Meeting the Grandparents

When Marilyn had recieved the first letter only a week after Abuelo had arrived she'd almost expected it, but had opted to ignore it. The second letter was more a demand and Gwen threatened to send a howler or patronus if necessary so Marilyn had given in, knowing her grandmother always got what she wanted. It wasn't like Marilyn didn't want Jake to meet them...she just...didn't want them to scare him off.

She hadn't told him that she was one of those Caldwells. That she was filthy rich and raised in one of the old pureblood families, consisting of two of the most (in)famous and dangerous individuals in the magical world. Despite his career choice Marilyn highly doubted Jake was often in a room with three people that could kill him in inumerable ways without leaving any evidence and simply using their surroundings.

It was a terrifying thought for anyone, really.
And not only was that going to be a shocker, Marilyn worried that he would feel vastly uncomfortable with their customs. Such as the fact that they all did their best when gathering like they were to look...more divine than human.

Too jittery that day to pay Jake any real attention bar that one hour (and immedietly afterwards she'd set to worrying again) she'd already had him a suit tailored and designed (not that she'd tell him that, he was already skeptical) and laid out everything he would need to use and hoping he wouldn't take offence. To Marilyn, Jake was pretty much as imperfectly perfect as one could be and she adored him the way he was.

But this was simply not always that easy with her grandparents.

Waiting for him to get out of the bathroom Marilyn made sure she had absolutely everything in her tiny makeup bag (magically expanded inside) and bit her lip before stopping herself, not allowing herself to make her lips swell.

"You know you didn't need to go to all this trouble?"
His voice ripped her out of her head and Mari walked past him to the bathroom, tense as a bow and arrow, only calling over her shoulder before closing the door,
"I did. Just trust me."

With a swipe of her wand everything he'd used flew back into the tiny kit that she'd left open in the corner and hers replaced it. After showering to the point that a shower could do no more she dried and set about doing her hair and fastening the slim golden chains in her now silky and lightly waved hair. Her skin from her face all down her upper chest and arms soon took on a luminous golden shimmer, even accenting her scars, her eyes seeming larger from the cat-eye and mascara's eyelashes that were surrounded by another, more subtle golden shimmer.

Her nails were covered by sharpened metal that looked like gold but was thicker, as lethal as they were beautiful. She carefully applied a pale lipstick and then it was time for her dress.
It was beautiful, Gwen had sent it over when Jake wasn't there. And it certainly helped achieve a look that vaguely suggested she was some divine creature. But since it was Marilyn it was a subtle suggestion. Well, subtle in comparison to other purebloods. (Here Marilyn always liked to point out to her grandparents that they didn't even know if she was a pureblood.)

Taking a deep breath she looked in the mirror and slipped on her heels. Alright. Time to give Jake shock number two of what was going to be a long, long evening.
With that thought she stepped out into the bedroom where Jake laid on her bed.

(Mari's outfit)

When absolute silence and a gaping Jake met her in her room she nearly turned on her heel and fled, which was ridiculous for numerous reasons, one being this was her flat. But none of the reasons were occuring to her, she was simply frozen.

"Y-you look... beautiful... really beautiful..."
Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. Marilyn thought, he was unnerved. And unnerved was only steps away from afraid. Then he'd decide that was enough, fun whilst it lasted but this? This was too weird, too...crazy. Her thoughts were probably written on her face, but she'd long since turned away, nodding her thanks to his words, beckoning to Jagger who came up to her carefully, knowing not to touch her dress, and staying very still beside her to let her ever so carefully pet the top of his head, making sure her nails didn't touch him.

Jake continued to get ready but Marilyn could feel his gaze on her as she gathered her clutch, only looking up when he spoke about looking silly to which she didn't reply until he asked how he looked. Usually she'd approach him, hold his hand and kiss his neck whilst whispering reassurance. But he was unnerved by her. And she didn't want to make it worse by touching him.

So she simply spoke softly from a safe distance, her clawed hands now wringing each other abstenmindedly, "You look amazing, but you always look amazing."

A purebloods appearance at official gathering was often selected to reflect their personality and Marilyns was no different. Her lethal abilities were simply more visible now than otherwise. In a way pureblood customs were far more brutal and animalistic than they'd admit, one being the way they made themselves appear. Her family went for divine and deadly. Because that was what they were.

