I Am Hers She is Mine

"What's up with you?"
River approaches me with a basket filled to the brim with the ripest cherries. I know he's picked them from his garden. And I bet they're for me as it's become fast news of my recent craving for cherries. He's been keeping his distance with me like I have with him especially after that bizarre dream of the two of us. It meant something had to happen before it slipped into my reality. So I've kept my distance and he quickly got the message. Don't get me wrong, we still are friends. Really good friends actually. He seems to get along the best with me, and I think that's because he feels he can talk to me about Xiamora. And that made him the happiest.

"Are those for me?" I ask modestly, keeping my focus on him instead of that fast approaching basket. River chuckles and takes a seat next to me, offering them to me. I must have looked feral as I immediately start eating them and he just stares at me a while before joining me.

"How long did you know of the party and my family coming over?"
He shrugs, sucking on a pip.
"Not long. But keeping it under wraps was difficult, especially being around you."
"You... you make it difficult to keep secrets."
The moment between us is too long as our eyes stay connected. I gulp down the last bite of that cherry and then look away.
"I appreciate it. And I'm sure Rolf did. He sure surprised me. It was a hell of a night."
"It was nice seeing you happy."
I smile the best friendliest smile I had to him and offer him a cherry.

...

"Where did you go?"
I'm still finishing off that basket as me and Raven hang in the kitchen. Rolf has just come back from a busy day. It's sunset now, and being summer that meant it's pretty late into the evening despite it being bright.
"Errands."
It's simple and meant not to raise suspicion. He takes my cherry I was about to eat and stands between me and the counter. Raven clears her throat, clearly feeling awkward and leaves us two.

"Busy, busy day. Can we go and make sweaty, sexy love into the long summer night?"
He feeds me the cherry and I don't know what to say as he starts kissing my neck.
Oh yes, about last night and today I guess as he's been away all day.
"Busy indeed. Erm is there anything else you need to tell me? I don't think I can handle anymore surprises." I play the seriousness off with a laugh but he still stops kissing my neck. Rolf looks serious for a moment.
"What is there to tell?"

I realise there's distance between us now.
"Oh erm, if there isn't that's fine. I just thought maybe there-
"You're not the only one who can go about their business unquestioned."
Woah, what.
"Rolf I-
"I'm tired."
He slips away before I could hold him to stay and talk about what the fuckety fuck just happened and so I stand confused, pregnant and hungry for cherries as I watch him frustratedly walk to bed.

"That was strange."
I turn to Raven's voice and mirror her perplexed face.
"Indeed."

...

"I'm going to go for lunch with dad. Are you good?" Before I start to get ready, I let him know about my plans for the day. Last night and all morning he's hardly spoken a word to me and I'm getting a little worried. I understand if he wants space. Some me time, no problem. But it's the distance, not completely physical that's confusing me. And it's sudden, unexpected.

He sighs.
"Okay. Just text me the location. And if he pisses you off just let me know and I'll pick you up."

Alright that's pissed me off.
"Why are you being negative about this? I thought we were trying to be optimistic with my father?"
He shrugs and plays with his phone.
"It's fine, I'm going to be busy all day anyway. If you get lonely, call over our good neighbour."

River.

This was about River? I thought we've been over this and I've been making an effort to keep the distance.
"Is this over the cherries?"
Rolf looks me in the eye.
"It's more than cherries, isn't it? You're fucking drawn to him like magnet. What, am I supposed to sit back and watch you with him. Smile like that with him?"
Did he see us that day River bought me cherries? I didn't realise it looked any other way than friendly.
"This isn't what it looks like."
"Bullshit." I hear under his breath.

"Stop it! If there's anyone that's being suspicious it's you!"

He looks offended. He throws the pillow he's been holding down onto the bed and walks to me.
"Suspicious? What are you talking about?"
"You've been speaking to someone about something? And all these visits and errands over the last week? Suspicious behaviour."
I sit down with a huff and cross my arms. Over my belly, might I add. It's getting big.

Rolf sighs and looks tired.
"It's not what you think. God, why are we even arguing? This is dumb. You're the one who's pregnant."

I look at him and start laughing.

"Wh-Why are you laughing? It wasn't even funny." He copies me and sits next to me but I fall back on the bed tired also from this pointless bickering and raised eyebrows.

Once I've stopped, I say,
"Look, there's nothing suspicious on my part, and so I'm going to assume there's nothing suspicious on yours. Deal?"
He looks between me and the raised pinky I hold between us.
"Okay. No more questions."
About his visits? Sure.
"Then no more about River. Please?"
"Okay, no more River."

...

