Who: Scott McCall and Hope Mikaelson What: Scott returns home from work When: Evening August 7th Where: Their humble home Rating: low
Working in the stables was a steady and respectable job, though he wished he could do more to support his wife. Newly married, both had dreams of a big family and Scott often worried if he could provide for a big family. He had dreams of maybe opening his own stables or maybe he could save enough to buy his own plot of land and start up a small farm.
It had been a long day and he smelled of horse by the time he got to their humble home. Humble, but they owned it - it had been left to him by his father before he passed. They were lucky in that sense. He stopped outside to pour some water on his face and hands to clean up as best he could before he opened the door and could smell supper was underwear. His stomach growled happily.
He found Hope in the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding out a small bouquet of wildflowers he had picked for her on his way home. “Not as pretty as you, but pretty enough I hope.”
–
Yes, Hope wanted a large family with Scott. Being an only child, she always longed for the companionship that a big family provided. Yes, it came with drama and arguments, but with Scott by her side? Hope truly believed she could handle anything…even a few family squabbles.
Most of Hope’s day was spent cleaning their humble home and making sure that their stores were full enough for the upcoming change of season. She’d even managed a short trip into town to pick up a few things, including a dress she’d left at the seamstress to be sewn. It was as good as new, but that was not surprising. Elizabeth and her mother did amazing work.
Now, she was in the midst of chopping up some fresh vegetables from their garden for the stew cooking over the small fire. Hope picked up on the smell of horse before his arm wrapped around her, a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand. Hope never minded the smell at all and the flowers? They were beautiful and the gesture touched her.
Setting down the knife, Hope turned around and, taking the flowers, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“They are beautiful,” Hope assured him as she broke the kiss. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Especially after such a long day at the stable.” –
Kissing Hope was one of the best parts about being married as was all the other perks of having a marriage bed. He wasn’t ashamed to say so even if he occasionally wondered how long it took a woman to be with child - not that he minded all the trying, mind.
“Of course I did. You’ve been working just as hard and deserve all the pretty things.” And since he couldn’t go out and get her fancy dresses and jewelry like some of the wealthier people, he had to find it elsewhere. He did some a few coins squirreled away for Christmas where he’d try to buy her something nice, but for now, it would have to be things that were free or close to it.
“Did you have a good day?”
–
Though it wasn’t ladylike to do so, Hope would admit that kissing Scott was one of the best parts of being married too. She didn’t think she would ever tire of the way his lips felt on hers or the way he tasted on her tongue. Oh, and it was definitely not ladylike to admit Hope liked all the trying too. In fact, with that kiss, she was tempted to ‘try’ right here in the kitchen. Instead, she refrained, content to be in his embrace a little longer.
“So do you,” Hope replied softly. Her hand cupped his face gently. “And I plan on showing you as such after dinner tonight.” Hope also did her best to put away what she could for his Christmas gift. Being that she was decent with embroidery, Hope had managed to sell a few pieces in town and she hoped to use that money for some cloth to make Scott a new shirt or maybe two.
The brunette brushed her nose against his and smiled. “It wasn’t bad, but it’s much better now. How was your day?”
–
His eyes lit up naturally at the promise of hers. He was the sort to clearly dote and it was nice she was similar in that sense. He also enjoyed their closeness. “Busy, but it made the day go by quickly.” He liked horses and he liked to care for them. Sometimes he wished he could understand them more, but he was a simple man and as long as they seemed to accept his company, he was okay with that. “One of the mares is pregnant and the injured stallion appears to be mending enough that we won’t have to put him down.” All in all, it was a good day.
“I saw in town there’s a new play to be put on in a few days. A comedy, I think. It might be nice to go see if you’re up for it.”
–
At least Scott enjoyed his work. He clearly loved the horses from the fond way he spoke of them. Granted, it could never afford them much, but it was an honest living and as long as they had one another they were happy. Hope could honestly never ask for anything more. Scott was truly the best thing that had ever happened to her.
“It sounds like it was a good day then,” Hope replied with a small smile. She reluctantly shifted out of his arms to continue on with making dinner. Though the idea of going to a new play did strike her with excitement. They could use a laugh and it had been a while since they’d seen a play. They didn’t happen too often around here and weren’t always available for the locals.
“I would love to go. We could both use a laugh,” Hope replied, looking over at him with a bright smile. “It’ll be a perfect night for the two of us.”
–
He smiled when she agreed. Splurging every now and then on something he could see Hope enjoy meant a lot to Scott even if others might choose to keep all their money for the future. Scott knew that life could be short, so he wanted to make sure he enjoyed it while they were alive.
“I look forward to it. And then when we return home I promise to indulge my wife in whatever she desires.” His smiled warmed and his eyes were playful, his affection for Hope evident to almost anyone who saw them together. “I’m told I have a hard time denying her much.”
–
True, they were far from wealthy enough to be going to see plays, but Hope was of the same mindset as her husband. Life is indeed short and they should try to enjoy it to the fullest if possible. Besides, seeing one play would certainly not take all of the savings.
At his words, a devious smirk formed on Hope’s lips and she walked over to him. Cupping his face, she kissed him again, deeper and far longer than before before pulling back by mere inches. “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” she murmured. “Of course, she in turn has a difficult time denying her handsome husband anything either.”
–
He was utterly enthralled by her. Scott often found himself wondering how he had managed to convince her and her father to let him marry her. In his opinion, Hope was one of the most eligible women in town and somehow she settled on him. Why? He still wasn’t quite sure, but he was happy for it.
“If it wasn’t for dinner going to waste, I’d pick you up right now and carry you to bed, Mrs. McCall.”
–
Hope couldn’t stop the smile from forming on her face. “And I’d gladly let you, Mr. McCall.” But dinner first and then something far better than the pie for dessert she’d baked earlier. She stepped back and took his hand, squeezing the fingers gently. “Dinner first and then dessert.”