16 June 1922
11:38pm
The Amalfi Coast, Italy
The honeymoon was a surprise; Rose had entrusted this part fully to Gideon and she knew without even knowing where they were to end up, she’d love it. Because it came from his heart.
Once they arrived in the nearby Magical village by way of apparition, they took a car into the Muggle area just outside of Positano. The road they took was narrow and most non magical beings would have a hard time finding it without knowing exactly where to look. The villa was carved into a cliffside, high above the water below. The villa was old with thick walls and terracotta floors. The windows did not have screens and opened to the sea, letting in the salty air from the slight breeze outside.
Walking inside the villa, Rose’s eyes widened when she saw the sheer number of flowers inside. Someone had filled it for them, and added a lot of romantic candlelight too. Still in her dress, Rose made her way through the main part of the villa to the outside terrace. Stone steps descended a bit and as she drew nearer to the sea, the sea salt scent grew stronger and the sound of waves filled her ears.
“Gid… it’s beautiful,” she said, her voice breathy. She smiled and held onto his hand, not wanting to let go. He was hers now and she was his.
He’d asked her what she wanted for their honeymoon. She told him she wanted something simple. Romantic. Private.
And he’d definitely delivered. As she let her blue eyes skim the area around them, she could not see any signs of other villas nearby, she could not hear any other people. After such a busy day preparing for the wedding, and then finally doing it, being alone with him was all she wanted.
Mr and Mrs Blackwood
The wedding had been perfect. Every detail thought about and executed to Vin’s exacting standard. From the invitation, every flower on display, the candles and the mounds of food, everything was perfect for Rose. And she deserved every bit of it.
The Honeymoon was Gideon’s domain, and he took the job seriously. It took time to pick a location, there were quite a few on the list before he decided on The Amalfi Coast. Italy was a gorgeous country, and the location of their villa was overlooking the crystal blue-green water.
Walking in, there were flowers and candles on every flat surface. The floral aroma wafted through the space, mixed with the smell of the ocean made the place seem magical.
“Gid… it’s beautiful.” Rose said, taking in the villa. She wasn’t wrong, it was beautiful.
And so was she. Still holding hands, he tugged her towards him, bringing her close. Looking into her eyes, he sighed. Bringing his hands to her face, he kissed her forehead, then her left temple, and the right. “Hello wife.” Gideon said on a whisper.
When his lips met hers in a slow kiss, it all made sense. Everything clicked into place. Everything was right in the world. “You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” Kissing her again.
“It’s late. Are you hungry? Or should we figure out where the bedroom is in this place?”
He knew what he wanted… and it wasn’t a midnight snack.
Roisin smiled as Gideon kissed her, greeting her as ‘wife’. Her heart skipped a beat, and her stomach did a flip. It was finally done; all of the planning had come to a fruition and now she was Roisin Blackwood. The Byrne name was finally her past, something she never had to think about. Once the paperwork was official, Fiona would also be a Blackwood.
She sighed into Gideon’s kiss, accepting his compliment. She’d felt beautiful, if she were honest, but his opinion was what she had dressed up for. She wanted to be beautiful for him. She wanted him to have no reason at all to second-guess this.
And now, after spending hours dancing around their friends and family, with Fiona and Evander, they were finally alone. Rose’s feet were sore and she stepped out of her heels.
“It’s late. Are you hungry? Or should we figure out where the bedroom is in this place?”
Food? Oh, right. From the moment the ceremony was over, Rose had taken maybe a couple of bites of food and a couple of bites of cake. The rest of the time they had spent socializing and dancing and celebrating.
She was exhausted – almost too hungry to even think about food or anything else, if she were to be totally honest.
But she knew the look in Gideon’s eyes. Perhaps…
“I could probably eat, but…” she sighed and a smirk crossed her face. “A bath would be lovely, don’t you think? I just know I want out of this dress and off my feet,” she admitted, weaving her fingers in between his.
“If I was a bedroom here, I’d be…” she said softly and pulled him by his hand towards a hallway.
“I could probably eat, but…” Gideon chuckled at the smirk on her face. He knew that look well, and always loved the results. “A bath would be lovely, don’t you think? I just know I want out of this dress and off my feet,” she said, weaving their fingers together and pulling him along. “If I was a bedroom here, I’d be…”
He knew were the bedroom was, but he let her lead.
All the thought that had gone into this place, into every detail of the day and week ahead, this he didn’t rush. She pulled him down the hall, lighter. Softer somehow. All the stress from the wedding was gone.
His gaze lingered a moment on the abandoned heels behind them.
Good. They weren’t needed anymore.
He was excited for her to see the room, a wall of windows that overlooked the blue water. Even the bathroom had a view, windows magiced so that no one could see inside.
The person responsible for getting the villa ready had done their job well. The bath was already filled, candles placed on every flat surface. Flower petals floating on the surface of the water, filled to the brim, steam rolling off the water.
With a soft click the bathroom door closed, the air heavy, charged with a tension he welcomed.
