Choking On Sapphires

96 Dog Days Are Over

Everyone was light on their feet today. Sun was bright through the clean windows and lace-framed curtain sets. The dashes of light felt warm as you passed down the long stone corridors of the large estate. Outside the bees were busy in the warm weather and the humans inside were not much different. One week and one day before the wedding now. What had been a more intimate affair between Genevieve and Alfie and a few associates were going to become a multiple household, family, and generational mix. Every sort of occupation and religion would be among them come the time they saw each other again. Genevieve had been preparing herself for it and it made everything suddenly seem very real. She'd slept hard snuggled close under blankets with her to-be groom before they parted as was tradition. She expected the company to begin to arrive the next morning, but Alfie already had a day planned she knew nothing about. Genevieve awoke to whiskers in her ears. She couldn't tell which of her boys it might be before she opened her eyes. "Good morning." She yawns and gets her answers in a wet lick to her face. "Cyril.""Down, lad," Alfie grumbles as he pushes a tray into the room. "We've got things to do today love. The day ain't gonna wait on ya.""I don't have anything until the afternoon." She insists as she stretches. "And what time do you think it is?" His subtle smile made his sarcastic tone highly effective in making her frown in defense. "Surely it's not-" she says and moves to the nightstand to see her tiny orange clock. "Fucking... glasses..." she says squinting and searching. "It's 11, Gen. Come have some tea. Got a big day. Can't have whatever demon you channel when you're hungry make an appearance today." He holds out a cup and saucer with an honest face. She looks to the cup, sitting back into piles of pillows. She sees Alfie already has his shoes on. "Thank you." She sighs out as she takes a sip. "What's this then?" She looks down to see his shiny shoes and new trousers. "A man can't wear fuckin trousers and sturdy local made- by OUR people-, yeah? These leather shoes here. Proper innit?""I know. I bought them. But you've never worn them." She gives a sly smile into her teacup and he shrugs and grunts. He had a very good closet thanks to Genevieve and her army of seamstresses and endless fashion industry contacts. But he was a creature of habit and there weren't nothin' wrong with what he was wearing before. Made him look trustworthy, he thought. Didn't want to be too heavy-handed on the flash. Couldn't have your people thinking you'd gotten out of touch. Every time, he hears her voice in his head as he stands and muses at the closet that she had put together with great consideration. He recalls her delighted noise when he expressed any sort of interest in such things. He didn't think it was bad, or entirely useless. There was more money than he had ever known in it and he could fault no one for wanting to get in on that racket. But almost every time what she bought ended up being rather nice. The fabrics were always soft and comfortable, the shoes were always well built and custom. He was grateful in a way for it. He could live without it just as easy but some silk on your cock and balls all day will change a man's opinion on a few things. "And I'm well chuffed 'bout 'em. I'm merely dressing the part to opposite you in all your grandeur.""What's in the diary today?" She asks with her glasses back on and searching for her notebook. "No need for your diary today love, got it all covered.""I have meetings with-""Mr. Darnet? Made him up. Made 'em all up to fill your schedule so you wouldn't have any need to leave the house. Because I know you, right?" he wags his finger at her questioning face. "So I know you need a little break to process everything emotionally before you're forced to be around people and won't be able to have any real alone time.""Cheeky." She says with narrowed eyes. "Even the flowers?""It's all been checked by Claire. You know it has." He rolls his eyes. "Everything is ready for the dinner tonight. There are strict instructions not to appear before 6 this evening for the guests you invited.""So why did you wake me?" She narrows her eyes at him as he sits on the bed in his unbuttoned shirt and still wet slicked-back hair. "Because I have someone coming early so you can have your time with them. Before everyone swarms.""Is it mother and Altar?" She smiles widely. "'Course it is." He squeezes her knee and it makes her sigh happily."Wonderful." She sets her tea to the side and leans forward in her knees to kiss his cheek. "You changing my appointments is rather naughty." "It is." He nods in acceptance. "But a bit of naughtiness is required from time to time. If anyone knows this it's you.""It is." She coos back. "Do we have time to be naughty before you have to leave me?" Her hands move to his shoulders. "Guests are already on their way in." He gives an almost devious smile to her playful pout. "But there's tonight innit?" "I hope so." She