Of Beauties And Beasts

Chapter Twenty One

"Hey, Romeo." Ginny said to the purring cat who rubbed against her legs as she stepped through the doorway.  Stephen stepped over the cat and handed his coat to Alfred.  Ginny shrugged out of her wrap and handed it to him as well.  He nodded to them both before leaving. "Welcome back m'lord. M'lady."

"Thank you, Alfred." Stephen acknowledged him.

Ginny sighed once he was gone, stretching her arms. "I'm exhausted."

"You only danced once." Stephen chuckled, reaching down to brush his fingers against the cat's fur.

"I did like dancing, just not being in a large crowd." Ginny explained.

Stephen snatched her up in his arms and spun her around. She laughed, falling against him. Stephen smiled down at her.  She had never seen this playful side of him, or thought that he had had one. Ginny leaned up in her toes and, gathering what little courage she might have, kissed him on the lips.

Stephen took a small step back in surprise, but he leaned into her kiss, weaving his fingers into her hair.  She pulled back slightly, but his hands kept her fully in place.  She leaned back, feeling breathless.  Stephen brushed his lips against hers, pushing her against the wall.  He stared down at her, "Don't leave me this time.  You always leave..."

Ginny grasped his face with her hands and firmly kissed him again, "I'm not going to leave you.  I love you."

She felt afraid, saying those words.  What would he think? What if he walked away now?  Maybe he didn't want that.  Unexpectedly, Stephen only kissed her back harder, pressing her against the wall.  She peeked up at him, waiting for him to say something. She wanted him to tell her that he loved her, too. Instead, he only kissed her again.  Ginny placed her hands on his chest, and gently pushed him back.  Stephen looked disappointed, but he leaned back to study her face.

"What did I do wrong?" He said, licking his lips and studying hers.

"Nothing I just...do you not love me?" She bit back the tears that were invading her eyes. A few dripped down her cheeks.

Stephen reached over and gently brushed them away.  He kept his palm on her cheek, struggling to find the right words.  He pulled her hand towards him and kissed her fingertips, "I do love you, Ginny.  I want you to be my wife."

"I already am your wife." She laughed, wrapping her arms around him.

"In-name only." He said, hugging her back. "I want you to be everything. I want you to be a partner in life and the one I grow old with."

"And I will be. I want to be." She said, looking up at him.

She could sense some sort of untrust, lying beneath the surface.  Stephen nodded, "I just...last time...it didn't work out. How can I know...?"

"I guess you just have to trust me." Ginny replied.

Last time?  Did he mean his last wife?  How many times had he been married?  Ginny snuggled against him, deciding she didn't care.  She was the one with him now. Stephen kissed the top of her head, "I'm sure you are exhausted.  You should head upstairs to bed."

Ginny smiled and kissed his cheek, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

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Stephen woke up the next morning to Romeo snuggled up against his face.  He gently pushed the cat aside, spitting out cat hair that had gotten into his mouth.  He rubbed the cat's head, deciding he kind of liked the company.  He would have liked it better if it had been Ginny lying there next to him, but he couldn't rush things. He didn't want to scare her away.

He heard a knock on his bedroom door, "Yes? Come in."

Ginny peeked her head in, her long curls spilling over her shoulders, "Someone is at the door."

"Who?" He asked, pulling off his nightshirt.

She averted her eyes awkwardly, waiting for him to change.  He felt like teasing her, so instead of putting on his day shirt, he only came closer to her. Ginny blushed a deep red and glanced over at him.

"It's your father." She said in a rush.

Stephen's smile fell from his face. "I'll be down right away."

Ginny left him to finish dressing.  What was his father doing here?  And why so early in the morning? He would find out soon enough.  Stephen slipped on his shoes and hurried downstairs to see his father speaking in hushed tones with Ginny.  His father looked up at him, his face as hard as a stone.

"Stephen." He said.

"Father." Stephen replied.  He gestured to the sofa. "Please, have a seat."

His father stiffly sat down, clasping his hands tightly in his lap.  Ginny gingerly took a seat next to Stephen, staying close to him.  Her nearness was clouding his thoughts, but he needed to stay focused with his father around.

"What have you come here for?" Stephen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I can't simply come and visit my son?  Or his lovely wife?" His father acted wounded, clutching his chest.

"You don't usually make house calls, no." Stephen said. "You're here for something.  Money?"

"Stephen." Ginny scolded, glaring at him.

His father sighed, rubbing his face, "I need a place to stay for a while."

Ginny started to speak. "Of course you can..."

"No." Stephen said sharply.

"Stephen!" Ginny grabbed his arm. "You have to help your father."

"Not until I know why he is here." Stephen crossed his arms.

"My son, you have to forgive me.  I couldn't help myself and...I need your help.." he looked broken.

Stephen clenched his fist, "You were gambling again, weren't you?"

His father didn't say anything.  Ginny leaned forward, grasping his father's hand, "It is alright, you can stay here for now.  Right, Stephen?"

Stephen looked at the pleading eyes of his wife and finally gave in, throwing his hands up in the air. "Fine. But only for a few days. And then I want you gone."

Copyright © 2016 by Rosanna Parker

All Rights Reserved

I know this was really short, but an update is coming really soon!

-Rosanna