by Payton Hart
"Meaning?" asked Gavin.
"Meaning that they will come and force me to go back. And they will not let you come with me. We will be separated in the same way that we were before. We will never get to raise our children together or live together because you will be no match for the protection of the royal court."
"Then we won't invite them." Gavin did not like the idea of ignoring Malina's parents but he could not bear the thought of losing her for any reason whatsoever. "Let's go home and you can meet my parents," Gavin said anxiously.
"To our new home," Malina cheered and smiled. She wasn't worried. She loved Gavin so they would have to learn to love her eventually.
***
Gavin and Malina walked hand in hand as they prepared to approach Gavin’s parents. Malina didn’t want to worry about her parents. She knew that they would not approve, and besides, they already knew where she was and what she wanted to do. They had also already shot down Gavin’s request to marry Malina honorably. Why would they be okay with the idea now? But Gavin’s parents were different. They did not have as many ideas about who their son would marry as long as he would marry someone. Still, Malina wanted them to like her. She thought it would be terrible if Gavin’s parents hated her and wanted someone else for her son. Gavin squeezed her hand and Malina squeezed back.
Gavin’s father was lying in bed once again and looked to be in worse shape than he had been before. His face was extraordinarily pale and his once rich black hair had not only turned silvery gray but had fallen out altogether. His breathing was shallow and the old mischievous twinkle in his eye was gone. When Gavin saw his father's current condition, he asked Malina if he could go alone.
"He should really talk to me alone first. I want him to get to know you, I really do, but in his state I don't want to overwhelm him."
"It's okay, go in alone. I will be here with the cows," Malina said as she squeezed his hand. Gavin squeezed back.
"Father?" Gavin asked as he entered his father's room. Gavin's father looked up at his son.
"Father, there is something that I have to tell you," Gavin stated. "I met a girl fourteen years ago and fell in love. I left the cattle with Marcus and mother so that I could go find her and I did. I love her and I want to marry her with your blessing," Gavin rambled. He knew his father only wanted the best for him so he had high hopes that he would understand.
"My son, come closer," Gavin's father whispered. Gavin walked over to his father's bedside and sat down. "I have always wanted you to be two things: responsible and happy. You take care of me, your mother, and everyone who needs an extra hand. You are responsible. If this woman will make you happy then you should marry her. You deserve to be with someone who makes you happy."
"Thank you father."
"But let me ask you something--"
"What is it?"
"Do you make her happy? That is equally as important. A marriage that is one-sided will never last."
"Yes, he does!" Malina said as she entered the room. "He really, truly does."
Gavin's father smiled. This beautiful woman loved his son and his son loved her. He looked at his son and said, "Go to your mother and ask her for your grandmother's ring. Let's start planning your special day immediately."
Gavin and Malina left the room at once to share the happy news with Gavin's mother. As soon as Gavin’s mother heard the news she gifted Gavin’s grandmother’s ring to Malina and the wedding planning began in earnest starting with a meal.
“Let us toast the new couple,” Gavin’s father said. “To many happy years together!”
“Thank you so much for welcoming me into your home,” Malina said. “I had no idea that Gavin’s family was so kind and generous.”
“We are happy to have you, my daughter,” Gavin’s mother responded.
As the week went by, the wedding plans were created. Gavin was anxious to have his wedding as soon as possible not just because he wanted to be married to Malina for the rest of his life, but also because he wanted to make sure that his father could witness his marriage. The doctors were not sure what Gavin’s father had, but he had lived longer than expected already in his current state. Gavin did not want him to miss the wedding. He wanted that moment to be shared with all of the people that he loved.
***
The night before the wedding, Gavin took Malina’s hand and whisked her outside. He wanted to spend a magical night together away from all of the newfound party planning activity. The people of the highlands had come together to create the most spectacular wedding despite the low financial profile of Gavin’s family. Everyone was donating his or her time, energy, and efforts to make the wedding a success, but Gavin just wanted to spend time with Malina alone.
Gavin led Malina up to a little dip in the rolling hills where the rock was that they had first met and where they had been sitting when they had their first kiss all those years ago.
“Do you remember when we sat here fourteen years ago?” Gavin asked.
“How could I ever forget?” Malina said smiling.
“You were sitting here.” Gavin placed Malina down on the rock where she had been.
“And I was sitting here.” Gavin sat down at the end of the rock.
“And I started inching my way over to you so that we could be sitting right next to one another.” Gavin started to move closer to Malina until he was sitting next to her.
“And then I kissed you.” Gavin started kissing Malina, slowly at first and then all at once in a continual fashion. Passion gave way and the two lovers quickly undressed. One last rendezvous before the wedding day.
