04. Married
The weekend finally came, and although I had some work to do, it gave me time off as well. My job as a musician wasn’t very demanding, as most days work started late in the afternoon. It felt more relaxed, giving me time to do other things in the day time. The first thing I did after sorting out the garden and tidy up, was call Constance. Her name still thrilled me every time I said it to myself, and I felt the excitement when dialing her number…
We met up, and as always I felt relieved. I rang her quite often just for chat, and to invite someone out was a big step p. Sometimes they were at work, sometimes they just said, “Sorry, I don’t feel like coming over just now.” Nothing you could do about that, although you could still ring them for a chat. A chat isn’t the same as meeting up though! I still didn’t want her to see my tiny hovel, so we went back to ‘our’ park. Riverview had an abundance of parks, more than Sunset Valley it seemed. I had been to some other meet ups, but this one park near the house was so sweet. It had flowers, benches, quiet corners, and although you were hardly ever the only one there, it was usually quiet enough to have an intimate chat with someone.
Just to see her walking in brought back memories to my first night in Riverview, my long night on the park bench, and my misery. There she was, smiling, excited, her hair clean and neat. We kissed, held hands, and I studied her sweet face, feeling more sure of the next step than ever before, the ring burning a hole in my pocket. Yes, she was obviously excitable, but she was kind and sweet and funny. As soon as I could, I proposed to her. I did it the old fashioned way of course, went on one knee. “Please Constance, will you marry me, stay with me, be my wife for as long as Grim lets us?” She squealed, but just about managed to gasp “Yes, oh yes!” And just like that we were engaged. I felt relieved and so happy, I forgot about my homesickness and my bitterness. I even felt a spark of gratefulness towards Master Kraken. No longer did I wish to go back to Sunset Valley, and starting all over again wasn’t in my mind anymore. I just wanted to stay here, in Riverview, build the next generation, and just live each day with joy. Life just seemed so wonderful and full of adventure.
The very same day I checked my money. I had worked very hard all day every day, writing as well as working hard at my musician’s job, and money had built up a bit. I asked the builders to come, and extend my house. After all, a one roomed house wasn’t good enough for a wonderful woman like Constance. Oh, she would never complain, of course not. She was too much of a well brought up lady to do so, but I wanted her to have the best. Well, the best my bank account allowed, and by the time the house had been extended I needed more time, more income.
All that week I worked and scraped. I extended the house, bought an expensive, good quality double bed (not making the same mistake again!) and a fridge. I even managed a tiny bathroom. I mean, I have been going to the toilet in the library, and shower at the gym, but my wife deserved better than that. My parents would be proud if they saw me, I was sure, for I had made the most with the resources I had. The items were good quality, and I felt such happiness walking from room to room. I was glad that I had stayed. I was pleased with the progress made. After all, I was the first generation in the Legacy Challenge, and already I had a house with several rooms and some level of comfort.
I must admit, work felt different the next few days. I had a sense of purpose, an aim. I couldn’t wait till I had my day off, for I was determined to marry Constance at the first opportunity. For time was moving on, which wasn’t the only reason to hasten our wedding. I loved Constance, just wanted to be with her, and felt such a thrill at the idea of her living with me, husband and wife. Fancy introducing her, “This is my wife, Constance.” I could picture it so vividly, and the days flew past, nothing was too hard. It reminded me of Jacob in the Bible, who loved Rachel so much that the seven years he had to work for her seemed but a few days, for the love he had to her. This felt a bit like that, and it made me understand it all a bit better as well.
Thursday came, glorious, beautiful Thursday. My day off, the day of my marriage to Constance… She came over as soon as I invited her, and we held hands, hugged, kissed and then I suggested a small, private wedding. Constance shrieked, excitement all over her sweet face, and straight away agreed. So we married, and it was the best feeling ever! She moved in, thrilled with my house. I had warned her, but she loved the place. I mean, the view was amazing, and the plot was huge, so that helped too, I suppose. It was a very long walk to the road, and soon after the builders came that first fateful day I have regretted building the house right at the back. Maybe one day I will rebuild the house. That might take a few generations, though!
I felt on top of the world. Constance worked hard as well, her Lifewish the same as mine. She was a Freelance Journalist, and such a fabulous writer! She loved to hear me practice the guitar, and we both worked in our little garden. We had dinner round our kitchen table, another addition to our home. It seemed such a different place to live, such a different existence! My heart was full to bursting most days. The only thing making me feel worried was that Constance must have caught some bug, she was sick all night, and most of the day. I hoped desperately that it wasn’t a cause for Grim to visit our happy abode…