kisses him softly. ——————/—/————————-/Genevieve sat looking polished but not overstated. Her hair was half braided back and in a long soft dress as she sat between her uncle and mother. They were currently praising her choices. She knew this wouldn't last forever as they would both become more opinionated the closer it got to the ceremony. But for now, she'd sit and be a little girl between her two favorite people and feel a sense of calm she hadn't in so long. She wanted to savor it. Her head was on her mother's shoulder as she held Altars large, calloused, and ringed hand. "Excuse me Miss there's someone here to see you.""I thought no one else would be here until dinner?" Genevieve asks with a furrowed brow."There may be more exceptions than just these two." Alfie comes in and sets a tray of small sandwiches and tea out. "Freddie in already?" She smiles widely."Not quite kitty cat." She hears a warm tone that feels like a punch to the gut. Her head snaps to the doorway. "I might've invited some more family." Alfie gives a subtle but satisfied smile. "You not gonna say hi?" The tall mouse-haired man says with open arms."George?" She rasps out as she stands, compelled to him as her brain recalled the boy she'd seen last years ago and what grown man stood now in that doorway. She stumbles in her rush, a little girl's excitement removing the practiced grace she held as a grown woman. "The best one." She makes a hard impact as she moves to wrap her arms around her oldest brother's torso. "Since when do you cry?!" He laughs and pushes her hair back as she pulls away slowly. "So much has changed George. So much. I have so much to tell you." She gasps breathlessly and pulls him over the couch where Alfie sits. In good form, already behaving as a good husband, he listens and learns about her and her brother's time spent together while he explored the theatre. "Miss-" the same maid on duty pops in and Alfie clears his throat noisily. With a nod, she is gone and replaced by another woman who was already crying, a quivering lip and wet eyes with her hands wrung in expectation. As soon as Genevieve's eyes met hers they both began sobbing and approached one another slowly. Neither could believe it, a lifetime of memories flood them, the pain of a loss of time and their little sister, they collapse in a lump by the coffee table on the floor wrapped around each other in a display of sisterly love. "Sara." She blubbers as Alma slowly swooped in to comfort her girls as if they were young again. They all sit in the matching set of plush chairs in the drawing-room next to a comforting fire among ever-updating tin trays of food and drink. Alfie sat and soaked in the wholesome energy of a family reunited. There weren't enough handkerchiefs to keep the ladies' tears at bay. As long as they were happy, he didn't care in the least. In the middle of shared stories, there appears another. The youngest of the siblings now. Edward, who was no longer a child, stood broad and proud with a smile on his pale face as Gen squealed and moved to hold his face and squeeze his head. Her little brother, the second most frisky of the bunch. He had been so small when she'd left and not allowed to bond with her after the fact. "You're such a man now?""You're such a... old lady!" She smacks the side of his head and moves to hug him tight again. "I wanted to have you all here. A gift to my Genevieve. Who you have graciously agreed to give to me and allow me into your family." Alfie nods respectfully. "I know she has missed you so. There is much to catch up on. We will continue the celebration here until the time to depart and we may all do that at the same time if you'd be so kind.""We'll freshen up before we leave and in the meantime, we can enjoy ourselves," Gen says embracing as many hands as she can as they all take up a room together for the first time in decades. "Sounds lovely. Now I will excuse myself."Gen rises and presses her lips to his cheek. "Thank you. For this. For everything." She whispers sincerely. "Not necessary is it?" He says very quietly as he kisses her temple. "It's how you get treated now, yeah?"She'd never felt as whole as she did in her home with her family, all together and sharing stories, laughter, and tears as they started working on catching up on the time they'd missed. Claire and Alfie worked to give her the precious hours before the rest of the wedding party arrived with her family. But as things seemed to be for them, there was always someone trying to ruin their fun.