BiteBound *completed*

Finale 1/5

*~ One Month Later ~*

"I can't believe ya only telling me this now!" Anne gasps at our reflection. "When did ya become Mrs. Knight?!"

"And how did you do it without witnesses?" Camilla sips on her wine, grinning from Anne's reaction. "Surely, it's mandatory by law to have at least two."

"Well... he might know people to get past that loop hole..."

"He knows people from the government?" Camilla blinks. "Geez, how much of a socialite is Arthur anyway?"

"Socialite ain't even the word I would use." Anne huffs an eye roll. "More like manipulation..."

Anne! I widen my eyes at her. Shut up!

"What?"

"Nothin' Camilla." Anne says, grabbing another section of my hair to curl. "Please tell me that at least ya wore somethin' nice and took photos."

Fuck...

"...Um..."

I really needed to be careful with my next choice of words. By the way she's holding that curling iron so close to my roots, I'm afraid to even admit the truth.

"...No?"

Anne closes her eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath as she released my curl from the hot tool. As soon as she placed it down on the rubber mat on the vanity, she blew up.

"Ya couldn't 'ave at least taken one bloody photo!" She shouts at my reflection. For fucks sake, it's the day ya exchanged vows! Did ya not want to 'old onto that memory?!"

"To be fair, Rose isn't exactly the photo type—."

"And later when she wants to look back, she doesn't 'ave anythin'! I'm ain't trying to come off a hovering mother Camilla, believe me, I'm not, but it's shit like this that drives me up a wall!"

"But Anne, that was her choice to make." She looks at her with concern. "At the end of the day, it's her marriage. Her husband and life. Some people just want to live in the moment, is that so wrong?"

"Well— no. But it is it so wrong as 'er friend to want to make things perfect? This isn't just about Rosie ya know, it's Arthur's too."

As they continue to bicker back and forth, the thought of not taking any photos did kind of guilt me a little. We were just so caught up in the excitement of it all, photos were the last thing in our minds. At least, as far as I could tell.
I'm honestly surprised that she didn't pick up any suspicious signs when she caught us leaving Thursday night.

White silk dress, all black luxury suit; we told her it was just a dinner date and late night drive, but surely she must've felt some kind of doubt.

It's not that I didn't want her to know about our elopement in the first place, I just wanted that night to be just for us. To start our new lives together, to wine and dine with each other's company, and to devour into others body until sunrise.

I may not have had any photos to keep, but our torn clothes now wrapped in the box was more than enough to remember our fun.

Recalling that night, he changed his look specifically for the day of our matrimony. His once soft shoulder length wheat hair had been donated for a messy quiff hair style. A haircut I never thought I would see him in.
"I want to keep up with the times." He said as he trimmed up his face. "Besides, it will grow back— a lot faster than you think actually. Who knows, maybe I'll get sick of the maintenance and end up keeping it long again. Do you not like it?"

I remember being so frustrated about his new look.
I didn't hate it at all, but the change was just so big and so sudden, I couldn't help but miss his long hair. In a sentimental way, I met him with those lovely wavy locks. They were dyed black at the time sure— but still, it made him look so mysterious and broody.
Now with his short modern cut, you could see so much more of his face. Every crinkle in his eyes from his smiles, the way his face brightens when he laughs...
It made my heart sing.

"I love it." I smile. "Makes you look younger too."
"Is that so?" He sharpens the line of his beard. "Next thing you know I'll be wearing studded belts and fingerless gloves."
"Yeah... let's not go that far back." I laugh. "...you wore fingerless gloves?"
"We're not getting into that."
"Did you have snakebites too?" I tease.
"Go get dressed." He rolls his eyes. "Fucking brat, can't even shave in peace."
"Did you though?"
While he didn't answer verbally while rinsing his razor, but the subtle grin that wanted to lift the corners of his mouth was my only confirmation of a yes.

Oh my god! I gasp.

"You did, didn't you?!"
"Oh my gods— Go!" He laughs, tossing his washcloth straight for my face.

After spending an hour rummaging through our giant closet, he settled for an obsidian timeless outfit.
A black button down, black trousers, a black blazer with antique gold buttons, and black red-soled Louboutins to flaunt his status.

"It's our big day, what can I say?" He says while clasping on his watch. "Don't worry, I got you a pair to match too."

"Matching loafers?" I gave him a puzzled look, "How sexy."

"No what— obviously not loafers." He scoffs. "Just open up the boxes on the bed. I had them specially delivered for you except for one. You'll see what I mean."

I really didn't expect him to go this far when it came to our elopement night. Imagine my surprise when I returned from an hour in the library and saw the stack of brand name boxes sitting on top of his bed.
When I carefully opened the first large box placed separately from the rest, I stood there amazed at the sight of elegance.
An ivory, long-sleeved, mini silk dress that glowed like an angelic garment; soft to the touch and flattering to my body.
With the black sheer tights and Mamaflirt flats from Louboutins, I could see now that Arthur also wanted to keep it timeless and classy.
That and he had great taste in clothes.

Just as I nearly finished throwing everything by bin at his desk, there was one more small box wrapped in brown packaging paper.
Instead of a store name stamped in the front, a navy blue wax stamped letter was tucked under the matching velvet ribbon. It was from Mrs. Agatha Knight, a.k.a. Arthur's mom.

Congratulations on your engagement Dearest One. Please accept this gift as an early welcome to our family. Mr. Knight and I look forward to your wedding day.

Much Love,
Aggie K.

According to the little paper that sat on top of my (new to me) purse, this mini handbag had been designed and sold in the 1800's.
It's interior had been re-sewn with a new navy silk lining, the ornate gold frame had been buffed and re-polished, the only part that remained the same through out it's time was the soft exterior velvet. Still holding it's shape and texture after so many centuries of use.

"I don't believe it." Arthur gasps at the bag I let him hold. "This is my mother's favorite purse."

"Was it really?" I ask.

"Yeah..."

He runs his thumb over the textured velvet, smiling a little from a memory crossing his ming.

"It was handed down to my Mom from My grandmother on her wedding day. And my great-grandmother to my grandmother and so on so forth."

"Would I be allowed to use it?" I ask, taking back it's soft velvet into my hands.

"They would be offended if you didn't." He chuckles. "You are part of the family now, hold it proudly in our name."

In our name... I sigh a smile.

"This is really happening is it? We're really doing this."

"We are." He holds me from behind. "In just a few hours, you be my Wife; and I, your husband."

"To love and cherish." I lean against his shoulder. "Talk about a happy ending huh?"

"Mm... more like a happy beginning."