"It's time to go." she reminded him, still tenative and without touching him, not even meeting his gaze until he was stood next to her. Trying to force herself to relax even just a notch she looked up at him and sighed deeply.

"I'm sorry, I'm just...I don't think I can explain it, you'll just have to see them to understand. And I usually look worse," She attempted a half smile, "My eyes are normally golden as well." She added before apparating them to stand in front of...well, Caldwell Place.

"Shit."

Marilyn stiffened beside him and opened her mouth but closed it again. What could she say? 'Oh by the way, forgot to mention, but my Grandparents are The Caldwells- Yes those. Uh huh. The Auror and Hunter couple.' No. That was...just out of the question. He'd make the connection as soon as he entered the home.

But she could give him some advice before knocking. "Jake...don't touch anything. There's a lot of...Dark items. Left over from other generations or...trophies...Just, trust me and don't touch anything." Mari whispered before she gave herself a mental push, knowing she'd better gather herself before the evening began.

"They're going to love you, I promise, but they make...well they make a very different first impression. They're just sizing you up- I mean-" Mari was close to stammerring now that they were nearing the door, unsure of what to tell and what to leave and panicing as a result.

CALDWELL. Her inner voice, that sounded suspiciously like Clement, gave her a firm mental shake. 'Snap out of it. You're making it worse. Just relax. Act as you usually would. Jake will follow suit.' ....That was actually quite good advice, Mari realised, also realising that she could never, ever let Jake know that her mentor seemed to be her inner voice, he'd never let her live that down.

"I promise you'll be okay." she turned to him, her voice still quiet but less shaky, "I'm- I'm sorry. For being so nervous. I shouldn't be," 'I'm not the one walking unarmed into a family of assasins' "You're just...You're important to me. And they're my family. I don't want them to scare you off." 'I don't want to scare you off.' The witch looked up at him through worried eyes, knowing that in the next few minutes she'd have to knock on that door and the evening would begin. But before that she needed this...this moment with Jake.

"The worst they can do is kill me"
Marilyns eyes widened slightly and she decided against saying anything in regards to that, and kissed him back carefully. "They're just...going to test you. Probably." she added quickly before he knocked, carefully holding his hand.

The doors swung open to reveal an aged house elf wearing a black silk pillowcase, bat-like ears perking at the sight of them, "Young Miss Marilyn! Very nice to see Miss again- and Miss Marilyns guest! Please come in, Master and Madam are in the parlour"

"Thank you, Tippy," Marilyn smiled at the elf fondly, motioning at Jake to follow her. The halls were decorated with old 'trophies', mysterious chests and countless awards, amongst others Gwens Order of Merlin 2nd class, the plaque listing explicitly what she recieved it for. For Evan there were just as many awards and announcements. "Dark Wizarding family Caldwells heir turned successful Hit Wizard..."

Mari led him down the winding halls slowly, her heels clacking on the marble floor.
The doors to the parlour were open and she entered with a small smile. "Grandmama," Marilyn greeted fondly to a woman who stood upon seeing them.  If marilyn was dripping gold Gwen was blood. Her auburn hair reached her shoulders where her blood red dress began, the dress seamless on her skin as if she were a war goddess, permanently tinted by the blood of her victims. Poised and elegant, but terrifyingly so. Then she broke the appear somewhat,  as she smiled warmly greeting her granddaughter "Lynnie! My Lynnie you look stunning, I told you the scars would suit you with the gold dust." She kissed her scarred cheek first and Marilyn blushed, still genuinly smiling, used to Gwens blunt manner.

"And you, Jake Newbury, so we finally," Gwen looked at Mari pointedly, "Meet." She stood before him, not taking his hand but simply looking him up and down, as if she could see to his very being in one look. Her gaze was interrupted as Jamie and Evan entered, the elder walking taller than his son, with an assumed importance that exuded from him. Both men were taller than Jake Mari noticed, but only Jamie winked at Jake in greeting. Evan regarded him silently.

Marilyn broke the silence by asking where Felipe was to which Gwen answered that he was getting ready and then she asked what everyone wanted for drinks. Evan and Jamie took a scotch, Gwen a martini and Mari simply said champagne, taking Jakes hand subtly to support him in the long awkward moments. Evan still hadnt spoken to Jake, only kissing Mari's cheek in greeting.

