Brooklyn

Chapter Thirteen - Jaxon

They toasted again to Jaxon and Arielle's happiness. Jaxon kept his arm tight around Arielle's waist. She never complained about it so he presumed she was happy like that. He felt happy too. He finally got a break, three weeks off. And he was determined to spend it all with Arielle.

They all had a meal, courtesy of Marianne. They ate and talked. Marianne left early, allowing them to stay and use her tab but they were careful and didn't spend too much, not eating desserts and finishing the bottle of wine and champagne that was already bought. While Kirsten and Cheryl chatted and Zac drank wine like it was water, Jaxon took Arielle into the middle of the room which served as a dancefloor. He danced with her to the music playing.

"This is a nice restaurant. We could use it for a reception." He said, cheekily.

"You really want to do this?" He smiled.

"Why not? We could have an early winter, late autumn wedding."

"How long are you here for?" She asked. Jaxon frowned slightly.

"Three weeks." Arielle stroked his cheek gently. He caught her wrist and smiled when he saw her charm bracelet that he had given her, ages ago.

"I barely take it off." She told him. He twirled her around then caught her again and kissed her lightly.

"Do you want to get married? I don't want us to rush things..."

"I won't know when you're next back. Especially as you have a tendency to not tell me." Jaxon chuckled softly. "I want to get married. To you. As soon as we can. What's our budget?" Jaxon rolled his eyes.

"Leave that to me."

"I don't want you spending too much on this, Jaxon." Arielle looked at him with a facial expression of both anxiety and sternness.

"I won't! Trust me." He told her, kissing her cheek softly. They stopped dancing because at that moment, Zac came across the floor towards them.

"Alright, Zac?" Jaxon asked him, clapping him on the back.

"Yeah... I told Cheryl the news. She's not happy but..."

"What news?" Arielle asked, looking from Jaxon to Zac and back again. Jaxon already knew the news, he had been the one to tell Zac because he had bumped into him and Cheryl on the way here. He had dragged Zac away from Cheryl, not knowing they were together.

"I'm being deployed back to Iraq. They need me for a month. Maybe longer."

"Oh my God, when?"

"Next week. I go a week today. On Friday."

"Crap." Arielle hugged him tightly.

"Well we might still have time to have this wedding with you here, Zac." Jaxon said. Zac shrugged.

"Don't rush it for me. Honestly, it's not worth it."

"Are you joking? You have to be my best man." Zac smiled as Jaxon clapped him on the shoulder.

"Thanks, man."

"You've been my bestfriend since this started. Of course, you have to be there."

"And I don't know where I would have been without you, Zac. You kept me sane whilst Jaxon's been away." Arielle agreed. Zac smiled at them both.

"Thanks guys," Zac looked awkwardly around at the room as he spoke next. "I presume you'll be wanting your apartment to yourselves now, hey Arielle?"

"Maybe, Zac..."

"No worries, I've already set it up with Cheryl." He smiled at them again and left tojoin Cheryl and Kirsten.

Cheryl gave them all a lift home. Kirsten was first and Zac stopped off at Arielle's apartment to grab his bag and then left her and Jaxon alone.

"Finally." Jaxon muttered once Zac had closed the door behind him. Jaxon gently took hold of Arielle's waist, kissing her. He walked backwards with her to the bedroom, shutting the door behind them.

*******

It was not his first time and Jaxon was kinda glad for that as he had a bit more experience in what he was doing. Pornos were obviously not very realistic but he had his own experiences from a past ex girlfriend.

However, when he asked, Arielle admitted it was her first time. As a result, he was more cautious. He liked to have thought she enjoyed herself as much as he did once the initial pain for her was over. He wasn't too sure but she enjoyed the cuddling part in bed afterwards for sure. They fell asleep like that, together.

The next morning, Jaxon woke up before Arielle as was routine for him. He therefore made her breakfast in bed. She admitted to him that she was a bit sore still so they took a shower together which she enjoyed too, as did he. She kept looking at her engagement ring on her finger and smiling to herself which made Jaxon smile as well.

"If we are to do this wedding while Zac is here... Wednesday after this one will be best." Arielle told Jaxon as they settled onto the sofa, clean and dry from their shower. Arielle was wrapped in a dressing gown and she had her feet in his lap. He was dressed in pyjama bottoms, shirtless.

"That doesn't give us a long amount of time. Can we do it?"

"We'll manage."Arielle smiled, happily.