm glad you like it, now feel free to have a seat," he said, pulling out one of the chairs for her to sit. "And my sister and I will do the rest."
And giggling, the girls all moved about the kitchen, skirts fluttering around their legs as they moved, and each time they passed by Arrick, they giggled, giving him a knowing glance,a nd would sneak a peak over to Holly.
Holly felt guilty as she sat down in the chair Arrick pulled out for her. She watched the girls scurrying around with final preparations and couldn't help but smile at their giggles, despite the feeling that she should be helping instead of just sitting like a lump. Then again, with all the swishing skirts there wasn't much room left for anyone else to be moving around anyway. She'd probably have been in the way more than providing any real help.
Sometimes when one of the girls looked in Holly's direction they'd get a grin for their trouble, but her blue eyes kept being drawn to Arrick. He really was a huge man, and she admired his broad shoulders and bulging muscles as he moved about helping his sisters.
"Are you sure there's nothing I could help with? I feel guilty just sitting here while you do all the work."
Arisa giggled.
"Of course not! Just sit there! We'll bring the food to the table!" And soon all of the food was laid out, and the entire kitchen smelled heavenly, though even as it seemed the table was all set and ready to go, the girls went about making up a separate plate, before Naddy went on to inform Arrick," I'll go take this to Mum and Dad. You can go ahead and begin to serve the rest." And she patted his arm and made off with the two plates-
Their parents had to eat too, even if they were too sickly to come out and dine with them all at the main table. ANd once Naddy was gone, Arrick turned to the rest and gesture for his sisters to take a seat.
"Go ahead and start passing around the food. It's about time we eat!"
Holly smiled sheepishly at Arisa and tried to wait patiently as they set out the food on the table. It smelled delicious. She was good at art, and could sew okay, but cooking wasn't something anyone had ever taught her, since her mother insisted cooking was for poor people that couldn't afford a cook. After tonight she was going to have to start learning whether her mother approved or not! If she didn't learn how would she ever cook for Arrick? Which was suddenly something she really wanted to try.
"You've really gone out of your way for me, thank you. I appreciate how hard you all must have worked on setting this up. Everything smell and looks so good!" It was just too bad that Arrick's parents couldn't sit at the table with them. She'd have to make a point to thank them for their generous hospitality before she left.
Once everyone was served,a prayer was said- in thanks to Angsar, for the food, and for the hope of their parents recovery...a nd also for a safe journey for their older sister, who was finally off and seeing the world. Once Arrick had concluded on this prayer, he swept out his arms and said, "Enjoy!" And caught Holly's eyes with a smirk before moving to dig into his own food.
The salty-ness of the pork melted clean into his mouth with a moan, and it went well with the vegetables sides, which he was hungrily shoveling into his mouth. He was a tall man. He needed a lot to eat!
Holly had bowed her head with the others, and smiled as she listened to the sweet blessing. Arrick really was such a good man, wasn't he? Of course, then it was time to eat and she quickly found herself rather enthralled with the swiftness and quantity of food her gentle giant was shoving into his mouth.
"Oh my, I'm going to have to be sure I learn to cook all your favorites...in large quantities, aren't I?" Large blue eyes sparkled slightly as she giggled and took a very ladylike and polite bite of her own dinner.
Arisa giggled at such a reply as she leaned in nearer towards who she hoped would be her 'future' sister in law, and whispered, none too discretely behind her hand, "I can help you figure those out, if you'd like."
And from the other side came Naddy, who added, pointedly, "And I can show you how to cook."
But Arisa was taken back as she gasped and glared at her sister.
"Really, you burn all of your food!"
Naddy set her lips into a thin line before frowning at her sister.
"I most certainly do not!"
"Do not think we shall all forget when you smoked us out of the house!" Arisa went on, and it was only here did Jane chime in,
"Yes! And not just once, but thrice!"
And poor Naddy was mortified!
Holly watched and listened to the sisters, grinning from ear to ear. Poor Naddy seemed to have gotten herself into a pickle there, hadn't she? "Don't feel bad Naddy, I've never cooked once in my life! So I'm sure you can all be a great help to me."
She flashed Arrick a coy smile. He'd been worried she'd get scared off by his sisters, ha! Holly thought she was doing a rather good job managing all the fussing they were doing over her.
It was at such a remark that Naddy found herself gasping- not because of any sort of offense, but because...
"You've never cooked before?"
And suddenly, the table went quiet and all eyes were upon her.
That smile faltered immediately as everyone fell silent, staring at her. Holly immediately wished she'd just kept her mouth shut as she shrank down in her seat a little, eyes darting from one face to another.
"Oh, um...n-no, I haven't." Her face turned scarlet as she dropped her eyes to the table shamefully. Normal women cooked! She should have thought of that, but all she'd done was tell the truth.
It was then Arrick held a piece of vegetable to his lips and took a bite.
"What, did you almost burn the kitchen down like Naddy?"
And it seemed at such a clever remark, the girls were all clucking like exasperated hens again.
Oh light, Arrick was her hero. Holly could have kissed him just then, but that would hardly be appropriate with his sisters right there! She blushed harder and muttered sheepishly, "I probably would burn the place down if I tried..."
She cleared her throat, straightening in her seat a little, tilting her chin up a bit. "I'm going to learn to cook, though. Just you watch, I'll get really good at it."
"Oh, you had better!" Jane piped in over the clucking of her sisters. "Least when you marry my brother, he'll waste away to nothing. Could you imagine him with the physique of a lady?"
And all of his sisters were giggling to considering their older brother with slim anything. The type of work he labored at afforded him a ton of muscles, and it was a job that kept him around, sun up to sun down. To consider he'd ever be that way was just so silly, the girls were in another roar of giggling again.
"Though I'm sure you'll be marvelous at cooking," Naddy eventually interjected. "Just don't use too much water."
"Or smoke," Arisa chimed in, and her and Jane were nearly doubled over from their chairs as Naddy gave them each a glare.
Holly tried to enjoy the joke with them, she really did, but all she could do was give a nervous chuckle and look at Arrick anxiously. No, couldn't let him starve because she couldn't master a simple task like cooking. Not that she had any idea how simple or complex cooking actually was, but if most women could do it, then so could she.
"I'll figure it out. I can use your brother as my taste tester." The statement was given matter-of-factly, but she cast a look over at him with a shy smile. "Your sisters seem very convinced we're going to marry. You wouldn't happen to know why that might be, would you?"
Despite all of the hullabaloo, Arrick kept his brown eyes locked on Holly. Not that he had sniffed out her true identity, but he had to ask...
"So what kind of parents let you grow up without learning the art of cooking? Is that the only reason you're single?"
Not believing their brother went there, the girls went into a gaggle of giggles and gasps and gossip, making the dinner table simply come alive.
Holly narrowed her eyes at Arrick, a hint of indignation flaring in those large blue orbs. "Would the fact that I can't cook keep you from marrying me? No, Arrick, I'm not single because I can't cook. I am single because, despite my parent's best efforts to coerce me, I thought that maybe, just maybe, I would actually find someone special that would really love and appreciate me. Rather than settle for the first idiot my parent's put in front of me."
Arrick practically choked on his food at such a response, and as such, the three gaggling sisters went quiet and looked from Holly, back to their brother with large, curious eyes.
"Er, I hadn't meant offense," he told her through a forced smile. "It was only in jest, but poor taste, I now realize, I assure you," he said, lifting up his hands in defeat. And now it appeared all of the women were glaring at him!
"Horrible taste!" Arisa chimed in.
"Despicable!" Naddy agreed.
"And very offensive!" Jane added in with a tsking of her tongue.
"You should be ashamed," Naddy went on. "And Holly here is our guest. And how you were just speaking was down right rude!"
And Arrick's cheeks heated so that they were visibly red as he gave a sheepish smile and dropped his gaze to his plate.
"I suppose you're all right. I think I've just condemned myself, and poor Holly, to a most awkward situation. And I am sorry, really, I am. I was a fool to say it. Even in jest, it was vulgar of me. And I am sorry. Can you ever forgive me?" And dark eyes finally peered up from his food, imploringly, but also, sincerely apologetic. He almost looked like a kicked puppy. But then again, he was so very much in the wrong. Had he a tail, it'd be between his legs.
Maybe she had been just a little too harsh, Holly thought as Arrick was immediately scolded by all three of his present sisters. Well, it had been a kind of rude and insensitive question, but the way he stared down at his plate, blushing and obviously thoroughly chastised, made her feel just a tiny bit guilty for snapping at him. Just a little.
Lifting her chin defiantly, she stared at his beautiful, sweet brown eyes heatedly for a moment before relenting a little, lowering her eyes to the table awkwardly. "I...of course I forgive you. It just... Well, just because I can't cook doesn't mean I'm not...I mean..."
She poked at her diner with her fork, not sure how to even explain what was going through her mind in that moment. A blush came to Holly's cheeks as she spoke next. "...you don't think less of me knowing I can't cook, do you?"
Arrick laughed, but still kept that sheepish, chastised gaze.
"Of course I do not think of you less! If anything," he told her, eyes shining. "I think of you more."
And his sisters giggled at such a reply.
How had he done it? Holly was blushing again, but a small, shy smile was on her lips. She was going to have to do better in the future. Not knowing how to cook! This was something she should have insisted on learning a long time ago.
"I'm happy to hear that." She said over the giggles of his sisters. "Now, weren't we supposed to be eating?"
Arrick gave a laugh.
"In this house, you have to learn to eat and talk, unless you don't mind eating cold food!"
"I'll remember that for next time." Holly said with a sly smile. "That is, if you think there will be a next time."
"Oh, of course they'll be a next time!" Both Arisa and Jane chimed in in unison, and their older sister Naddy gave a gasp.
"Don't be so forceful, my dear sisters, let Arrick speak for his date!" she scolded.
But Arrick only laughed and gave Holly a look.
"Of course they'll be a next time. After all, you did offer to cook." And he gave her a wink and stuffed another piece of meat into his mouth. "A man would be a fool to refuse such an offer!"
And the idea of teaching her to cook actually made him light up. It could be fun!
And his sisters' eyes sparkled at the idea too, all cooing with glee and prodding Holly to agree.
"Oh, you must! You must come over next Sunday and we can all cook together!" Arisa gushed.
"Yes, yes! I know the perfect recipe, too! We can make stew!"
"But your stew always comes out too watery, Jane," Naddy pointed out.
"No, it doesn't! You just prefer yours with too much salt!" Jane said with a sniff. "I prefer a much more delicate taste to my stew, is all!"
And while his sister's went on about the particulars on their soup creations, Arrick gave Holly another knowing look and shake of his head. Another Sunday date? Would his poor date survive?
Holly found herself blushing at the way Arrick was looking at her, and his playful wink didn't help as she smiled and looked back down at the table for a moment. There was one thing wrong with his statement that needed pointed out. "That or a fool for accepting the offer from a woman that can't cook."
She had to admit, the girls' enthusiasm was contagious, and she found herself grinning at them as they insisted she come the next Sunday so that they could all cook together. It would be a fun experience. As the girls bickered about stew, she looked at Arrick and smiled sheepishly at him.
"I think cooking next Sunday's dinner together is a great idea."
Arrick looked at his sisters, then back to her.
"You sure about that?" he laughed.
"If you're here with me? Yes, I think I can handle all the rest if I've got that." Holly said with a smile.
The statement warmed him and showed on his face- and just how the evening started, the evening ended. Dinner went as amicable as it could for such a family, and when the food was cleared and the table cleaned (at the insistence of his sisters that they do it and Arrick and Holly enjoy the rest of the evening themselves), he stole away with her to the one private room in the house, which was his room, and he gestured for her to follow.
"Here, follow me. I have something I want to show you."
If you were honestly to ask her, Holly wouldn't have been able to tell you just how dinner went. Well enough, with conversation kept to unimportant chatter. She was far more focused on a certain tall, handsome miner. Blue eyes continually drifted back to him admiringly as Holly picked at her food without being able to recall the taste.
As he led her through the house, she looked around, memorizing the small building as they made their way. She wasn't sure what on earth it was he was wanting to show her, though. Her cheeks were flushed as she realized that he was taking her to his room.
"How scandalous, inviting a girl to your room." She teased him with a twinkle in her blue eyes.
Arrick laughed at her comment.
"Do not take this the wrong way, but we'll keep the door open," he told her with a wink. "But it doesn't mean I can't steal a kiss." And he did so as they stood in the door way, a quick peck to her cheek before he brushed past her into his room- which was small and had barely enough floor space for the pair to share, but it was ample enough. He gestured for her to follow.
"Come on in." And he moved towards the back, to where a short, stubby chest of drawers was kept that was so old the wood was worn and dirtied, almost completely soiled in black, especially along the edges and handles, and as he moved to open it, it was evident the top drawer's handle was gone, as Arrick had to use his fingers to pry the thing open as the warped drawer opened with a squeak.
"Steal as many kisses as you like, though if they are given freely, are you really stealing them?" Holly grinned and blushed, only slightly disappointed with the quick kiss to her cheek. Her mind wandered back to just before they had come into the house, those stolen kisses had been rather exciting, and she blushed more remembering the feel of his arousal pressing against her through their clothing.
Forcing her mind off that and back to the present, she looked around the very small room, it barely had enough room to accommodate them both, and she marveled that such a big man could live in such a tiny space. Her eyes traveled over his chest of drawers, with the missing handle and again felt guilty at her own lifestyle. What would he think when he found out? She bit her bottom lip as she watched him open the top drawer, wondering what exactly it was he wanted to show her.
Another grunt and tug, and the drawer was squeaking open another foot, and finally he could reach inside to get what he was looking for. He closed the drawer only halfway as he turned around and placed something black and polished into her hand.
"I work with rocks like this all day, but people who don't work in the mines rarely get to see 'em. I know it's not muhc but I er... I figure it.. it might be something nice to have and.. I've never seen one that broke off in such a shape before." He deposited the black rock gently into her hand, his larger hand seeming to dwarf her's, and the rock, which was a nearly smooth, almost perfect tear drop shape.
