The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 23

Soph and I had arranged for a courier to deliver my dress given that all our family were flying up to Scotland. It seemed the best idea with restrictions on hand luggage and I sure as hell wasn't risking checking it in providing opportunity for my beautiful gown to end up lost or damaged.

"I don't think I've ever seen my sis this nervous." Max chuckled as he'd watched his sister anxiously wave goodbye to the driver. "And that's saying something."

"I swear, Gracie. If that dress doesn't arrive exactly as I've packed it, I... I..."

"Soph, it will be fine," I'd assured her. "Please don't worry."

"Remind me again why we can't take it on board. And why didn't we just drive up? We could've broken the journey and stayed overnight, like Caitlin and Rudi."

"Because it won't fit in the overhead lockers and I can't chance it in a case. Plus it's too long a drive for the kids and we've too much to plan with the house move."

"We should have chartered an aircraft liked I suggested in the first place," Max piped in. "We still can if you let me, Gracie."

"Dear God, Max. No! Just...just no!" Wounded he'd glared at me, causing guilt to creep in. It had been that way for days - me stressed and blowing a gasket, Max apologising at every turn.

"I'm sorry, Max. I didn't mean to snap but please be reasonable. Its forty grand for everyone and we are not the Beckham's. In fact, I bet even they wouldn't do that!"

"It's not you," he'd sighed cupping my face. "I just want everything to be perfect for you. I know I get carried away sometimes but it's only because I want the best for us. This wedding, Gracie. It's the icing on the cake." Placing gentle lips on mine he'd kissed me and once more the ice queen had melted.

"Soph." Turning to his sister he'd offered further reassurance. "You've not to worry. The dress will arrive by teatime tonight. The company will text us as soon as it's signed for and likely Jessie will do the same the minute the van pulls into her driveway. It'll be fine. Now! Who's up for fish and chips?" 

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As expected my gown had arrived in Killin at seven that evening and having asked permission to view it while Facetiming, it wasn't long before my parents were in tears.

"You okay, dad?"

"I'm...I'm fine. It's your mother you should be worrying about," he'd sniffled. "Jessie love, will you not come and speak to your daughter."

"I will if I can find the words."

"Mum?" She hadn't responded. "Mummy?"

"Oh Gracie, sweetheart," she'd wept. "I'm so terribly happy for you. I've never seen anything so pretty, my angel. Except you." And then I'd cried with her and in the end through our happy tears we'd said goodbye, agreeing we'd talk again in the morning before it was time to leave for the airport.

**********

I wake with nervous excitement instinctively aware that it's merely hours before we land in Scotland to begin the last few days countdown to our wedding. It's not quite six I'm sure given the early morning sunlight. Turning on my pillow I pause to steal a glimpse of the love of my life and as I watch the rise and fall of Max's chest, it crosses my mind how peaceful he looks – youthful, graceful. Mine.

My fingers reach to his brow brushing a stray curl, at once reminding me of that first morning in Fortrose. The smell of him, the nearness of him fills me with nostalgia and as I had done so then I kiss his shoulder. He stirs, a tiny smile touching the corner of his mouth. Naturally I want to kiss it but I resist the urge choosing instead to cherish the moment. Lord knows I hadn't then, more than once regretting it in the months following when I hopelessly tried to push him from my mind. But I'd never truly let him go often spending nights alone foolishly dreaming of a chance encounter on the streets of London. Hell, who had I been kidding? I'd fallen for Max long before I'd stepped unto that flight home from Inverness.

As they often did when unable to sleep I allow my thoughts to wonder thinking back on our first meeting at the awards ceremony. Max's unsettling presence, the disappointment I'd felt following our initial exchange – my fault of course for making assumptions and for being helplessly infatuated by a man I'd never met before.

And how determined I believed I was being not wishing to risk my career for an affair with him. How naïve I had been because this love affair has led us to a place I'd long ago settled did not exist for me. That alone was incomparable to two years at Kingston's.

"What time is it?" Max whispers.

"Not quite six, I think. Sorry, I was trying not to disturb you."

"Cop your fill, did you?" he croaks, making me smile.

"Yep."

"Good." He beams stretching his arm around my waist. "You know it's going to be amazing, don't you?"

"I do."

"Raising our babies, endless days together."

"Growing old together."

"All of it, Gracie. The arguments. The making up."

"The sexy sex," I add seductively.

"Now you're talking," he grins, then swiftly changes course. "Actually, I was thinking. Maybe we should abstain until our wedding night."

"Eh...why would we do that?"

"It could be fun."

"Fun?"

"Actually, on second thoughts, there's nothing funny about beating down a stiffy."

"Oh, I don't know. The idea is growing on me."

"It is?"

"We could just talk dirty and watch one another be naughty with ourselves."

"Saucy minx!"

"Can you imagine how desperate we'll be to touch each other."

"No touching you? I'm not sure about that!"

"It's only three days. We spent eight months apart, remember?"

"And I thought about you almost everyday."

"You're too sweet. So we're agreed?"

"I have no idea what I'm letting myself in for, but yeah. I'll do it."

"Great! So now what will we do?"

"Practice self-indulgence....?"

*********

With Holly in my arms on the doorstep, Max leads Monty down the hallway to join me. The cab is on its way, and as we stand waiting with our luggage at the bottom of the steps my phone rings.

I turn to Max as he begins to lock the door telling him it's mum and taking Holly from my arms he signals to take the call. The car pulls into the driveway and as the cabbie packs our luggage into the trunk, mum verbally takes me through the list I'd emailed her.

"Yes, mum. I packed it. And those. Yes, those too. Jesus wept! Wait!" Taking the key from Max's hand I stall him. "I'll be one minute, love. Sorry, I forgot something." A few minutes later having located the item I stuff it into my pocket and once I've ensured the house is completely locked up I climb into the back of the cab.

"What the hell could you possibly have forgotten? You've been packing for almost a fortnight!" Max throws me a confused smirk.

"My something blue. We can't get married without something blue!"

"You should've said. I could have saved you the journey."

"Not getting you," I laugh.

"Well, I'd say after this morning's antics and conversation our tongues would've been blue enough." Leaning in I kiss my lover's cheek causing Monty to giggle.

"What the hell, daddy." Oh dear...

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