Forever in My Heart: The Pocket Watch Chronicles, page 11
She nodded and just stood there a moment gazing into his brilliant blue eyes. She wanted to thank him, to let him know what a wonderful day it had been. But how could she do that without words?
A slow smile spread across her face. Putting her hands on his cheeks, and standing on her tip toes, she pulled him into a kiss. While she might have intended it to be just a sweet, thank you kiss, once her lips were on his, she didn’t want to pull away.
To her pure delight, he put his arms around her and kissed her back.
If the elevator door down the hall hadn’t opened, jarring her back to reality, she would have stayed like that all night.
He smiled and winked. “Can’t have the neighbors gossiping.”
She laughed and shook her head.
“Will ye spend tomorrow with me?”
She nodded vigorously.
“Excellent. I’ll pick ye up at ten.”
Chapter 12
After their first spectacular day together, Gerald spent every possible free minute with Marilyn. He wanted her to experience everything New York had to offer. But he also just wanted to be with her. He was falling in love with her.
Correction. He loved her, full stop.
By Thanksgiving he was ready to propose, but he didn’t. When he asked her to be his wife, he wanted to hear her answer. And although he was pretty sure she would say yes, he couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her shake her head but not be able to explain why.
The twenty-third of December was day sixty. He would wait.
Thanksgiving marked the halfway point.
Normally Gerald spent Thanksgiving with the Sinclairs and their entire family. But this year they all agreed it would be better if he didn’t. So far they had managed to keep Marilyn’s mutism a secret. But Jo pointed out that even though she trusted their children, their grandchildren were a different matter. “They’re all good kids, but they are kids. I expect not telling any of their friends that they had Thanksgiving dinner with Marilyn Maxwell would be nearly impossible. Given that, we can’t be sure they’d keep the secret about her mutism.”
While he enjoyed spending time with Jo and Aldous, and they had been particularly welcoming to Marilyn, secretly he wasn’t disappointed. The thought of spending the day alone with Marilyn was more than enticing. Of course there was still Nancy to think about. Neither he nor Marilyn would want her to be by herself on a holiday. But while chatting with her a week earlier, he had learned she had a younger sister who lived in upstate New York. Nancy had been absolutely thrilled when, with Marilyn’s blessing, he suggested she go for a visit over the long weekend. Marilyn even provided her with plane tickets.
So, with the way cleared for them to be alone, he picked her up early on Thanksgiving Day. Although initially they had considered going to see the parade, he thought better of it. “I worry that we might become accidentally separated and ye wouldn’t be able to ask anyone for help. Ultimately you might be recognized and the story of your mutism would be all over the tabloids in hours.”
She agreed. Next year would be soon enough. So they watched it on the television.
Afterwards, they made a classic Thanksgiving dinner—the only exception being that they would roast a turkey breast instead of the whole bird. That would be more than enough for just the two of them. Until then, Marilyn hadn’t had the opportunity to do any cooking. Nancy took care of all the cooking when they were at Marilyn’s condo.
He had cooked several meals for Marilyn so far, but was more likely to bring prepared food in or take her out.
After today, he hoped that might change. She was absolutely in her element in the kitchen. She lovingly made everything else from the stuffing to the apple pie and every morsel was delicious. It was the best Thanksgiving dinner Gerald ever remembered having.
After dinner was over and the dishes done, he led her to the couch. “Now I’ll introduce ye to another Thanksgiving tradition—relaxing on the couch and watching movies. Particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas movies. Napping is completely allowed.”
She laughed and snuggled next to him.
“First up is Miracle on 34th Street.”
They also watched The Santa Clause before taking a break to eat the obligatory turkey sandwich. And they ended the movie spree with The Santa Clause 2.
It was getting late and Gerald knew he should take her home, but he wasn’t ready to end the day. “Are ye up for another one?”
She shook her head then folded her hands and rested her head on them.
