Sea Glass: Marie and Lauryn

Chapter 42

After checking into their hotel in a small village on the Antrim Coast, they wandered back out. Marie chose a small, warm pub, both for a pint to celebrate with in the most Irish way she, as a "dull English lady" according to Lauryn, could imagine and to get warmed up from the chill outside. 

She guided Lauryn inside with a hand at the small of her back and to the bar. They still both had smiles that couldn't be tempered even by the devil himself.

"Well, don't yas look so 'appy. I love to see it," the bartender, a red-headed woman, probably in her forties, with a kind smile said. 

"W-we j-just g-got eng-gaged," Lauryn said in a quiet, but unmistakably bright voice. 

"Well, now, that's the best thing I've 'eard all day. Congratulations to ye both. First round's on me."

"Thank you," Marie said. 

As the woman reached for two pint glasses, she asked with a wink, "Now, who asked who?" 

Lauryn shyly extended her left hand for the woman to see her ring. 

"Well, well, that's a beauty. Ain't seen somethin' so gorgeous in a long time," she said, and turning to Marie added, "Well done, you."

Marie smiled.

"It's nothing in comparison to the girl wearing it," Marie replied, squeezing Lauryn's hand.

Lauryn blushed, leaning into Marie's side. 

The bartender slid the two beers to them and then yelled to someone further down the bar, "They've just got engaged!"

A ripple went through the room full of smiles and a few raised glasses. Lauryn's eyes went wide. 

"M-Marie," she whispered, half-laughing, half-horrified.

Marie bent her head closer. 

"Too late now," she whispered, "You're quite stuck with me. This whole pub are witnesses."

They settled into a corner booth after that, knees brushing, shoulders touching. Lauryn traced idle patterns on Marie's knuckles. Marie rested her lips against Lauryn's hairline for a long while.

This is everything I've ever wanted. Not those grand ballrooms and sprawling estates. Just this.

Outside, the light shifted over the street. Inside, the fire crackled, glasses clinked, and every now and then Marie noticed that Lauryn would catch the ring in the glow and smile all over again, like she still couldn't quite believe the shape of her own happiness.

And Marie watched her, quietly certain, knowing she had chosen exactly right.

Lauryn barely remembered the walk back to the hotel, only the feeling of Marie's hand in hers, the steady pressure, the way the world seemed to move politely out of their way. Her body felt warm and loose, like she had finally exhaled after holding her breath for years.

Inside the room, Marie closed the door softly. Gently, she pushed Lauryn up against the wall and bending, lightly brushed her lips against hers, her fingers lightly tangling in her hair. 

"Y-you're b-being a l-little f-f-forward, L-lady Avon," Lauryn whispered. 

"Am I now?" Marie asked, pulling away and running her thumb across Lauryn's bottom lip. 

"Y-you c-could b-buy a g-girl d-d-dinner f-f-first b-before d-debauching h-her," Lauryn said, sliding her hands to Marie's waist and unbuttoning the top button of her jeans. 

"Oh, a pint and a diamond ring aren't sufficient?" she said playfully. 

Lauryn giggled.

"I s-s-suppose s-something c-could b-be arranged."