-------------Claire saw him first. A gasp she quickly stifled as she moved fast to find either Gen or Alfie, even Aggie, someone because she truly didn't know what to do. Alfie happened to be who she ran into first. "He's here." she whispers trying to clear her throat and catch her breath to appear composed. "Thought the bugga would turn up.""I didn't think he had the bollocks!" Claire says exasperated and her hands on her hips. "Not about that. Brains innit. Lack thereof." he taps his temple. "I can't really blame the bastard. If I did want to die, I would be doin' the same thing he is.""So what do we do?""Fuck all." Alfie's voice is strong and assertive, self assured with the nod of his head. "Fuck... all?""Fuckin' nothin' yeah? Not a fuckin' thing because she's going to give him what she needs to. I know her. She can handle this now." he wags his finger at Claire. "You? Optimistic?" Claire huffs."Call me fuckin' sentimental but my bride-to-be is as clever as she is fuckin' mad. Don't get it crossed, mate. But what she has the unique talent of doin' is makin' it work in her favor. Perspective, innit? She kills him, we're all happy. Sends him on his merry fuckin' way? Brilliant. Has him stay? Extra's accounted for in the fuckin' contracts." he scratches his jaw, stress making his spots threaten to flare up. "I supposed I'll go change my pants and get back to work." Claire jokes and rubs her eyes."Might want to have a cleaning crew at the ready just in case... y'know." Alfie shrugs, trying to find his former train of thought. "Suppose you are right." she sighs, collects herself and she's back on her marathon run. ----------Genevieve was as bright as the sun standing in the rays of her own making among her family in the drawing-room. Surrounded by gold and filigree like the life she'd created for herself, she was enveloped with those she loved and loved her in return and was a bright light of happiness and a mirror of the good fortune she had received. But just like a single rain cloud can ruin a picture-perfect sky, her father, only by the loosest terms of the word, was there to be a stain on her perfect day. A poor replaceable maid was sent to give the bad news. Her hands fidgeted with her apron and her knees knocked as she waited for Genevieve to meet her gaze as she stood in the doorway. "M-miss?" Genevieve stops spinning in a dance with her oldest brother, the light dimming from her eyes as she saw the maid's sullen face. "There's another visitor for you Miss." "The last of us I presume?" Alma says softly and is answered with a nod. "I didn't know he would come my dear I'm so sorry." "-no apologies mother," Genevieve responds with a firm hand placed between them. "This is not your doing. But a consequence that I've expected for a long while now.""Want me to deal with the cunt?" Altar gruffs out and Gen gives him an unexpected smile. "You do so much remind me of my Alfie dearest uncle. It's no wonder I love you both so." She gives him an affectionate bow of her head and turns to face the maid. "Take him to my office. There is nothing to be found as inviting or casual about this forthcoming exchange. I will not let him ruin this day or even my mood with his pathetic attempts at bringing his so-called anarchy into this house. I'll see him there. Offer him nothing. Just as I will."—————-"No invite to my own daughter's wedding?" Is the greeting the now older and more hunched gray hired man chooses when his daughter entered the room."Anyone with sense would assume you wanted nothing to do with my life. Seeing as you said those words verbatim to me on more than one occasion." She walks with a perfect posture and eyes of stone to his cloudy ones as she sat upon her throne before him. It was only a high-backed leather studded office chair but the drama of its silhouette in the rich and decorated office said enough without pointing it out. "You've done well for yourself." An attempt to dodge any blame and direct explanation of his past actions. How expected. "Better than you have for yourself, George.""Least mine was from legal means.""Don't make me laugh in an old man's face," She arches a brow high, a dark stare of defiance as she showed no weakness or fear as he expected her to when face to face with him. "I have multiple successful businesses and charities as does my soon-to-be husband. We have honest bookkeepers. Something you would know nothing about as yours are stealing from Peter to pay Paul for you and your poor choices.""You seem to forget I am a Duke and have my own estate.""Unfortunately it is the only thing you can call your own. A title is nothing. Just like you, a facade with no substance beneath it.""You are most difficult Genevieve.""I suppose why George?" she tilts her head dramatically, a tight pressing of her lips. "Do you think you struck me about the head too many times? Or was it the starvation when you deemed my behavior unfit that lead to malnutrition in my developing brain? Or perhaps years of mental and emotional abuse?" Her voice was even and her face still, giving him nothing like a windless sea. "You have only yourself to blame for my treatment of you.""I didn't raise you to be so disrespectful.""And thank fuck for that you old dog." She lets out a laugh. "Anything that has ever benefited me was never born from you.""You benefitted from my title and thus yours.""I haven't gone by your name let alone that bloody title in years now you old fool.""Then you won't mind if I revoke it?""You speak as if you have a pot to piss in George. Take it. Please take it so it may be one more thing that is gone from my life to