Marilyn Caldwells 21st Birthday Ball (Invite Only)

The moment the words 'I know' left his lips followed by a soft touch of his lips to her cheek Marilyn might as well have just melted with relief, a smile spreading across her face on its own accord. Now she just had to focus on the saving graces of the evening. Jake and his family and Clement. Speaking of which Marilyn still needed to greet them and see Victoria again; the girl was always a refreshing dose of sunshine, and it would be nice to interact with someone who wasn't trying to marry her.

"He doesn't like me, but he will. One day." Marilyn smiled, "You sound so sure, I like it," her tone reverting to their playful familiarity, "How very...Pureblood of you." Mari teased lightly, letting him spin her out and back in slowly, holding her close again. "I think this ball would be much more fun if this song never ended..." she mused before he began to sing to her again, letting her sway in safety as the witch felt her bracelet turn ice cold.

Far too soon, in her opinion, the song ended, but on its final notes as she was pulled back in she leaned up to press the slightest suggestion of a kiss to the corner of his mouth, so quick if you blinked or weren't Gwen Caldwell you might've missed it. "Shall we go greet your parents together then?" she asked, tucking her arm in his as was proper and whispered softly, "And afterwards we could dance one song in the gardens, they weren't decorated for nothing and there's only a few other couple out there."

The hug was a surprise. To be quite honest. And Marilyn had to channel all her concentration into not flinching or bristling at the touch, still not very good at surprise physical contact. The onslaught of speech was also something Marilyn wasn't used to, but it was a bit like talking to an adult Victoria and she could work with that. She hoped, at least.

"Thank you" She smiled politely, standing a bit closer to her boyfriend, in response to the birthday wishes, "And Victoria has great taste, I'm sure it's perfect. Really." And it would be, when Marilyn opened it later she would be ecstatic and it would take a lot of self control not to lock herself in the lab with it for her research. The Newburys were certainly going to recieve an actually written thank you card and not one of the magically produced ones that were for most guests.

At the notion of payment for Victoria's dress Marilyn quickly shook her head, "Merlin no, really. She looks stunning, please just accept it as a gift. Victoria's a lovely girl and I'm glad to give her the treat." Her cheeks flushed slightly at her words, true as they were. Not to mention, if she was honest, she didn't even know how much it cost, that simply wasn't an issue. And the next compliments regarding her looks and their performance on the dance floor brought another bout of warmth to the witch's cheeks.

"Well, Jake is a wonderful partner, couldn't do it without him" she remarked, kissing him on the cheek, "Wouldn't want to." Mari grinned and was thankfully spared by an excited Victoria, eyes wide at the news of Victoria's new friend, taking one look to remember the face, deciding to give him a personal farewell, making sure he was on his best behavior when meeting Victoria. Gently sliding her hand in Jakes she smiled at Victoria.

"I'm glad you're having fun we were just saying how stunning you look."

"Thank you, Mari. But you're the real beauty this evening!"
And again the witch found herself at a loss for words and for lay of a response she just smiled, keeping her surprise hidden behind her eyes as Victoria pulled her father onto the dance floor. Ushered off by a smiling Alexis Marilyn let Jake guide her towards the gardens where the air was warm and the light was dim, fairy lights in the trees and bushes, creating a more romantic and relaxing atmosphere.

"You wanted to dance?"
The reminder came as he pulled her closer and her arms wrapped around his neck leaving the witch close enough that she had to ever so slightly look up at her boyfriend, a small smirk in place. They'd wandered into an alcove where they were hidden from view. Finally, Marilyn thought, some peace...

"Did I...? I can't recall..." her hands slid up to his hair and closed the distance between them with a slow kiss, "Been wanting to do that all evening..." Marilyn murmured,guiding him to move with her until she was sat on a large bench, pulling him down with her, sliding her tongue up against his lips. She wasn't utterly rebellious, they'd only make out a bit, enough to calm down and enjoy themselves, a distraction from the stress of the evening.

"Nice to see you've been concentrating."

"Always easy to concentrate on the truly important things," she quipped, nipping his lower lip and then trailing her tongue along the area delicately. The woman matched each of his kisses in turn, smiling against his lips when she felt his hand on her knee. It wasn't until he spoke that she stopped kissing, now at his jawline, and looking up at him somewhat incredulously, but only for a short while because then he was kissing her shoulder and speaking became a bit difficult.

"He had it enchanted for me," she murmured, her voice a tick lower than usual, "it gets hotter...when I'm near someone who wants to hurt me...and colder when they wish...me...well..." Marilyn sighed softly, pulling the hand she held to her waist and capturing his lips with her own once more, her free hand moving back to tanglein the hair at the nape of his neck.