"I just.. thought you might like to have it. You know, think of me when you get lonely," he told her, feeling a bit sheepish for it. "That is.." he went on, clearing his throat. "If you want it. I know it's just a rock but I... well..." He gave a soft, nervous laugh and shrug of his shoulders.
It wasn't like he could just buy her a diamond or anything...
Holly looked down at the smooth stone that had been placed into her hand. She'd never seen a polished black stone quite like it before. She knew it wasn't valuable, but it was beautiful just the same. Instantly she loved it. Not because of what it was, really, but because of Arrick's stuttered explanation of why he was giving it to her.
Rising up on her tip-toes she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly as she looked up at him with an adoring smile. "Of course I want it! I love it. It isn't just a rock, it's a gift from you, and that makes it precious."
Arrick blushed as he caught his arms around her as she hugged onto him. He needed to bend over so that he could receive it, and as he did so, he was about to say, "I'm glad you like it," when his dark eyes snapped away from her at the sound of a giggle.
"Jane," he said in a playful, warning tone. His sister giggled again.
"I see you've given her the rock?" And it was obvious she wasn't going to leave until she got an answer as she peaked at the pair from the door frame.
Holly's head snapped around at the giggle, cheeks turning crimson at being caught hugging him. Big blue eyes regarded Jane sheepishly as she unwound one arm from Arrick to show off the polished rock to Jane.
"Yeah, he gave me the rock. Could you, um...excuse us for a minute?" Just saying that made her blush more, but she didn't want Jane staring at them when she kissed Arrick, which she fully intended to do as soon as the coast was clear.
Jane's eyes lit up at such a request.
"Oh... alone?"
And that's when their mother's voice came in from the other room.
"Jane! Leave your brother alone! If he doesn't impress that girl, we might not ever be rid of him!"
Jane's eyes positively danced at that.
"Alright, mother!" she practically sang, and gave Holly a wide grin before skipping away. "Hope his lips don't taste too much like dinner!" She called after the pair of them, a comment that made poor Arrick blush!
"Yeah..." he commented softly, eyes returning to hers as he found himself soon captivated by her beauty as he moved a large hand to brush her hair away. "I hope as much, too."
The sound of Arrick's mother, let alone what she said, had Holly turned scarlet. Jane's grin was answered with a weak smile as the girl turned and practically bounced out of the room. Her heart was thumping rapidly against her breast as he turned her eyes to peek up at Arrick sheepishly, though she was glad to see she wasn't the only one blushing.
"Your lips have always tasted good to me!" She managed to croak out with a nervous giggle, before she reached up the hand not clutching her stone to lightly cup his cheek tenderly.
"You heard your mother, impress me." She managed to breath out teasingly.
Arrick's heart fluttered and his eyes danced.
"Yes, ma'am," and before she had a chance to protest, he scooped her off the floor and kissed her deep.
Holly barely had time to squeak in surprise as she was lifted off the floor and kissed deeply. After a moment she relaxed, arms snaking their way back around his neck and fingers winding in his hair. A muffled whimper was given against his lips as she kissed him back, cheeks flaming as she knew that any one of his sisters could easily peek in on them, but she couldn't seem to care enough about that to stop kissing him.
Arrick knew his sisters could intervene at any time, but that too, didn't stop him from deepening the kiss, pausing only to breath. And then, pausing only when he heard another giggle. He peeled his lips away only just so to hiss, "Arisa!" And another giggle confirmed...
"Naddy!" And as he tore his eyes from Holly, the two girls scattered.
Holly blushed deeper as she heard the giggle, tensing up in embarrassment. When Arrick's lips left hers to scold his sisters she took the opportunity to bury her hot face against his neck, hiding her blush as best she could. Her breath would be warm against the skin of his throat, and her lips soft and full as she mumbled into her little hiding place. "Privacy would be nice."
Arrick stroked her back.
"I know," he whispered, but what could he do? "I know."
Smiling down at her, she stole a quick kiss to his lips.
"It's getting late..."
And all that that implied. "Would you like me to escort you home?"
Though as was proper, she really had little choice. It wasn't safe other wise.
Of course they didn't have the luxury of privacy here. It wasn't Arrick's fault, and she wasn't mad or even really disappointed. Well, maybe just a little disappointed, she did enjoy kissing him, after all. She sighed softly, closing her eyes as he stroked her back, it felt nice being in his arms like this.
"Yes, I'd like that." She said softly, holding him tighter for a moment before pulling away. "Any time I get to spend with you is nice."
Arrick smiled and took Holly around so she could bid farewell to his family, and once that was taken care of, his flock of sisters followed them towards the door, and as they moved down the darkening streets, he peered back at hte house just before they turned a corner to smirk at the forms of his sisters, pressing their noses at the windows and watching the two 'love birds' disappear.
Saying her goodbyes was a little awkward, and Holly found herself blushing through it all. Even once they were out in the night air she felt a little hot. Her fingers interlaced with Arrick's as they walked down the darkened streets, a little smile on her face.
"Your family was nice. Thank you for inviting me, I'm actually looking forward to doing it again - even if there isn't a lot of privacy." She blushed again as she thought about his sisters peeking in on them kissing.
Arrick gave a breathy laugh. "I'm just glad they didn't scare you off! Now come here," he told her after they rounded the bend. They barely made it two steps onto the perpendicular street when he pulled her close to him and his lips met to hers.
"I've been wanting to just kiss you all night," he softly growled, lips finding hers again.
"Not scared of any-" Holly was cut off by his kiss, a soft muffled squeak coming from her as she felt herself pulled against him again. Blue eyes fluttered closed as she melted into his arms, lips moving against his before her tongue flicked out to taste his lips.
Arrick moaned and licked her tongue back, seeking to part her mouth open and indulge as his large hand cupped her cheek.
With a soft sound of need Holly parted her lips, her warm mouth wet and inviting as she kissed him deeply. Her fingers were griping the front of his shirt as she held to him, wanting to be as close to him as possible.
And as it happened before, it happened again. The man was aroused and moaning. But he kept it soft and sweet, if not a bit heated as he lavished her with kisses upon kisses, large hands smoothing down her sides and back, keeping her close.
It was so easy to get swept up in his kisses. Holly's skin flushed as she felt the strange, tingling sensations coursing through her, especially at her core. She wasn't naive, she wanted him, and she was pretty sure he wanted her. How sweet would it be to give in to that? Just thinking about it made her want him more, but logically she knew she shouldn't.
"Arrick, anyone...can see us." With a soft groan she bit lightly at his bottom lip, practically purring as she gripped his shoulders, kissing him hotly again.
Yes, that was the easiest excuse, but she didn't really want him to stop kissing her. Again she wished they had some privacy. Breaking the kiss she breathed softly against his lips. "I don't have any brother or sisters, and my parents aren't home."
Arrick could have melted into her in that moment. Beneath the setting sun and the first shining specks of stars- this was heaven. But when she pulled away... suggested what she did, he found himself looking into her eyes.
"I.. I don't think we should."
But oh how he wanted to. He knew if he did- he'd have a hard time finding control. And she was a lady- and he knew if a man were with one of his sisters, he'd hope they'd act the same.
But damn if it wasn't tempting.
Holly sighed, he was such a gentleman. "I know we shouldn't. I know. I...just couldn't help but entertain the idea. Even if only for a moment."
She smiled up at him, large blue eyes half-lidded with desire.
He saw those eyes. He knew that look, but damn him if he wasn't just a man. His hand moved up her side.
"Maybe.." he told her, sweetly kissing her. "We can go quickly, just so I can at least see where you live." Cause before all of this, she wouldn't even let him near her house. And once he knew where she lived...
Oh boy would she be sorry!
Holly hadn't really given much thought to that offer of taking him home with her. Usually she left him some distance away so that he wouldn't see her family's large house. He kissed her sweetly and she dropped her head, burying her face against his chest. Earlier she'd known that she couldn't put off telling him much longer. It felt like she was lying to him, and she didn't want to do that.
"Yeah, okay. Let's...let's go." Not waiting for him, Holly spun around and started walking back the way they had come earlier. She didn't talk, just chewed on her bottom lip nervously. Until they got to the park where he had picked her up. Stopping she turned to him, biting her bottom lip again before taking a deep breath. Looking up at him her blue eyes were shimmering slightly with unshed tears."I'm going to show you where I live, but...promise you won't hate me."
Arrick's face twisted in confusion
"Hate you?" And he saw the tears and was quick to steal a brief, soft kiss from her lips. "I don't even think that's possible."
Holly took a deep breath after Arrick kissed her, raising a hand to wipe at her watery eyes with a nod. She was being silly, her big, lovable miner wasn't going to hate her just because she came from a family with money. He wasn't that shallow, but she couldn't help but be nervous to how he would react.
Squeezing his hand she gave a timid smile and began leading him through the broad, cobbled streets that became better tended as large brick homes rose up on either side of the street. These weren't manors, but they were quite large, even if the yards were very small with narrow alleyways separating the buildings.
Finally she stopped in front of a sprawling three story townhouse with a wrought-iron fence encircling the small courtyard and carriage house. Looking up at the brownstone she bit her lip and shrugged her shoulders.
"This is it. My parent's house." She didn't look at him, still fearing the worst.
Arrick laughed. Then he laughed some.more as he observed the large estate.
"Nice one, Holly. You sure we didn't take a wrong turn?" He teased, not believing for a minute this was it.
He was...laughing? Holly looked over at Arrick with a perplexed expression at first. Laughter certainly wasn't the reaction she had expected. Then she scowled as she realized he thought she was joking.
"I'm serious. This is it, Arrick. Home sweet home...sorta." Sighing she looked back up at the building and walked towards the gate, pulling out a key she unlocked it and pushed the heavy iron blockade open.
"Wait, Holly..." Arrick went on, and took a step towards her but paused as she produced a key and opened the gate. And that's when he began to realize what was going on, and putting all of the pieces together as he simply stared at her-
and stared.
Woah...
his neck craned up at the house.
She honestly lived here? And suddenly he felt his hands growing with sweat, and the back of his neck and ears heating.
Sweet Angsar, who was he dating!? Watching Holly disappear behind the gates, he was quick to follow, jogging after her.
"Look, hey," he said, catching her arm. "I'm sorry I laughed at you but I... I.... I just never expected this." He went on with a broad gesture of his arm to her whole estate before them.
"I mean.... Angsar's name, Holly.... you're... you're..."
Holly had known that letting Arrick know about where she lived, her parents, everything was going to have some consequences. She hoped he wasn't angry that she hadn't told him before now, and more importantly, she hoped he wouldn't want to stop seeing her.
Still, his laughter had caused her heart to sink. She didn't care that he was poor, but she worried that he would do something stupid, like think that he wasn't good enough for her. Walking through the gate had been hard, but she was afraid to really see what he would do now that the time was at hand.
When he caught her arm she stopped immediately, but didn't lift her head, her eyes were on the ground as she listened to him stutter.
"Wealthy?" She supplied when he seemed unable to come up with the word he wanted. "My father has a lot of money, we live in a big, fancy house, I had a fine education, was never taught to cook because mother thought it a waste of time, and none of that changes how I feel about you."
As the reality sunk in, Arrick could not help himself but utter,
"But your parents.... I.... do... do they, know about me?"
And he cringed immediately after he said it, for he already knew the answer- and they were both approaching a vacant house...
At his question Holly did look up at him, a touch of guilt crossing her face. "Of course they don't know, Arrick. Can you even imagine what they would say? I don't care that you don't have a lot of money, but..."
Her parents would, she let that hang between them as she dropped her eyes to the ground again, tears starting to trickle down her cheeks. "Please don't leave me over money. Over something else - anything else - but not because of that."
She wasn't the only one who had guilt weighing heavily upon her. His mind was in a whirl. He had a crying woman before him, a crying well to-do-so-far-out-of-his-league woman that, at first, he hadn't a clue as to what to say. Of course her parents would never approve. And of course it was more than evident she cared not for his lack of money...
But Arrick had morals, and so many warning bells were clamoring inside his head.
"Holly.." he finally said, finding the strength to step near her as he placed two gentle, large hands upon her shoulder. "Where you come from won't affect how I feel about you. I just... I don't know if I could keep dating you, knowing that I'd make your family angry, at you... at me... and I... I.... I know you said not to worry about the money, but Holly.... I have barely anything I can give. You, you have all of this and I.... I can barely survive week to week on my paycheck, and I work double shifts in the mines! Wanting to be with me... have you truly considered the consequences?"
Because in his mind, there were quite a few here; not to mention sacrifices. And for what? Just one miner who found himself lucky to become smitten with such a girl. But in all honesty... how could he feel he could own up to all that she had ever known? He was just one man....
And he was pretty sure she had tons of suitors who would die to be him right now.
Holly dropped her head dejectedly as he put his hands on her shoulders, which slumped under his hands, she began to tremble slightly, realizing that she'd ruined everything. She never should have walked up to him that day. Everything from that moment had only made this moment that much harder.
"I never cared about any of this crap my parents think is so important. This stupid house, the expensive clothes, I don't care about any of it." She whispered hoarsely, and it was true. "Arrick, you have plenty to give of the only thing I really want or need from you - love. But you won't give it to me now, will you?"
She jerked away from him, blue eyes flashing angry and hurt and filled with tears. "You're just as bad as they are, just reverse it. They won't let me have you because you're poor, and you won't let me have you because I'm rich. Nobody ever cares what I want! Nobody ever has. I was stupid to think that would ever change. Well Ansgar take the lot of you."
It isn't fair! She wailed in her head, turning and bolting for her front door.
Arrick released the hot breath he had been holding, using it to try to calm his nerves.
"Holly... look I... I didn't mean to make you upset."
But what did he mean and what could he do? He did care for her, and deeply- and he couldn't deny to himself that he wasn't falling in love. He reached for her, a hand touching her arm.
"Holly please I... this is just a lot to take in I..."
and he raked a hand through his blonde hair and breathed out a nervous laugh.
"Angsar's name, I haven't even ever been close to someone like you, yet here I've been... you know.." he said, tryin gto find her hand and squeeze it, comfortingly. "Kissing you... wanting you..."
And he took a step nearer to her.
"But I can't lie to you, Holly. I'm not that sort of man. And I know you care for me as I do you....."