It's been pleasant between me and Rolf. No more bickering, thank God. I'm awake in bed, enjoying listening to the silence. No one's beside me. Once I've looked to my side I spot the concealed long garment laying there instead of my Rolf.
I narrow my eyes at it and grab my phone. Maybe there's answers in my messages.
Nope, no new messages.

I quickly get up and unzip it.

"Oh my God."

I cover my open mouth and can feel the sting of too much air against my eyes.

Is this my wedding dress?

...

Before I look any further, I wanted to shower. I needed to get ready to wear it.

The dress was... exactly what I wanted. I'm guessing that's where my sister came in. As I wash my hair, I think back to that secret conversation late at night between Rolf and the other person. I'm guessing it was her. They have all been keeping this secret extraordinarily well. I'm quite good at figuring things out, it's quite annoying actually during my birthday times but somehow, they pulled it off!

I finished freshening up and I find a small parchment tucked under one of the straps of the dress.
This is for the bride.
All I ask of you today is to just go with the flow.
- The Groom

Okay, go with the flow. Let it happen and I trust in his plans? No problem, I smile to myself thinking how easygoing Rolf is. It was exactly how I strive to be.
I check the mirror, deciding on how to do my hair. Up or down?
God, people usually have an entourage for all of this but not me. It's different, I like it. Less stressful I think also.
Up.

It looks effortless and was pretty easy to do, that was the aim I guess. My makeup, I kept soft and fresh. The weather was optimal. Bright skies and a comfortable breeze.
I go to my dress, still no nervousness which was a good sign. I'm just excited. Excited to see Rolf as if I hadn't seen him in a lifetime.

I pick it up by the delicate, spaghetti straps. Its bodice is fitted and not too structured. The material was like satin, white and smooth under my fingers. There's a slit, revealing some thigh and my leg. Sweetheart neckline.
This is perfect - romantic and sensual.

As soon as I felt ready to leave, I'm gone. The house was empty, silent apart from the sound of my heels. I chose to come out to the back garden. Suddenly I see a trail. It's made up of bright green leaves and petals of soft coloured flowers. I follow it, and there is a bouquet at the end of the trail. Picking it up, I look ahead of me and see tall hedges blocking my view from seeing what's behind.

I can guess what or who is behind there?
But I'd rather find out.

All you can hear is the rustling of the leaves as I force my way through them. Finally once I've come out to the other side, I see Rolf sitting against a tree in a suit and tie. He's picking at the grass, having waited for me and he slowly looks up.

The world just pauses for a minute as we stare at each other. I remember when it was the first time late night at a theatre.

He looks so emotional at first, I thought he was going to cry but then the biggest smile replaces it.
"You came."
Still holding my bouquet, I blow out a breath after that journey.
"Of course I would. Where else would I be than with you?"
We walk towards each other, and he picks up his jacket and throws it over his shoulder.

I take the time before we meet to admire his look. He's chosen a forest green blazer and trouser, white shirt and suspenders. He's even tied away his hair in a ponytail. It reminds me of the Professor I fell in love with.

"Hi." I'm not sure what else to say as I just stare at him. He's doing the same, his fingers softly stroking the sides of my arms as he sees me in the dress.
He nods, as if to himself, and takes my hand to circle me around.
"I couldn't imagine it better. I find myself always thinking that with you."

"I love you, Professor. Can we go and get married?"
He chuckles, a stunning sight. One I could never get used to. He kisses my hand and leads me somewhere.

Delving deeper into the garden, which was more bigger than I thought, I start to hear chatter and laughter.
"Oh wow."

So this is where he's spent all those mysterious afternoons doing.
There are benches facing a giant willow tree, filled with guests looking happy. And the focal point was this beautiful, wooden archway where I presume we'd stand to share our vows.
"This was you, wasn't it? Completely and only you."
I look up at him and I don't think I've seen both pride and humility on ones face before.
"All for you. For us."

The laughter and talk goes quiet. I think we're being watched now.
"And the tree?"
Rolf wipes his eyes.
"She would've always been here."
Be strong. Be brave, just like him.

I cover my face, trying not to cry yet. At least get through the vows. Gently he takes my hands from my face.
"Come on, trouble. Let's get married."

Walking down to the archway, I see familiar faces. And the closer we get to the front, I see someone strikingly familiar who I thought I wouldn't for a long while.
"Georgia?!"
Rolf chuckles behind me as I rush over to her bench and she immediately stands to receive my hug.
"Oh you look so beautiful. All of this is perfect for you." She wipes the corners of my eyes, thankfully before they ruin the makeup.

Once we're at the front, Rolf tells me that he hasn't written any vows. My eyes widen.
"I want it to be from the heart. I think we're both good with our words."
"O-okay. Okay. Just go with flow."
He smiles at that and proceeds to tell me exactly what's in his heart.