"So this is Lynnies friend, Jake?"
"Boyfriend" "lover" Marilyn and Jamie spoke at once quickly followed by Mari paling and snapping at Jamie in french, who simply chuckled and raised his eyebrows suggestively. Evan looked continuously grim, lifting his chin in a vague nod.

Marilyn considered if it was too late to hex Jamie.  Probably not...

(Jamie)
http://www.polyvore.com/meet...gwen_caldwell/set?id=132874563&lid=3897948
(Evan)

Marilyn was quite possibly going to die in this very room. Which, given the amount of concealed weapons in the room, was in itself not that unlikely. But she wasn't going to die from those, no. Jamie was going to have her die of embarrassment by the end of the night. Tipping back her martini when all eyes were on Jake she took a sly, deep breath.

"We've been dating for a few months."

"He's also training to be an Auror now, Granddad." Mari added in a light and conversational tone. In hindsight, saying that to a famous 'ex'-Auror was perhaps not the wisest move. "And he teaches Defense against Dark Arts." the witch added with a look at Jamie who was poised to drop a sharp remark but she let her claws flash at him behind Jake's back and he settled for a smirk.

"An Auror for the British Ministry, I assume.Which school, then?" Evans baritone answered in an almost disinterested tone, "You were a quidditch player." He took a drink from his scotch and looked over at Jamie who straightened his posture at the look.

Marilyn was about to say something else when Tippy appeared announcing Felipe, who didn't wait for the announcement to finish and grumbled under his breath about 'pompous....unnecessary' but Marilyn's face lit up at the sight of him and she greeted him with a kiss to the cheek and his wrinkled face took on a surprisingly soft and warm grin as he hugged her gently. "You look divina, mi corazón."

Mari thanked him and Felipe turned to Jake and shook his hand with a gruff '"Boy." at which Jamie snorted into his drink. Serenely Gwen smiled, "Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes, let's move this to the Dining room. But Lynnie dear, perhaps your guest would like a small tour. We'll see you soon." Marilyn smiled and nodded and Gwen left, her husband wordlessly followed her, the smallest smirk on his lips. Felipe cuffed Jamie around the head as they left, leaving Jake and Marilyn in the dark parlour.

Marilyn set down her glass and turned back to Jake, she'd felt him shaking ever so slightly and so she set her hands carefully on his shoulders and looked up at him. The familiar atmosphere of having her family around had, despite circumstances, caused her neves to dial down enough that she was more in control of herself. She'd seen them do this so many times before...

"Jake...are you alright?" The witch asked softly, her eyes at level with his shoulders, not wanting to look directly at him in case he didn't want her to, "They're testing how much you can take, it's- it's how they weed out the weak, as they put it. They do this all the time, they think it's funny." Marilyn bit her lip slightly, "I swear they're not bad people, you just need to stick this out, please? For me?" she murmured, kissing his cheek.

The only time Evans expression changed was when Jake said 'Salem'. Suddenly the atmosphere became tense and the eldest Caldwells' jaw clenched slightly and even Jamie stiffened. Only Felipe took on a softer reaction, slight sadness touching his eyes whilst Gwen gripped her glass a little tighter.

No one said anything and Marilyn was hit with a mixture of shame and guilt that she quickly tried to push down again, because she knew her grandparents would notice. And they did, instantly forcing themselves to put on a more relaxed manner before leaving.

"Your grandparents are the Caldwells."
"...Yes I believe we'd established that." Marilyn remarked dryly out of instinct before he continued and she looked a bit sheepish. "I didn't know what to say really. 'Oh Jake, by the way, my family consists of various assasins.' Somehow I didn't think that would come across very well. I'm sorry. I really am." She let him tip up her chin and kissed him back, breathing another apology against his lips.

"You don't need to ask."
Marilyn sighed and let herself relaxed in his light embrace, closing her eyes, whispering her thanks.

At his request she snapped her fingers and Tippy appeared. Marilyn bent down to take the small elf's hand gingerly and hold it like she usually did when she was nervous or upset in the house, or when she was about to do something that she needed courage for. "Tippy, can you please escort Jake to the guest bathroom, the one on the first floor, please?" Tippy grinned up at her and nodded eagerly, patting Mari's hand gently and then toddling over to Jake, "Please follow me, Sir, Miss Lynnie has told such nice things..." Tippy's voice faded as they left and Mari sighed, shaking her head fondly before taking a deep breath.