So he was careful in how he phrased the next word.
"Its just I... we'd have to tell your parents at some point."
And he wasn't stupid. He knew they'd end it. And then what? They'd both be left utterly, utterly heart broken-
and the very idea pained him to no end.
Holly had thought about just running inside and slamming the door, but her resolve to do that melted the moment his hand touched her arm. Slamming the door in his face would just be throwing a temper tantrum, and it would solve nothing. She couldn't talk, she just sniffled and kept her head down as his huge hand practically engulfed her tiny one.
She knew what he was worried about. Holly had been worried about it since she'd first kissed him. Her parents wouldn't approve of him, there was no question about that. There was also no question that she was a willful child and had never let her parents stop her from sneaking out to go be free for hours at a time.
She lifted her chin defiantly, finally looking up at him. Her eyes were still wet, but there was anger in them. "Someone like me? I'm exactly the same person now as I was twenty minutes ago before you knew I lived here. The only thing that has changed is now you know that my father has money."
Lifting a hand, she gently cupped his cheek as she looked up at him, sad and pleading. "Arrick, you're the only man that has ever looked at me and just seen me. Please don't take that away from me. We don't have to tell my parents, and even when they know, I won't let them stop me. Only I get to say who I love, Arrick. Not them, and not you either."
After a moment of staring into those tear filled eyes, he released a breath and leaned in closely to her, pressing his forehead against hers.
"Holly.... Holly, Holly, I should have known you were trouble from the start. But I can't lie, nor deny the feelings I have for you. But I am just a man, and I can only promise I'd treat you as best as I can treat you, like you deserve to be. But I don't know how I can live with myself, knowing we'd be lying to your parents if we don't confess. And please don't hate me for it, Holly. I just don't ever lie, not to anyone. And even if we tried, we both know what will happen..."
And the last thing he wanted was for her to get hurt.
Holly closed her eyes as he pressed his forehead against hers, a sad smile crossing her lips. "You are a wonderful man, Arrick Longfellow. I just wish they would see it, and you, the way I do. We shouldn't lie to them, you're right, but I don't want to lose you. Guess I'll just have to fight to keep you that much harder."
Giving a bit of a sigh she tilted her head enough to lightly brush her lips against his in a quick kiss. Her parents weren't going to like what she was going to tell them. "I'm not sure when they'll be home, but I'm going to tell them about you when. I'm going to tell them I had dinner with your family tonight, that I like your family, that I care about you, and that I won't take no for an answer. They aren't going to like it, but they usually don't like what I have to say anyway."
Arrick smiled, not certain what to say. But he knew what to do, and wrapped his large arms around her, pulling her in close.
"We'll make it work, Holly. If there's anything that can be said about people, is that when there's a will there's a way. And I'll be here to support you, no matter what."
Holly sighed softly as he pulled her close, her arms automatically wrapped around his waist, head resting against his chest as she enjoyed his warmth, her body tingling at what he had to say. She'd been so close to losing him over something so stupid, she thought with wonder as he promised to support her.
"Good thing I'm so strong-willed and stubborn, huh?" She said, laughing slightly, though she still sounded almost as if the laugh was to stop more crying.
"Stubborn?" he smiled and stole a kiss from her lips. "I'd say you're just determined."
Holly smiled against his lips as she enjoyed the much too brief kiss. "Or I just found something, or someone I should say, that I'm not willing to give up. Consequences be damned."
Though that just made her consider another thing. "Um, Arrick, I don't know when they're going to be back, but are you going to stay and be with me when I break the news to them? I mean, I met your family, might as well offer to let you meet mine."
Arrick was taken aback by the suggestion.
"Tonight?" He felt his ears grow hot and his palms sweaty. "Are you sure they won't mind? I mean.. coming home to well... this?"
"Oh they'd mind a lot." Holly mused, looking up at him for a moment and smiling. "Don't worry, you can go home. I'll face the initial wrath myself, might make it easier for you later if I talk my father out of killing you first."
She was kidding, of course, well...mostly kidding!
Arrick's lips broke out into an uneasy smile.
"Kill me, huh?" ANd he pulled her closer to him, stealing another kiss. "That doesn't sound like a lot of fun."
Her lips were so soft, he could not help himself from kissing them again, then again as a large hand cupped her cheek as he drank of her and softly moaned.
"I'll protect you, don't worry."
Holly chuckled as he stole another kiss, she could tell he was uneasy, but that didn't stop him from coming back for another kiss, and another. Her fingers clutched at the front of his shirt as he cupped her cheek. She tilted her head, deepening the kiss as he moaned, her own soft murmur of pleasure muffled by the kiss.
"We... we should probably make this visit brief," he breathed between kisses, feeling his own body heat raise and the cravings for her growing stronger. He didn't know why, but the added danger to the situation made him all the more hot and bothered- and well..
okay.. more notably, excited. (So to speak)
Holly was breathless, and speechless, by the time Arrick spoke. At first she didn't really respond, except to kiss him more fiercely for several moments. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her, she could feel his need through their clothing.
Finally she pulled back and turned towards the door. Grabbing his hand she urged him to follow as she made her way to the door, pulling out her key she put it in the lock and turned, hearing the faint click as it opened. All the help would have gone home by now.
"I want to show you something." Holly had seen his room, he should see hers. See the other drawings she'd done of him, and really just any excuse to have me there and to get him up to her room.
"But Holly..." he tried to reply breathlessly, but it was a hopeless attempt, as he merely followed her in silence, his heart pumping loudly inside his chest and ears.
Holly's heart was working in overdrive, working hard on beat its way out of her rib cage, she'd have sworn. Honestly she hadn't been sure if he would follow her, she knew that he was honorable and worried about being alone here with her. Pushing those thoughts aside she kept a firm hold of his hand as she led him through the grand hall and then up the sweeping stairs to the second floor.
"Arrick, I..." She bit her lip as her eyes flickered between him and her bedroom door. "If you don't want to come into my room..." With a sigh she pressed against him, hands sliding over his chest admiringly as she continued to chew on her lip anxiously.
As stunned as he was to be heading into a house so grand, he wasn't ignorant towards the situation and what it could be. He wasn't about to take advantage of the woman so close to him, but his body did ache for her- and if he were any other man, he'd have yielded to his desires the second they stepped onto her property. So when his attentions were ripped away from the grandeur of her home, he turned to regard her, seeing the flush on her face and the shadows lining her room.
He afforded her a small smile as he moved a hand through her hair.
"You've already dragged me into your house," he told her. "Might as well show me what you wanted to."
Holly looked up at him as he ran a hand through her hair, after a moment she nodded and headed for her bedroom, pushing open the door easily as she stepped into the dark space. Hurriedly she lit a few lamps, casting light in the spacious room. Her bed dominated the center of the room, with dressers and wardrobes dotting the walls, and sketchbooks were scattered haphazardly on top of every surface except the bed, which was neat and orderly.
A few bookshelves were crammed with books as well, but she ignored that and made sure that the canvas on her easel was well-lit so that he could see the painting she was working on. It was unfinished, but obviously meant to be them, sitting close together on the riverbank watching a sunset.
"What do you think?"
Arrick's eyes were all over the room, taking in each detail with wonder. His bed room was easily barely bigger than the size of her bed, and he could not help himself but reach out to touch it. It was then her voice brought him from his gawking daze as he lifted his brown eyes to peer over at the painting, and after a moment, his lips parted.
"Angsar's Name, Holly.." he said, approaching the painting quickly. "Gods, you have such skills."
Holly couldn't help but blush, looking at him sheepishly as Arrick looked at her work. It thrilled her to know how talented he thought she was.
"So you like it? I wanted to recapture that day in the park, when we kissed for the first time." That only made her blush harder, thinking back to that first brief, soft kiss. Of course they had engaged in much more intense kisses since then! Just remembering a little earlier made her heart race as her lips tingled at the memory of his needy ravaging of her mouth earlier.
Arrick gave a low whistle.
"Your skills are certainly something. You've captured the moment beautifully." And before she could protest, his lips were capturing hers.
Oh there wouldn't have been a protest. Holly gave a happy sigh as he kissed her, slender arms would wrap around him, making sure they were pressed against each other. She loved how warm he was, how good she felt when he held her.
"How long does it take you to paint one of these?" he asked, finally pulling away from the kiss, but not from her. He wouldn't dare move away from her. He adored being this close to this sweet, beautiful, wonderful woman who had won his heart.
"That depends." Holly murmured as her blue eyes peered up at him, a small smile on her full lips. "They can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the complexity, my motivations, and other factors. The sunset took several says, because it had to be perfect."
"Well, it certainly is perfect. It looks so real, like I'm right there in the moment."
Turning to Holly, he stole a quick kiss to her lips. "Are there any others I can see? Paintings, I mean."
A smile curved Holly's lips as he kissed her, however briefly, as she basked in his praise. Any artist wanted others to like their work, but for her, that he like it was more important than a hundred critics.
"I have lots of paintings, all of the ones hanging in here were done by me." The wall had several in aesthetically pleasing locations. One was of a blue vase filled with yellow flowers, there was one of a meadow with grazing horses, a cat lazing on a windowsill by a flower pot with little purple flowers, and another sunset, this one over the palace.
As Holly explained that all the paintings inside her room were hers, Arrick gave another whistle and began to walk around her bedroom, but first, he turned to her to see if it was okay, before he began to slowly approach each one. His hand ghosted over the painting of the palace, impressed by the technique she used when painting each stroke. It was as if the palace were alive before him! And the texture just really made it pop.
"This is incredible. I don't think I've ever gotten a chance to be too close to the palace, but wow... this really makes it look like something else," he said, releasing a low breath and a shake of his head. She had such talent! She could probably do paintings for the Grand Duke himself! Yet here she was, painting things for a simple, poor miner. But instead of feeling guilty as he had before, it made him feel warmed all over- to think someone thought of him in that way to be important enough to paint things for him.
"Geeze, Holly, with your skills you should be painting for royalty. I'm sure the Grand Duke would pay handsomely for such a piece."
A nod was given as Arrick seemed to ask permission with a glance, of course he was free to look. Holly watched him, gaging his reactions to each painting, smiling as he admired the one of the palace. Her smile only grew at his words.
"Maybe, but I don't care about the Grand Duke, or about the money. I paint because I love doing it." She moved up behind him, lightly wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her head against his back with a content sigh.
Arrick smiled. He was warmed by her gesture, but also not surprised by what she said. She, however, seemed to have a lot of surprises for him, despite that, and he leaned back into her lightly and closed his eyes, smiling and just enjoying the moment.
"You know.." he went on, after a moment of enjoying just the simple silence. "I think your bedroom might be almost as big as my whole house!"
Holly sighed at the comment, turning her face so that it was pressed against his back. Her voice was slightly muffled when she spoke, still hugging herself against his body. "It hardly seems fair, does it? I bet my bed is as big as your room."
Arrick laughed and leaned back into her.
"You're probably right," and without warning, he turned around and found her lips, giving her a brief, but hungry kiss. "But someone as sweet as you deserves all this," and he moved to kiss her again,t his time longer. "And the moon."
Holly wasn't expecting him to turn so quickly and kiss her, though she probably shouldn't have been surprised. She gave a breathy laugh at what he thought she deserved, arms wrapping around his neck as her kissed her the second time.
"Keep the moon, but I'll take you." She smirked.
Arrick flashed her a toothy grin.
"You sure? The moon's pretty enchanting..."
"Pretty sure I'd rather my miner than a silly moon. Honestly, what could I even use the moon for? Nothing. You, on the other hand..." Holly smirked and pulled him into another kiss, demonstrating one of the many things she could use him for.
Arrick moaned softly as their lips met.
"You might want to watch yourself," he softly growled. "You've got me,... er..." and here, he blushed as he confessed, "Excited."
Because his pants felt all the more tighter the closer they got and the more kisses they shared.
Holly was blushing, but she nibbled lightly on his bottom lip as she looked up at him. "And why would I want to watch myself? Do you think I don't trust you?"
She curled her fingers into his hair, biting her own lip for a moment before pressing a soft kiss to his lips again. "Or maybe you don't trust yourself?"
Arrick could have whimpered, but released a held breath instead.
"Gods... Holly.." a large hand came to meet at the small of her back, warm lips meeting to hers, as he nibbled back,a nd kissed harder. "It's just we're all alone...."
More properly so then they had been in his room and well....
His hands began to explore a bit more, but still hesitated, though they hungered for more than just her hips as his hands slid and smoothed across her form.
"But y-yeah," he breathed, parting from a kiss. "I guess you could say I'm more worried about myself. Never had such a beautiful woman all to myself."
Holly's fingers curled a little tighter into Arrick's hair as he kissed her harder, a soft moan muffled against his lips. She pressed herself against him as much as she could, his excitement quite obvious even through their clothing as it pressed against her. Her own excitement almost had her squirming, from having him close, from knowing that they were completely alone - for now.
When he pulled his lips from hers again she responded with a slight whimper. She let one hand slip from his hair to cup his cheek lovingly as she pressed a couple sweet, butterfly kisses to his lips. "Well you do now. The only question is what you're going to do about that."
Arrick breathed out a laugh as he smiled at her, and kissed her full on the lips.
"Be a respectful gentleman," he said through a smile, pressing his body lightly to hers as he closed his eyes and rested his forehead to hers. By Angsar's name did he want her. But he knew he ought to wait until their wedding day-
That was, if the pair could ever have a wedding day.
Her parents... if they caught them like this.....
a whimper escaped his lips as his hands continued to explore, daring to smooth over the curve of her ass and down her legs and back up to the small of her back.
Yeah, if he wasn't rock hard before, he certainly was now.
"Of course you would," Holly murmured, a soft smile on her lips as he rested his forehead against hers, their bodies pressed against each other, his arousal between them. When she had first felt it through their clothing much earlier in the evening she'd been startled, but now she was burning with curiosity.
The feel of his hands moving over her body caused Holly to shiver slightly, a quiet sound of need coming from her as she closed her eyes, just enjoying the feel of him holding her, touching her. She wanted, no, she needed more. It wasn't proper, but she didn't much care. They had been doing a lot of improper things.