Letting him lift her onto his lap with only the softest of noises of consent, her feet no longer touching the ground but catching the golden light, peeking out under the hem of her dress. His lips and his touch were all she could feel, his minty scent surrounded her and everything, simply everything became Jake. The thrill she always felt when with him was amplified by the atmosphere and all the stress seemed to melt away beneath his fingertips, scattered by his kiss. Perhaps their kissing was heating up a bit much for where they were and it would show in his hair, now utterly disheveled by her eager fingers; and her blood red lips, magically protected lipstick wouldn't keep her lips from looking throughly kissed as well.


But none of that even occured to the witch who truly just wanted to be near Jake and for these moments to go on like this forever. That thought punctuated by a soft sigh against his neck as she kissed long his jaw, only just reaching his neck before his lips found hers again.


Gwen and Evan strolled along the familiar pathways in their garden, past the lights and floral arrangements, enjoying each others company for a few stolen moments before returning to the ball, having assumed Marilyn was still dancing, and talking a few things over.


"...I just don't see why she doesn't understand that this is what's right for her!"
"I'm almost inclined to agree with her, Ev."
"What on earth are you on about?"
"He cares about her, it's obvious, they're infatuated, they're young, but he does seem to truly care-" they strolled into the alcove, "After all, he's not the one who called her disfigured in the middle of the dance fl- Marilyn!" Gwen cried out, freezing at the sight of her granddaughter in her boyfriends lap.


Marilyn, who had caught a bit of the earlier words but in her daze not attributed them to her approaching grandparents, nearly fell off Jake's lap, clutching at his arm to keep herself from falling, and quickly standing, brushing her hair back with one hand, "Grandmama! What are you- wait, did you say?"


Gwen who had one hand on Evans arm, was about to respond when her husband snarled, "She was trying to make a case for him," he glared at Jake, "But at least that Vanderbilt boy wasn't groping you like a depraved neanderthal!"


"Evan!" Gwen said sharply, but was cut off by her granddaughter who seemed to be much taller suddenly, straightening her spine.

"No, you're right, he didn't grope me. He just told me that my dowry, which I shouldn't even have, only began to make up for my disfigurement." She spat out, eyes sparking angrily, fists clenched at her side. Evan looked affronted, "Well after you came back I had to set one up, that's just what's done when-"


"When what? Is there a protocall? What to do when your granddaughter is a prisoner of war and comes back damaged? Pay off suitors so they'll take her anyway? Definitly go for a veil at the wedding so they won't have to look at her face? "


"I will not be spoken to like this, young lady-" "Evan, calm down-"
"I'm not your puppe-" Marilyns voice cut off mid word and horror took over her expression as she clutched her throat. Evan, in his anger, had shot a nonverbal silencing spell at her and hit right on target.

When Jake put himself between her grandfather and herself she was a little surprised by his actions. Rarely had she seen Jake upset, nevertheless angry, certainly not as angry as he was now. And there was most definitely a time and place to feel touched and proud, but this was not it. Marilyn was furious at being silenced, not just in being hexed, but in every way she'd been overlooked, spoken over or for, in the secrecy she'd been kept and for the love of Merlin if so much as one more person commented on her scars she would blast them into oblivion.

Evan, however, was slowly losing his temper, only allowing Jake to finish speaking because Gwen had her hand tight on his shoulder, fists clenched until his knuckles turned white and teeth gritted as he looked down at Jake upon hearing he owed Marilyn an apology he flicked his wrist at Jake, a red flash shooting out, blocked by Marilyn who had gotten her wand out and was silently, with great effort, casting a shield around her and Jake, then pushing it off of them to knock into Evan hard enough for him to stumble backwards. Just as Evan was about to retaliate Gwen's voice, no louder than normal, commanded "Enough." Not even raising her hands she shut Evans hex on Marilyn down, prevented him from progressing and shut down Marilyns shield.

"He's right, Evan." Gwen's expression was solemn, "You've forgotten yourself. Our granddaughter has faced hell and escaped, whatever scars she bears you should be proud of. She is a grown woman, we do not need to play matchmaker for her." Then in a softer tone, "She isn't Faith." At that Evan looked at her aghast, betrayal flashing over his features before they sobered and with a crack he apparated away, to their chambers.

Gwen turned back to Marilyn and shook her head, "I'm sorry, Lynnie. I didn't know about the money. And I wish it hadn't come to this. I will take care of this. And I will take care of the ball, it's quite late, most will be leaving now, you should both head home. I'll have your gifts sent to your flat tomorrow morning." she gave Mari an apologetic smile and turned to go back into the building.

Marilyn stood, shellshocked and unmoving, trying to comprehend why this was happening, but then she stopped herself. Go home, she thought, to Jake.  "Jake..." she murmured, turning to him, instantly pressing herself to him and holding him tight, unable to speak.