Emerson, Lake & Palmer Imagines

★ t h i r t y - t w o : c a r l ★

"I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone."
—J. R. R. Tolkien
__________________________________
Imagine having a get-together with Carl a day before the wedding.

You slowly open your eyes and look at the clock hanging on your bedroom wall: seven thirty. Gleeful and realising it was early, you shut your eyes again and fall asleep.

Ten minutes later, the telephone beside you begins ringing. You open your eyes and sigh deeply. You coerce yourself to move your body to pick up the phone and sit upright against the bed to take the call.

"Hello. Who is this?"
"You know who it is", a man with a gentle, soothing voice responded.
You were perplexed for a few seconds and for that reason were unable to answer. Then, you slap your forehead as you came to a realisation as to who it was.
"Oh! It's my man!"
"Have you finally woken up?"
"It's too early in the morning, Carl. You can't blame me".
"Aw, come on! It's not like it's three in the morning. You will seriously have to get used to waking up before eight since you'll soon have to get up to make breakfast for me".
"Say what?!"
"Just kidding, my angel".
"I'll get you for that".
"Just you try".
The both of you then have a few laughs together.
"Can I ask you something, Y/N?"
"Of course!"
"Is it ok to be a little nervous for tomorrow? I don't mean it in a bad way of course but it's kind of hard to explain".
"I'm just as nervous too because it's a big day. We're both making a big decision too. It's ok to feel this way, love".
"All I can say is that I'm very happy, Y/N. I hope I've made you happy in these past few years".
"What do you mean? Of course you have!"
"If that's the case, then I'm happy".
"The months of preparation was worth it".
"Indeed, indeed".

There was momentary silence between the two of you. You began reflecting on the times you have spent with Carl. You ponder about the first day you met him. When the both of you first met, you remember how you found yourself lost in his dark-brown eyes which told a thousand tales. His amiable demeanour had also charmed you. You also ponder on the days where you went on tour with him and there were countless other memories you were thinking about. He completed your other half like a jigsaw piece. You felt whole knowing he was part of your life. You couldn't contain your smile mulling over the indelible memories.

"Listen, Y/N. Would you like to have a final kind of get-together before the big day tomorrow?"
"Where would you like us to go?"
"Somewhere peaceful and closer to the trees, flowers, butterflies".
"I'm up for that".
"No need to drive as I'll be picking you up".
"You don't have to, Carl".
"I've offered already so it's too late".
"Ok, ok. You win". You then let out a chuckle.
"Go get ready. I'll arrive at your place at nine."
"All good. Goodbye, Carl. See you then".
"Goodbye, Y/N".

You then put the phone back in its place and get out of bed. From your wardrobe, you took out one of your favourite outfits: a sleeveless, navy blue jumpsuit with a large, iron-on patch at the back of it saying: 'All you need is love'. It was outlined in titanium white and coloured in red on the inside. You begin to get ready for your mini outing.

***

The clock struck nine and you heard the sound of a horn from outside. You swing open the front door and lock it. You walk down the driveway and wave at Carl, who waved back at you enthusiastically. He opens the door for you while he was still in the drivers seat. You thank him, take a seat then shut the door.
"You look beautiful as always", Carl says, beaming at you.
You feel your cheeks heat up and smile at him.
"You look even better".

Carl was looking strikingly beautiful. He was wearing a tight, half-sleeved, turquoise statement shirt. The letters were in orange, standing against a yellow background. He was also wearing a pair of high-waisted, flare, denim jeans coupled with a wide, black belt.

"Thank you!"
"You're welcome".
"So, shall we?"
"Let's go!"

Carl then switches on the ignition and begins driving off.
"We'll be going to the botanical garden. We will get something to eat too", Carl says enthusiastically.
"Sounds like it'll be a blast".
"With you, it certainly will be".

After a fifteen-minute drive, you arrived at the garden. The two of you got out of the car and you linked your arm around his brawny one. Carl locks the car and the two of you begin making your way into the garden.

Firstly, both of you walked in certain areas of the garden, exploring it and admiring the nature that surrounded you two. The garden was covered in lush plants of many kinds. It was varicoloured and each plant contrasted well against the bright-green grass and trees.

"Carl, shall we have our breakfast on the grass? I'm just so besotted with the garden".
"I thought you'd never ask".
"First, we'll keep exploring more of the garden".
"Maybe give it another twenty minutes?"
"Definitely".

And so, both of you spent the twenty minutes exploring and discovering the wonders of the garden, which had you two enchanted.

***
After the walk, you and Carl had ordered breakfast from the garden's café. You both ordered a medium cappuccino, chocolate muffin, mixed fruit salad and a croissant for yourselves. Instead of having the breakfast inside of the café, you indulged it by sitting down on the grass near the flora. Occasionally, you would hand-feed Carl some of your breakfast and so would he.
"I'm very glad we're doing this, Carl".
"It's our last get-together as a non-married couple".
"Married or not, you've always been mine".
"Aw! Come here, Y/N".

Carl pulls you in for an embrace and you bury your face into his well-toned chest. Instantly, you feel
pacified in his arms. You have your eyes shut for some moments and sometimes had impulses to fall asleep in his arms. Being in them feels like a dream. He places a kiss onto your apple-scented scalp tightens the embrace a little. Shortly, you look up at him and have your gaze on his lips. He smiles, closes the gap between you two and places his lips onto yours. His hands were cupping your face gently and your heart jumped in joy. It was a short kiss but it sent sparks flying everywhere.

"Close your eyes", Carl demands.
"Huh?"
"Close them. I won't murder you, ok?"
You let out a chuckle.
"Ok then. Here goes nothing".

You close your eyes.
"Don't open them until I tell you to".
You nod in agreement. After a few moments, you felt a necklace being placed around your neck. Carl then spent a little more time trying to secure it. Necklaces could be nuisances to secure.
"Open", Carl said confidently.

You open your eyes and firstly get a hold of the pendant and study it. It was two interlocking rings with your first name initial engraved on one ring and Carl's on the other. Both of the rings are in a rustic gold shade. Your mouth drops in the shape of an o and felt your heart smiling. To you, this had to be one of the most special gifts someone has ever given you. It held so much meaning and you knew it was going to be dear to you for life. Without hesitating, you pull Carl into a passionate kiss which lasts for ten seconds.

"Carl, words may fail me right now but you might already have an idea as to what I think of this".
"It's not as beautiful as you but it makes me happy that you love it".
"I vow to never take this off. Thank you endlessly. Where did you get this made?"
"A magician must never reveal their secrets, darling".
"Oh of course! Carl the magician".

The two of you erupt into laughter. You were having the time of your life and there was no other place you'd rather be.
"I can't wait to see your dress tomorrow", Carl says with much excitement.
"I can't wait to see your suit. Keeping these things a secret till the big day makes things exciting".
"Tomorrow is the day you'll officially be known as Y/N Palmer. Has a nice ring to it".
"I'll be saying my last farewells to my maiden name".
"Whether we have papers or not, you'll always be mine".
"I'm glad".

The two of you spend the rest of the morning at the garden and kept looking forward to the big day tomorrow.