remind me of you." She hisses. "I want to state this clearly so your feeble and rattled mind can understand. I-do-not-give-a-FUCK about that title. That name you forced upon me as you did yourself to my saint of a mother. There is only one name I care about now and I will be taking it in a week before my god. And it is Solomons."He clears his throat, thinking for a moment. "Consider it a wedding gift." Is his response. "I see there is nothing to be done here. I will stay for the wedding, to assure the good Greene name is seen as being civil and respected as you're choosing to soil it.""Appearances are all you've ever cared about. Stay wherever you like as long as it is nowhere I or Mr. Solomons own. You are not welcome.""I'll see you at the dinner tonight." That is all he leaves her with, thinking he's gotten something over on her. But he's given her the perfect opportunity to have the final word.———————-The rehearsal was more a farewell for them, to their solitary souls, and to have a moment of happiness before separating. Alfie saw it as a chance to make sure everyone knew their fucking place so they wouldn't fuck up his beloved's day. As usual, he could bring up the deep sentimentality when Gen needed it, but he was a businessman first and foremost, making sure this wedding was a well-disciplined platoon like the ones he'd led in the war. Striking the fear of himself and god-most days one and the same in his mind- into the staff came naturally as did trying to shelter Genevieve. Not that she needed it he told himself, but he thought it was what a good husband would do. "You look lovely." He greets her as he sees her putting on her finery finishes to her outfit for the evening. "Thank you darling I'm almost ready.""Are you?" He asks with a deep swing of his voice."You know I despise riddles, Alfie."He gives a subtle smile and nods. "I'm making sure you're okay. After that twat what shot you out then abandoned his post showed up today.""You didn't know?""I had a theory." He shrugs. "I had my words." She says curtly. "He knows why he's there. I know why he's there. I foresee nothing but a fine evening for myself.""You know I despise riddles." he smirks. "I am in a wonderful place, Alfie. I am not a victim. I am releasing what chains he placed on me long ago. With a single toast, I will shed this old skin and start anew. For me. For us and our future together. All things that no longer serve us will be dead to us. And hopefully, George will find he fits well within that category literally shortly.""Are you sure? You are making yourself vulnerable to air your dirty laundry about.""It's how I can hurt him the most and free myself. My story has been told countless times by every sort of woman since the dawn of time. It will not shock those whose minds are rooted in reality. We, women, know the world in a way men will never. Even though they are the makers and perpetrators of it. It cannot be used against me if I own it. And I do. My past is every bit a part of me as my present. And I will no longer let it steer me, but the lessons and growth that have come from it will instead."He reaches out to her, rough hands gentle on her soft waist as he holds up her chin up. "I do not tell you enough how proud I am of you.""Choosing me to be your wife is proof enough." She gives him a soft kiss to his full lips before wiping away the lipstick smudge with his handkerchief. "Never hurts to hear it on such occasions, I admit.""You are the bravest woman I know. And braver than any men I've led. I'd be a fool to not have you accompany me through the battles the future wars of life will throw our way will bring.""Save it for tonight darling." She lets out a soft laugh and pats his cheek. "Don't make me ruin these pants with your saucy words of affection." He gives her a deep laugh and squeeze her to bum. "They are simply the truth, my love. No need for sauce when it comes to my feelings for you.""And yet you persist with your doting.""How else is a man supposed to keep a wife but see her as a temple where others would a prison? The sort of brass and bollocks you have are something I never thought would make me hard but my cock will not let me lie to myself.""Saucy old rotter you." She giggles as he kisses her throat. "Your old man soon." He kisses her cheek. "And your brass balled chain soon." They share a quick and affectionate snog before leaving, he was a man who knew how to treat her after all. Compliments and playfulness kept her light and confident. And her acceptance of his inclination for manipulation and being a master of it didn't bother her anymore. Especially when he was the only one to ever successfully do it to her. He held the position sacred. —————-Rehearsal was all cheek kisses and congratulations. Alfie stood aside and shook hands grudgingly as Genevieve naturally took the lead on socializing and handled it with enough grace for them both. Genevieve reached over to put her hand to his bare forearm and whispered. "Would you like to say anything before I do Alfie dear? I do believe it will be a hard