“Of course. It’s getting late. I’ll take ye home.”
She shook her head, looked at him intently, miming sleep again and pointing down.
“Ye want to stay here tonight?”
She nodded, but her brows drew together. Clearly there was more. She pointed at him.
“I’m sorry, Marilyn, I don’t understand.”
Sighing, she tried again. She pointed at herself, then him, after which she held both hands out side by side, like two people beside each other in bed.
“Ye want to sleep with me?”
She nodded, pointed at him then laid both hands over her heart.
Could this be possible? Was she beginning to feel as he did? She couldn’t say it, so he would have to. “Oh, Marilyn, I care for ye too. In fact, I think I’m falling in love with ye. I haven’t felt this way in…well, too many years.”
She stood up, took hold of his hands and pulled him to his feet. Then cupping his face in her palms, she kissed him. They had kissed often since the first one at her door, but this was different. It was a lover’s kiss, fevered and passionate. And he returned it hungrily.
When he broke the kiss, he looked into her eyes and was lost. “Marilyn, I don’t think I’m falling in love with ye. I’m way past that. I do love ye. Dare I hope ye feel the same?”
Her smile was blissfully sweet. She nodded.
He chuckled and gathered her into his arms again. “I love every minute we’re together. I love the unbridled enthusiasm you show when something pleases you. I love your kind nature and the way you greet everyone, even though it is without words.”
She snuggled her head against his chest and he kissed the top of her head.
“I didn’t imagine ye’d love me too.” He tilted her chin up and kissed her again, deeply and passionately. He poured every tender feeling he had for her into that kiss and her response delighted him.
She gazed at him, her lips soft and her gaze starry.
“Ye’re sure ye want this? Ye come from a time with rigid rules. They’re very different now, but still, those beliefs are hard to set aside. I would never want to do anything that ye might regret later.”
She shook her head firmly.
He smiled. “Good. It’s what I want too.” Taking her hand he led her into his bedroom. They were barely through the door when he kissed her again and she returned the kiss with equal fervor.
To his utter astonishment and delight she unbuttoned his shirt, without ever breaking the kiss. He returned the favor, unbuttoning her blouse and sliding it, along with the cardigan she wore, over her shoulders.
They continued undressing each other until their clothes lay in a puddle at their feet. Then he pulled her back into his arms, kissing her on her lips, before moving down the column of her throat to her breasts which he kissed and suckled until she moaned with pleasure.
“Come to the bed with me, my sweet lass, and let me love you.”
With a broad grin she stepped back, pulling him with her until her legs touched the bed.
He laid her gently on the bed and knelt beside her. His hands roamed freely over her body before cupping her breasts and brushing his thumbs gently over the peaks. “Perfect,” he murmured. He planted kisses on each of them, and suckled lightly, causing them to pebble. Then he trailed kisses down her abdomen, stopping briefly at her navel before moving lower. He raised his head to look at her. Since she couldn’t speak, he needed to know she hadn’t changed her mind. She smiled at him as a sweet pink blush suffused her cheeks. She clearly hadn’t changed her mind.
“Ye’re beautiful, Marilyn. So very beautiful. Lowering his head he continued kissing his way down her body. He touched her between her legs, stroking her sensitive nub, and eliciting a soft moan.
He looked up at her again and she raised her hips toward him in silent answer to his unspoken question.
He continued to stroke her as she writhed under him. He teased and caressed, bringing her ever higher and then slowing the pace. Each disappointed gasp caused him to smile. Finally, after bringing her to the edge several times, he knelt between her legs. “I won’t tease ye anymore.” He moved his hands under her, lifting her and joining with her in one firm stroke.
She arched against him again and again with wild abandon.
He watched as she was overcome with the shuddering waves of her climax. Nothing could possibly be more beautiful than seeing her shatter in ecstasy. It was only then, as her muscles contracted around him that he too found his release.
