The Homecoming Bride

Chapter Nineteen: Misty Blue

CHAPTER SONG: "Misty Blue" by The Proclaimers (sung by George MacKay & Antonia Thomas in the film 'Sunshine on Leith')

*Lyrics to 'Let Me Call You Sweetheart', by Beth Slater Whitson

**Lyrics for Misty Blue written by Bob Montgomery

Emmy felt cool air on her face, her eyelids closed as she sat upright in the car beside her newlywed husband, her head cushioned on his shoulder, her ears perking up to listen that the engine was no longer rumbling and she heard faded walking of various footsteps and the bell of a passing trolley car.

They were definitely not in the small village of the Surrey district anymore...

Even in the Edwardian era, she recognized the cacophony of London city streets.

She flinched away from the noises buzzing in her head as she snuggled close against Will, feeling his arm around her shoulders in an assuring hold before he gently raised it off of her and released the steering wheel as he had stopped the automobile in front of the Imperial Grand Hotel.

He placed his parade hat upon his head and looked down at his wife who had dozed off against him, seeing her features scrunch in discomfort at the city chaos around them.

As much as he didn't want to wake her, knowing she was probably tired after such a long day, he wanted to get her settled comfortably in their room and their luggage was still in the trunk.

He looked up to see a parking valet from the hotel walking out to see them, no doubt the staff knew of their arrival tonight for the booking at the honeymoon suite.

Will nodded politely to the valet as the soldier watched him go to the back of the car and open the boot to gather their suitcases. Looking down as his half-conscious wife, he placed his hand on her cheek, his fingertips stroking the soft blushing of her lovely face as he leaned downward to kiss her forehead, his voice tenderly whispering in her ear to rouse her.

"Darling, wake up... we've arrived to the hotel. They'll park the car for us." Will watched Emmy's fluttering eyelashes before her lids opened, revealing her stunning evergreen irises. He swore his heart stopped a beat every time he looked into them. "My love, we need to get inside and to our room. Are you alright to walk? Do your feet hurt still?"

Emmy blinked rapidly to clear her blurred vision, grinning up at him before she yawned. "No, baby... I'll be good to walk on my own, but thank you for asking."

She leaned up to kiss him lovingly on the lips, an adoring smile on her face. Emmy had made an effort to be more grateful to Will whenever he expressed concern for her wellbeing ever since the incident with James Satterthwaite, knowing that his protective tendencies came not from a place of control or ownership, but out of love for her.

"Let's go on, then." Will opened the door on his side of the car and stepped out onto the street as Emmy opened hers.

After shutting the door, he sprinted to Emmy's side of the car in case her wedding gown gave her trouble in exiting the vehicle without catching her skirt as she was able to step onto the curb of the sidewalk.

Emmy gathered the skirt of her dress carefully in her hands, making sure she wouldn't be caught by the door as she shut her side of the car. Surprisingly, the ivory fabric and the cherry blossoms embroidered into the stitching weren't stained or smeared with her wearing the gown all day.

"I probably look overdressed, wearing this in public." Emmy blushed as she looked up at Will, feeling his hands behind her head to smooth out the wrinkles of her veil.