act to follow.""They don't wanna hear me now do they?" He gives a nod forward and keeps his stern glare on George.With a tink of glass, she gathers the attention of the room. Sweet and short thanks are given to her family members, a moment of recognition for the staff for their help in the evening. It was all shorter than expected, as both her closest relatives saw a spark in her eyes that in her youth had meant she was up to no good. "And lastly, as it should be, a toast to my father George Greene the third. I would say there could never be another like you, but you made sure your name carried on in the sweet soul of my oldest brother who deserves a better name than yours. The fact that your family has any decency at all, let alone be warm and sympathetic is proof god exists." the tone of the room swings, shifting eyes and low murmurs begin as she catches everyone off guard with her sweet one and devastating words. "George here came to see me today, accusing me of nothing new from the tired old windbag. He said he would revoke my title and I reminded him I made myself with no help from him when he threw me -quite literally- out of his home at age 17 after I begged him not to sell me to a man who had raped me." The silence in the room was tense and Altar grabs Alma's hand as he knows her eyes are already filled with tears. "With the proof of blood and tears in his face, he blamed me for being difficult. The savage was too strong within me, he had said. Altar can attest to the damage his blood money rings did to my poor cherub face and the worst of the damage from his beatings throughout my life are not physical but deep emotional scars that you carry to your grave." A pause for the drama, for the gathering up of her senses. "I wanted him here tonight so I could literally as well as figuratively start anew with the upcoming life I will be sharing. And that life has no place for people like you George. My gift of an uncle Altar showed me what a real man was and my love, Alfie, has carried that torch with his support. The people in my life make me better. They truly are the salt of the earth individuals who gag at the cover-up tell of you. And now... all here and soon all of London will know the truly desperate and penniless man you are. No amount of cover-up and toupees can shield your gruesome visage any longer. If any of you had the misfortune to be duped by this... I hesitate to call him a man, he will not pay you back. As he has nothing but the hate in his failing heart to keep him warm now. No family, no friends and no gold to be the placeholder for them. He believes his fascist friends support him as he converted a savage but I assure you my people will overcome as they always have. This fascism is not a political movement but a moral failing. I have been careful to assure none of you here are associated with such drivel. It's a lie from a dying and desperate white supremacy, a last gasp and attempt at relevance from an evil that should've died long ago. So I toast to you George, may you only come to my mind as a reminder of what I have overcome and my own power to defeat those with a darkness inside them. May men like you die and have no one to mourn them. May your memory be a curse, George. And a reminder that we have come so far and will continue to rise above as the chosen. May our joy bring you anger." She raised her glass with a new sparkle to her eyes. That of a free woman who had exorcised her demons and finally knew peace. ----------------------------------------------With George leaving in a huff, all red-cheeked and baffled, she had settled in her chair next to her fiance and enjoyed the rest of the evening. With a whirlwind of apologies and others' whispered shared experiences, she finds herself back in her bedroom, shoulders light and eyes twinkling. As she lets out a heavy sigh of relief, taking off her jewelry. Alfie peeks his head into her room, looking for her. "I came to say goodnight, love." he quietly shuts the door behind him."I do have the intention." she chuckles quietly to herself.He gives her a stare of question, no swears needed to ask with his lifted brow. She rises and beckons him closer. "You aren't leaving just yet Solomons.""These bloody rules were your idea Gen. You-""What time is it?""Rude to interrupt it is.""It's not midnight yet." she interjects."If you knew why'd you ask?"She laughs and pats his cheeks. "By rule, it is midnight we only need worry about, hmm? Who says you can't stay and treat me like your wife before we part?""You've gotten bold today, pet.""As ever." she smiles. "So reward me. Give me something to hold me over until we next see each other.""You ask much of a man. You know that?" he gruffs and pulls her closer."Only to better you, darling." she smiles and he pulls her in for a short kiss to the lips before he quickly moves his whiskers to her jaw. "Mind me and the clock." she whispers with laughter in her voice at the rush and tickle of his mouth and hair. "Only two things I have to answer to now." he replies before sweeping her away to bed.