She was a Caldwell. Divine and Deadly. They weren't the only ones who knew to command a room even if the room included Gwen and Evan Caldwell.
Head high and expression stoic and serene she walked to the sitting room she knew they'd be waiting in. Evan and Gwen were speaking in hushed tones whilst Jamie told Felipe a joke but the laughter died on his lips at her expression.

"Aww come on, Darling, it's all in good fun, you remember what happened to Rissa-"
Marilyn cut him off by simply raising her hand.
"And if I remember correctly you didn't speak to Grandma for a week afterwards. Now all of you listen to me. I know this family in and out, I've seen you do this, I've played my part before. I'm not saying he can't handle it, because he can. And he would take all of this just for my happiness but he does not have to prove himself to you. Without him none of you would have me right now."

A stunned silence overtook the room until Gwen, deadly calm, replied, "Lynnie. What on earth are you talking about?"
"He was the one who basically took charge in my rehabilitation. He made me eat. He helped me apply in the Ministry, he encouraged me to return to the world after I'd already given it up. You two saw me after Mum gave up." Felipe winced as did Jamie but the Caldwells remained dangerously silent.

"He got me out of that. So you all owe him. He means...he means so much to me. And I know you all love me, so by all means continue your game, but keepp that in mind. " Her tone was never angry or disrespectful, true to the way she was raised she remained quiet and soft spoken, but her words sat and she knew it.

Thankfully, before anyone else could speak Jake came back, blissfully unaware, though that was probably not how he'd describe himself in that moment. Or in that evening, for that matter.

Marilyn slipped her hand into his gingerly as they walked out to the dining room and taking her seat, kissing Jake on the cheek for pulling it out for her, glad that he was near herso she could try to both calm him and let herself be calmed by him.

"Well, Dinner is served!" Gwen announced and four house elves came out with the first course; a miso soup in a bowl about the size of Jake's fist. The next course would be the salad, then a small salmon cut over asparagus, then veal, followed by a small pudding and then an assortment of cheese, nuts and wine. A six course meal by all standards, but one may notice that the portions of each were smaller than a half-portion.

This had one reason that made Marilyn swallow hard at first. Her family knew that eating was very difficult for her and that she could only handle small portions, true she was getting better at it, but it wasn't much still.
Luckily she didn't have all too long to dwell, because Gwen turned the attention on her,
"Lynnie, how are your classes going? We saw Monsieur Clement is your instructor, fine family. Do you enjoy his classes?"

Mari swallowed a spoonful of soup and nodded, "Yes, he's very competant," she smiled, "It's great to have someone training you who really knows what he's doing. He's strict, but fair." She ignored the look Jake gave her at her words but Jamie noticed and piped in with a "Someone's a teachers pet..."
"Silence, cabrón, Maritza is good at her lessons, she always has been. You make us very proud," then turning to Jake, "Marilyn is the apple of everyone's eyes here. Even Jamie, when he's smart enough to open them." Felipe's words were fond but there was an underleying severity to them, as if to make sure he understood how much would be at stake for Jake if he hurt her.

A light conversation spread over the table, Gwen and Felipe carrying most of it over Marilyn's training and lessons, Jake's training and the auror business in general. Marilyn and Felipe spoke about varying the alloys for the cuffs she was still working on whilst Jamie started talking about quidditch with Jake.

They went through three courses with minimum damage but then Evan decided to join the conversation with "So, Jacob," Marilyn grimaced, "What are you intentions towards our Marilyn?"
"Granddad-"
"No, Marilyn, I can ask him. If he doesn't have an answer, then he doesn't have an answer."
"We haven't even talked about that, can you please not-" But Marilyn was cut silent by a look from her grandfather and even Gwen didn't say anything, only sending her a sympathetic smile.

"You can rest assured that Marilyn is seen in much the same way by myself, sir." Jake's answer surprised Marilyn slightly, not only because of its content but also by its presentation and it brought a soft smile to her lips that didn't go unnoticed by her grandmother, who thankfully did not comment.

Unfortunately, the established peace simply could not be held. Mari resisted the urge to close her eyes as Jake answered, staring at her plate, biting her lip, but her worry proved unfounded, for Jake's answer could not have been more diplomatic. Eyes wide and a smile on her face, obviously pleased with his answer she gave his hand beside her a quick and gentle squeeze.