In the morning, Gavin dressed in his Scottish kilt with green patchwork and navy blue lining while Malina dressed in a white wedding gown with a pale green bow to match her eyes. Gavin’s parents and friends were there in the audience waiting for Malina to walk down the aisle. Marcus was Gavin’s best man and stood up by Gavin at the front of the room.
The bagpipes started to play joyful and jubilant tones as Malina made her way down the aisle. She smiled her half smile as she stopped across from Gavin. Her eyes sparkled in the sun and she twirled a strand of hair nervously.
“Let us hear the vows.”
Gavin nodded nervously and began, “Malina, you are the only woman that I have ever wanted to be with. The way that your eyes shine and the way that you smile, it ruins me. I love the way that you talk and how much you love to explore. It’s hard for me to believe that you come from the royal court because you fit in so well here. I did not know if I would ever find someone that I would love in the way that I love you. Malina, you are my everything and I cannot wait to spend my life with you.”
Malina smiled a full smile before beginning her vows with, “Gavin,” she paused, “You are my best friend. I wake up in the morning and I feel more excited than I have ever felt. You talk about how I love adventure and how much I love life, but there is nothing that could compare to spending a day with you. I am so happy to be here with you in this moment. Gavin,” she whispered, “I want to be married to you forever more.”
“I love you Malina.”
“I love you Gavin.”
And with that, the two Scottish highland lovers looked into each other’s' eyes and kissed.
THE END
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Highland Songstress
A thrilling romance tale where Indigo is faced with an unexpected challenge when she discovers a new love.
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The full moon glistened down on the Machair grasslands just west of Scotland. It illuminated my surefooted, red headed, and slender body meandering through the carpet of flowers. I was headed away from the Blacklands and towards the stream next to the marshes. There, I knew he waited for me. There, we would paint the night with the colors of our romance and make our bodies raw in attempt to quench the desires we knew w
inter would bring us.
At least, that was what I believed as I lifted my long tartan skirt to show off my fair and slender legs to the dark manly silhouette that had appeared ahead in my path. The man who had made me forget the ache of loneliness was right in front of me, smiling.
Savoring the moment, I whipped my waist-length red curls over my shoulder as the moonlight glistened in my topaz eyes. The tall masculine silhouette I knew so well, clad only in a long woolen shirt, a leather belt, and boots, closed the distance between us. He grasped my freckled face into his firm hands and locked his brown gaze as he stared into my soul. I looked down shyly, noting that he wore no pants despite the frigid weather.
“To impress you, my flower,” he said. “I couldn’t wear a kilt, so…”
His deep voice tingled in my ears and feeling his warm touch on my cool skin left my heart in puddles. Though he was a Viking, he did little things that made me wish so badly that he had been of the Laird clan. He was a fine specimen and he was perfect for me. But he was also a Viking, so perhaps not so perfect. Vikings and Highlanders could not be friends, let alone lovers, but I did not care for the status quo. My heart had found a home.
“Oh Gurt!” I whispered, my youthful eyes searching his mature face.
He fondly wrapped his arms around my torso then pulled me close. I stood on my toes and tilted my head so as to reach his lips. With his masculine arms, Gurt pulled me up and smashed his warm mouth against mine. It was euphoric...
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“THIEF IN THE LIGHT”
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- Chapter 1 -
"Damn it!" I breathed through my teeth as I lost my balance for the tenth time. I was practicing my coordination exercises, staring intently at the wall of mirrors in front of me. I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to figure out what was making me unsteady. I looked at my shoes’ reflection and wondered briefly if I should order new heels.
As I inspected my shoes, I heard the door open behind me and I turned to see Nancy, the hard-ass owner of the dance studio to which I was employed; she squinted slightly as she walked into the room. I always turned off half the lights while practicing as I hated harsh, artificial lights.
"Jenny, how can you see anything in here?" She flipped them back on as I walked to the stereo and dialed down the music as she tried to speak over the volume.
“...as you know, this showcase is going to be one of the largest since I opened the studio. So, I've decided to hire one of the best ballroom dance coaches in the city to come and assist in preparing the students. I’m going to leave time for him to help coach all of the teachers as well. Can you come in early tomorrow so that you can get introduced and discuss time-slots for your training?” This was not a question. That was the thing about Nancy. Even if it sounded like a question, she expected you to say yes.
“Alright, that’s no problem, Nancy.” I smiled as she nodded and walked back towards the door, pausing for a moment.
“I also need you to pause what you’re doing and help John with his couple’s lesson in ten minutes.”