"I want you so much Arrick." She rasped out in a quiet whisper as she pressed her body against him more tightly.
Want, need.... desire flared through him in near uncontrollable waves. Had he a lesser constitution, he would have had Holly on her own bed by now- but it wasn't like he hadn't thought about it, especially when her words came out sounding so husky, and she, pressing herself so near.
Instincts had him grinding his groin to hers as he shuddered and kept a firm grip upon her, his own eyes becoming half lidded as he peered down at her, "H....Holly..."
But what could he say?
"I think it's more than evident I want you too," he told her, affording a lop sided smirk as he leaned in to meet her lips hastily with his, while hungry hands continued to roam, smoothing up and down her back side until he finally grew more bold as to hold onto her ass while grinding his groin against her more feverishly.
By Angsar....
How long could he go on like this without going crazy?
Holly could appreciate that Arrick was an honorable man, really she could, except right now. Desire and frustration were building her in, knowing she wanted him desperately, but reluctant to ask him to abandon his morals. Waiting until marriage was what was expected, especially for a woman like her, but women her age were usually already several years married. She was tired of waiting now that she'd found a man she considered worthy of her heart as well as her body.
She panted against his lips, hers were swollen from the intensity of his passionate kisses. Her hands had dropped, now smoothing up and down his arms, tentatively exploring his impressive muscles as his moved over the rounded curve of her ass.
When he grabbed her ass so that he could more firmly grind his hips against hers she gasped before letting out a needy mewl, her fingers gripping his arms. ""Arrick, please, I want to be yours."
Arrick shivered at her words, and had his eyes just barely closed before he paused to open them and look at her.
"By Angsar, Holly, I want you too," he confessed through a long, exhaling breath. "But we shouldn't.."
And despite his apprehensions, he felt his hands sliding up her body, keeping them pressed together, even though his grinding had stopped. He felt as if he were in a haze, some sultry dream-
and all over he burned with lust and desire for her, so evident in the way his brown eyes now stared at her, half lidded and glowing.
His mouth kept saying no, but his hands kept saying yes. Holly let out a soft sound of frustration, everywhere his hands slid left her aching for more of his touch. Without the clothing between them. She wanted to feel the heat of his lips moving over her bare skin.
"I shouldn't have kissed you in the first place. I shouldn't have played with you in the river. I shouldn't have fallen in love with you...I think we're way beyond 'shouldn'ts' Arrick. And you know what? I'm glad we are." With those husky words she moved her hands back up to gently grab his face and pull him into a heated kiss, her tongue trying to draw him in and drive him wild.
He wasn't sure how it even happened, but suddenly the pair were on the bed- his large form over her as his hands grew more explorative. His lips were brushing past her lips now, kissing hungrily and desperately down her throat as hands slipped up the cloth of her dress to feel the mounds of her chest before smoothing over the soft exposed part of her cleavage. His breath was hot against her as he continued to kiss, probably leaving marks as he couldn't help himself as a large hand now moved up her leg, to her thigh as he felt her soft skin there, and shivered when he suddenly felt the heat from between her leg.
Before she even really knew what was happening, Holly found herself on her bed, Arrick above her and his hands and lips moving hungrily over her. She couldn't remember moving to the bed, but she didn't much care as her head fell back, neck arching into his mouth, whimpers of appreciation vibrating in her throat.
Her hands moved over his shoulders and down his back before moving to the collar of his shirt and sliding a hand under the fabric as his hand moved up her bare leg, dragging her dress with it. She squirmed a bit, a little unsure of herself, but not wanting inexperience to stop them as she slowly opened her thighs, tugging at his shirt a bit now. Holly wanted that beautiful flesh under her hands, moving against her body as he claimed her.
It was growing hot, and he helped her remove his shirt. At the rate they were going. it would get all sweaty anyway, and the second it was off he felt all the more lighter as he tossed it to the floor. His lips kept to hers, his broad chest and muscles fully exposed, and the scars that dotted across his flesh, too. And his muscles were tense as he held himself up above her, those large hands moving back to her body as he shivered at the soft touch of her skin.
"Gods, Holly.." he whispered, lips moving to her neck and throat, before moving down to kiss where her neck met to her shoulder.
As soon as his shirt was out of the way Holly's hands smoothed over his chest, ran along his sides then over his back, fingers dancing across the tense muscles. Even knowing how big of a man Arrick was, feeling through his clothing was entirely different than this.
"Magnificent." She breathed huskily. Not that she had given much thought to such things before, but he really was a marvelous specimen of masculinity, wasn't he? It was arousing just thinking about how powerful he was, and knowing how gentle he was at the same time. He could hurt her so easily, and yet he treated her as something precious.
Those thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind as his lips teased at the junction of her neck and shoulder, her chest was heaving slightly in panting breaths as she moved her hands back to his hair, tangling her fingers there with a whimpering moan. Her body squirmed, rubbing against his arousal through the layers still separating them.
"By Angsar's name, Holly," he breathed, his own hands sliding down her form as his groin naturally continued to grind against her own. His large hands moved about the hem of her clothing.
"Might I... take off this too?" he asked, daring to kiss lower, at just the rising crest of her breasts. His shirt was removed... but what about her? Would she... dare to let him see her without her top? Though even after finding the moment to be so bold as to ask, he was afraid of what the consequences might be- if she denied him, or said yes. And as he waited for her response, he could feel his heart beat within his ears.
"Gods, Arrick, there's nothing that I would deny you." Holly almost couldn't believe he had bothered to ask, if it was any other man he probably wouldn't have, but this was her sweet miner. Getting her bodice off would actually be a huge relief, with her heaving breasts it was uncomfortable anyway.
Just to get her point across she took hold of his hands and gently guided them to the ties of her garments. She bit her lip and looked up at him through lowered lashes, there was lust beyond a doubt in her eyes, but also a sudden vulnerability. "No other man has seen or touched my body, and no other man ever will."
Holly really hadn't thought she would be seized by a sense of modesty, trepidation, or hesitation. She had wanted this so badly, still wanted it, but the gravity was beginning to sink in. Her large blue eyes looked up at him with trust and longing. This was a gift to him, and she was sure that he would not misuse or abuse the faith she was putting in him now.
It was then, by the look in her eye, that Arrick leaned forward to kiss her.
"Are you sure, Holly? We... " he licked his lips. "We could wait. For another time.. another day. Any day you want. I... I don't want us to go too fast."
But how did he know what sort of pace to set? He had never truly been in a relationship before himself, and though women surely have seen him without a shirt, principles were far different for women.
"I'm sure that you're the one I want, Arrick. I'm sure that I want you now, gods, I might scream if you make me wait much longer..." A sudden flicker of doubt entered her mind as Holly peered at him searchingly. "Are you not sure this is what you want?"
What she really afraid of wasn't what he wanted - it was obvious that he wanted this, but who he wanted... The thought hadn't really occurred to her before that he might not be certain that she was the woman he wanted.
"What?" Arrick blinked at her as he shook his head. "There is no doubt in you, Holly," he told her, cupping her cheek. "I just don't want to hurt you, in any way. I... I just know I've made a promise to myself, to my future wife, we'd wait. And we'd consummate our love after taking our vows."
But he gave her a smile and sigh, before kissing her hard.
"But Angsar's name, if that won't be a difficult chore. My body and heart want you so badly," he whimpered.
Holly could only stare at him as he cupped her cheek and told her that. She whimpered as he kissed her hard, before letting her head fall back with a groan. How could she tempt him now? They would both enjoy it so much, but he would feel guilty afterwards, and she didn't want to do that to him.
"I love you, Arrick. I can't have you break a promise like that." Nope, she sure couldn't. She peered up at him, licking her lips to moisten them a bit. "I also know I can't - we - can't resist each other for too much longer. So...will you marry me?"
Yes, yes she did just propose to him, and her face and eyes were dead serious.
It took Arrick a second for that to sink in, but when it did, a twitch crawled across his lips and formed into a crooked smile.
"Did... did you just ask me to marry you?"
"I did." Holly grinned, giggling slightly at his reaction. Traditionally the man would be the one to propose marriage, but since when did they ever do anything the "proper" way? If they did Arrick wouldn't be hovering over her in her bed half undressed. That didn't keep her stomach from doing little flip-flops as she waited on an answer.
Arrick laughed at her and kissed her lips.
"And if I said yes?" he murmured, stealing another kiss from her, his blonde hair tickling against her face as he did so.
Holly pouted as he laughed, but he quickly kissed that right off her lips, leaving her smiling at him nervously as she answered. "I'd try to convince you to elope with me. Tonight."
That last part was teasing. Mostly. Maybe half.
At such a suggestion, he could have choked, and his eyes seem to bug out of his head.
"T-tonight?"
"I was kidding." Mostly. Holly bit her bottom lip and shook her head. "I'm just impatient and very, very...excited, to use your word. We couldn't get married tonight even if we wanted to, not enough time to arrange for a priest to wed us, and...family complications."
Sighing she rubbed her face tiredly, she'd been very eager to bed Arrick, but now she felt the lust cooling as she thought about what her parents would think of her marrying a miner. Not that she'd let them stop her, but it would be kind of heart-breaking to think her parents would probably refuse to attend. If she could even get Arrick to marry her.
"Just...forget I said anything." She said weakly. "Stupid idea."
Seeing how her expression dulled, he studied her face for a time before lowering his lips back to hers and kissing her softly.
"If you want to know what I think.." he went on, kissing softly of her lips again. "I would say yes."
And then he chuckled after kissing her a third time and opened his brown eyes to peer down at her.
"Yes, to marriage," he said, his cheeks dimpling as he smiled. "But tonight?" He made a skeptical look and released a breathy laugh as he tossed his head back and shook it. "I'm eager to call you Mrs. Longfellow as the next man is, but I'd think it'd be proper to meet your parents first."
And here, he gave a smaller smile, before adding much more quietly, "And to er..." he cleared his throat. "Ask their permission."
The first kiss didn't get much response, but by the third kiss Holly was smiling softly again. Her hand moved to run lightly up his chest, admiring her view of his naked torso. Ansgar but he was a handsome man. "You really mean it? You...want to marry me?"
She sighed and gave him a rueful smile. "What happens when you ask their permission and they tell you no? I love you, see you as the wonderful man you are, but they...aren't going to exactly be thrilled."
"Well, I could always keeping asking them until they say yes," he told her with a smirk, and eyed her over deviously. "Who could say no when I've already taken their daughter to bed?" And before she knew what was going on, his lips moved down to her throat as he kissed her then moved to where her neck met to her shoulder...
and blew a raspberry, then a second, and a third as fingers moved to jab at her sides, tickling her with fury.
"Well we haven't actually don-" Holly squeaked as he kissed her throat, for a moment wondering if he planned on continuing what they had started, but then he began tickling and she let out a squeal that quickly devolved into uncontrollable giggling as she squirmed and thrashed.
"Noooooo! This isn't faaaaaaair!" She gasped and panted as the breath escaped her.
"It's all not fair!" he laughed, and then made an even eviler laugh as he continued, smile wicked as he watched her squrim.
Holly continued to flail about, gasping for air as she giggled, trying and failing to get control of herself. "Arrick, please. Stoooooooop!"
"Do you surrender?!" he asked, his fingers still working at tickling her most vulnerable points.
"Y-yes!" She managed to squeak out between breaths, hands trying to find his and still them, although the idea of a tiny thing like her able to halt someone as strong as Arrick was laughable.
"How do I know I can believe you?" he went on, being playfully cruel as he continued his assault.
"Arrick!" Holly gasped, unbelieving that he could be so vicious in this unrelenting assault on her person! Unable to take much more she did the only thing she could think of - she reached her hands up to pull him into a kiss, whimpering and giggling against his lips.
Arrick halted his assault when her lips met to his, and a moan rumbled against her as his large hands moved to feel around her body. He was careful not to caress any wrong spots but enjoyed the warmth of smoothing his hands across her belly and back and then to her arms as he leaned his head the other way and kissed her again.
Holly sighed contently as he gave up his tickling crusade, instead her body arching into his touch as her lips moved against his. Curse his promise to wait. Her arms wrapped around him, fingertips gliding over his back, exploring the muscles there appreciatively.
If Arrick were to die today, he could die happy. The moment felt like true bliss, and all parts of his being were warm and melting as his lips continued to move and drink of her.
"Angsar's name... Holly..." he moaned through a kiss, his large hands moving up, and so desperately wanting to feel just a little bit more of her. But he withheld, and just let her know his passion through another deep and lustfilled kiss.
It was a thin line between bliss and torture. Holly loved each searing kiss, but desperately wanted more with each heated breath that touched her skin or passionate moan that reached her ears. She endured the scorching kisses for as long as she dared before gently trying to push him away.
"Arrick, please..." She whimpered softly. "If you want to keep your promise then we need to stop now. Ansgar knows I don't want to, but he really should."
Besides, her parents could be home any time. They would both be in a world of trouble if they were caught like this!
The heat of the moment almost made him lose it, and it took him a moment to sober. Pulling away, he gave her a crooked grin.
"I'd say I don't know what came over me, but I think I'm beginning to know her quite well," he said while catching his breath.
Holly's skin was flushed, her hair and clothing in disarray, and she had the biggest grin on her face as she looked over at him. "I should think so. You did agree to marry me! I still...am not quite sure I believe it. I don't envy your ears when you go home tonight. You've taken quite a bit of time to 'walk' me home. Your sisters are going to assault you the moment you walk through the door. Imagine the squeals when they find out you've agreed to marry me."
Arrick groaned.
"Don't remind me." And after a moment he peeked over at her. "Maybe we just shouldnt tell them. It would spare us both a lot of grief."
"If I have to tell my parents, you have to tell yours." Holly said with a pout.
"Yeah, but I fear your parents a little less than my gushing sisters."
"They're not so bad. A little hard on the ears sometimes, but I liked your sisters, and your parents. I guess if you really want we can wait and tell your family together next Sunday." Holly sighed, not at all looking forward to informing her parents that she intended to marry Arrick Longfellow, a poor miner of common blood and background.
Arrick appeared to happily sulk.
"You sure we can't wait to tell them until next time?" he asked, giving her a puppy dog look.