"Well that's-"
"A completely adequate answer, Evan" Gwen intervened smoothly, catching her husbands eye. The female head of the family scrutinized Jake where he sat for a moment, then her granddaughter. Apparently appeased enough with what she saw she took a sip from her crystal glass of water and added, "Taking it slow can be an advantage, Lynnie is far too precious to be making rash decisions. "

And that was the end of that. Evan remained quite for the rest of dinner, after agreeing with his wife's statement. Marilyn decided to simply not react at all, that seemed safest. And thus they navigated through dinner with relatively smooth sailing. True, the only ones that actually spoke were Jamie and Gwen, because Felipe had taken to watching Jake since his answer as if he could see if he meant it or not by watching him like a hawk. Which was uncomfortable all around, but not as bad as the beginning had been.

Finally, not soon enough, it was time to go. Marilyn kissed her grandmother goodbye and Gwen even gave Jake a small smile as to say 'you've passed this round'. Felipé shook his hand again wordlessly. Jamie pulled him into a hug, just to throw him off one last time, whispering "You treat her well, Newbury." before releasing him.
Evan only kissed Marilyn on her cheek and whispered, "Ne vous inquiétez pas, ma chérie. C'est pour votre propre bien." at which Mari stiffened and whispered, "Laissez-le tranquille." before moving back to stand with Jake, then following Tippy to the door.

"Tippy hopes Miss Lynnie will come visit her again soon, it is so nice to see Miss Lynnie. And Miss Lynnie has chosen a very pretty suitor indeed. Tippy hopes he will visit again as well" Tippy giggled and Marilyn smiled fondly, giving Tippy's wrinkled hand a soft squeeze, "I'll visit soon, Tippy."

Holding Jake's hand she looked at him with a look that she hoped conveyed 'Just a few more moments' and apparated them straight into her hallway. From there she gently and quietly let him to the bedroom, breaking the silence only to tell him to give her two minutes. Mari quickly went to her bathroom and shed her dress, magically removing her makeup, the sleek-easy hair potion and her claws. Letting the jewellry fall on the dress that was in its bag where it belonged, her heels next to it. Grabbing only one of Jake's shirts and pulling it on she padded back to her bedroom to sit next to Jake and gently help him get out of the clothes that made him so uncomfortable, her again curly hair fallin into her view slightly as she undid the buttons of his waist coat, not speaking until he did.

It hurt more than Marilyn had thought it would, seeing Jake like this. So she was trying to comfort him, but also give him space at the same time and since she wasn't good at initiating either in the first place she just felt worse and worse every second that passed.

"I messed up, didn't I?" The slight tremor wasn't lost on Mari and her hands went from his shirt to the hand that was gently pushing her hair back, holding it as she leaned her head into it, turning slightly to kiss his palm gently. Still knelt inbetween his legs she looked up at him and shook her head slightly, "No. No you didn't. I'm so so sorry, Jake." Mari whispered, closing her eyes, now tenderly sliding her fingers between his, holding his hand in what she hoped was a comforting gesture.

"You were wonderful." her free hand cupped his face, "It's not your fault they have the worst way of testing people. They always do this. You should've seen Cassie, Jamie's girlfriend, the first time he brought her to dinner, they tore her apart. And she's one of the kindest people I've ever met." her voice was soft as her fingertips gently stroked the side of his face.

"You did nothing wrong." Marilyn reassured, "Not by me. I can't apologize enough for everything they said. If it helps, the fact that Grandmama smiled is a sign of approval. Jamie...well he's a twat, I love him but he is. He doesn't mean any harm. Abuelo is just overprotective. He'll get used to us." The witch left her grandfather out of the count up, because she was still very unhappy with him and the way he'd acted and she didn't want to make Jake feel worse.

Leaning up to softly kiss him she continued to undress him, but there was nothing even remotely sexual about her actions, she simply wanted him to relax and calm down. "I'm so sorry, Jake." she murmured after she'd removed the shirt, stretching on her knees to wrap her arms around his neck, one hand on his back and one on the back of his head, holding him close.

Seeing Jake shake his head Marilyn bit her lip, "They're purebloods. Old, old families. They still have the feeling that they have to test everyone who connects into that family in any way." she shook her head to herself, "I've told them they needn't bother, they don't even know my blood purity and in all honesty the likelihood of my being a pureblood is next to null. But they still do it."

"Your granddad didn't like me."
Mari's thumb stroked the back of his hand as she bit her lip before whispering back, "He...is not important, in this regard. The only peope whose opinion on us I value are you and I. That's it. I promise."