She left the door open as she exited. I sighed. Early. No problem, Nance, it’s not like it’s my anniversary or anything. I knew her too well by now to bring up my special day. Nancy wasn’t a very sentimental person, and in the two years I’d known her, I knew nothing about her. But she knew a fairly good deal about me. On the few occasions that I had let a fight between Elliot and I affect my attitude, she had immediately pulled me into her office.
At first, I thought she was just berating me for my unprofessionalism. But I came to learn that it was also her strange way of showing concern for my life outside of work. She had never approved of Elliot, and she was very up front in her belief that he was holding me back from a lot of things. I thanked her for her advice every time, but mentally brushed them off as soon as I left the office. I wasn’t about to let an emotional robot give me love advice.
I shook my head as I shut off the stereo and turned off the lights.
***
“Did she forget that it’s our anniversary or something?” Elliot shifted his weight and turned from his desk to look at me. I walked over and sat on his lap, grabbing his arms and wrapping them around me.
“Oh, honey, I doubt it. I’m still technically the new girl, since Nancy is too picky to hire any of the applicants we’ve had. So I’m basically still the studio 'baby'. I’m really sorry though, can we take a rain-check?” I leaned in and kissed him, pouting a little.
“Hmm. You’ll have to make it up to me tomorrow night.” He kissed my neck and squeezed me. I giggled a little and nuzzled him.
“Alright, I’d better check on the pasta,” I said, getting up, but he pulled me back down.
“Oh, no you don’t. The toll is a minimum of 5 smooches.” I kissed him four times in a row, making a loud smacking sound. I pulled back and looked on his desk. Elliot was a pretty successful comic book artist, and he had left the company to work independently in his office.
“Is this your new story? What’s this one about again?”
“Oh, I scrapped that one. I kind of hit a wall. I’ve been brainstorming all day.”
I tilted my head in disapproval. “Elly, you can’t scrap every idea that isn’t perfect. You’d meet more submissions if you just stuck with the ones you have.”
“Babe, you don’t get it. I can’t just put out whatever comes to mind. I have to be happy with it or I’ll end up hating myself for submitting it, especially if no one bites.”
I internally rolled my eyes. The smell of burning pasta caught my attention and I hurried out of the kitchen.
***
I woke up to morning doves singing loudly outside my window. Stretching out my long, limber limbs and collecting my messy red hair, I rolled over and kissed Elliot’s shoulder. He was breathing softly, and I laid and stared at him for a long time. He stirred and I kissed him first on the arm, and then the neck, and then the cheek. He turned and kissed me on the lips, and sleepily pulled the covers to his chin and fell back asleep. I rubbed my eyes and rolled out of bed. It was 6:00 AM. I made a cup of my strongest tea and took a long, hot shower.
When I arrived at the studio an hour later, I didn’t see Nancy’s car. Oh, so you expect me to be here early, but you apparently get to sleep in. I pushed the negative thought out of my head, and yawned as I ascended the stairway, sipping on my second cup of tea. I bet this coach guy is going to be some ridiculous asshole, just like the last one. I don’t care how good at dancing you are, you’re not absolved of being pretentious about it.
I took out my keys and began to unlock the studio door, but was startled to find that it was already unlocked. I opened it slowly, and cautiously walked inside. Binghamton wasn’t the most dangerous city in New York, but I was paranoid out of principle. I spent most of my childhood in the heart of New York City, and never quite lost my tendency for imagining dangerous possibilities. I balled up my fist and proceeded carefully, checking all of the door handles of the offices on the way through. Finally, I reached the ballroom, and stopped just as I was reaching the corner. There was a shadow moving across the ballroom, almost soundlessly, and I could hear breathing. That’s when I heard the faint sound of Frank Sinatra playing on the main stereo, and I peeked around the corner, almost running straight into the shadow’s owner.
“Ooof!” I screeched loudly. I looked up and froze for a moment. I was staring into the most incredible eyes I'd ever seen. I was never much for brown eyes, but these were the same shade as a willow tree, and beautifu
l.
“Ah, I’m sorry about that.” The man spoke with a velvety, yet gravelly voice.
He had cropped brown hair that curled perfectly on the top of his head, and was both tall and lean in stature. I realized that I must have been staring at him a little too long, because he began to look at me curiously. I looked down and realized that my balled up fist was resting in his palm; I had almost reflexively punched him in the stomach. And he had reflexively blocked it without any noticeable effort.
I backed up immediately, my cheeks flushing wildly.
“I am so sorry, you must be the coach. I didn’t know you’d have a key, so I just assumed you were a robber or something, it was just instinct…” I cursed myself silently for stuttering a little, talking at frantic speed. I stopped talking abruptly and took a breath. I looked up and he was smirking, his head tilted slightly.