Holly grinned and swatted him playfully. "You're being worse than me about telling."
At that, he gave a wistful grin.
"Hey, I'd be fine with this being our little secret... at least until it's... well, more appropriate to reveal and ask for your parent's blessing."
"No better time than the present? I'm really not sure what is going to happen when I tell my parents about you. The longer we wait the worse it will be, I think - at least with my parents. I mean, at least your family knows I exist." Holly actually looked a little guilty at those words. Keeping Arrick secret from her parents was really not something she truly wanted. As much as she hated some of the things her parents did, said, or thought, she did love them.
Arrick gave a thoughtful scratch to the tip of his nose.
"Hrm.. That does pose a bit of a problem- A strange, charming but poorly dressed man shows up at their home, asking for their daughter's hand in marriage. Yeah... pretty sure that wouldn't go well." But even still he stole a quick kiss to her cheek.
"So... I suppose we need to devise a plan on how to address this with them?"
"It isn't going to go well no matter how we approach it." Holly sighed, though his kiss to her cheek had brought the smile back to her lips. "Well my plan for tonight is to get you out of here before you get caught, and then I'm going to wait for my parents to arrive home and very calmly and reasonably explain you to them. From there...I suppose it will depend on their reaction."
She pouted her bottom lip out for a moment before turning her deep blue eyes on Arrick again, admiring his shirtless torso. "Hopefully I can still cook dinner with your sisters next Sunday. If not I'll be sure to let you all know I can't make it."
"Tonight?" Arrick sucked in a breath. "You're a brave woman, Holly." And at her last statement he gave her a wink. "And don't worry about next Sunday. We'll think of something. If I have to grovel..."
"No braver than if I told them tomorrow or the day after that. Better to just get it over with." Holly chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before scrunching her nose a little. "You're not going to grovel to my parents, and if they expect you to..."
The look on her face quite clearly showed what she thought of that idea. Her future husband was not going to be so disrespected by her parents as to be treated like some crawling worm.
"Grovel?" Arrick was taken back. And he gave her a nervous, half cocked grin. "You think it would go that badly?"
"It's going to be fine, Arrick. You just...let me worry about my parents." Holly said, tilting her head for a moment before sighing and getting up from the bed, looking around for her miner's discarded shirt. "For now you need to get home and get some rest. You've got to work tomorrow and I don't want you having more accidents because you were too tired because of me."
At such a thought, Arrick's smile brightened.
"Oh.. but what if I want to be tired and accident prone because of you?" he smirked, moving to stop her as he took her hand and pulled her to him, stealing a quick kiss from her lips.
There was no resistance as he pulled Holly against him once again. She grinned as he stole a quick kiss, wishing they hadn't stopped, even though it had been the right thing to do. Blue eyes flashed mischievously as she peered up at him coyly. "I'll have all the time in the world to send you to work tired and distracted after we're married. In fact, I'll have the chance to thoroughly exhaust you every night."
His face heated and a thrill raced through his heart.
"Exhaust me?" He said, returning her grin with one of his own. "Every night?" And here he was close enough it looked like he might kiss her. But he did not, his dark eyes dancing as he looked at her.
"Well I'm sure some nights you'll have exhausted me instead, but that will be just as fun, yeah?" Holly said cheekily before closing the distance between their lips, kissing Arrick in a way that suggested there would be more to come in time.
Arrick smiled and moaned through the kiss, and when it ended, his lips tugged leftward as he looked more deeply into her eyes.
"I don't think I'll ever exhaust of.you."
"There's a difference between getting exhausted of me and being exhausted by me." Holly smirked before giving him another soft nibbling kiss at his lips. She really hoped she could make good on that, because blushing she knew that tease him as she might, she really knew very little about it!
SHe wasn't the only one blushing as Arrick laughed through a second kiss.
"I could never be exhausted of you," he told her sincerely, eyes studying her's before a playful mirth bubbled forth.
"And are you sure you'd be able to really exhaust me? I mean.. I am a man used to working sun up to sun down..."
"Exactly." Holly beamed before giving a soft giggle. "See, you'll have worked all day and then you come home and have to put up with me. You poor thing, I don't know how you'll manage."
Arrick's grin grew a bit sheepish, but he hesitated not in moving forward, lips finding her neck as his arms embraced her, holding her close.
"Very easily," he whispered against her neck, feeling the same stirrings as before to be so close to her, to feel her softness, to smell her sweetness.
"You say that now." Holly grinned, his lips against her neck causing her to shiver against him as she snuggled close, enjoying his arms around her. Wasn't he supposed to be leaving before her parents showed up and caught a strange man in their house? She really shouldn't be encouraging his lingering. "I wish you didn't have to leave."
Arrick smiled and hugged her tighter, and moved his forehead to rest against hers.
"There will be a time for that, I promise. A time we'll be with one another, as promised, until we grow too old to see."
Giddy, light, warm, fuzzy...Holly really couldn't describe fully how happy she felt standing there in her room, body held against his as their foreheads touched and she gazed into his beautiful dark eyes. She really did wish that he never had to leave, but their postponing the moment of his departure had been dragged on too long as the sounds of the door opening downstairs sent a chill up her spine.
Holly had been so absorbed in Arrick that she hadn't even heard the carriage arrive. Letting out a gasp she jerked away from him as her blue eyes turned to her bedroom door wide and filled with horror. Her voice was a hoarse whisper as she turned back to him. "Hurry! I hope you can climb, grab your shirt and go out the window - there's no time and no way to sneak you downstairs now!"
Arrick froze in place as he heard the foot steps down stairs.
"Shit."
He grabbed his shirt and began to pull it over his arms, stumbling over the buttons as he followed Holly. He paused by the window and looked at the drop down. Though not really afraid of heights, he wasn't exactly as small as he had been in his youth and he gave Holly a worried look. Did she really expect him to climb down undetected? If anything, he was sure he'd make a lot more noise than intended, based on his weight alone.
Holly was in a near panic. Her parents could not find out like this. The window was always her means of escape, so naturally she turned first to it for an "easy" way out. She caught his look and returned it with a look no less worried than his.
"Can you make it? Please tell me you can get down from here. There's no way we'll sneak you out through the main hall with them home. We'll get caught for sure!" If they were caught her father might do something drastic before she had a chance to stop him - like call for guards to arrest an intruder!
Arrick swallowed the knot in his throat as he gave Holly the best attempt at a reassuring smile as he could.
"I don't have a choice."
And despite the eminent danger, he pulled her close for a quick kiss before whispering, "Wish me luck." And soon, he disappeared out the window.
"Be careful." Holly hissed after him as she anxiously watched him squeeze out the window. It wasn't a terribly long fall, but it was enough that he could hurt himself if he wasn't careful enough and she was consumed by worry as she was torn between wanting to watch him descend to make sure he made it and hearing footsteps on the landing. No doubt her mother or father would check in on her because of her feigned sickness earlier in the day.
And just as Arrick was getting the hang of climbing down, the door to Holly's room was opened, just a crack.
"Holly?" It was her mother, and noting the candles were lit... Took that as a hint to come on in the room.
Some kind of record had to have just been broken. Holly made it from the window to her bed in less than two seconds, diving under the covers and pulling them up to her chin. She was supposed to have been sick in bed all afternoon and evening, it wouldn't do at all to be caught fully dressed as if she'd been out!
By the time the door swung open and Jessica Marston swept grandly into the room like some empress entering a ball (god but her mother was so snotty!), Holly was hiding under the covers with her heart beating furiously inside her chest.
"What is all this? These lights should not be on, young lady. Do not think I did not hear you jump into bed. You were up painting when you should have been resting, weren't you?" The accusation was given haughtily as her dark blue eyes examined the room. "And the window open! Holly Marston, no wonder you were sick. Honestly child, I do not know what to do with you."
The grand lady of the house moved to the window and pulled it shut - thankfully without bothering once to actually look out said window. "Now I want these lights out and you sleeping, Holly. Winston was very disappointed that you did not attend, and so was I. He's such a fine young man."
Her mother swept out of the room as grandly as she'd entered, pulling the door shut with a wistful sigh. Which was when Holly finally allowed herself to breath again!
At the sound of her parents entering, Arrick found himself holding his breath and praying..
'Don't come near the window. Don't come near the window.' And after too many long moments of hearing the conversation above, they left. And Arrick made a hasty retreat down the stone work and landing a bit uncomfortably on the ground.
Once on the ground, he peered up to Holly's window- hoping to at least catch a glance of her before he left. But he knew he couldn't linger, as he heard more movement inside, heading near the room in which he stood nearby.
As soon as her mother was gone Holly jumped out of bed and rushed to the window, opening it again to look down and sigh with relief when she saw that Arrick had made it back to the ground. Blowing a kiss to him with a smile, Holly waved and made a shooing motion as she called down softly. "I love you."
Arrick was glad to catch her before he left, and wished he could call back the same. Instead, he simply smiled and gave her a small, sheepish wave, before hearing more noise from the room nearby and moving to crouch down even lower in the bushes, which, he soon found out, were rose bushes. And boy did those thorns hurt!
However, he kept where he was until the light in the room went out, and the footsteps retreated. After a moment of silence, he released a breath and slipped away from the house, sneaking one more glance to Holly's window before disappearing into the night.
On his way home he worked at brushing off and plucking out the thorns. But all things considered, he couldn't stop smiling, and as it were...
Holly was the only thing on his mind.
After Arrick had left was when the Marston household would explode, figuratively, of course. Holly had agreed with Arrick that her parents needed to know about them. The stubborn young woman hadn't been joking when she'd said she'd confront her parents that night. The next few days were full of heated arguments that quickly devolved into screaming matches that did little but frustrate and further anger each member of the family.
It wasn't until Wednesday that Arrick would learn anything of the battle that had taken place in that large townhouse after his departure. For when the miner would arrive home that evening, he would find Holly was waiting for him, dressed as she usually would if meeting him in the park.
He had been day dreaming, and quite a lot since his time at Holly Marston's home. Despite how he feared he'd upset her parents by having won over their daughter's hand, confidence grew day by day that surely things would be alright. They would understand, would they not? That their daughter could only choose from the heart? Though even as he worked in those dark pits beneath the belly of the world, and soot coated him well from head to toe, and sweat mingled with it to cement it to his flesh, he found all other thoughts lost to him when he paused at the end of the block by his home.
There, he saw the outline of a familiar figure. He had to blink and get a little closer before asking, "Holly?"
Holly looked up from her drawing when she heard Arrick call her name. The dim light had made it difficult, but she'd needed something to pass the time while she waited for him to get home. She supposed she could have gone inside to visit with his family, but wasn't sure what exactly he had told them and didn't want to let anything slip. Plus his sisters were slightly intimidating, especially without him there.
She dropped her sketchbook on the ground and practically launched herself at Arrick, not caring in the slightest that he was filthy with soot as she threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "I missed you. We have to talk, and it really couldn't wait. I can't come cook dinner with your sisters on Sunday."
Her words had been all coming out in a rush, and Holly paused and took a deep breath to calm herself so he'd be able to understand her better, hopefully. "I'm sorry. It's just been crazy at my house."
Arrick blinked. That was a lot to take in, but he did react to the one necessity he knew how to handle- and that was comforting Holly. He kept his warms wrapped around her, warm and tight. He too, didn't care his nuzzling was getting her face and clothing soiled. He too, was just happy to see her again.
"Gods, you have no idea how much I've missed you," he breathed, trembling almost at the very sensation of her scent, and touch. "But you're so cold.." he said, realizing she must've been outside for quite some time. "How long have you been standing out here?"
Holly was more than happy to cling to Arrick in the cold and the dark with his arms around her. She didn't even realize how cold she was with him there. Until he mentioned it, of course. "Oh, um, I'm not sure. A while? I was so busy drawing I barely noticed the cold. I just wanted to see you and that was all I could really think about."
She blushed and burrowed further against him, nuzzling her face against his shirt and smudging her cheek with a nice patch of soot.
Arrick continued to hold her, to comfort her as his large hand stroked gently down her back.
"So I take it you've told your parents.." he said softly.
"Yes, I told them. Father's been shouting on and off since. Mother only fainted once, but she did cry." Holly sighed, peeking up at Arrick nervously. "It is going to be okay. They were very, very angry, but the reason I can't come cook this Sunday with your sisters is because my father demands to meet you. Since Sunday is your only day off...Well dinner is served at six sharp."
Arrick blinked as he stared down at her.
"Your father requested it?" He couldn't deny it made sense, and he figured it wasn't out of flattery, either. "So... I guess Ineed to find something nice to wear?" He went on, giving her a small, sheepish smile.
Holly laughed, though the sound seemed more out of nervousness than amusement.
"Father knows how stubborn I can be, and has realized that my mind is made up and not about to change on the issue. He thought it best to meet his future son-in-law before I decided to run off and elope with you out of spite."
She chuckled again, sounding even more nervous than before. "I'm sorry. I know this isn't a great deal of notice, but I want you to meet my parents. I think if they just get to know you, that they would be more impressed than they think."
Arrick sighed, his large hands moving to rest on her sides.
"You really think that highly of me?"
Though then again, he had won over her heart....
Perhaps her parents couldn't be all that different? To see past the sweat, the poverty, and dirt?
"Of course I do, if I didn't I wouldn't be marrying you." Holly grinned, tilting her head up to look at Arrick's handsome face. "If they can't look beyond the fact that you aren't a rich man then they're the ones with a problem. Have you told your family yet?"
The small grin on his lips gave it away.
"I have."
And he sighed, groaning.
"And my ears have been bleeding since!" He gave a roll of his eyes. "You should just hear the things my sisters have been saying! Even my parents have gotten into it."
"What things?" She asked with a soft laugh. Holly would probably have preferred whatever things his sisters and parents might have said over the furious ranting and ravings of her father and mother.
Recounting all of the things his sisters had said (for they were alot!), his smile grew and he leaned forward and kissed her.
"That it's perfect."
A huge, radiant smile lit up Holly's face as he kissed her and relayed what his family had said about their intention to marry. From having dinner with them she had already known that they seemed to approve of her and her being with Arrick, but it still felt amazing to hear him say that.