The witch felt a pang when he told her to stop apologizing, because this was after all, all her fault. She couldn't cope with her own family still because she was at fault for its breaking apart, she was the one who wasn't secure enough to tell Jake anything about herself until she was nearly forced to by the undeniable appearance of Felipé. When, she wondered to herself, would she have told Jake? About her family situation? About why she was in a flat alone? About why there were only two other names on the list that weren't his?

Certainly not if he'd asked. And because she couldn't deal with herself he'd suffered tonight.
He spoke to her as he held her close but she didn't speak, again uncharacteristically silent, not answering his request. Just swallowing a lump in her throat that hadn't been there a minute ago. Her mind was running a thousand kilometres a minutes, producing more and more evidence that this was all her fault, that she didn't deserve Jake and honestly what did he even see in her that was worth enduring that hell of an evening?

So slowly their embrace became more him holding on to her than her comforting him, her voice quiet when she spoke again, hesitant.

"Why are you with me? I'm hell." she pulled back, "I'm unstable, I'm horrible company, I'm moody, my family is- Well. You've seen that now. Complicated doesn't even begin- I have PTSD out my ears, rough around the edges doesn't even cover it. My mere survival tore my family apart, and it's still affecting them all. The portions at dinner? Tiny. Because i can't eat more than that. What on earth makes you want to stay with me, I can't even deal with myself. I can't handle myself so I ignore all of my problems until they are either literally at my doorstep or they've gone and hurt someone I care about more than I've cared about anybody and that's just ridiculous in itself because I can't even- how- you, you're well, you're you and you're brilliant, you're kind and you care and I'm just- agh"

She made a vague noise of disgust, just then realising that she was breathing quite heavily after not really breathing at all and everything about her just screamed 'distressed'.

The next coherent thought Marilyn had came when Jake was gently telling her to breathe and was simply 'No'. No, he's too good. No, this isn't real. No, he doesn't want to be with you as much as you want to be with him. No, don't believe him. No, it's not okay. No no no no no.

"I'm here because I care about you..."
"Why?" she replied, confusion riddling her features, "Why would you care about me this much, I don't understand-" her voice broke but her eyes were dry, thank Merlin she didn't cry easily. "And it's not even your fault you behave perfectly, you're attentive you're sweet, you put yourself last, though you shouldn't because you deserve to be first and I'm not worth it, but- i just-" The witch scrunched up her face in blatant frustration towards herself, "It's not going through to my head. I'm still pleasantly surprised whenever you initiate any kind of contact or affection. And the last thing I ever want is to hurt you but I have and I'm sorry-"

When he kissed her everything just stopped. For a split second it was just Marilyn, taking in the warmth and the minty scent surrounding her and making focusing on Jake. Just Jake. It was so loud in her head but it was like was an anchor to hold on to in the wild whirlwind of her mind. Like someone had pressed the pause button and the world just stopped.

"Don't give up on me."
"I won't." Mari whispered, her eyes closed, "I want you. This. Well, not specifically this, but This" she gestured to their general surroundings, "What we have. I want to believe it, I'm trying." And then she felt herself becoming incoherant and she took another deep breath, eyes closed, waiting for his reaction

Letting him pull her close on the bed Marilyn opened her eyes and snuggled into his embrace so there was as little space as possible and they could still talk to each other and listened to him telling her she had too high an image of him. And whilst that may be true (It was easy to do, he had the disposition and had been introduced to her life as somewhat of a 'savior' role) to some extent Marilyn was quite aware that he wasn't perfect. But he was brilliant and perfect to her.

Hearing that she meant a lot to him and that he wouldn't trade what they had for anything meant a lot to the witch. True he always tried to show it but now he was reaffirming in the context of her self-doubts and looking in his eyes she felt her chest tighten with emotion. Oh Merlin...

"I just want to know what you want me to do to help you believe that you're perfect to me..."
Marilyn's eyes widened at his words and her heart skipped a beat before she leaned close to him and kissed him soundly, hands on his chest, as if kissing him and being kissed by him could make everything okay. Pulling back ever so slightly for air Marilyn whispered, "I want us to continue like we are; I want you to keep treating me like you do because it's wonderful. It's so comfortable, being with you, I just need to accept that it's real." Mari opened her eyes and again tried to steady her breath.

"I want you to say that again." she whispered, "And I want you to kiss me."