Sex Education

Being Brave

AN: x's to separate absolute horn doggery of the highest order.

Mary walked along the streets of London, trundling her case behind her. Spring in London always reminded her of her and Liam's second chance at love. How their love had bloomed in this city once again like the pink blossoms on the trees. She watched the petals swirl through the air as they fell. She looked downwards to where they lay browned and dead in the gutter at her feet. Nothing lasts forever. She just had to get through this. For Ruby. She was attending a dress fitting with her, and then she'd agreed to have dinner with her and Noel.

Mary stood awkwardly in front of the mirror as the seamstress stuck pins in the fabric near her waist where the dress needed to be taken in. It was a deep emerald green. Unusual for the season when most bridesmaids were in peach and blushing pink. But Ruby had beer been one to follow the rules. It was silk, floor length, and simply cut. Ruby, like herself, wasn't interested in overly decorative clothing. Ruby looked over at Mary as she was also having her final dress fitting. The fashion at the moment was strapless sweetheart neckline, puffy skirt with lots of decorative lace. This dress had none of those elements. The sleeves were long, the neckline high and the hemline short. Mary smiled she looked stunning. Like a little 60's pixie. The dress simmered with subtle gold sparkles woven into the threads. The sleeves were sheer, and there was some subtle pearl detailing that caught the light. The pearls were also scattered over her veil like teardrops. She'd never seen somewhere more made for a dress.

"You know they say pearls are for tears." Said the seamstress as she made the final adjustments to Ruby's dress.

Ruby shrugged and smiled.

"In some of my happiest moments, I've been crying. He was crying when I fell in love with him, you know... the man I'm going to marry." She said gently.

Mary's brows rose.

"You never told me that before."

Ruby smiled.

"What happened in Paris stayed in Paris."

Mary smiled softly.

"I still think you shagged each other." She teased.

Ruby gave her a shocked expression.

"We didn't! I mean we could have but we didn't. Not then."

Mary gazed at her adoringly.

"You look stunning. If he doesn't cry when you walk down that aisle font even marry him. Wedding's off."

Ruby laughed.

Dinner consisted of catching up and sharing nostalgic stories about their early days on the road together. Mary could tell they were both carefully skirting around bringing up Liam.

"You can say his name you know. I wouldn't want him to be deleted out of those memories. We had some good times together."

Noel nodded with a sad smile.

"Yeah we did."

Mary gazed into the deep claret of her wine glass in deep contemplation.

"I'm glad he's happy and settled. Its what he always wanted. We both got what we wanted."

Noel frowned and shook his head. There was a prolonged silence.

Ruby glared at him warningly and Noel, for once, remained quiet. Weird.

Noel and Ruby had kindly put her up at their home. But as Mary lay in bed exhausted sleep wouldn't come. Probably something to do with jetlag. But mostly it was Liam. The thought odlf seeing him again tomorrow made her heart pound. His lips flashed in her mind. She flushed. His lips drenched in strawberry juice. His piercing light blue eyes deepened with want. His lashes fluttering. Mary gasped and screwed her eyes shut. This wasn't right. She got up quickly and crept to the kitchen pouring herself a glass of water. Her eyes widened as she noticed the back door was open. Cigarette smoke wafting into the house. She crept out and smiled as she watched Noel quietly for a few moments. He looked deep in though. Far away. He blew out smoke into the inky blackness. He stood in only his boxers she probably should announce herself really. She cleared her throat and Noel glanced at her calmly. He didn't look flustered or try to cover himself. He just offered her a cigarette in the silence. Mary nodded gratefully.