"I am so happy, Arrick." Holly reached up and kissed him again, arms around his shoulders in a tight hug.
He smiled through a kiss he planted on her forehead.
"As am I... but that still doesn't explain why you're here... at this moment, at this time of day.." he spoke between kisses to her lips. "Just infront of my home..."
And he pulled away to look into her eyes.
"Are you sure there's nothing else that's wrong?"
Holly couldn't help but giggle softly at his kissed-laden words. She thought she'd been quite clear in why she was there! Still, when he pulled away to look into her eyes she looked at him seriously for a moment, contemplating his question for a moment.
"I'm here because earlier today my father finally demanded to meet you. The time is because I knew you would be working until late, and the location should be obvious. Where else would you be? I missed you. I wanted to see you. So I came to tell you about dinner this Sunday." She bit her bottom lip and looked down, obviously with worry still weighing her down, despite her best efforts to be cheery about the whole thing.
Arrick cupped her cheek, using a thumb to gently caress it.
"I know... I know.." he kissed her softly. "But its so late..."
And he worried about her safety.
"Though I suppose this is not something you could leave as a message to my sisters."
"If I had shown up at dawn to leave a message with your sisters I would still be here anyway. I would be a hostage and lucky if I ever got to leave again. I'm still surprised I managed to escape the first time. I don't know if I would be so fortunate again." Holly said teasingly with a soft chuckle, one of her hands moving up to rest against his chest as she gave him a soft peck on the lips.
"And you have every reason to fear them," he went on, kissing her back as he held her close. "But here I see you fearing them... when perhaps you ought to fear me. I don't think I can let you return home this late, not without an escort, and I-"
"OH MY GOD, I KNEW IT!"
Arrick's voice caught in his throat as he turned. It was Arisa.
There was a squeal and he heard the scrambling of his sister's as they made their way out the front door and over to them.
"I knew it! I knew it! Arrick, how long were you going to keep her out here!?" Arisa chided, and as Jane followed close at her heels, Naddy dawdled behind as she fumbled to light a lantern as she followed her other two younger sisters.
"How long have you been waiting out here?" Jane asked. "I thought I might have seen you out there earlier but I wasn't sure."
Arisa moved to touch Holly's shoulder and recoiled with a gasp.
"Goodness! She's freezign! Arrick, you must bring her inside immediately! Naddy!" And she turned around, Naddy freezing into place with the lantern now lit in hand as it swung still despite her standing still.
"Naddy, go get the door and wake ma and pa. We need to reheat the stew! Can't have our new sister dying of hypothermia!" And soon Arisa was looking an arm with Holly's as she beamed. But with a gasp, she pointed out, "Goodness!" And she looked from Holly to Arrick, then back to Holly again. "Arrick! Look what you did!" And she pulled out a kerchief and offered it to Holly.
"You two have been kissing all night, havne't you?" And her smile grew from ear to ear. "I can tell becuase you've got Arrick's soot all over you." And as her eyes roamed over Holly's body, she gasped to see just where Arrick's hands had been.
"Arisa!" Arrick tried to scold, but his sister's grin nearly burst off her face as she moved to pull Holly along.
"Come on. At least we have manners, sister!"
This moment really had been inevitable. Holly had started to grin as Arrick started to connect the little dots that pointed out that it was unlikely that she would be returning home that night. The sound of one of his sisters of course wiped the grin off her lips as her cheeks heated. Well, it had only been a matter of time before they realized the pair of them were out there!
She did try to get a word in edgewise, but it really was impossible between the three of them. It was almost like getting set upon by a pack of dogs. Deep blue eyes widened when Arisa called for stew to be heated and to wake their parents. Arrick did need to eat, she was sure, but they shouldn't wake their ill parents who needed their rest on her account!
"I-" Holly could only blush at the accusation of being out there kissing Arrick all night, because, well, it was partially true. She took the kerchief and half-heartedly pressed it against her smudged cheek. Honestly she had quite a lot of soot on her face, hands, and clothes!
Before she knew what was happening Arisa had their arms linked and was dragging her towards the house. Her free hand reached back to try to grab Arrick, there was no way that she wasn't going to end up inside, of course, but if she was going to be pulled along then he might as well too!
"I'm fine, really. We weren't out there that long!"
The chaos, though over whelming, was a rather charming sight, and as Arisa was taking charge and the gaggle of his sisters followed, he pushed his way straight to Holly's side before suddenly scooping her upa nd holding her above his head.
"No one is going anywhere with my fiance!"
And all three of his sister's gasped and looked up at the way Arrick held Holly just above his head.
"Arrick! Stop that!" Arisa snapped.
"If she falls, you'll hurt her!" Jane agreed.
"And what if our parents are watching!?" Naddy intervened. "We.. kind of left the window open..."
One moment Holly was being dragged by Arisa, and the next a feeling of vertigo overwhelmed her as she was lifted up and up! She squawked, arms flailing slightly as he realized that Arrick had picked her up, but not into his arms. Was she over his head?! Really she could only marvel breathlessly for a moment while being thankful she was wearing breeches.
"Arrick!" She gasped, looking at the ground warily. God, she had known he was strong, but this was impressive. Suddenly she shivered for a totally different reason than it was cold.
And it was then Arrick turned around to observe...
His parents were watching, though tired as they were, propped up in their sick beds. And the second they saw Arrick, who now dropped Holly into his arms, bridal style,
They smiled. And Arrick returned one in kind.
As soon as she started dropping Holly let out a high-pitched squeak, her arms instinctively reaching out to wrap around Arrick's neck as he caught her in his arms. She let out a soft breathless laugh, before noticing his parents, which caused her to blush and turn her face to press against his neck.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to wake them." Maybe it was selfish to have come tonight. As much as she'd wanted to see him, she had certainly caused a stir at his home.
Arrick turned to her, and softly kissed her cheek.
"Nonsense. They've been restless and eager all week to see you again," he whispered against her hair.
"Yes, but at a reasonable hour, not after dark!" Holly grumbled, blushing harder as she burrowed herself more snugly against his chest. "Well since I'm here and they're up, I guess we shouldn't keep them waiting."
"Well, at least you have a good reason!" he reminded her, and stole a quick kiss to her cheek. It was then he finally let her feet touch the ground, and he gave her a lopsided grin.
"Think you can manage to walk? Or should I carry you into my home, bridal style?"
And his sisters snickered at that.
Holly huffed softly as her feet were finally planted firmly on the ground again. "I am perfectly capable of walking, thank you very much."
A flirtatious smile crossed her lips as she tossed her braid over her shoulder and turned away from him to walk towards the front door, calling softly to him over her shoulder, "Besides, you're supposed to carry me across the threshold like that the day of our wedding."
"Well, it might feel like our wedding day with all the excitement going on!" And he only shrugged at that and still grinned because his sisters were still gushing as he lead the way. Opening the door, he was surprised to see his mother out of bed.
"What are you doing!? Mom.. you should be resting!"
But the woman's face broke out into a broad grin as she shook her head at Arrick.
"How can a woman be resting when her son is about to introduce us to his bride to be?" And to Holly, she turned and gave her the warmest of smiles.
"Oh, as soon as we heard the news I cried... I just cried..."
"And it looks like you're doing it now," Arrick pointed out, but not in a mean way. He gave Holly a one armed hug and kept her at his side. "I know it seems we've moved on this idea so fast but... I'd like Holly to hear your blessing from your own lips."
And frm the sick bed came a gruff voice, "And what about mine!?"
Arrick turned and grinned at his father.
"I suppose we could use your's too, but in order for us to do that, you'll have to call off my sisters! They're like a pack of hounds and are blocking the hall!"
Their wedding day...There was still so much they would need to discuss and decide. Arrick still didn't have the approval of her parents, but at least her father was willing to have him over for dinner. To at least meet him before he tried to forbid the union. What would they do if her father refused to give his blessing? She was determined to marry Arrick with or without that blessing, but she worried how he would feel about it.
Those thoughts were driven from her mind as they entered the house together and her eyes fell on Mrs. Longfellow out of bed. What she said, the tears in her eyes...Holly wanted to rush over and embrace her, but Arrick had her nestled securely at his side.
A smile curved her lips as she heard Mr. Longfellow call from his sick bed and tears formed in her eyes. Holly couldn't believe how excited his sisters were, his mother was so happy she was in tears...it meant a great deal to her to be so eagerly received by his family. Would they welcome her so readily if they knew about her family?
"They better move, because I need to hug my future mother-in-law and father-in-law." Holly laughed, raising a hand to brush a few tears off her cheeks.
Mrs. Longfellow laughed, and her daughters did too, bumbling aside as they helped her approach Holly. And once she was before her future 'daughter in law', the tears just made her old eyes shine. With a sigh, she held out her hands and took Holly's in hers and gave a gentle squeeze.
"My... how lovely a bride you'll be," was all she could say, as she began to cry happily again. "Oh, come here and hug me, Holly." And soon her arms were embracing the young woman tight.
As soon as Mrs. Longfellow's arms went around her, Holly hugged her as tightly as she dared. Arrick's family was so warm and close, while her own family was always so cold and distant, she truly hadn't expected quite this kind of reception! Especially with such a sudden engagement. "I can't wait until I'm officially part of your family."
Then she couldn't help but quietly and tearfully blurt out, "Can I call you Mom?"
Tears seemed to be every where as Mrs. Longfellow gave a nod.
"Oh, of course dear!" And she hugged her again, rubbing her back. "As far as I can see it, we've already started to become a family here." She hugged her again, so tight it might have surprised Holly at the strength the older woman had in her sickly state. But after a nice tight hug, the woman loosened it with a sigh and stepped back.
"I'm just so glad Arrick's finally found someone. He deserves a good girl like you. He deserves to be happy."
Holly blushed as Mrs. Longfellow stepped back, and that blush deepened at the gushing. She looked over her shoulder up at Arrick, smiling shyly. "He does deserve to be happy."
So did she, she reminded herself. Her father had to give his blessing, he just had to. Arrick was wonderful, her father was a smart man, he would see that. Oh Ansgar she hoped she wasn't kidding herself about that. Turning her smile back to her new mother, she laughed softly and wiped her eyes. "Let's not keep Mr. Longfellow waiting, he needs a hug too."
Mrs. Longfellow nodded and brushed back her tears. She was the one to guide the others along, but as they entered into the room, it appeared as if Mr.Longfellow were asleep. Though as they approached, his eyes slowly opened and a smile bloomed.
He was staring at Lily.
"So I heard the news." He coughed. "Come here so I can have a good look at ya."
Holly was still feeling a little surreal as she stepped into the room where her soon to be father-in-law was lying in bed, seemingly asleep until he opened his eyes. She blushed slightly but didn't hesitate to approach the bedside.
"I'm sorry for disturbing your rest, Mr. Longfellow." The young woman said softly, but she was smiling. "May I hug you?"
The old man chuckled, eyes wet with the threat of tears.
"But of course, child! Just be gentle," he went on with a laugh and cough. "I'm delicate and old!"
Holly laughed softly, a few tears actually managing to slide down her cheeks as she bent down to gently hug her soon-to-be new father. She couldn't wait until she was Arrick's wife. It had never really been something she had considered before her gentle miner, but she couldn't wait to have her husband's family as her own.
"Thank you so much, it means so much to me knowing how happy everyone is about this."
He didn't cry, though his eyes threatened too as he gave her such a big hug and pat on the back. And it was only then he turned his attentions to Arrick and through a cough, spoke,
"You sure know how to win a sweet girl. Guess you take after your father," he went on with a wink.
Arrick blushed a little but laughed.
"I suppose you could say that! Though we might get into arguments over who has found the sweetest love," he jested back.
"Really, you two," his mother went on, returning to the bed side with a tired sigh. But she looked happy, even if she was pale and weak looking. "I can only see a life time of many blessed and wonderful memories."
And a second later, he heard one of his sister's chime in, "And lots of children, too!"
Holly couldn't help but blush when she was referred to as a "sweet girl", not sure that was entirely accurate. Did sweet girls sneak out to have secret trysts with men their father would not approve of?
Food for thought.
Pushing the praise from her mind she beamed at Arrick, chuckling softly as father and son jested. They were such a warm, loving family. She could only imagine that her life with Arrick would be filled with as much warmth and love. Unlike a marriage her parents would have forced her into if they could have.
Her blush returned full force as she turned towards Arrick's sisters. Holly had been so caught up with excitement over the idea of marrying her sweet miner that she'd not thought about children. She glanced shyly at her future husband and smiled. "I hope so. Arrick would be a wonderful father."
Holly wasn't the only one to blush. Arrick too, was red cheeked, but no less happy in the moment. At Holly's comment, his heart soared.
"I hope our first child is a girl and is as rambunctious as you," he went on, teasing.
"Funny thing for a father to wish for. A daughter like me. She'll give you a heart attack as soon as she's old enough to draw the attention of young men." Holly teased him right back, blue eyes gleaming and lips quirked up in a playful grin.
"Not if I keep her locked away!" he joked, pulling Holly closer. It seemed he might have intended to kiss her, but giggles from his sister's spoiled that!
"You wouldn't!" Holly scolded him as he pulled her close, though she smiled up at him. For just a moment she'd forgotten that they weren't alone. The giggling of his sisters had her blush, and a moment later her expression turned serious.
"You need to eat and go to bed. You've been working all day and you have to work all day again tomorrow. I've kept you from resting far longer than I should have."
Arrick was all smiles.
"I think you under estimate what I want," he told her, giving her a knowing look. "I'd easily give up sleep to see you."
"I know what you want." Holly retorted with a smirk before shaking her head. "I want you to take care of yourself. What good will you be at work tomorrow if you're too tired to keep your eyes open? Not to mention how do you think it will make me feel if you accidentally hurt yourself because you were tired and it was my fault?"
Plus Arrick had made it clear that he wanted to wait until marriage before they made love, and she was relieved they were at his full home where it would be impossible to get privacy for temptation.
"What's with you taking all the blame? But don't worry," he reassured her, stealing a quick kiss to her cheek. "Once I see you safely home, I'll get to bed. It's late- and you shouldn't be walking alone anyway."
"Because I'm the one keeping you up!" Holly insisted with a pout as he kissed her cheek. She really wished she could steal more than a quick peck on the cheek, but his family was right there.