He held his weight off her as he caught his breath and reveled in the look of utter satisfaction on her face. He leaned down, kissing her lightly as he gently withdrew and moved to lie beside her on the bed, still panting.
“That was nothing short of perfection.”
She smiled, looking pleased beyond measure at his words, then snuggled a little closer.
Gerald wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into the curve of his body, reveling in the deep love he hadn’t felt in years. Incredibly content, he drifted off to sleep.
~ * ~
As she lay in the warmth of Gerald’s embrace, Mary couldn’t quite believe what she’d done. There had been only one other time when she had shunned the social conventions of her time and initiated intimacy with a man—her Jock. That time had been just as wonderful.
Then it occurred to her that she hadn’t thought of Jock in days. She had thought of him every day for thirty-five years. After she married James, out of consideration for him, she didn’t wear the brooch Jock had given her that Christmas. She cared deeply for him and would never have done anything to cause him pain. However, from that one Christmas with her Jock, until she arrived in the twenty-first century, she always used rose scented soap. It was a daily reminder of the man who held her heart, and she was the only one who knew its significance.
Maybe that was the reason he hadn’t been on her mind. Maybe she should have stopped using the soap years ago. But deep down, she knew that wouldn’t have changed anything and it wasn’t the reason Jock hadn’t been on her mind recently.
Thoughts of Jock had certainly consumed her when she first arrived. She had cursed the fact—for probably the millionth time since he left her—that she didn’t know his real name or from what year he came. He might still be alive now. She could have searched for him. Even though he lived in Glasgow, from what she had learned about modern computers, it might have been possible to find him. Once she could speak again, she could have flown on an airplane, and been in Glasgow in hours.
Still, if the universe unfolds as it should, she could only believe that wasn’t meant to be. What if he had a wife and a family now? What pain would it cause them both if she were to turn up in his life?
However, even coming to this realization didn’t stop her from thinking about him until recently. So what had brought about the change?
Gerald’s arms tightened around her slightly in his sleep.
Aye, ‘tis ye, Gerald Rose. Ye’re the reason.
She had fallen deeply in love with this man. She knew it didn’t mean she loved Jock less. It only lessened the pain of his loss and made room in her heart for another.
Jock, my love, I guess it’s time I let ye go.
Chapter 13
From the first day Mary arrived in the twenty-first century, she realized she’d never have to worry about her future. Marilyn was exceedingly wealthy and Mary would be able to live here comfortably for the rest of her life. And within days, she knew she had been further blessed with good friends. But she never imagined falling in love. After Jock died, she had never imagined loving anyone like that again.
But here she was—madly and deeply in love with Gerald Rose and he with her. And after she realized it on Thanksgiving night, she didn’t want to be away from him. The next morning, to her great joy she learned he wanted the same thing.
“Marilyn, would ye consider staying with me for the rest of the weekend?”
It was all she could do not to jump up and down like a wee lassie.
He took her to her condo later that morning to get the clothes and toiletries she’d need for the next few days. And while the rest of the world was caught up in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, she and Gerald spent the weekend mostly cocooned in his apartment.
They did brave a grocery store on Friday afternoon because she wanted to make Christmas cakes. They needed to be made early and soaked in whisky for several weeks.
“It’s been years since I had a proper Christmas cake. My mother always made them as well as Christmas pudding, but I never learned to make either of them.”
She frowned and mimed buying one.
“They do have what they call fruitcake here, but they aren’t exactly the same. They are much denser and have more fruit than cake. They are very rich. And they don’t put marzipan and royal frosting on them.” He grinned. “That was my favorite part as a lad.”
She loved the marzipan and frosting too. Her mother hadn’t made them that way—probably because of the expense. But after she married James, she’d learned how.
He began to chuckle.
She smiled, made an encouraging motion with her hand.