Walking forward slowly, Gideon took off his suit jacket, tossing it on the vanity chair. His eyes never left hers as the cufflinks went to the marble countertop. When he reached her, his hands found her shoulders, then slowly ran down her arms to her hands. Linking their fingers, he brought her left hand to his lips, where he kissed the ring sitting now adorning her hand forever.
“Wife.” He sighed.
Turning her around, he took stock of the dress and the line of buttons that ran down her back. He snorted out a small chuckle. “This… is a concerning number of buttons love.” He ran his finger from where they started to where they ended. “This feels intentional, but don’t worry…” He said, his mouth coming to the shell of her ear. “I’m up for the challenge.”
One by one, his fingers worked to loosen the fabric. His thumb trailing down the skin of her back as it came into view. The weight of the beaded lace pulling the gown down as each button was freed. Finally, the gown fell in a wave of silk to the floor, leaving Rose in a stunning light pink lingerie set. Her skin glowed in the candle light, creating a picture he wanted to tattoo into his mind for eternity. She had never looked more stunning than in that moment.
As she turned, Gideon kissed her temple, her cheek and then the spot just below her ear that he loved so much. His hands found her waist, loving the feel of her soft skin under his calloused hands. “As much as I love this look, you’re still overdressed my wife.” The smile that graced his face, only for her.
Rose couldn’t explain the lightness she felt now that the vows were done, and the reception was done. Knowing that Fiona, their daughter was safely with her new grandparents and cousins, and she had Gideon all to herself, she felt at peace for the first time in a very long time. Nothing was hanging over her head; the trials were over, she was now Mrs. Gideon Blackwood, and Fiona was happy.
Everything was right.
When Rose’s blue eyes took in the sight of the room they’d be spending most of the time in, she smiled. It was beautiful. She had no idea how he had managed to find the most perfect place, but she was glad he did.
The bathroom door shut behind them, and Rose’s eyes lingered on the bath that was waiting for them. Still warm, she could see from the steam, and entirely romantic. She turned her eyes back to her husband as he took off his suit jacket and then his cufflinks. She watched as he walked to her, her eyes searching his. She’d found so much solace there in them, and that’s what she found now.
She watched him kiss the ring he had put on her finger tonight and she smiled. Her heart skipped a beat again.
“Husband,” she whispered in response. That word felt so ‘grown up’ and while Rose was thirty now, she still sometimes didn’t feel responsible enough to be considered an adult.
He turned her around and Rose let her eyes stare out the window before her, waiting to feel him begin the work of unbuttoning her dress.
His chuckle, his words. She smiled. “I knew you would be,” she responded, her eyes closed when he kissed her ear.
Gideon finally began the adventure of unbuttoning all of the buttons that were keeping her in her dress. Some might get bored, but not her. And definitely not him. The fabric grew looser and looser until it fell lightly to the floor. The air touching her sent chills down her spine as she turned around to face him.
He kissed her again, in the spot he always found.
“As much as I love this look, you’re still overdressed my wife.”
Raising a brow, Roisin couldn’t help but to look down at him. “You’re concerned about me being overdressed? This,” she motioned to him, “is entirely unacceptable, love.”
She smirked and gently touched his shirt. She ran her fingers down until she got to the waistband of his slacks. She pulled his shirt out, untucking it, before grabbing the two sides at the bottom. He’d been so gentle with her dress, which she appreciated, and here she was, smirking at him right before ripping his dress shirt open.
“Oops…” she said and giggled, pulling it off all the way. “Too many buttons,” she commented, her fingers now working on the buckle of his belt.
The sound of buttons pinging off every available surface registered before he realized what happened.
“Oops…” she said and giggled. “Too many buttons,”
The tension broke as they both laughed. Grasping her by the wrist he pulled her against his body, his lips finding hers in a heated kiss. His hands roamed, never stopping, just feeling. The lingerie went next, within seconds they were both ready to dip their toes in the hot bath.
Gideon stepped in, getting settled with his back against the tub. Holding his hand out, Gideon motioned for her to come closer. “Come here wife, don’t make me come get you…” His eyes took her in, top to bottom. She was gorgeous in the candle light. “Actually, if you’d like to stay there, I don’t mind the view.” His smile grew, as his eyes took on a ravenous glint.
“Careful,” he murmured, softer now. “It’s warmer than it looks.” he said as Rose stepped into the bath, Gideon’s hands found her waist, guiding her to sit in his lap, her back to his chest.
His thumb traced once along her wrist, slow, absent-minded. “Time to relax, you’ve done enough for one day.”
His hand moved from her wrist to her side, drawing her closer still, until there was no space left between them. The world outside the villa faded. It was only them, only this. Only her.
Gideon’s lips found her shoulder, kissing a line up her neck and back down. “Finally,” he muttered, barely more than a breath. His touch deepened, slower now, more certain, as though he’d finally run out of reasons to hold back. “I've missed you Mrs. Blackwood? No more nights apart.”
Roisin settled into the tub, against Gideon, only a little bit of water separating them at this point. She closed her eyes as he touched her, his voice weaving comfort around her. She smiled. They were now together, permanently, and there was nothing that would ever tear them apart.