"Do I have to go?" Her voice had dropped to a whisper as she tilted her head down, a blush on her cheeks. She really didn't want to go home. There would be more yelling, more badgering - the pressure placed on her had only gotten worse now that they knew about Arrick.
Her mother would not stop trying to offer up alternatives seeing as she was suddenly "so eager to be married she'd settle for the first poor sop she laid her eyes on".
Arrick grinned and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "No, but if you don't go I might have to make you stay in my room tonight... and you know what that'll mean."
Naturally- he left what it'd mean to her imagination as he pulled away with a broad grin. He took her arm.
"Come on. The night will only get colder!" And he gave a wave to his parents as he ushered her out the door.
Holly's heart leaped at the idea of staying with Arrick in his room, his bed...and her face heated. Neither of them would get any real rest if that were the case! They would be far, far too absorbed with one another.
With a twinge of regret, she waved to Arrick's family and bid them good night. It only took a moment for her huge miner to have her herded out the front door. Her lips pulled into a pout as she looked up at him. "I shouldn't have come. Now you're really going to be up late."
"What? Why? You really going to regret this memory over one night of loss of sleep?" His hands threaded with hers as he grinned. He guided that hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers, warmly, softly, slowly.
"I'd go forever without sleep for you," he professed, giving her his best charming grin as he could.
The kisses to her fingertips had the young artist shivering lightly, although maybe it was in part to the cold, but mostly it was his lips. She wished those lips were elsewhere!
"I love you, Arrick. I can't regret a moment spent with you, but I really do feel bad that you're missing sleep." Holly knew he worked himself very hard. She wasn't sure how he could do it! At least once she was his wife she could devout her time and energy into taking good care of her handsome miner.
He let her hand drop at their sides, still clasped together as he walked beside her.
"Oh, Holly.. Holly, Holly, really.. you shouldn't have such regrets," he told her, beaming as he looked her over with pride. "And you know..." He went on, leaning in to steal a kiss to her cheek- then daring one to be stolen of her lips. "I love you, too."
He was making it very hard to feel bad about keeping him awake. What with the sweet kisses she'd been dying for and all. Holly blushed and looked up at Arrick with adoration, lips drawn into a beaming grin. "I can't wait until I don't have to leave you at night. I want to feel your arms around me as I fall asleep."
"Soon enough," he told her, suddenly embracing her in a bear hug. "And soon enough you'll regret it!" he teased, and moved in as if to kiss her neck- but instead, blew tickling raspberries against her skin while his hug tightened enough to lock her into his grip.
Holly giggled as she was pulled into a bear hug by her mammoth miner. Although when his lips moved to her neck and began blowing raspberries she squealed slightly and began struggling in his iron grip while still giggling uncontrollably. "Arrick! Stop that tickles! Stooooooop!"
"Stop?" He paused. "What?" And continued. "Is this?" He paused. "Really so..." He went on. "Ticklish?"
Each time his lips met her neck Holly couldn't help but let out a giggling squeal. She'd never known how ticklish she was, but then again, nobody tried to tickle her except Arrick. "YES! Mercy! Mercy!"
Arrick smirked, holding her and said, "I'll give you mercy, but you have to do one thing for me, first."
"Anything!" Holly panted, trying to catch her breath. She felt her heart racing from the tickling and from being held by him, knowing that she'd do anything for him, and not just to make the raspberries stop.
Arrick paused, eyes dancing as they met to hers.
"Do you really love me?" And he paused, breath held but a moment. "Answer the question," he went on gently, repeating as he leaned in a little closer. "Do you really, truly love me?"
"I do!" Holly gasped. At least she hoped she truly loved him! She was planning to marry him even without her parent's blessing if necessary. She brought a hand up to lightly touch his cheek, "I love you, Arrick."
And without waiting another moment longer, he dipped he low and met with her lips, drinking of that confessed love while a warm hand cupped her cheek while his other held her firm around her middle.
"And I love you."
And then he sniped a playful raspberry to the tip of her nose before kissing her fully, heatedly, passionately again.
Just like that she melted against him, arms moving to circle around his neck, clinging lightly as she moaned into the kiss. A smile crossed her lips when he spoke those words to her, but his little childish action had her about to give an indignant protest as she'd agreed to his terms.
That protest was quickly swallowed by a groan as their lips were once again pressed together. Holly tried to deepen the kiss, wanting more as her hands went from clinging to Arrick to sliding down his chest.
The kisses were too much, it was dizzying, and his moans grew louder, his body closer as his hands roamed up and down her form, catching into her hair as he gave her kiss after passionate kiss.
Holly completely forgot that they were on the street, nothing existed outside Arrick. Her hands trailed down from his chest to his lower abdomen before lightly caressing lower against the front of his pants. She felt hot as she moaned against his mouth, trembling lightly beneath his hands.
So swept away in the moment, Arrick didn't hear the approach of a carriage until it was forced to halt, the driver shouting, "out of the road!" But Arrick only obliged after another long series of heated kisses before dragging Holly with him off the street and into the nearest ally.
They were in their own little world. Sure, Holly was vaguely aware when the carriage driver yelled at them to get out of the road, but how could she really notice that with Arrick's lips claiming hers over and over again so passionately?
She was in a daze by the time they reached the alley. Her mind was floating in a heated cloud of lust as she clung to Arrick.
"We almost got in trouble back there," he smiled through pants. "Perhaps it's time we finally take you home?" Though his tone begged other wise.
"Trouble doesn't sound like a bad thing." Holly protested with a low, needy whine. She didn't want to stop now. In the back of her mind she still remembered his promise to himself to wait until he was married, and she really didn't want to make him break that promise.
She also didn't want to wait. Arrick set her blood on fire and she wanted him badly. Her core was on fire. It was like a steady burning in her lower belly and she knew that nothing but her sweet miner was going to quench it.
He stole a kiss before ruffling her hair.
"Come on." he squeezed her hand. "Before trouble takes over." Trouble being her! He gave a tug and gestured. "We're not too far away now anyway. And I would rather not have you caught out here in the streets with such a man." But at that, he grinned broadly, and as charmingly as he could.
Holly let out a huff and grumble as she was tugged back on track of going home, which is what they were supposed to be doing. It occurred to her that her protests and delays were only causing it to take longer. The longer it took the longer before Arrick could go to bed and the less rest and sleep he would have before another very long day in the mines.
"I'm sorry, Arrick. You're just so irresistible." She pouted at him.
He shook his head, but pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head.
"I'm going to be in a lot of trouble when we're wed."
"Trouble still doesn't sound like a bad thing." She retorted, giving him a smoldering look. Gods, Holly hoped that they could be married soon.
He kissed her forehead this time before giving her hand a tug.
"Come on before I'm forced to carry you home." And he began to lead her back out onto the road.
"Alright, alright! I'm coming. Although you carrying me doesn't sound awful." She imagined being pressed against him with his strong arms holding her close. Nope, didn't sound bad at all to her! Still Holly sighed as she followed him. "I'm sorry that I'm so bad."
"And here I thought I proposed to a sweet and innocent girl."
Holly snorted. "I believe I proposed to you - while you were hovering over me, panting and shirtless, in my bed."
He shrugged it off.
"A minor detail."
Worry began gnawing at her. "Do you...prefer sweet and innocent? I mean..."
What if he didn't like her being so...needy? Was her eagerness bothering him? Was he having second thoughts?
Arrick laughed as he turned to her, scooping her up into a kiss. Setting her down, he looked her square in the eyes and said, "I prefer whatever it is you are."
Holly smiled at him, feeling relieved that she wasn't driving him away with her wanton behavior towards him. She just couldn't help herself. Maybe it would be better once they were married and they could both get their lust for each other sated?
"You mean a troublesome rich girl that likes sneaking out to meet with an extraordinarily good-looking miner and test his resolve and willpower to resist her?" That seemed to sum it up pretty well in her mind.
He smirked and kissed the tip of her nose.
"Remember, you said it, not I," he went on playfully, then took her hand into his own and walked along. "You know, at first this walk used to take forever... but we're only a few blocks away now and it feels like this night has only just begun. It's strange.. it's like I'm missing you before you're even gone."
"I know I am already missing you. I don't want you to leave." Holly pouted as they walked. If it was at all possible she'd have weaseled her way into keeping him with her all night. "I'm looking forward to becoming your wife. Then we won't have to miss each other at night."
"Yeah, but when I work- it'll still leave me missing you during the day."
"Well nothing's perfect, but we won't have to be apart for days at a time anymore, and I promise I will make up for missing each other during the day when you come home at night." Holly's blue eyes glinted mischievously up at him. They were at the turn to head down her street, and she wished that she could delay it even for a few moments longer. He hand squeezed his.
He leaned down to kiss her.
"Are you sure you're not a spawn of the devil?" he jested. "A succubus?" But he stole another kiss as he pulled her along. "Come on. We shouldn't dawdle." But even he was hoping to find some excuse to make the long walk home last.
"Would you still love me anyway?" Holly asked with a laugh after his kisses, tossing her very disheveled braid over one shoulder as she walked beside him. Walking down her street now she had to remind herself that Arrick could be her husband very soon if he was agreeable to a hasty engagement. Surely she could survive a couple weeks of this temptation and torment.
His walking slowed as they neared her gate.
"Shall I depart with you here?" he asked, turning to look into her eyes.
Blue eyes had turned sad and disappointed as they came upon the gate to the three-story brownstone that her family occupied. Her parents might have considered Arrick's house a crowded hovel, but she truly preferred it to the home she was raised in.
The house felt cold and empty to her, where Arrick's was warm and full of love and life and laughter.
"Yes, I suppose this is where we say goodnight." She couldn't keep the slight quiver from her voice or the tremor off her lips as she looked down at the ground unhappily.
And that's when he hugged her, holding her close and tight.
She clung to him, fingers gripping tightly to his shirt as she buried her face against his chest. Holly felt a little silly for being so reluctant to let him go. It would only be a few days. Arrick would have dinner with her family on Sunday and then there would be nothing to keep them back from arranging their wedding.
At least that's what she told herself. Arrick just had to meet them.
He kissed her forehead before releasing his hold and taking a step back.
"Good night, Holly." he told her, eyes lingering upon her's.
"Good night, Arrick. I'll see you Sunday for dinner, at six." Holly blew him a kiss with an impish grin before turning and making her way inside. Already she found herself unable to wait for Sunday to come.
She wasn't the only one anxious. Arrick found himself lingering near by her house, eyes waiting upon unlit windows until he saw one up high go on and smiled. It seemed she was settling in for the night rather quickly- which was good. He'd hate to bring more of her parents ire upon her. Turning from her house, he made his way back home, sleeping but an hour before rising and making his way back to work.
Holly had butterflies in her stomach all day Sunday. Her maid simply would not stop fussing over what she was wearing. She knew what was going on. Her mother had insisted on dressing and dolling her up for this dinner, and her mother would also be looking very extravagant. The hateful woman wanted to intimidate and scare off her poor miner.
Well Arrick wouldn't be so easily swayed away from her. She hoped.
When the time for dinner drew closer her anxiety only continued to raise with each passing minute. He would be there soon and they would find out just how sincere he really was in his wish to marry her. She hoped and prayed that her parents wouldn't frighten him off.
All week his anxiety was mounting up to this very Sunday. It was 'Do or Die', as his littlest sister was quick to remind him, repeatedly. Even still, he knew with all his heart he wanted to make a good impression, and though he and Holly were from different worlds, he just hoped her parents would take to him as kindly as she. He knew there'd certainly be some trepidation, but as he was suiting up in his father's dark blue over coat and fastening his grandfather's grey neck scarf, he paused in the hall's dust-smudged mirror to look himself over.
It was Arisa's tutting that gained his attention and he smiled at her through the reflection.
"You need to do something about your hair."
Arrick raised a brow.
"What about it?" he raked his fingers through it. "I scrubbed it real good..."
Arisa rolled her eyes and approached her brother.
"Handsome men of aristocracy wear their hair.. back," she went on, gesturing to her own hair and slicking back her curls. "And a tail at the end." She held out a red ribbon. "Shall I help you with your hair?"
Arrick looked her over.
"Yes.. you shall," he replied playfully as he bowed and took a seat for his much smaller sister to fuss over him. She did the best she could with what they had to get his hair back, and it seemed long enough to fit into the shortest of tails. But once finished, she gave a broad smile.
"You look real handsome now."
"Oh?" her brother asked, rising. "And I hadn't before?"
She scrunched her lips and shrugged.
"Let's just say I think Holly will be swooning."
Arrick smiled and pulled his sister into a single armed hug and kissed the top of her head.
"Good, that's all I needed to hear!" And he made his way towards the door, his other sister's giggling and verbally fussing over how he looked. Once outside, he gave a wave to his family, and a nod to his mother who was lingering in the window. Then he turned away, drew in a long breath and began his journey to the other side of town.
He didn't hesitate when he approached Holly's estate, and made his way right up towards the door, where he smoothed down his jacket and hair before knocking on the door. A servant answered it, and not knowing what to do, he bowed to the servant and said,
"I'm Arrick Longfellow. I'm here to see Holly." And his hands fidgeted at his sides.
It was hard to breathe and impossible to stop the fluttering in her stomach as Holly stood in the sitting room. Well, more like paced in the sitting room. Her poor maid was doing her best to keep up with her, still fussing over her clothing and hair. The pale blue skirts of her elegant silk dress made a soft swishing noise, and her elderly servant tittered at her.
"Child, hold still. You must look your best for our company. This is your very own young man coming to call, you know." With an exasperated sigh Holly stopped in front of a long mirror, gently making minor adjustments to her hair, which had been braided and coiled into a bun, with her blue ribbon woven into the red-gold strands. Nervously she smoothed her hands down the stiff bodice, wishing she were in her normal breeches and jacket.
A soft sound of disapproval came from the chair by the window. "Holly, stop fidgeting, it is unladylike." Jessica Marston was a beautiful woman with an aristocratic air about her. Her hair was the color of pure gold and her eyes like ocean water. "This Longfellow boy might be some common lout, but I will not have you forgetting your manners or embarrassing me."