“Oh, I was just remembering how much my dad loved Christmas cake. I remember once, my mother had made three or four cakes in November. She put them in tins and apparently hid them in the garden shed to keep me out of them. As most people do, she fed them with whisky every week. But one week, she could only find three of them. Then the following week another one went missing. She cornered me, demanding to know if I had done something with them. I, of course, was absolutely innocent. She asked the housekeeper and the gardener if they had seen them. They too hadn’t. Then one night, Da was working later than usual in his study. She popped her head in to ask if he’d like a cup of tea only to find him, feet up on the desk, mug of tea in one hand, and a half eaten slice of Christmas cake in the other.”
Mary laughed. She mimed being furious.
“Was she angry? Probably. But she loved him too much to stay angry long. She just made him swear not to touch the other two until Christmas Day.”
Baking in a modern kitchen was such fun and so easy, she made shortbread and ginger snaps that weekend too. Then, getting in the spirit of things, Gerald showed her how to make chocolate chip cookies. By everything that was good and holy, she couldn’t imagine anything tasting better than one of these little wonders still warm from the oven.
When Mary returned to her own apartment on Sunday night, it felt so empty she wanted to beg him to stay with her. But she refrained. He had to work in the morning and she’d made plans with Jo Sinclair to go Christmas shopping.
The first time she’d gone shopping with Jo, it had been fun looking at all the merchandise, or trying on clothes and shoes. And while Jo bought several things, Mary hadn’t made any purchases. She didn’t know how. There were a few green currency notes in her wallet, but it didn’t seem like much.
However, Jo didn’t use notes to buy anything. She pulled out a small, flat, plastic card that appeared to have some raised numbers on it. Mary knew that there were some of these in her wallet too. She figured she’d watch Jo and learn how to use them.
Initially it seemed pretty easy. Jo handed over the card, or slid it down the side of a machine. But then the clerk either gave her a long slip of paper to sign, or asked her to sign directly on the machine. Mary didn’t know how to sign Marilyn’s name.
When they returned home that afternoon, Jo said, “That last pair of jeans you tried on looked great. I was surprised ye didn’t buy them.”
Mary pointed at her purse, then put her palms up and shrugged.
“Oh, good heavens, I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. You don’t know how to use a credit card and even if you did, you can’t sign Marilyn’s name.”
Mary nodded and touched her nose.
“Well we can fix that. Take your wallet out and I’ll walk you through it. So, the way it works is the card is connected to a line of credit with a bank. That means, the bank determines the total value of what you can buy. I suspect your limit is very high or nonexistent. Sometimes banks will do that if you are very wealthy. You can use the card almost anywhere to purchase anything you want as long as you don’t exceed your limit. The credit card company keeps track of everything and sends you a bill at the end of the month. But you don’t even have to worry about that. When you first moved here, you asked Aldous to recommend a local accountant to manage your money and pay your bills. I know you hired him because he thanked Aldous for the referral.”
Mary found that simply incredible. People in her time were extended credit occasionally. But only at a particular shop, if the owner knew the person very well and he was certain the customer would eventually pay their bill. It fostered good will and loyalty. James had a number of very good customers to whom he extended credit. But with this credit card, it seems the relationship was with the bank, not the merchant.
“Now let’s see what Marilyn’s signature looks like.” She turned over one card and frowned. Then she looked at the others.
Mary gave her a questioning look.
“Oh, there’s nothing wrong. I was just surprised by the name on the cards. It isn’t Marilyn Maxwell.”
Mary frowned. What did that mean?
“The name on all of your cards is Mary L. Coffee. It must be your real name. It isn’t uncommon for actors to pick a stage name. Sometimes they want a name that sounds more impressive. For example, there was a famous actor known as John Wayne. He played very strong, manly roles. His real name was Marion Robert Morrison. Other times, actors use different names to protect their privacy and they don’t actually legally change their name. Knowing what little I do about Marilyn, I suspect the latter. Do you mind if I look at your license? It may be possible to open a bank account under an alias, but your driver’s license will be your legal name.”