She breathed as he called her Mrs. Blackwood. She had a very brief second where she thought he couldn’t be talking about her. But he was. And that fact sent a warmth throughout her body that she couldn’t get enough of.
His words, though, ‘you’ve done enough for one day’, brought an idea to her.
Rose shifted, first moving away from Gideon before turning around and moving closer to him, her legs folding around him. All barriers were gone. They were married now, nothing else mattered.
“We have one more thing to do, though…” Rose said softly, kissing his mouth briefly before kissing a trail to his ear. She closed her lips around his ear lobe momentarily, her stomach doing a flip before she pulled away.
Her lips grazed his ear, her voice a mere whisper. “Let’s make a baby, Gid,” she said, pulling back to look into his eyes before her lips crashed onto his. They’d both been holding back just in case, though thankfully the birth control charm had expired twenty-four hours ago. She’d happily not renewed it when it was due.
Having Rose turn around, straddling him, kissing up his neck to his ear was perfection. “We have one more thing to do, though…”
With a smile on his face, liking where things were headed Gideon whispered “Only one?” between kisses. He could think of a lot more than just one.
“Let’s make a baby, Gid.”
……………
She said what now?
……………
His brain was misfiring.
His hands came up, framing her face, turning her so that their eyes met. “Say that again,” he said with excitement coloring his tone.
“You're sure?” He asked, voice steady, gravely with want. His thumb brushed across her cheek. “Not tomorrow. Not someday. Now?” He searched her face for half a second longer and whatever he found there settled something deep in his chest. That was all he needed.
His lips found her skin, kissing her chin, cheek, tip of her nose, then their lips met and he was gone. Lost in their love and the hope that one day they would add more kids to the family.
Lots of kids.
He wanted a whole quidditch team.
His mouth found hers again, all restraint lost. “You’ve no idea what you’ve just agreed to,” he muttered against her lips, a laugh in his words. Low and dangerous. Gideon’s hands slid across her skin, lower, down her sides drawing her closer. Then, in one smooth motion he rose, lifting her with him as if she weighed nothing
“Stay with me,” he added, as he carried her to the bedroom.
As his knees found the edge of the bed, Gideon lowered her down carefully, with a little bounce. He followed her quickly, humor and love in his eyes. “We probably should have started with food, you’re going to need your strength,” he said, his voice gravely as his eyes took their fill.
All laughter was gone as his lips met hers in a passionate kiss. No more waiting, no more stopping. He wouldn’t be letting her go anytime soon.
Sometime the next day
Rose’s eyes fluttered open in response to her stomach growling quite loudly. The sun’s brightness caused her to squint, and she sat up. There were no clocks in the room, so her blue eyes attempted to read the sun’s position. If she had to guess, she’d say it was sometime in the afternoon.
Her eyes were drawn to the clear blue of the ocean that their room overlooked. She smiled, and then settled back next to Gideon. Neither of them had slept much, and had certainly eaten nothing since the wedding.
Rose was starving. She snuggled in as close to her husband as she could and kissed his jaw line to his ear. “Wake up, my love…” she whispered before pressing her lips gently to his neck.
Once he stirred, and his eyes opened, Rose grinned. “My stomach is demanding food,” she informed him matter-of-factly. She placed her hand on his stomach and felt it growl in agreement.
“We need nourishment if we are to continue…” she said, a glint in her eye reserved only for him. Then the smirk softened and she pressed her lips to his, inciting a deep kiss.
“I love you,” she said as she pulled back, then nuzzled her head into his neck. After a second she laughed. “I need food, but all I can think about is having a baby with you…”
It really was a problem.
Baby…
It was honestly a dream come true. A dream he hadn’t allowed himself to hope for until Rose came along. Gideon loved being an uncle, doting on his niece and nephew, and now Fiona, but he wanted to be a father.
And Rose was on board.
If it were up to Gideon, after last night she would be pregnant. Bring on the bottle and nursery. He knew it wasn’t typically that easy, but he was more than excited at the prospect of practicing.
“Breakfast, no buts. Then, if you’d like we can head back to bed, but there is a whole city to be explored.”
Staying in bed the entire vacation was fine with him, but he didn’t want Rose to regret anything. The area was beautiful, the beaches perfect, the food divine and the sun would put some much needed color on their pale skin. England was a beautiful country, but they were not known for their tans.
“How ‘bout this?” He said, kissing Rose’s exposed shoulder while his hand roamed her body under the sheet covering her naked body... Maybe they didn’t need to go anywhere…
“Let’s eat breakfast, then get ready for the day. We can go to the beach, do some shopping,” he kept talking, all the while kissing up her shoulder to her neck, then nibbling the spot he loved so much just behind her ear. “We have a very adorable little girl at home who expects presents, so we should probably go looking for a few things.”
His lips reached hers, pushing up on his elbow, hovering over her. “Ok, maybe we can have brunch instead of breakfast.” He said, pulling the sheet up over their heads, as he dove in for one more romp before they went out on the town.
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