"Yes, Mother." Holly mumbled, folding her hands in front of her and taking a seat at the other chair as politely as she could, although her lips were drawn into a tight scowl. She hated the way her mother spoke of Arrick so dismissively, as if this were a distasteful situation that was soon to be over with.
Fat chance.
Her father was standing by the mantle and sighed with a long-suffering shake of his head. Delmar Marston had far too much experience trying to keep peace between his very conservative wife and strong-willed and, admittedly wild-spirited, daughter. He smoothed his red-gold hair, nearly the exact shade his daughter boasted, as the sound of knocking came from the front of the house. Casting a final glance at Holly he sighed. "And you are certain I cannot talk you out of this?"
"Papa I love him." Delmar sighed and Jessica rolled her eyes, mumbling about marrying for love being foolish commoner nonsense. Holly ignored them both and practically raced to the front door.
Arlo, the elderly, grey-haired butler had answered the door with an amused grin. Most of the house staff were beyond amused at the mini war going on inside the household between mother and daughter. "Ah, welcome young Master. No need for all that, we've been expecting you."
Just as he opened the door wide for Arrick, Holly appeared in all her finery, her face lighting up as she saw him. Not caring about her mother's scolding to mind her manners she threw her arms around him in a quick hug, bringing about chuckles from Arlo before he stepped more out of the way.
"I am so glad you made it," Holly took a step back, keeping her hands on his arms as she let her eyes roam up and down his form appreciatively, "And look at you! You've always been so handsome, but you clean up sharply, Mr. Longfellow."
"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting. My sisters.... Well," he flashed her a bright smile. "You know how they are." Releasing a nervous, breathy laugh, his own eyes indulged her as his smile grew. "You look amazing."
"Oh no, you're not late or anything. I've just been anxious to see you." Holly bit her lip, blushing slightly as he praised her appearance.
"You don't think it's too much? Mother insisted. I think she wants to intimidate you with our wealth, but I think father just wants to make sure you're a good man. I think." She didn't look all that convinced of that, but she tried to put on a brave face. Her father would come around, he had to.
"Anxious, huh?" he repeated, giving her a crooked smile. "Then I'm sorry I made you wait any longer than you had to." But as she went on asking if it was too much, his grin grew. "No, I think it's refreshing. I've never seen you dolled up like this."
Although... a little part of him WAS a bit terrified that the second they'd see him and be able to judge his patched up, hand me down suit against their eloquent, daughter's rich attire- it would be more than evident of their status; and that such luxuries..... Perhaps may not be as fanciful in her future as they were now. But then again, Holly had chosen him and he, her. And he was not a man to ignore or deny his heart, but indulge in it. And in that moment, all he could do was get lost in Holly's eyes and wish to the gods' he could kiss her deeply, truly.
Holly made a bit of a face at the "dolled up" comment. She hated wearing such expensive, impractical gowns. They were pointless. Still, she managed to twist her lips into a smirk as she ran her hands over the front of his suit - obviously worn as it was. "You know, I could say the same about you. You really do look very handsome in a suit, but I like you any way I can get you."
She nearly jumped when Arlo cleared his throat to get their attention. "Pardon for interrupting Miss Holly, but you should show your guest to the dining room. Supper will be served shortly."
The young woman blushed deeply, almost having forgotten that they weren't completely alone there in the entrance hall. "Right then! Best not to keep mother and father waiting. Even if I kinda wish they could just wait forever..."
Holly mumbled that last bit as she took Arrick's arm and lead him through the house. Her mother was seated directly to the right of the head of the table. Her father was standing behind her mother's chair, watching them with that critical look he always had. She took a deep breath before putting on her best smile. "Mother, Father, I'd like you to meet my intended, Arrick Longfellow. Arrick, these are my parents - Delmar and Jessica Marston."
Her mother said nothing, but the snooty look of distaste was kind of hard to miss. Delmar squeezed his wife's shoulder gently before nodding to Arrick. "It is nice to meet you, young man. Even if I father should expect to meet his future son-in-law before finding out that his daughter is engaged."
Her parents were as he expected them,to be; as pristine as a painting. He could see where Holly inherited her looks and he bowed his head as they both addressed him. Guilt was evident in his eyes at their comment as he stole a quick glance to Holly.
"Its a pleasure to meet you both. I...apologize our meeting hadn't come any sooner. But I'm happy for the invitation and your gracious hospitality."
He felt so rigid and awkward, like the stitching on his clothes.
Feeling the awkwardness and tension building in the room, Holly cleared her throat before flashing Arrick what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "We should sit. I'll be across from mother and you'll sit next to me."
Jessica's expression tightened slightly, but she still said nothing as her daughter moved over take the chair to the left of her father, who took his seat now, watching them intently.
He barely allowed them both to sit before speaking. "So Arrick, I'm to understand you work in the mines. A very labor intensive job, but a poorly paying one."
Holly had to bite her tongue to keep from pointing out just how lazy a job her father had but somehow made a lot of money.
"Yeah, I work sun up to sun down. The hours are long, and I guess you could say the pay is small, but it's enough to put food on the table."
He silently cleared his throat and looked from one parent to the next.
"I'm sure the work of a miner is hardly as interesting as your profession. Would you care to tell me about it?"
"Sun up to sun down? And when exactly will you have time for my daughter?" It was the first thing that Jessica actually said to Arrick, and her tone spoke volumes about her dislike and disapproval of a impoverished working man being in her home.
"All night long, mother." Holly just couldn't stop herself from saying it. Besides, maybe once they were married Arrick could work fewer hours - she could sell art to help him support them.
"Now darling..." Delmar warned, shooting a look between his wife and daughter before clearing his throat. "I am a trader, Mr. Longfellow. I am sure that a long-winded discussion about imports and exports would only serve to bore you, and the women, of course."
Holly's lips tightened as she took a moment to stop glaring at her mother and to instead turn that steely gaze on her father.
Arrick decided to let the question go about spending time with his wife to be, but smiled at the latter suggestion.
"I can't say I'd be bored. Your type of work sounds interesting, however, I can't say I'd understand all of the information you'd be willing to give." He cleared his throat, looking from father to mother then back to Holly's father again.
"How long have you been in the trade business?" That seemed a safer route to go, as far as conversations were concerned.
"I was born into it. My grandfather established the family trade, then my father built up the business into the current prosperity, and as soon as I was old enough I began helping and learning so that I could maintain the family's good fortune." Delmar sighed softly, glancing at his still sulking daughter. "I had hoped my son would carry on the family business, but as I have no sons to inherit it from me and a petulant daughter who is far more artist than businesswoman, I had hoped my son-in-law would be able to run things once I was gone, but..."
Well he didn't want to say it outright, but obviously Arrick was not a businessman. That was one reason he'd tried so hard to find his daughter a husband that was of the proper class and education.
"I can do it! Just because I'm a woman and an artist doesn't mean that I'm going to destroy your legacy." Holly scowled and stared at the table angrily.
"I never said that." Delmar said to his daughter in exasperation.
Thank god the servants entered then carrying covered trays to set in front of each occupant at the table, along with pouring them an expensive red wine. When the lids were lifted roasted duck and an assortment of vegetables were revealed.
"Ah, I understand." He did, truthfully and gave a look between father and daughter as their exchange went on. If there was one thing he was good at, it was taking these sort of situations in stride.
"I wish I could offer more to you and your legacy than the minimal education I do have," he began, hoping to catch the attention of father from daughter to ward off any further venomous looks between them. "Although your job sounds pretty interesting, I suppose in another life I might have been so lucky to learn. But I can't claim myself as a smart man, smarts in my family went to my sister," he went on, giving the family a sheepish smile. "But I'd like to believe your daughter chose a good man."
"I never thought my daughter would choose a bad man, only a bad match. The two of you are not exactly cut from the same cloth." Delmar might be willing to be more civil than his wife, but he was rather blunt about the fact that Holly and Arrick were from very different classes.
"Not a bad man?!" Jessica slapped her hand onto the table. "How can you say that? This...this...this...ruffian has manipulated our daughter into throwing a tantrum to marry him. He has nothing to offer our daughter. Nothing! He is an unscrupulous thief out to steal our daughter and wealth from us!"
Both Holly and Delmar had turned white, eyes wide and staring at the matron in shock. Delmar had the good sense to look embarrassed at his wife's outburst, but Holly was shaking with the effort of containing her rage.
Delmar cleared his throat and turned to one of the well dressed attendants. "My wife is tired. See her to our rooms."
Jessica gave the most withering, venomous look she possibly could to all three of them before turning and haughtily seeing herself out. She didn't want to be forced to sit through this farce a moment longer anyway! Even if it stung to be sent to bed like a petulant child.
"Forgive my wife, Mr. Longfellow. You must understand that this is all very...hard on us. You are not exactly the future we were hoping for our only child, and well, Holly is our only child. Even if she had agreed to marry exactly who we wanted, we would still be losing her in a way." He did look rightly contrite.
Holly looked near tears.
Arrick remained quiet as the whole ordeal went on. But what could he say? He waited for the air to settle and her father to say his peace before he himself lowered his gaze and digested over things.
"Maybe it was too soon for us to presume a marriage. I would feel awful to take your only daughter away with such friction between any of us. I come from a large family, and I'm not a fan even when my own sisters squabble, but we always keep our peace. If it makes you feel any better, Holly and I can make an extended engagement, so you can get to know me better, and I you. I think this would be fair, presuming you, and Holly," he went on, finally giving his fiance a look after so long of avoiding eye contact as he thought things over.
"But don't mistake my offer to draw out the engagement as a means to rethink on our wedding to be." He made sure he was very clear nad direct in this. He had not come here to negotiate their wedding, simply make peace of it, as best he and Holly could. "As a man, I could not consider myself honorable if I did not pursue the wishes and desires of my future family in-law." He shook his head. "Perhaps if we allow you both some time, and some other formal invitations so that we can all better get to know one another. I know I'd like that. And since Holly's met and gotten to now my family well, it's only fair that myself, as well as you both, are offered the same."
Holly's stomach nearly flipped as she sat quietly and listened to all of it. She hadn't expected this dinner to be pleasant, but this wasn't just unpleasant, it was a complete disaster. Her mother had not only repeatedly insulted Arrick, but had accused him of terrible things that were completely untrue. Now her father had somehow managed to convince her sweet miner to drag the whole ordeal out even longer.
She reached over and gripped his hand, giving it a light squeeze. He would be her husband, she had to hold that thought tightly, because right then she was sure that her mother was going to drive him away for sure.
"Well if you were to take in my wife's wishes you would never see or speak to Holly again." Delmar sighed heavily. "Jessica will never be okay with this. I am not implying accepting you as my son-in-law will not sometimes be a struggle for me, but at the very least I can accept that this is what will make my daughter happy. And despite what she might think, I do want her to be happy."
He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, looking between them. "I think an extended engagement is a fine idea, but not because I think you will ever change my wife's mind. As a father it is my duty to make sure my child is going to be well cared for by her future husband, and after dinner I will have much to discuss with you on that front Arrick. I know you want my blessing for this marriage, but before I give it there are some things I expect from you."
At such an offer, Arrick smiled.
"Thank you, for everything. It means a lot to me, and I know it does to Holly, too. Our feelings weren't intentional, it sort of just happened over time, and my family adores her and I think were planning our wedding long before we even knew what to do with ourselves."
He bowed his head towards Delmar.
"Holly means the world to me, and although I know her mother is quite upset and I don't have your full blessing, I do hope that with time we can all become happy as a family. The idea you'd consider this is a great honor." He squeezed Holly's hand in return and looked to her.
"In all honesty, I can't imagine a life without her."
"Marrying for love isn't that common for people of wealth or status, but love is a beautiful thing. It is the only reason I am even considering this union. My love for Holly, and her obvious love for you." Delmar said solemnly. He certainly didn't plan on this, but he was smart enough to know that forbidding it was a recipe for losing his daughter completely. Holly always was such a stubborn, willful girl.
Things were going better than Holly had thought they would. She'd been afraid the entire evening would have been a complete disaster. It would have been, if not for her father, and she loved him that much more for how he was handling everything.
Holly squeezed Arrick's hand and smiled up at him softly. "I wouldn't want to live a life without you, Arrick."
For the longest moment, Arrick stared at Delmar. What could he do? What could he say?
"If there is anything I can do... to help make this easier for you both... Please," he gave another squeeze to Holly's hand. "Please let me know. My intentions were never to make either of you upset."
"Jessica is a lost cause, I'm afraid. There is nothing you could do or say to make her happy with your relationship." Delmer sighed heavily as he thought about his wife, who was not only furious with the young couple, but quite pissed with him for not forbidding it. "As for my part, there are things you could do that would put my mind more at ease about marrying my Holly. That can wait until after dinner, though. Please, eat. Our cook is quite talented."
Holly felt better now that her mother was gone, and her father was being very reasonable. She smiled up at Arrick before laying her head against his arm for a few moments, taking comfort in his presence before sitting up straight and picking up her silverware.
"Father is right about our cook. I should ask her to teach me so I can cook for you." Things were less tense now, although not completely comfortable.
Arrick was trying to smile, but he couldn't help but feel terrible. He supposed it would never sit well with him if Holly's mother forever hated him. So he tried to do as they suggested- enjoy the fantastic smelling meal prepared before them, and at Holly's suggestion that she learn from the cook, his smile grew.
"I wouldn't mind a good meal now and again when we're married," he said in earnest and looked down at his plate, then back to Holly. "I also wouldn't mind learning some domestic skills myself." Whenever he got the free time to learn. As it were, he was lucky he even had today to himself. And though he wasn't hopeless in the domestic department, it would be a fun excuse to spend as much time with his fiance as possible.
He then returned his attentions back towards their meal, lifted his fork and nodded.
"Thank you for this wonderful meal. I'm sure I'll really enjoy it!"
And not quite as delicate as a guest might do while at a fancy home such as this (as he never had such the proper training), he began to eat with large, big gulps, his face a light and delighted at the new tastes he was descovering.
"Oh, this is really good!" he asked, mouth full of partially chewed food. He swallowed. "What's the secret? The flavor of this meat is amazing!"