Rabastan is counting down the days... (imperiofury) wrote in an_ill_wind, @ 2009-09-01 14:07:00 |
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Rabastan realized he had chosen the spot for this date well. The flowers dazzled one's eyes, the architecture made for an amazing scene, and even better the place had historical significance. He had refrained from checking out the walls for treasures in the guard house that had stood since the age of this Muggle conqueror Napoleon. One never knew what you might find in old-fashioned stone walls but he held himself back from making a fool of himself in front of Florence. That had not been his goal today. They had spent all weekend in the same places, if not together than certainly in sight. Friday, he had attended the high tea at which she played. Saturday, Christian and Madeline had their long-awaited wedding - truly one of the most glorious society functions of the summer. Sunday, they had ridden over Brecon Beacons, a Welsh mountain range. But today he had left what he hoped to be the best for last - the crowning jewel so to speak. Today, they had visited Ilnacullin, an island in Bantry Bay devoted to a large garden. He had only heard of the place before but all indications pointed to a beautiful site that had to be viewed. So far it had not disappointed. On Saturday, Rabastan had asked Oren Rosier for permission to formally request her hand in marriage. Her father had granted that request and Rabastan could see that the older gentleman was quite pleased at the request but not nearly as much as Rabbit at Oren's agreement. But that was to be expected. Rabbit's life would be changing for the better if she agreed to marry him. He could only hope that she would say yes. They had just finished their picnic lunch, which he had ensured would include only her favourites. Leaning across the blanket, he softly whispered, "A galleon for your thoughts, love?" Florence was lying down on the blanket, a position she'd taken up after she'd finished her last bite of lunch. Her chin resting carefully on one hand, she glanced up thoughtfully at Rabastan. Seeing him so frequently this weekend had done wonders for her emotional well-being. He hadn't spoken to her again about his other job, and things had been quite pleasant. And now this garden... it was beautiful. Peaceful. She laughed softly. "A little overpriced, don't you think?" Honestly, she didn't think she wanted to tell him that she'd been thinking about him. Or, rather, how she'd been thinking of him. Ever since his disappearance, she had been realizing how fondly she cared for him. And there was that word again. She wasn't ready to say that she loved him. Not yet. Rabastan grinned at her, "Maybe but I have too many galleons. Just one is a small price for me to pay." He trailed off and chuckled nervously. He felt completely out of his element today. How was a bloke supposed to propose to a girl? Having never done this before, Rabastan felt as if he were making it up as he went along. Not the best approach, he thought. At least he was setting his own standard though. Rolling onto his side and staring deeply into her eyes, he boldly started, "The last few weeks have clarified my love for you. I think my largest revelation came from being away from you for that week. I had a lot of time to think about the people that I truly want in my life." Pausing to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, he continued, "It's one thing to spend time with you a few times a week but I want more for us than that. You are an amazing woman and I consider myself fortunate to court you." He looked away sheepishly for a moment, "You know a fair amount of my checkered history - probably more than I would like. The fact is that none of those other girls I have dated can hold a candle to you, not even close." "Our breakup in seventh year was rough for me but I knew that it had to happen what with our lives following separate paths. But the truth is I never want to lose you again. Ever." Feeling into his pocket for something he had stowed there before leaving his house, his fingers clasped around the small box holding the engagement ring he had purchased on Monday afternoon. Florence smiled, glancing at him thoughtfully. As if she didn't have enough galleons herself. But as he continued, she could feel her heart start to race. Merlin, this wasn't--he couldn't--already? With the exception of that horrid week, it felt like they hadn't been together for very long. Three months had passed by so quickly. But still... if this was what she thought it might be... courtship usually lasted so much longer than three months, didn't it? "Bastan..." she trailed off, searching his eyes. What did he expect her to say? She didn't know if she was ready to take this step, thought a part of her knew that she craved the closeness it would bring. Merlin, had he already spoken with her father? If he had given his consent, there was no way she could refuse. But there were some things that weren't easy for her to say. "I don't want to lose you, either," she admitted. “The things I want in my life all begin and end with you, darling. You and I both know that circumstances are out of our control in the world but the one thing that we do control is the speed at which we progress through our relationship,” Rabastan stopped for a moment and withdrew his hand holding the box, still out of sight below him. “I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you and raise a family and watch them grow together. You know, do the little things in life and be your husband. That is what I want and I hope you want the same things." With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he smiled breathlessly, "Your father granted me permission to ask you this next question.” Seizing the next moment, he knelt on one knee beside her and extended the small black box towards her. “Florence Lyris Rosier, will you marry me?” Florence pushed herself up onto her knees. Merlin, could he hear the way her heart was beating? Her heart skipped a beat when he said husband. Her eyes stared into his, and then he said those words, and time stopped. She lowered her eyes, thinking. Did she want this? Was she ready to reach that level of commitment? Spend the rest of her life with just one man? But, if that one man was Rabastan... she knew that she cared for him more than she'd ever cared for any of the men she'd been with. She'd given up so much of what she was used to, from the moment they'd begun courting. She realized she'd been silent for perhaps too long, and she reached tentatively for the box, her eyes still not meeting his. She lifted the lid, and her eyes sparkled as she saw the ring. She looked up and met his eyes. "Gods, yes," she breathed. Rabastan bit the inside of his lip, hoping for an answer...any answer really. This all might be too fast. She had never said whether she loved him and he especially had no desire to rush into an engagement if she did not share his feelings. It would not be fair to push this upon her if she showed some hesitation in her answer. While he waited, he admired her face. She was so beautiful and he had never loved a woman as much as he did her. In all his 24 years, he had never thought he might meet a woman with which he would want to spend the rest of his life. But he finally had met the lady of his dreams. When she glanced up into his eyes, he held his breath and at her response, he broke into a huge grin. “Wicked!” He leaned forward and kissed her passionately. After a minute or two, he pulled away, saying, "What do you say I put this ring on your finger?" Florence's smile broadened at his response, and she leaned into the kiss, holding on to it for every moment before he pulled away. She giggled, "What do I say?" She held her hand out, trying to steady her breathing. Gods, she never thought she'd want this moment, or love this moment so much. Or even that it would be like this. She'd always expected that she'd merely be informed one day that she was to marry someone, and that would be that. "Yes," she whispered, leaning in and kissing him again. Kissing her back for a moment and enjoying every second, he gave her best cocky grin. Removing the ring from the box, he slid it onto her finger. The ring fit perfectly and he kissed her hand right above where he had placed the ring. “Have I told you how much I love you today?” Rabastan smiled mischievously, as he moved the picnic basket out of the way so he could draw her closer. While it was a public area, no one would stop them from having a bit of fun without that obstacle between them. Leaning back in towards her, he snogged her this time with every ounce of his being engaged in the kiss. Florence laughed lightly. "I think you just did." And with that, she leaned into his kiss, fingering the diamond she now wore. |