When Love’s In Fashion

Isobel clapped her hands together with affected sternness, “Children, don’t make me send you to bed without your dinners.”

With the ease of long habit, Sven was opening his mouth to complain when he realized his mother was teasing.

“Oh ha ha. Very funny mama. We aren’t kids anymore.”

“No doubt you aren’t. You are definitely a little overgrown to be fighting at the table. Especially since it’s a table you invited us to for some reason?”

“Well yes mother, I see you’re all on tenterhooks for some sort of announcement but no, there really isn’t one. Elmira and I really did just call you here to introduce you. Or rather, to introduce us to you and you to each other. We thought that in case there was going to be family drama, we’d get over with that as early as possible.”

“Is anybody home!” the loud yelling from the hall interrupted the conversation. Elmira stood up, recognizing that voice right away. She hurried out of the dining hall to find Sascha and Atalia standing in the hall holding hands.

There was a lot of screaming and yelling and talking over each other and more screaming as Sascha showed Elmira the ring. It took Atalia nudging Sascha and then pointing with her chin for them to stop and notice the small crowd that had gathered in the doorway of the dining room, watching them. Elmira turned back to them looking sheepish.

“I’m sorry for that breach in etiquette. Mom, you know Sascha right? Mr. and Mrs. Marcel, dad, this is Sascha my best friend. And this is Atalia, her fiancé.”

Adara’s face lit up and her hands flew to her cheek, “Whaat! Girl you got engaged?” she squealed holding her hands out to envelop Sascha. The latter didn’t hesitate, just moved into Adara’s arms like she was her own mother.

“Yes. I did it ma. And I did it before Elly,” she was laughing and crying and hugging Adara as Elmira slapped her butt from behind.

There was a general chorus of congratulations and someone produced a bottle of champagne and pretty soon it was a party.

*****

Two figures tangled up on each other while walking away from the movie theater, where they had attended an early screening of the newest James Bond film.

It was a celebration in lieu of a party now that she was through with grad school. They decided to take a stroll through Central Park before heading home to his house.

“No way would Tom Hiddleston make a better Bond than Idris Elba.” Elmira stated.

“You’re just saying that because you want in his pants; besides if you’re gonna make comments like that, you’re gotta sure as hell back them up, um?”

“Come on Sven, there is nothing to back up really, Idris is just that much hotter.” Elmira said with wide teasing smirk on her face.

“Oh no you didn’t.”

Sven tackled Elmira down to the nearest snow pile on the grass in the park. It was middle of January in New York, so the air was nippy and the snow was crunchy. Making it perfect for a little “snow wash”.

Elmira chuckled child-like when she and Sven wrestled playfully in the snow, not giving a hoot about the other people in the park either looking at them like they were bat sh*t crazy or ignoring them like good New Yorkers do. Sven continued trying to shove some snow down Elmira’s neck, laughing like a loon.

“Still think he’s hotter than Idris?” Sven said hand far on Elmira’s back, making her wiggle when the cold snow hit her skin.

“I do.” Elmira smirked. “Still not as hot as you though.” Her eyes fixed on her lovers gray ones.

That made Sven remember just why he was so in love with Elmira. The way she smiled, the way she made Sven laugh, the way she made him forget everything- and everyone.

Sven crawled away from Elmira, offering his hand to help her up.

“Come on honey bunny, let’s get home and see just how hot I really am.” He said teasingly.

Elmira took Sven’s hand and pulled herself up. Swiping off the snow from her coat.

“Not as hot I am though.”

“Aye, pumpkin, don’t even start, don’t wanna start a fight now do ya?” He said, and pulled Elmira for a loving kiss, wrapping his hands around her and held her as close he could.

After a while, Elmira pulled away.

“You love it when I tease you, just admit it.” Elmira said, taking Sven by her shoulder as they started walking along the street.

“You know I love every inch and everything about you.”

Elmira just smiled shyly, burying her head in her scarf.

They walked past a jewelry store, and then it occurred to Sven, why not? He stopped to look if the store was still open, and it was.

“Hold up lover, we’re going in.” He said and pulled Elmira by her scarf and ushered her into the store.

“Sven? What are we doing here?”

“You’ll see. Just hold on a minute.”

Sven walked the counter and began to study the display. A young female cashier approached Sven, and he politely smiled at her.

“Can I help you with something?” She asked.

“Yeah, I’m looking for some rings.”

That broke the stream of Elmira’s thoughts.

A ring?

What would Sven need a ring for? Christmas was over and Isobel’s birthday wasn’t for months.

The cashier automatically started taking out female rings, with fancy stones in them.

“Looking for an engagement ring?”

“Yes.” Sven said bluntly seeing the cashier go for rings with stones.

Elmira’s eyes widened, and her body froze, what was Sven getting at? Sven grabbed his baffled girlfriend’s hand and pulled her next to himself.

“Yeah, for her.” He said as he squeezed Elmira’s hand, turning to face her. “If you’ll have me.”

The cashier was confused.

The words hit Elmira like a train. Looking like a lost puppy, she met her lover’s eyes, tears forming in hers. Discombobulated as hell, she nodded, practically jumping into Sven’s arms. Kissing him with all she had.

“Yes.” She whispered in Sven’s ears, tears rolling down her cheeks.

A dry cough interrupted their moment.

“So, you’re marrying her?” She bluntly said and pointed at Elmira.

Sven cheerful attitude immediately dropped as he faced the cashier.

“You have a problem with that?” Arms at his side.

“N-no. I just thought…”

Elmira quickly took Sven into her arms, reassuring him that everything was fine.

“Well don’t think, and gimme some rings.”

They settled with matching white gold rings with golden edges.

“Maybe we should get home and celebrate a little, hmmm?” Sven whispered to Elmira, while nipping her ear.

“Don’t need ask me twice.” Elmira said voice husky and happy.

They left the store, Sven flipping the cashier off, much to Elmira’s surprise. He was usually so proper.

*****

“Hey so you think the mothers will be able to agree on arranging this wedding without killing each other?” Elmira asked later that night.

“Hell no. We’re eloping.” Sven said casually, chest still gleaming with all the exertion.

“Uh huh. So you’re not satisfied with them killing each other, you want them to kill us too?”

“Mmm. You have a point.” Sven said still sounding nothing but self satisfied. Maybe he’d be able to care about these things tomorrow.

“Hey maybe we can talk to our dads and have them be the ones to negotiate with them.”

“I can hear my dad’s laughter at that suggestion already.”

“Yeah,” Elmira said flopping back on the bed, “I can just hear the ‘hell naw’ my dad would give me if I asked, accompanied by a smirk and consoling pat on the shoulder. Whose bright idea was it to make marriage a big deal? Someone should go back in time and kill them.”

“I suggest we tell them and then just move out of the way. We give them a date for the wedding, tell them we’re picking our own clothes and inviting our own guests, and then just let them figure out the rest.”

“Hmm. That’s actually a very good idea Sven. I congratulate you on showing your usefulness to this marriage. Meanwhile you promised me a trip to Malaysia when I finished my Masters. Let’s take it immediately after we tell them.”

“Oh yes. Lets.”

The End.